The ATR 72-500 with tail number RP-C7253 was converted by Sabena Technics’ facility in Dinard, France. Cebu Pacific received their first ATR freighter converted by Sabena in August 2019. Both freighters will be operated by the carrier’s cargo division Cebgo.
On Wednesday (January 6, 2021), Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced the delivery of their second ATR freighter which was converted by Sabena Technics DNR S.A.S. in Dinard, France. The newly converted aircraft, tail number RP-C7253, will join CEB’s first Sabena converted freighter which was delivered by Sabena in August 2019. Both freighters will be operated by Cebgo, Cebu Pacific’s cargo subsidiary. Both freighters are equipped with a large cargo door, allowing for up to eight tons of palletized cargo. Presently, only about a third of airports in the Philippines can accommodate jet aircraft, so the turboprops add short runway flexibility and essential cargo capacity. In addition to the ATR freighters, CEB has recently modified one of their Airbus A330 aircraft into an all-cargo aircraft, with additional main deck cargo capacity.
Commenting on the freighter delivery, Cebgo’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Reyes, said,
“We saw this pandemic as an opportunity to recalibrate our business and optimize operations to address the needs of our customers. There is a growing demand for cargo to and from the Philippines and our fleet of dedicated cargo aircraft allows us to address this while doing so in a more efficient manner.”
Currently, Cebu Pacific offers service to 30 domestic and five international destinations. The airline has received a 7/7 star rating from airlineratings.com for their multi-layered COVID-19 health and safety protocols including contactless procedures, thorough cleaning and disinfection, mandatory masks and face shields and mandatory Antigen testing for frontline team members. All Cebu Pacific aircraft are also fitted with hospital-grade HEPA filters which remove 99.99% of airborne particulates, including virus clusters.
Source: Cebu Pacific