Cebu Pacific expands cargo services with conversion of passenger planes

Cebu Air, Inc. has inked a deal to convert two of its passenger planes to a dedicated cargo aircraft.
In a statement, the listed operator of Cebu Pacific said it has tapped Switzerland-based service provider IPR Conversions Ltd. to redesign two of its ATR 72-500s.
“This marks the first foray of Cebu Pacific in operating specialized aircraft to transport cargo,” it said.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Cebu Pacific Lance Y. Gokongwei said in the statement the move aims to make Cebu Pacific superior in its offered cargo capacity.
“With the freighter aircraft, we will further support the growing needs of the logistics industry, especially as the Philippines’ e-commerce businesses expand rapidly and look for faster delivery schedules,” he was quoted as saying.
The carrier is looking to take delivery of the first two cargo aircraft by the fourth quarter of the year. Its subsidiary CebGo will operate the converted aircraft. — Denise A. Valdez