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The Philippines' international air passenger traffic flow expanded by double digits in the first half of the year, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Data from CAB showed that international passenger traffic rose by 13.3 percent to 7.09 million passengers from January to June compared to the 6.26 million in the same period last year.

Of the total, incoming passengers were up by 13.5 percent to 3.42 million passengers while outgoing passengers stood at 3.67 million from 3.25 million previously.

Of the 44 carriers with authority to operate in the country, only 33 airlines operated during the period.

The CAB said Aeroflot, Air France, Air Nauru, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Egyptair, P.T. Bouraq ceased flying to the Philippines between 1999 and 2004. In March 2008, Swiss Air stopped its Philippine operations.

Pakistan International Airlines flights were suspended while Vietnam Airlines temporarily stopped operations and entered into a code-share agreement with Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The country's flag carrier registered the highest number of international passenger flown with 2 million, a 15-percent increase from last year's 1.74 million. PAL's incoming passenger traffic stood at 967,694 while outgoing passengers reached 1.03 million.

Rival Cebu Pacific carried 1 million international passengers, higher from 797,521 in the same period last year. Of the total, incoming passengers stood at 484,957 and outgoing, 523,437.

Zest Airways carried 30,464 passengers from January to June compared to zero passenger last year.

While Spirit de Manila flew 4,568 passengers from zero last year.

Other airlines with higher number of passengers from January to June were Cathay Pacific Airways, 725,374; Singapore Airlines, 368,723; Asiana Airlines, 311,375; Emirates Air, 284,980; Northwest Airlines, 233,589; Korean Air, 211,383; Thai Airways, 133,172 and China Airlines, 143,104.

The CAB earlier projected that the country's international passenger traffic is likey to grow between 10 percent and 12 percent this year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the aviation industry recovery has been stronger and faster than anyone predicted.

IATA revised its 2010 industry outlook to US$ 8.9 billion net profit this year up from the US$ 2.5 billion forecast in June.

In its first look into 2011, the association estimates that profitability will drop to US$ 5.3 billion.

The improved outlook for 2010 is being driven by increasing demand and capacity.

IATA said demand in 2010 is expected to grow by 11 percent stronger than the previous forecast of 10.2 percent while capacity will only expand by 7 percent from the previous forecast of 5.4 percent.

For Asia-Pacific carriers, IATA expected to post a US$ 5.2 billion profit, better than the US$ 3 billion recorded during the previous peak in 2007 and double the previously forecasted US$ 2.2 billion. (PNA)

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