Manila-based Cebu Pacific haslaunched direct flight from Manilato Jakarta, starting with three weeklyflights. The new service makes the carrierthe first to offer direct flights onthe route.

With this service CEB is trying to setapart its rival, Philippine Airlines, whichhas just adjusted its flight from Jakarta toManila and vice versa, with a one-hourstop in Singapore.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) vice presidentsales Edwin A. Bautista said: "As thefirst direct flight on the route, our servicewill shorten flight time, which willstimulate further growth." He said thecarrier targets the main market segment,which includes business group, tourists,and students.

Deploying A320 aircraft, CEB alsooffers cargo space on the route. "Ouraircraft does not carry much of cargo,between 2 to 3 tonnes per flight. Thatis not much, of course, but we try tohelp the movement of goods betweenthe two places, with the limited space,"Bautista said. However, he did not specifythe commodities that Indonesia importfrom the Philippines.

Since its foundation in 1996, CEBhas expanded its regional network toSingapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur,Bangkok, Seoul, and Jakarta.

For future expansions, CEB is alsolooking into the possibility of flying toother destinations in Indonesia, such asto Manado in North Sulawesi.

For ground handling services atSoekarno Hatta International Airport,CEB has chosen PT. JAS airportServices.

– Siktus Harson