MANILA, 2016-Nov-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Taiwanese tourists arrivals into the Philippines are expected to rise with the commencement of AirAsia’s direct flight from Manila to Taipei today (21 November 2016) at 11:05 PM.
Guests on board the inaugural flight Z2 128 from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 got an early Christmas gift wrapped in iconic red and were welcomed on board by Philippines AirAsia executives led by its Chairperson Maan Hontiveros and CEO Dexter Comendador.
Philippines AirAsia CEO Dexter Comendador said, “We have introduced amazing connections for our guests to enjoy and we are aiming to go further across Asia by strengthening AirAsia’s presence in Taiwan. Today heralds a brighter and much closer ties between two countries to improve trade and tourism.”
Taiwanese tourist arrivals in the Philippines have reached 157,517 from January to August this year. Taiwan is currently the country’s sixth top visitor market after Korea, United States, China, Japan and Australia.
The AirAsia Group operates direct flight to Taipei from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and now from Manila and Cebu in the Philippines starting November 25.
Comendador added, “AirAsia is also launching our maiden flight to Taipei from Cebu in Southern Philippines with three flights every week or every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in less than a week from now and it brings so much pride to be able to provide a world-class and award winning service to our travellers, Overseas Filipino Workers and Taiwanese tourists.”
To celebrate the twin launch Filipino cultural dancers flew from Cebu to perform “Sinulog” dance during the press conference held in Sheraton Hotel in Taipei. Sinulog is an annual religious festival in Cebu, which includes street dancing and group performances with elaborate and colourful costumes.
Flight Schedule for Manila (MNL) – Taipei (TPE)
| Flight No | From | To | Departure | Arrival | Flight Schedule |
| Z2 128 | MNL | TPE | 23:05 | 01:10 | Daily |
| Z2 129 | TPE | MNL | 01:35 | 03.45 | Daily |
Flight Schedule for Cebu (CEB) – Taipei (TPE)
| Flight No | From | To | Departure | Arrival | Flight Schedule |
| Z2 7124 | CEB | TPE | 06:35 | 09:25 | Wednesday |
| CEB | TPE | 06:10 | 09:05 | Friday and Sunday | |
| Z2 7125 | TPE | CEB | 10:20 | 13:10 | Wednesday |
| TPE | CEB | 10:10 | 13:00 | Friday | |
| TPE | CEB | 10:30 | 13:20 | Sunday |
Contact: +632 722 2742
Source: Air Asia