Cebu Pacific to order 30 A321neo aircraft

Low cost carrier also exercises options for seven more A320s

Cebu Pacific of the Philippines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A321neo aircraft. The carrier has also exercised existing options for seven more standard A320s, increasing to 41 its total firm orders for the Airbus single aisle product line. The aircraft will join an existing fleet of A319s and A320s flying on the carrier's fast growing domestic and regional network. 

"The A320 Family has played a key role in enabling us to build an efficient, profitable, value-based business," said Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific President and CEO. "The addition of more A320s and the A321neo allows us to expand further in the Asia-Pacific region, and continue offering our trademark low fares." 

Cebu Pacific's extensive network covers 33 domestic and 16 international destinations, including Osaka, Seoul (Incheon), Beijing, Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore. 

"We are pleased that Cebu Pacific has reaffirmed its commitment to the A320 Family and is also now set to add the A321neo to its fleet," said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. "With the A321neo Cebu Pacific will be able to fly more people further at significantly lower cost per seat than any other competing aircraft, and with less impact on the environment." 

The A321neo is the largest model in the recently launched A320neo series, which incorporates new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets. The advances will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent and additional range capability of over 500 nautical miles (950 kilometers), or the ability to carry two tonnes more payload at a given range. For the environment, the fuel savings translate into some 3,600 tonnes less CO₂ per aircraft per year. In addition, the aircraft will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise. 

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo series will have over 95% airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets.

The new engines types offered on the A320neo Family are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.