17-M passengers flew via Cebu Pacific in 2014

An estimated 17 million passengers flew via Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific in 2014, the airline said on Tuesday. Cebu Pacific said its passenger carriage last year grew 17.5 percent from the 14.4 million passengers flown in 2013.

The airline noted that its flights were 84 percent full during the year, with significant passenger growth in both domestic and several international markets, with increased presence in the Middle East and Japan, and entry into Australia.

The Cebu Pacific Air group increased flights to domestic markets following the launch of eight new routes of subsidiary Tigerair from its hubs in Manila and Cebu to Butuan, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Roxas, and Tagbilaran.

Cebu Pacific also launched last year direct non-stop flights from Manila to Kuwait, Riyadh, and Dammam as well as a five times weekly service from Manila to Sydney.

Its Japan operations were also expanded, launching daily services from Manila to Tokyo and a four times weekly service to Nagoya. The airline also increased its flights to Osaka to a daily service.

“Last January, CEB flew its 100 millionth passenger. We thank our passengers who have allowed us to fly with them throughout the years. Our passengers constantly inspire us to find ways to serve them better, and we look forward to enabling even more Filipinos to fly,” said Cebu Pacific vice president-marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

Cebu Pacific’s fleet is comprised of 54 aircraft. The airline expects to take delivery of seven more brand new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo and 1 Airbus A330 aircraft between in the next six years.