CAAP-Airbus joint venture supported by CEB

Cebu Pacific (CEB) is strongly supporting the joint venture between the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) and Airbus to provide training for the safe and efficient implementation of a full performance-based navigation network (PBN) in 11 airports in the country.

“CEB fully backs this CAAP partnership since it will benefit our passengers and operations. With the performance-based navigation network, CEB can fully utilize its GPS navigation and latest aircraft technology to further ensure passenger safety and reduce fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions,” said CEB vice president for flight operations Capt. Victor Custodio.

PBN as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is expected to increase air-traffic-management (ATM) capacity, reduce emissions through shorter tracks and transform the Philippine airspace into one of the most advanced PBN-optimized ATM regions in the world.

CEB extended has financial support to the latest CAAP partnership with Airbus, manufacturer of CEB’s 25-strong brand-new Airbus aircraft fleet.

Quovadis, the flight operations services company of Airbus, will help develop a full performance-based navigation network to 11 airports in the Philippines, including Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

Supported by the French and Philippine Civil Aviation Authorities, among others, this program will help train air traffic controllers and flight safety inspectors, and conduct procedure design and obstacles data survey training.

The ICAO-recommended network takes advantage of GPS and other technologies so an aircraft flies accurately defined trajectories.

“CEB will continue to work closely with CAAP and other relevant government offices in making air travel safe and convenient for passengers,” he added.

Low-fare pioneer, CEB hosted an Air Safety Training last year together with CAAP and the Flight Safety Foundation, tackling improved safety efforts for the aviation community. Speakers included representatives from International Civil Aviation Organization, US Federal Aviation Association, as well as industry experts Boeing and Airbus, among others.

It also arranged extra Airbus flights for the calibration of CAAP ground-based navigation aids last year.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 15 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft with an average age of less than 3.5 years one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take an additional 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.