Cebu Pacific eyeing flights to Hong Kong from Clark

MANILA, Philippines- Budget airline Cebu Pacific on Tuesday said it plans to operate in the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga so it can exceed its target number of passengers this year. In a statement, the carrier explained that planned flights from the Clark airport will be to international destinations, particularly Hong Kong. Cebu Pacific said it will be able to surpass its target to carry seven million passengers this year if it is allowed to match the Clark-Hong Kong service of Hong Kong Express that started last week. “It is unfortunate that a Filipino airline does not have the same privilege a foreign airline enjoys in the Philippines," said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product. CEB’s application last year to fly from Clark to Hong Kong, among other destinations, was turned down by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation due to the lack of entitlements. Hong Kong Express, however, is able to offer the service because of Executive Order 500A which opened up Clark to foreign carriers. “But the favor has not been returned. In our case, the foreign governments turned down our application to fly from Clark, making it a nonviable fourth hub for CEB at this time. We would like to see reciprocity and fairness," she said. Iyog said operating in Clark is strategically important since those from northern Luzon do not have to travel all the way to Manila to catch their international flights and this will prepare Clark for its eventual expanded role as an international gateway. Cebu Pacific flies to 12 international destinations, with the addition of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Kaohsiung. CEB also operates flights to 21 domestic destinations. The budget airline is a unit of Gokongwei-owned J.G. Summit Holdings Inc. - GMANews.TV