Cebu Pacific transports 7 million Covid vaccines

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Cebu Pacific or CEB, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has transported over 7 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in at least 23 provinces and cities across the country – another milestone in the industry’s history.

CEB was the first airline to transport vaccine doses to Sulu and Basilan provinces in the Muslim autonomous region via Zamboanga City in Mindanao last July 23. And on August 6, the carrier again flew vaccine shipments to both municipalities – 39,000 Janssen doses to Sulu’s capital town of Jolo, and 5,000 Sinovac doses to Basilan.

Isabela City Mayor Djalia Hataman praised CEB and thanked the airliner for its effort in transporting the vaccine. “We thank Cebu Pacific for safely bringing the vaccines here to us,” Hataman said.

Alex Reyes, CEB’s Chief Strategy Officer, said the transported vaccines were subject to the most stringent standards to guarantee product potency and efficacy until they arrive at their designated stations.

“We are delighted to keep flying more vaccines across our widest domestic network to aid in our nation’s vaccine distribution efforts. We look forward to carrying more doses as we all work towards achieving herd immunity as soon as possible,” said Reyes.

He said apart from Zamboanga City, CEB has also carried vaccines to 22 other destinations since March this year, specifically Bacolod, Bohol, Butuan, Caticlan, Cauayan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Masbate, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tawi-Tawi, Tuguegarao, and Virac.

The airline has also transported over 16.5 million vaccine doses from China to Manila since April, also this year.

Reyes said CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 31 destinations, on top of its 8 international destinations. Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes 2 dedicated ATR freighters and one A330 freighter. (Mindanao Examiner, Zamboanga Post)