CEBU Pacific recently signed an aircraft deal with Airbus worth $3.8 billion.
Considered the largest deal ever made by a Philippine carrier, it involves 30 new Airbus A321neo and seven A320s.
Cebu Pacific also has an option for another 10 A321neos. The A321neo, a larger and longer-haul version of the Airbus A320, will be the first of its type to operate in the Philippines.
The orders will be delivered between 2015 and 2021. These are on top of earlier ordered 18 Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered from the second half of 2011 until 2014. The deal increases Cebu Pacific’s total firm orders of Airbus aircraft to 55.
“Cebu Pacific has made the largest firm order for the Airbus A321neo aircraft in the world. These 220-seater aircraft will be a real game changer for Cebu Pacific because the A321neo will have a much longer range,” airline chief executive Lance Gokongwei said.
“We will be able to serve cities in Australia, India and northern Japan, places the A320 cannot reach,” he explained.
“The aircraft will reduce our unit cost per seat to a level that cannot be achieved flying A320s. This means that Cebu Pacific will be able to offer even lower fares to our guests and be much more competitive with anyone flying less cost-efficient aircraft.”
At the moment, Cebu Pacific utilizes 33 brand-new aircraft, 25 of which are from the Airbus A320 family and eight ATR turbo-prop aircraft. By 2021, Cebu Pacific will more than double its fleet and triple its capacity.
The A321neo is the largest model in the recently launched A320neo series. It incorporates new engines and large wing-tip devices called sharklets, allowing Cebu Pacific to achieve 15% reduced fuel burn, and function on a lower operating cost.
Last month, Cebu Pacific flew 1.111 million passengers on its 16 international and 33 domestic destinations, translating to a 16% year-on-year growth.
Cebu flew almost 10.5 million passengers in 2010, up 19% from 2009. Its international passengers also grew 38% in 2010.
