CEB corners over 50% of cargo, passenger mart

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific (CEB) posted over 50 percent market shares for domestic passenger and cargo markets for the first quarter of 2010.

Based on Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) data, CEB flew 1.97 million passengers during the first quarter and transported 20.49 million kilos in air cargo for the first three months of the year, translating to 50.6 percent market share for domestic passengers and 53.2 percent market share for cargo.

To celebrate the increase in market share, the airline is offering a 50 percent off seat sale for all its domestic and international destinations from May 29 to 31, 2010, for travel from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2010.

“We would like to celebrate with our passengers, given the things we have achieved so far this year, and offer even lower fares than usual. Recently, Cebu Pacific also garnered the Gold Award in the 2010 Readers Digest Trusted Brand Awards,” said CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

 “This seat sale reaffirms our commitment of giving more people opportunities to travel around the Philippines and in Asia. Tourism continues to be one of the main drivers of the country’s economy, and we are doing whatever we can to promote that,” Iyog said.

Having flown 8.8 million passengers in 2009, CEB’s ranks went up from 19 to 17 in the world’s top low-cost carriers, based on 2009 passenger numbers. The third largest low-cost carrier in Asia, CEB is expecting delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 aircraft until 2014.