Cebu Pacific (CEB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with aircraft engine maker Pratt and Whitney (P&W) to secure engines for 15 new narrow body jets in support of its growth plans in the region.
The Gokongwei-led airline said the 15 narrow body jets of the A320/A321 family of aircraft were a part of the order made in 2019 that included 16 A330 NEO aircraft.
“We appreciate Cebu Pacific’s continued confidence in Pratt & Whitney since they initially selected the GTF engine in 2012,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney.
“With deliveries for this most recent order starting in 2025, the GTF engine will provide even more fuel and carbon emissions savings.”
Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, will also provide CEB with geared turbofan (GTF) engine maintenance through an engine wise comprehensive service agreement.
The budget airline earlier bared issues with P&W engines that grounded a number of its aircraft, resulting to a scale back of its growth outlook this year.
The MOU will help strengthen the airline’s operational resilience as it explores opportunities to boost its position in markets in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan where demand for air travel continues to grow after the pandemic.
“This aims to finalize our current order book and help secure our growth up to 2027. In doing so, it also clears the way for us to now focus on the longer term growth through our major fleet request for proposals (RFP) currently underway,” Mike Szucs, Cebu Pacific chief executive, said.
CEB is reviewing proposals from suppliers after it issued in October 2023 the RFP to both Airbus and Boeing for up to 150 narrow-body jets, representing the largest ever commitment of any airline in Philippine aviation.
