Cebu Pacific removes change fees, hopes to restore passenger confidence

THE budget carrier said its passengers can now rebook as many times as they need. — BW FILE PHOTO

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific announced on Tuesday the permanent removal of its change fees.

The move should help restore passenger confidence and rebuild its network, the low-cost carrier said.

With the removal of change fees, Cebu Pacific passengers may rebook their flights as many times as they need free of charge.

“In a recent survey we conducted, flexibility remains to be one of the considerations of our passengers when deciding to travel again,” Candice A. Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing and customer service, said in an e-mailed statement.

“Because of this, we are removing our change fee effective immediately,” she added.

The removal came as the government simplified the requirements for domestic travel.

“Travel authorities and health certificates will no longer be needed. Quarantine protocols will also be only required for those showing symptoms,” the budget carrier said.

Cebu Pacific is expecting to take delivery of eight more aircraft this year despite the ongoing pandemic crisis.

Cebu Air, Inc., the listed operator of Cebu Pacific, suffered a net loss of P14.69 billion for the first nine months of 2020 from the P6.77-billion profit it generated in the same period in 2019.

Cebu Air shares closed 0.11% higher at P45.25 apiece on Tuesday. — Arjay L. Balinbin