Cebu Pacific registers record passenger, load factors in Q2

MANILA, Philippines - Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) flew over 3.1 million passengers in the second quarter of the year, eclipsing the passenger and load factor records set in the same period last year.

In a statement, CEB said it posted a 15 percent system-wide year-on-year growth, with the number of international passengers up 21 percent. The airline’s domestic passengers likewise increased 13 percent compared to the same period in 2010.

The airline flew over 683,000 international and more than 2.43 million domestic passengers in the second quarter of 2011, compared to a total of more than 2.7 million passengers in the second quarter of 2010.

Given the April-June performance, CEB officials expressed confidence the airline is on track in achieving its 12 million-passenger target in 2011.

CEB also achieved a record 89 percent load factor in the second quarter, surpassing the load factors in the first quarter of 2011 (87 percent) and second quarter of 2010 (88 percent).

“CEB posted strong growth figures in the second quarter of 2011, given its trademark lowest fares, extensive route network and innovative travel services. April and May are seasonally the strongest in domestic travel, and we will remain consistent in growing the market so every Juan gets the chance to fly,” CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

“We will continue to expand internationally, consistent with our goal to bring more tourists to and from the Philippines. CEB’s international passengers increased in the second quarter, owing to our increased flight frequencies and direct flights from international destinations to Manila, Cebu and Clark,” she added.

Passengers to and from Singapore increased 22 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, passengers to and from North Asia grew 13 percent, led by Taiwan (up 66 percent), South Korea (up 42 percent), and China (up 38 increase).

“As we accept delivery of more brand-new aircraft orders in the last week of September and October 2011, we will continue offering the lowest fares to all the destinations we serve. CEB is slated to begin its Tawi-Tawi - Zamboanga flights, as well as its Cagayan de Oro-Iloilo service on Oct. 14, further expanding CEB’s network in the Philippines,” Iyog said.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 15 Airbus A320 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of less than 3.5 years – one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, it will take delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and two Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements.