Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) is close to finalising an order for either A330neo or B787 widebody aircraft, the chief executive of the Filipino low-cost carrier, Lance Gokongwei, has told Reuters.
The airline is looking for an order that schedules deliveries for 2020 and 2021, Gokongwei said, though he declined to specify the precise number of aircraft. The new widebodies will replace the airline's existing fleet of eight A330-300s, most of which are leased and will be gradually phased out.
Gokongwei also told shareholders on May 30 that Cebu Pacific planned to expand its fleet with more fuel-efficient, new-generation aircraft. The carrier's fleet is currently composed of thirty-three A320-200s, seven A321-200s, and one A321neo.
Ian Wolfe, executive advisor for engineering and fleet management at the airline, told Air Transport World in March that Cebu was considering an order of between thirteen and sixteen widebody jets.
By 2022, the airline's existing A330 fleet will have an age of around eight years, already older than Cebu's target, he said. According to the ch-aviation fleets ownership module, Cebu Pacific leases its fleet of eight A330-300s from Park Aerospace Holdings (three units), Voyager Aviation (two), and DAE Capital (one), while two are owned by Cebu's in-house leasing firm Cebu Aircraft Leasing.
