Budget carrier expands Cebu hub

CEBU, Philippines - AirAsia Zest is expanding its Cebu hub in both domestic and international routes.

In a press conference yesterday, AirAsia Zest chief executive officer Joy Caneba announced that the airline company will be adding domestic routes this year, from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro and Davao bringing to three its Cebu flights with the existing Cebu-Manila route.

Moreover, Caneba said the airline is also working on opening more international direct flights from Cebu, starting with Cebu-Singapore route that the company targets to launch by December this year.

Other international flights on the drawing board include Cebu-Hong Kong and Cebu-Bangkok.

"AirAsia is committed in connecting communities in the Philippines, in the region and beyond and with our newest routes between Cebu and Mindanao we would like to provide much-needed connections and tap into underserved markets, grow it, as there is definitely great tourism and business potentials between these awesome cities, " said Cañeba.

At present, the low cost carrier is flying Cebu to Manila, Incheon/Seoul, South Korea and Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia.

"This is just the beginning of our new plans for Cebu as we are set to expand our presence here with new international direct flights and offer "fly-thru" products to connect Filipinos to the rest of AirAsia Group's massive network covering over 88 destinations across China, India, and Australia," she said.

In March 2013, AirAsia Philippines and Zest Air signed strategic alliance, allowing AAP to invest in the Zest Air Group by acquiring 49 percent of Zest Air, an investment which aligns with AirAsia Group's business strategy.

In September, Zest Air was rebranded to AirAsia Zest. The airline also introduced a new corporate look wherein the Zest name has been incorporated into the iconic red hot circle, which is the signature logo of AirAsia to reflect the partnership.— Ehda M. Dagooc (FREEMAN)