Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is leasing one of its Airbus A320neos to Vietnam’s flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, looking to capitalize on the third-quarter lean season to secure additional revenue stream.
In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it signed a wet lease agreement with Vietnam Airlines to deploy the Pratt & Whitney-powered Airbus A320neo for operations from July 15 to Sept. 7.
The aircraft will be based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s main financial hub, and will service domestic routes to Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Vinh, and Da Nang.
Under the wet lease arrangement, Cebu Pacific will provide the aircraft alongside its own pilots and cabin crew.
Cebu Pacific Chief Financial Officer Mark Cezar said the agreement allows the carrier to optimize its assets during the rainy season, when domestic travel demand softens and the fleet is typically underutilized.
“This collaboration with Vietnam Airlines enables Cebu Pacific to broaden its role beyond passenger operations by providing operational support to airlines across the region,” Cezar said.
“It also creates new opportunities to diversify our revenue streams while expanding our presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets,” he added.
Cebu Pacific views supporting travel demand in Vietnam and the broader Southeast Asian market as the most productive use of its capacity, given the region's robust growth in air travel.
By positioning itself as a reliable partner for airlines seeking operational support, Cebu Pacific said it aims to pave the way for future regional collaborations.
“As Cebu Pacific’s fleet continues to expand, we are well positioned to deploy our capacity where it is needed most, including through strategic wet lease partnerships during periods of lower demand in the Philippines,” Cezar said.
The Gokongwei-led airline is no stranger to such arrangements; during its peak summer season last year, Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier flyadeal wet-leased two A320 aircraft from Cebu Pacific to bolster its fleet.
Cebu Pacific currently operates a diverse fleet of 101 aircraft, comprising A320, A321, A330, and ATR models.
Maximizing fleet efficiency to generate additional revenue is expected to help Cebu Pacific navigate ongoing head-winds in the aviation sector, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The airline earlier reported a net loss of ₱399.81 million for the first quarter, reversing a net income of ₱465.90 million recorded during the same period last year.