Several ex-AirAsia X A330neos allocated to Cebu Pacific

Aviation Updates Philippines – Various international aviation databases online have suggested that Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air will acquire some untaken Airbus A330-900neo aircraft initially destined for AirAsia X.

AirAsia X A330neo with MSN 1970 was spotted in the wash area last March 2021 Photo from Eurospot 

Over the past few months, sources have told AUP about the possible acquisition of three relatively new Airbus A330neo from Airbus. These new additions raise Cebu Pacific’s A330neo backlog to a total of 19 aircraft, 16 of which were ordered in November 2019.

According to Aerotransport Data Bank, three former AirAsia X A330-900neo will be allocated to Cebu Pacific: MSN 1970, 1973, and 1976. Planespotters.net also reflected MSN 1970 as an A330 on order for Cebu Pacific.

The airframes are already built and parked in Toulouse, France, since last year.

Cebu Pacific's Airbus A330neo fleet is expected to be fitted with 460 all-economy seats, more than the A330ceo’s capacity of 436. The A330neo will gradually replace the A330ceo in the future, as the airline continues to lean into more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Cebu Pacific returned two A330ceos to the lessor and sold some A320ceo to other airlines in favor of the newer and more efficient A321neos and A330neos.