I've never tried First Class, my parents are more into practicality but it would be great to try at least once, business class na yung pinakamataas na natry ko. When I get older (and hopefully grow up to be a rich person), I'll fly first class everytime.

Hi jef7. Enjoy foruming with SSC family. :)

I've never tried First Class, my parents are more into practicality but it would be great to try at least once, business class na yung pinakamataas na natry ko. When I get older (and hopefully grow up to be a rich person), I'll fly first class everytime.

first class is actually very very nice...even on pal!...me and my brother were originally supposed to be in business class when we flew to the philippines last march...but after 3 cancelled flights due to something being wrong with the 747's engine, we were finally put on an a340 and bumped up to first class!...such awesome service...i kinda feel bad for my parents who stayed in economy...

End to pilots exodus sought
Joel M. Sy Egco March 01, 2006

Aviation industry leaders have declared support for a moratorium on export of skilled labor to avert brain drain. At a public hearing earlier, major players in the local aviation sector recognized the urgent need to reverse the exodus of pilots, aircraft engineers and aviation mechanics.

Industry stakeholders complained that manpower for mission-critical skills in the country is fast becoming scarce due to "poaching operations" of international airline companies conniving with local employment agencies.

The hearing was conducted by Rep. Roseller Barinaga (NPC, Zamboanga del Norte), chairman of the House committee on labor and employment. Barinaga who initiated the congressional inquiry in view of a looming manpower crisis in the aviation industry, also scored the Air Transportation Office's seeming indifference to the problem.

At the hearing were Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines; Andy Maningo, Aviation Partnership; Lorenzo Ziga, Lufthansa Teknik; Antonio Rodriguez, Cebu Pacific; Cesar Lamberte, PAL; Ed Medina, Air Philippines; Nikolai Somoicke, Lufthansa-Teknik; and Andreas, Hezzner, Lufthansa-Teknik.


Mayday! Mayday!

"All of us are suffering from deep bleeding (in manpower). We are losing (pilots and mechanics) faster than we can produce. Even trainers and instructors are now being pirated," Medina lamented.

He said among those being lured by international airline companies are the cream of the crop who have undergone extensive safety and skill proficiency trainings financed and conducted by Philippine-based firms.

Rodriguez revealed that poachers have resorted to buying up employment contracts that usually tie pilots, mechanics and aviation engineers to local airline firms.

Airline firms in European countries, India, Middle East and the United States have been identified as among the poachers of skilled Filipino manpower.

India alone reportedly offers as much as $10,000 monthly pay for pilots. The salary is exclusive of other amenities offered such as free board and lodging for the recruit's family and even scholarships in international schools for their children.

Filipino aviation personnel are acknowledged worldwide as among the most competent and the best trained in the industry.

jusy visited pal's website and surprinsingly they already have 9 a320's....




The A320 is the founding member of the A320 family, the world's first fly-by-wire jetliner family. The wide, comfortable cabin makes the aircraft popular with passengers and crew alike.


Power 2 CFM Int'l CFM-56-5B

Speed 458 knots / 528 mph

Capacity 150/156/177 Passengers
(2-class layout) and 7 tons Cargo


Number 9

That SQ lounge looks like the Manila Lounge in T1, does have SQ have a separate lounge or is it shared. Most of the foreign airlines share lounges in T1.

Thanks jef7 for the shots! :D

first class is actually very very nice...even on pal!...me and my brother were originally supposed to be in business class when we flew to the philippines last march...but after 3 cancelled flights due to something being wrong with the 747's engine, we were finally put on an a340 and bumped up to first class!...such awesome service...i kinda feel bad for my parents who stayed in economy...
First Class on PR's A343 (A340-300) is the finest premium product the airline can muster esp. with those lie-flat seats. I had the opportunity to try it out in the LAS-YVR (Las Vegas-Vancouver) PR 107. There were only two other people in the cabin...one of them being Martin Nievera. :D Just wish my brother and mom could've joined me in the front of the aircraft to experience it as well...

I have a trip report of it in Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/54309/6/#ID54309).

Bustero, the Silver Kris lounge is operated by SQ though I'm not sure if they share with other airlines.
Link to the SQ page w/ more info on the lounge. (http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/lounges/skl_man.jsp)

I'll be redeeming my Worldperks miles and will be flying on Northwest's new World Business Class (unless there's a last minute a/c change where I'd be assigned with a 747-200) in my Spring Break trip. 30,000 miles round trip from Japan is seriously a steal for me! :D

ah neat stuff, libre rin ba lahat ng pagkain...

Absolutely. You can eat (drink) everything you want :) .

But you definitely have to put control since you'll also want to enjoy the food in-flight.

That SQ lounge looks like the Manila Lounge in T1, does have SQ have a separate lounge or is it shared. Most of the foreign airlines share lounges in T1.

Well, SQ's lounges in Terminal 1 are primarily for SQ's premium passengers, however, if you hold a Star Alliance Gold card (with other carriers like UA) then you can access the Business Class Lounge.

And yes, SQ has separate clubs for First and Business class passengers. The differences are subtle, almost unnoticeable, but the F class club is definitely more private.

And Skyblade, I have read your report. You did a great job.

Someday, I wish to try PR's premium cabins. Right now though I fly exclusively on UA and its Star Alliance partners.

Thanks jef7 for the shots! :D


First Class on PR's A343 (A340-300) is the finest premium product the airline can muster esp. with those lie-flat seats. I had the opportunity to try it out in the LAS-YVR (Las Vegas-Vancouver) PR 107. There were only two other people in the cabin...one of them being Martin Nievera. :D Just wish my brother and mom could've joined me in the front of the aircraft to experience it as well...

I have a trip report of it in Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/54309/6/#ID54309).

Bustero, the Silver Kris lounge is operated by SQ though I'm not sure if they share with other airlines.
Link to the SQ page w/ more info on the lounge. (http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/lounges/skl_man.jsp)

I'll be redeeming my Worldperks miles and will be flying on Northwest's new World Business Class (unless there's a last minute a/c change where I'd be assigned with a 747-200) in my Spring Break trip. 30,000 miles round trip from Japan is seriously a steal for me! :D


Ah I've read your review on airliner.net , so that's you!
with a name like silver kris sounds like it's exclusively for SIA, looks so much like club manila and star , which are premium lounges in Naia 1 which are shared by other operators.

I've not had the opportunity to try PR's 1st class. I like their A340 ( I like A 340's in general:)) but was just on their A330 from Davao couple days a go and the interiors shaked like crazy. Ok naman it was clean and all but I find the changes in noise level disturbing when the engines automaticlaly rev up for a manouver. Buti pa ang 340 so quiet!

Jeff ty for your input:)

Cebu Pacific Air offers P10 fare
Mar. 03, 2006

CEBU PACIFIC AIR is offering a P10 one-way fare to any of its domestic destinations to celebrate its 10th year in the business.

The airline started operations on March 8, 1996. The tickets are available from March 3 to 8 -- or until seats run out -- for use from June 20 to Oct. 18.

Over 100,000 seats are available on all of the airline's aircraft for this anniversary seat sale, the company said in a statement.

The P10 does not include taxes and surcharges. The tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, the airline said.

Cebu Pacific general manager Bong Mojica said the promo marks a milestone in Philippine aviation history. "Never before has an airline offered fares this low," he said.

The P10 fare can be booked and ticketed through the website www.cebupacificair.com.

The tickets are also available through the new reservations office, with phone number +632 7020888, or at Cebu Pacific ticket offices and accredited travel agents.

^ 10 pesos is sooooo cheap....

So, is HK the only international destination CebPaf have right now?

^ 10 pesos is sooooo cheap....

If the Peso=Dollar rate is 50:1 then ten pesos is only twenty cents! :shocked:

Thanks jef7 for the shots! :D


First Class on PR's A343 (A340-300) is the finest premium product the airline can muster esp. with those lie-flat seats. I had the opportunity to try it out in the LAS-YVR (Las Vegas-Vancouver) PR 107. There were only two other people in the cabin...one of them being Martin Nievera. :D Just wish my brother and mom could've joined me in the front of the aircraft to experience it as well...

I have a trip report of it in Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/54309/6/#ID54309).

