
MANILA - Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific said Wednesday it has overtaken older local carrier Philippine Airlines in terms of number of weekly flights as of June. The Gokongwei-led budget carrier cited data from global flight information and data solutions company Official Airline Guide (OAG).
In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it now ranks 65th among world airlines--7 notches higher than PAL's 72nd rank this month.
Cebu Pacific has 1,655 weekly flights as of June this year, higher than PAL's 1,566.
"This new leadership milestone was a result of the airline's sustained focus on offering the newest planes and the lowest possible fares to its passengers," Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog said.
Delta Airlines ranked first with 26,898 weekly flights, followed by American Airlines (24,893) and United Airlines (23,996). Among Asian airlines, China Southern Airlines had the highest ranking (11th) with 9,440 weekly flights.
At present, Cebu Pacific said it is now Asia's third largest budget airline, serving 32 domestic destinations and flying to 14 cities in the region. Iyog said the airline's reach will be expanded further with the delivery of 15 new Airbus A320 over the next three years.
By 2013, Iyog said Cebu Pacific should have a total of 27 Airbus aircraft and 10 turbo-prop ATRs, the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. On top of these, she said the Gokongwei-led airline is considering to buy five more planes.
"We are about 40 percent cheaper on average than the other airlines. So with low fares, new planes, and the convenience we offer by flying from four hubs--which allowed direct flights within regions anddid away with flying via Manila--we are in effect are offering what the people want and need," she said.
Cebu Pacific uses its four hubs (Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao) to fly 1,401 times weekly within the Philippines and 264 times weekly in Asia.
"We will continue to seek ways to expand and make more people fly. We have a great busines model that has shown domestic growth despite the present global downturn. We are confident that our march to further growth will continue," she said.
Cebu Pacific ferried 6.7 million passengers last year, and is expecting to carry close to 9 million this year. From 2010 onwards, the airline is looking at higher passenger traffic with the arrival of new aircraft and the growing list of destinations.
Source: ABS-CBN News
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