CEBU PACIFIC on Tuesday said it has formally joined the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), a trade association for the global airline industry.
“We are pleased to join IATA as we can gain access to expertise and learnings on best practices and innovations among global airlines, as well as help formulate policies on critical aviation issues. Moreover, we will also be able to share our own operational experience and contribute to further developing the airline industry as a whole,” Lance Y. Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, said in a statement.
The budget carrier said it is the largest IATA member among Philippine carriers, as it accounts for 44% of the total domestic passenger volume and 46% of total domestic cargo volume, citing data from the Civil Aeronautics Board.
IATA has more than 290 member-airlines from 117 countries, representing 82% of global air traffic.
Conrad Clifford, IATA Vice-President for Asia Pacific, said it is looking to encourage more low-cost carriers like Cebu Pacific to join the organization.
“We warmly welcome Cebu Pacific, Asia’s oldest low-cost carrier, to the IATA family. Today about 20% of our members globally are low-cost carriers and we encourage more to join. We look forward to working together with the Cebu Pacific team to help shape industry standards, best practices and policies that ensure the safe, efficient and sustainable growth of aviation in the Philippines and Asia. Together with our 290+ member airlines, we make aviation the business of freedom,” Mr. Clifford said.
Cebu Pacific said it has fully complied with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). There are 437 carriers worldwide that has complied with the evaluation system that assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline.
The budget carrier grew its capacity by 23% as of end-September, reaching 19 million seats. It flew nearly 16 million passengers on 121 domestic and international routes.
Cebu Air, Inc., the listed operator of Cebu Pacific, said its nine-month profit surged 142% to P6.75 billion, as it added flights and raised average fares.