Bustero, the Silver Kris lounge is operated by SQ though I'm not sure if they share with other airlines.
Link to the SQ page w/ more info on the lounge. (http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/lounges/skl_man.jsp)

I'll be redeeming my Worldperks miles and will be flying on Northwest's new World Business Class (unless there's a last minute a/c change where I'd be assigned with a 747-200) in my Spring Break trip. 30,000 miles round trip from Japan is seriously a steal for me! :D

I flew on PAL's First Class several times back in the 1980s and 1990s. I flew on the B747-200, B747-400, and the A340 (the MD-11 only offered Mabuhay Class); they were all on PAL's trans-Pacific flights (Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco). Service onboard back than was very good. I even slept on the SkyBeds which were located on the Upper Deck of the B747-200s; you could really get a good night's sleep! I really miss the SkyBeds!

Hopefully, when PAL gets out of financial rehabilitation, they should really improve their in-flight product. I really do hope for the best for PAL.

So, is HK the only international destination CebPaf have right now?

i know cebu pacific used to fly to singapore, cuz they were boarding next to my boarding gate, on way to manila just a year ago. i've check their site but it says they only fly to hongkong, i don't know what happen. :dunno:

^^ Cebu Pacific scrapped flights to Singapore because it wasn't generating that much business for them, PR and SQ took most of the market share on that sector.

I even slept on the SkyBeds which were located on the Upper Deck of the B747-200s; you could really get a good night's sleep! I really miss the SkyBeds!


Man, you're seriously lucky! Would love to have tried the Skybed but I was just a little thing when they began phasing it out of the 742s...:(

Cebu Pacific scrapped flights to Singapore because it wasn't generating that much business for them, PR and SQ took most of the market share on that sector.

Dont forget jetstar asia and Tiger airways. :)

cheers

Asian Spirit will fly to Palau starting April 2 na pala. If you don't know where Palau is, it's the tiny island just east of the Philippines. The carrier flies there thrice a week from the Davao International Airport. Is this Asian Spirit's first international destination?

Asian Spirit will fly to Palau starting April 2 na pala. If you don't know where Palau is, it's the tiny island just east of the Philippines. The carrier flies there thrice a week from the Davao International Airport. Is this Asian Spirit's first international destination?

Anybody have a clue on the type of aircraft they will be using? I'm surprised that there is a Market for Davao - Palau route.

^Why link a small Philippine city to a paradise island?, it would be more sensible if they linked Cebu or Clark or Manila.

Why link a small Philippine city to a paradise island?, it would be more sensible if they linked Cebu or Clark or Manila.

Davao city is hardly a small city. :colgate:

From what I've read there is a demand for a Davao - Palau route due to OFWs and contract workers. Likewise, the last time I was in Davao, there was a contingent of Micronesian tourists staying at the Insular hotel.

^Why link a small Philippine city to a paradise island?, it would be more sensible if they linked Cebu or Clark or Manila.

there are two other intl flights in davao - singapore via silkair and manado (indonesia) via merpati. davao-kota kinabalu was suspended in late 90s & theres no plan to resume even theres demand according to malaysian airlines.

heres snapshots of davao:

malayan inspired city...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f368/badith/newcollage.jpg


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/efb0aa30.jpg

DAVAO Nights!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/dvonyts.jpg
pics courtesy of all the forumers in SSC-DAVAO

Anybody have a clue on the type of aircraft they will be using? I'm surprised that there is a Market for Davao - Palau route.

Asian Spirit fills Laoag void
Flights to Laoag International Airport in the Ilocos Norte provincial capital have resumed, with Asian Spirit Airlines filling the gap left when Philippine Airlines dropped the route.
Asian Spirit is flying to Laoag four times weekly from Manila using 100-seat British Aerospace BAe 146 jets. The one-hour flights leave Manila at 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays returning at 10.30am, and on Fridays and Sundays ex-Manila at 3pm returning from Laoag at 4.30pm. The one-way fare starts at 2,400 pesos.
PAL suspended its four flights weekly to Laoag in mid-February due to what it called “the lack of staff willing to serve at Laoag International Airport.” Feuding between two of the major family clans in Ilocos Norte is believed to behind the problem.
The airline’s ground operation there had been handled by a local company, although PAL said it was still overseeing activities by periodically assigning regular staff to Laoag from its Manila head office.
Asian Spirit is currently expanding following its acquisition of the BAe jets. It recently launched a Davao-Manila route and says it will soon also add Zamboanga, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, as well a flight from Davao to Palau in Micronesia.
The airline says it is the only airline to actually station the aircraft it using on the route - an 83-seat British Aerospace 146 jet – at Davao International Airport. Daily flights leave Davao at 5.45am arriving Manila at 7.25am; then fly out from Manila at 5pm arriving Davao at 6.40pm to overnight there. The standard fare is 1,580 pesos one-way.

http://www.myph.com.ph/myph_explorer.htm

Guys, if you are planning to go anywhere in the philippines between june to october...book your flights with Cebu Pacific now...

I mean NOW! until bukas na lang yung promo nila...

hahaha good lord, i was only charged P1652 total for a round-trip ticket to cebu...what a bargain!!!!

ADB to lend P1b for Mindanao airports
By Nuhman Aljani

ZAMBOANGA CITY— The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has earmarked up to P1 billion in loans for the improvement of airports located in different cities in Mindanao, an official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said yesterday.

Antonio Mariano, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional director and undersecretary of the DoTC, said the national government with the loans from the ADB approved the modernization proposal of the airports in Cotabato City, Butuan City, Puerto Princesa City and Sanga-Sanga provincial airport in Tawi-Tawi.

“Cotabato airport already received an initial P600,000 funding last month for its modernization. This was after we received the request and complaint of the different airline owners to improve our airport,” Mariano revealed.

Mariano added that anytime this year, “we expect another P45 million for the full development of Cotabato City airport. This was after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the proposal jointly made by ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong.”

Some P1 million was also allocated for the long-range modernization of the Zamboanga City International Airport (ZCIA) but it was canceled by the ADB purportedly because the project had “no economic viability.”

Celso Bayabos, manager of the CZIA, said the cancelation of the funding was a “shocking and devastating blow” to the local airport.

He said the development was unexpected, considering that in the ADB study, ZCIA comes out as their top priority for rehabilitation and improvement.

In his statement, Bayabos said they were surprised by the ADB cancelation because, he said, Zamboanga is more economically stable than cities like Butuan and Cotabato.

He added that the poor condition of the ZCIA and its defective runway even endangers the safety of the landing and take-off of aircraft, especially since the airport accepts 40 flights everyday.

Gov’t to create AAP to replace airport agencies

The government will create the Airports Authority of the Philippines (AAP) to replace four major international airports in the country.

Roberto Castañares, assistant secretary, Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said that upon the creation of the AAP, the Manila International Airport (MIAA), the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), the Subic Bay International Airport Authority (SBIAA), and the Clark International Airport Authority (CIAA) will be abolished.

Castañares said the DoTC will endorse the bill creating the AAP on the second quarter of the year to the Lower House.

"The bill will merge the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The new body will then manage all the properties of the international airports," Castañares said.

He said the creation of the AAP would allow officials of the losing international and alternate airports to secure loans and assistance for airport development.

The creation of the agency is recommended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the National Airport Master Plan Study, a R20-million grant for the Philippines to improve its national airport system.

As this developed, four local carriers have petitioned the DoTC to develop airport facilities in support of their programs to replace aging aircraft and save on rising costs of fuel.

The petitioners were Philippine Airlines (PAL), Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Asian Spirit.

PAL is expected to receive nine brand-new Airbus A320 jets with an option to buy an additional five aircraft from 2006 to 2008 in a deal worth 0 million.

Air Philippines will buy four B747-200 to operate this quarter, while CEB has on order for 10 Airbus A319 and two A320 until 2007.

Asian Spirit has an order of two DASH7 and three Bae146 to be introduced in May.

Castañares said the carriers proposed the development of airports in Cotabato, Kalibo, Caticlan, Busuanga, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Butuan, Dipolog, Roxas and Zamboanga.

They specifically proposed the development of the 2,600 sq. meter passenger terminal building and 196 meter administration building in Kalibo to accommodate more passengers going to Boracay island.

They also proposed that the runway in Cotabato airport be extended to 2,100 x 45 meters from 1,900 x 36 meters to accommodate A320 from the existing B737 by 2007.

They also want the construction of a new administration building and the extension of runways and taxiways at the Caticlan Airport by 2007.

