Gokongwei-led budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) emerged as the country’s top domestic airline in the first half of the year, carrying the largest passenger volume among local carriers.

The latest data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed that CEB carried 8.43 million passengers from January to June, ahead of PAL Express with 4.42 million and Philippines AirAsia with 2.38 million. 

CebGo, the budget subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, transported 1.07 million passengers.

Other carriers in the domestic market included AirSwift Transport with 250,426 passengers, Philippine Airlines with 700,990, and Island Aviation with 7,067.

The CAB said total domestic passenger traffic for the period reached 17.38 million, accounting for more than half of last year’s full-year total of 32.13 million, reflecting a sustained demand for air travel despite higher operating costs and seasonal fluctuations.

To recall, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. said it expects passenger and flight volumes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to reach record highs this year.

New routes launched this year include Philippine Airlines’ Manila-Da Nang flights, Air France’s Paris service, Air Canada’s Vancouver route, and Vietjet’s connections to Sapporo and Brisbane. 

Upcoming additions include Air India’s New Delhi flights in October and United Airlines’ second daily service to San Francisco. NAIA also recently began flights to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

To support growth, NAIA is building a new Terminal 5 to increase annual capacity to 62 million passengers, raising hourly air traffic movements to 48, and expanding food, retail, and lounge options. 

Since taking over in September 2024, NNIC has focused on efficiency and passenger experience, recording 1.17 million passengers during Holy Week, up 12.7 percent from last year, with an on-time rate of 83.28 percent.