5J to increase domestic frequencies by 17%

11 Additional flights from Manila-hub to be launch

Low Cost Carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines' leading domestic airline, will mount additional frequencies to 11 of its domestic routes despite the weak economic forecast for the country.

By March this year, just in time for summer, the airline will increase its frequency from Manila to:

· Bacolod, to four times daily;
· Butuan, to twice daily;
· Cagayan de Oro, to five times daily;
· Caticlan, to 10 times daily;
· Cebu, to 11 times daily;
· Davao, to six times daily;
· Iloilo, to 31 times weekly;
· GenSan, to 10 times weekly;
· Legaspi, to thrice daily;
· Tagbilaran, to thrice daily; and
· Zamboanga, to twice daily.

This brings CEB's weekly domestic flights from 1,074 to 1,252.

Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said that the airline is expecting three more aircraft this January and February. "These brand new aircraft -- two Airbus and one ATR-72 500 -- will be utilized to expand our growing domestic network."

Iyog added, "In spite of the economic downturn, we remain optimistic that we will be able to continue stimulating domestic travel because of the value proposition CEB offers to the traveling public."

CEB carried a record breaking 683,204 passengers in December 2008, the highest in the airline's history. Prior to this, CEB carried the most number of passengers in May 2008 at 630,924.

CEB has also positioned itself as a viable transport alternative to buses and ferries.

"Aside from additional frequencies, Cebu Pacific will continue to offer its trademark low fares and new aircraft to its passengers," Iyog added.

CEB currently services the most number of domestic routes, among all local carriers. Its additional aircraft will increase its fleet to 21 Airbus and seven ATR-72 500.