Cebu Pacific Cargo tops domestic freight league tables in first quarter

CEBU PACIFIC has triumphed in domestic air cargo league tables taking 48 per cent share of the domestic market at 22.1 million kilogrammes in the first quarter, reports Manila's Business World.

Rivals also experienced volume increases with Philippine Airlines (PAL) hitting 12.51 million kilogrammes and PAL's low cost arm of Airphil Express at 6.1 million kilogrammes, Zest Airways at 4.98 million kilogrammes, and South East Asian Airlines at 67,631 kilogrammes.

The budget carrier increased its load during January to March by 22.7 per cent year on year through its strengthening network of multiple daily flights to 32 domestic destinations and its capacity expansion of an Airbus A320 in 2011.

Three more A320s are due to join the fleet second half of 2012. It is to launch a four times weekly Davao-Kalibo and Davao-Puerto Princesa flights later in the year increasing its domestic market share further.

The carrier boosted its quarterly cargo revenue 19 per cent to PHP551.151 million (US$12.91 million) year on year. Its consolidated revenue increased by 24.2 per cent to PHP 9.34 billion but due to higher expenses because of the increase in jet fuel prices cut profit by 19.8 per cent to PHP962.40 million.

Its vice president for marketing and distribution, Candice Iyog said its 2,000 accounts "includes express cargo service, seamless transshipment and 16 interline partnerships for worldwide reach".