CEB posts growth in passenger volume

Cebu Pacific (CEB) flew 19.1mn passengers in 2016, an increase of 4% from the 18.4mn passengers flown in 2015. On average, CEB flights were 86% full during the year.Growth in passenger volume was largely driven by the airline’s low-cost short-haul services, and increased frequencies in key domestic markets. Specifically, the former recorded a 9.3% growth compared to 2015, while the latter reflected a 2.6% increase. “On December 27, 2016, the Cebu Pacific Air Group carried a total of 64,684 passengers – the highest number of travellers we have ever flown in one day. This surpasses our prior record of 62,947 passengers flown last January 3, 2016, translating to 1,737 additional passengers,” said J R Mantaring, vice president for corporate affairs, CEB.“This significant increase in number only shows our firm commitment in trafficking trade and tourism in all the destinations we operate in, while at the same time enabling ‘everyJuan’ to connect with their families and friends all around the world,” he added. CEB posted notable passenger growth in international destinations such as Beijing Shanghai and Xiamen in China, Taiwan (Taipei), and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. In the Philippines, domestic traffic increased in Cauayan, Siargao, and Ozamiz. CEB currently offers flights to 37 domestic and 29 international destinations, operating an extensive network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the US. Its 58-strong fleet is comprised of four Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500, and three ATR 72-600 aircraft. Between 2017 and 2021, CEB expects delivery of one more brand-new Airbus A330, 32 Airbus A321neo, and 13 ATR 72-600 aircraft.