The immediate rehabilitation of the terminal building and the paving of taxiway and apron at Busuanga airport which services traffic for Northern Palawan and parts of Mindoro.

The development of the Zamboanga International Airport to accommodate A320 and B737 flights this year and A330 starting 2007.

They also want the expansion of the 1,384 sq. meter passenger terminal and improvement of fire stations at the Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan.

Air Philippines will buy four B747-200 to operate this quarter, while CEB has on order for 10 Airbus A319 and two A320 until 2007.

Where will Air Philippines use these B747-200s? Is it for the Korea, China markets or are they planning anything for the US mainland market?

747-200 for air philippines!? whoa! baka 737-200.... anyways.... im happy for them.... sana mabalik na ung skybeds, althought it is quite impossible... are the 747's new? wow... and the first quarter is almost over.... any news about their "747's?"

Such a flawed news article. I think PAL only wishes that their order is

0 million

PAL is expected to receive nine brand-new Airbus A320 jets with an option to buy an additional five aircraft from 2006 to 2008 in a deal worth 0 million.

:D :D

Loss of pilots, ground crews may force PAL to scrap flights
By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes
The Philippine Star 03/09/2006

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) may have to start canceling flights very soon after discovering that the reduction in the number of its mission-critical staff, particularly pilots, has already reached "a critical level."

This was disclosed by former PAL president Avelino Zapanta who said that over the last three months alone, the airline company has lost 15 pilots to overseas airlines, which have resorted to buying out the contracts of local pilots just to speed up recruitment.

From 2004 to 2005 alone, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has reported that more than 200 aircraft mechanics and another 1,159 aircraft mechanics and technicians have left the country. Pending with the same agency are job orders from overseas airlines for more than 200 pilots and around 2,000 aircraft mechanics from the Philippines.

In an earlier letter to Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, leaders of the local aviation industry, including PAL president and CEO Jaime Bautista, Cebu Pacific Air general manager Danilo Mojicam, Air Philippines president Edilberto Medina, SEAIR vice president Bernardo Bandonell, and several service providers including Lufthansa Technik Philippines president Dr. Andreas Heizner, have urged the government to declare these skills as vital to national interest and to consider a ban on the overseas deployment of the said occupations and skills for a period of three to five years effective immediately.

Under Republic Act no. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, the State is empowered to suspend or ban the deployment of migrant workers in pursuit of national interest or when public welfare so requires and to put in place adequate programs to secure the services of professionals and highly skilled Filipinos in priority development areas of the public and private sectors.

"With the expected growth in passenger volume and fleets throughout the region, the problem is likely to remain. The loss of these personnel means that the maintenance requirement of the fleet of PAL, other foreign and domestic airlines would be impaired with dire consequences to domestic aviation and airline industry," they said.

Air travel is expected to grow at an unprecedented rate with passenger volume expected to increased by five percent yearly until 2023. This will require 16,601 new aircraft. China and India, Emirates, Etihad (Abu Dhabi’s airline) had all increased their fleets but made no provision for personnel development.

Zapanta revealed that China will need 10,000 pilots in the next 10 years while India will require around 4,000 in the next five years. India’s Jet Airways, which was apprehended for illegal recruitment of pilots in the Philippines last Dec., has said that it will recruit more than 100 pilots this year from the Philippines. Singapore meanwhile needs 767 aicraft mechanics and Saudi Arabia, another 73.

Airbus Global Market Forecast says aviation growth until 2023 will need 23,500 pilots per annum, 6,000 of which will be in Asia Pacific. Within the current decade alone, 279 aircrafts will be delivered to seven airlines in India, 233 to 11 airlines in China, and 77 aircrafts to three airlines in the Middle East, with more orders coming.

The domestic air transport industry is also expected to grow by at least 10 percent per annum for the next five years.

The Philippines only has 770 commercial pilots, 400 of which are with PAL while the rest are with Cebu Pacific and other airlines. There are also around 1,500 aircraft mechanics employed in the domestic air transport industry.

Air Philippines, Zapanta disclosed, is already short of pilots. While its minimum requirement is 24, it is now left with 18. "Thus, it has to resort to tempering its scheduling of flights," he said. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Air Philippines has ordered 18 additional aircrafts while Cebu Pacific has 12 new planes, with no pilots.

The ones being pirated, he explained, are those with seven to 10 years experience. "It is not easy to replace these pilots. Our aviation schools are producing very few new pilots. And it will take time to train them," he added. It takes around seven to 10 years to develop a captain and five to six years to become an aircraft mechanic, such that overseas airlines avoid the long lead time to develop mission-critical personnel by pirating ready-made staff.

All training investments (at least P8 million for a captain and P3 million for a mechanic A) are shouldered by domestic employers, Zapanta noted.

While local commercial pilots are receiving around $4,000 to $6,000 a month, these overseas carriers which are heavily subsidized like those in China and India are offering double the amount, something Philippine companies will not be able to do given the low cost of fares here. According to Zapanta, while pilots account for only five percent of their workforce, they also account for 20 percent of salaries.

The aviation industry has attempted to stop the "bleeding" by requiring the pilots to give a six-month notice before they can shift to another airline. The problem however is that the pilots just resign in advance, PAL officials said.

The local industry is proposing the passage of legislation that will penalize violation of the proposed moratorium as well as the six-month notice requirement by cancellation of the pilot’s license. "However, we also have a situation where other countries are willing to extend a new license just to recruit our pilots," Zapanta said.

It has also recommended an income tax holiday for local pilots, who Zapanta said are paying as much as 32-percent income tax compared to overseas workers who are not taxed on their income earned from abroad.

In its letter to Sto. Tomas, the aviation sector emphasized that if the current exodus of these highly-skilled mission critical staff continues, the impact on the operations of the local aviation industry as well as the subsequent loss of the sector’s contribution to the national economy would be severe and irreparable. In 2004, the air transport industry accounted for 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

They said the continued survival and viability of this industry depends on the stable number of mission-critical staff such as aircraft pilots, mechanics, planners, and engineers are required by regulatory agencies such as the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European Air Safety Agency, Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, and the Philippines’ Air Transportation Office.

They noted that this will not be the first time that a moratorium on deployment of workers would be considered since in the early ’80s, government also implemented a similar intervention to contain a similar exodus to protect the national interest.

747-200 for air philippines!? whoa! baka 737-200.... anyways.... im happy for them.... sana mabalik na ung skybeds, althought it is quite impossible... are the 747's new? wow... and the first quarter is almost over.... any news about their "747's?"

I'm not sure, but i think Boeing no longer manufactures brand new 747-200s. skyblade and ewh1 could prolly confirm this for me.

kaya nga eh.... i doubt na air philippines would acquire 747 jets.... but if they do, im happy for them :)

if they do, its prolly a used lease or a used purchase.

yeah.. B747-200 stopped production way before 1990 so they are definately not new.. lol
I think this was probably a error but if it isn't.. good for them!

what´s this article in today´s business world about new flights to palawan ? i am not a member so i cannot access the article, can anyone post it here please ? salamat !

ola rich long time no post!

I think it's a typo, airphil is moving to an all 737 fleet and mostly it's 737-200's! so I think the article is not so accurate (as many local reports are! ass ewh pointed out they bought it for FREE -eh :weird: hahaha)

arggh coke is right but I'm too late!

yes bustero,

i am very busy with my work right now, a lot of changes are happening in germany. so i have to addapt as a freelancer. anyway, can anyone quote that article about puerto princesa and new flights from overseas in yesterdays business world ?

Celebration for the arrival of 5J's (Cebu Pacific) new airbus.

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2006/photos-1031006.htm

Touring the inside cabin

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2006/photos-2031006.htm

maganda ang cabin...

On a lighter note.... :colgate:

Rat forces passengers to disembark in runway

This time, it wasn’t a case of burst tires. A rat on board a Gulf Air flight that landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday forced passengers to disembark in the middle of the airport’s tarmac and delayed its return trip to its point of origin for three hours.

Gulf Air flight 154 from Manama, Bahrain, arrived at 12:27 p.m. but was not allowed to park at Naia Terminal 1 after some passengers saw a rodent inside the aircraft passengers’ overhead compartment.

Two buses were dispatched to the airport’s runway to pick up the passengers and crewmembers. The plane was stopped about 500 meters away from the arrival hall of Terminal 1.

