Airasia to launch Cebu-shenzhen flights

CCEBU CITY - Airasia Philippines is set to launch new flights from Cebu to Shenzhen in China on May 19, according to its Chief Executive Officer Dexter Comendador. He said the Cebushenzhen “Cebuano travellers flight is the would be delighted to experience low-cost airline’s first Shenzhen’s China route from the modern metropolis and Mactan-cebu International marvel at the world’s largest Airport. The new electric bus fleet linking route would enable the Hong Kong to mainland airline to further China, massive malls, and strengthen its network amusement parks,” outside Manila and open Comendador said. up new and exciting Shenzhen is located in places for travellers, especially the Pearl River Delta metropolitan Cebuanos, to area and is one of visit. China’s major economic hubs. Known as “China’s Silicon Valley,” Shenzhen is home to some of the top start-up and tech businesses in the world, including Huawei, BYD, and ZTE.

Comendador said Airasia is also set to introduce direct flights from Cebu to Shanghai and Hangzhou soon. He said they choose Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou as routes not just because of their tourist attractions but also because these cities have big airports and big population.

“We have also considered Beijing, but it is too quite far for our planes,” Comendador said.

Airasia will also launch its new domestic flights from Cebu to Clark in Pampanga on May 11. “We are thrilled to be painting Clark and Cebu skies red with introductory fares from as low as P17 only. Our commitment is to make air travel more affordable, convenient and accessible to travellers especially outside Manila,” Comendador said.

Airasia, the world’s best low-cost carrier, launched its first commercial flights from Clark with only two planes in March 2012 before transferring its hub to Manila following a strategic partnership with a local airline.

Comendador said they are continuing their talks with the government for the proposal to build low-cost carrier terminals (LCCT) or budget terminals. He said LCCT would allow 25 minutes turnaround time as it uses stairways to board and deplane passengers instead of tubes.

“We don’t use the tubes that’s why we have the fastest turnaround time of 25 minutes. You cannot board or de-plane 180 passengers in five to ten minutes time using the tube. That’s what causes delays in flight schedules,” Comendador said.

“Aside from that, using the tube costs $50. We try to lower our cost, so that we can offer passengers low fares. The government must cater to the needs of low-cost operation, because we bring in 70 percent of the passengers,” he added.