Cebu Pacific announced that it will launch flights from Manila International Airport (MNL) to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX).
The flights, which will commence on October 29, 2024, will be the first direct route from Manila to Thailand’s northern region.
The Manila-Chiang Mai service will be the fourth route that Cebu Pacific will operate in Thailand. The airline also flies from Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Bangkok, with the option to fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said the new route will provide its passengers with the opportunity to explore Thailand beyond its urban attractions.
“Chiang Mai’s natural heritage, ancient temples, and laid-back atmosphere promise a tranquil escape for every Juan,” Lao said in a statement.
To celebrate the new route, the low-cost carrier launched a PH 1.00 ($0.017) ticket sale to Chiang Mai.
Redirecting China routes to tertiary cities in Asia
During a media event attended by AeroTime, Lao said that Q4 is looking strong for Cebu Pacific, with additional and new destinations to be announced over the coming months.
On July 2, 2024, Cebu Pacific signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of up to 152 planes worth PHP 1.4 trillion ($24 billion), in a deal described as the largest aircraft order in the country’s aviation history.
Discussing the company’s decision to launch Chiang Mai flights, Lao said that the airline factored in industry data such as the number of people flying on the route, stimulation rates, and interest based on search engines.
On December 7, 2023, the airline launched direct flights to Vietnam’s Da Nang International Airport (DAD), and its success is an indication of travelers’ growing interest in secondary or tertiary cities.
Lao cited reduced demand to and from China as the reason for the airline redeploying its assets to other destinations.
The Chinese market has not been “robust” compared to 2019, Lao said, adding that, although he is “hopeful” that the market will recover, the airline also has to have a pragmatic view on things considering the strained relations between the Philippines and China.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent months over maritime and territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, which China claims to be part of the South China Sea.
On July 8, 2024, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr gave the go-ahead for the government to purchase multirole fighter jets amid escalating territorial tensions with China.
Lao said the airline is suspending flights to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) until further notice. The carrier is also ceasing its seasonal winter flights to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX).
Cebu Pacific has since pivoted its route plans to secondary cities in Southeast Asia, opening hubs in tertiary airports, such as Iloilo International Airport (ILO), where the airline will restart direct flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in October 2024.
Exploring tertiary destinations was established as a rising trend just prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. According to a 2018 Expedia report, travelers were already interested in exploring secondary destinations such as Chiang Mai in Thailand, the Azores in Portugal, and Cartagena in Colombia.
Regional and small narrowbody aircraft manufacturer Embraer has marked its presence in the Asia Pacific region with Qantas establishing an Embraer E-190 jet base hub at Darwin Airport (DRW), and Singaporean low-cost carrier Scoot introducing E-190 into its fleet.