A team from the Bureau of Quarantine, equipped with various forms of disinfectants, fumigated the entire fuselage in an attempt to kill the rat before the plane was towed to the airport’s terminal.

However, the rat, described by passengers as dark-colored and about two inches long, was not found by the team.

Quarantine officials, however, assured that the rodent could not survive the fumigation as every corner and part of the aircraft’s body was disinfected.

The Gulf Air flight departed Manila en route to its point of origin after three hours in Naia. The rat’s remains, if it failed to evade fumigation, were not found.

:hilarious

Airlines seek halt in hiring of expats
By Carlo Leo C. Manuel 03/13/2006

Officials of local airline companies are asking Congress for a five-year moratorium on the overseas recruitment of pilots, aircraft engineers and mechanics, which have all contributed to the drastic weakening of the local aviation industry.

Officials of Air Philippines, Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Air Inc., Asian Spirit, Luftansa Teknik and other airline companies have all expressed their concern over this plight of the flight industry.

PAL vice president for flight operations Johnny Andrews said the safety aspect should be considered since all experienced pilots are being recruited abroad.

“This (moratorium) is a short-term solution to stem the very high demand abroad,” he said. “For long term, the training capacity of flights schools in the country should be increased.”

Air Philippines president Edilberto Medina said even trainers and instructors are being pirated.

“These people recruited abroad were by products of training financed and conducted by Philippine based firms,” he said. “Five years would be a good time to buy time for replacements of personnel.”

For his part, Cebu Air general manager Bong Mojica said the Philippine aviation industry should learn to protect itself from the reality that local aviation personnel are in such high demand abroad.

“There is a global demand for pilots and we have to make sure that we retain our pilots,” he added.

The local aviation industry has also earlier urged government to require foreign airline operators recruiting currently employed Filipino pilots and aircraft mechanics to put up training schools in the country. They said this concession has been the practice in other countries.

The local airlines complained that they spend millions of pesos to train their own pilots and mechanics only to lose them to poaching of foreign airlines offering triple or quadruple their current salaries.

Representatives of local airline operators as well as and various Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Overhaul (MRO) facilities submitted this proposal to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Department of Labor and Employment in the recently concluded National Manpower Summit.

Cesar Lamberte, PAL vice president for Human Resource Development speaking for the pilots and lawyer Enzo Ziga, representing the MRO facilities, said requiring foreign airline operators to put up their own training schools is over and above their urgent request for the issuance of the moratorium.

Ziga said a mechanic needs five to six years training before he can be given an “A” rating.

For his part, Lamberte opined that a pilot needs seven to 10 years before he becomes a captain.

Statistics from the POEA showed 1,159 highly-trained aircraft mechanics had left the country since 2003.

Lamberte said 75 of PAL pilots have left for foreign employment since 2003 and 15 of these just in January and February 2006 alone.

A total of 120 pilots from all local airlines left the country since 2000.

A think-tank paper titled, The Air Transport Industry, submitted by Dr. Marie Arganon said China alone will need some 10,000 pilots in the next 20 years and India will need 4,000 in the next five years.

It said the growth period until 2023 will require 23,000 pilots, 6,000 of which will come from the Asia-Pacific region.

Currrently, Singapore has a pending job order for 50 pilots at the POEA. For aircraft mechanics, Singapore needs 767 senior mechanics and additional 50 junior aircraft mechanics while Hong Kong and Qatar are both open with no specific numbers of requirements, while Saudi Arabia needs 73 mechanics.

Get Real : What makes pilots special?
By Solita Collas-Monsod Mar 11, 2006

The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (Republic Act 8042) empowers the government to suspend or ban the deployment of migrant workers in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires it. It is this provision that is now being used to justify the imposition of a three- to five-year ban on the overseas employment of -- guess who? -- airline pilots.

Oh, sure, the chair of the House committee on labor and employment, Rep. Roseller Barinaga, included aircraft personnel, information technology (IT) engineers and electronic technicians as part of the brain drain that he says is debilitating the country. He also mentioned in passing the shortage of doctors, teachers and health industry workers (which presumably includes nurses, whom he does not specifically mention). But the figures he cited have to do mostly with pilots.

Which immediately raises warning flags. After all, one would have thought that the exodus of doctors and nurses and teachers would have the most far-reaching and long-run negative effects on the country's human development -- and yet no one is suggesting a ban on their leaving. So what makes pilots so special?

The answer can be gleaned from various news reports. Reading them, it becomes obvious that banning pilots from working for foreign airlines will benefit business tycoon Lucio Tan and his two airlines -- mainly Philippine Airlines (PAL), which employs more than half of all commercial pilots. His minions relate it to national interest in the following manner: Because of the pilot exodus (about 60 a year), the number of PAL flights have to be reduced, depriving the Filipino people of much needed airline service, i.e., what is bad for Tan and PAL is bad for the country. A media campaign seems to be in progress to put that message across.

The reasoning is fallacious, of course. It assumes that if PAL is crippled or dies, no one else will take its place, which is nonsense. In the international arena, any number of airlines are ready, willing and able to fill the gap, as was shown when PAL gave up its European flights, with the international community not even noticing it. And there is no reason to think that given a domestic market of 12 million non-poor families, there will be no new airlines forthcoming, or that existing competing airlines (Cebu Pacific Air, for one, whose expansion PAL has repeatedly tried to block) will not be ready to take up the slack.

But isn't pilot scarcity the problem? Where will these other airlines get their pilots? Simple: They entice them back from abroad, or make it less attractive for those who are here to leave, while at the same time preparing for the long term by making sure that the pipeline of pilots-in-training is widened rather than narrowed.

On the pipeline issue, my information is that before Tan took over PAL, it ran a pilot training school that accepted students who had passed entrance examinations and proceeded to train them, and only when they joined PAL were the training costs deducted from their salaries over a period of time. Tan apparently changed that; students must now pay the entire tuition cost (around P1.9 million at present) within a year of entering the school. No wonder the pilot pipeline narrowed, but that can be reversed.

The pilot exodus can also be reversed if we understand why the pilots leave or want to leave in the first place. That is because, they claim, Tan treats them like dirt. Their story: He used his considerable influence during the Estrada administration to have their strike declared illegal, terminated them all and then rehired them under onerous conditions-entry level salaries, loss of seniority (with retirement and pension implications), no union allowed.

To add insult to injury, those salaries reportedly were not increased from then until about one and a half years ago (probably in an attempt to stem the pilot exodus), when in the guise of making them (only senior pilots) part of management, they were given "premium" pay of 15 percent, but with a caveat: "Please note that premium pay is not included in the computation of retirement pay, 13th and 14th-month pay, and leaves commutation."

Senior PAL pilots say they get between $2,500 and $3,500 monthly (not $4,000 to $6,000 as claimed by PAL). The foreign airlines offer them $9,000 to $12,000. But some pilots also say that had PAL offered them even just one-half the industry pay average, they would not leave, to avoid the painful separation from their families.

But instead of using carrots to keep their pilots, PAL uses sticks -- arbitrarily increasing the amounts the pilots must pay to reimburse the cost of their specialized training, requiring them to give six months' notice before leaving, refusing to give them back the 25 percent of their pay that was set aside as forced savings, refusing to give references, using its muscle to harass the foreign recruiters (accusing them of illegal recruitment and sic-ing the National Bureau of Investigation on them) as well.

Failing to stem the hemorrhage despite all these measures, Lucio Tan's PAL, together with other domestic airlines (including Cebu Pacific, alas) is now campaigning to ban the foreign deployment of pilots. If they succeed, not only will the pilots be at their mercy, but the danger of having a domestic airline cartel increases exponentially. National interest? My sainted foot.

Arroyo Inaugurates Cebu Pacific's New A320

MANILA, March 13 Asia Pulse - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the inauguration on Friday of Cebu Pacific's brand new A320 Airbus at the Airline Operations Centre of the Manila Domestic Airport.

The inauguration of the first of two A320 Airbuses acquired by Cebu Pacific coincided with the celebration of the airline company's 10th anniversary.

Cebu Pacific started operation in March 1996, more than one year after the airline industry was liberalized by the government.

The two new planes are the latest addition to Cebu Pacific's fleet, which includes 14 new A319s. The airline firm has launched a re-fleeting program aimed at making it the No. 1 domestic carrier in five years.

The President, together with Cebu Pacific Air chairman emeritus John Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific Air president, and chief executive officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei, poured champagne on the A320's nose cone to inaugurate the new plane before touring the aircraft's interior.

