Cebu Pacific passengers hit 2.2 million in June

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific posted a 7.9% annual increase in the number of passengers it flew in June, as the company reported strong domestic demand during the month.

The carrier said it flew 2.233 million passengers last month, up from 2.069 million in June 2024. The majority of the passengers or 1.675 million were on domestic flights, translating to a 7.3% growth from the previous year. International passenger traffic climbed 9.7% to 558,000.

“Despite the earlier onset of the academic calendar—moving the start of classes from late July last year to mid-June this year—passenger traffic and seat load factors remained resilient,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said in a regulatory filing.

The seat load factor for the month stood at 87.5%. The domestic seat load factor was recorded at 92.1%, and 76.1% for international flights.

Cebu Pacific flew 13.905 million passengers so far this year—10.356 million domestic and 3.549 million international. The seat load factor stood at 85.4%, slightly higher than 85.3% last year.

“For the first half of 2025, our load factors have increased despite seat growth of more than 20%. This reflects the continued strength of air travel demand within our network,” Lao said.

“Capacity for the second half of June was reduced due to the commencement of the leaner season. This also aligns with ongoing proactive management of engine and supply chain issues, and as such, we would expect capacity growth levels to stay at similar levels through the third quarter before rising again in the fourth quarter,” he added.

Cebu Pacific last year announced plans to purchase over 150 aircraft from Airbus for $24 billion or P1.4 trillion, making it the biggest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history.

The company earlier said it expected to close 2024 with 95 aircraft, which will boost its full-year 2024 seat capacity by 12% to 15% compared with 2023. —VBL, GMA Integrated News