Page 15 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 Online Magazine

[ INTERVIEW - CEBU PACIFIC ]

Accelerating

Growth

Cebu Pacific celebrated the delivery of its first
of its 32 A321neo orders in January and is set
to receive 12 brand new aircraft in 2019, to
support the carrier’s expansion plans this year.
Despite the lingering headwinds, such as rising
fuel price, competition, customer expectation,
volatility, and other external risk, President
and CEO, Lance Gokongwei firmly believes
that now is a good time to expand and har-
ness growth. He speaks to Global Aerospace &
Defence Singapore Bureau Chief Aprajita Anil
about the plans for the airline in 2019.

Excerpts:
What factors are making the local
airlines keep a positive outlook
for 2019?
and we will try to keep this culture of innovation and try to launch
Last year was challenging for the airlines.
more customer experience improvements.
We all want to have lower fuel prices, at the
same time when it’s a high fuel environment, Apart from the rising fuel prices, what is the
the most efficient wins and I’m fairly certain biggest challenge in front of the Philippines
that Cebu Pacific is the most fuel efficient in aviation industry?
the Philippine market. I think 2019 looks sig-
nificantly brighter because first and foremost, The biggest challenge is really the infrastructure gap especially
fuel prices are stable, the Philippine Peso is in Manila, the main gateway to the Philippines, which is quite
strengthening, and the economy continues congested. Fortunately, the government has been making some
to perform well. This year we’ll be adding 11 investments in many provincial airports and has also taken serious
per cent to 12 per cent more seats. We have steps towards adding capacity in Manila, and has also privatized
a well-loved brand, we have a brand-new fleet Clark, in partnership with the Changi Airport Group and other inves-
and we have an engaged workforce and we tors, including our parent company, JG Summit; and our parent
have the most extensive network as well in the company is also part of the consortium that proposed to upgrade
Philippines. We can’t afford to be complacent the Manila airport.

ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE January/February 2019 | 15