FILE PHOTO: Cebu Pacific passenger jets are pictured at the tarmac of Terminal 3 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, April 1, 2016. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo
Cebu Pacific took delivery of three aircraft last month to ramp up passenger capacity in time for the peak travel season during the holidays.
In a statement on Thursday, the Gokongwei-led airline said it received two A321neos (new engine option) and an A320ceo (current engine option), bringing the total of aircraft deliveries to 15 so far this year.
“We’re excited to expand our fleet with these additional aircraft ahead of the peak travel season in December. These deliveries are a key part of our continuous efforts to expand routes and enhance our service, allowing us to better serve the increasing number of travelers,” said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao.
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Currently, the budget carrier operates nine Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 24 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprops.
Cebu Pacific has earmarked a P60-billion capital expenditure for mostly aircraft-related spending this year.
In addition to these deliveries, Cebu Pacific finalized last month its P1.4 trillion order of up to 152 jets with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. The airline will start getting the units by 2029.
The additional aircraft will allow the low-cost airline to reach more places outside Metro Manila, including Davao, Cebu, and Clark.
The Gokongwei-led carrier also purchased the Zobel family’s boutique airline, AirSwift Transport Inc., for P1.75 billion last month, allowing it to operate direct flights to El Nido, Palawan.
As it beefed up its fleet, Cebu Pacific has been expanding its flight network as well.
By December, the low-cost airline will launch flights from Iloilo to Tagbilaran, Daraga, and Dumaguete. Cebu Pacific will have a total of 14 routes—including Hong Kong and Singapore—being operated from its Iloilo hub.
The Gokongwei-led carrier flew its first Manila-Chiang Mai flight last month. Earlier this year, it also started flights from Manila to Don Mueang in Bangkok and routes from Cebu to Don Mueang, Osaka, Masbate, and San Vicente.
This year, the airline targets to fly 24 million passengers, higher than the 20 million it registered in 2023, as it opens more routes here and abroad.