CEB targets 200-M passengers

Cebu Pacific (CEB) launches on Thursday, January 31, at Makati Shangrila Hotel its newest fleet member, A321neo. The launching was led by CEB CEO and president Lance Gokongwei. (Ace Perez)
Cebu Pacific (CEB) launches on Thursday, January 31, at Makati Shangrila Hotel its newest fleet member, A321neo. The launching was led by CEB CEO and president Lance Gokongwei. (Ace Perez)

MAKATI CITY -- With the arrival of its newest fleet member, Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option), Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) is confident to reach its self-imposed target of flying 200 million passengers by 2020.

The new aircraft is just first of the 12 brand new aircraft to be delivered to CEB in 2019. The aircraft deliveries this year include six A321neo; five A320neo; and an ATR 72-600.

The new A321neo, manufactured by Airbus, was delivered on January 28, 2019. The aircraft is presently serving domestic flights particularly Manila-Cebu, Manila-Davao, Cebu-Davao.

But it is planned to eventually serve international routes in Bali, Indonesia and Tokyo, Japan.

“We can use these new aircraft to increase capacity in key markets or even launch new routes. For 2019, we expect capacity to grow from low to mid-teens,” Lance Gokongwei, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Cebu Pacific, said in his speech during CEB's Airbus A321neo launching Thursday, January 31, at the Makati Shangrila Hotel.

In a press briefer, CEB shared that the 236-seater plane has 56 seats or 31 percent more capacity versus the A320 enabling the airline to offer more seats and maximize airport slots.

The aircraft is capable of operating routes in excess of 5,000 kilometers or fly up to seven hours, allowing the carrier to explore new destinations like India, Russia, northern Japan and other cities in Australia.

The latest delivery brings the total number of aircraft in the CEB fleet to 72.

At present, the CEB fleet is comprised of an A321neo, 36 A320, seven A321ceo, eight A330, eight ATR 72-500, and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft.

CEB executive vice president Candice Iyog told reporters in an interview that they strive to maintain its status as one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average fleet age of five years.

“We want to maintain the youngest fleet status in the world to sustain our low airfare rates. This status also translates that our fleet are more efficient,” she said.

Jean Francois Laval, executive vice president for Sales in Asia of Airbus, for his part, said that CEB's rapid expansion plays an important part in the transformation of the Philippines’ aviation sector.

“Cebu Pacific has played a key role in supporting tourism, trade and business links between the Philippines, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East,” he said.

He added that the A321neo is an eco-plane with lesser fuel consumption, bigger leg room, and is equipped with USB charging ports.

The CEB has ordered 32 A321neo aircraft ordered directly from Airbus.

Meanwhile, with over a year left before the target set, Gokongwei said that with its expanded route network and upgraded fleet the target is not farfetched.

“We just need to continue improve our product offerings,” he said.

The carrier hit the 170 million passengers flown since inception in late 2018.

The CEB and subsidiary Cebgo fly to 36 domestic and 26 international destinations, with over 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and United States of America.

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