On Wednesday, the Gokongwei-led airline giant finalized a record P1.4 trillion deal for up to 152 Airbus A321neo jets.
This marks the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history, coming amid the airline’s aggressive push to capture growing regional opportunities well into the next decade.
“This milestone signals our ongoing dedication to expanding air travel accessibility and affordability, while supporting the Philippines’ broader economic growth and connectivity goals,” Michael Szucs, CEO at Cebu Pacific, said in a statement on Wednesday.
From upstart to PH’s largest fleet
Cebu Pacific placed a firm order for at least 70 new planes with an option to increase these to as many as 152 aircraft.The carrier had 87 planes when the deal was unveiled last July.
Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ pioneering low-cost airline, began operations in 1996 with a fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-9s.
It shifted to an all-Airbus fleet in 2006, debuting the Airbus A319 on routes to Zamboanga and Butuan.
“The A320 Family has supported Cebu Pacific’s domestic and short-haul international network growth over the last two decades,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president, sales of commercial aircraft business at Airbus.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Airbus expressed gratitude, stating: “Salamat po Cebu Pacific Air for the order for 70 additional #A321neo!”
A321 drives new expansion phase
“The A321neo is highly regarded for its unparalleled economics, performance, and fuel efficiency,” said de Saint-Exupéry.
“We’re confident that these additional A321neo will contribute strongly to the all-Airbus operator’s next phase of expansion as one of Asia-Pacific’s leading low-cost carriers,” he added.
The new aircraft will come equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, Cebu Pacific noted.
“The selection of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney underscores our focus on operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that we continue to deliver the highest standards of service while significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” Szucs said.
Next-generation features, fuel savings
The Airbus A321neo, the largest in the A320neo family, delivers exceptional range and performance.
The aircraft’s design reduces noise by 50 percent and cuts fuel consumption and carbon emissions by over 20 percent compared to older single-aisle aircraft.
The aircraft also features a wider cabin for better passenger comfort.
Ongoing fleet expansion
Cebu Pacific currently operates 61 Airbus A320 family aircraft. It also operates nine Airbus A330 widebody jets for high-demand routes across Asia and the Middle East.
With its latest order, Cebu Pacific’s backlog has expanded to include 94 A320neo Family aircraft and seven A330neo.
“This latest order demonstrates the growing opportunities for aviation in the Philippines and the larger Asia Pacific region,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney.
“The GTF engine will enable Cebu Pacific to continue to expand the number of routes it offers to passengers while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits,” he added.
