The revenue for the first half of 2025 (H1) of the leading budget carrier of the Gokongwei Group of Companies, Cebu Pacific (CEB), reached P63 billion, representing a 23 percent growth compared to its revenue for the first half of 2024.

Based on CEB’s data, its 2025 first-half performance stood at P63.3 billion, 23 percent higher than the P51.4 billion it reaped during the same period last year.

“Load factors, fares, ancillary and cargo business all increased year-on-year (YoY) amid seat growth of over 20 percent,” said CEB chief financial officer Mark Julius V. Cezar.

Continued strength in air travel demand

“This reflects continued strength in air travel demand within our network. Domestic passengers grew 20 percent while international passengers grew 22 percent, achieving 88 percent and 79 percent seat load factor, respectively,” he explained, during a presentation of the airline’s first half of the year performance at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati, on Thursday, 7 August 2025.

Key drivers of the first half revenue uptick include passenger revenue, which grew 24 percent YoY; ancillary revenue, growing 19 percent YoY, and cargo revenue increasing by 33 percent YoY.

CEB ended the first half of 2025 with operating income of P7.9 billion, 44 percent higher than the same period last year, while net income reached P9.0 billion, up 153 percent from P3.5 billion in the first half of 2024.

Q2 performance

Speaking of its second quarter of 2025 performance, CEB reported a net income of P8.5 billion brought by its robust passenger growth, improved operational efficiency, and disciplined cost management.

Further, Xander Lao, CEB president and chief commercial officer, reported that the airline flew 7 million passengers during the quarter, up 16 percent from last year, as both domestic and international markets posted double-digit growth.

Domestic traffic, on the other hand, rose 14 percent to over 5.1 million, while international traffic jumped 23 percent to 1.8 million, supported by the April Easter holiday and a strong peak travel season.

“This surge in demand pushed the Seat Load Factor to 85.9 percent and significantly boosted revenues across the business. Passenger revenue grew 29 percent to P23.1 billion, ancillary revenue rose 16 percent to P8 billion, and cargo revenue increased 32 percent to P1.8 billion,” disclosed Lao.

“This strong revenue performance drove operating income up 110 percent to P6 billion from P2.8 billion a year ago,” he said.

99 planes, 3,300 weekly flights across 124 routes

By mid-year, the airline operated over 3,300 weekly flights across 124 routes with a fleet of 99 aircraft.

“These results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 reflect the returns from our strategic investments in fleet and network expansion along with the sustained demand for air travel,” according to Michael Szucs, chief executive officer of Cebu Pacific.

“With the Philippines’ growing economy, favorable demographics and expanding tourism sector, we remain well-positioned to drive long-term growth in low-cost travel,” added Szucs.

CEB is expecting a 15 percent seat growth for 2025, according to Lao, adding that the airline remains on track in achieving the capacity growth for this year.