Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) to supply engines for 15 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
The agreement solidifies an outstanding engine selection as part of a larger aircraft order placed in 2019.
The agreement follows Cebu Pacific’s order for five Airbus A320neo and ten Airbus A321XLR at the Paris Airshow in 2019.
While firm orders for the airplane itself have been placed with aircraft manufacturer Airbus, no engine has been selected to power these aircraft until now.
P&W will provide the airline with Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines, including a comprehensive engine maintenance program through its EngineWise service agreement.
Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, said:
We appreciate Cebu Pacific’s continued confidence in Pratt & Whitney since they initially selected the GTF engine in 2012.
Based on data from Planespotters.net, Cebu Pacific operates 31 aircraft powered by P&W’s GTF engines: 18 Airbus A320neo and 13 Airbus A321neo aircraft. More are on the order book.
The selection of P&W comes amid issues involving the increased maintenance requirements and longer ground time required for the PW1000G engines.
Due to extensive maintenance inspections and global supply chain issues, Cebu Pacific is expected to ground multiple P&W-powered Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
However, the deal with P&W signifies Cebu Pacific’s continued confidence in the American aerospace manufacturer.
Mike Szucs, Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Officer, commented:
This aims to finalize our current order book and help secure our growth up to 2027. In doing so, it also clears the way for us to now focus on the longer term growth through our major fleet Request for Proposals (RFP) that are currently underway.
The low-cost carrier is also reviewing proposals from both Airbus and Boeing for a potential order of 100 to 150 narrowbody jets, dubbing it the largest single aircraft order for an airline in Philippine history.
Cebu Pacific expects these jets to arrive in 2027 or 2028, in time for the opening of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan, which is currently under construction.
These narrowbody planes, whether an Airbus A320neo or a Boeing 737 MAX, will supplement the low-cost carrier’s current fleet to add more frequencies and expand to more domestic and international destinations.
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