Cebu Pacific on Friday took delivery of its eighth aircraft this year, a brand new A320neo from Airbus’ final assembly line (FAL) in Tianjin, China to address the growing demand for air travel.
“We are thrilled to welcome this delivery, which is a major milestone for both Airbus and Cebu Pacific. This is in line with our fleet plan which aims to support our overall growth ambitions as travel demand continues to recover,” Michael Szucs, Cebu Pacific chief executive, said.
The A320neo will operate using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with a 41 percent blend on flights from Tianjin to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, marking a major milestone for CEB’s sustainable aviation initiatives.
Cebu Pacific is accepting a total of 15 aircraft delivery for 2023. It ordered 10 brand new Airbus NEO aircraft in 2023 to support its objective of transitioning to a more fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028.
On top of this, the airline is also receiving five additional aircraft via long-term lease.
“Cebu Pacific has been the Philippine leader in propelling decarbonization in the aviation industry. This aircraft delivery, powered by SAF, demonstrates our commitment to providing safe, convenient, and reliable travel for our customers, while building a greener and more sustainable future.”
Alex Reyes, Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer
SAF is a drop-in fuel, with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptation to the aircraft or engine and does not have any negative impact on performance. The use of SAF results in up to 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle.
The narrow-body aircraft features 188 seats made by world-renowned seat manufacturer Recaro, providing passengers with more comfort with its slim and ergonomic design. The aircraft is also 20 percent more fuel efficient than its previous generation, able to consume as little as 2.46 kilograms of fuel per seat per 100 kilometers.
