Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific set a new passenger volume record last year, with 26.88 million passengers, as it sustained strong demand amid industry-wide headwinds.

In a disclosure, the Gokongwei-led airline said passenger traffic last year rose 9.5 percent to 24.5 million from 2024.

The growth fell short of Cebu Pacific’s 20 percent target, which would have put passenger traffic at around 29 million.

For the year, domestic passengers stood at 19.99 million, 8.1 percent higher than 18.50 million passengers in 2024.

International traffic likewise saw an improvement, with passengers growing 14 percent to 6.89 million compared to 6.04 million.

To meet demand, Cebu Pacific offered 31.99 million seats in 2025, up by 0.1 percent from 29.09 million in 2024.

Seat load factor, which reflects the percentage of available seats occupied by passengers, was slightly lower at 84 percent, down from 84.4 percent a year ago.

Cebu Pacific also recorded its highest-ever monthly passenger traffic last year, with December, carrying 2.71 million passengers during the month.

With air travel at its peak, domestic traffic stood at two million, while international traffic reached 710,000.

Cebu Pacific put up nearly seven percent more seats in December to meet the holiday surge, with 3.23 million seats compared to 3.02 million in the same month last year.

The airline expanded its seat capacity through its damp-lease agreement with Bulgaria Air for two 180-seater Airbus A320ceo aircraft, which will conclude this month.

Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Szucs said these record numbers reflect the strength of the airline’s low-cost model and its operational agility.

Like other airlines, Cebu Pacific saw a wide range of issues last year, including fleet reliability issues, supply chain disruptions, and global geopolitical tensions.

The airline, however, stayed on course in delivering the most affordable flights for travelers, earning the title of Asia’s Low-Cost Airline of the Year at the 2025 Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

Szucs expects growth to continue into this year, especially with the scheduled delivery of seven 459-seater A330neos.

“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we look forward to another milestone year for the airline,” he said.

In March, Cebu Pacific is set to launch its sole long-haul route this year with direct flights between Manila and Riyadh, benefitting thousands of overseas Filipinos.

With the addition of Riyadh, Cebu Pacific is expanding its international network to 27 destinations. The airline currently operates 37 domestic routes.