The Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific Air saw passenger growth bounce back in April.

The news comes as the summer season goes into full swing and on the back of both the traditional Lenten break and the four-day long Labour-Day weekend.

Total passenger traffic at the carrier and wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo reached 1.8 million in April 2017, up 2.6 per cent versus the same month last year.

For the first four months of 2017, CEB and Cebgo carried a total of 6.63 million passengers, reversing the decline in the first quarter of 2017.

Capacity grew 4.2 per cent in April, bringing total growth in the number of seats sold to 3.3 per cent from January to April 2017.

Load factors reached 88.6 per cent in April 2017, bringing the four-month total to 85.1 per cent.

CEB ramped-up capacity this year to support domestic destinations such as Siargao, Masbate and Tablas in Romblon.

The carrier also expanded its Visayas-Mindanao route network, with direct flights from Cagayan de Oro to Tagbilaran and Bacolod.

“To reach our goal of flying 20 million passengers this year, we remain committed to expanding our domestic route network, where we lead with 37 destinations; and looking at opportunities to grow our international market where we can meet rising demand and sustain our year-round low fare proposition,” said Atty JR Mantaring, vice president for corporate affairs, Cebu Pacific.

For the first quarter of 2017, CEB revenues reached P16.864 billion, a 4.7 per cent increase year-on-year, driven by growth in ancillary and cargo revenues.