Cebu Pacific rules in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo flights

MANILA, Philippines – Cementing its market leadership in the domestic airline industry, budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air claimed that it was the #1 choice among airline passengers in 3 top cities outside Manila.

In a statement on Friday, February 10, the Gokongwei-led airline said that it closed 2011 with 48% domestic market share in Cebu, 47% in Davao, and 50% in Iloilo.
 
These are routes that either rival Philippine Airlines used to dominate or new destinations that Cebu Pacific has started recently.

According to government data, passengers have taken to riding no-frills airlines that have aggressively offered promotional fares and expanded to new routes, in turn, boosting domestic airline travel to almost 19 million in 2011.

Taking over the traditional shipping and bus travel within the archipelago, budget airlines like Airphil Express, Seair and Zest Air have increased their capacities, while a new player, AirAsia Philippines, is joining in by around March or April.

Government data showed Cebu Pacific remains the domestic leader with an overall 45% market share in 2011. The airline flies to 33 domestic destinations from 4 hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao.  

Top 3 markets

Cebu Pacific mounts flights to and from Cebu, Davao and Iloilo.

• Cebu – 500 weekly flights to/from 19 domestic destinations in the Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Palawan and North Luzon, among others.
• Davao – 200 weekly flights to/from 5 domestic destinations: Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Iloilo
• Iloilo – 150 weekly flights to/from 4 domestic destinations: Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

 
“Cebu Pacific will continue to bring foreign and local tourists and business travelers to these key cities on its trademark lowest fares. With our seat sales and multiple flight options, we are happy to play a key role in the tourism and economic development of the whole of the Philippines,” the airline’s vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said in a statement. – Rappler.com