FILE PHOTO: Cebu Pacific receives the delivery of its 16th aircraft for 2024, augmenting passenger capacity as the budget carrier expands its network here and abroad. INQUIRER FILES
Cebu Pacific took delivery of its 16th aircraft for the year, augmenting passenger capacity as the budget carrier expands its network here and abroad.
In a statement on Friday, the Gokongwei-led airline said it had received an A330neo (new engine option) on Dec. 19.
“This aircraft enables us to serve high-traffic routes and long-haul destinations more effectively while optimizing seat capacity to accommodate increasing demand,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said.
The airline is still waiting for the delivery of two more jets before the year ends.
READ: Cebu Pacific gets 3 more aircraft
The low-cost airline currently operates 10 A330s, 40 A320s, 25 A321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft.
Cebu Pacific has earmarked a P60-billion capital expenditure for mostly aircraft-related spending this year.
In addition to these deliveries, Cebu Pacific finalized in September its P1.4-trillion order of up to 152 jets with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. The airline will start taking delivery of the units by 2029.
The additional aircraft will allow the low-cost airline to have a bigger foothold outside Metro Manila, including Davao, Cebu and Clark.
READ: Cebu Pacific places P1.4-T order for Airbus jets
The Gokongwei-led carrier also purchased Zobel family’s boutique airline AirSwift Transport Inc. for P1.75 billion last month, allowing it to operate direct flights to El Nido, Palawan.
Cebu Pacific flew its first Manila-Chiang Mai flight in October. 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.