Cebu Pacific, a low-cost airline based in the Philippines, plans to surpass pre-pandemic capacity by June and is making 2023 the year for maximum development and quick recovery. In order to fulfill the growing passenger demand in the post-pandemic worldwide market, the carrier with headquarters in Manila recently announced plans to increase fleet capabilities.
Cebu Pacific now flies at least 279 flights per day on 85 different destinations using a fleet of 65 aircraft, including ATR 72s, Airbus A320-200s, A320neos, A321-200s, and A330neos. The low-cost carrier will invest about $650 million to acquire 15 new aircraft this year but has goals to satisfy expanding demand, surpass pre-pandemic levels shortly, and replace the lost long-haul capacity after being finished with the older Airbus A330-300s.
Five of the 15 new aircraft scheduled for the fleet this year will be leased mid-life models from separate lessors. The remaining ten will be made up of numerous Airbus A320neos and A321neos, as well as one Airbus A330neo registered RP-C3906 that will be delivered in the following months to aid with long-haul capacity levels.
After suffering months of losses and having to overcome several obstacles on the way to recovery last year, Cebu Pacific entered this year with newfound optimism as the low-cost carrier saw the potential to expand. The airline anticipates going back into the black within this quarter, so it appears that its eventual development is paying off. All that seems to be needed at this point is for the fleet growth to proceed without a hitch and for the global network to be fully operational again.