Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific’s (CEB) unit Cebgo Inc. plans to expand its cargo operation in China, despite the recent travel ban to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease.
In a filing at the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Cebgo has requested for designation as official Philippine carrier to operate all cargo services and allocation of entitlements to China under routes I and II of the Philippine-China air services agreement.
Cebgo’s application is set for hearing on March 5.
“Parties/airlines opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition on or before the said date furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant with such evidence as may be proper under the circumstances,” the CAB said.
Last October, Cebgo also asked the air regulator to allocate it flight entitlements to operate all-cargo services between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
CEB started using its first ATR 72-500 aircraft converted into a cargo aircraft for domestic routes from Mindanao to Manila last year.
The ATR 72-500 was converted from passenger to cargo to allow the carrier to bring cargo in and out of destinations served by airports where only turboprops can take off and land.
The ATR aircraft is equipped with a large cargo door, allowing a load of up to seven Ld3 air cargo containers or five PBJ pallets. The freighter has capacity to carry as much as eight tons of cargo.
“The freighter complements our fleet of Airbus jets, which, by 2024, will all have the ability to carry palletized cargo,” Alexander Lao, Cebgo president, said.
“The ATR freighter will boost the strong cargo position of CEB with its capability to carry up to 8 tons of goods. More importantly, given the ATR’s capability to take off and land in airports with short runways, this will provide additional flexibility to cities that require the movement of cargo and essential products,” Lao added.
