From a small fleet to the PH’s biggest airline: Cebu Pacific celebrates 29 years with P29-seat sale

​Lance Gokongwei 
Cebu Pacific chair 

Cebu Pacific took off on its maiden flight from Manila to Cebu on March 8, 1996, with a small fleet of just four DC-9 aircraft.

Nearly three decades later, the Gokongwei family-led carrier has grown into the Philippines’ leading low-cost airline, flying over 250 million passengers across its expanding domestic and international network.

To celebrate its 29th anniversary, Cebu Pacific is bringing back its Super Seat Fest, offering one-way base fares for as low as P29 from March 6-11 this year. 

“Cebu Pacific is bringing back its much-anticipated Super Seat Fest, giving every Juan the chance to explore more destinations through the airline’s hubs across the Philippines and beyond,” the carrier said in a statement.

Cebu Pacific’s maiden flight takes off from Manila to Cebu in 1996, marking the beginning of its journey from a small fleet of four DC-9s to becoming the Philippines’ largest airline./Image taken from Cebu Pacific's website 

Largest PH carrier  

Cebu Pacific, the country’s biggest airline by fleet size and passenger volume, operates over 90 aircraft, including Airbus A320neo, A321neo, and A330neo jets, which enhance fuel efficiency and expand its capacity for long-haul flights.

It also recently unveiled plans to drastically grow its presence to cater to booming demand over the next decade. 

Expanding network 

With five strategic hubs—Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao—the airline connects passengers to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. 

From its humble beginnings with a handful of DC-9s, Cebu Pacific continues to grow, expanding its fleet, adding new routes, and staying committed to budget-friendly travel for every Juan.

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