Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has placed firm orders for six ATR 72-500s and taken options on eight more in a breakthrough deal for the manufacturer in the Philippine market.
A spokeswoman from the Manila-based airline said that deliveries of the turboprops are due to begin early next year and all six firm-ordered examples are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2008. She added that if the options are exercised the eight additional aircraft will be delivered between 2009 and 2013.
ATI reported last month that ATR was close to a deal to sell aircraft to Cebu Pacific while manufacturer Bombardier was close to a deal to sell Dash 8 Q300s to rival Air Philippines in the manufacturers’ first new-aircraft sales deals in the Philippines. Air Philippines recently confirmed an order with Bombardier for three Q300s.
Cebu Pacific currently only operates Airbus A320-family aircraft and the spokeswoman saidthe turboprops are intended for domestic routes to destinations the larger Airbus aircraft cannot serve, such as Caticlan, which is a gateway to the popular tourist island of Boracay.
Caticlan is currently served by smaller operators Asian Spirit and Seair with older turboprop types, although Air Philippines plans to begin serving it with its new Q300s.
“There are around 70 airports in the Philippines but only 25 can accommodate the Airbus so that is why we have ordered the ATRs,” she said.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
