Cebu Pacific makes overtures to the EU, US over possible flights

Cebu Pacific Air is to make a series of presentations to the European authorities in November in a bid to extricate itself from the bloc's Banned Operators List. Airline's CEO, Lance Gokongwei, said the move is intended to open up Europe to Cebu where rival Philippine Airlines will resume services to London Heathrow this December.

According to the Philippine Flight Network, the airline re-scheduled its original presentation to the European Union Air Safety Commission last June after the airline was involved in two landing incidents. While the airline had taken steps to comply with EU-specified standards, the incidents in June showed that further improvements were required. 

In terms of flights to United States, Mr Gokongwei said that should the Philippines attain Category 1 status by year end as is expected, Cebu will look at pursuing certain routes to the United States including Guam Int'l and Honolulu. With two A330-300s now in its fleet, Cebu will début its first long-haul flights to Dubai Int'l effective October 7, 2013.

Source: CH-Aviation