Cebu Pacific, the largest Philippine budget carrier and operated by Cebu Air, is increasing services to Japan and the Middle East to better cope with intensifying competition among Southeast Asian discount airlines.
The company recently started direct flights between the Philippines and Qatar as part of its strategy to tap into the large number of Filipino workers in the Middle East who return home several times a year. The carrier is also increasing direct flights to Japan in response to the record-breaking number of Filipinos traveling there.
At Doha International Airport, in the Qatari capital, Filipinos are a common sight. According to the Philippine government, about 200,000 Filipinos work in Qatar. Many of them travel home several times a year, including for Christmas.
Cebu Pacific opened a route between Manila and Doha on June 4 to meet demand from Filipino workers. Qatar has become the fourth Middle Eastern country covered by Cebu Pacific's direct services, after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Using an Airbus A330-300, Cebu Pacific flies between Manila and Doha twice a week. It has initially set the fares about 60% lower than those charged by other airlines.
No comments:
Post a Comment