As demand for air travel continues to rise, Cebu Pacific, the major Philippine airline, has upped the number of aircraft deliveries it has scheduled for 2023 from 15 to a record high of 21.
Using blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), CEB’s ninth aircraft delivery for 2023, an Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option), flew from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg, Germany to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
In order to maintain Cebu Pacific’s commitment to provide safe, dependable, and reasonably priced air travel, the airline’s Chief Strategy Officer at CEB, Alex Reyes, highlights the recently delivered aircrafts as a strategy to increase operational resilience. Reyes adds that the airline is continuing its re-fleeting with new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft, and its use of sustainable aviation fuel, all of which will contribute to the airline’s decarbonisation efforts and the overall sustainability of the aviation industry.
In total, 21 planes are scheduled to be delivered this year; 17 of them will be NEOs, while the other 4 will be CEOs (Current Engine Option) on short-term lease. The airline plans to completely convert to NEO aircraft, which are more fuel-efficient, by 2028.
An important step forward for CEB’s sustainable aviation initiatives was reached on June 30th, when the company took delivery of a brand new A320neo from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin, China, powered by SAF with a blend of 41%.
SAF is a direct replacement for regular jet fuel because it shares its properties. There’s no need to modify the plane or the engines, and it doesn’t slow them down. When compared to conventional fossil fuels, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 80 percent.
