Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) is set to venture into the dedicated freighter market after it signed an agreement with Switzerland-based IPR Conversions Ltd for the P2F conversion of two of its ATR72-500s.

Both aircraft will be converted at the Sabena Technics DNR S.A.S facility in Dinard/St. Malo, France. Cebu expects to take re-delivery of the first converted turboprop during the final quarter of the year at which time it will be placed into service with Cebgo (DG, Manila Ninoy Aquino International).

Once completed, the aircraft will have a capacity for seven (7) AKE Unit Load Device (ULD) containers; and will be able to carry more than seven (7) tonnes of cargo on flights to various points across the Philippines, in particular airfields with runways less than 1,200 metres-long.

“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 PSE disclosure. “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.”