IRENE SINO-CRUZ
Marking a significant expansion in Southeast Asia, United Airlines has introduced a new route to Cebu, Philippines, strengthening international travel options and bringing Cebu closer to global destinations.
The new service departs Cebu at 9:30 a.m. and arrives in Tokyo/Narita at 3:15 p.m. the same day. The return flight from Tokyo/Narita to Cebu departs at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Cebu at 10:05 p.m.
United operates the flight with a 737-800 with 166 seats, 16 of which are in business class.
The new daily nonstop service provides greater choice for customers in the Philippines to travel to Tokyo and with United connections, to the United States. It is the only U.S. carrier to operate from Cebu, connecting customers from the Visayas and Mindanao regions to Japan via Tokyo/Narita and to more than 200 destinations across the United States through its hubs at Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco.
“This new flight has been welcomed by our customers and the travel community across the Philippines. We are excited to offer even greater travel choice for our customers in the Philippines, with a one-stop connection, via Tokyo/Narita, to destinations in the United States and our unrivaled network of onward connections to destinations across the Americas, including our hub in Newark with fast easy access to Manhattan,” said Walter Dias, United Airlines Director for Asia Pacific.
Walter Dias, United Airlines Director for Asia Pacific
“We very much look forward to flying customers from Japan and the U.S. to Cebu, one of the leading beach resorts in Asia, benefitting tourism and supporting the local economy,” Dias said. “It’s in our DNA to connect people, and we’re thrilled to link Cebu to the world.”
The new daily service to Cebu will operate from United’s Narita hub in Japan, which Dias describes as a “giant funnel” that connects the U.S. and the Asia-Pacific region. United’s presence in Japan—bolstered by five flights from various major U.S. cities—will allow seamless travel for passengers from both the United States and Japan.
The Cebu-Narita route positions Cebu as a pivotal hub in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening connectivity between the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, and supporting a tourism and economic growth surge.
A Milestone for United Airlines and Cebu
Walter Dias, a senior executive with United Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about the route, which he described as a long-awaited goal for the airline.
“This is something I always dreamed of,” Dias shared during the launch. “Having a United flight land here in Cebu is like a dream come true.”
The new daily flight from Narita Airport in Tokyo enables travelers from the United States to access Cebu with a seamless transfer, reflecting United’s commitment to offering diverse travel options for its international clientele.
“We’re confident this flight will do very well, given our multi-point sales strategy in the U.S., Japan, and Cebu” Dias explained. United collaborates with travel agencies in Japan and the U.S. to promote Cebu’s attractions.
Strengthening Cebu’s Airport Infrastructure
MCIA, the gateway to Cebu, has been preparing for such expansion, with Aboitiz InfraCapital GMCAC, the airport’s private operator, enhancing domestic and international connectivity.
Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital GMCAC, has emphasized the collaborative work among various departments—Tourism, Transportation, and airport security—to ensure a smooth launch. “This progress is the result of everyone working together with one aim: to bring passengers safely to their destination,” Titonis shared.
“The arrival of United Airlines as a valued airline partner marks a significant milestone for our Cebu Connect service,” said Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer, Aboitiz Infracapital GMCAC, private operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
This new connectivity to Japan and the United States not only expands travel opportunities for Cebuanos and Filipinos but also strengthens Cebu’s role as a gateway, inviting travelers from around the world to experience the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Cebu and other popular destinations across Central and Southern Philippines, including Siargao, Palawan, and Boracay,” Titonis added.
“With this partnership, we aim to foster even greater cultural and economic exchange between the Philippines and the world. Together, we are unlocking possibilities for tourism, investment, and growth that will benefit our local communities and industries,” he said.
To support increasing traffic, MCIA has plans for expansions that include new terminals and process enhancements designed to boost capacity in the coming years. The airport now serves approximately 11 million passengers but has a total capacity of 20 million. “Our planning always considers 20 years ahead, setting the groundwork for sustainable growth,” Titonis noted.
As Cebu prepares for an influx of international visitors, MCIA is also set to benefit from new hotel developments and international hotel brand commitments that promise to expand Cebu’s tourism infrastructure, Titonis pointed out.
“We are seeing Cebu positioned not only as a local hub but also as a significant player in Philippine tourism as a whole,” said Titonis, expressing confidence in MCIA’s role in driving economic growth and elevating Cebu’s profile on the global stage.
With this inaugural flight, United Airlines and MCIA are ushering in a new era of connectivity, positioning Cebu as a major travel destination and gateway to the Philippines.
