Cebu Pacific resumes service between Manila and Catarman

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific (CEB) will resume its four-times weekly Manila-Catarman flights starting June 2, after airport safety issues had been addressed by airport and local authorities.

“The runway has been cleared of vehicles and people 24/7. This is our green light to fly again to Catarman and bring back CEB’s affordable fares that other airlines must again try to match,” Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution, said.

Iyog said airport safety had been improved after additional security personnel were deployed on the runway and the perimeter fence put up is ongoing.

“Airport authorities have also blocked the entry points around the airport’s perimeter fence used by residents,” Iyog said.

Local authorities said they are committed to beef up the facility’s safety by removing encroaching residential structures.

CEB praised the efforts of CAAP and local authorities who worked closely with CEB’s Safety Department to address the issues at Catarman promptly and comprehensively.

CEB early this month suspended its Manila-Catarman service despite its full loads after several runway intrusions by both people and vehicles during flights.

“Safety remains to be a priority for CEB and we will not compromise this over revenues or loads.” Iyog added.

After CEB temporarily suspended its operations in Catarman, other airlines operating this route started charging as much as P5,000 per way.

Now on its 14th year, CEB is now Asia’s third largest low-fare carrier and flies to 14 international cities and 32 domestic destinations with the addition of Cauayan (Isabela) starting next month.