As part of efforts to promote environmentally friendly aviation, Cebu Pacific (CEB) has created history by successfully completing the country’s first all-electric aircraft turnaround at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The project was carried out in collaboration with Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), which manages MCIA, and TLD Asia, a global supplier of electric ground support equipment.

The electric turnaround was performed by an Airbus A321neo on CEB flight 5J566 en route to Manila.

Only electric GSE used

Unlike standard turnarounds, which require fuel-powered equipment, this operation only used electric GSE, including baggage tractors, lower deck loaders, pushback tractors, and bridge-mounted power units.

Passenger boarding, baggage and freight handling, and aircraft pushback were all carried out using zero-emission technology.

“This milestone demonstrates our strong commitment to decarbonizing our operations and assisting airports with similar sustainability ambitions. We are pleased to be the first airline in the Philippines to completely turn around an airplane with electric equipment. It is even more significant since it was completed in Cebu, where our airline originated,” CEB operations officer chief Javier Massot stated.

The successful demonstration, according to ACAC, is only the start of an airport’s sustainable future.

Green innovations support

“Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation is committed to supporting green innovations that align with our commitment to environmental sustainability. We are thrilled to work with our airline partners to promote sustainable practices that will have a long-lasting, positive impact, and the installation of electric GSE units at MCIA is a meaningful step in this journey,” ACAC CEO Athanasios Titonis said.

TLD Asia also emphasized how important it is to collaborate in order to lower emissions throughout the aviation sector.

Investing in new technologies

Meanwhile, TLD Asia Sales and Service Area manager Alvin Ygoña said that to support their growing GSE portfolio, TLD will keep investing in the newest technologies, enabling them to provide their customers with the most eco-friendly ramp equipment to benefit operations, customers, and our planet.

As part of the airline’s larger sustainability roadmap, which also includes fleet modernization, the use of renewable energy and increased operational efficiency across all airport hubs, this endeavor expands on CEB’s previous rollout of electric GSE at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The airline also supports the goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is set by the global aviation industry.