Cebu Pacific’s Dubai route surges ahead as profit doubles

Cebu Pacific Air boosted passenger numbers between Dubai and Manila last year as profits more than doubled, overcoming overcapacity in the global aviation sector.

The Philippine low-cost carrier said overall passenger numbers between Dubai and Manila rose by 8 per cent to more than 252,000.

That beat overall passenger growth at the airline, which flew a total of 19.1 million customers, up by 4.1 per cent on a year earlier.

The airline reported profit of 9.8 billion Philippine pesos (Dh725.4 million) – an increase of 122 per cent on a year earlier. Growth in revenue from baggage fees, on-board meals and merchandise helped to drive profits higher, it said.

Total revenue, which includes cargo services, jumped by 9.6 per cent to 61.9bn pesos.

In 2016, Cebu Pacific flew to 36 domestic and 30 international destinations through 102 routes.