Cebu Pacific Air has ordered 16 ATR 72-600s which will be the first aircraft of the turboprop model to be fitted with the manufacturer's high-density Armonia cabin.

The Philippine carrier, which also took options on 10 additional -600s, currently operates a fleet of eight ATR 72-500s, which will be retired as the new aircraft enter service from August 2018, says the manufacturer.

It adds that the Armonia cabin will feature 78 slim-line seats and wider overhead bins offering 30% more stowage space.

Some 330 ATRs – including more than 100 ATR 72-600s – are operated by 55 airlines in the Asia-Pacific region, the airframer indicates.

Cebu Pacific chief executive Lance Gokongwei notes that the airline has been operating ATRs since 2008 to provide "safe, reliable, and affordable air transport to smaller cities and islands throughout the Philippines". He adds: "This order is an affirmation of our commitment to extend the convenience of affordable air travel to even more communities.

"We are very pleased to be the launch customer of this new configuration of the ATR 72-600, as this will allow us to offer our customers more seats at even lower fares."

Source: Cirium Dashboard