Budget Philippine carrier orders 16 planes

Manila - Budget Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific has ordered 16 ATR 72-600 turboprop planes from the France-based manufacturer in a deal worth $673m, the two companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The order, also announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show, includes options for 10 additional planes of the same model and will serve Cebu Pacific's domestic routes, they said.

Deliveries are to start between July and September next year.

Cebu Pacific chief executive and president Lance Gokongwei said: "This order is an affirmation of our commitment to extend the convenience of affordable air travel to even more communities."

The airline, the largest in the Philippines based on passengers carried, now flies eight ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will be retired as the new short-haul aircraft enter service on its domestic routes.