Cebu Pacific

The airline was established on 26 August 1988 and started operations on March 8, 1996. Republic Act No. 7151, which grants a franchise to Cebu Air, Inc. was approved on 30 August 1991.[14] Cebu Air, Inc. was subsequently acquired by JG Summit Holdings (owned by John Gokongwei). Domestic services commenced following market deregulation by the Philippine government. It temporarily ceased operations in February 1998 after being grounded by the government due to an accident that killed 104 people but resumed services later the next month following re-certification of its aircraft.[7] It initially started with 24 domestic flights daily among Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. By the end of 2001, its operations had grown to about 80 daily flights to 18 domestic destinations.

In the 2000s (decade), Cebu Pacific was granted rights to operate international flights to the region, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Guam. International flights were launched on 22 November 2001, with a twice-daily service to Hong Kong.[15] On 1 March 2002, it commenced thrice-weekly flights to Seoul.[16] Other regional flights were introduced and suspended later; however, including flights to Singapore (from 6 November 2002, to January 2003) and from Manila via Subic to Seoul (from December 2002) due in part to the effects of the SARS epidemic.[17]

The airline resumed its Manila-to-Singapore flights on August 31, 2006[18] and launched its direct flight from Cebu to Singapore on October 23, 2006, the first low-cost airline to serve the Cebu-Singapore-Cebu sector,[19] and in direct competition with Singapore Airlines' subsidiary SilkAir, CEB was the only Philippine carrier serving the Cebu-Singapore-Cebu route for years until PAL resumed its direct service in 2017. The airline operates direct flights from Cebu to Hong Kong which commenced October 2, 2006, which also made CEB the only Philippine carrier to serve a Cebu-Hong Kong-Cebu route after PAL terminated its direct service and is now code-sharing with Cathay Pacific for this route.[20]

In December 2006, after a month of operating the new direct flights, Cebu Pacific announced that it would increase flight frequency for its Cebu-Hong Kong-Cebu from four times to five times weekly and Cebu-Singapore-Cebu flights from four times to six weekly effective 25 January 2007. As of January 2008, it operates regional flights to Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul-Incheon beginning April 6, 2008, from its Cebu hub; and Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai and Xiamen from Manila.

Cebu Pacific's plans to begin international flights from Clark were initially unsuccessful when its request was denied. The nations involved came to an agreement that Cebu Pacific would be only allowed to operate charter flights from Clark to the respective countries' airport(s). Only Singapore initially agreed to allow Cebu Pacific to fly scheduled flights from Clark to Singapore.[21] Cebu Pacific now operates routes from Clark to Cebu, Davao, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Tokyo.[22]

Cebu Pacific's Airbus A321 is preparing for departure at the remote stand of NAIA Terminal 3.

In June 2007, Cebu Pacific announced an order of up to 14 brand-new ATR 72-500 aircraft, with six firm orders and eight options. It plans to initially offer flights to Boracay, using Boracay's Godofredo P. Ramos Airport.[23] On 12 November 2007, Cebu Pacific announced Davao's Francisco Bangoy International Airport as its fourth hub. Cebu Pacific announced that it would initially fly internationally from Davao City to Singapore, Hong Kong and fly one domestic flight to Iloilo. Both direct services from Davao to Singapore and Iloilo commenced on May 8, 2008, while the service to Hong Kong commenced on May 9, 2008.[24] In late 2007, Cebu Pacific mentioned that it was aiming to cross the Pacific and launch non-stop flights to the United States West Coast, Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois by mid-2009.[25] On 18 December 2007, Cebu Pacific announced that it would exercise options on its recent ATR 72-500 turboprop order (initially six firm) to increase its firm order to 10.[26]

On 19 February 2008, Cebu Pacific Air received its first brand-new ATR 72-500 and expected to take delivery of another five ATRs from March to December 2008.[27] The initial two ATRs fly on routes such as Cebu to Bacolod. Cebu Pacific took delivery of its 16th brand-new, 179-seater Airbus A320 aircraft on 20 March 2008. The new aircraft was to support CEB's expanding international and domestic operations which include flights to 12, soon to be 15, international destinations.[28] On 28 May 2008, Cebu Pacific was named as the world's number one airline in terms of growth. The airline was also ranked fifth in Asia for Budget Airline passengers transported and 23rd in the world. The airline carried a total of almost 5.5 million passengers in 2007, up 57.4 per cent from 2006[29] On 22 July 2008, Cebu Pacific was the first airline to use the new Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with its flight to Caticlan being the first to depart at 0515 local time. On 1 August 2008, it moved its international operations to the terminal; thus, becoming the first airline to have regular international commercial flights from the new terminal.

