Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft converted from passenger to cargo use. The freighter, the first of its type in the Philippines, gives the carrier the ability to bring cargo in and out of destinations served by airports with short runways where only turboprops can take off and land.
The ATR 72-500 is equipped with a Large Cargo Door (LCD), allowing a load of up to seven LD3 containers, or five pallets. The freighter has capacity to carry as much as eight tonnes of
cargo.
The conversion was carried out by Sabena Technics' facility in Dinard, France. The freighter, the first of two passenger aircraft that Cebu Pacific is converting for full cargo use, will be
operated by the carrier's cargo subsidiary Cebgo. The second ATR 72-500 freighter is expected to be delivered in late-2019.
Both aircraft will operate on inter-Philippine routes carrying time sensitive and marine related products.
Growing fleet
In June, Cebu Pacific placed an US$6.8 billion order for 31 next generation aircraft from Airbus, comprising of 16 A330neo and 15 A320neo family aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery
between 2021 and 2026. The latest order is in addition to the 32 A321neo aircraft ordered in 2011, for delivery until 2022.
Asia's oldest low-cost airline currently operates to 36 domestic destinations and 27 international destinations in 17 countries across Asia and Oceania, including Australia, China, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam and the U.S.
Nol van Fenema
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