Cebu Pacific (CEB) will suspend all flights to and from Caticlan (Boracay) effective today, July 9, until further notice, following changes to airport operating conditions declared by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
CAAP has designated Caticlan, for the time being, as a one-way airport for all carriers: takeoff should be towards the sea and landing in the opposite direction. A technical re-definition also in effect shortens the runway, despite its actual length.
“We have therefore decided to divert all Caticlan flights to Kalibo instead and from there bus all our Boracay-bound passengers at no extra cost,” said Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.
Cebu Pacific has been operating direct flights to Caticlan since February 29, 2008 and has since then carried over 340,000 passengers.
CEB mounted as many as 15 round-trip flights daily to Caticlan until June 25. More than 60,000 booked passengers will be affected by the cancellation.
Gokongwei said “We continue to work closely with our industry partner, the CAAP, to find a speedy resolution, to these airport issues, to allow Cebu Pacific to re-instate flights to Caticlan.
“Boracay continues to be one of the country’s most important tourism destinations. Cebu Pacific’s low fare service has been integral to the growth and development of the island’s tourism industry and has increased its accessibility to both local and foreign tourists.”
Affected passengers may call the call center (02) 702-0888 / (032) 230-8888 or visit the website www.cebupacificair.com for more details and updates on their flights.