In August 2009, Cebu Pacific became the first airline in the Philippines to use social media. The airline created a fan page on Facebook and Twitter.[30]

On 6 January 2011, Cebu Pacific flew its 50 millionth passenger, from Manila to Beijing. The airline aimed to reach the 100-million-passengers mark in 2015.[31]

In June 2011, Cebu Pacific signed a Memorandum Of Understanding for 30 Airbus A321neos includes nine leased that will help the airline's growth and development. It will fly to Southeast Asia including cities in Japan and Indonesia.[32]

In August 2011, the airline has finalized the order and claimed that it would start deliveries in 2017 but due to the certain problems with the engines, the deliveries have to be moved in 2019.[32]

Cebu Pacific is planning to commence international long-haul flights to the Middle-East, the United States, Australia, and some parts of Europe using the Airbus A330-300.[33] The first long haul flight commenced to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 7 October 2013.[34] Cebu Pacific is also applying for rights for a daily service to Auckland, New Zealand.[35] On 12 February 2018, Cebu Pacific announced that their subsidiary, Cebgo, will fly daily from Manila to Batanes starting March 25, 2018 until October 27, 2018.[36]

In 2016, Cebu Pacific revealed its new logo that represents the colors of the Philippines and also symbolizes as an evolution of a low-cost pioneer.[37]

Cebu Pacific Vice President for Market and Distribution Candice Iyog said the airline always prioritized building an extensive network within and from the Philippines.[37]

On 27 February 2018, Cebu Pacific, along with the Department of Tourism of Victoria announces the launch of 3x weekly service between Manila and Melbourne, starting 14 August 2018.

On June 18, 2019, During the 2019 Paris Air Show, Cebu Pacific signed an MoU for 16 A330neos, 10 A321XLRs and 5 A320neos. It will be one of the few launch carriers of the newly launched A321XLR.[38]

On March 15, 2020, It was announced that all domestic flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. were canceled due to the rising cases of the Coronavirus in the Philippines from March 15 to April 14. However. They will still operate international flights regularly.[39] 2 days later on March 17. It was followed up by an announcement that the airline and its subsidiary, Cebgo. Will be suspending all operations due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine measures implemented by the government over the entire island of Luzon to control the spread of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Flights are canceled until April 14.[40]

On April 8, 2020, after the ECQ measures were extended to April 30, 2020, Cebu Pacific announced that flights will remain suspended until the said date.[41]

A Cebu Pacific Airbus A330-300 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, France in the 1996–2016 livery.

A Cebu Pacific Airbus A330-300 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the new livery.

As of February 2021, the mainline Cebu Pacific operates an all-Airbus fleet.[43][44]

On 16 June 2015 at the 2015 Paris Air Show, the airline announced an order for 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft for its regional brand Cebgo to meet growing demand in the Philippines for inter-island travel. The airline will also be the launch customer of the new high-density Armonia cabin.[55][56] On 22 January 2016, the airline received its first Airbus A320 painted in the new livery. It was delivered brand-new from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.[57]

In 2003, Cebu Pacific ordered for 15 A320s to replace the Boeing 757 to become an all Airbus customer. Until in 2007, Cebu Pacific adds additional orders up to 7 A320s to expand domestic and international route networks.[58] During The Paris Air Show in 2019, Cebu Pacific ordered 5 A320neos to meet growing demand for domestic routes.[59]

The Airbus A320 currently flies to domestic and international regional destinations in Southeast Asia and East Asia.

In 2016, Cebu Pacific was supposed to receive the first batch of A321neos but agreed to postpone the deliveries while problems of the Pratt and Whitney PW1100G-JM engines that was supposed to power the A321neo. Instead, they ordered 7 A321ceo's to meet ongoing strong growth on its domestic and regional network. The latest contract comes on top of an existing order for 32 A321neo. “With the A321 Cebu Pacific will be able to respond to growing demand with the highest levels of efficiency. Carrying more passengers further, and at lower cost, the A321 is the perfect solution to meet the requirements of airlines worldwide in the middle of the market segment.”[60] In June 2011, Cebu Air Inc. announced that it was purchasing 30 Airbus A321neos and seven Airbus A320s for $3.8 billion, allowing it to more than double its fleet by 2021 and expand its international routes. The A320s would be delivered between 2015 and 2021, while the A321neo fleet would arrive from 2017 to 2021. The airline also took 10 additional options for the Airbus 321neos. Previous outstanding orders for 18 A320s to be delivered through 2014 brought the total Airbus order to 55.[61] The first A321 for Cebu Pacific (RP-C4111) arrived in Manila on March 22, 2018, and currently flying to domestic destinations.

In January 2019, Cebu Pacific received their first-ever 236-seater Airbus A321neo (Registered RP-C4118) powered with Pratt and Whitney engines.

One of Cebu Pacific's Airbus A330, registered RP-C3345, landing in Manila

In 2007, the airline ordered six A330s to operate Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai and East Asia routes such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Shanghai, Singapore, and Taipei. It will also be used in the domestic sector, namely flights to Cebu, Davao, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa.

In 2016, the carrier then added two more A330s on its orders to complement earlier fleet in new long haul routes, such as Sydney and Melbourne.

At the 2019 Paris Air Show, Cebu Pacific announced they were looking into ordering 16 Airbus A330neos to replace their aging A330-300s. The brand new aircraft will replace older Airbus A330s by 2026. It is to be configured with 460, all-economy seats. The operator would have the densest cabin for the Airbus A330.[62]