Cebu Pacific to receive 21 aircraft in 2023

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has adjusted its aircraft delivery plans for 2023 in response to the increasing demand for air travel in the country, the airline announced in a press release on Friday.

Originally scheduled to receive 15 aircraft this year, the company has now raised the number to 21. Among the deliveries, 17 are New Engine Option (NEO) Airbus A321s, known for their fuel efficiency, while four are Current Engine Option (CEOs) leased on a short-term basis.

Cebu Pacific aims to transition to a fully fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, CEB’s most recent aircraft delivery on July 27th, 2023, was a brand-new Airbus A321neo with registry RP-C4133. The flight arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, using blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sourced from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg, Germany.

Alex Reyes, the Chief Strategy Officer of CEB, emphasized the significance of this move toward sustainability, stating, “Our ongoing re-fleeting with new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft and our continued use of sustainable aviation fuel will also help our decarbonization efforts in making the aviation industry more sustainable.”

CEB’s use of SAF has been a significant step in its sustainable aviation initiatives. The airline previously received a brand-new A320neo aircraft powered by SAF with a 41 percent blend, demonstrating its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental responsibility.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, is a drop-in fuel resembling conventional jet fuels. The use of SAF in aircraft has no adverse impact on performance and requires no adaptations to the engines or aircraft. More significantly, SAF has been shown to result in up to an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions across its entire lifecycle, contributing to the airline’s efforts to combat climate change.

As Cebu Pacific responds to the growing demand for air travel in the Philippines, the company’s decision to increase aircraft deliveries aims to improve operational resiliency. By investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and exploring sustainable solutions like SAF, CEB is positioning itself to address the challenges of the aviation industry while contributing to environmental goals.