Philippine Carriers Sell Old Airbus Aircraft to U.S. Based Allegiant Air

Nearly two-years after US budget carrier Allegiant Air failed to reach an agreement with Cebu Pacific over the sale of used Airbus aircraft, both Philippine carriers announced earlier this year that they are selling aircraft to the US airline.

Copyright Photo: Brian Lockett / Air and Space
Last February, Cebu Pacific announced that it would be selling six Airbus A319 aircraft to Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air as part of the carrier's fleet renewal program. Cebu Pacific's fleet of ten A319 are currently configured with 156 economy class seats. The average age of each aircraft is 9.1 years old.

allegiant a319
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
The six aircraft are expected to be gradually delivered to Allegiant Air up to 2016. Allegiant hopes to have them in service by the end of 2017. Once all aircraft are delivered, Cebu Pacific will have four A319 aircraft remaining in the fleet. "This agreement is in line with Cebu Pacific's efforts to continuously improve operational efficiency by replacing and upgrading our fleet with the larger, more fuel efficient, and longer range A321neo aircraft," said Lance Gokongwei, CEO of Cebu Pacific.

The A321neo aircraft has the potential to seat up to 240 passengers and fly a radius of over six hours. Cebu Pacific is targeting new destinations with the new aircraft including cities in the Indian subcontinent, as well as Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane in Australia.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines will be selling two of its used Airbus A320 aircraft to Allegiant Air. The average age of A320 aircraft in the Philippine Airlines fleet is 7.6 years old. The aircraft are currently in a two-class configuration featuring Business and Economy Class seating for up to 156.

allegiant a320
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
However, Allegiant Air announced in a statement that the aircraft will eventually be configured with 177 economy class seats. Both A320 aircraft are scheduled to transfer to the Allegiant fleet before the end of 2015.

"We continue to be successful in finding high quality, used aircraft to support our future growth," said Jude Bricker, Allegiant's Senior Vice President of Planning. "These A320's will have 177 seats in the same configuration as our current A320's." He added that as is traditional with Allegiant's other aircraft transactions, the aircraft will be purchased for cash. However, no financial details were revealed of either the Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines transaction. 

Cebu Pacific previously entered intro an agreement with Allegiant Air in July 2012 for the sale of its entire fleet of ten A319 aircraft. The aircraft were intended to be delivered over a fifteen-month period beginning in March 2013. However, Allegiant Air announced at the end of December 2012 that the deal had been terminated. Cebu Pacific said that it was due to the inability of both parties to reach an agreement on certain terms of the transaction.

14 comments:

  1. Now you know to avoid Allegiant Air!

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    1. United has some 15 year old Airbus aircraft. should I avoid them too?

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    2. United maintains their aircraft, unlike CP.

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    3. I don't know why some people here are so choosy when in fact in USA and Europe carriers are maintaining older planes than what we have in PHL.

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  2. Why? How about the 20 yrs old MD-82?

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  3. MD Dc-9 are still flying with some other US carrier..such an ignorant comment from someone who doesnt understand aviation technology..9.1 and 7.6yrs aircrafr are from better than 20+yrs old MD DC9 and DC10

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    1. It's not the age of the airplane, but rather the quality of maintenance it's received. Yes, the US and Europeans operate some older aircraft models, but the maintenance on them is impeccable as proven out in the safety records.

      The 319's of CP are very tired and worn out, especially for a less than 10 year old airplane. Allegiant will spend a lot of money to bring them back into compliance before the FAA will allow them to operate in N. America.

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  4. To suggest CEB does not maintain their aircraft is ludicrous!

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  5. The most important thing to consider is: that Allegiant Air will be able to close the deal of paying cash to those airbuses from CebuPac and PAL because other news items here in Las Vegas also mention Iberia of Spain also trying to sell some of its A319s and A320s to Allegiant. Todate, I have not seen any A319 or A320 aircraft flown by Allegiant. It flies the old MD-80 aircrafts within the mainland USA and some B-757s to Hawaii and Bellingham, Washington, a profitable route. Why do I know these facts? Because I fly Allegiant Air every now and then. Actually, I flew them when they served Las Vegas to Long Beach two years ago (I worked in Greater Los Angeles area and I live in Green Valley, Henderson, NV.) Old aircrafts never bothered me at all because here in the U.S. of A, you cannot get away with "Puede Na" business lifestyle, you are under the microscope always. So for you people who have not been to this place as of yet, be careful in blogging or saying something you are not so sure about! By the way, Allegiant Air is the most profitable airline in the US followed by Spirit Airlines. Southwest and JetBlue come next. Why? Because the first two appear to be more savvy and business oriented even though they are the "most hated" airlines here. Why do I like them anyway? Because I can fly one way from LAS to Long Beach for less that fifty dollars, sometimes lower, depending on the day or time of flight. And I buy a 3-dollar snack, if necessary. Frugal, frugal, frugal...... you'll get used to it! Just pocket your savings! Keep smiling, folks.......

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    1. You are right! Those four low-cost carriers you have mentioned continue to expand by constantly opening new destinations within the country as well as foreign countries, i.e,, Caribbean and South America! Very, very good for the traveling public!

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    2. Finally, I have seen an A319 aircraft of Allegiant Air trying to take-off today. I usually take my grandson to Sunset Boulevard's plane viewing area here in Henderson/Las Vegas vicinity.

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  6. I think everyone should be concerned at the number the number of times the A340/300 has troubles. Last Saturday 17th Dec 2016 the inbound flight from the UK was immediately taken out of service due to a "serious mechanical failure". We were given 90 minutes notice that the outgoing flight was cancelled and after a lot of confusion we were put into a hotel for the night. I think the other issue is - when was the problem discovered and were the passengers on the incoming flight put at risk. PAL really need to replace its aging A340/300 very quickly especially on the long haul routes.

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