Mactan–Cebu International Airport: Again a step forward

Mactan–Cebu International Airport is progressing. In our article from Januar 27, 2016, we showed you the excellent renovation and extension work done by the Indians. Early this morning we learned that at least one of our wishes already becomes true.

Four airlines to offer more direct international flights from Mactan-Cebu starting March

Cebuanos and other Visayans won’t have to head to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to travel the world with ease, as Mactan-Cebu Airport announced four new direct international flights from Cebu starting March.

Mactan–Cebu International Airport announced on Tuesday four airlines will have a flight to and from Cebu: Emirates will have a flight to Dubai, Xiamen Air to have a flight to Xiamen, EVA Air will have a flight to Taipei, and Philippine Airlines to Los Angeles.

Starting March 30, Emirates will have a daily flight from Cebu to Dubai and vice versa. The B777-300ER can seat 386 in the economy and 42 in the business class. Emirates said in the statement it chose to expand its flights to and from Cebu and Clark to enhance the country’s trade links and boost incoming tourism.

Xiamen Air will have three flights per week from Cebu to Xiamen, China, and vice versa starting March 27. The B737-800 can seat 8 people in the business class and 162 in the economy.

EVA Air, starting March 27, can fly 176 people in the economy and 8 in the business class daily to Taipei using an A321-200.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will have a direct flight from Cebu to Los Angeles and vice versa starting March 15. Flights will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The A340-300 can seat 36 people in the business class and 218 in the economy.

Qatar Airways should be the next one to come back to Mactan-Cebu. Currently they offer code-share flights, but these cannot be compared with the outstanding hospitality on board of real Qatar flight.

Our updated wish list

• Two real restaurants (domestic and international section) instead of these food-stalls and micro take-out shops. Sitting, dining, feeling well is still missing.
• No more of these taxes & fees booths. Include the taxes and fees in the airfares. What you pay is what you get.
• Cebu Pacific Air should offer two daily flights to Camiguin. The early morning flight should not be changed. But a late afternoon flight would make many tourists and Camiguinons happy. We suggest Cebu-Camiguin at around 4:00 p.m. and Camiguin – Cebu at 5:30 p.m. We’ll analyse this suggestion in another article.

[GARD]