By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Feb 23 (PNA) — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific on Monday said that the company is set to sell six of its Airbus A319 aircraft to a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company.
Allegiant is parent company to Las Vegas-based low-cost airline, Allegiant Air. Cebu Pacific made the announcement after signing a forward sale agreement with the airline.
According to Cebu Pacific, delivery of aircraft to Allegiant is scheduled this year until 2016.
Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei in a statement welcomed this development saying that the selling of six Airbus A319 is only part of the airline’s commitment to improving services for its passengers.
He also revealed that the airline will soon be adding A321 neo aircraft to its fleet very soon.
“This agreement is in line with (Cebu Pacific’s) efforts to continuously improve operational efficiency by replacing and upgrading our fleet with the larger, more fuel efficient, and longer range A321 neo aircraft,” Gokongwei said.
The A321 neo is the largest model in the A320 neo series, which incorporates new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets.
The advances will deliver fuel savings of 20 percent and additional payload or range capability. The fuel savings translate into some 5,000 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year.
In addition, the aircraft will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.
At present, Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of 54 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft.
Between this year and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of seven more brand-new Airbus A320, 1 Airbus A330, and 30 Airbus A321 neo aircraft. (PNA)