3M passengers took Cebu Pacific in Q2

The number of travelers Cebu Pacific transported in the second quarter of the year grew by 15 percent, keeping the airline on track of its goal to fly 12 million passengers by the end of the year.

The Gokongwei-led budget carrier on Monday said growth was supported by its international business, which grew faster than its domestic operations. This reflected the company’s focus on making it easier and more affordable for Filipinos to travel within the Asia-Pacific region.

The airline flew 3.1 million passengers in the second quarter of 2011. Of the total, over 683,000 passengers took international flights while 2,428,000 accounted for domestic travel. This year’s total was higher than the 2.7 million reported in the same period in 2010.

“The second quarter figures keep the airline on track in achieving its 12 million-passenger target in 2011,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution.

Cebu Pacific said it also attained a load factor of 89 percent in the three-month period, higher than the 87 percent in the first quarter of the year and 88 percent in the second quarter of 2010.

An airline’s load factor pertains to the average number of seats filled on each flight relative to the number of those available.

“Cebu Pacific posted strong growth figures in the second quarter of 2011, given its trademark low fares, extensive route network and innovative travel services,” Iyog said. “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.”

The airline said international destinations were its strongest routes during the period. Passengers to and from Singapore increased by 22 percent year on year. Also, passengers to and from North Asia grew by 13 percent: Travel to and from Taiwan was up by 66 percent; South Korea by 42 percent; and China by 38 percent.

“We will continue to expand internationally, consistent with our goal to bring more tourists to and from the Philippines. Cebu Pacific’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,” Iyog said.