The potential of Clark International Airport to become the world’s gateway to northern Metro Manila and Central Luzon is slowing but surely being realized, thanks in part to the unrelenting efforts of Cebu Pacific to open more routes to and from the airport.
The latest route, which commences operations on November 11, 2019, is the first direct link between Clark and the city of Guangzhou, the third largest in China. The provincial capital of Guangdong in southern China, Guangzhou has long been an important economic hub, with a history of maritime trade going back more than 2,200 years.
In the modern era, it has held on to its relevance as a center of international commerce, drawing countless visitors and investors to one of the oldest and largest trade fairs in China. Guangzhou, formerly known to the Western world as Canton, is one of China’s nine National Central Cities, and as such, is at the forefront of political, cultural and economic development. It is a wholesalers’ haven for retail and popular consumer goods, making it an ideal destination for e-commerce micro-retailers and starting businessmen. For leisure travelers, the city appeals to foodies eager to experience world-renowned Cantonese cuisine.
“With direct air service between Clark and Guangzhou, it will be easier for entrepreneurs and businessmen in the e-commerce space to meet up with suppliers,” said Alex Reyes, vice president for CEB’s commercial division. “They can conveniently attend mega-trade events such as the popular Canton Trade Fair.”
On the other side of the coin, the flights between Clark and Guangzhou, which will operate four times weekly, have the potential to attract a good number of the city’s nearly 15 million residents to the rapidly developing New Clark City, which has been designated as a special economic zone in Central Luzon. With flights scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (flights depart Clark at 11:35pm; while the return flight departs at 3:15 a.m. the next day) the route is also expected to attract a market of leisure-seekers who can make Clark the ideal jump-off point to explore the rest of the Philippines.
“Chinese tourists will also be able to access the wonderful attractions that Luzon has to offer. From Clark, the Mt. Pinatubo adventure trek is within a few hours’ drive away,” Reyes added.
The Clark International Airport is in proximity to vital infrastructure expected to be operational by 2022, such as the Manila-Clark passenger railway that will connect Manila to Clark, and a cargo railway connecting Subic to Clark.
To kick-off promotions for the Clark-Guangzhou route, Cebu Pacific has an ongoing seat sale that runs until October 17, 2019. Seats on this route can be purchased for as low as PHP1 (base fare), with the travel period from November 11, 2019 to March 31, 2020.
For bookings and inquiries, visit www.cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines (+632) 8702-0888 or (+6332) 230-8888. The latest seat sales can be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages. You may also download the Cebu Pacific official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.
BANNER PHOTO: iSTOCK
