Cebu Pacific to Acquire 70 Jets in Major Airbus Deal

6 months ago Editor

Cebu Pacific is set to finalize a deal with Airbus for 70 narrow-body jets, including A321neo models, marking a significant expansion to meet the anticipated travel boom in Southeast Asia.

Airbus is on the verge of finalizing a significant preliminary agreement with Cebu Pacific for the acquisition of 70 narrow-body jets, according to sources familiar with the matter. This deal, which could be announced soon, marks a substantial step in Cebu Pacific’s plan to expand its fleet and capitalize on the anticipated travel surge in Southeast Asia.

The Filipino budget airline, Cebu Pacific, has been exploring options to purchase between 100 and 150 narrow-body jets from either Boeing or Airbus, a move that could represent the largest aircraft procurement in the Philippines’ history. The upcoming deal reportedly includes several A321neo models, aiming to double the airline’s fleet by 2035. Presently, Cebu Pacific operates 64 Airbus and 14 ATR aircraft, with an expected fleet size of 92 by the end of 2024.

With this strategic expansion, Cebu Pacific is positioning itself to harness the long-term travel growth in the region post-COVID-19 pandemic. This anticipated fleet increase underscores the airline’s commitment to enhancing its capacity and service offerings across Southeast Asia.

Industry insiders report that Airbus is close to securing a groundbreaking preliminary agreement with Cebu Pacific, a leading budget airline in the Philippines, for the acquisition of 70 narrow-body jets. This deal, expected to be announced soon, marks a significant move for Cebu Pacific as it looks to expand its fleet and tap into the burgeoning travel market in Southeast Asia.

Cebu Pacific, which operates as Cebu Air, has been actively exploring opportunities to purchase between 100 and 150 narrow-body jets from major manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. If finalized, this deal could become the largest aircraft procurement in the history of the Philippines. The agreement reportedly includes a substantial number of Airbus A321neo models, aligning with Cebu Pacific’s ambitious goal to more than double its fleet by 2035.

Currently, Cebu Pacific operates a fleet of 64 Airbus and 14 ATR aircraft, with plans to increase this number to 92 by the end of 2024. The strategic expansion is designed to capitalize on the expected long-term growth in the travel sector following the COVID-19 pandemic. This move not only demonstrates Cebu Pacific’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings but also its readiness to meet the rising demand for air travel in the region.