Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading airline, continues its strong growth trajectory, reporting a significant 18.3% increase in passenger volume in April 2025, carrying a total of 2.3 million passengers. This impressive surge compared to the 1.9 million passengers flown in April 2024 was achieved on the back of a 20.1% expansion in seat capacity, resulting in a robust seat load factor (SLF) of 83.8%.
The airline experienced strong performance across both its domestic and international networks. Domestic passenger numbers climbed by 13.8% year-on-year, reaching a high SLF of 85.7% with a 17.3% increase in available seats. International traffic witnessed even more substantial growth, with passenger numbers jumping by 32.2% compared to April 2024. This outpaced the 27.7% growth in international seats, leading to a 2.7 percentage point increase in SLF to an impressive 79.0%.
The positive momentum extends to the year-to-date figures. For the first four months of 2025, Cebu Pacific has flown 9.2 million passengers, marking a substantial 24.2% increase from the 7.4 million passengers carried during the same period in 2024. Domestic passenger growth mirrored this overall trend, rising by 24.2% to 6.8 million. The international segment also saw significant expansion, with passenger numbers growing by 24.3% to 2.4 million. Overall seat capacity grew by 23.6% to 10.9 million, while the average seat load factor remained high at 84.6%.
“Passenger traffic performance remains strong with continued growth in passenger volumes and high seat load factors,” said Mark Cezar, Chief Financial Officer of CEB. “International passenger numbers have increased by over 32% year over year, outpacing capacity expansion. These positive trends reinforce our favorable outlook for the second quarter. We are committed to optimizing our capacity to meet the rising consumer demand while managing engine and supply chain challenges.”
Cebu Pacific, which pioneered the “low fare, great value” strategy after entering the aviation industry in March 1996, boasts the widest network coverage in the Philippines with 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. The airline operates a modern fleet of 99 aircraft, one of the youngest in the world, and has flown over 250 million passengers since its inception.
Cebu Air, Inc. (PSE: CEB) is the Philippines’ leading airline, offering low fares and great value to its broad customer base. Cebu Pacific pioneered the “low fare, great value” strategy and has since flown over 250 million passengers. CEB boasts the widest network coverage in the Philippines with 37 domestic destinations and a growing international network with 26 destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Its 99-strong fleet is one of the youngest in the world.
