CEBU PACIFIC, led by its corporate communications head Carmina Reyes Romero, held a briefing on their latest developments to the Manila, Cebu, and Davao content creators and members of media last July 11, Thursday, at the Brittany Hotel BGC in Taguig City.
Romero shared information on the airline’s landmark deal with European multinational aerospace corporation Airbus last July 2, placing an order of up to 152 A321neo planes, amounting to US$24 billion (PhP1.4 trillion). Airbus NEOs are the latest generation aircraft that burn 15% less fuel per flight.
“It’s the biggest aircraft order in Philippine history,” said Romero.
With no fanfare or press conference immediately after their initial announcement on this development, Cebu Pacific officials spearheaded by its Chairman and JG Summit Holdings, Inc. President and CEO Lance Y. Gokongwei paid Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr a courtesy visit to enlighten Malacanang on their latest investment.
In a statement posted on the Gokongwei Group Facebook page, the airline mogul was quoted to have made such a gargantuan order on the premise of his conglomerate’s confidence in the future of the tourism industry.
“We want to support growth in the Philippines with its 6% average annual growth rate and the demographic dividend,” Gokongwei stated.
In addition, the airline has also received its 7th aircraft for the year, a brand-new Airbus A321neo that arrived June 30.
Romero reported that the aircraft acquisition, which will be finalized by the third quarter of 2024, will bolster further expansion of its network across its key hubs, including Manila, Clark, Cebu, and soon, Davao.
This will allow the airline to resume its flights from Clark International Airport to Puerto Princesa (starting Oct. 2), General Santos (starting October 21), Iloilo (starting Oct. 21), and Davao (starting Oct. 22), as it strengthens connectivity between North and Central Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao areas.
With more units in the offing, Cebu Pacific has set to launch new routes: from Manila to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (starting July 16) and Kaohsiung, Taiwan (starting Aug. 15); and from Cebu to San Vicente, Palawan (starting Oct. 24), Masbate (starting Oct. 25), and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (starting Oct. 2).
“Cebu Pacific is certainly continuing its growth through 2024. We are proud to report that we have recovered more than our pre-pandemic levels – we’re now operating at 113% capacity,” she added.
To date, the airline flies to 35 domestic destinations, the widest network in the country today, and to 25 international destinations, a sum of around 3,000 flights weekly.
