Cebu Pacific growth trajectory continues in 2nd half of 2010

This is based on the existing July and August passenger revenues and forward bookings for the September to December 2010 period.

The airline flew more than 1.6 million passengers in July-August 2010, up 12% on the same period last year, and revenues increased 41% as yield improved on both domestic and international routes. Forward bookings from September-December 2010 are also up 60% compared with the same period in 2009.

"Even if July and August are traditionally lean travel months, Cebu Pacific managed to exceed its passenger and revenue targets. We are confident that we can sustain our growth this second half as we have exceptionally strong forward bookings leading up to the Christmas peak travel season," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB aims to fly 10.4 million passengers in 2010. It has already flown 4.1 million domestic and one million international passengers from January to June 2010.

"It has been our international operations that have really taken off in 2010. We have already established robust positions in our Asian destinations, such as Osaka, Seoul (Incheon), Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macau, among others. Year-to-date, we have seen a 26% growth in international passengers compared to the same period last year," she added.

"CEB also remains the largest airline operating domestically, with 33 destinations in the Philippines and four hubs across the country. Our trademark low fares and extensive network continues to fuel consumer confidence in their spending power and promote domestic tourism," Iyog said.

Last year, CEB flew a total of 8.8 million passengers. The airline operates the youngest aircraft fleet in the country with 10 Airbus A319, 11 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft and will take delivery of three brand new A320 aircraft in the last quarter of 2010.