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Friday, March 29, 2024

Vanilla Air to fly to Cebu

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The Department of Tourism (DoT) on Thursday clinched an important business deal that would further open central Visayas to the Japanese market.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo facilitated the agreement with Vanilla Air in a meeting at the Palace Imperial in Tokyo to mount direct flights between Narita and Cebu, the first Japanese air carrier to fly directly from Tokyo outside Manila.

“We are elated over Vanilla Air’s report that all seats on the Narita-Cebu flight are all sold out, long even before its launch on Dec. 25. The entry of this first Japanese airline to provide nonstop service to Cebu is a welcome development since it has been branded as the ‘vacation destination’ of Japanese tourists. Furthermore, this new route will fulfill President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision to bring economic growth and development to Visayas by establishing Cebu as a major international gateway,” she told Vanilla Air President Katsuya Goto in a meeting at sidelines of President Duterte’s recent visit to Tokyo.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo (center) exchanges gifts with Vanilla Air President Katsuya Goto (fifth from left) during a meeting to launch the Japanese airline’s Tokyo (Narita)-Cebu direct flight, beginning this month. 

The tourism chief likewise proposed to the Japanese low-cost carrier to explore the possibility of a Tokyo-Davao route via Cebu. She said, “With Davao considered as little Tokyo, Vanilla Air is assured that consumer interest would be huge.” 

DoT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr., who represents the tourism chief at the Civil Aviation Board (CAB), assured Mr. Katsuya that he would help expedite Vanilla Air’s Foreign Carriers Air Permit (FACP), a prerequisite for all international air carriers planning to operate on a new route in a foreign country.

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Vanilla Air will be competing with Philippine Airlines (PAL) in the regular direct service between Cebu and Narita beginning Dec. 25. PAL operates two round-trip flights daily, while Cebu Pacific flies four round-trip flights a week.

The Tokyo (Narita)-Cebu route will have a market launch at the Shinjuku train station, known for having the busiest foot traffic in Tokyo, which the DoT also committed to support in a bid to cement Cebu’s brand as the ‘vacation destination’ of Japanese tourists. DoT’s Tokyo Office will also host a media and blogger familiarization trip to Cebu in February 2017.

Katsuya expressed his anticipation for this new international direct flight, as it keeps a stronghold of its stake in All Nippon Air (ANA) Holdings. Citing the ease of putting together group tours and individual packages and its direct internet sales, Vanilla Air aims for 80 percent seating capacities on the Cebu flights.

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