CEBU PACIFIC on Thursday said it dominated the passenger market for Manila-Sydney flights during the first five months of the year.
In a statement, the Gokongwei-led budget carrier said data from the Australian Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Economics (BITRE) showed it grabbed a 44% passenger market share of the Manila-Sydney route during the period.
The data also showed Cebu Pacific, the only budget airline with direct flights between Manila and Sydney, ferried 14,039 passengers for the January to May period, a 33% increase from the previous year.
Total passenger volume between Manila and Sydney stood at 175,782 as of end-May, 12% higher than same period in 2016.
“The statistics shared by Australia BITRE reflects our commitment to offer the Australian market great value, through efficient and safe travel between Sydney and Manila, at year-round lowest fares,” Candice Jennifer A. Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing, was quoted as saying in a statement.
Cebu Pacific’s cargo volume increased 88% between Manila and Sydney to 950 tons in May, while its cargo services tripled to 413 tons during the same month.
The airline noted the Australia BITRE data showed total freight carried surged 54% to 4,064 tons during the January to May period, amid increased trade and investments between the Philippines and Australia.
Cebu Pacific said it had a 43% cargo market share of the Manila-Sydney market in May, and 46% for the five-month period.
Cebu Pacific will increase the number of flights between the two cities in December. It will mount daily flights between Manila and Sydney from Dec. 1, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2018. At present, the airline flies five times weekly from Manila to Sydney.
