CEBUPACIFICAIR.COM

BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Pacific is optimistic about sustaining passenger growth this year, as the company continues to strengthen its existing routes and prepares for the arrival of additional aircraft.

“I think on a year-on-year basis, we grew roughly 10% in terms of capacity. So, we are looking maybe for 2026, roughly similar,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Alexander G. Lao told reporters last week.

Cebu Air, Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, said its passenger volume for 2025 totaled 26.88 million passengers, up 9.54% from 24.54 million in 2024, driven by a robust domestic market.

It reported a domestic passenger volume of 19.99 million in 2025, up 8.1% from 18.50 million a year earlier, while international passenger traffic increased 14% to 6.89 million from 6.04 million in 2024.

For this year, the budget carrier said it will continue to strengthen its existing routes, and international connections via its regional hubs.

“It’s really focusing on the routes that we currently have, which is Riyadh and secondly, it’s developing a lot of the hubs that we opened back in 2024. So, (we’re) strengthening really Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Davao,” he said.

Cebu Pacific said much of its capital expenditure (capex) would be allocated for its expected seven aircraft deliveries, although Mr. Lao declined to specify the exact capex budget for the year.

In 2025, the company has reduced its capex spending from a capex budget of P50 billion in 2024. For 2026, the airline expects five narrow-body aircraft and two wide-body aircraft.

Cebu Pacific is also confident to strengthen its operations at Clark, with the completion of its turboprop operations transfer to Clark International Airport by March.

“It is our third largest hub… So, the move of turboprops to Clark will further strengthen our network there,” Mr. Lao said.

The move follows a resolution issued by the Department of Transportation’s Manila Slot Coordination Committee directing the relocation of turboprop operations outside Metro Manila.

Further, the budget airline said it has no plans yet to increase its current frequencies to China following the government’s 14-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese travelers.

“I think first of all, that is a really great development for the Philippines. Finally, we are at par with our Southeast Asian neighbors. Right now, we have not necessarily seen any movement just yet in terms of overall bookings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lao said that the airline is ready to ramp up its frequencies to China if the demand arises.

“If we do see a buildup in terms of traffic from China, then clearly we have the capacity to add flights,” he said.

Cebu Pacific currently serves 37 domestic and 27 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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