MANILA, Philippines - Cheap air fares have encouraged more people to travel, with international passenger traffic flow in the country rising by 15.3% from January to September last year.

Data released by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed that international passenger traffic increased to 10.55 million in the 9-month period from 9.15 million a year ago.

Of the total, 5.09 million were incoming passengers, up 15.9% from 4.39 million in 2009.

Outgoing passengers also rose 14.74% to 5.45 million from 4.75 million.

Lucio Tan-led Philippine Airlines (PAL) registered the highest number of international passengers flown, with 2.96 million compared to 2.54 million last year.

PAL's incoming passengers traffic stood at 1.43 million while outgoing passengers reached 1.53 million.

Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, registered an increase of 31.5% to 1.5 million from 1.14 million passengers. Of the total, 726,123 were incoming passengers and 775,640 were outgoing.

Zest Airways flew 28,084 international passengers while Spirit of de Manila carried 6,915.

Foreign airlines with the highest number of passengers during the same period include Cathay Pacific, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Emirates Air, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, China Airlines, and Qatar Airways.