Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) recently inked a "landmark" deal with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE, a move that aims to cement its position as the Philippines' leading low-cost airline.
In a ceremony held recently at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, Cebu Pacific and Airbus signed an agreement for the purchase of 102 Airbus A321neo aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, plus 50 Airbus A320neo family purchase rights.
The airline said that this purchase, which requires a minimum commitment of 70 planes, is the biggest in Philippine aviation history.
It is valued at approximately US$24 billion (P1.4 trillion) based on list prices for the entire 152-aircraft order.
This purchase agreement underscores CEB's strong belief in the future of air travel and their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of passengers.
"The selection of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney underscores our focus on operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that we continue to deliver the highest standards of service while significantly reducing our carbon footprint," said Michael Szucs, chief executive officer at Cebu Pacific, adding, "This milestone signals our ongoing dedication to expanding air travel accessibility and affordability, while supporting the Philippines' broader economic growth and connectivity goals."
The Airbus acknowledged that the purchase agreement is a sign of the airline's trust in its products and a promising signal for the recovery of the aviation industry.
"The A320 Family has supported Cebu Pacific's domestic and short-haul international network growth over the last two decades. We're grateful to the airline for its continued endorsement of our bestselling single-aisle product line. The A321neo is highly regarded for its unparalleled economics, performance and fuel efficiency. We're confident that these additional A321neo will contribute strongly to the all-Airbus operator's next phase of expansion one of Asia-Pacific's leading low-cost carriers," said Benoit de Saint-Exupery, executive vice president, sales of commercial aircraft business at Airbus.
Pratt & Whitney president of commercial engines Rick Deurloo said that the GTF engine will enable Cebu Pacific to continue to expand the number of routes it offers to passengers, while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits.
The latest order, he said, demonstrates the growing oportunities for aviation in the Philippines and the larger Asia-Pacific region.
The budget airline acquired an A330neo on July 26 this year, followed by an A320neo on August 3, and an A320ceo on August 4, increasing its fleet to 85 in anticipation of expanding its flight operations.
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