CEBU PACIFIC

Airline History

Foundation and Growth (1988-2006)

The airline was established on 26 August 1988, and started operations on March 8,
1996. Republic Act No. 7151, which grants franchise to Cebu Air, Inc., was approved on
30 August 1991. Cebu Air, Inc. was subsequently acquired by JG Summit Holdings
(owned by John Gokongwei). Domestic services commenced following market
deregulation by the Philippine government. It temporarily ceased operations in February
1998 after being grounded by the government due to an accident, but resumed services
later the next month following re-certification of its aircraft. It initially started with 24
domestic flights daily among Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. By the end of
2001, its operations had grown to about 80 daily flights to 18 domestic destinations.
In the 2000s (decade), Cebu Pacific was granted rights to operate international flights to
the region, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Hong
Kong, and Guam. International flights were launched on 22 November 2001, with a
twice-daily service to Hong Kong. On 1 March 2002, it commenced thrice-weekly flights
to Seoul. Other regional flights were introduced and suspended later; however,
including flights to Singapore (from 6 November 2002, to January 2003) and from
Manila via Subic to Seoul (from December 2002) due in part to the effects of
the SARS epidemic.
The airline resumed its Manila-to-Singapore flights on August 31, 2006 and launched its
direct flight from Cebu to Singapore on October 23, 2006, the first low-cost airline to
serve the Cebu-Singapore-Cebu sector, and in direct competition with Singapore
Airlines' subsidiary SilkAir, CEB was the only Philippine carrier serving the Cebu-
Singapore-Cebu route for years until PAL resumed its direct service in 2017. The airline
operates direct flights from Cebu to Hong Kong which commenced October 2, 2006,
which also made CEB the only Philippine carrier to serve a Cebu-Hong Kong-Cebu
route after PAL terminated its direct service and is now code-sharing with Cathay
Pacific for this route.
In December 2006, after a month or two of operating the new direct flights, Cebu Pacific
announced that it would increase flight frequency for its Cebu-Hong Kong-Cebu from
four to five times weekly and Cebu-Singapore-Cebu flights from four to six weekly
effective 25 January 2007. As of January 2008, it operates regional flights to Busan,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul-Incheon, Taipei and Bangkok beginning April 6, 2008
from its Cebu hub; and Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur,
Macau, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai and Xiamen from Manila.
Cebu Pacific's plans to begin international flights from Clark were initially unsuccessful
when its request was denied. The nations involved came to an agreement that Cebu
Pacific would be only allowed to operate charter flights from Clark to the respective
countries' airport(s). Only Singapore initially agreed to allow Cebu Pacific to fly
scheduled flights from Clark to Singapore. Cebu Pacific now operates routes from Clark
to Bangkok, Cebu, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.
Expansion and re-branding (2007-present)
In June 2007, Cebu Pacific announced an order of up to 14 brand-new ATR 72-
500 aircraft, with six firm orders and eight options. It plans to initially offer flights
to Boracay, using Boracay's Godofredo P. Ramos Airport. On 12 November 2007, Cebu
Pacific announced Davao's Francisco Bangoy International Airport as its fourth hub.
Cebu Pacific announced that it would initially fly internationally from Davao City to
Singapore, Hong Kong and fly one domestic flight to Iloilo. Both direct services from
Davao to Singapore and Iloilo commenced on May 8, 2008, while the service to Hong
Kong commenced on May 9, 2008. In late 2007, Cebu Pacific mentioned that it was
aiming to cross the Pacific and launch non-stop flights to the United States West
Coast, Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois by mid-2009. On 18 December 2007, Cebu
Pacific announced that it would exercise options on its recent ATR 72-500 turboprop
order (initially six firms) to increase its firm order to 10.
On 19 February 2008, Cebu Pacific Air received its first brand-new ATR 72-500 and
expected to take delivery of another five ATRs from March to December 2008. The
initial two ATRs fly on routes such as Cebu to Bacolod. Cebu Pacific took delivery of its
16th brand-new, 179-seater Airbus A320 aircraft on 20 March 2008. The new aircraft
was to support CEB's expanding international and domestic operations which include
flights to 12, soon to be 15, international destinations. On 28 May 2008, Cebu Pacific
was named as the world's number one airline in terms of growth. The airline was also
ranked fifth in Asia for Budget Airline passengers transported and 23rd in the world. The
airline carried a total of almost 5.5 million passengers in 2007, up 57.4 per cent from
2006. On 22 July 2008, Cebu Pacific was the first airline to use the new Terminal 3 of
the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with its flight to Caticlan being the first to depart at
0515 local time. On 1 August 2008, it moved its international operations to the terminal;
thus, becoming the first airline to have regular international commercial flights from the
new terminal.
In August 2009, Cebu Pacific became the first airline in the Philippines to use social
media. The airline created a fan page on Facebook and Twitter.
OUR MISSION
"Why everyone flies.”
Cebu Pacific brings people together through safe, affordable, reliable, and fun-filled air
travel.
We are committed to innovation and excellence in everything we do.
We are an employer of choice providing opportunities for professional and personal
growth.
We have a deep sense of family values throughout our airline.
We enhance the quality of life of the communities we serve and are an active partner in
our nation's progress.
We offer our shareholders a fair return on their investments...

OUR VISION
Cebu Pacific: The most successful low-cost carrier in the world