MANILA, Philippines – Gokongwei-led budget carrier Cebu Pacific said Wednesday, July 24 it signed operating lease deals for two new Airbus A330-300s with Intrepid Aviation as it starts long-haul flights.
The Airbus jets will be delivered between 2014 and 2015. Intrepid is a US-based commercial aircraft lessor.
“With our A330 fleet strengthened by this lease agreement, we will continue exploring other regions we can serve such as the Middle East, Australia, parts of Europe and the US. These additional wide-body aircraft will allow us to offer Cebu Pacific’s trademark lowest fares to even more passengers,” Cebu Pacific general manager for long-haul division Alex Reyes said.
Cebu Pacific will launch its first long-haul flight to Dubai from Manila on October 7.
The airline has an existing fleet of 46 aircraft consisting of 27 Airbus A320s, 10 A319s, 8 ATR 72-500s, and one A330.
It is scheduled to take delivery of 15 more Airbus A320s, 30 A321neo aircraft orders, and 5 A330s (including the two from Intrepid) under operating lease agreements between 2013 and 2021.
Since its inception in 1996, Cebu Pacific has flown over 75 million passengers. In the first half of 2013, it booked an 8% growth in the number of passengers to 7.5 million from 6.9 million.
Cebu Pacific flies to 22 international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.
It also operates the most extensive route network in the Philippines, consisting of 34 destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo and Davao. – Rappler.com
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