Air traffic closing in on new record high

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December 2, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine air traffic is on pace to set a new record in the post-pandemic period, especially as the international segment is close to touching 2019 levels, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Based on CAB data, air travel in the Philippines has reached 46.84 million passengers as of September, which is 78 percent of last year’s 59.91 million.

Broken down, domestic passenger volume has hit 24.95 million, which is roughly seven million shy of the 2024 total, and airlines expect to finish on a high note as demand tends to peak in the fourth quarter.

Likewise, international passenger traffic is flirting with the 22-million level, putting it on track to record a new post-pandemic high. The Philippines is seeing a surge in international travel, thanks to the arrival of new carriers and launch of more routes.

Locally, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is dominating the competition, cornering 55 percent of the market. Cebu Pacific, together with its regional carrier Cebgo, has flown 13.62 million domestic passengers as of September.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) accounted for 30 percent with 7.42 million, while budget operator AirAsia Philippines landed at 14 percent with 3.4 million.

Boutique carrier AirSWIFT, also owned by Cebu Pacific, ferried 328,494, followed by Sunlight Air (124,436), Royal Air Philippines (45,970) and Island Aviation (8,736).

Meanwhile, foreign carriers grabbed 57 percent of the market with 12.37 million, lifted by the arrival of new airlines, such as Air Canada and Air India, linking Manila to their home countries.

In April, Air Canada mounted weekly services between Manila and Vancouver to become the first and only Canadian carrier bridging the two cities on a non-stop basis. Air India followed suit in October, launching direct flights between Manila and New Delhi.

Domestic carriers are also joining the push to connect Manila to more destinations abroad. PAL, for one, ramped up Seattle flights to five times weekly to support the rising demand for non-stop trips to the Pacific Northwest.

By June 2026, PAL is increasing weekly frequency for Los Angeles flights to 18 times a week, as the city prepares for a series of international events that could attract millions of visitors.

The Philippines recorded its highest volume of international passengers in 2019, reaching 30.53 million, but has struggled to recover to that level since the pandemic.