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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Cebu Pacific sets ₱30-billion budget for 2026 fleet modernization

Cebu Pacific sets ₱30-billion budget for 2026 fleet modernization

Published Jan 26, 2026 12:00 am  |  Updated Jan 24, 2026 01:50 pm
Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific Air expects to maintain its capital expenditure at roughly ₱30 billion this year as it prepares for steady stream of aircraft deliveries to fuel its regional expansion.
Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said 2026 spending plan mirrors the budget allocated in 2025.
Lao said the arrival of seven new aircraft—comprising two wide-bodied and five narrow-bodied planes—will account for the bulk of the airline’s capital outlays for the year.
The fleet modernization is part of a broader strategy to improve fuel efficiency and increase seat capacity across its domestic and international networks.
Having recently bolstered its fleet through direct acquisitions and wet-lease agreements, the airline is pivoting its strategy toward optimizing its existing infrastructure.
Lao said the company’s immediate priority is to develop the secondary hubs it inaugurated or expanded in 2024, specifically targeting growth in Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Davao.
The airline is already reporting traction in these regional centers, particularly regarding international connectivity in Davao and Iloilo.
While the carrier is not prioritizing an aggressive rollout of new destinations in the immediate term, Lao confirmed that the launch of flights to Riyadh in March remains a key exception to that rule.
Growth at Clark International Airport has also been particularly robust, with the gateway now serving as the airline’s third-largest hub. Cebu Pacific, which already holds the title of the largest operator at Clark, flew approximately one million passengers through the northern terminal in 2024.
The airline expects to further consolidate its dominance there following the decision to shift all turboprop operations from Manila to Clark.
Regarding capacity, the carrier is targeting a growth rate in 2026 that is “roughly similar” to the 10 percent increase recorded in 2025. However, management is maintaining a cautious tone after facing significant logistical hurdles over the past 24 months.
Lao noted that the company has integrated a level of conservatism into its 2026 forecasts to account for ongoing global supply chain volatility, which has previously impacted aircraft maintenance schedules and parts availability across the industry.
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