Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has made history by successfully completing the country’s first all-electric aircraft turnaround at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), as part of its ongoing shift toward more sustainable aviation operations.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), which operates MCIA, and TLD Asia, a global provider of electric ground support equipment (GSE). The electric turnaround was conducted on Cebu Pacific flight 5J566, operated by the airline using an Airbus A321neo bound for Manila.
Unlike traditional turnarounds that rely on fuel-powered equipment, this operation used only electric GSE, including baggage tractors, lower deck loaders, pushback tractors, and bridge-mounted ground power units. Key services such as passenger boarding, baggage and cargo handling, and aircraft pushback were completed entirely with zero-emission equipment.
“This milestone shows our strong commitment to decarbonizing our operations and supporting airports that share the same sustainability goals. 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,” said Javier Massot, CEB Chief Operations Officer.
For ACAC, the successful demonstration is just the beginning of a sustainable future for airport operations.
“Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation is dedicated to supporting green innovations that align with our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Athanasios Titonis, ACAC CEO. “The introduction of electric GSE units at MCIA is a valuable step in this journey, and we are excited to partner with our airline partners in driving sustainable practices that will create a lasting, positive impact.”
TLD Asia also stressed the importance of working together to reduce emissions across the aviation industry.
“TLD continues to reinvest in the very latest technologies to complement our expanding portfolio of GSE which in turn allows us to offer our customers the most environmentally friendly ramp equipment to benefit operations, customers, and our planet,” said Alvin Ygoña, TLD Asia Sales and Service Area Manager.
This effort builds on CEB’s earlier rollout of electric GSE at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and forms part of the airline’s broader sustainability roadmap, which includes fleet modernization, the use of renewable energy (RE), 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.
Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. For more information, visit cebupacificair.com
