Philippines domestic air cargo volume up 8pc in 2009

IN the Philippines, the volume of domestic air freight increased eight per cent in 2009 to 148 million kilogrammes, up from 136 million kg the previous year, according to figures provided by the country`s Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
Last year, the number of domestic air passengers grew by 25 per cent to 14.7 million, up from 11.8 million in 2008, as carriers increased the number of available seats by a fourth to 18.96 million from 15.13 million, reported the Manila Business World.
This spells good news for the nation`s airlines after CAB said earlier the carriers were "banking on growing local tourism to offset the global slump in international air travel," the report said.
It noted that Philippine Airlines carried six million domestic passengers last year, an increase of 23 per cent against 2008.
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific registered a 35 per cent increase in domestic passenger numbers to 7.2 million last year, up from 5.35 million in 2008.