A local air carrier on Saturday opened its new route in northern Mindanao with the launching of its maiden flight from Zamboanga to Cagayan de Oro City.

Michelle Eve de Guzman, Cebu Pacific’s Corporate Communications assistant manager, said that the carrier now flies three times a week, servicing Zamboanga in the western part of Mindanao, and Cagayan in the northern side.

“From 14 hours by bus, now travelers from Zamboanga can go to Cagayan in less than an hour flight in the latest Cebu Pacific route,” she said.

Cebu Pacific also flies routes from Zamboanga City destined for the cities of Davao, Cebu, Tawi-Tawi and Manila.

From January to June this year, Cebu Pacific transported over 216,000 passengers, posting an 11-percent increase compared to last year, according to de Guzman.