According to the airline, passengers will not see changes to AirSWIFT’s flight schedules or services during the transition. Flights to and from El Nido will continue as scheduled. The most visible change will be in flight coding: all flights previously carrying the T6 code will be reclassified as DG flights, reflecting that Cebgo will now operate them.

AirSWIFT currently flies between Clark and El Nido in northern Palawan, as well as between El Nido and several of the country’s major tourist destinations, including Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, and Coron. Those connections will remain in place under Cebgo’s operation.

CEB currently flies to 35 domestic and 26 international destinations. The airline reminded passengers to book their flights directly through its official website, mobile app, and affiliated travel partners and agencies to avoid problems with booking and managing their reservations.

How Cebu Pacific Acquired AirSWIFT

Cebu Pacific acquired AirSWIFT  in February 2025 through a PHP 1.75 billion (US$30 million) deal with ALI Capital Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayala Land, the Philippines’ largest property developer. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both Cebu Pacific and ALI Capital.

At the time, Cebu Pacific framed the acquisition as part of its push to expand its domestic network and improve connectivity across the country through cost-effective travel options.

The deal allowed both companies to concentrate on their core businesses, with AirSWIFT continuing to serve key domestic leisure destinations and Cebu Pacific integrating the boutique carrier into its wider network.

AirSWIFT, known for serving the domestic leisure travel market, has operated flights from Manila and Clark to El Nido, Palawan, along with inter-island routes connecting El Nido to Cebu, Boracay, Coron, and Bohol.

By bringing the airline into its portfolio, Cebu Pacific aimed to strengthen access to those tourist destinations and reinforce its role in supporting Philippine travel and tourism.

Credits: Cebu Pacific

The post AirSWIFT network to be operated by Cebgo beginning July 2026 under Cebu Pacific first appeared on AircrewNews.com.

The announcement was made after the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the International Air Transport Association’s 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

With PAL’s accession, oneworld will grow to 16 member airlines, strengthening an alliance network that already serves more than 900 destinations in 170 territories and offers access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide.

PAL becomes member-designate

Philippine Airlines was invited to join as a member-designate by the oneworld Governing Board, which is made up of the chief executives of the alliance’s member airlines. Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO and chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, said PAL would play a “critical role” in the alliance’s Southeast Asia network.

The move will add 31 unique destinations across the Philippines and beyond to oneworld’s global network. PAL currently operates nonstop flights from its hubs in Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB) to 29 destinations in the Philippines and 40 destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Loyalty and lounge benefits ahead

Once PAL formally enters the alliance, members of its Mabuhay Miles program will be able to earn and redeem miles across oneworld member airlines. Eligible top-tier PAL customers will also gain access to oneworld priority benefits and more than 700 airport lounges, including branded oneworld lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Seoul Incheon (ICN).

That is the main passenger-facing shift. PAL already has bilateral relationships with several international carriers, but full alliance membership would make reciprocal loyalty, lounge, and priority benefits more consistent across the oneworld network.

Right timing for PAL and oneworld

For Philippine Airlines, joining oneworld gives the carrier broader international relevance at a time when it is rebuilding long-haul competitiveness and strengthening its role as the Philippines’ full-service network airline.

For oneworld, PAL fills an important Southeast Asia gap. The alliance already includes Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific in the region, but PAL adds direct access to the Philippine domestic market and strengthens connectivity between Southeast Asia, North America, Australia, the Middle East, and other long-haul markets.

The key distinction is timing. PAL has signed an MoU and has been named a member-designate, but the full customer benefits will come once the airline completes the accession process and formally enters the alliance.

Credits: Philippine Airlines

The post Philippine Airlines to Join oneworld Alliance first appeared on AircrewNews.com.