Cebu Pacific To Serve United States by Year End

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is inching closer to its dream of flying to the United States after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines granted the budget airline certification for Extended Diversion Time Operations.

cebu pacific honolulu hawaii
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
The EDTO certification was originally introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization to govern carriers that operate twin-engined aircraft on routes exceeding sixty minutes of flying time from the nearest airport. Cebu Pacific has been granted diversion privileges of up to 120 minutes. This means that Cebu Pacific's flight routes between airports must never lead an aircraft more than 120 minutes away from the nearest diversion airport. 

Cebu Pacific was under the scrutiny of the Civil Aviation Authority, which reviewed and evaluated a number of areas to ensure that the carrier was compliant prior to issuing the certification. The aviation regulator reviewed all of the routine and special engineering and flight crew procedures before staff were trained and qualified for EDTO.

According to Cebu Pacific, the new certification paves the way for the carrier to open new long-haul routes. "This allows us to serve new long haul markets with a more direct route between airports," said Alex Reyes. "This means considerable fuel savings, and the most optimal flight times for our passengers."

Since the lifting of Category 2 status imposed by the United States Federal Aviation Administration, Cebu Pacific has been targeting US destinations including Guam and Honolulu. According to Reyes, Cebu Pacific is planning to launch flights to the United States by the end of this year. 

Flights to Guam will be operated by the carrier's fleet of A320 aircraft, while Honolulu-bound flights will be operated by the larger A330 wide-body aircraft. Cebu Pacific recently accepted delivery of its sixth Airbus A330-300 aircraft last month. 

Although Filipinos on the US mainland are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Cebu Pacific, they will likely need to be patient as the carrier has no plans of serving the mainland in the immediate future until a new type of aircraft can be acquired to adequately serve the needs of the market.

68 comments:

  1. Alex Reyes, your name will not become bright and popular because you say something today and it will disappear next day.......that's not how we expect you to manage long-haul services! Better not say anything concrete if you cannot do it because you'll surely be "castrated" with negative words from FilAms to the ordinary Juan Tamad in Tawi Tawi. In the meantime, we will not wait or hope anymore....we will just glance at your aircraft deeply when it arrives here in mainland USA; with all the doubts and frustrations. Good luck, anyway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wala pa palang eroplano! Typical third world country management talaga!

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    2. I have the feeling that
      Alex is contemplating on loaning A350 aircraft from Airbus for the mainland USA route. Or Boeing's B787 aircraft as well. Remember, third world country airlines are always under the mercy of the superpowers like USA, meaning, if you plan to fly to mainland USA, you should buy USA's product. Examples: LAN Chile, Air India, etc.

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    3. Boeing products had been flying years ahead than Airbus. They manufactured the Boeing 707 which was the main aircraft many nations used for international flights and there was no Airbus yet. Did you r ember the famous Boeing 747? She was the queen of the sky for decades. It’s a common sense in business perspective to sell your products to other nations and to require them to buy American made airplane such as Boeing is a very logical move. After all, the Boeing planes had been tested and bought by many countries as part of their fleets to fly to different parts of the globe including the USA. In Europe especially in France, they encourages international airlines to buy Airbus. Why would they sell Boeing?

      Delete
  2. Ang mga ibang pinoy nga naman, dakdak nang dakdak, wala naman palang laman ang itlog. Kawawa naman!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Come on down, Mr. Hong Kong!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's up biatch? Were you expecting me?

      Delete
  4. http://www.thetravelingnomad.com/2015/03/travel-tips-what-is-air-traffic.html?m=1

    Don't just sit, relax, enjoy the rest of the flight....and rant.

    That "too many flights" is beacuse YOU, him, her, us, the market. Other Philippine carriers are on same damnation.

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  5. I cannot imagine flying in the cramped conditions of Cebu Pacific for the long-haul to the USA...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Low-cost carrier nga......you get what you pay for. Take it or leave it! Mabuti nga at mayroon nang mga options ng airline travel from RP, kundi, mag-struggle ka sa kamahal ng pasahe from other airlines around. Splurge or save $$$$, it's your call......

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    2. Cebu Pacific wants to establish a trend in "cramped seat configurations" but no other airlines followed suit because it sucks and indeed a torture especially on long-haul flights. Actually, Air Asia was first but that airline too sucks!!

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    3. If you enjoy being tortured on long-haul flights, try Cebu Pacific and PAL's A330-300s.

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    4. Correction: A340-300 from Iberia Airlines of Spain now partly owned by British Airways.
      An A330-300 is a widebody jet getting more popular than ever. PAL has this aircraft as well. Airbus Industries has stopped manufacturing A340s about two years ago. Ask them why (if you want an answer).

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    5. Correction. Article does not refer to A340-300s on lease from Iberia but specifically refers to PAL's A330-300s 9-abreast monoclass 414 seater.

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    6. Makes me wonder why LCCs Aer Lingus and Air Berlin fly A330-300 with 9 seating abreast without any problems heard from European passengers. They are actually the popular airlines serving USA/Europe now because of their low fares, good inflight service. But you have to purchase other amenities aboard. The A340 is really cramped if you find its seating 9 abreast. I have flown these types of aircrafts, if you ask.

