Cebu Pacific likely to end 2011 with 12-M passengers

MANILA, Philippines – This holiday season, Cebu Pacific will likely get its year-long wish and hit the annual target of 12 million passengers for 2011.

So far, the airline reached close to the 11 million passenger mark in the first 11 months of the year, or roughly an average of 1 million travelers a month. And the Christmas season looks to deliver Cebu Pacific an even bigger present than last year in the form of a 23% year on year increase in December bookings.

That hike comes on the back of a 27% increase in international bookings.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said, “It is a privilege on our part to be the airline of choice for so many Filipino and foreign travelers. We look forward to serving more passengers this December.”

She cited Cebu Pacific’s low fares, extensive network and timely frequency as factors in helping the airline surpass the 1 million passenger mark last April, May, October and now November.

Of the roughly 1 million passengers flow in November, more than 800,000 or about 78% were domestic, while close to 223,000 or 22% were international. 

Iyog said Cebu Pacific will add even more flights to Hong Kong, Boracay, Cebu, Tacloban, Davao and Dumaguete to meet holiday season demand. – Rappler.com