Gokongwei told the President that Cebu Pacific's re-fleeting program is a "manifestation of the airline firms commitment to the country's tourism agenda by connecting all the people in the islands on time and with great service but low fares." Gokongwei also said that Cebu Pacific will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life of the Filipino by being an active partner of government in working for the nation's progress.

"We are committed to the Philippines. We want to be a partner in its growth. This huge investment will make travel and tourism a more vibrant sector," he said.

Cebu Pacific is the country's second largest airline, next to the flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

It operates 80 flights daily to 16 domestic destinations. It also maintains international flights to Hong Kong, China and Bangkok.

(PNA)

Asian Spirit starts Davao-Palau flights on April 2
Monday, March 13, 2006

Asian Spirit makes aviation history on 02 April 2006 with the inauguration of its Davao-Palau flights utilizing their latest state-of-the-art British Aerospace (BAE) 1 46 Jet Aircraft. Asian Spirit will connect the City in Bloom to the Dive Paradise of the Pacific 3 times weekly.

For only US$230.00 roundtrip (Davao-Palau-Davao) airfare (exclusive of applicable taxes, no visa requirements for Filipino tourists), Davaoeños and Mindanaoans can now experience the beauty of this Micronesian paradise.

Located 7 degrees north of the equator in the Western Pacific Ocean, a mere 500 km South East of the Philippines, Palau is only an hour and a half trip from Davao City. It consists of the high islands of Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur in the south, the low coral atolls of Kayangel to the North East and Ngeruangel and the limestone Rock Islands of which there are more than 200.

Only eight of the republic's islands are inhabited by its population of 20,303, consisting of Palauans, Carolinians, other Micronesians, Filipinos, Chinese, and other Asians.

Besides having a sunny climate all year round, Palau is also located outside the typhoon zone.

As a major tou rism destination in the Pacific, Palau prides itself with a unique culture, fascinating historical spots, numerous pristine islands, unspoiled coral reefs, excellent dive havens, a "stingless" jellyfish lake, and various adventure and leisure activities to keep guests engaged during their stay.

Asian Spirit flies from Davao City to Palau every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (departs from Davao at 8:30 p.m. / arrives in Palau at 11:00 p.m., Palau local time, 1 hour ahead of Philippine time).

Palau to Davao City flights are on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (departs Palau at 3:30 a.m., Palau local time / arrives in Davao at 4:00 a.m.).

Monsod's article has some factual errors, but in general her point is valid in terms of keeping selected professions from leaving.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid202/p673108ef481a97ad4a5fae4af6a6c404/efd57428.jpg

saan ba makakabili ng ticket??... gusto ko nang umuwi... and 120 is soooo cheap... mas mahal pa nga ang ibang US domestic flights...

Manila-Vigan flights planned
March 16, 2006

VIGAN CITY -- The seldom-used airstrip in the village of Mindoro here will soon be expanded as a local businessman is determined to set up the first Manila-Vigan flight for Ilocos Sur balikbayans or Filipinos returning from abroad.

Jose Singson Jr., the regional partner and franchisee of Asian Spirit here, said the flight will be considered once they can establish that there are as many balikbayans coming from Ilocos Sur as there are in Ilocos Norte.

Asian Spirit on Feb. 21 revived the Manila-Laoag-Manila route after Philippine Airlines withdrew following a quarrel between an airline official and a local politician.

Asian Spirit flies to Laoag and back to Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Asian Spirit Executive Vice President Joaquin Po said they decided to keep the original schedule of PAL so that the passengers, who are making the connecting flight from Hawaii and the US West Coast, where most of the Ilocano balikbayan come from, will not be confused.

Asian Spirit is flying a newly-acquired 100-seat BAe, replacing PAL’s 150-seat Airbus A320.

Singson said that based on their analysis, PAL had been filling up 120 of 150 seats for the past three years. “The business was actually peaking months before the airline pulled out,” he said.

He also said their report showed half of the PAL passengers were balikbayan, mostly from United States, while half were local tourists.

“If we can establish that there will be an equal number of the Ilocano balikbayan coming from Ilocos Sur compared to those in Ilocos Norte, then establishing the Manila-Vigan flight will be feasible,” he said.

He said they would use smaller planes for Vigan and rehabilitate the Mindoro airstrip.

Travelling from Laoag International Airport by car to this city takes more than an hour, and from Vigan City to Candon City, the other city in the province, by another hour. But travelling by car from Manila to Laoag takes eight to 10 hours.

Singson said they are going to Taiwan and China this month to forge deals for possible Asian Spirit flights to the two areas.

Exodus of pilots delays PAL expansion
By Alena Mae S. Flores

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is slowing down with its expansion plan due to the exodus of its pilots to other airlines abroad, the company’s top official said yesterday.

PAL president Jaime Bautista told reporters the company was scheduled to take delivery of three Airbus 319s starting September for domestic and regional flights.

“We were supposed to take delivery of four units but we deferred the delivery of one until January next year because of this pilot exodus problem. So, for next year there will be a total of seven units. Six are A320 and the other one A319,” Bautista said.

He said European credit agencies would finance 85 percent of PAL’s $840 million refleeting program. The balance will be funded by equity. The amount covers the lease price for the six A320 scheduled for delivery until 2008.

“This will be our first year of our refleeting program, which is scheduled to last until 2008. So by 2008, we should be operating A319s and A320, replacing all our four Boeing 737s,” Bautista said.

“We may be forced to cut back on our flights if the problem worsens,” he said.

PAL said the number of its pilots has reached a critical level.

He said the long-term solution is for the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to issue an executive order, allowing a moratorium on deployment of pilot and mechanical engineers for a certain period of time.

PAL spends about P14 million to train each pilot for a period of 10 years.

PAL says year to March profit likely flat
By Cecille Yap XFN-Asia March 16, 2006

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES INC's (PAL) net profit for the year ending March 31 may be at about the same level as the 1.2 billion pesos it reported for the previous financial year as costlier fuel offset higher earnings, its president Jaime Bautista said.

The country's largest carrier is aiming for record-high earnings in the next year to March 2007, Bautista said, as PAL stops flying unprofitable routes and increase flights to destinations where passenger traffic is robust.

Unlisted PAL is planning to borrow 840 million dollars to fund a major refleeting program, he added.

"More or less the bottom line would be the same from the previous fiscal year," Bautista told reporters, when asked how much profit the airline would make in the current year to March 31. "I can only say that load has increased by 5 percent."

"We expect to report our best financial performance in 65 years in 2006 [fiscal year to March 2007]," he said.

PAL has stopped flying to Riyadh and would increase flights to the US and Beijing later this month, Bautista said.

The airline, owned by tycoon Lucio Tan, will also boost weekly flights to Los Angeles to 10 from nine currently, and will increase flights to San Francisco to nine from eight.

It will start flying four times a week to Beijing from its three-times-a-week schedule.

Meanwhile, Bautista said the carrier will borrow 840 million dollars from an export credit agency and commercial banks to pay for six A320 aircraft and one A319 that will arrive next year.

In December, PAL sealed a purchase agreement with Airbus and deliveries of the new planes will commence in the second half.

"We are scheduled to take delivery of three A319s this year in September to November. They will be used for our domestic and regional flights," Bautista said, adding that funding for this year's delivery has been provided for.

The borrowing for next year's new planes "is going to be a combination of export credit agency financing and commercial financing. It would likely be with European export credit agency Coface," Bautista said.

three 319's? i thought dalawa lang ung ile-lease nila?... correct me if im wrong

Look at this PR stuff. Now they're talking about not expanding! Well if they running out of pilots (and this is true as my nephew tell me) the solution is rather easy, pay them more, at least enough to make them stay.

I think the PAL corporate culture unfortunately is very sick, better to just have had it die a natural death in 99 if they will just limiting our flying options.



Vol. XIX, No. 168
Friday, March 17, 2006 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate News

BY KERLYN G. BAUTISTA, Reporter
PAL downscales fleet plans

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said that its six-year expansion program has been pared due to lack of pilots.

PAL Vice-President for Flight Operations John R. Andrews said that the Tan-controlled airline originally proposed to buy or lease 11 new planes over the next six years.

Pilot poaching however prompted it to simply plan for the lease of only two aircrafts -- an A319 and B747 -- next year for flights to the United States and Asia.

