According to the Civil Aeronautics Board,

• Cebu Pacific Airlines carried 2.57 million passengers in 2008, compared with 2.26 million in 2007
• Philippine Airlines (PAL) hauled off 2.25 million people in 2008 versus 1.98 million in 2007
• Asian Spirit flew 250,000 travellers in 2008 and 248,000 in 2007
• Air Philippines took 623,000 in 2008 and 544,000 in 2007
• Last, and yes, least, new player South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) was taken by 138,000 people in 2008 versus 136,000 in 2007

It doesn’t look like the Philippines is suffering any economic recession by the look of these numbers, but CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla says that peak travel is masking the slow growth. Air travel growth of the Philippines is supposed to be 5 to 7 percent yearly, but the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is forecasting a growth of only 2 percent this year, and a decline of 3 percent in 2009.

Real the full Inquirer report here. (And I’m off to find some ball lock pins.)

Cebu Pacific is the fan favorite among all the Philippine carriers, even more popular than the flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL). Cebu Air started operations in March 1996 and launched its international flights in November 2001. Since then, it has become the low fare leader among airlines in the Philippines and is popular for ushering in the age of airfare online booking in the Philippines.

To date, Cebu Pacific operates from four hubs in the Philippines, namely Manila, Cebu, Davao and Clark, reaching all airports in the Philippines. Its international destinations include Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Pusan, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei.

Cebu Pacific domestic and international flights from Manila:

Cebu Pacific domestic and international flights from Cebu:

Cebu Pacific domestic and international flights from Davao:

Cebu Pacific domestic and international flights from Clark: