Cebu Pacific claims leadership in domestic flights

MANILA, Philippines- Budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Monday announced that it has retained its position as the country’s leading domestic airline in 2008. Citing data from both the Civil Aeronautics Board and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific it had a 45.6-percent market share last year or an improvement by 2.6-percentage points from the previous year’s 42.9 percent. The airline, which was supposed to undertake a public offering last year but backed out owing to unattractive capital market environment, flew 5.4-million domestic passengers or half a million passengers more than the combined traffic of both Philippine Airlines and its low-fare carrier PAL Express. PAL flew 4.9 million passengers; Air Philippines carried 913,570; Zest Air, formerly known as Asian Spirit had 374,145 passengers; and Seair flew 217,885 passengers. The airlines said its passenger traffic was mainly boosted by its all-inclusive domestic and ‘Go Lite’ fares that continue to keep the cost of air travel within reach of the average Filipino. “We took delivery of 10 brand new aircraft in 2008 which we used to fly to new destinations, add frequencies to existing routes, and open operational hubs in Clark and Davao. We will continue our expansion as we take delivery of six more aircraft this year," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution. The airlines has also increased its total number of domestic destinations to 27 in 2008 from 20 in 2007, and it also added routes from 28 in 2007 to 39 in 2008. “With the arrival of six brand-new aircraft this year, we hope to carry more than 9 million passengers. The public can expect that we will continue to offer our trademark low fares and make air travel more affordable for every Juan in the Philippines and in Asia," Iyog said. Now in its 13th year, Cebu Pacific has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It flies to 15 international cities and 27, soon to be 31 domestic destinations with the addition of Calbayog, Catarman, Virac (Catanduanes), and Siargao. GMANews.TV