CEB secures damp lease to meet demand

Budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) is expanding its fleet to ensure more available seats for passengers during the busy holiday season through a damp lease agreement with Bulgaria Air.

The Gokongwei-led firm said Thursday the deal will bring in two Airbus A320ceo aircraft from Bulgaria Air to serve four domestic routes — Manila to Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro — from December 2025 to January 2026.

Each aircraft has a capacity of 180 seats.

Under the agreement, Bulgaria Air will provide the aircraft, pilots, maintenance, and insurance, while Cebu Pacific will deploy its own cabin crew.

“We are continuously exploring ways to expand our fleet and ensure operational resilience,” said Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao.

“Our damp lease agreement with Bulgaria Air will allow us to meet strong travel demand from December 2025 to January 2026.”

Bulgaria Air, the national carrier of the Republic of Bulgaria, has extensive experience in aircraft leasing, having partnered with airlines around the world.

“We are pleased to partner with Cebu Pacific – one of the most dynamically developing airlines in Asia,” said Chairman of the Management Board of Bulgarian Airways Group Hristo Todorov.

“This collaboration is yet another testament to the high level of trust and professionalism that our team delivers in the implementation of international leasing projects.”