CEBU Pacific Air on Friday announced the delivery of its first Airbus ATR 72-600 High Capacity turboprops aircraft as part of its program to better serve domestic flight passengers.
The new ATR 72-600 which will be operated by Cebgo, the wholly owned subsidiary of CEB, features advanced avionics, enhanced performance in hot and high environments and increased cabin space along with additional seating capacity.
CEB will progressively replace its current fleet of eight ATR 72-500s—which are configured with 72 seats—with the fleet of 16 new ATR 72-600s, with 78 seats. The additional seating capacity will help further lower unit seat costs enabling CEB to pass on the benefits through lower fares to its customers.
Deliveries of the ATR 72-600s will run until 2020.
The Cebu Pacific is in the process of modernizing its fleet with the most popular regional aircraft to substantially expand its route network and frequencies across the archipelago and continue to support the growing Philippine economy.
In a particularly competitive environment, the new high capacity ATR72-600s will help the airline reduce its fleet’s fuel consumption and cost per seat while answering the growing demand for inter-island connectivity.
The delivery is the first of a US$673-million order of 16 aircraft that was placed at the 2015 Paris Airshow, which also includes an option to acquire additional ten more planes, the CEB said.
The airline offers flights to 36 domestic and 30 international destinations, covering an extensive network that spans Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Its 56-strong fleet is composed of six Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330 and eight 72-seater ATR 72-500 aircraft.
Between 2016 and 2021, the Philippines’ leading carrier expects delivery of 32 Airbus A321neo, two Airbus A330, and 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft.