Cebu Pacific to enter Saudi market in 2026

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December 10, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is launching a new long-range route next year through Riyadh, as it aims to capture the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) market in Saudi Arabia with cheap fares.

Cebu Pacific yesterday announced that it is mounting direct services between Manila and Riyadh starting March 1, 2026, marking a new long-haul flight to the Middle East for the airline.

The STAR first reported Cebu Pacific’s interest in entering Saudi Arabia in 2023, but the airline took its time dealing with regulatory approvals and in expanding its widebody fleet.

This time, Cebu Pacific is prepared to connect to Saudi Arabia, lifted by its industry-leading fleet of 100 aircraft, of which 13 are Airbus A330neos. The airline owned by the Gokongweis is now the largest operator of A330neos in Asia.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said the carrier is keen on offering OFWs headed to Saudi Arabia and returning to the Philippines low-cost flights.

Cebu Pacific estimates savings of up to 57 percent when flying with the airline to Riyadh.

“Our OFWs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East make tremendous sacrifices to support families and contribute to the Philippine economy, so launching our Manila-Riyadh service is one way we honor their hard work, making it easier and more affordable for them to fly home,” Lao said.

Cebu Pacific will operate the new service four times weekly, with trips to Riyadh on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while flights to Manila are on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.