Cebu Pacific said Wednesday it continues to ramp up its operations with the arrival of its seventh aircraft for the year to meet the ongoing demand for air travel.
The brand-new aircraft, a fuel-efficient A321neo, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila from Airbus’ facility in Hamburg, Germany on June 30, 2024.
“This aircraft delivery reaffirms our commitment to providing safe, affordable, and accessible flights for every Juan. We look forward to carrying more passengers to their chosen destinations as we continue to expand not only our network, but also our fleet,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said in a statement.
The airline operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified commercial fleet mix of eight Airbus 330s, 37 Airbus 320s, 22 Airbus 321s and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.
Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15 percent less fuel per flight compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions.
Cebu Pacific announced on July 2 it signed a binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of up to 152 A321neo aircraft for $24 billion or P1.4 trillion based on list prices, the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history.
The agreement to finalize the transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year.
Cebu Pacific reported a net income of P2.24 billion in the first quarter of 2024, up by nearly 108 percent from P939 million in the same period last year.
Cebu Pacific generated P25.3 billion in revenue in the first three months, a 21-percent increase from the previous year.
It flew over 5.5 million passengers in the first three months, marking a 14-percent increase from the same period last year and a 3-percent growth from the preceding quarter.
Cebu Pacific flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.