Philippines’ budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has signed an agreement with CIT Aerospace, a subsidiary of US-based CIT Group, to lease four new Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
The leased A330s will be used to serve new markets outside Asia, beyond the range of its current fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, in line with the company’s plans to launch long-haul flights next year.
CEB Long-Haul Division general manager, Alex Reyes, said: "These Airbus A330-300 aircraft will allow us to offer our trademark low fares to an even wider market."
He continued: "With the introduction of wide-body aircraft into our fleet, we could offer non-stop services into Australia, India, the Middle East and parts of Europe and the US."
The company said that the four Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engine powered Airbus jets will be delivered between 2013 and 2014.CEB has reported a 14% system-wide passenger rise in 2011 and has flown over 60 million passengers since its inception in 1996.
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By GlobalDataThe airline currently serves 19 international destinations, which include Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.
CEB also operates flights to 33 domestic destinations in Philippines including hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao.
The budget carrier operates a fleet of 38 aircraft which comprise 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft.
Cebu Air is expected to receive 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and two Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements between 2012 and 2021.
A330-300 jetliner featuring the new digital fly-by-wire flight controls has a range of up to 5,450 nautical miles while carrying 300 passengers. CIT owns or finances a fleet of about 300 aircraft.
Image: The four leased A330-300 aircraft will serve new markets outside Asia. Photo: Airbus
