Cebu Pacific eyes fleet of over 80

Cebu Pacific is looking to grow its fleet to over 80 aircraft in the next five years to support the expansion of its operations.

In a statement, the budget carrier said the plan would cover the placement of orders for 30 new Airbus A321neos between 2017 and 2021 to add to its existing fleet of 56 aircraft.

For its brand-new fleet of A321neos aircraft, the airline has placed an order for the SL3510 seat model from Recaro Aircraft Seating, which is among the world’s top three aircraft seat makers.

Cebu Pacific is the first airline in the Southeast Asian region to order the SL3510 seat, which is one of the lightest economy seats available in the market.

“We have always been a firm advocate of innovative and economic solutions that ensure the best travel experience for our passengers,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei said.

“It is with this mission in mind that we have decided to equip our upcoming brandnew Airbus A321neos with Recaro SL3510 seats. The ergonomic seats will not only contribute to our valued guests’ comfort on- board, but also help us reduce fuel burn with their lightweight, cost-efficient design. We look forward to providing even more affordable and enjoyable flights to all our customers,” he added.

According to the International Air Transport Association, more than half of all air travel will pass within the Asia Pacific region in the next 20 years.

Amid expectations of growth in air travel in Asia Pacific, both Cebu Pacific and Recaro want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the rising demand in the region.

“The fact that Cebu Pacific Air will significantly increase its fleet size over the next five years alone reflects the growing demand for flights and the steep increase in air traffic in the region,” said Mark Hillers, chief executive officer and shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

“Both our companies are prepared and eager to serve Asia Pacific,” he added.

Last year, Cebu Pacific carried a total of 18.4 million passengers, 8.9 percent higher than the 16.9 million in 2014.

For this year, the carrier including subsidiary Cebgo wants to serve close to 20 million passengers through its over 90 routes.