CEB’s OFW market up 22.4% in 5 yrs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air posted a 22.4-percent compounded annual growth rate from 2008 to 2012, for its passengers to and from three international destinations with a large concentration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs): Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

CEB launched twice daily Manila-Hong Kong flights back in November 2001, with one-way fares less than P1,000. Hong Kong was CEB’s first international destination primarily because business and leisure travel demand could be spurred by its large OFW population.

With a CAGR of 13.4 percent for passengers from 2008 to 2012, Hong Kong remains a key international destination in CEB’s network. It offers the most routes between the Philippines (from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Clark) and Hong Kong, compared to other airlines.

From 2008 to 2012, CEB also achieved a compounded passenger growth of 30.9 percent to and from Singapore and 35.6 percent to and from Malaysia.

The airline launched Manila-Singapore flights in August 2006, and has since then launched flights from Clark, Cebu and Iloilo to Singapore. CEB’s flights to Malaysia started in November 2006 with direct Manila-Kuala Lumpur flights. The airline now also offers a direct thrice weekly Manila-Kota Kinabalu service.

“CEB continues to serve global Filipinos with the fastest flights not just to Manila but to their hometowns. As of 2012, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia are home to over 340,000 OFWs. It is an honor to fly the Philippine flag and take them where they need to be, on Cebu Pacific’s trademark lowest fares,” said CEB VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB is also slated to launch direct flights to its biggest international OFW destination to date, Dubai. Direct daily flights between Manila and Dubai commences on Oct. 7, 2013, with fares up to 35 percent lower than other airlines.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages.