Cebu Pacific subsidiary Cebgo Inc. is seeking regulatory approval to expand its cargo operation in Hong Kong.
Cebgo said it has filed a petition with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for its designation as official Philippine carrier to operate all-cargo services and for the allocation of entitlements to Hong Kong under the Philippine-Hong Kong air services agreement.
Last September, Cebu Pacific started the operation of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft converted into cargo aircraft for domestic routes from Mindanao to Manila.
Cebu Pacific said the ATR 72-500 was converted from passenger to cargo to allow the company to bring cargo in and out of destinations served by airports where only turboprops can take off and land.
Cebu Pacific expects the delivery of the second ATR 72-500 freighter in late-2019.
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.
Cebu Pacific sees growing demand for air freight services with the demand to move perishables goods and the rise of e-commerce.
Cebu Pacific is also expected to transfer its cargo operation in Sangley Airport in November this year.
