Cebu Pacific seeks more flight frequencies to Australia

Cebu Pacific intends to expand its operations in Australia, citing the growing passenger traffic in its Manila-Sydney flights.

 

The airline is fully utilizing its seat entitlements to Australia, and is set to participate in air talks which will be held in Canberra, Australia on April 28.

 

In January 2015, the airline said it carried 13,875 passengers, more than any other carrier operating direct flights to Sydney from Manila. 

 

From four times weekly non-stop flights to Sydney that started on September 9, 2014 the airline added a fifth frequency after three months. 

 

Citing data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure Trade and Regional Economics, Cebu Pacific noted a 42 percent increase in passenger traffic between Sydney and Manila in September to December 2014.

 

Before that period passenger traffic in the route had been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent over five years, the airline said. 

 

The routes between Australia and the Philippines are underserviced with about 5,800 weekly one-way seats between the two countries, according to the airline, citing an analysis from think tank Centre for Aviation.

 

"This compares with other popular tourism destinations in Asia, such as Indonesia and Thailand, where there are approximately 36,000 and 22,000 weekly one-way seats, respectively," the airline said. – VS, GMA News