Cebu Pacific resumes more international flights as PH lifts ban on foreign tourists

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is boosting its international operations with the resumption of flights to Bangkok, Fukuoka, and Jakarta as the Philippines reopened its borders to foreign tourists.

In a statement, the airline said it has resumed its thrice weekly flights to Bangkok, and weekly flights to Fukuoka and Jakarta.

Starting today, fully vaccinated foreigners can enter the Philippines, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced earlier.

They only need to present proof of full vaccination.

Accepted as vaccination status proof are World Health Organization international certificates of vaccination or prophylaxis; VaxCertPH-issued COVID-19 vaccine certificates; or national/state digital certificates of the foreigner’s government which also accepts VaxCertPH as proof of inoculation under a reciprocal arrangement.

"This development will benefit the tourism industry across the Philippines as we welcome vaccinated travelers from around the world to explore our beautiful shores. We laud the Department of Tourism for actively pushing for our country to start accepting foreign tourists again, and we will support this initiative however we can," Xander Lao, chief commercial officer at Cebu Pacific, said in a statement.

The company also plans to resume its flights to other international routes from Manila next month, specifically Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and Taipei.

"We continue to bank on the rebound of domestic tourism this year while remaining agile in addressing demand for international travel as well. We are encouraged that with these positive indicators, more OFWs can also fly back home easily and safely to their families," Lao added.