Cebu Pacific Carries 12.2 Million Passengers as of May 2026
Cebu Pacific records growth with 12.2 million passengers flown as of May 2026, even as it braces for a “softer third quarter.”
Budget airline Cebu Pacific flew 12.2 million passengers as of May 2026, up from 11.7 million passengers in the same period last year.
The airline carried over 9 million domestic passengers, a 4.7% increase from almost 8.7 million passengers in the previous year, according to the airline’s Traffic Performance Report published on June 15, 2026.
The number of international passengers likewise increased by 4.5%, from 2.99 million passengers to 3.12 million.
Its 2026 seat capacity as of May 2026 also grew to 15.12 million seats, up from 13.73 million for the same period in 2025.
The airline credits its commercial initiatives and pricing adjustments for the improvement in its May 2026 figures compared with April 2026.
“Following our pricing adjustments, we saw stronger booking momentum and improved seat load factors compared to April, demonstrating the market’s responsiveness to calibrated fare levels,” said Xander Lao, president and chief commercial officer of Cebu Pacific, in a June 15 press statement.
For May 2026, Cebu Pacific flew 2.4 million passengers for a seat load factor (SLF) of 78.3%. The airline shared that this SLF percentage, calculated by dividing passengers by available seats, is a 4-point improvement from April 2026.
The 78.3% figure stands weaker in comparison to that of May 2025, which was recorded at 86.4%.
Cebu Pacific Braces for “Softer Third Quarter”
The airline industry gears up for this year’s financial third quarter, which runs from July 1 to September.
The third quarter is regarded as a weaker period for airlines as it coincides with the end of summer vacations and the beginning of the Philippines’ typhoon season.
“As we enter the seasonally softer third quarter, we are taking a disciplined approach to capacity and revenue management to match demand, support healthy load factors, and maintain affordable fares while managing elevated operating costs, particularly fuel,” said Lao.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cebu Pacific flew 12.2 million passengers in the first five months of 2026, up from 11.7 million in the same period in 2025. Domestic passengers exceeded 9 million, a 4.7% year-on-year increase, while international passengers rose 4.5% to 3.12 million.
Cebu Pacific’s seat load factor for May 2026 stood at 78.3%, a 4-point improvement over April 2026. The airline attributed the month-on-month gain to pricing adjustments that generated stronger booking momentum heading into the summer travel period.
The May 2026 seat load factor of 78.3% was weaker than the 86.4% recorded in May 2025, reflecting a year-on-year decline despite the improvement from April 2026, highlighting ongoing demand normalization in Philippine aviation.
The financial third quarter, running from July through September, coincides with the close of summer vacation travel and the onset of the Philippine typhoon season. Reduced leisure demand and weather-related disruptions typically compress seat load factors and revenue for domestic and regional carriers.
Cebu Pacific has signaled a disciplined approach to capacity and revenue management for Q3 2026, aligning seat supply to softened demand while maintaining affordable fare levels. The airline also flagged elevated operating costs — particularly fuel — as a key variable in its load factor and margin strategy.
