By John Michael Mugas
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—Cebu Pacific flight 5J 404 landed at Laoag International Airport on Monday (May 22) with over 100 passengers on board, marking the budget airline’s resumption of operations in this northern Luzon gateway.
In a statement Monday, Cebu Pacific said it would operate flights between Manila and Laoag, and vice versa daily.
“We are excited to fly again to Laoag as we continue to grow our domestic network and provide accessible and affordable air travel to every Juan,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer.
Lau added that relaunching this route, its 35th destination under its domestic network, would also “strengthen Laoag’s position as a leading tourism and cultural hub in north Luzon.
Aianree Raquel, Ilocos Norte tourism officer, said that the resumption of Cebu Pacific flights in the province is a “very exciting time for Ilocos Norte tourism for our reopening and comeback with diversified offerings, especially with a major player in the country coming back in the province, Cebu Pacific.”
Cebu Pacific used to operate in Ilocos Norte but halted operations in 2017.
