Cebu Pacific said it will deploy bigger aircraft to key domestic routes to expand capacity amid a strong demand.
The airline unit of the Gokongwei group said the Manila to Cauayan, Legazpi and Virac services would utilize the 180-seater Airbus A320 starting July 4.
This would translate into over 130 percent growth in capacity or about 102 additional seats, from its original 78-seater ATR 72-600.
Cebu Pacific is the only carrier with regular, commercial air service in Cauayan, Isabela and Virac, Catanduanes. The freed-up ATR aircraft from these three routes will then be used to service five new inter-island routes Cebgo recently announced, including Cebu-Masbate; Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga; Davao-Dumaguete; Davao-Tacloban; and Cotabato-Zamboanga.
The five new routes are set to commence operations in late July. “Utilizing larger aircraft will not only help meet demand for passenger air travel and logistics to move cargo across the country, but also allow more travellers to avail our year-round lowest fares,” Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring said.