Cebu Pacific's Asean routes up 30% in Q3

MANILA, Philippines - Gokongwei controlled air carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) said yesterday that it flew 30 percent more passengers between the Philippines and ASEAN destinations in the third quarter of 2011.

From July to September 2011, CEB flew close to 286,000 passengers to and from ASEAN destinations, a 30 percent growth compared to the same period last year. The load factor for these flights averaged at 81 percent.

“There are 10 member-states in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and we look forward to expanding Cebu Pacific’s network further in this region. We believe our neighboring Southeast Asian countries can benefit greatly from direct access and additional connectivity to the Philippines, especially with our trademark low fares,” CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

The airline took delivery of one brand-new Airbus A320 last Oct. 26, and will take delivery of another in December 2011. This provides additional capacity for network, flight and route expansion.

“CEB’s combination of low fares, fun service, new planes and extensive network stimulates demand for tourism and trade, and grows the market. We want to continue doing this for the ASEAN region where we fly the most passengers to and from the Philippines,” she added.

CEB offers more than 90 flights per week from the Philippines to seven ASEAN destinations in six countries. It offers thrice weekly flights to Kota Kinabalu, four weekly flights to Brunei and Jakarta, daily flights to Ho Chi Minh, 10 weekly flights to Bangkok, twice daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and 49 weekly flights to Singapore.

Its lowest year-round fares to ASEAN destinations start at P1,299.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 18 Airbus A320 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft - with an average age of less than 3.5 years - one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, it will take delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and two Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements.