AirAsia launches Clark-Cebu flights

Philippines AirAsia Inc. is expanding its domestic network through the launch of flights between Clark in Pampanga and Cebu next month.

In a statement, the low cost carrier said the new flights would be available starting May 11.

For the new service, Flight Z2 901 will leave Clark at 10:05 a.m. and arrive in Cebu at 11:25 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flight Z2 902, meanwhile, will depart Cebu at 11:50 a.m. and will be in Clark by 1:10 p.m. on the same days.

Philippines AirAsia chief executive officer Dexter Comendador said the launch of the new service is in support of the government’s push for the development of the Clark Airport as part of efforts to decongest the country’s main international gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

“AirAsia is here to support the government’s flagship projects to boost tourism and trade. We aim to better connect Clark to secondary cities within the Philippines like Iloilo, Davao, Tacloban and Cebu followed by interAsean connectivity where the AirAsia Group has massive network covering over 120 destinations in the whole of Asean, in greater Asia, Australia, US and beyond,” he said.

To promote the Clark to Cebu service, the carrier is offering all-in promo fares for the route for as low as P17 one-way for travel from May 11 to Oct.26.

The carrier launched commercial flights from Clark in 2012 before transferring its hub to Metro Manila, following a strategic partnership with a local carrier in 2013.

It resumed operations in Clark through the launch of flights to Kalibo last year.

AirAsia is also starting flights to international destinations. Flights from Manila to Bangkok in Thailand will begin today (April 22), while the Cebu to Shenzhen in China service will start on May 9.

The carrier operates flights to from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Caticlan (Boracay), Tacloban, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Clark, and Iloilo.

It also operates international flights to or from Shanghai and Guangzhou in China, Taipei in Taiwan, Incheon (Seoul) in South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Singapore, as well as Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia.