Cebu Pacific has taken delivery of its sixth aircraft for the year, an ATR 72-600 turboprop (RP-C7295), further solidifying its commitment to inter-island connectivity within the country. The brand-new aircraft arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila on 05 June 2024.
“With over 7,100 islands in the Philippines, investing in turboprop aircraft is crucial to serve passengers traveling between islands. This delivery expands our turboprop fleet to 15 aircraft, with a sixteenth arriving in October. This will make CEB the operator of the largest turboprop fleet in the Philippines, enabling us to connect more passengers across the country,” said CEB Chief Executive Officer Michael Szucs.
CEB’s turboprop fleet serves 25 domestic destinations, flying nearly 2.5 million passengers annually. These destinations, including Camiguin, Calbayog, Siargao, Masbate, Surigao, Busuanga, and Naga, are often only accessible by turboprop or smaller aircraft.
The ATR 72-600, manufactured by Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) in France and Italy, is one of the latest generation of twin-engine turboprop airliners used by multiple airlines worldwide for regional routes.
According to ATR, the 72-600 can operate on short, narrow, and unpaved runways, making it suitable for steep approaches and high-altitude landings and takeoffs. With a capacity of around 78 passengers and a maximum range of 1,300 kilometers depending on payload, the ATR 72-600 effectively connects smaller destinations.
CEB also boasts a diversified commercial fleet of 08 Airbus 330s, 39 Airbus 320s, and 21 Airbus 321s, offering the most extensive network coverage in the Philippines.