Refleeting programs for the next four years are still being outlined according to availability of pilots.

PAL employs 450 of the 700 pilots in the Philippines. About 15 PAL pilots left the company in January-February 2006, bringing the total number to 75 pilots since 2003.

The pilot base cannot support PAL’s fleet. In December 2005, PAL ordered nine brand new A320 jets with options to buy five more new A320s with a total aircraft list price of $840 million. The program will bring the total fleet of PAL to 38 aircrafts from 32 last year.

Pilots are limited to eight hours of flying time each day, requiring PAL to employ three more pilots for profitable long-haul flights.

"The earlier ordered aircrafts that the company announced last December will continue. We are plannin g to expand but we cannot expand as much as we want to," Mr. Andrews said.

"There is a very thin buffer now. We are not yet in a critical level but we are going there if the poaching continues. If 20 of our pilots leave at the same time for overseas jobs, then PAL will be in a very difficult situation because the pilots who are being pirated are the cream of the crop, the captains," Mr. Andrews added, noting that PAL can only produce annually over 28 neophyte pilots with limited flying time and experience.

Jaime J. Bautista, president of PAL, said that the company has outlined programs to entice their pilots to stay with the company as the refleeting continues.

Mr. Bautista said that PAL has increased retirements benefits by 50% for pilots approaching the age of 60 to 33 1/2 days for every year of service from 22 1/2 days. PAL pilots earn $4,000-$7,000 a month, less than the minimum $10,000 a month being offered by international airlines.

RETIREMENT

PAL has also created a Pilot’s Retirement Plan that will provide pilots with 20% of their combined annual gross salary and productivity pay tax-free upon retirement.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bautista said the company expects to earn profits for the year ending March 31. PAL registered P1.2 billion in net income last year.

Mr. Bautista attributed company’s performance to increased in load factor by five percent despite the higher passenger fuel fees.

Definite figures were not disclosed.

Let's hope these idiots don't screw around with the ability of people to seek better paying jobs abroad. Another politically motivated initiative protecting the interest of certain groups rather than the public.



Friday, March 17, 2006


Pilots, economists buck ban
on deployment abroad

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Cheryl M. Arcibal, Reporters

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will decide this month whether to grant the petition of the local aviation industry to impose a ban on the foreign deployment of airline personnel.

“We believe that the industry’s concern on imposing a ban on critical skills is valid,” Danilo Cruz, DOLE undersecretary, said.

Cruz added that Republic Act 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, allows the Secretary of Labor to impose a ban “in pursuit of public interest.”

The aviation industry, led by Philippine Airlines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, SeaAir as well as members of the Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, the country’s biggest group of aircraft maintenance workers, had written to Dole Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas asking for measures to stop the exodus of highly skilled mission critical staff in the Philippine aviation industry.

Meanwhile, the lobby of airline carriers to impose a ban on the foreign deployment of pilots and mechanics are “self-serving.”

Elmer Pena, president of the Airline Pilots Association of the Philippines (Alpap), told The Manila Times that the ban on the foreign deployment of pilots and mechanics are “self-serving.”

Pena, then a pilot of Philippine Airlines and Sri Lanka Airline, said, “The moratorium is a self-service in favor of the airline companies. The better solution is they should treat pilots right.”

The Alpap has 500 member pilots nationwide.

“Our members just want a competitive salary and a union that the airline companies prevented,” Pena said.

He said a local pilot only received a salary of $2,000 to $3,000 compared to the $8,000 to $12,000 a month that the foreign airlines offer.

“They should not restrict us to have a better life,” he said.

There are only about 700 pilots in the country, 450 of whom are with the PAL. About 75 of the PAL pilots have left for foreign employment since 2003, and 15 of them had just left last January and February.

Dennis Arroyo, director for national planning and policy of the National Economic and Development Authority, said on Wednesday that local airline companies should consider “minimizing” the disparity in the compensation of their pilots and other employees to encourage them to stay in the country.

“We should respect the decision of the pilots to get the best employment for them and their families,” Arroyo said.

He added that if the pilots see that the compensation they would be getting from local companies is “comparable” to what they would be receiving abroad, they could be persuaded to stay and “consider other factors such as homesickness and family ties.”

However, Arroyo said NEDA has yet to come up with a formal position on the issue, following the plea of local airline companies to impose a three- to five-year moratorium on the recruitment and deployment of Filipino pilots abroad.

He said he also expects that the potential problem brought by the exodus of Filipino pilots would be addressed by a “supply response.”

“We expect the Filipinos to adjust to market signals and that more aviation schools will be put up and many will be encourage to enroll in aviation courses,” Arroyo said.

Benjamin Diokno, an economist from the University of the Philippines, said the government and local companies should not “deny the basic right of Filipino pilots for better opportunities.”

“It is not the role of the government to restrict labor mobility. Instead, it should pay attention and realize that there is something wrong with our situation here,” Diokno said.

He said airline companies should also invest more in the training of their employees.

Records from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency showed that from 2000 to 2005, some 1,159 aircraft mechanics and technicians left the country, on top of the number of airline support crew personnel directly hired by foreign employers.

Job orders also indicated that Singapore needs 767 aircraft mechanics and 50 junior aircraft mechanics, Saudi Arabia needs 73, Hong Kong and Qatar did not specify the number of airline support crew they need, China will need 10,000 pilots in the next 20 years and India needs 3,500 pilots by 2010.

kokonte ba mga nagpipiloto. Panay kase nursing at law mga kinukuha . too many lawyers

^^mahal kasi magpilot, 10 years ago PAL would train their pilots for free for a fixed contract - that's ok in my book kasi they spent on them but now I had to help my nephew pay over a million in tuition for his training in PAL! and this is after his college pa. Take away the Philippine airforce as well as they only do basic flying na lang since we don't have a big inventory of planes anymore there is no source of pilots in the country!

picture muna... up close with the pal's 747-400


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/N754PR_Philip744_titleclose.jpg

Let me add some of my photos too :) :

Modern and pleasing to the eye
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00962.jpg

Time for some check-up
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00362.jpg

^^ Sweet...so unNAIA!

http://www.geocities.com/manila_naia/naia3-12.jpg
Friday, March 17, 2006

NAIA 3 will finally open on March 31

By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Thursday that the scheduled soft opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on March 31 will push ahead but only one airline is going to use its facilities in the meantime.

MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi said that the NAIA 3 opening is a sign of the government’s firm commitment to spur tourism and to provide a world-class facility to international passengers.

Cusi said that the new terminal’s operations will start even while work on the remaining 2 percent or 3 percent of the facility is still being completed by Japanese contractor Takenaka Corp.

In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that he hopes the airport will be finally opened to the public after the Supreme Court ruled with finality that the government could operate the world-class facility.

On Wednesday the Court reiterated its order for the government to pay P3 billion to the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (Piatco), which built the terminal, before it can operate the facility. The government had asked the Court to void the contract entered into by Piatco and the previous administration because it had many questionable provisions and had been attended by several irregularities.

The NAIA is designed to handle 13 million passengers yearly and to accommodate 20 international aircraft simultaneously at any given time.

Cusi said low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific will be the first airline to use NAIA 3 initially for its flights to Hong Kong and Inchon, South Korea.

Cusi said the P3 billion that is due to Piatco has been held in escrow in MIAA’s account at the Land Bank of the Philippines branch in Baclaran and can be paid to the firm anytime.

He urged other international airlines that will transfer to NAIA 3 to cooperate with the MIAA in the completion of the remaining features of the airport.

“I’m sure that we are one in our aim to provide Filipinos the best airport,” he said.

International carriers need to build counters, lounges and offices at NAIA 3. The NAIA 3 has a total floor area of 200,000 sq. m. with nine baggage carousels, 40 Customs counters, 120 immigration stations and 140 fully automated check-in counters.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/N754PR_Philip744_titleclose.jpg


:eek2: Cool! What airport was this photo taken?

either SFO or LAX

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid202/p673108ef481a97ad4a5fae4af6a6c404/efd57428.jpg
question.... saan ba makakabili ng ticket? i really want to book on this flight

^^ Fly at your own risk! :lol:

wag nalang.... nakakatakot naman yang plane na iyan

[QUOTE=jef7]Let me add some of my photos too :) :

Modern and pleasing to the eye
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00962.jpg

Time for some check-up
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00362.jpg[/QUOTE

GREAT SHOTS, GOOD QUALITY, EXCELLENT WORK jef7,
any more ?????

question.... saan ba makakabili ng ticket? i really want to book on this flight
:lol:
Walang babaan diyan. Para lang saka tadyak.

