Juan and everyone

“WE WELCOME competition!”

So exclaimed the beautiful and brilliant Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific Air’s VP for marketing and distribution, on other airlines setting their own hubs at the Clark International Airport.

CebPac made the CIA its fourth hub in the country – after Cebu, Manila and Davao – in 2006, with initial flights to Cebu and then expanding to regional destinations Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok and Singapore.

The competition did get keener this year with three airlines setting shop at Clark.

Philippines AirAsia started its domestic lines in March – Davao, Puerto Princesa, and Kalibo, going regional in June – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and set to fly this Thursday, July 19, to Hong Kong and Macau.

In March too, Airphil Express opened its run to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa, and in June to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Dragonair came in May with Hong Kong as destination and connection to 18 cities in China and 130 destinations worldwide with its parent company Cathay pacific.

More airlines, more fun in Clark.        

“This is good, especially for the market.  Passengers will have several choices. It will keep everyone (in the aviation industry) on their toes.” Ms. Candice, most matter-of-factly there.

For all the airlines both hubbing and transiting at Clark, the competition, in all appearances, narrows down to two – CebPac and AirAsia.

This, as much in number of destinations as in the quality of aircraft, as much in the pulchritude of flight attendants as in the superbness of in-flight service, all contributing to raising the bar of excellence in the aviation industry. And, most naturally, to gaining worldwide recognition.    

For the fourth consecutive year, AirAsia has been hailed as the World’s Best Low Cost Airline by Skytrax, reputed to be the world’s leading airline and airport review site on the internet.

In its review of over 681 airlines, Skytrax noted that almost 19 million travelers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the world’s best LCC.

Finding cause for celebration in the signal distinction given AirAsia, CEO Maan Hontiveros found as much found in it “positively a reason to offer more low fares with the World’s Best Ever Sale to all its guests, who have made it possible for AirAsia to attain this great success once again.”
Hence, AirAsia’s “all-in-fares from as low as P440 for one-way travel to domestic destinations Davao, Kalibo or Puerto Princesa (Palawan) as well as  international destinations Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Macau, while tickets to  Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney in Australia  cost only P5,670  via Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal.”
CebPac has as much cause for celebration in its CEO-President Lance Gokongwei’s recognition at the annual Airline Strategy Awards 2012 in London last July 8, “for leading Cebu Pacific to become the largest and most profitable domestic carrier in the Philippines… while positioning it for future international leadership.”
Started in 2002, the Airline Strategy Awards, hosted by Flightglobal publication, Airline Business, recognizes the airline industry’s best in leadership, marketing, and innovation.

“We are very happy to be recognized as an industry leader. Cebu Pacific’s growth has been possible through our guests’ support throughout the years, and the dedication of the Cebu Pacific team to a shared of vision of providing every Juan the chance to fly,” said Mr. Lance, joining now the elite company of past awardees that include Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary, Jetstar’s Alan Joyce, and AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes.  

As it is with Mr. Lance – attributing CebPac’s growth through “our guests’ support” – so it is with Ms. Maan – the “guests, who have made it possible for AirAsia to attain this great success once again.”

The flying public as driving force in a keen competition for excellence, there. No wonder CebPac and AirAsia make the CIA’s one-two punch, with all the other airlines reduced to the side lines.  
Yeah, that everyone – as well as every Juan – can fly is all that matters at the CIA now.