CebPac passengers down in Oct. 2025 on supply chain challenges, weather disruptions

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific reported lower passengers in October due to supply chain challenges and weather-related disruption, but hopes to return to double-digit growth during the holiday season by the end of the year.

Data released by the carrier showed that it flew 2.081 million passengers in October to reflect a 1% decline from the same month last year. Domestic passengers fell by 4.5% to 1.547 million on the 6.1% drop in seats, bringing the domestic seat load factor (SLF) to 82.5%.

International passenger traffic for the month increased by 10.7% to 534,000, with seat capacity up 22.2%. The international SLF, however, fell by 7.4 percentage points to 71.4%.

“October reflected our active capacity management, as we navigated ongoing supply chain challenges, particularly those related to Pratt & Whitney engines, as well as weather-related disruptions,” Cebu Pacific chief financial officer Mark Cezar said in a statement.

“Capacity growth was intentionally moderated to ensure operational resilience ahead of the peak travel season,” he added.

The Philippines was hit by Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) in October, affecting some 56,000 families or 173,000 individuals. At least seven were reported dead.

Several earthquakes were also reported, with a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that rocked Manay, Davao Oriental on October 10, 2025, and a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu on September 30.

“November is seeing similar headwinds and moderation but we will be returning to double-digit capacity growth in December and January,” Cezar said.

The country was also hit by powerful typhoons in November, with Typhoons Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) and Uwan (international name: Fung-wong).

Cebu Pacific’s year-to-date passengers stood at 22.032 million, up by 12.3% from the 19.612 million passengers in the comparable period of 2024.—AOL, GMA Integrated News