Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific has firmed up orders for 12 Airbus A319s powered by CFM International CFM56 engines. Cebu selected the A319 over the Boeing 717 in June (Flight International, 6-12 July), but a formal contract was not signed until last week.
The airline also says it has a signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an undisclosed lessor to lease two new 168-seat Airbus A320s to be delivered in April and May 2005. The 150-seat A319s, to be financed mainly by European credit agencies, will be delivered from September 2005 until February 2007.
Cebu says it has signed an MoU for a total care package from CFMI, but this contract has not yet been finalised.
The 14 A320 family aircraft will replace Cebu's fleet of 12 110-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9s and three leased 179-seat Boeing 757-200s. The carrier, the second largest in the Philippines, offers a no-frills all-economy service in most domestic markets and to regional international destinations.
JESSICA ANDREWS / LONDON
Source: Flight International
