Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced Thursday afternoon the resumption of its international operations via Cebu beginning July 3.

In an advisory, the carrier said the plan is to operate twice weekly between Cebu and Incheon, South Korea every Thursday and Sunday. This is the first international destination CEB is restarting in its Cebu hub.

Restarting this flight will help passengers from the Visayas and Mindanao to travel again without needing to pass by Manila, CEB Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said.

He said the carrier is looking forward to expanding its international network in the next months.

Flight 5J 128 is expected to leave the Mactan International Airport at 12:25 p.m., and arrive in Incheon at 6:10 p.m. The return flight 5J 129 will leave the Incheon International Airport at 12:25 p.m. and arrive in Cebu at 10:50 p.m.

To date, CEB spokesperson Carmina Romero said CEB operates between Manila and Incheon once every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Romero said CEB will operate daily flights between Manila and Incheon beginning June 1. This is because currently, South Korea only accommodates essential travelers, while the processing of visas will start on June 1.

“We know that many are excited to fly and visit South Korea, ‘the land of BTS, K-beauty, and samgyupsal’. We look forward to flying more Juans as South Korea opens up to leisure travelers very soon,” she said.

Fully vaccinated travelers need to bring their vaccination card, filled-out foreigner registration card, and a negative coronavirus disease 2019 test result taken within 48 hours before the flight schedule. (PNA)