Cebu Pacific initiates total fleet renewal with A320 Family

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ second largest carrier, has initiated a total fleet renewal programme with the delivery of its first A320. The A320 is being leased from CIT Aerospace and will be followed by a second leased aircraft in June 2005. Deliveries of the first of twelve purchased A319s will commence in September 2005 and continue until 2007. The new fleet of fourteen A320 Family aircraft will totally replace its existing fleet of twelve DC-9 and three 757 aircraft on the airlines’ regional and domestic network that currently extends to 14 destinations from Manila and six from Cebu.

The A320 and A319s will be respectively configured in 179-seater and 150-seater all economy configuration, with all aircraft powered by CFMI CFM-56 engines.

Cebu Pacific is a new Airbus operator in the Asia - Pacific region and one of many low cost carriers from the region to select A320 Family aircraft during the past year. The A320 Family has a widespread reputation across the region for high dispatch reliability even on short hops, with wide aisles facilitating quick turnarounds for efficient operations. Over 360 A320 Family aircraft are already in service with 30 airlines from the region.

“We are confident that our partnership with Airbus will further boost our already-strong presence in the domestic front, and support us considerably as we delve further into the region. Furthermore, the Cebu Pacific Airbus team-up will surely play a key role in the development of our country’s tourism, which is a vital component of the airline’s Vision and Mission.” said Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

“Airbus is delighted to welcome Cebu Pacific to the family of Airbus operators in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. I am confident that the A320 Family’s combination of low operating costs, high on-time performance and outstanding passenger appeal will prove to a further boost to the airline’s reputation amongst its passengers in the Philippines market” said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

The A320 Family offers optimum cabin comfort in its class, reflecting a common commitment that is found in all Airbus aircraft. And like all the passenger aircraft that Airbus produces today, it features many modern technology features at no extra charge – such as advanced fuel-saving aerodynamics, including winglets, widespread weight-saving carbonfibre composites, and pilot and maintenance-friendly fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.

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