Cebu Pacific eyes 30 million passengers

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is confident of reaching the 30-million mark for passengers flown this year, seeing growth opportunities in its decision to expand flight coverage from the regions.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said he is optimistic the airline would grow its passenger numbers by at least 20 percent following a record year in 2024.

Lao attributed his confidence to the growing domestic and international capacity of Cebu Pacific, bearing the fruits of the company’s gamble to add more aircraft to expand its hubs in Manila and beyond.

If Cebu Pacific attains its goal, the airline will flirt with the 30-million mark in passenger traffic, resetting its all-time high of 24.5 million achieved in 2024. Lao said Cebu Pacific has the fleet size and flight coverage to achieve such a feat.

Cebu Pacific operates a seat capacity of three million in a month as of January, up by 30 percent from 2.3 million a year ago. Similarly, the airline’s flight count has gone up by a third to 16,000 monthly, from 12,000, on added frequency and more routes.

Likewise, Cebu Pacific mounted 24 new flights to domestic and international routes in 2024, and the carrier is far from being done, gearing up for more expansion this year.

The airline, owned by the Gokongweis, launched direct flights between Manila and Sapporo this month, becoming the only carrier linking the two cities right now.

By March 30, Cebu Pacific will begin operating daily trips from Clark to Busuanga and El Nido as part of the strategy to solidify its dominant position in Pampanga.

Currently, Cebu Pacific is the largest airline operating out of the Clark International Airport, as it reaches Bohol, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, General Santos City, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa from the gateway. It also offers Clark flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Narita and Singapore.

By March 30, the airline is moving to Clark its turboprop flights to Masbate and Siargao, which used to depart from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The slot regulator in NAIA has ordered airlines to withdraw their turboprops from the gateway.

If there is a risk Cebu Pacific is keeping an eye on, its chief marketing and customer experience officer Candice Iyog pointed to the reshuffling of terminal assignments in NAIA.

Private operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. plans to reorder airline placements in NAIA to improve efficiency in runway usage, but has yet to determine when this would happen, resulting in uncertainty.