Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) reported a marginal 0.4 percent year-on-year decline in passenger traffic for August, with total enplanements at 2.1 million amid the seasonal travel slowdown in the Philippines.
Despite the dip in total passenger volume, the Gokongwei-led low-cost carrier said its seat load factor (SLF) improved to 83.7 percent, up from 81.3 percent in August 2024, reflecting better seat utilization on reduced capacity. Total seat supply fell by 3.2 percent year-on-year during the month.
Domestic operations registered a 4.4 percent drop in passengers, attributed to a 10.7 percent reduction in seat capacity, but SLF climbed 5.7 percentage points to 87.6 percent, indicating stronger load consolidation amid reduced frequency.
In contrast, international markets remained robust, with passenger growth of 13.3 percent year-on-year, supported by a 21.4 percent increase in seat capacity. However, the surge in capacity outpaced demand, bringing international SLF down by 5.3 percentage points to 74.2 percent percent.
For the first eight months of 2025, Cebu Pacific carried 18.1 million passengers, a 15.2 percent increase from 15.7 million over the same period last year. Domestic traffic rose 14 percent to 13.5 million, while international traffic surged 18.8 percent to 4.6 million passengers. SLF for the period averaged 85.2 percent, on a 15.1 percent rise in total seat capacity to 21.3 million.
“The softer year-on-year traffic in August reflects the usual lean travel season in the Philippines, particularly for domestic routes, while international passenger growth remained strong,” said Mike Szucs, chief executive officer of Cebu Pacific. “We see this as an expected and temporary dip, with traffic rebounding in the fourth quarter as peak travel season begins and aircraft availability improves.”
Szucs added that domestic capacity was strategically moderated in August due to “unscheduled engine removals, the flyadeal wet-lease, and scheduled maintenance events,” all timed in preparation for higher-demand holiday months.
Cebu Pacific operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprising 99 aircraft, and maintains the widest domestic network in the Philippines with 37 local and 26 international destinations.
