For Cebu Pacific, the sky really has no bounderies and has no limits.
Recently, the airline company has signed a landmark purchase agreement with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney for up to 152 A321neo aircraft, equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.
To celebrate this latest milestone the airline company threw a celebratory party held at the Mariott Hotel in Manila graced by who’s who in the airline, business and tourism industries plus key government figures.
Present during the affair were Cebu Pacific chair Lance Gokongwei, First Lady Liza Marcos, Airbus EVP Sales of Commercial Aircraft business Benoit De Saint-Exupery, Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Officer Michael Szucs, Pratt & Whitney President of Commercial Engines Rick Deurloo, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco.
I was so fortunate to be part the occasion wherein the airline company signified that it’s in full throttle in reaching for greater heights.
Ladies arrived at the event wearing formal Filipiniana attire while the gentlemen in their best barongs. Yours truly proudly flaunted my Kaayo-designed ensemble loaned by generous friends.
It was a proud moment for Cebu Pacific as the acquisition, which has a minimum commitment of 70 aircraft, is the largest in Philippine aviation history, valued at approximately USD 24 billion (P1.4 trillion) based on list prices for the entire 152 aircraft order.
This purchase agreement reflects Cebu Pacific’s unwavering optimism for the future of air travel and steadfast commitment to meeting the evolving needs of passengers.
“The selection of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney underscores our focus on operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that we continue to deliver the highest standards of service while significantly reducing our carbon footprint. This milestone signals our ongoing dedication to expanding air travel accessibility and affordability while supporting the Philippines’ broader economic growth and connectivity goals,” said Szucs.
Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney, said this latest order demonstrates the growing opportunities for aviation in the Philippines and the larger Asia Pacific region. The GTF engine will enable Cebu Pacific to continue to expand the number of routes it offers to passengers while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits.
The celebration was sealed with a toast led by Gokongwei and Marcos then a stellar number from the Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.
The affair was capped with a performance from Mindanao-based reggae band, Oh Caraga.
Gratitude to Cebu Pacific Air especially to Ms. Roxanne Manrique Gochuico, Carmina Reyes Romero, Michelle Eve De Guzman, Sir Erwin Sanchez Colcol, and Sir Jarren Mateo for the invite.
