Cebu Pacific flies Passenger No. 50MSOURCE: MANILA BULETTIN
MANILA, Philippines - It started out as a no-frills airline. But after more than a decade, Cebu Pacific (CEB) has evolved and leveled up while maintaining its identity as a budget airline.
On Thursday, the country's largest flag carrier, celebrated a milestone when it flew its 50 millionth passenger - Harald Toifl, an Austrian - since it started operations in 1996.
Toifl, who works with Volkswagen in Beijing, China, left Cebu Pacific's home at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) aboard a flight bound for Beijing. Toifl and his German wife, Stephanie, were in the country for their honeymoon on Coco Loco Island in Palawan. President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with CEB President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei, awarded Toifl a one-year unlimited travel pass to any of CEB's 16 international or 33 domestic destinations. ''As the first low-fare airline in Asia, Cebu Pacific considers this a major achievement.
Since 1996, we have grown to become the Philippines' number one airline, offering the most number of flights and operating the most extensive route network in the Philippines, and flying to the most ASEAN destinations,'' Gokongwei said. From its daily flight service between Manila, Cebu and Iloilo back in March 8, 1996, using four Douglas Corporation DC9 jets, CEB has gone a long way and has, in fact, played a catalytic role in perking domestic tourism. ''Cebu Pacific Air's trademark low fares and innovative products, coupled with warm and genuine Filipino service, will continue to stimulate travel and tourism within the Philippines and beyond,'' Gokongwei added. Buoyed by overwhelming reception and bidding to widen its market share in the industry, CEB on November 22, 2001 started its international operations with twice daily flight services to Hong Kong.
Through the years, CEB introduced other regional flights such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Beijing. Moving forward, CEB is cashing in on the growing intra-regional trade and commerce that include tourism. In order to achieve this medium term plan is undertaking a multi-million dollar modernization and expansion program.
Toifl, who works with Volkswagen in Beijing, China, left Cebu Pacific's home at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) aboard a flight bound for Beijing. Toifl and his German wife, Stephanie, were in the country for their honeymoon on Coco Loco Island in Palawan. President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with CEB President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei, awarded Toifl a one-year unlimited travel pass to any of CEB's 16 international or 33 domestic destinations. ''As the first low-fare airline in Asia, Cebu Pacific considers this a major achievement.
Since 1996, we have grown to become the Philippines' number one airline, offering the most number of flights and operating the most extensive route network in the Philippines, and flying to the most ASEAN destinations,'' Gokongwei said. From its daily flight service between Manila, Cebu and Iloilo back in March 8, 1996, using four Douglas Corporation DC9 jets, CEB has gone a long way and has, in fact, played a catalytic role in perking domestic tourism. ''Cebu Pacific Air's trademark low fares and innovative products, coupled with warm and genuine Filipino service, will continue to stimulate travel and tourism within the Philippines and beyond,'' Gokongwei added. Buoyed by overwhelming reception and bidding to widen its market share in the industry, CEB on November 22, 2001 started its international operations with twice daily flight services to Hong Kong.
Through the years, CEB introduced other regional flights such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Beijing. Moving forward, CEB is cashing in on the growing intra-regional trade and commerce that include tourism. In order to achieve this medium term plan is undertaking a multi-million dollar modernization and expansion program.
