Japanese budget carrier to start Cebu flights by Christmas

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/09/16/japanese-budget-carrier-start-cebu-flights-christmas-498125
• Friday, September 16, 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho

CEBU’s connection to Japan will get a boost following the announcement of Tokyo-based budget carrier Vanilla Air to offer direct flights between Tokyo and Cebu by Christmas.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the wholly-owned ANA Holdings unit will operate once daily round-trip flights from Narita Airport to Mactan Cebu International Airport beginning Dec. 25.

Vanilla Air is the first Japanese airline to launch regular non-stop service to central Philippines.

“The service will cater to the demand from Japanese travelers seeking refuge in the tropical island’s year-round warm weather or looking to take English classes on short- to medium-term stints,” the report said.

At present Cebu’s connection to Narita, Japan is being serviced by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air. PAL operates two round-trip flights daily, while Cebu Pacific operates four round-trip flights a week.

Vanilla Air will market the low ticket prices and the convenience of daily flights to travel companies, citing the ease of putting together group tours and individual packages, the report said. One-way fares will start at about 15,000 yen ($147), or around 50 to 70 percent lower than those of bigger airlines.

Cebu’s tourism stakeholders welcomed the addition of the route, saying it will boost tourism and trade between Cebu and Narita.

“This is an exciting and much welcomed development. A realization of the cumulative efforts of various stakeholders to invite more airlines to offer direct flights to and from Cebu. This will open up more opportunities for an increase in tourism arrivals and spending, which will impact the overall economy of Cebu and the region,” said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Melanie Ng.

“I’m very elated it will finally happen because I was part of the Cebu delegation that first met with Vanilla Air in many World and Asia Routes events before,” added Ng.

GMR-Megawide Cebu Aiport Corp., the private operator of Mactan Cebu International Airport, however, declined to comment as there are no formal agreements signed between them and Vanilla Air yet, although the Vanilla Air website now shows Cebu is included in its list of destinations.

Tourism advocate Jonathan Jay Aldeguer said Vanilla Air’s entry to Cebu is remarkable news, as the Japanese have always had a strong affinity with Cebu.

“They are also known as big spenders so Cebu will definitely benefit from this. The best part is because of the very affordable rates, the younger market will be able to visit Cebu more frequently,” said Aldeguer, president of The Islands Group.

Trade is expected to be given a boost with the added connectivity to Japan, said Glenn Anthony Soco, president of Manadaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said this will enhance the brand of Cebu as an island destination in the Pacific.