MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' largest budget airline Cebu Air Inc has ordered 16 Airbus planes worth $4.8 billion, the carrier said Monday, as it aims to expand carrying capacity with larger, more fuel-efficient jets. Cebu Air, commonly referred to as Cebu Pacific, said it sees the long-range A330neo jetliner as key to lowering its per-seat costs and maximising the airport slots it already has. "The A330neo aircraft is integral to our fleet modernization program," Cebu Air president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei said in a statement. Cebu Pacific has a fleet of 74 planes, most of which are from Airbus, and has received eight new aircraft this year, the majority also Airbus planes. The order comes as the budget airline flew more than 20 million people in 2018, up three percent year-on-year.

Source: Philippine Star November 04, 2019 05:48 UTC