Cebu Pacific expects to close the year on a high note as network expansion drives an increase in passenger traffic, a high-ranking executive of the airline said.
“We expect the total capacity this year to reach around 32 million seats across all of our destinations, translating to what we think would be roughly a growth of anywhere between 10 to 12 percent,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Xander Lao said.
From January to October, CEB saw robust year-on-year growth, flying 22 million passengers up 12 percent across 139,000 flights and offering 26.1 million seats, higher by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.
This year, CEB launched 11 new routes, primarily outside Metro Manila to strengthen regional connectivity. Seat capacity in key hubs—Cebu, Davao, Clark, and Iloilo—has increased by 15 to 25 percent.
“I think ultimately our goal is to try and serve a lot more passengers across all of our destinations. So with all of these developments coming together, we’re aiming to close the year on a pretty high note,” Lao said.
“We think next year we will probably grow between six to 10 percent from a seats perspective versus this year,” he added.
Lao also said the carrier plans to take delivery of seven new aircraft in 2026 while retiring seven older jets.
He said that by the end of 2026, over 70 percent of the jet fleet will be NEO-powered. These newer models are expected to deliver “close to 20 percent fuel savings” compared to previous-generation aircraft, helping the airline manage costs and reduce its environmental footprint.
Last month, Cebu Pacific received the first A320neo and fourth aircraft delivery overall this year, expanding the airline’s diverse fleet.
“This latest delivery helps ensure we have enough capacity to serve passengers looking to fly home or discover new destinations this holiday season,” Lao said.
“We’re committed to making travel more accessible and convenient, especially during this time of year when more Filipinos take to the skies,” he added.
The new A320neo will be deployed on regional routes, further supporting CEB’s domestic and international operations.
Cebu Pacific offers the widest network coverage in the Philippines with 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. It operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with a fleet of 98 aircraft.
