18 December 2015–Cebu Pacific launched direct flights from Singapore’s Changi Airport to Davao City yesterday, 17 December 2015. This direct flight to Davao is on top of Cebu Pacific’s existing direct flights from Singapore to Manila, Cebu, Clark and Iloilo. Cebu Pacific currently flies from Singapore to Manila up to 25 times weekly and up to seven (7) flights to both Cebu and Clark, Pampanga, as well as up to three (3) flights to Iloilo.
In attendance during the launch were officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, representatives of the Changi Airport Authority. Ms. Arlene C. Tena, Director of Passenger Sales and Ms. Jade C. Lactao, International Marketing Specialist of Cebu Pacific, flew in from Manila for this important event. Amb. Antonio A. Morales of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore was the guest of honor during the launch. Aside from Amb. Morales, Mr. Charles Leong, Marketing Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism Representative Office in Singapore, Commercial Counsellor Glenn Penaranda of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Singapore, First Secretary and Consul Mersole J. Mellejor and First Secretary and Consul Edna May Grecia-Lazaro and Protocol Officer Mr. Raul Macapinlac of the Philippine Embassy also graced the event.
In his speech, Amb. Morales congratulated Cebu Pacific for this important milestone as its “speaks volumes not only for the foresight of Cebu Pacific but more importantly, it is a testament to the potential of Davao City to serve as a primary gateway to Southern Philippines.” He lauded Cebu Pacific for its “expansion in Singapore and their commitment to increasing tourist arrivals to the Philippines.” The Philippines definitely has a lot to offer Singaporean tourists, and with increased accessibility because of the frequency of Cebu Pacific’s flights, we can succeed in achieving our mutual goal of increasing tourist traffic as well as facilitating business, trade and investment between our countries, he added.
Amb. Morales also noted that this new development will be welcomed by many of our fellow Filipinos in Singapore as they “can now go home as often as possible and travel to more destinations in the Philippines.” “To a Filipino working or residing in Singapore, a direct flight to Davao means not only convenience, but also savings of time and money,” he further stated.