Cebu Pacific eyes routes to Middle Eastern cities

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific announced plans to fly nonstop from Manila to a number of Middle Eastern cities, betting that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would continue to be deployed to the region. The company was just awaiting an air treaty between the Philippines and Middle Eastern countries for the plan to push through, Lance Y. Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific’s president and CEO said during a Tuesday briefing. Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading local airline, is capable of ferrying OFWs to and from the Middle East at more affordable rates, compared to its rivals. "We’ve done the numbers, it’s doable. It makes financial sense," Gokongwei said. By the end of this year, the company is expected to own some 21 airbuses and will purchase additional 10 aircrafts between next year until 2012. OFWs arriving or departing to and from the Middle East often complain of shortage in airplane seats, as several airline companies are unable to handle the large volume of Filipino visitors in the region. Based on the latest labor statistics, five of the top 10 destinations of OFWs are Mideast countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. As of Jan. 15 this year, 61,164 Filipinos left for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – considered as a recession-proof country, according to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration data. Other Middle East countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain were able to absorb more than 66,000 Filipino workers. "Cheaper fares could also help our fellow Filipinos, especially OFWs, save a little bit more of their hard-earned money for their families," Gokongwei said. Starting Feb. 18, Cebu Pacific will remove the surcharges on all international airfares. The move is expected to reduce year-round fares by as much as 17 percent. - GMANews.TV