Cebu Pacific's first full freighter
Cebu Pacific, the only passenger airline in the Philippines with dedicated cargo planes, has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500 converted from passenger to cargo use. The freighter, the first of its type in the Asian country, gives the carrier the ability to bring cargo in and out of destinations served by airports with short runways where only turboprops can operate.
It is equipped with a large cargo door, allowing a load of up to seven Ld3 containers or five PBJ pallets, and has a capacity to carry 8 t of cargo. The conversion was performed at the Sabena Technics DNR facility in Dinard, France.
The first of two passenger aircraft that Cebu Pacific is converting for full cargo use will be operated by its subsidiary Cebgo. The second ATR 72-500 freighter is expected to be delivered in late 2019. (ah)
