Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB), the airline business unit of JG Summit Holdings Inc., is offering its low fares on credit to the government to help its various agencies save on travel expenses.
Agencies can have a pre-approved credit limits depending on their requirements, Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and product, said.
The program has already enrolled 31 government agencies, from only one as of January 2007.
“Our ’all inclusive’ fare program fits the government’s need for austerity measures, offering savings of up to 35% compared to fares from other local airlines,” Iyog said.
Some foreign embassies have also enrolled in the program, Iyog added.
“These institutional accounts have been on the rise as well and we expect this to further grow since we have reduced our fares, offer the most number of domestic flights, and serve the most number of both ASEAN and local destinations among local airlines,” she said.
The airline early this month announced an effective reduction on a permanent basis in its fares by as much as 32%. This allows government units and private companies to travel more for the same travel budget or even save and fly the same.
Various government agencies and units also get great savings for using Cebu Pacific for their international trips in Cebu Pacific’s rapidly growing network in Asia.
Aurora Tandoc from the Office of the Deputy General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority explained, “Cebu Pacific’s online booking system for government partners allows us to save much on our travel budget since we get to purchase the lowest available fares. It is also very convenient to use and allows us to confirm bookings for urgent travel requirements including for pregnant passengers.”
“With the rising oil prices dampening travel worldwide, we believe reducing our fares is the best way to keep people flying,” Iyog said.