Cebu Pacific plans to expand its operations in China amid the recovery of the tourism market between Beijing and Manila.
The Civil Aeronautics Board said Cebu Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, filed an application for designation as official Philippine carrier under the air transport agreement between Asean and the People’s Republic of China.
The air transport agreement aims to increase tourist traffic and trade between Asean and China.
“Parties opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition… Failure on the part of any party to register its opposition shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard,” CAB said.
“Thereupon, the board shall act upon the application on the basis of the records and evidence presented by the petitioner, unless the board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and or testimonial evidence,” the regulator said.
Cebu Pacific currently flies to Beijing, Guangzhou (Canton), Haikou, Lijiang, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Xian.
Data from the Tourism Department showed that Chinese visitors to the Philippines climbed 24.3 percent in 2015 to 490,841 from 394,951 in 2014.
Visitors from Asean countries went up by 4.4 percent to 481,567 last year from 461,486 visitors in 2014.
The Philippines signed a multilateral agreement on unlimited flights to neighboring countries early this month that would pave the way for cheaper travel within the Asean region this year.
Under Protocols 5 and 6 of the Asean Multilateral Agreement in Air Services, Philippine air carriers will be allowed to fly unlimited frequencies to and beyond the capital cities of other Southeast Asian nations, leading to better connectivity and translating into more competitive fares and services.
MAAS is a part of Asean’s Roadmap for Integration of Air Transportation Services, essentially laying down the foundation for the envisioned Asean Single Aviation Market, which would in turn foster seamless connectivity within the region.
The ratification of Protocols 5 and 6 provides unlimited access to any point within Asean, more competitive and better airline services as well as lower fares and broader options for passengers.
It highlights the Philippines’ commitment to the realization of the Single Aviation Market, and in creating a unified Asean Economic Community with an efficient and fully-integrated transport network.
Moreover, the development presents an opportunity for growth of the aviation sector, which will compete directly with other Asean carriers.
The Transportation Department said it continued to modernize the country’s airport infrastructure to meet the expected impact of greater tourist and economic air activity in the region.