Cebu Pacific joins IATA

Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific has joined the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), the trade association for the global airline industry. Cebu is IATA’s largest member among Philippine carriers, comprising 44 percent of total domestic passenger volume and 46 percent of total domestic cargo, based on data from the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board. Cebu Pacific was formally inducted into IATA by Conrad Clifford, regional vice president for Asia-Pacific. The IATA team also briefed Cebu Pacific’s top management on IATA governance, industry concerns and how the organisation can support CEB’s expansion plans. Conrad Clifford (left), regional vice president for Asia-Pacific of the International Air Transport Association presents the IATA Certificate of Membership to Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei. (PHOTO: Cebu Pacific) “We are pleased to join IATA as we can gain access to expertise and learnings on best practices and innovations among global airlines, as well as help formulate policies on critical aviation issues. Moreover, we will also be able to share our own operational experience and contribute to further developing the airline industry as a whole,” said Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific achieved full compliance with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), joining a registry of 437 carriers worldwide that have complied with an internationally-recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. Recently, Cebu Pacific was named the “Most Improved Airline” for 2020 by airline safety and product review website airlineratings.com, citing the carrier’s commitment to “expand its global footprint using new generation fuel-efficient aircraft.” As of end-September 2019, Cebu Pacific ramped up capacity by 23 percent, totalling 19 million seats. The carrier flew close to 16 million passengers on 121 routes with more than 2,600 weekly flights.