Regional air links fuel CEB strategy

Regional air links fuel CEB strategy | Daily Tribune

By Maria Romero

@tribunephl_mbr

Cebu Pacific (CEB) aims to enhance inter-island connectivity using its turboprop fleet, as ongoing improvements in regional airport infrastructure continue to support the budget carrier’s expansion beyond Metro Manila.

“Obviously, because of the development of regional airports in the Philippines, we hope that some of the infrastructure outside Manila can support jets and we would be happy to create more routes,” CEB president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao told reporters in a recent interview.

Lao noted that the government’s push to develop provincial airports not only enhances the safety and availability of air transport across the country but also supports the expansion of airlines like Cebu Pacific.

CEB continues to deploy its turboprop fleet on shorter routes, particularly those originating from its Cebu hub.

Huge potentials remain

“I think it’s not about a reduction of our turboprop operations per se. It’s about utilizing the ones we have to continue growing in jet operations. There’s still a lot of potential, for example, for inter-island routes like Cebu,” Lao explained.

To help decongest the country’s main gateway, the Manila International Airport Authority wanted to relocate turboprop operations out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

As such, CEB has recently adjusted some of its turboprop services in response to infrastructure limitations.

“We have already done the initial transfer, so for example, our operations to Masbate and Siargao are now at Clark (airport). We intend to follow whatever that regulation looks like,” he said.

CEB remains the largest carrier in the country, operating both domestically and internationally. It currently serves 37 local destinations through its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Davao.

Internationally, it flies to 26 destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The airline operates a fleet of 98 aircraft — including Airbus A320, A321, A330, and ATR models — which comprises the youngest jet fleet in the country.