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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Cebu Pacific leases jets to capture holiday demand

Cebu Pacific leases jets to capture holiday demand

Published Oct 30, 2025 06:09 pm
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is expanding its fleet through a damp lease agreement with Bulgaria Air to help capture the anticipated surge in air travel demand over the holiday period.
Cebu Pacific announced that it has signed a two-month agreement with Bulgaria's national carrier for the lease of two Airbus A320ceo aircraft, which can each carry up to 180 passengers.
The airline will use Bulgaria Air jets to operate flights from Manila to Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro, beginning in December and concluding the following month.
As part of the damp lease agreement, Bulgaria Air will provide the pilots, maintenance, and insurance. Cebu Pacific, in turn, will utilize its own cabin crew.
Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said adding two aircraft to its fleet over the peak holiday season will enable the airline to meet the demand of passengers looking for the most affordable deals.
Cebu Pacific experienced a 31 percent increase in passenger traffic in December last year, reaching 2.6 million passengers. In January, it notched a 33-percent surge, also serving 2.6 million passengers.
As of end-September, Cebu Pacific is still on an upward trajectory, with passenger volume growing 14 percent to 19.95 million passengers compared to 17.51 million passengers in the same period last year.
With 100 aircraft in its fleet, Lao said the airline is still exploring ways to expand and ensure operational resilience.
Cebu Pacific last signed a damp-lease agreement with Bulgaria Air in 2023 at a time when 16 of its jets were grounded due to supply chain issues involving engines.
Cebu Pacific said that it once again partnered with the European airline, driven by its reputation for reliability and quality service.
Hristo Todorov, chairman of the Management Board of Bulgarian Airways Group, said this new collaboration is another testament to the high level of trust and professionalism of its crew in implementing international leasing projects.
In May, Cebu Pacific entered into a wet lease agreement with Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flyadeal, leasing two of its Airbus A320 jets for a two-month period.
The deal was the first time the country’s biggest carrier by fleet size leased out its aircraft to a foreign airline for commercial operations.
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