Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is slowly but surely moving towards its goal to increase its fleet capacity as it welcomed the second out of 17 new expected aircraft deliveries for 2024.
The latest acquisition was an Airbus A321neo (new engine option) aircraft, delivered on March 21.
CEB's very first aircraft delivery this year was on Feb. 9 when a new A320ceo (current engine option) landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from the Airbus factory in Chengdu, China.
The plane is the airline's first A321neo to arrive this year, utilizing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its flight from Hamburg, Germany to the NAIA in Manila.
SAF is a sought-after drop-in fuel made from 100 percent renewable waste and residual raw materials, which can be an alternative fuel to conventional jet fuel since it can reduce up to 80 percent of carbon emissions in its lifecycle.
According to CEB, Airbus Neos are new generation planes that burn 15 percent less fuel per flight, which can lessen carbon emissions.
The use of SAF is in line with CEB's target transition to an all neo fleet by 2028 and using blended SAF for its entire flights by 2030.
“We take pride in adding more SAF-powered aircraft into our growing fleet. This aircraft delivery represents the strides we are taking towards minimizing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in the aviation sector,” said CEB Chief Strategy Officer Alex Reyes.
Excluding the deliveries this year, the airline has a total of 78 planes in its current fleet, comprising eight Airbus 330s, 36 Airbus320s, 20 Airbus 321, and 14 ATR turboprop aircraft.
In 2023 alone, 19 of the 78 neo aircrafts were delivered. From November to December last year, it received two A330neos, an A321neo, A320neo, and A320ceo.
CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao shared in late 2023 that the company is aiming to widen its fleet size to 92 by the end of 2024.
Last Feb. 20, CEB signed a deal with American aerospace manufacturer and supplier Pratt & Whitney (P&W) to obtain engines for 15 narrowbody jets of its A320 and A321 fleet.