Cebu Pacific is the largest budget carrier in the Philippines and is currently eyeing flights to the Middle East. The airline wants to expand long-haul operations and maintain a 33% share of the market against competitors Tiger Airways and AirAsia. According to Cebu President Lance Gokongwei, the second half of 2013 could see Cebu Pacific launching flights to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The target market are the 3 million Filipino nurses and other workers who work in the Middle East.
Gokongwei has said that their main project next year is their long-haul expansion, which includes the Middle East, where Cebu will have an advantage because their competitors don't fly there. They are also considering expanding their flights to the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The airline is hopeful that by 2015, they will be carrying some 400,000 passengers to and from the Middle East. Currently, 1000 passengers travel each day from Manila to Dubai on Emirates.
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