The Philippines' largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air took delivery of two brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in the last two weeks, and expects delivery of two more in late October and December 2011.

“Accepting delivery of more brand-new aircraft is always exciting for us at CEB. Not only because our expansion plans are on track, but also because it allows us to continue providing the lowest fares possible, and even more travel convenience and options,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

The airline earlier announced increased domestic flight frequencies this October, in line with the delivery of new aircraft. This includes additional flights to top Philippine tourist destinations Boracay (Caticlan), Davao, Coron (Busuanga) and Naga (CamSur).

In January 2012, CEB is also scheduled to add flights from Manila to Beijing (from 3 to 4 times weekly flights), Singapore (from 32 to 35 weekly flights), Brunei (from 3 to 4 times weekly) and Malaysia (from 10 to 14 times weekly flights). The airline will also upgrade seat capacity to Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok in the first quarter of 2012.

“CEB will continue to have the most extensive network in the country, for the benefit of leisure and business travelers. We have four strategically placed hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao, and this gives our passengers from Hong Kong the fastest access to the rest of the Philippines,” Iyog added.

CEB also expects delivery of 30 new Airbus A321neo and 7 A320 aircraft orders from 2015 until 2021. The order at list price is valued at approximately USD3.8 billion, the largest single aircraft order ever made by a Philippine carrier.

The Airbus A321neos will be a first of its type to operate in the Philippines, being a larger and longer-haul version of the familiar Airbus A320. The said orders for A320 and A321neo aircraft are on top of firm orders for 16 Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered from 2012 until 2014.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 17 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of less than 3.5 years – one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and 2 Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements.