Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has taken redelivery of ATR72-500 RP-C7252 (msn 820) following its conversion into a freighter. The 11-year-old turboprop is one of two that the Filipino carrier has destined for P2F conversion with Switzerland-based IPR Conversions Ltd. The other, RP-C7253 (msn 828), is currently undergoing conversion with Sabena Technics in Dinard/St. Malo.
Cebu Pacific plans to use the two freighters to haul high-value and time-sensitive commodities such as marine products, computing equipment and even heavy machinery to various points across the Philippines. The ATR's ability to land and take-off from airfields with runways that are less than 1,200 metres long will also open up numerous commercial opportunities given only about one-third of the country's 90 airports can handle jet aircraft.
“We will be able to offer cargo capacity that no other carrier in the Philippines can provide,” Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, said in a statement. "With the freighter aircraft, we will further support the growing needs of the logistics industry, especially as the Philippines’ e-commerce businesses expand rapidly and look for faster delivery schedules."
A unit of Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International), Cebgo operates an all-ATR - Avions de Transport Régional fleet of eight ATR72-500s (including these two aircraft) and thirteen ATR72-600s.
