Cebu Pacific has ordered four more turbo-prop ATR 72-500 aircraft that will be used for smaller airports like Caticlan (Boracay), bringing to ten its total firm orders worth more than US$ 178million.
Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific president, said the additional aircraft will allow Cebu Pacific to serve more cities whose runways are too short for its Airbus fleet.
“This is a huge confidence vote for the Philippines, for our tourism sector, and our business model as a provider of quality service at affordable fares. It is also a signal to the flying public that our service and the business opportunities we help generate are now at their doorsteps,” he said.
The Philippines has seventy five airports, of which only about twenty five can accommodate Cebu Pacific’s Airbus fleet.
Areas with smaller airports, like Caticlan, will likely experience a business boom as the 72-seat ATRs bring in more tourists and businessmen, he said. The Caticlan service will start on February 29, 2008, using Cebu Pacific’s first ATR.
“Our expanding service will unlock the beauty and natural wealth of our archipelago. We have hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao and hopefully Clark. All of these can be staging points for travel to what up to now are largely inaccessible destinations,” he said.
CEB announced earlier its acquisition of up to fourteen ATR aircraft consisting of six firm orders and eight options. This is on top of the up to 20 Airbus jets worth $1.3 billion it announced last year.
The Toulouse, France-based regional aircraft manufacturer, Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) is the world leader in the 50 to 74 seat turboprop market.
Cebu Pacific will take delivery of the first six ATRs in 2008 and four in 2009. The airline will also take delivery of four Airbus A320 aircraft in 2008, bringing its fleet to twenty five by the end of 2008.
“From our current fleet of 15 Airbus aircraft, we could have a fleet of up to 50 aircraft composed of 32 Airbus and 18 ATR by the end of 2012 if all options are converted into firm orders,” he said.
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