-
Cebu Pacific completed the country’s first all-electric aircraft turnaround at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a significant step in its push for sustainable aviation
-
The operation used only electric ground support equipment, including baggage tractors, lower deck loaders, pushback tractors, and bridge-mounted ground power units
-
This follow’s Cebu Pacific’s earlier rollout of electric GSE at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and forms part of the airline’s broader sustainability roadmap
Cebu Pacific recently completed the country’s first all-electric aircraft turnaround at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), a significant step in its push for sustainable aviation.
The electric turnaround was performed on Cebu Pacific flight 5J566, operated by an Airbus A321neo bound for Manila.
Unlike traditional turnarounds that rely on fuel-powered equipment, the operation used only electric ground support equipment (GSE), including baggage tractors, lower deck loaders, pushback tractors, and bridge-mounted ground power units, the low-cost carrier said in a statement.
Key services such as passenger boarding, baggage and cargo handling, and aircraft pushback were completed entirely with zero-emission equipment.
The operation was carried out in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp., which operates MCIA, and TLD Asia, a global provider of electric GSE.
“This milestone shows our strong commitment to decarbonizing our operations and supporting airports that share the same sustainability goals,” Cebu Pacific chief operations officer Javier Massot said in a statement.
“We are proud to be the first airline in the Philippines to fully turn around an aircraft using electric equipment. It is even more meaningful that it was done in Cebu—the place where our airline began,” Massot added.
This follow’s Cebu Pacific’s earlier rollout of electric GSE at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and forms part of the airline’s broader sustainability roadmap, which includes fleet modernization, the use of renewable energy, and improved operational efficiency across all airport hubs.
The airline also supports the global aviation industry’s target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
ACAC chief executive officer Athanasios Titonis, meanwhile, said the introduction of electric GSE at MCIA “is a valuable step” in their journey to environmental sustainability.
In a separate statement, ACAC said the use of the electric GSE follows the completion of Cebu Pacific’s internal training programs, ensuring safe and efficient handling. In the interim, the airline has established a dedicated charging station to support ongoing operations, marking a full integration of the units into their ground handling system.
To further support these green initiatives, ACAC said MCIA is planning to install common-use charging stations across the ramp area. Once established, this infrastructure will enable all airlines at MCIA to access charging resources for electric GSE, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable practices and moving closer to the airport’s vision of a greener, eco-friendly ramp environment. This initiative also aligns MCIA with the global movement toward carbon-neutral airports, setting a new standard for sustainable airport operations in the Philippines.
READ: Cebu Pacific secures Southeast Asia’s first green loan
