This, as the low-cost carrier also continues to boost its network and capacity.
Last Thursday, December 19, Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) took delivery of its 16th aircraft for this year alone and its 90th overall.
The new Airbus A330neo, equipped with a new engine, has been described by the company’s President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao “key” to CEB’s goal of providing affordable and reliable travel options for passengers, noting the plane’s versatility and efficiency.
Thanks to new generation technology, the Cebu Pacific’s A330neo consumes 15% less fuel per flight and lower noise pollution, thereby reducing its carbon emissions.
Additionally, this will allow the growing carrier to boost its capacity in high-demand routes.
“This aircraft enables us to serve high-traffic routes and long-haul destinations more effectively while optimizing seat capacity to accommodate increasing demand,” said Lao.
This development comes months after CEB formalized a deal with Airbus in October, which will see the Filipino airline acquire 152 aircrafts from the European plane manufacturer worth US$24 million (~Php 1.4 trillion) — the largest transaction of such kind in the Philippine aviation’s history.
Pratt and Whitney GTF had also been tapped for the engines that will be used in the new planes.
This will see 102 A321neo and 50 A320neo progressively added to CEB’s fleet in the coming years.
“The order is designed to provide CEB with maximum flexibility to adapt fleet growth to market conditions, with the ability to switch between the A321neo and A320neo,” Cebu Air chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Szucs said.
Cebu Pacific is flying to a sum of over 60 domestic and international destinations in Asia and Australia.