Cebu Air, Inc. (CEB) is looking to add two more spare aircraft to its Cebu Pacific Air fleet in time for the peak travel season in December as part of ongoing efforts to cushion the impact of a global shortage of aircraft parts.
The move is expected to prevent flight delays or cancellations, Candice A. Iyog, chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a roundtable discussion with the media in Cebu Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
“Right now, we have four spares and we are working towards having six spare aircraft by the peak season in December,” she said.
"The spare or standby aircraft is basically aircraft that is not operating and is (used) as a backup aircraft in case there has to be extended maintenance on an aircraft,” she added.
The shortage of aircraft parts and materials caused delays in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, which also led to massive flight delays and cancellations. As of Aug. 8, however, Iyog said the situation has normalized and Cebu Pacific Air flights are no longer delayed or canceled.
Cebu Air earlier revised its customer care policies by extending the validity of the travel vouchers it issues and the travel fund a passenger is entitled to in case of a flight cancellation. A passenger has the option to rebook a canceled flight or convert the cost of that flight into a virtual wallet that may be used to book future flights for the passenger or his friends and relatives.
Beginning August 1, the travel fund no longer has an expiration date, compared with the previous validity of only six months.
Travel vouchers may now be used within 18 months, compared with the previous validity of six months.
Iyog also said they were “constantly in touch with the suppliers to see if we can get more clarity and certainty about the issues and also the delivery of the Airbus aircraft.”
She emphasized, however, that the shortage is beyond their control.
The airline serves 23 domestic and 5 international destinations from its Cebu hub. For this month, the airline expects to operate 676 flights to and from Cebu. (MVI/Ventures Cebu)