MANILA - Budget carrier Cebu Pacific announced on Thursday that it will add more flights to 5 destinations in Luzon and Visayas starting next month.

In a statement, the airline said it will have daily flights from Manila to Catarman and Calbayog in Samar province, while its Manila-Naga service will be increased to thrice daily.

Flights to Tuguegarao in Cagayan province will be increased to 11 times weekly from the current daily flights, while its Manila-Kalibo service will be increased to 7 times daily from 46 times weekly.

The additional frequencies for the first 4 destinations will take effect starting August 16, while increased flights to Kalibo will commence on August 1.

"This is in line with our ever-present commitment to boost the economy and tourism in the destinations we fly to," Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific said it is charging a minimum "Go-Lite" one-way fares of P888 for the Manila-Catarman and Manila-Calbayog routes, P588 for the Manila-Naga route, P688 for the Manila-Tuguegarao route, and P588 for the Manila-Kalibo route.

These "Go-Lite" fares, which are for passengers with no check-in baggage, exclude government taxes and value-added tax. Those with check-in bags weighing 15 kilograms have to add P300 to the fare, while standard excess baggage rates apply for anything in excess of 15 kilograms.

"We hope the additional flights will provide even more convenience to our growing passenger base in Samar, Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Aklan. Passengers from neighboring areas can now have easier and faster access to Manila and our extensive Cebu Pacific network," Iyog said.

Following a P3.26-billion net loss in 2008, Cebu Pacific is expecting a recovery in profits this year given its growing passenger base and improving revenues.

"Our revenues for the first half of the year grew by about 20%. We are profitable," Cebu Pacific President Lance Gokongwei told reporters last week. The airline is set to release its financial results next month.

Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific posted a 30% growth in passenger traffic for the first 6 months of the year to 4.4 million, driven mainly by the removal of fuel surcharges for both domestic and international flights.

For the first quarter, Cebu Pacific's passenger base expanded 28% to 1.97 million, outperforming the global aviation industry's 10% growth.