CEBU PACIFIC The on-time airline marks anniv

Nine years ago, on March 8, 1996, ‘the little airline that could’ flew for the first time. While hardly anybody took serious note, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), wholly owned by JG Summit Holdings, Inc., was determined to bring air travel closer to Filipinos.

Nine years hence, and how many passengers later, the Filipino’s airline of choice is on its way to more years of genuine commitment and service to its valued and loyal clientele.

And as a way of thanking the Filipino public for their trust and confidence, CEB celebrated its 9th anniversary by way of holding a day of fun, party and prizes exactly on the day the company was born.

As "Fun" was the key word, all CEB pre-departure stations were decorated with balloons and knick-knacks for a more festive mood while CEB employees wore a special CEB logo tattoo, which all CEB customers who were flying that day also got for free.

A Jollibee Kiddie party welcomed all CEB passengers at the pre-departure area in all domestic stations while Jollibee meals were served in all CEB flights on that day. Of course, the parties were made complete with games and CEB prizes and giveaways.

"As Cebu Pacific celebrates its 9th anniversary, it is central that we acknowledge the support of the Filipino travelers," said CEB general manager Bong Mojica. "For the past years they have shown their complete trust in us by making us their airline of choice as far as domestic air travel is concerned."

CEB made its presence known to the public by pioneering the "low fare, great value" strategy in the local aviation industry. First time travelers were attracted while frequent flyers were enticed to travel more or take companions on their trips.

From its humble 24 flights daily to and from three destinations, CEB averaged a million passengers a year in its first three years of operations alone. Now, with an average of 80 flights daily to and from 14 domestic destinations, CEB flies higher with its international flights to Hong Kong and Seoul, Korea.

CEB is also the only domestic carrier that offers a unique flying experience with its "FunFlights" or on board games and in-flight surprises. CEB was also the first to introduce electronic ticket or Eticket, a "ticket anytime, anywhere" facility in the domestic aviation scene.

Other innovative ideas from the company include the Commuter Pass, Hotels Plus and Summit Club, the airline’s world-class frequent flyer program, which gives exclusive privileges and special rewards to CEB’s loyal patrons.

Cebu Pacific, together with SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) of Singapore Airlines signed a memorandum of agreement last December 2004. The joint venture will provide line maintenance, technical ramp handling services and light maintenance checks at 13 airports that CEB operates in.

CEB recently bought 12 brand-new A319s for delivery from Sept. 2005 to early 2007 and is leasing two A320s, which are due by the second quarter of this year. The new CEB fleet will be the youngest in the Philippines and one of the youngest in the region