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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
DOMESTIC air travel in the Philippines expanded
in the first quarter of the year, but at a slow pace given the
rising prices of jet fuel.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said domestic
passengers grew 14 percent to 2.73 million in the first three months
of the year from 2.39 million in the same period last year.
In 2007, domestic air travel rose 23 percent to
10.38 million from 8.46 million in the previous year.
From January to March this year, the seat
capacity of the country’s five major carriers went up by 7.3
percent to 3.37 million from 3.15 million in the same period last
year.
The increase in the first quarter this year
resulted in an average passenger load factor of 81 percent over 76
percent a year ago, reflecting a steady growth in passenger demand.
The industry load factor measures the number of
seats occupied during a flight.
Cebu Pacific had a load factor of 84 percent
from January to March this year, against PAL’s 81 percent.
PAL’s budget unit, Air Philippines, flew
318,809 passengers; Asian Spirit, 136,047; and Southeast Asian
Airlines (SEAIR), 8,721 passengers.
Porvenir Porciuncula, CAB deputy executive
director and head of economic planning, said domestic travel is
projected to grow by 15 percent this year, down from 22.7 percent
last year.
“We expect slower growth this year [because]
the price of basic commodities is higher,” Porciuncula said,
adding that rising prices could take the itch out of Filipinos’
travel bug.
To cope with the rising costs and attract more
travelers, local airlines have stepped up their promotional
offerings.
Cebu Pacific early this month bared its
“free” flights in all domestic destinations, while rival PAL cut
fare for its local and international flights. The price war among
local carriers has intensified against the backdrop of skyrocketing
jet fuel prices, which are seen to deeply narrow the airlines’
margins.
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