Second A330 takes Cebu Pacific a step closer to long-haul debut

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(L-R) CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Ambassador Gilles Garachon of France, Usec Benjamin Martinez Jr and Airbus SVP Sales for Asia-Pacific Jean Francois Laval formally celebrate the arrival of CEB’s brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft with a champagne ceremony.
(L-R) CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Ambassador Gilles Garachon of France, Usec Benjamin Martinez Jr and Airbus SVP Sales for Asia-Pacific Jean Francois Laval formally celebrate the arrival of CEB’s brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft with a champagne ceremony.

LOW-COST carrier Cebu Pacific Air took delivery of its second Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Toulouse France, on Sept. 12, in time for the launch of the airline’s long-haul operations next month.

“Since we started international operations, our focus has always been to fly where Filipinos are,” Cebu Pacific president and chief operating officer Lance Gokongwei said in the ceremony held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with Vice President Jejomar Binay as guest of honor.

“With our flights to Dubai using this brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft, we can bring Global Filipinos home faster, not just to Manila but wherever they may be in the Philippines,” said Gokongwei.

Cebu Pacific will operate direct flights between Manila and Dubai starting Oct. 7, offering 35% lower passenger fares than other carriers.

“We estimate over half a million Filipinos are working and living in the United Arab Emirates, and this figure is bound to increase in the future. When Cebu Pacific launches its long-haul services next month, it will be the first time a Philippine carrier lands in Dubai in 15 years. I hope that this will only inspire Cebu Pacific to remain committed to serving the Global Filipino community,” Binay said.

Cebu Pacific has a fleet of 47 aircraft comprising 10 narrow-body A319 planes, 27 A320s, two A330s and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft.

Between 2013 and 2021, the low-cost carrier will take delivery of 15 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 A321neo and four A330 aircraft.