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Cebu Pacific grew its domestic market share in 2022 to 57%, up 5 percentage points from 2019, according to data from the Civil Aeronautics Board
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The airline carried nearly 13.5 million domestic passengers in 2022, more than triple from the previous year, signaling a strong recovery in both capacity and passenger traffic
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Including its international operations, Cebu Pacific flew in 2022 more than 14.8 million passengers, 335% higher year on year, for a seat load of 75%, up 14.7 percentage points
Cebu Pacific grew its domestic market share by 5 percentage points to 57% in 2022, up from 52% in 2019, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board show.
The low-cost carrier flew close to 13.5 million domestic passengers last year, up 312% from 2021, indicating strong recovery in both capacity and passenger traffic, the company said in a statement.
Combined with its international operations, the airline flew more than 14.8 million passengers, 335% higher year on year, for a seat load of 75%, which rose 14.7 percentage points year on year.
Cebu Pacific said greater travel demand domestically and internationally, coupled with the easing of various travel regulations, drove its steep recovery in 2022.
In the fourth quarter last year, Cebu Pacific carried 4.4 million passengers, 6% higher quarter on quarter, which increased its seat load to 78%, up 3.6 percentage points q-o-q, as travel to both domestic and international destinations picked up during the holiday peak season.
Key destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan also eased their travel restrictions during the last quarter of 2022, enabling the airline to accelerate recovery of its international network. Hong Kong, one of Cebu Pacific’s largest markets, also lifted its mandatory quarantine requirements in December.
The reopening of borders enabled Cebu Pacific to carry 587,000 passengers to short-haul international destinations in the 4th quarter, a 97% q-o-q increase.
Long-haul destinations, namely, Dubai and Sydney, contributed to growth with a 14% q-o-q increase in passenger volume. Cebu Pacific launched more than 108,300 flights and 19.7 million seats during the year and ended 2022 at 92% of pre-pandemic capacity.
In 2023, Cebu Pacific is firmly in place for full recovery and expects to restore 100% of its pre-COVID network and capacity in March, aided by its unbeatable seat sales, widest domestic network, and restoration of all its international destinations.
This month, the airline is set to restart its Manila-Melbourne route, it announced in a press release in January.
Cebu Pacific has strengthened its Clark hub by operating 13 domestic and international destinations from Clark International Airport, making it the largest airline servicing Northern and Central Luzon.
The carrier will lease five aircraft in 2023 to address capacity and growing passenger demand. These are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s fleet.
“Three of the aircraft will be used to restart the Clark base. The two other aircraft will be used to support overall growth ambitions as CEB recovers fully from the pandemic,” said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao.
