MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific and Tiger Airways Philippines are seeking approval from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to mount flights to Myanmar.
The Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific has applied for designation as an official Philippine carrier and allocation of entitlements to Myanmar.
In its filing with the CAB, the low cost carrier is seeking 1,260 weekly seats for flights between Manila and Yangon.
Tigerair Philippines is also seeking 1,260 weekly seats for the same route in a separate application with the CAB.
Cebu Pacific is currently awaiting Congressional approval after getting CAB’s nod in the $15 million acquisition of Tigerair Philippines from Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings and other Philippine shareholders.
The Philippines and Myanmar signed a new air agreement in May, which allows designated airlines of the Philippines and Myanmar a total of 3,780 seats a week or three flights a day between Manila and points in Myanmar.
“Myanmar is a rapidly growing economy of about 60 million people, with a potential for the development of direct connectivity with the Philippines,” CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla earlier said.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines has also expressed interest in launching flights to Myanmar.
Aside from Myanmar, the Philippines also signed five air agreements with France, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada this year.