Allegiant Travel to buy six Airbus A319 from Cebu Pacific

Allegiant Travel Company has signed a deal with Philippines-based carrier Cebu Pacific to buy six Airbus A319 aircraft.

The A319 aircraft are planned to enter service with Allegiant fleet from the end of 2015 through to 2017.

Allegiant planning senior vice-president Jude Bricker said: "We continue to be able to find high quality, used A319s that fit our specification.

"These aircraft will have 156 seats which is similar to our current A319s. Including these aircraft, we have added commitments for ten additional A320 series aircraft so far this year, and will remain active in the used A320 market."

Allegiant plans to purchase two aircraft this year, and expects to buy the remaining airliners in 2016.

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said: "This agreement is in line with CEB’s efforts to continuously improve operational efficiency by replacing and upgrading our fleet with the larger, more fuel efficient, and longer range A321neo aircraft."

Cebu Pacific’s fleet comprises 54 aircraft, including ten Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, five Airbus A330 and eight ATR 72-500 aircraft.

The airline is set to receive seven Airbus A320, one Airbus A330, and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft between 2015 and 2021.

Said to be the largest model in the A320neo series, the A321neo aircraft for Cebu Pacific will be configured with up to 240 seats and will have a flying radius of more than six hours, which will allow the carrier to serve new markets in the Indian subcontinent and Australia, including Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

A321neo features Pratt and Whitney PurePower geared turbofan engine, and large wing tip devices called sharklets, which together are claimed to offer 20% in fuel efficiency, and facilitate additional payload or range capability.

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Image: The sale is part of Cebu Pacific’s plan to upgrade its fleet with longer range A321neo aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Cebu Pacific / Fixion.