Cebu Pacific international flights to start Friday at NAIA-3

MANILA, Philippines—Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) is set to begin full-blast operations at the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 Friday, for the first time integrating its domestic and international operations under one roof.

Following evaluation of its partial domestic operations at the NAIA-3, CEB decided to move its entire fleet to the long mothballed terminal less than two weeks since its startup, airline spokesperson Candice Iyog said.

The move will transfer CEB's domestic operations from the crowded Manila Domestic Terminal and international operations at the old NAIA 1 to the modern terminal.

“Our aim of achieving operational efficiency will be realized only if domestic and international services are under one roof. We need to work closely with MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority) so that the process will be seamless,” said Iyog on Tuesday.

CEB launched domestic service at the terminal last week and moved its fleet of 72-seater ATR-72-500 turbo propellers for limited flights to Caticlan, Tuguegarao, Laoag, San Jose (Mindoro) and Naga.

Iyog said the airline was working on cabling the check-in systems at the new terminal. Baggage segregation would, meanwhile, remain manual just as CEB did at the MDT and NAIA 1.

“It doesn't really change much from how we are used to operate,” said Iyog.

The airline is coordinating with MIAA for designation of its international and domestic check-in counters and boarding gates.

CEB's move was expected to bring some 150 local and international flights to the new terminal carrying as much as 19,000 passengers daily, Iyog said.

(inquirer.net)