[QUOTE=jef7]Let me add some of my photos too :) :

Modern and pleasing to the eye
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00962.jpg

Time for some check-up
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00362.jpg[/QUOTE

GREAT SHOTS, GOOD QUALITY, EXCELLENT WORK jef7,
any more ?????

Is that NAIA T2? Looks awesome on the photo

Yeah, its terminal 2.

just wondering, is the control tower as old as terminal 1?

That Tower has been there forever. There used to be an older Tower on that site as well.

Nice pix from Carlos and Jef!

Good article on Naia 3 though better to post it in the Naia 3 thread:)

I thought the Lufthansa-MacroAsia JV did airbus, do they also do boeing's up to what c check. I know a 744 just came back from NL for their D check so they can't do it here.

I dont think Lufthansa-MacroAsia do C checks for PAL's Boeings. They just do the A and B checks, I guess.

Yeah, that control tower has been there forever. Just wonder how long that "forever" is.

^^at least 20 years from what I remember. Probably went up the time of Terminal 1 which is around 80 -81 (at least around that time) I think.

richard fischer and bustero: Glad you like the pictures. I do have more pics, and will sure post more images relevant to our discussions. I'm heading back to MNL in a few more days and my camera will be more active now that this forum is imprinted in my head :) .

And as you have noted bustero, I doubt this PR 744 is undergoing a D-check, most likely some very minor maintenance.

It's almost as if a 'nation' is getting ready for take off. What a beautiful tail!
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00961.jpg

SQ provides 3-class service on a few, selected routes, and MNL is one of them!
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00958.jpg

We'll sure miss this structure once all the airlines get settled on the new Terminal 3 :)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00354.jpg

And that means we'll have to say goodbye to this beloved area as well.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Philippines038.jpg

Oh wow.. There has been renovations in NAIA 1.... They removed the olive rubber matting and painted the walls. Cool

I just wish that once NAIA Terminal 3 is fully operational, they could renovate, beautify and modernize terminal 1.

Oh wow.. There has been renovations in NAIA 1.... They removed the olive rubber matting and painted the walls. Cool

Yes! I believe some of the renovations were implemented to beautify the airport during the SEA Games.

Let me add some of my photos too :) :

Modern and pleasing to the eye
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00962.jpg



wow... looks great. not bad.

agree with jamaicus on that point about t1... :)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00354.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Philippines038.jpg

Is this already the newly renovated T1 baggage claim area?

PAL scales back expansion plans amid pilot exodus
03/19 10:55:11 AM

MANILA (AFP) - An ambitious one billion dollar six-year expansion plan by national flag carrier Philippine Airlines could be cut back if the airline fails to halt an exodus of pilots seeking better pay elsewhere.

"This is not a problem unique to PAL," Jaime Bautista, the airline's president and chief operating officer, told AFP in an interview.

"Many airlines throughout the region are facing the same problem. The industry is expanding so fast, especially in India and China, there simply isn't enough experienced pilots to go round.

"So the easiest and cheapest way to get your pilots is to go to the established carriers and offer packages that make it hard for many pilots to refuse.

"It is cheap because you don't have to pay for their training because someone else has done that for you."

Late last year the airline unveiled a $1 billion expansion plan with the purchase of nine A320s with options for another five.

The plan was to have the new aircraft come into service between 2006 and 2008, with delivery on the options between 2009 and 2012 should the airline take them up.

Monday, March 20, 2006
Cebu Pacific sells over 150T seats in six days due to P10 fare promo

CEBU Pacific (CEB) has sold, in six promo days, more than 150,000 seats at P10 each for its 10th anniversary last week.

Lance Gokongwei, CEB president, said the airline will continue to assist the government in its efforts to promote domestic tourism by making air travel more affordable through permanent low fares.

“The key to getting these low fares is to book early,” he said.

New planes

President Arroyo, who was present during the celebration, led the blessing of one of the airline’s brand-new Airbus A319 aircraft.

CEB now operates two A320 aircraft and four A319 aircraft, all brand new.

Once it takes delivery of eight more new Airbus aircrafts in the next 12 months to complete its $670-million refleeting program, CEB would have the youngest fleet in Asia, Gokongwei said.

He said the program signifies CEB’s commitment to be an active partner in the nation’s progress by helping travel and tourism become a more vibrant sector. “We want more Filipinos to experience flying and we want to do our own share in connecting all of our islands with great, on time Cebu Pacific service,” he added.

Low fares

CEB earlier introduced its “Go” fares, in which the airline offers low fares year-round.

To mark its 10th year of service, the airline offered promotional fares of P10 one way, exclusive of taxes and surcharges, on any domestic destination for travel from June to October this year. More than 100,000 seats were allocated but over 150,000 seats were sold from March 3 to 8, the promo period.

More than half of these seats were sold online, through the airline’s website. (PR)

Vol. XIX, No. 169
Monday, March 20, 2006 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate News

BY KERLYN G. BAUTISTA, Reporter
Flag carrier PAL said it will not exit its rehab program this year

Tycoon Lucio Tan’s Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL), will not exit from a government-supervised rehabilitation program this year as major creditors had failed to act on proposed exit plans, its President Jaime J. Bautista told reporters.

Without going into specifics, Mr. Bautista said the creditors "neither approved nor rejected" the company’s program to leave the aegis of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since last year.

He, however, said PAL will convince creditors in the next few weeks to approve the exit program by citing benefits the company would gain from the move.

An early exit from rehabilitation will allow PAL to have better access to loans to fund its refleeting and other projects. An exit would also allow it to join an alliance of airlines where it can benefit from full use of its fleet and volume of transfer passengers.

PAL operates a mixed fleet of 14 narrow-body aircraft comprising seven A320s, four Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 737-400s. Last year, PAL bought nine brand-new Airbus A320 jets, with an option for five more, in a refleeting valued at $840 million.

By 2008, PAL would have 38 aircraft from only 32 last year.

"There are creditors who did not act on our request." Mr. Bautista said. "We don’t think it would be realistic for an exit to happen this year, perhaps next year."

The Asian financial crisis that started in 1997 and disputes with pilots and employees in 1998, pushed PAL to file for rehabilitation with the SEC in 1998, when it reported its largest financial loss of P8.08 billion.

PAL, however, said in December it would want to exit from its 10-year rehabilitation program ending in 2010 "sooner rather than later" due to improving financial conditions.

As of last year, PAL had already paid about $1 billion from its original debt of $2.2 billion when it entered rehabilitation in 1999. Debts were owed to the US Export-Import Bank, European export credit agencies, and local banks. Some of the debts are due to mature up to 2014.

Recently, PAL said that its six-year expansion has been pared due to lack of pilots. PAL vice-president for flight operations John R. Andrews had said the Tan-controlled airline originally proposed to buy or lease 11 new planes over the next six years.

Pilot poaching, however, prompted it to simply plan for the lease of only two aircraft next year for flights to the US and Asia.

Refleeting programs for the next four years are still being outlined according to availability of pilots.

Mr. Bautista had said the firm expects to earn profits for the year ending March 31.

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/7971/dsc003217cl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/6889/dsc003268bn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1028/dsc003259nc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3563/dsc003182gv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Monday, March 20, 2006
Cebu Pacific sells over 150T seats in six days due to P10 fare promo

CEBU Pacific (CEB) has sold, in six promo days, more than 150,000 seats at P10 each for its 10th anniversary last week.

Lance Gokongwei, CEB president, said the airline will continue to assist the government in its efforts to promote domestic tourism by making air travel more affordable through permanent low fares.

“The key to getting these low fares is to book early,” he said.

New planes

President Arroyo, who was present during the celebration, led the blessing of one of the airline’s brand-new Airbus A319 aircraft.

CEB now operates two A320 aircraft and four A319 aircraft, all brand new.

Once it takes delivery of eight more new Airbus aircrafts in the next 12 months to complete its $670-million refleeting program, CEB would have the youngest fleet in Asia, Gokongwei said.

He said the program signifies CEB’s commitment to be an active partner in the nation’s progress by helping travel and tourism become a more vibrant sector. “We want more Filipinos to experience flying and we want to do our own share in connecting all of our islands with great, on time Cebu Pacific service,” he added.