      Delete
  6. Now every Juan can fly to Hawaii and Guam.

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    Replies
    1. Lilipad lang ako kung piso ang pasahe from Manila to Honolulu, wanna bet on that CebuPac?

      Delete
  7. Hindi kita maintindihan. Puede bang mag-tagalog ka na lang?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh no. Another Cebu Pathetic article talking about them flying to the USA. Why do you fuckers think flying Long-haul to the USA with an LCC is a good idea? "Why everyone flies" --> "Why nobody should fly" should be the slogan for Cebu Pacific.

    If i see an article about "Cebu Pacific drops a USA destination" i will laugh at you mindless drones that worship this airline.

    Come at me pinoys. I am waiting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mr .hongkong loves cebu pacific

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes i do. I love to talk shit about Cebu Pathetic <3

      Delete
  10. Mr. HK, one peso (Philippines) is not even a U.S. nickel. So if your favorite airline offers you a Peso or Piso fare, why not grab it? Why pay $500 US dollar for Cathay or Asiana just to stand up with your principle? Just feed your babies or your significant others that large amount!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would rather pay another $100 for something more decent and less cramped. At least with other airlines you have some idea on what day you will arrive. With Cebu Pacific you wont know what week you will arrive............

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    2. "Peso" fare is nothing but a SCAM. You pinoys fall for this shit then later complain of the TERRIBLE service. I rather pay $500 for a comfortable seat with Cathay or even your flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.

      If Cebu Pathetic wants to fly long-haul, get better seating leg room. Oh wait. They are an LCC. Forget it.

      Delete
  11. Why are Mr. Hong Kong's pointless rants permitted on this blog? I too am not a fan of Cebu Pac's bare bones operations - so I just don't fly them. No need to call names or act like a disrespectful racist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Freedom of speech and of the press. That's how Philippine Flight Network makes its dough. Besides, this is a good forum to help these airlines make the right decisions, deductions, additions. It is now 21st century....man eats dog and dog eats man journalism.

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    2. Because i am a human being that has the right to talk. Hmm, explain to me on how i am being "racist"? Half of my comments are towards CEBU PATHETIC.

      Listen to the Anon above me. He knows what he is saying.

      Delete
  12. You're also a PIECE OF SHIT Mr. Hong Kong! Good Day;-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The EDTO that CP supposedly flies under is a farce. The CAAP doesn't have anyone qualified or capable to administer such a program or provide oversight. CP planes are flying these routes not properly equipped, such as lack of charts for diversion purposes, lack of proper data base for diversions, lack of proper diversion planning such as flight plans and updated weather, lack of communication with dispatch, etc, etc, etc.

    A western airline would never receive such approval if it was done as sloppy as CP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you a Pilot anon?

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    2. CAAP is manned by highly experienced and retired pilots from PAL or the Phil airforce. CAAP has oversight over all airlines operating in the Philippines and the comment of Pilot anon against CP is actually a statement that reflects on the competency of ex-PAL pilots in their new job @CAAP. The sloppiness goes back to PAL.

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    3. Now that's funny! "CAAP is manned by highly experienced and retired pilots from PAL or the Phil airforce."

      Those buffoons don't know their own regulations, have zero training as far as being an Inspector. Even the US in their reports on the lack of oversight by CAAP detailed how awful their training and record keeping are, and how they lack skills in oversight.

      The CAAP operates by "high bidder", that's to say if you have the money, then they will approve what ever you want. Pilots are given checkrides for licenses they can't pass, but yet if the Inspector gets a "gratuity" then the applicant gets a pass.

      Delete
    4. the comment against caap is misplaced and wrong. caap got the country out of eu & us restrictions because they know the regulations. you do not know what you are talking about.

      Delete
    5. The ONLY reason the Philippines got Category 1 is because of politics, i.e. The Obama Administration trying to win points on international issues. The US FAA was AGAINST raising them due to SEVERE oversight issues of CAAP, which includes under trained Inspectors and NO OVERSIGHT of Philippine carriers.

      And BTW, the category 1 is probationary, and is subject to random inspections by the US FAA. CP will get the category 1 taken away once their airplanes and unqualified crews land on US soil. The US FAA will not tolerate their incompetence.

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    6. certainly you do not know what you are saying. FAA will not compromise their safety standards because of politics. you seem to be a creature from the underworld as you think that things get done only because of high bid, gratuity or politics. pitiful is anyone who listens to the way you do your thing.

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    7. I use different airlines going to Davao and this problem is very common to all airlines.

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    8. The EU's decision to lift the ban on Philippine carriers to fly to Europe was influenced and due in part for buying 64 aircraft consisting of A321ceo/neo and A330-300s from Airbus. It's politics.

      Delete
    9. the eu lifted the ban because the philippines fulfilled the safety requirements after local airlines agreed to follow international safety standards. politics is just about idle talk enriching oneself with taxpayers money doing nothing while safety issues require positive action.

