Philippine Airlines (PAL) celebrated the successful relaunch of its Cebu-Osaka direct flights on 22 December 2024, marking a significant milestone in reconnecting the central Philippines with Japan’s Kansai region. The inaugural PR 410 flight departed from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at 1145H PhST, receiving a warm send-off from local officials, aviation stakeholders, and PAL representatives.
The flag carrier has deployed a 199-seater Airbus A321ceo jetliner, featuring both Business Class and Economy cabins, for this route. Initially offering three weekly flights, the frequency is set to increase to four times a week starting 26 February 2025.
PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Captain Stanley K. Ng expressed enthusiasm for the resumption, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to providing convenient direct access for both business and leisure travelers. “We are excited to serve the Cebu-Osaka market once again, so we can offer leisure and business travelers from Cebu and the central Philippines a more convenient direct access to Osaka and the western regions of Japan. We will do our best to invite Japanese tourists to visit Cebu and discover the rich natural and cultural wonders of the Philippines. We look forward to welcoming travelers on board our nonstop flights with PAL’s distinctly Filipino brand of gracious service and hospitality,” according to Capt. Ng.
Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation, highlighted the significance of the route in strengthening Cebu’s global connectivity. “The resumption of Philippine Airlines’ [Osaka] Kansai flights is a testament to our commitment to restoring and strengthening MCIA’s international network. This milestone reaffirms our mission to position MCIA as a world-class gateway, offering passengers seamless travel options and connecting Cebu to key global destinations,” said Titonis. He further emphasized the importance of airline partnerships in fostering cultural exchange and economic growth.
Osaka, a major cultural and economic hub, serves as a gateway to iconic destinations such as Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Known for its historical sites like Osaka Castle, vibrant shopping areas like Dotonbori, and attractions including Universal Studios Japan, the city is a magnet for tourists and business travelers alike.
The Cebu-Osaka service aims to bolster tourism and business opportunities, promoting Cebu as a strategic gateway to key destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. PAL plans to attract travelers from Osaka to connect seamlessly through MCIA to domestic locations such as Bacolod, Busuanga (Coron), Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Siargao, among others.
The relaunch complements PAL’s existing twice-daily services between Manila and Osaka Kansai, enhancing the airline’s extensive network between the Philippines and Japan. Currently, PAL operates daily flights from Cebu to Tokyo Narita and offers 56 weekly flights from Manila to key Japanese cities including Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
PAL also connects Cebu to international hubs like Seoul (Incheon) with daily flights and Bangkok with thrice-weekly services, reinforcing its role as a leading carrier in regional connectivity.
Flight Schedule for Cebu-Osaka-Cebu Service
From 22 December 2024 to 24 February 2025:
- PR 410 Cebu-Osaka: Monday, Thursday, Sunday – Departs MCIA at 1145H PhST, arrives in Osaka Kansai at 1700H JST.
- PR 409 Osaka-Cebu: Monday, Thursday, Sunday – Departs Osaka Kansai at 1800H JST, arrives in MCIA at 2140H PhST.
Starting 26 February 2025:
- PR 410 Cebu-Osaka: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday – Departs MCIA at 1145H PhST, arrives in Osaka Kansai at 1700H JST.
- PR 409 Osaka-Cebu: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday – Departs Osaka Kansai at 1800H JST, arrives in MCIA at 2140H PhST.