06 November 2013 - Cebu Pacific’s inaugural flight from Dubai to Manila left Dubai on October 7 at 11:10 p.m. from Dubai International Airport.

Around 300 passengers, led by Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Grace Relucio - Princesa, took the eight-hour and 50 minute flight to Manila.

In her remarks, Ambassador Princesa welcomed the passengers taking the flight to Manila and commended Cebu Pacific for pursuing the Dubai-Manila route, which offers an affordable alternative to kababayans in the UAE from the existing market players. The Ambassador added that with more flights coming to the Philippines, economic activity and tourism are expected to increase between the UAE and the Philippines.

The Ambassador also expressed hope that this route will help increase the visitor arrivals from the UAE to the Philippines. From January to July 2013, 8,364 visitors from UAE traveled to the Philippines. This figure represents a 13.01% growth rate from the same period in 2012. Likewise, UAE imported $220 million worth of products from the Philippines in 2012, mostly agricultural products like bananas and pineapples, electrical and electronic machinery, equipment and parts and men’s wear. END