Cebu Eyes Australia

The Philippine’s national flag carrier has released plans to update its fleet and launch services outside of Asia, including Australia, the Middle East, part of Europe and the US.

Aiming for the third quarter of 2013, the carrier said in an online statement that it will lease up for eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft, a place fit to carry out the carrier’s long term plans, according to chief executive Lance Gokongwei.

““We are exploring serving cities where large Filipino communities reside --- Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the USA. Data indicates that more than half of Filipinos deployed in these regions take multiple stops and connecting flights because no home carrier can fly them there non-stop,” he explained.

Since commencing flights in 1996, Cebu has focused on building its short-haul flights for Filipinos.

Mr Gokongwei said it is an “exciting time” for the company to consider growth and offering low fares to a number of destinations could drive “significant increase on demand for air travel to regions outside of Asia”.

“As CEB develops long-haul routes and opens new destinations for a Philippine flag carrier, we will be creating an important enabler for increased trade, tourism and foreign investment,” he added.

Cebu current operates flights to up to 34 destination including Manila, Cebu, Clark as well as Ho Chi Minh, Siem and Singapore.