Due to stronger demand for air cargo amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cebu Pacific (CEB)  cargo revenues increased 27 percent to P2.81 billion in the first half of 2021 versus the same period last year.

Cargo sales accounted for 48% of the airline's total revenues as CEB transported 53.8 million kilograms shipment from January to June this year.

In the second quarter of 2021, CEB carried a total of 28.7 million kilograms of goods across its domestic network and international destinations. 

International cargo consisted of top commodities, such as electronics, automotive parts, aquaculture products, medical goods, fruits, and flowers.   

Throughout the pandemic, CEB explored alternative revenue streams to boost its cargo operations. 

The airline introduced hybrid flights, with one sector carrying passengers, while the other carries purely cargo.  

“We continue to make sure the transport of essential goods remains unhampered as we ramp-up our cargo operations and capabilities," explained  Xander Lao, CEB's Chief Commercial Officer.   

"This past year has enabled us to pivot our business and focus on maximizing the use of our fleet, including our freighters, to ensure logistics support is fully covered,” he noted.

The airline continued to transport  vaccines from abroad to the Philippines, and across its domestic network. 

To date, it has already carried over 16.5 million vaccine doses from China, on top of over 7 million flown across 23 provinces in the country. 

CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 31 destinations, on top of its eight  international destinations. 

Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two dedicated ATR freighters and one A330 freighter.