After two years of the pandemic, more Korean air carriers have now resumed their direct flights to Korea from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
However, MCIA's international traffic which has ramped up since May, is expected to achieve its pre-pandemic levels by end of the second quarter, 2023.
Still, “The return of direct flights to Korea, apart from other international destinations, is a positive signal for the recovery of the travel and aviation sector," Louie Ferrer, President of GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) announced Monday, August 1.
Korean Air, Jin Air, T’way and Jeju Air operate daily flights from Cebu to Incheon while flights to Busan are operated by Jin Air and Air Busan.
Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) also started flights from Cebu to Incheon.
South Korea is the first international destination that the airline is restarting from its Cebu hub.
Other international destinations added were Singapore via Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Cebu Pacific; Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific; Daegu via T’Way. EVA Air has also revived their commercial flights to Taipei.
"Korea comprised our main international traffic pre-pandemic, followed by other ASEAN countries. We are very glad to welcome them back to Cebu and assist the return of tourism in the region,” he noted.
“As more air carriers resume flights direct to South Korea, it is a significant milestone for rebuilding the travel industry in the island of Cebu," remarked MCIAA General Manager and CEO Julius G. Neri, Jr.
On the other hand, domestic routes are also getting a boost.
In comparison to 2019 pre-pandemic, the percentage of domestic flights at MCIA has already returned to 70 percent.
As part of the continuous ramp up of domestic flights, Philippine Airlines (PAL) now operates daily flights to Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Iloilo, Tacloban, and Siargao.
AirAsia, on the other hand, added four daily flights to Manila and flights to Caticlan.
Cebu Pacific also operates daily flights to Manila, Camiguin, Davao, Dumaguete, Busuanga, and Butuan. Flights to Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Clark, General Santos, Caticlan, Iloilo, Ozamis, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Siargao, and Zamboanga also increased.