Cebu Pacific’s first aircraft is the McDonnell Douglas DC-9s. In the year 2000, these jets needed a replacement. The closest aircraft to a DC-9 would be a Boeing 717 during that time. Cebu Pacific was close to sealing a deal for Boeing 717s which would have been a disaster by now if it pushed through.
So first, what is the Boeing 717? They were the latest derivatives of the Douglas DC-9 during the time that they were in production. Cebu Pacific operated the DC-9-30 and was looking for replacements as maintenance costs of the aging aircraft were rising. The Boeing 717-200 was originally marketed as the McDonnell Douglas MD-95, but as Boeing took over the company, the MD-95 was renamed the Boeing 717 and sold as a regional aircraft.
The Boeing 717, just like the DC-9, make use of rear fuselage-mounted twin Rolls Royce BR715 turbofan engines producing a thrust of 21,430lbf for the higher gross-weight version. It also makes use of the t-tail design due to the rear-mounted engines. It had a range of 2,648km for the basic version and 3,815km for the higher gross weight version. So it is indeed safe to say that the Boeing 717 was simply a continuation of the DC-9, the aircraft Cebu Pacific was operating at that time.
In 2000, Cebu Pacific was close to putting an order for 10 Boeing 717s until the tides turned. Boeing was supposed to make that announcement during the Farnborough Air Show in July of that year.
During that time, Cebu Pacific dismissed the A319 and considered it uneconomical and too big for them.
The reason why Cebu Pacific changed its plans
Why did Cebu Pacific then change its plans in favor of Airbus? Well, first of all, Boeing could not guarantee the airline if the aircraft will remain in production. Second, the airline was able to secure a deal from Airbus that they will be able to deliver the A319 by 2005.
Cebu Pacific, later on, rejected the Boeing 717 offer and went for the Airbus deal with 10 Airbus A319s and 2 leased A320s. The first aircraft was delivered in 2005. The Airbus jets were powered by CFM International CFM56 engines.
From McDonnell Douglas to Airbus
It may have been a challenging transition from the DC-9 to the Airbus A320 family jets but all paid off indeed. If Cebu Pacific would have proceeded with the 717 jets, their growth would have been restricted. they may even face problems inat a time when the 717 would be out of production. Cebu Pacific would also be forced to order another aircraft which probably would be a Boeing 737.
While I am happy that Cebu Pacific made the right decision, imagine if things went the 717 way. Cebu Pacific may end up being a Boeing operator. We then wonder how the Philippine commercial aviation scene would be then. A mix of Boeing and Airbus? During that time, PAL operated 737s.
Well, the Airbus proved to be a sound decision for Cebu Pacific.
This is why it is always important to think long term.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
