Cebu Pacific Air flying to Australia and Saudi Arabia

Aviation Updates Philippines - Low cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air, is planning to start flights to Australia in the third quarter and Saudi Arabia in the fourth quarter. Flights will be operated by an 436-seater Airbus A330-300. "This is part of the strategy to expand our long-haul operations," Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific Air CEO said on Tuesday.

Flights to Australia would proceed even if the seats from Southeast Asia is oversupplying, which can generate losses if not advertised well. Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific was banking on increased tourists arrivals, as well as the Filipino-Australian community, which he estimated at 250,000 people.

“Our philosophy has always been the same. We try to expand markets by offering lower fares,” Gokongwei said at the sidelines of the 10th Asean Finance Ministers’ Investor Seminar yesterday. However, Gokongwei declined to give us a hint in which city will they fly in Australia.

(PHOTO) Manuel Nierra - Aviation Updates Philippines

Flights to Saudi Arabia will start in the second half. Last October, the carrier launched its flights to Dubai flying 7 times a week. But, after a few months, the carrier decided to reduce flights to 5 times a week because of low passenger volume. Last year, Cebu Pacific Air planned to mount direct flights to Dammam and Riyadh, if given a green light by the Civil Aeronautics Board.

In a press release, Cebu Pacific Air proudly announced the delivery of the 4th Airbus A330-300 which will be used domestically and internationally. The Airbus A330-300 will be utilized for the planned London flights, which haven't received green lights yet.

By the end of the year, Cebu Pacific will operate all of its Airbus A330s to international flights, leaving the A320s to operate domestic and international flights. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo and Airbus A330 aircraft.