Press Release
PR-123-2014

Cebu Pacific Makes its First Landing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(Riyadh, 1 October 2014) One of the Philippines’ flag carrier, Cebu Pacific, made its first inaugural non-stop Manila – Riyadh - Manila flight today, 1 October 2014. Cebu Pacific Flight Number 5J 740, a twin-engine 330-300 airbus, operated by Captain Danny Ronquillo and Captain Paul Mendoza, landed at the King Khalid International Airport at 10:30 PM carrying 259 passengers from Manila.

Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago was at the airport to welcome the passengers and the crew onboard the Cebu Pacific flight, together with Cebu Pacific and Saudi immigration officials.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Terminal 1 of the King Khalid International Airport, led by Ambassador Tago with Mr. Otham Al Zamil, Director for Operations and Fire Service and Mr. Mohammed Al-Sayegh, Chief of Flight Scheduling of King Khalid International Airport.  They were assisted by Cebu Pacific Officials based in Riyadh and from Manila, as well.

In his short message, Ambassador Tago said, “the arrival of Cebu Pacific in the Kingdom is a sign of the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

On 10 April 2014, the European Union issued Press Release No. IP/14/415 on the 23rd Update on Airline Aviation’s Safety List, wherein Cebu Pacific was included among those removed from EU blacklist. The Press Release also mentioned that the development on Cebu Pacific further proves that the air safety in the Philippines has improved.

Aside from Riyadh, Cebu Pacific will also make its inaugural flight at the King Fahad International Airport in Dammam, Eastern Province on 3 October 2014. (END)