Philippines’ low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air signed a firm order for 16 Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft. At list prices, the contract is worth $4.8 billion.

After adopting the A320neo family, Cebu Pacific will now use the A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, to increase capacity on high-density lines, the low-cost carrier said in a statement. The aircraft ordered by the low-cost carrier will be delivered in a single-class configuration of 460 seats and deployed on routes towards the Philippines, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Delivery dates of the sixteen aircraft are spread between 2021 and 2024. By that time, Cebu Pacific expects to operate an all-next generation Airbus fleet.

“The A330neo is integral to our fleet modernization program,” said Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific. “With this purchase, we aim to reduce our fuel emission and build a more sustainable operation. This will also give us the lowest cost per seat, at the same time enabling CEB to increase seat capacity and maximize valuable airport slots in Manila and other Asian megacities”.

During the Paris Air Show in June 2019, Cebu Pacific signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire 16 A330neos, 10 A321XLRs, and five A320neos, valued at $6 billion at list prices. 

Currently, the Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of a total of 74 aircraft, including 31 Airbus A320 (out of which 3 A321neo and 4 A320neo), and 8 A330 that this new order aims to replace. Its subsidiary Cebgo also operates an array of ATR turboprops “to service inter-island flights in the Philippines where jet operations are not possible”.

The A330neo wide-body aircraft entered service with TAP Air Portugal in December 2018. So far, 29 aircraft of the type have been delivered. Including Cebu’s order, Airbus now has a total of 276 A330neos ordered.