Cebu Pacific pioneers direct flights to Phuket

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced it will begin direct flights from Manila to Phuket, Thailand, starting August 16, 2013.

CEB is the first and only airline to provide direct air services from the Philippines to this popular island destination.

Using its fleet of brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft, CEB will operate a thrice weekly Manila-Phuket service every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The maiden flight will leave Manila at 8:00 pm and arrive in Phuket at 11:00pm. The return flight will depart Phuket at 12:00am the next day, and will arrive in Manila at 5:05am. 

Located approximately 860 kilometers south of Bangkok, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island. It is widely known for its dive sites and abundant beaches, making it a popular location for Hollywood movies. The Phrom Thep Cape and Wat Chalong Temple are also popular attractions, as well as snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing and yachting.

To launch its newest international route, CEB holds a PHP999 seat sale until May 23, or until seats last, for travel from August 16 to October 31, 2013. After the seat sale, lowest year-round fares start at PHP3,499.

“Cebu Pacific is proud to make the island of Phuket accessible to even more travelers. Our PHP999 seat sale is 71% off our year-round fares. We encourage everyone to take advantage of CEB’s trademark lowest fares to this world-renowned tourist attraction,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

Phuket is CEB’s 2nd destination in Thailand, aside from Bangkok where CEB operates 12 weekly flights from Manila and twice weekly flights from both Cebu and Clark.

“Aside from Phuket, CEB also pioneered direct low-cost flights from Manila to Siem Reap in Cambodia, Hanoi in Vietnam, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Bali in Indonesia. All can be considered honeymoon destinations, as well as backpacker destinations, so we hope guests start planning their trips early and book now,” Iyog added.

CEB is also slated to launch flights from Cebu to Masbate (June 1, 2013) and from Cebu to Taipei (July 5, 2013), as well as the airline’s first long haul flights from Manila to Dubai (October 7, 2013). (FREEMAN)