Local airline launches Saudi Arabia route as 4th long haul flight

MANILA, Philippines — Local low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is launching a route to Riyadh next year, a significant market given the abundance of Filipino migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.

The airline announced the direct filights between Manila and the Saudi Arabia capital would begin on March 1, a plan that was two years in the making due to regulatory approvals and fleet explansion.

The route will operate four times weekly: Manila to Riyadh will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays while Riyadh to Manila will be on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Xander Lao, the ariline's president and chief commercial officer, noted in a statement the tremendous sacrifices overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East make to support families and contribute to the Philippine economy.

"Launching our Manila-Riyadh service is one way we honor their hard work, making it easier and more affordable for them to fly home," Lao said. This as the airline estimates savings of up to 57% when taking the new Riyadh route.

Riyadh will be the airline's fourth long haul flight after Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

As for fleet expansion, Cebu Pacific is expecting to receive seven new aircraft next year: five narrow-body and two wide-body planes.

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