Cebu Pacific said Wednesday it is adding five aircraft on its fleet this year as part of its expansion program to address capacity and growing passenger demand.
The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said these are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that would be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s entire fleet.
“CEB confirms an additional five aircraft will be entering its fleet in 2023 on operating leases. These fleet are in addition to the orders that will be delivered from its Airbus contract. Three of the aircraft will be used to re-start the Clark base,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said.
“The two other aircraft will be used to support overall growth ambitions as CEB recovers fully from the pandemic,” he said.
Data from Civil Aeronautics Board showed that Cebu Pacific carried 11.39 million passengers last year, significantly higher than 2.68 million in 2021.
The airline also flew 435,841 international passengers last year.
Cebu Pacific earlier announced additional three routes from Mactan Cebu International Airport and a combined 13 domestic and international destinations from Clark International Airport.
The airline is set to restore 100 percent of its pre-COVID network and capacity this month.
It now flies to 34 domestic destinations and is set to reinstate all its 25 international destinations in the first quarter.
CEB’s fleet comprises of 21 A320ceo, nine A320neo, seven A321ceo, 10 A321neo, four A330ceo, four A330neo, 14 ATR 72-600, six ATR 72-500 and 2 ATR Freighters.