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Cebu Pacific carried over 7.5 million passengers in the first quarter 2026, an 8.4% increase from seven million in the same period in 2025
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For March alone, the low-cost carrier flew over 2.5 million passengers, up 11.5%
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Cebu Pacific said it saw strong demand growth in March and throughout the first quarter, supported by the start of the school break and sustained momentum in the international segment
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For the second quarter, the airline is taking a cautious and measured approach amid a volatile fuel price environment
Cebu Pacific flew over 7.5 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, an 8.4% increase from seven million in the same period in 2025.
Domestic passengers carried for the first quarter grew 7.9% year-on-year to 5.6 million, while international passengers increased 9.8% year-on-year to 1.9 million.
Overall seat load factor (SLF) averaged 83.7% for the period, while overall capacity in seats was up by 10% to 9 million.
For March alone, the low-cost carrier recorded over 2.5 million passengers, up 11.5% increase from 2.2 million in the same month last year.
SLF increased to 82.1% from 81.4% last year while seat capacity grew by 10.6%.
Domestic passengers increased by 11.6% year-on-year to 1.850 million on 13.7% higher seats, resulting in a domestic SLF of 82.5%.
International passenger traffic, meanwhile, increased by 11.3% year-on-year, with seat capacity up by 2.1%, bringing international SLF up by 6.7 percentage points to 81%.
“We saw strong demand growth in March and throughout the first quarter, supported by the start of the school breaks and sustained momentum in our international segment. Load factors remained healthy across the network, reflecting disciplined capacity management,” Cebu Pacific chief executive officer Mike Szucs said in a statement.
“For the second quarter, we are taking a cautious and measured approach amid a volatile fuel price environment. We have optimized flight frequencies where appropriate, focusing on routes with stronger demand. Importantly, we remain committed to our core mission of connecting Filipinos by providing an affordable, convenient and reliable service. With a strong financial foundation and a resilient operating model, Cebu Pacific is well positioned to navigate this environment,” he said.
The airline earlier said it has secured sufficient jet fuel to support all scheduled domestic and international flights until June 2026, and is working closely with suppliers and industry partners to ensure continued fuel availability in the months ahead.
Cebu Pacific said it will continue to modernize its fleet this year with seven aircraft deliveries expected while retiring seven older aircraft.
READ: Cebu Pacific receives 1st of 4 new A320neo expected in 2026
The airline’s fleet size will be kept at 100 while increasing the proportion of seats on new generation aircraft. This shift meaningfully enhances the airline’s fuel efficiency, reduces unit costs, and supports sustainable growth.
