Cebu Pacific resumes Manila-Catarman service on June 2

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will resume its four-times weekly Manila-Catarman flights starting June 2, 2009 after airport safety issues had been addressed by airport and local authorities.

“The runway has been cleared of vehicles and people 24/7. This is our green light to fly again to Catarman and bring back Cebu Pacific’s affordable fares that other airlines must again try to match,” Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution, said.

Iyog said airport safety had been improved after additional security personnel were deployed on the runway and the perimeter fence put up is ongoing.

Click here for Cebu Pacific Offices in Catarman.

“Airport authorities have also blocked the entry points around the airport’s perimeter fence used by residents,” Iyog said.

Local authorities said they were committed to beef up the facility’s safety by removing encroaching residential structures.

Cebu Pacific praised the efforts of CAAP and Local Authorities who worked closely with Cebu Pacific’s Safety Department to address the issues at Catarman promptly and comprehensively.

Cebu Pacific early this month suspended its Manila-Catarman service despite its full loads after several runway intrusions by both people and vehicles during flights.

“Safety remains to be a priority for Cebu Pacific and we will not compromise this over revenues or loads.” Iyog added.

After Cebu Pacific temporarily suspended its operations in Catarman, other airlines operating this route started charging as much as P5,000 per way.

“Cebu Pacific remains steadfast in our commitment to provide travelers from Catarman an affordable, reliable, and high-quality air transport service. The public can expect that whether we have competition or none, we will continue to offer the lowest possible airfares in Catarman and in other destinations where we currently operate,” Iyog concluded.

Now on its 14th year, Cebu Pacific is now Asia’s 3rd largest low-fare carrier and flies to 14 international cities and 32 domestic destinations with the addition of Cauayan (Isabela) starting next month.