CEB posts 22% passenger growth amid strong demand

Budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) flew 2.4 million passengers in May 2025, marking a 21.7 percent increase from the same period last year, as strong demand for both domestic and international travel continued to lift the carrier’s performance.

The Gokongwei-led airline reported on Friday that international passenger volume surged 27.5 percent year-on-year, while domestic traffic climbed by 19.19 percent. Seat load factor, which measures flight occupancy, slightly improved to 86.4 percent, up from 86.2 percent in May 2024.

From January to May 2025, Cebu Pacific has already carried 11.7 million passengers, a 23.7 percent jump compared to 9.4 million during the same five-month period in 2024. Year-to-date seat load factor averaged at a healthy 85 percent, reflecting continued demand for air travel despite industry-wide headwinds.

“Passenger traffic continued to see high year-on-year growth through the first five months of 2025,” said Cebu Pacific chief executive officer Mike Szucs. “Seat load factor is tracking ahead of last year, reflecting robust air travel as additional capacity continues to be absorbed by demand.”

Szucs noted that Cebu Pacific remains focused on balancing capacity deployment with ongoing operational challenges in the global aviation sector. “Our priority has been to align capacity with market demand while continuing to manage engine and supply chain challenges affecting the industry,” he added.

The airline is expected to maintain growth momentum in the coming months, bolstered by a recovering international network, competitive pricing, and the steady return of leisure and business travel across Asia and the domestic market.