Cebu Pacific boosts fleet with new aircraft

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has welcomed its 16th aircraft for the year, raising its wide-body fleet for long haul routes, such as Australia and Dubai, to 10.

Cebu Pacific said on Friday that it has accepted the delivery of a brand new Airbus A330neo, boosting its fleet for the holiday season.

As a wide-body, the aircraft can carry as many as 459 people, enabling Cebu Pacific to ferry more passengers per flight for maximum efficiency.

Likewise, the addition of a new A330neo raises Cebu Pacific’s wide-body fleet to 10. The airline deploys A330neos to long haul flights and high demand routes like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said the aircraft would allow the airline to accommodate the rising demand for air travel. Cebu Pacific operates on a low-cost model, meaning it prioritizes filling up seats of every flight for business efficiency.

“The A330neo’s versatility and efficiency are key to the goal of providing affordable and reliable travel options for every Juan,” Lao said.

“This aircraft enables us to serve high-traffic routes and long-haul destinations more effectively, while optimizing seat capacity to accommodate increasing demand,” he added.

Since the aircraft comes from the new engine option family, it uses 15 percent less fuel per flight, emitting less carbon compared to previous generations.

Cebu Pacific is gearing up to maintain its leadership as the largest domestic carrier by fleet and passenger size.

For 2024, the airline owned by the Gokongweis expects to welcome 18 aircraft to bring its fleet to 95.

In October, Cebu Pacific signed the purchase agreement with Airbus for 152 aircraft in the make of A321neos, equipped with engines made by aviation manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

The order, valued at $24 billion, marks the biggest aircraft purchase made in Philippine aviation.

Cebu Pacific currently operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, a mix composed of 10 A330s, 40 A320s, 25 A321s and 15 turboprops.

With this fleet, Cebu Pacific is able to offer to travelers the widest domestic network among local airlines, reaching 35 Philippine destinations, on top of 27 international cities. — Rudy Santos