Cebu Pacific Ramps Up International Routes

Plus the latest travel requirements to popular international destinations…

As Filipinos start to travel and fly abroad again, Cebu Pacific (CEB) has shown its readiness to fly passengers safely to their destinations as pandemic restrictions have eased in some countries for leisure travelers.

Coming home is also easier now as the Philippine government has also simplified travel for both returning Filipinos and foreign tourists alike.

Last April 2022, CEB resumed flights to Jakarta and Hanoi, bringing the number of international routes to 16 as part of its plan to ramp up flights by July this year. The airline also currently flies to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul (Incheon), Nagoya, Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, and Guangzhou, among many other destinations.

“We are happy to enable everyJuan to safely fly across our network. We are hopeful that we can continue contributing to the economic and tourism agenda in and out of the Philippines,” according to Xander Lao, CEB Chief Commercial Officer at a recent press conference held at the WTTC Global Summit.

Effective today, 30 May 2022, travelers flying to the Philippines who have received the two-dose series or single-dose vaccine (Janssen), and at least 1 booster shot, are no longer required to present COVID-19 test results for entry, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). However, those without booster shots will still need to show their negative test results prior to boarding (RT-PCR test taken 48 hours before departure or antigen test taken 24 hours before departure).

“We laud the efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and IATF-EID for enabling ways to further simplify travel requirements and making it easier for travelers to fly back home or visit the Philippines,” added Lao.

If you’re planning an international trip soon, here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Sydney

Australia is known for its unique animals, which you can see up close at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Sea Life Aquarium, and other wildlife parks. During the day, you can walk around the city or get a tan at Bondi Beach. At night, watch a show at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Sydney flights from Manila are slated in July, with a thrice-weekly frequency, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Travel requirements: Travelers must have a valid tourist visa. Upon check-in, passengers must present a vaccination certificate, and proof of completed Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) submitted up to 72 hours before departure.  Travelers will undergo a Rapid Antigen test upon arriving at their hotel.

Singapore

Singapore makes every shopaholic’s dream come true with its numerous shopping malls and outdoor markets — whether you are looking for local delicacies, luxury brands, or souvenirs — Singapore’s got it all for you. Visitors can explore Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, Bugis Street Market, and even Hajji Lane for its boutiques and vintage stores.

CEB currently flies once daily from Manila to Singapore.

Travel requirements: Fully vaccinated guests are no longer required to submit a pre-departure COVID 19 test.  They must also present their proof of full vaccination, and fill out a Singapore Arrival card three (3) days before arrival.  For more information, passengers may refer to this.

Bangkok

Apart from the busy streets and energetic nightlife, Bangkok also has a plethora of food stalls. Familiarize yourself with different Thai dishes like Raan Jay Fai’s world-famous crab omelet, a hearty bowl of beef noodles from Wattana Panich, and yummy pad thai from Thipsamai. These are perfect to cap off a long day of exploring bustling Bangkok.

CEB flies 5x weekly from Manila to Bangkok, Thailand, every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Travel requirements:  Fully vaccinated guests are no longer required to submit a pre-departure COVID 19 test.  They must present their proof of full vaccination along with their valid ID and COVID-19 insurance. These must all be uploaded online when the passenger registers for their Thailand Pass.

An RT-PCR test is required for unvaccinated / partially vaccinated passengers, along with a confirmed hotel booking with a hotel transfer for their required quarantine.

Hanoi and Saigon

If you’re looking for a cultural adventure, Vietnam is the place to be. With a history spanning over 1,000 years, the country has beautiful sites like Thang Long Imperial Citadel, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Temple of Literature built in honor of the philosopher Confucius — both located in Hanoi.

You can also make your way to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to visit intriguing tourist attractions like the Cu Chi Tunnels used by Vietnam War soldiers, Stilt House, and Mekong Delta. The city is also known for its French colonial architecture, which one can experience at the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and Saigon Opera House.

From Manila, CEB flies to Hanoi every Friday, and to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) every Tuesday.

Travel requirements: Foreign travelers must present a valid Visa or Immigration Approval Letter (for visa-on-arrival) and their return/onward ticket.

Bali

Bali is on a lot of travelers’ beach bucket lists, and you can experience it too with its year-round summer vibe. There are several choices catering to various interests: Candidasa Beach is perfect for divers; Uluwatu is for surfers and those who love cliffside views, and Seminyak has a fun nightlife by the sea.

CEB flies to Bali from Manila twice a week, every Monday and Friday. 

Travel requirements: Foreign travelers must have their vaccination certificate, a health insurance policy of US$25,000 for COVID-19 treatment and/or hospitalization, a visitor visa, an E-Customs Declaration Form, and proof of hotel booking confirmation. They must also download and register at the PeduliLindungi App before flying.

Seoul

Seoul, Korea has become a tourist hotspot for Filipinos. The capital city has five palace complexes that you can visit and feel like royalty. Insadong has unique shops where you can get native handicrafts, try on a hanbok, and eat at local cafes in the area. You can also get the full K-drama experience by visiting spots where your favorite shows were filmed.

CEB flies to Seoul every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and will be flying daily starting June 1. 

CEB also intends to operate twice-weekly flights from Cebu to Seoul, every Thursday and Sunday starting 03 July 2022.

Travel requirements: Effective 01 June 2022, the South Korean Embassy in Manila will resume the issuance of tourist visas. Multiple entry visa holders issued before 05 April 2020 that has not expired do not need to reapply.

Passengers may present either a negative COVID-19 PCR test result 48 hours before departure or a negative Laboratory-based Rapid Test result taken 24 hours before departure. They must also present their vaccination certificate.  Full vaccination refers to those who have received two (02) doses of COVID-19 vaccine two (02) weeks earlier but less than 180 days before the flight, as well as those with booster shots.

Dubai

Dubai is the city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates that is famous for luxury shopping, ultramodern skyscrapers, adventure sports, and desert safari. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the “Museum of the Future,” a living museum that explores how society could evolve in the coming decades. There is also the Dubai Hills Mall, the newest shopping mall with 600 outlet stores, located in a chic neighborhood. Not to be missed: the desert safari activities where one can ride a camel, dune buggy, or squad bike for that memorable experience.

CEB flies once daily to Dubai from Manila.

Travel requirements: Passengers may apply for a visa before the trip. They must present a recognized vaccine certificate that reflects the completion of doses of vaccine approved by the WHO and a printed copy of negative RT-PCR results from DOH-accredited laboratories, with a validity of no more than 48 hours before departure. It is mandatory that the negative test report includes a QR code, which is linked to the original report for verification purposes by the airlines through a mobile/cell phone and validation by the representatives of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) upon the passenger arrivals at the Dubai Airports.