Cebu Pacific gets 11th aircraft order for 2024
This photo taken on April 19, 2020, shows passenger planes from carrier Cebu Pacific parked on the tarmac of Manila’s international airport. (Photo by STR / AFP)
Cebu Pacific is closer to completing its aircraft orders for the year after receiving its 11th so far, as the Gokongwei-led company strengthens its fleet capacity to support the launch of new domestic and international routes.
The budget carrier on Wednesday said it received an A320neo (new engine option) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Sept. 13. Cebu Pacific was to receive a total of 18 aircraft this year.
“This delivery supports our commitment to making air travel more accessible and can help us serve upcoming route launches in October, including Davao to Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said in a statement.
Neo aircraft are considered fuel-efficient, as these burn 15-percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to older models. Cebu Pacific aims to have an all-neo fleet by 2027. Currently, the airline has nine Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 420s, 22 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft, meant to support flights in over 35 domestic and 24 international destinations.
In July, Cebu Pacific announced a P1.4-trillion purchase order, the largest of such deal in Philippine aviation history, with European plane maker Airbus for 151 A321neo planes.Next month, Cebu Pacific is expected to offer new routes outside Metro Manila, specifically from Iloilo to Tacloban and Zamboanga.
The new route will start on Oct. 28 and will be available thrice a week. It will likewise offer Clark-Tagbiliran flights daily beginning in October and Iloilo-Singapore flights thrice a week starting Nov. 25.
