Cebu Pacific launches Guangzhou-Kalibo route

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

  

It’s official - budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air is flying to Guangzhou, China starting this July from Kalibo, Aklan.

The airline launched its maiden flight for Guangzhou, China-Kalibo, Aklan international route on Saturday morning, said Artemio Ticar, tourism officer of Boracay.

Ticar said 194 passengers including nine consul generals and five Chinese journalists arrived at 4 a.m. at Kalibo International Airport from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Guangzhou or Canton, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the third biggest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai while Aklan is well-known for the Ati-Atihan festival and the white sand beaches of Boracay Island. 

Ticar stressed that the opening of new flights will make Boracay Island and tourist spots in Aklan accessible to foreign tourists from mainland China and other countries.

With the twice weekly Guangzhou-Kalibo flights of Cebu Pacific, business and leisure travelers from Aklan are also given more access to the city of Guangzhou in mainland China.

For his part, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said the newest flights to Kalibo will open more opportunities for tourism and bring Chinese tourists to visit Boracay and various destinations in Aklan more often. 

Cebu Pacific, one of the fastest growing airline companies in Asia, is known for low fares and network of 56 destinations. 

Last Monday, Asiana Airlines also launched its inaugural flight from Incheon, South Korea to Kalibo International Airport.