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Dubai: Emirates will start flying to Cebu City, a major port and tourism destination in central Philippines and also restarting flights to Clark International Airport in the main island of Luzon.

The airline said on Monday it will start new circular flights to Filipino airports Cebu and Clark on March 30.

Emirates stopped flying to Clark International, the former United States military air base an hour north of the capital Manila, in March 2014.

At the time, the airline said the route was cut “after a review of the airline’s operations to ensure the best utilisation of its aircraft fleet for its overall business objectives”.

The new route will depart Dubai for Cebu, an island south of Manila, before traveling onwards to Clark.

The return flight will also stop in Cebu.

Cebu is a substantial source market for Filipinos working overseas and Clark has been seen as an alternative airport for Manila International, which is heavily congested.

Emirates will fly to the Cebu and Clark with a 428-seat Boeing 777-300ER (extended range).

Etihad Airways announced last month it is adding three weekly flights to the Filipino capital from May 1.