Cargo volume handled by Philippine domestic carriers in 2016 declined 1.9% to 267.657 million kilograms from 272.707 million kg in 2015, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed.
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific still accounted for the highest share, airlifting 119.860 million kg, or 44.8% of the total volume, last year and 0.8% higher than the 118.947 million kg carried in 2015.
PAL Express (PALEx) also kept its hold on second place, handling 68.351 million kg or 25.5% of the total. This is also 0.7% higher than the recorded 67.855 million kg the airline carried in 2015.
PALEx’s sister and flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), which cornered 19.3% of the total with 51.748 million kg, also stayed put in third place. PAL’s 2016 volume is 2% higher than the 50.709 million kg handled in 2015.
Low-cost carrier Philippines Air Asia, Inc., formerly AirAsia Zest, carried 23.379 million kg, or 8.7% of the total, securing the fourth position again. This is 40% higher than the 16.678 million kg the airline carried in 2015. Since October 2015, Philippine Air Asia has been handling AirAsia, Inc.’s flights.
Cebu Pacific’s wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo, meanwhile, registered the biggest drop of 80% last year with 3.369 million kg, down from 16.657 million kg in 2015, to contribute 1.3% to the total for 2016. The carrier saw surges in volume since 2013 when it became Tiger Air Philippines. The airline was bought by Cebu Pacific in 2014 and was rebranded as Cebgo in 2015.
Leisure airline Magnum (Skyjet) Air had the highest improvement with a 118% increase in volume to 600,667 kg from 275,517 kg in 2015. Magnum accounted for 0.2% of the total.
Boutique airline AirSWIFT handled 349,281 kg last year, 0.9% higher than the 346,048 kg it airlifted in 2015. The former Island Transvoyager Inc. accounted for 0.1% of the total in 2016.
International Air Transport Association said global air freight volumes grew 3.8% in 2016 from 2015, nearly double the industry’s average growth rate of 2% over the last five years. – Roumina Pablo
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