The Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific, has expanded its domestic footprint with the launch of regular commercial flights between Manila and Marinduque.

The route will be operated by subsidiary, Cebgo, using its fleet of brand-new ATR aircraft.

Flights between Manila and Marinduque will commence operations on April 1st, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The flight will be operated out of the NAIA Terminal 4 (Manila Domestic Terminal) in Manila. 

From Singapore, Cebu Pacific flies directly to Manila three times daily.

“We are excited to begin operations in one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines-Marinduque,” said Alexander Lao, president of Cebgo.

“It takes only about an hour to fly between Manila and Marinduque - in contrast to the eight-hour trip by ferry and land today.

“Regular flights will allow business to prosper and the island’s tourism sector to boom.”

To travel between Manila and Marinduque, residents, tourists and entrepreneurs currently spend up to four hours by land from Manila to the Dalahican Port in Lucena, then take a three to four-hour roll-on, roll-off ferry ride to the island-province.

Marinduque is the site of the Moriones Festival, held annually during Holy Week.

It re-enacts the story of Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the crucified Jesus Christ with a spear, and his eventual conversion to Christianity.

On top of the popular festival, the heart-shaped province also boasts of pristine white sand beaches and small neighbouring islands teeming with marine life.