Cebu Pacific orders 16 planes worth $673M

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific ordered at the Paris air show 16 units of ATR72-600 from ATR, the European Turboprop aircraft manufacturer.

Cebu Pacific and ATR said the order includes options to acquire an additional 10 ATR72-600, valuing the total aircraft order at $673 million, based on current list prices.

The transaction will see Cebu Pacific double its turboprop fleet size as part of its fleet renewal program, subject to the execution of final purchase documentation, the budget carrier said Tuesday, June 16.

Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will be retired as the new aircraft enter service.

“The entry into service of the ATR 72-600 will see Cebu Pacific with new generation aircraft to meet growing demand in the Philippines for inter-island services,” the budget carrier said in a statement.

The ATR 72-600 ordered by Cebu Pacific will be equipped, for the first time, with the high density Armonia cabin, the widest cabin in the turboprop market. A technological innovation to further enhance space and comfort for passengers, the aircraft will be equipped with 78 slim-line seats and wider overhead bins with 30% more stowage space.

The ATR 72-600 has the lowest cost per seat mile in the 70 seat segment, with lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to similar class aircraft, the announcement said.

Other features of the ATR 72-600 include:

• Passenger capacity: 68 to 78 seats
• Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 127M
• Maximum take-off power: 2,750 horsepower per engine
• Maximum take-off weight: 23,000 kg
• Maximum load: 7,500 kg
• Maximum range when fully loaded: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)

Partnership

Cebu Pacific said the ATR 72-600 order will allow the budget carrier to expand its operations to several other airports around the country. 

Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lance Y. Gokongwei said that the airline has been operating ATR aircraft since 2008, enabling them to bring safe, reliable, and affordable air transport to smaller cities and islands throughout the Philippines.

“This order is an affirmation of our commitment to extend the convenience of affordable air travel to even more communities. We are very pleased to be the launch customer of this new configuration of the ATR 72-600, as this will allow us to offer our customers more seats at even lower fares,” Gokongwei said. 

ATR CEO Patrick de Castelbajac said the firm is happy to continue its partnership with Cebu Pacific.

“Cebu Pacific will also be able to benefit from the vast support network for ATR operators in Asia. When their first ATR 72-600 arrives, there will be 5 ATR pilot training centers in the region,” De Castelbajac said.

About 330 ATRs, including more than 100 ATR 72-600s, are currently operated by 55 airlines in the Asia-Pacific. – Rappler.com