      Delete
    10. What led to PAL's downgrading to Category 2 and subsequent ban of all Philippine carriers to fly to the EU in the first place? Ineptitude, incompetence and oversight of CAAP in dealing with safety issues.

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    11. PAL downgraded for using old outmoded planes to eu which pose safety risk to eu airspace. CAAP has no control over PAL using old outmoded planes.

      Delete
    12. PAL uses old A340-300s leased from Iberia to London and now New York. Don't they pose safety risk to EU airspace anymore?

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    13. during the time of downgrading PAL had several old outmoded planes older than Iberia. after PAL modernized its fleet the restrictions were lifted.

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    14. Back in 2008 when the FAA downgraded PAL to Category 2, its original Airbus A340-300s average age was 10 years as compared to the leased A340-300s from Iberia now averaging 14-15 years. It is CAAP's duty to oversee and ensure that every carrier in the Philippines comply with aviation safety policies and procedures.And through its lapse/s in judgment, Philippine carriers were ban from the EU as a consequence of the FAA downgrading.

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    15. during the time of downgrading in 2008 PAL was using planes from the 19th century or 1970s and posing safety risks to eu and us airspace. PALs modernization opened doors and resulted to positive changes like the lifting of restrictions.

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    16. PAL's DC-10s and B747-200Bs used for Europe and the US if those are the ones you were referring to have long been retired upon delivery of its first A340-300s in 1997 and the B747-400s in 1993.

      Delete
  14. IMHO crossing the Pacific to HNL requires an EDOP /ETOP 180

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are correct. However CP has a version that's not worth the paper it was written on. CP doesn't have anyone in Flight Management that has the brains to figure any of this out, and the CAAP is equally bad since they don't have a clue either.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Not all flight instrumentation need to be the latest model as even PAL cannot afford the top of the line model. The reason CAAP approved the CP flight to HNL is because CP fulfilled all the standard requirements. If CAAP will require all airlines to use the latest and top of the line instrumentation, even PAL will be disqualified.

    ReplyDelete
  17. IMHO, crossing the Pacific to HNL requires an EDOP/ETOP 240 and PR is not capable of that.

    ReplyDelete
  18. No, the highest certification should be EDOP/ETOP 330

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sour grapes because CebuPac will be flying to Hawaii

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hindi pa nagsimula ang bakasyon mo sa hawaii, pagud ka na sa flight. Cebu Pacific guarantees!

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    2. Grapes are sour because of you Cebu Pathetic fanboys can't accept this airline is no good. Really? You want a peso fare to the USA? Sure, you think its "COOL" and "CHEAP" but i know for a fact that you will complain your ass off when you sit on that plane for 7+ Hours to Hawaii.

      Delete
  20. Mr Hong Kong please engage your brain before making dumb statements.. CEB 1peso fares are NOT a rip off as you claim. I have taken advantage of them many times over the past five or so years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Put CPs schedule to Hawaii and back in your computer system and I will buy 10 piso fare tickets right away. All my relatives need to fly to RP for vacation and family reunion! Come on, CebuPac!

      Delete
    2. Sure sure, i believe you. Is this why Cebu Pathetic likes to be overbooked excessively? I thought so.

      Delete
  21. Mr Hong Kong, your rants are void of intelligent comment. All airlines overbook, its common practice.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I use different airlines going to Davao and this problem is very common to all airlines.

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  23. Marami talaga ang nag cocomplain sa cebu pacific kya next time na uwi ko sa pinas I will never choose ceb pacific anymore,4 months before akong kumuha ng ticket tapos last minute e cancell nila, it mades me really mad kc connecting flight ako at 2 weeks vacation lang ako sa pinas gusto nila ipa rebook mabuti sana kung sila ang magbayad ng hotel sa manila...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why there should be at least five LCC airlines of the Philippines now because air travel is a necessity there. Traveling by bus from Manila to Davao is a real torture because it is so long and tedious. Remember, there are now 100 million Pinoys.

      Delete
  24. Mr Hong Kong, I agree CP had massive problems xmas eve but they were not the only airline to do so. In order to understand why CP and other airlines in this country suffer lengthy flight delays you should look at the country's overall airline system and not blame the problem on one carrier.
    Derogatory nonconstructive comments punctuated by foul language tell me heaps about the writer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do not even mention him anymore because he has nothing nice to do except to curse, despise and rant against Pinoys. Just understand his mental condition.

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    2. Its not about Pinoys gago its about the bloody awful airline called Cebu Pacific. Delays and zero customer service thats them

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    3. Then why don't you just let CebuPac continue with its business as usual? If you have complaints, go to their offices and demand explanations why you think they are "awful and their flights are always delayed."

      Delete
    4. Anonymous April 27, 2015 at 1:11 PM
      Mental condition? It must be you. Cebu Pacific are mental here.

      Delete
  25. It is only immature people who resort to personal slagging matches and profanities

    ReplyDelete
  26. The sense of accomplishment after completing a successful flight must be unparalleled. AV8 Prep learning how to fly

    ReplyDelete

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