.MANILA, Philippines --- In the first three months of the year, Cebu Pacific (CEB) captured 48% of the domestic cargo market, transporting 22.1 million kilograms total, more than Philippine Airlines and Airphil Express combined, according to Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) data.
In 2011, CEB also led the domestic cargo market with close to 89.5 million kilos carried.
The airline cornered the bulk of local cargo due to its extensive domestic network, explained CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. ''With multiple daily flights to most key cities in the Philippines, cargo forwarders and shippers trust us to bring their cargo in the soonest possible time.''
Furthermore, CEB increased its domestic capacity from January to March, 2012, with the arrival of one more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in the beginning of the year. At present, CEB operates 52 routes to 32 domestic destinations, the most extensive network in the Philippines.
Network expansion plans include the arrival of three more Airbus A320 aircraft in the 2nd half of 2012, as well as the launch of four times weekly Davao-Kalibo and Davao-Puerto Princesa flights.
''CEB currently services more than 2,000 accounts, tailor-fitting cargo products to our clients' domestic and international cargo needs,'' according to the VP. ''This includes express cargo service, seamless trans-shipment and 16 interline partnerships for worldwide reach.''
At present, the airline operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft - with an average age of 3.6 years - is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines.
Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.
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