In a significant uptick, Cebu Pacific, the budget airline, transported 2.6 million passengers in January, marking a 33.4% increase from the figures recorded in January of the previous year. This growth was attributed to robust holiday travel and the airline’s strategic expansion of its network and capacity over the past year, according to CEB president Alexander Lao.
The airline, operated by the Gokongwei group, now serves 124 routes, a notable increase from the 104 routes it offered during the same period last year. Lao emphasized the airline’s commitment to enhancing its capacity to cater to the growing consumer demand while navigating challenges related to engine and supply chain issues.
Internationally, Cebu Pacific experienced a 29.9% rise in passenger traffic year-over-year, with its international network expanding to 40 routes from 36. Domestically, passenger numbers soared by 34.6%, driven by heightened demand during the New Year festivities. The airline has introduced additional frequencies and new routes in 2024 to accommodate this growth, with its domestic network now covering 84 routes, up from 68 last year.
Furthermore, Cebu Pacific reported a 31.2% increase in seat capacity, and its seat load factor improved to 86.5% from 85.1%.