Philippine Airlines (PAL) reaffirmed its commitment to regional connectivity and international expansion with the official launch of two new flight routes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Cebu–Catarman and Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City. The announcement was made today during a product update held at Radisson Blu Cebu, attended by Cebu Travel Agents and local media.
The event was led by Ms. Reyani Romano, PAL's Area Head for Visayas, who emphasized the airline’s vision to establish Cebu as a major domestic and international aviation hub. She noted that the addition of these routes strengthens PAL’s strategy of making travel more accessible and efficient for passengers from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
🛫 Cebu–Catarman (Northern Samar)
The launch of the Cebu–Catarman route enhances domestic connectivity between Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas. This route is a vital link for residents, tourists, and businesses traveling between the two regions.
Flight Schedule (Effective immediately):
- PR 2653 – Cebu to CatarmanDeparts: 9:50 AM | Arrives: 10:55 AM
- PR 2654 – Catarman to CebuDeparts: 11:25 AM | Arrives: 12:30 PM
- Frequency: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Aircraft Type: 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8-400 Next Generation
This new route is expected to promote regional tourism and improve access to Northern Samar’s scenic destinations and economic centers.
🌏 Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
PAL is also strengthening its international footprint with the new Cebu–Ho Chi Minh route, offering travelers in the Visayas direct access to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities. This direct link also benefits trade and business travel, aligning with ASEAN’s growing interconnectivity.
Inaugural Flight:
- Date: May 2, 2025
- PR 599 – Cebu to Ho Chi MinhDeparts: 10:00 AM | Arrives: 12:30 PM
- PR 600 – Ho Chi Minh to CebuDeparts: 1:30 PM | Arrives: 6:00 PM
- Frequency: Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
Travelers can now enjoy shorter transit times and seamless connections to Vietnam without passing through Manila, making Cebu an ideal international jump-off point.
✈️ Strengthening Cebu as a Strategic Aviation Hub
According to Ms. Romano, the newly announced routes support PAL’s broader goal to expand Cebu’s role as a vital hub for both domestic and international routes, bringing in more tourists, boosting regional commerce, and improving access to underserved areas.
The introduction of these new flights highlights Philippine Airlines’ continued dedication to addressing the increasing travel demands in the Visayas. By offering more convenient and time-efficient routes, PAL supports the broader goals of boosting tourism and accelerating economic recovery in the region. Leveraging Cebu’s modern airport infrastructure and strategic geographical position, the airline also plans to expand its regional network further, maintaining its standard of premium service throughout its growing list of destinations.
🧳 Book Now
Flights are now open for booking via the Philippine Airlines official website, mobile app, ticketing offices, and accredited travel agents nationwide.
Stay tuned for future route announcements as PAL continues to chart new skies from Cebu.
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