Cebu Pacific postpones launch of Cebu-Taipei route due to PHL-Taiwan tensions

Citing a red travel alert by Taiwan against the Philippines, air carrier Cebu Pacific on Tuesday said it is indefinitely postponing the launch of its Cebu-Taipei service that was originally scheduled on July 5.

"Please note that we will postpone the launch of our twice weekly service from Cebu to Taipei, until further notice," Cebu Pacific said in an announcement posted on its Facebook page.

"We will defer the start date of said flights due to the 'red' travel alert issued by Taiwan on the Philippines. The service was previously set to launch on July 5, 2013," it added.

Flights from Manila to Taipei, however, "continue to operate as scheduled."

Taiwan had issued a red travel alert discouraging travel to the Philippines following an incident in disputed waters that killed a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman last May 9. It also issued a freeze hiring of new Filipino workers.

The tension between the Philippines and Taiwan, however, appeared to ease somewhat with the start of a parallel investigation of the incident by both sides.

For now, Cebu Pacific said guests booked on any of its flights from Cebu to Taipei may avail of following options:

• Reroute their flights via Manila without penalties
• Place the full value of their flight in a travel fund
• Request for a full refund

Affected guests are encouraged to call Cebu Pacific hotlines (+632) 7020-888 or (+6332) 230-88-88 for their preferred option. — KBK, GMA News