CAAP defers action on Cebu Pacific petition to fly to and from Europe

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said its action on the bid of budget airline Cebu Air Inc., operator of Cebu Pacific, to fly to and from Europe was moved to March 2014 from this month because it is preoccupied with Yolanda relief operations.

 

In an interview with reporters, CAAP deputy director general Captain John Andrews said the presentation to the European Union Cebu Air had hoped to do this November will likely be done next January.

 

“(T)hat is being postponed to January now because of the present situation,” Andrews said.

 

He added that the EU usually reviews aviation safety compliance matters in March and November.

 

A $4-billion refleeting program is underway at the airline and it involves long-haul flights to Europe and the United States using Airbus aircraft.

 

Last July, Cebu Pacific added a fifth Airbus A320 jet to its fleet of aircraft and will take delivery 50 more leased aircraft until 2021 as part of a long-range plan to strengthen long-haul operations.

 

The latest leased jet increases the size of the Cebu Pacific fleet to 46. The airline now has 27 Airbus A320s, 10 A319s, eight ATR 72-500, and an A330.

 

Cebu Pacific leases its aircraft from Intrepid Aviation. Two new Airbus A330-300 are expected to be delivered over the next two years.  — ELR, GMA News