BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) said Tuesday that it had received its sixth aircraft for the year — an ATR 72-600 — in a bid to further boost inter-island connectivity in the Philippines.

"With more than 7,100 islands in the Philippines, our commitment to serve passengers traveling between inter-island destinations requires us to invest in turboprop aircraft," CEB Chief Executive Officer Michael Szucs said.

"This aircraft delivery brings our turboprop fleet to 15, and we will be receiving our sixteenth ATR turboprop in October. With this, CEB will be operating the largest turboprop fleet in the Philippines, enabling us to serve more passengers across the country," he added.

The airline operates its turboprop fleet in 25 domestic destinations, servicing almost 2.5 million passengers yearly.

Some of the destinations that can only be accessible by turboprop and smaller aircraft include Camiguin, Calbayog, Siargao, Masbate, Surigao, Busuanga and Naga.

The ATR 72-600 is one of the latest generations of twin engine turboprop airliners manufactured in France and Italy by Avions de Transport Regional (ATR).

The aircraft can access short, narrow and unpaved runways, and handle steep approaches and high-altitude landings and takeoffs.

It carries around 78 passengers and has a maximum range of 1,300 kilometers depending on payload.

On Tuesday, shares of Cebu Pacific operator Cebu Air Inc. fell by 40 centavos to close at P27.25 each.

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