Int’l passenger traffic flow to Philippines up 11.6% in Q1
International passenger traffic flow to the Philippines in the first quarter grew by 11.6% from a year ago, raising hopes that the airline and tourism industries will start recovering from the global economic crisis.
Data released by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Wednesday showed total passenger traffic of about 3.441 million by end-March this year, compared to 3.1 million recorded in the same period last year. CAB said passenger traffic grew even as some airlines are imposing higher fuel surcharges.
Of the total, 1.6 million comprised incoming passengers, while 1.9 million were outbound passengers.
The airline regulator said that of the 44 airline carriers with authority to operate in the country, only 36 airlines operated during the period.
The CAB said Air Nauru and Vietnam Airlines ceased flying to the Philippines in 2001. British Airways also stopped flying to the Philippines in 2002. Airlines Swissair, Egyptair, Air France and P.T. Bouraq stopped in 2004. Germany’s Lufthansa Airlines ceased operations in April 2008.
The country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) registered the highest number of international passenger flown with 942,144.
The Lucio Tan-owned airline recorded incoming passengers at 450,364, while its outgoing passengers reached 491,780.
Cebu Pacific, the airline unit of local conglomerate JG Summit Holdings, carried 482,114 international passengers, of which incoming passengers stood at 227,348 and 254,766 comprised outbound passengers.
Zest Airways, owned by businessman Alfredo Yao recorded 15,283 passengers, while Spirit de Manila had 2,747. ABS-CBN News