Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has applied to the Civil Aeronautics Board of the Philippines (CAB) for traffic rights to serve Rome Fiumicino leading to speculation the Italian capital could be the carrier's maiden European destination.
"The Philippines has 14 weekly flight entitlements to Italy, which have all been allocated to Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International)," Alex Reyes, general manager of Cebu Pacific’s Long Haul Division, told the Interaksyon newswire. "Cebu is requesting the reallocation of 7 unutilized flight entitlements to Italy."
Since its removal from the European Union's Banned Operators List, Philippine Airlines has shown keen interest in resuming flights to Italy where it currently has rights to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. However, with depressed demand on the airline's sole European route - London Heathrow - plans to expand into the Continent have been put on hold.
