MANILA – Cebu Pacific said yesterday it would acquire four more turbo-prop aircrafts from France-based manufacturer ATR to allow it to compete with rival budget carriers in Philippines tourist destinations.

The four ATR 72-500s would be on top of six orders it placed with the Tolouse-based company earlier this year, the Filipino carrier's president Lance Gokongwei said in a statement.

Gokongwei said the 10 ATRs would allow the airline to fly to more Philippine cities with runways that cannot accommodate jet aircraft, including the Caticlan airport that serves the island resort of Boracay, the country's top tourist draw.

Aside from the turboprops, Cebu Pacific last year announced plans to acquire up to 20 Airbus A320s worth $1.3 billion.

The first six ATRs will be delivered in 2008 and four in 2009. The first four Airbus A320s will be delivered next year, which will bring Cebu Pacific's fleet to 25 by the end of 2008.*AFP

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