The company said on Tuesday it took delivery of a brand-new Airbus A321Neo on April 2 while seven more planes from manufacturers Airbus and ATR were set to arrive for the remainder of 2021.
Cebu Pacific said the delivery was in line with its fleet expansion and the replacement of older planes that burn more fuel.
Operated by Gokongwei-led Cebu Air Inc., Cebu Pacific officials had previously said the refleeting program was under review given the severe impact caused by the global health crisis.
“Prepandemic, we have already started embarking on our long-term vision and fleet strategy, which includes an orderly exit of older aircraft,” Mark Cezar, Cebu Pacific deputy chief finance officer, said in a statement. “We envision the total CEB fleet to be composed of new-generation aircraft in the next few years.”
Airlines in the country and overseas have seen air travel demand collapse due to the pandemic-induced travel restrictions last year.
Recovery in domestic aviation has been slower for countries like the Philippines where carriers were forced to deal with a myriad of local government rules.
The recent surge in COVID-19 infections also prompted local carriers to cancel flights and temporarily suspend routes, hurting their businesses further.
