Summary

  • Cebu Pacific added a new A321neo to its fleet, increasing capacity and expanding its network.
  • The aircraft made a brief stop in Oman and Vietnam before arriving at Manila, its new home base.
  • The A321neo is supporting Cebu Pacific’s goals of meeting growing demand and building operational resilience.

After placing a massive agreement with Airbus for up to 152 new aircraft last week, the induction of one new A321neo at Cebu Pacific a few days later seems relatively tame, although the impact that one new plane can have on an airline’s capacity is significant. The latest addition to the fleet entered service on July 4 and is now flying regularly across the airline’s domestic network.

How it got to Manila

When new aircraft are delivered the ferry flight can throw up some interesting destinations, most of which the aircraft will never operate to again in its lifetime with Cebu Pacific (Cebu). This aircraft had a relatively straightforward delivery from the Airbus final assembly line in Hamburg, Germany, to Cebu’s home base in Manilla, the capital of the Philippines.

A Cebu Pacific Airbus A321neo Taking Off.

Photo: Airbus

On June 29, 2024, the Airbus A321neo, registered RP-C4143 and carrying MSN 11834, departed Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XFW) at 11:25 and, after a 6:59 hour flight, landed in the Middle East at Oman’s Muscat International Airport (MCT) at 20:24. It looks like it was just a stop to refuel as the A321neo left Oman at 21:40 bound for Vietnam, landing after a 7:04 hour flight at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) at 07:44 on June 30.

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The final leg involved a short 2:38-hour flight departing Ho Chi Minh City at 17:08 to its new home at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), where it arrived at 20:46. According to the Flightradar24 tracking data, the aircraft was on the ground until it entered service on July 4.

Cebu Pacific Airbus A321 RP-C4143

The Airbus A321neo commenced service with Cebu Pacific on July 4 with a return domestic flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan Airport (CGY). Since then, it has been kept busy flying around eight domestic sectors daily, including from Manila to destinations such as Butuan (BXU), Bacolod City (BCD), Davao City (DVO), Liollo (ILO) and Panglao (TAG).

A321neos are for expansion and reliability

The Cebu fleet contains 85 aircraft, including 37 Airbus A320s, 22 A321s, eight A330s and 15 ATR turboprops. Commenting on the new A321neo, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said:

“This aircraft delivery reaffirms our commitment to providing safe, affordable and accessible flights for every Juan. We look forward to carrying more passengers to their chosen destinations as we continue to expand not only our network but also our fleet.”

Cebu Pacific Air aircraft parked at the gates shutterstock_2151045773

Photo: Johann Kirby Datoy | Shutterstock
 

The latest A321neo is the seventh aircraft delivery for Cebu Pacific this year, and the new planes are supporting the airline’s goals of meeting growing demand and building more resilience in its operations. Cebu has quite a young fleet with an average age of 5.8 years, although its A320neo, A321neo and A330neo aircraft average less than three years.

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With Cebu Pacific expecting to close the deal in Q3, the finalized agreement could be announced at the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow.

It has been a momentous month for Cebu, which inducted its seventh aircraft and signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for up to 152 A321neo jets. At list prices, the order is worth $24 billion and is the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history. Airbus and Cebu Pacific expect to complete the transaction in the third quarter of 2024.

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