Cebu Pacific Seeks Additional Entitlements to Taiwan and Thailand

Cebu Pacific, the country's largest low-cost carrier, is seeking additional seat entitlements to Taiwan and Thailand as part of an overall plan to strengthen its presence in Asia. The carrier is reportedly applying for unused entitlements currently held by Philippine Airlines.

Copyright Photo: Lester Tangco/PPSG

According to applications filed at the Civil Aeronautics Board, Cebu Pacific is requesting an additional 1,108 seat entitlements to Bangkok, Thailand that were previously awarded to Philippine Airlines but are not currently being used. Philippine Airlines recently decided to reduce the number of flights it offers to Bangkok after assigning its larger 414-seat all-economy Airbus A330-300 to the route. 

Cebu Pacific is also seeking the re-allocation of 1,237 seats currently held by Philippine Airlines between Manila and Taipei. Although the flag carrier was previously awarded these seat entitlements by the Civil Aeronautics Board, they are presently not being used. 

Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Board is set to hold another round of air talks with Taiwan to increase the number of weekly flights between the two nations after local carriers expressed an interest in expanding service to the country. 

A decision on the two applications filed by Cebu Pacific is expected on August 13. Cebu Pacific recently reported an increase in passenger volume for the first half of 2014, representing an increase of 8 percent over the same period in the previous year. According to the carrier, flights were approximately 85 percent full in the month of June. In a statement released by the airline, Cebu Pacific reported that, "The airline achieved notable 2014 passenger growth in several international tourism and trade markets, such as Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan contributing to foreign tourist arrivals in the country."

Cebu Pacific is set to expand its international network next month in September when it expands its long-haul network to Kuwait and Sydney, Australia. Flights will be operated by Cebu Pacific's fleet of 436-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft.