Cebu Pacific gets first A330neo in fleet changeover plan

Leading budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) took another step in its fleet transformation, taking delivery on Sunday its first next-generation Airbus 330neo (A33oneo), which is capable of carrying more passengers and is 25 percent more fuel efficient.

“Cebu Pacific’s first A330neo brings us closer to our target of having an all-Neo fleet by 2027, and shows our commitment to making air travel accessible, while ensuring environmental and social sustainability,” Alex Reyes, chief strategy officer at Cebu Pacific, said in a statement.

The A330neo, which means new engine option, is configured with 459 lightweight seats, burns less fuel and is 60-percent quieter than competitors.
Cebu Pacific said this would result in the “lowest carbon footprint per passenger, making CEB the greenest airline in Asia.”

“We believe that growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive and should in fact be inclusive if we want to work towards the greater good,” Reyes said.

“This is why we will always choose the greener options—increased aircraft efficiency, reduced noise and carbon emissions—to ensure that more low fares will be available for everyJuan (a play on the word ‘everyone’),” he added.

The carrier earlier said it was committed  to its refleeting program in anticipation of the eventual return of strong travel demand despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its publicly listed parent Cebu Air Inc. is seeing early signs of recovery after local governments lowered travel barriers in the third quarter of the year.

Passenger revenues during the period jumped about 245 percent to P1.31 billion. Losses, however, rose nearly 48 percent to P8.2 billion on higher expenses and foreign exchange losses.

Cebu Pacific operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 33 destinations and 12 international destinations. Its fleet of 73 planes includes two dedicated ATR freighters.

—Miguel R. Camus INQ