Aviation Partnership Philippines (Aplus), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), inaugurates on Tuesday, December 14, an improved hangar to better serve its airline customers, just in time for the expected recovery of the aviation industry after the pandemic lockdowns that grounded the sector.
Aplus is a key player in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in the aviation industry.
It provides services such as line maintenance, light aircraft checks, technical ramp handling to Cebu Pacific and other carriers with hubs in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Clark, apart from secondary airports in the Philippines.
The renovation of the 3,112-square meter hangar was completed in November 2021. The Aplus hangar can cater to the A320 and ATR aircraft, and designed for the A321neo as well.
It will be used to perform the phased C-Checks. A C-Check, which is performed approximately every 20–24 months, or a specific number of actual flight hours (FH), requires a large majority of the aircraft’s components to be inspected. This check puts the aircraft out of service for 1–2 weeks. The aircraft must not leave the maintenance site until it is completed.
“This is a milestone not only for Cebu Pacific but more so for our subsidiary, Aplus. This inauguration is very timely and in line with the airline’s preparations for the expected recovery of the aviation industry,” said Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cebu Pacific.
This strategic move gives Cebu Pacific optimization of cost **** when it comes to logistics and ferry cost, compared to sending their aircraft to Clark or to any regional MRO, as well as other checks requiring a hangar.
“The Aplus hangar will allow for a reduced turnaround time for our existing and future airline customers. Working under a roof will surely boost personnel productivity and further enhance the quality of our services,” said Aplus General Manager Rico Ugdoracion.
Aside from Aplus’ continuous drive to get more foreign airline customers for its transit business, it also intends to work on getting other local airlines as clients.
“Having a hangar will give our foreign airline customers confidence that in case their aircraft gets grounded in Manila, a hangar can be provided by Aplus to perform the needed maintenance activities for aircraft recovery,” added Ugdoracion.
The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific, acquired Aplus in November 2020 as part of its move to optimize operations in line with ensuring the airline is on a strong path to recovery.
Press release from Cebu Pacific
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