MANILA - Profits of low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific recovered during the first 6 months of 2009 on the back of more routes, flight frequencies, and airline capacity.

In a statement, the Gokongwei-led airline said its net income reached P1.82 billion as of end-June, a turnaround from its P15.66-million net loss in the same period last year.

"We are very happy that despite the economic recession, and the dynamic changes in foreign exchange and fuel costs, we remain a profitable and financially strong airline," Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

For the 6-month period, Cebu Pacific generated a total of P11.39 billion in gross revenues, a 21.3% growth from last year's P9.39 billion. This was driven mainly by more routes, frequencies, and airline capacity as Cebu Pacific acquired additional planes, according to parent firm JG Summit Holdings Inc.

"Our low-cost carrier strategy has made more and more people utilize air travel for business and leisure travel. We will continue to offer our value fares and convenient routes for the benefit of our passengers," Iyog said.

At present, Cebu Pacific operates 10 Airbus 319 (A319), 11 A320, and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. The airline is expecting the delivery of 17 more Airbus and 2 more ATR aircraft from the last quarter of 2009 until 2014.

Cebu Pacific said it flew 6.74 million passengers in 2008. This year, the airline said it has increased its Manila-Hong Kong Service to 4 times daily, its Manila-Singapore flights to thrice daily, and its Manila-Kuala Lumpur service to daily flights.