The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), together with the Office of the Governor, the Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA), and the Consul General of the Philippines proudly welcomed the inaugural Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Guam early this morning, marking PAL’s first-ever direct flight into a U.S. destination from Cebu.
Flight PR120 arrived on Wednesday, December 17, at 3:00 AM at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport. The inaugural flight carried a Guam delegation led by Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero that commenced the journey in Cebu, where an official launch ceremony was held at the MCIA.
In Cebu, Governor Leon Guerrero expressed excitement about the continued partnership with the City of Cebu, the Department of Tourism, Cebu–Mactan International Airport, and Philippine Airlines (PAL). Her remarks highlighted that PAL’s decision to expand service beyond Manila and elevate Cebu as an international gateway reflects a strong, forward-looking vision and honors the long relationship with Guam, dating back to PAL’s first landing in 1946.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era, one filled with easier travel, deeper friendships, stronger cultural ties, and even greater possibilities for our communities,” said Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero. “This inaugural flight is more than a new route. It reflects Guam’s close ties and long-standing bond with our Filipino community, whose contributions continue to shape our island’s story. By strengthening our connection with Cebu and the Visayas, we are honoring our shared history while creating new opportunities for families, businesses, and cultural exchange in the years ahead.”
After the arrival of the flight in Guam, the Guam delegation joined GIAA, GVB, the Philippine Consul General, and officials from PAL and Goodwind Development Corporation for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its first departure from Guam to Cebu and welcome outbound crew and passengers.
The GVB President & CEO, Régine Biscoe Lee, was enthusiastic about the new route. “This direct flight between Guam and Cebu is a definite win for our tourism industry,” Lee shared. “It helps to open up a new market, making it easier for people from the Philippines to visit family and friends and explore destination Guam. It will help cultivate even more robust business, travel experiences, and cultural connections.”
The launch of a new direct air service between the Visayas region of the Philippines and Guam creates a critical and convenient link expected to significantly boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. This direct connection immediately enhances Guam’s ability to attract more visitors from the Philippines, a key source market, by utilizing Cebu as a strategic gateway for potential travelers. The direct route drastically reduces travel time and stopovers, making Guam an accessible, distinctively American destination for Filipino travelers seeking a unique U.S. experience without a long-haul commitment. The improved accessibility is anticipated to stimulate economic activity and strengthen the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two territories.
