THE VOLUME of passengers coming in and out of the country posted a single-digit growth in the first semester as more people traveled abroad, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed.
International passenger traffic grew 7.34% to 8.63 million in the January to June period from 8.04 million in the same period last year.
Of the first half figure, 4.49 million were outbound passengers while 4.14 million were inbound, CAB data showed.
Officials could not be reached for comment.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines carried 2.15 million passengers, making it responsible for 24.9% market share.
Its rival Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, flew 1.43 million passengers, resulting in 16.57% market share.
Earlier, CAB said domestic passenger volume stood at 11.02 million in January to June, up by 13.33% from 9.72 million last year.
Domestic and intentional passenger traffic totaled 19.65 million in the first half, up by 10.64% from 17.76 million in the same period last year.
In August, CAB Executive Director Carmelo A. Arcilla attributed the growth to the airlines’ expansion and the popularity of low-cost fares.
Mr. Arcilla said in February that combined domestic and international air passenger traffic was projected to grow by 10-12% this year, which would still be fueled by “low-cost carriers” and the “government’s liberal aviation policy.”
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Source: Cliff Harvey C. Venzon, BusinessWorld. (18 September 2012)
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