The chairman and owner of Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) says he will spend about USD650 million on new aircraft this year. Lance Gokongwei said the airline's total fleet would grow by six aircraft in 2023 to 76, a growth rate he called both strategic and necessary.
Speaking to Forbes Asia, he said Cebu Pacific would acquire 15 additional aircraft this year but retire or return nine, leading to a net growth of six, adding: "We’re growing Cebu Air in a very manageable fashion."
Gokongwei's fleet count included ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops operating for subsidiary Cebgo (DG, Manila Ninoy Aquino International). Giving some detail, he said Cebu Pacific Air would take delivery of ten "Airbus neo" this year plus a further five leased aircraft.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, the airline has twelve A320-200Ns, eleven A321-200NXs, ten A321-200NY(XLR)s, and twelve A330-900Ns all on order at Airbus. It already operates these aircraft types plus A320-200s. ch-aviation has contacted the carrier for further information regarding its delivery plans this year.
Meanwhile, the A330-300 has finished flying for the airline, which operated three of them, acquired between 2014 and 2017 to operate long-haul flights primarily to the Gulf region and Australia. RP-C3348 (msn 1789) ferried from Manila to Amman Queen Alia on March 21, RP-C3346 (msn 1602) was ferried to Amman via Dubai World Central on March 7, while the third, RC-C3345 (msn 1552), remains in Manila where it is undergoing maintenance ahead of its return to lessor Voyager Aviation.
The A330-900N is replacing them. Cebu Pacific Air already has four in service plus the dozen still to be delivered. The next A330neo is reportedly due to be delivered within the next couple of months, accounting for at least one of the aircraft in Gokongwei's delivery tally for the year. Currently, the A330-900Ns are operating to Dubai International, Sydney Kingsford Smith, and Melbourne Tullamarine.
