Cebu Pacific long-haul LCC hybridises by pursuing transit traffic, starting with Sydney-North Asia

Cebu Pacific Air's long-haul unit is entering a new phase of growth which will also see it evolve to pursue more transit traffic. Cebu Pacific initially envisioned a pure LCC model for its long-haul low-cost unit, relying almost entirely on point to point traffic, but is now looking to build up connections, particularly to feed its new Manila-Sydney route.

In Sept-2014 Sydney and Kuwait will become Cebu Pacific's second and third long-haul destinations after Dubai, where its performance has improved in recent months following a dismal start in 4Q2013. The carrier's A330 fleet, which now consists of four aircraft with a fifth to be added by the end of Aug-2014, has until now been primarily used to upgauge short-haul routes.

The upcoming launch of services to Australia and Kuwait will be followed by Saudi Arabia in 4Q2014 and Hawaii in early 2015. Sharjah may also be launched in 2015 as Cebu Pacific considers leasing additional A330s.