Cebu Pacific Expands Fleet with Delivery of Sixth Aircraft
Cebu Pacific, a leading airline in the Philippines, has recently announced the delivery of its sixth aircraft this year. The new addition, an ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, was received at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday.
According to company CEO Micheal Szucs, the decision to invest in turboprop aircraft is driven by the need to better serve passengers traveling between inter-island destinations in the Philippines. The airline currently deploys its turboprop fleet to 25 local destinations, some of which can only be accessed by smaller aircraft like the ATR 72-600.
With a capacity to carry up to 78 passengers, the ATR 72-600 is designed to land on short, narrow, and unpaved runways. This makes it an ideal choice for reaching remote destinations across the country.
Cebu Pacific now boasts a total of 15 turboprop aircraft in its fleet, with plans to add another by October. In addition to turboprops, the airline also operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft, including A330s, A320s, and A321s.
The arrival of the new aircraft is part of Cebu Pacific’s re-fleeting efforts, which also included the recent acquisition of an A320neo last month. The airline aims to modernize its fleet and improve fuel efficiency, especially as some of its older aircraft undergo maintenance due to global supply chain challenges.
In the coming months, Cebu Pacific is set to introduce new routes, including flights to Bangkok, Masbate, and Kaohsiung. The airline’s expansion plans align with its strong financial performance in the first quarter, which saw net earnings more than double to P2.24 billion.
Overall, Cebu Pacific continues to focus on enhancing its service offerings and expanding its reach in both domestic and international markets.
