In the face of increased aircraft groundings, particularly those powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is setting its sights on operating 91 aircraft by the end of 2024.
As of 2023, the airline’s fleet consisted of 14 ATR 72 aircraft, 54 Airbus A320 family aircraft, and eight Airbus A330 family aircraft, culminating the year with 76 operational aircraft.
Looking ahead to 2024, Cebu Pacific plans to bring two additional turboprop aircraft into service, accept delivery of two Airbus A330neo aircraft, and incorporate 11 more Airbus A320 family aircraft into its fleet.
In total, the airline anticipates adding 15 more aircraft before the year concludes, bringing the total to 91.
Cebu Pacific said that it expects to ground multiple Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft in February 2024 for extensive inspections of Pratt & Whitney-powered aircraft.
The airline has also noted that grounded aircraft are taking longer to return to service due to heightened maintenance requirements and global supply chain issues.
To counter these challenges, Cebu Pacific took delivery of 19 aircraft (a mix of used and new) and engines in 2023.
However, the acquisition of brand-new aircraft has been hampered by delays, with Airbus informing the airline of expected delivery delays ranging from two to five months for at least the next three years.
Despite these setbacks, Cebu Pacific has capitalized on opportunities to accept brand-new aircraft from the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, China.
The severity of the aircraft shortage has compelled the airline to lease older Airbus A320ceo aircraft and damp lease two A320s operated by Bulgaria Air to supplement its Cebu and Davao trunk routes.
Currently, the low-cost carrier is making every effort to acquire more aircraft to compensate for those grounded for maintenance.
Last year, Cebu Pacific was forced to reduce frequencies and eliminate routes due to the aircraft shortage, prompting the airline to concentrate more on core routes and restructure its schedules.
Interestingly, AUP has noted an increased deployment of ATR aircraft in place of Airbus jets at its Cebu and Davao hubs.
Massive aircraft orders looming
Cebu Pacific is mulling a substantial order of 100-150 new narrowbody jets as part of its ambitious fleet expansion.
The primary contenders for this massive project are the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX.
In late 2023, Cebu Pacific sent requests for proposals (RFPs) to both European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and American planemaker Boeing.
AUP has learned that the airline is in the process of extensively evaluating the two proposals, but a decision is expected within the first half of the year.
These new aircraft are expected to be based mainly at the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) when it opens in 2027.
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