Low fares

CEB earlier introduced its “Go” fares, in which the airline offers low fares year-round.

To mark its 10th year of service, the airline offered promotional fares of P10 one way, exclusive of taxes and surcharges, on any domestic destination for travel from June to October this year. More than 100,000 seats were allocated but over 150,000 seats were sold from March 3 to 8, the promo period.

More than half of these seats were sold online, through the airline’s website. (PR)


Bakit nga ba mas mahal ang airfare sa PAL kaysa CEBU PACIFIC :naughty:

^^ PAL, its all about experience... ;)

Here's some pics on my WBC experience to Manila (got this out of my soon to be posted A.net trip report, sorry for the blurry-ness):

The World Club at Narita
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/PIC028.jpg

My seat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/PIC033.jpg

Dinner
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/PIC043.jpg

These musicians was definitely a great way to be welcomed back to the Philippines! :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/PIC048.jpg

NAIA Terminal 1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT016.jpg

The World Club at NAIA

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT012.jpg

Upper deck
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT022.jpg

A CX 777-200 and A340-300 with PR aircraft lined up at Terminal 2 in the background
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT026.jpg

Terminal 1 signage
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT027.jpg

Would've been great if I could've rode across the Pacific back to America in this but MNL-NGO would do for now :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT035.jpg

Airshow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT041.jpg

Saw this guy going back to Manila while the NW 757 from NGO I was in was taxing to Terminal 1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT069.jpg

...and this one was going to Cebu:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/MNLNRT073.jpg

The last time I'll be something Philippine aviation-ish in 3 months. :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Philippine%20TR/8529323c.jpg

:eek2: Awesome photos Skyblade! :okay:

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Amazing photos Skyblade! I'll definitely watch for your trip report on A.net. Were you on the upper deck outbound? It looks very nice. I will have my first flights with NW soon and I currently have 73B seats. You're pictures really make me excited. Thank you.

wow thanks for sharing skyblade, yung photo mo pala personnal nasan :D

Very nice trip report Skyblade, I didn't know NWA use 757 in their MNL-NGO route, or was it atypo? It might have been since you mentioned upper deck in one of those 1st/business class cabins.

NAIA 1 looks so nice in that pictures, I guess it isn't really that bad except it is getting smaller with an increasing number of passengers each year , it also needs a better climate system and more restrooms. A little renovation here and there with maintenance aafter will keep it in top shape, maybe PAL can just use it as a hub and the plan mall should be next to NAIA 3.

^^Oh God, I miss flying. Last year pa yung last airplane flight ko, kelan kaya mag-paplan magtravel ulit sina mama and papa?

Cool pics, Skyblade:) Do you always fly first class? Last time in PAL, i remember you also flew first class with a celebrity sitting next to you (i forgot who). NAIA Terminal One, is actually not that bad. The check-in area is still beautiful. They just need to improve their maintenance. Its a pity they will tear down that terminal once T3 gets going. I really wish they'd renovate it instead.

awesome pics skyblade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
naia1 still looks elegant...it would be a great domestic terminal once, naia 3 is open..... speaking of NAIA 3, here's a "recent" photo from airliners.net


LOOK At moa in the background..IT's HUGE!!!

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/0/3/5/1020530.jpg

Are you serious GreyX? I thought they will just transform it into a mall or some exhibition/convention area. At one point in one of the news report last year, they suggested that if PAL doesn't agree to transfer its international operations in T3, all domestics will still be in T2 and they can use T1 for it's international and domestic operations.

Yeah, they will tear it down for a mall. It would be better if they renovate it and use it for domestic operations (non PAL). And have T2 for PAL's domestic operations.

Yeah, they will tear it down for a mall. It would be better if they renovate it and use it for domestic operations (non PAL). And have T2 for PAL's domestic operations.

Who are your sources?

^ Oh i forgot...but it has been posted in the forum several times. I'd have to look back at the threads, to find out.

^^ If you are talking about the newspaper info(from star) where GMA said it would become a Mall or Hotel, it was just a mere suggestion.

Cool pics, Skyblade:) Do you always fly first class? Last time in PAL, i remember you also flew first class with a celebrity sitting next to you (i forgot who).
Nah, I wish though. ;) I redeemed my Worldperks miles for the WBC ticket but otherwise, I would've been flying EVA on Economy. In the PR First Class trip from LAS to YVR had Martin Nievera. Speaking of which, my cousin mentioned that there was a singer (the name escapes me) in our PAL flight from Iloilo to Manila. :hammer:

IMO, they should keep T1 instead of tearing it down, just upgrade its facilities, renovate and refurbish, and maintain it properly. It still serves its purpose, albeit for domestic flights only once T3 is up and running. :colgate:

^^

NAIA Terminal I will actually be converted for domestic use once T3 is up and going.

^^ I don't think it's been decided, though I have heard it's supposed to be torn down. With Naia 3 there really is no need for Naia 1. The people in Piatco told me before that it would not be much to upgrade Naia 3 into 16 million pax a year, primarily by remote gates and software in the baggage mechanism. If PR can get kicked out of Naia 2 then the capacity goes back to 9 million for an all domestic set up. I've heard of people talk about increasing this to double too. With Clark coming up and a two airport set up being pushed by the Aroyo gov't any additional capacity will probably go to clark.

^^ Yeah, as far as i know, its supposed to be torn down for a mall or something.

^^^ Who knows what their plan there exactly, it change each time. I wouldn't be too worried about that T1 yet since T3 opening is almost there. But instead of planning another Mall, turn it to something useful in aviation industry. Maybe a good flight school for commercial pilots and lure foreign students into the country as well as accepting/encouraging more local so that the Philippines wouldn't lose well trained professionals to other countries.

Exactly my thoughts. If they refuse to renovate it and use it as a domestic terminal, at least use the building or the land (if they decide to tear down T1) for aviation purposes. Its already in the airport grounds, might as well build something aviation related like cargo facilities, flight schools, etc. Malls can be built anywhere and we dont really need another mall in the area.

IMO, they should keep T1 instead of tearing it down, just upgrade its facilities, renovate and refurbish, and maintain it properly. It still serves its purpose, albeit for domestic flights only once T3 is up and running. :colgate:
I agree, I would love to see a new lease in life for T1, at least in a renovated state. If that were the case as well, some sort of permanent connection between the terminals should be made. I've heard bits on the possibility of some monorail-ish mode of transportation for connections but never learned much more.

according to the grapevine, T1 will become a purely domestic terminal catering to cebupac, airphil, sea air, asian spirit, and other smaller airlines. the terminal will be renovated...the old domestic terminal where these airlines would be the one which would be torn down, not T1.

T2 will still be the home of the domestic and international operations of PAL.

T3 will be the home of all other international airlines.

Sigurado na ito mga tol....there is truth in this....

and there is also a planned underground rail system to connect the 3 terminals. it will be for passenger and cargo use...

sana rin the mrt would have stops os T1, T2, and T3, just like the other airports around the world...

according to the grapevine, T1 will become a purely domestic terminal catering to cebupac, airphil, sea air, asian spirit, and other smaller airlines. the terminal will be renovated...the old domestic terminal where these airlines would be the one which would be torn down, not T1.

T2 will still be the home of the domestic and international operations of PAL.

T3 will be the home of all other international airlines.

Sigurado na ito mga tol....there is truth in this....

and there is also a planned underground rail system to connect the 3 terminals. it will be for passenger and cargo use...

sana rin the mrt would have stops os T1, T2, and T3, just like the other airports around the world...

Well grapevine won't cut it, it's just more or less rumour. If it is in papers and public announcements then that is more concrete proof everybody can believe in.

T1 is really far from T3 it would be hard for international passenger's transfer, it would have been wiser if T2 would be all for domestics and T1 would be for PAL, then T3 for all international operations. < Just a thought, don't quote me on this>

so PAL isn't really moving to T3? that's sad since T2 is too small for all of their operations. It would be really better for them and their passengers if they transfer to T3.

yup. PAL ist moving to T3 because they say that it makes more sense to have its operation in just one roof. its just more cost effective. besides, if they move their operation sa T3, they will just congest it furthur...

so PAL isn't really moving to T3? that's sad since T2 is too small for all of their operations. It would be really better for them and their passengers if they transfer to T3.


PAL can expand T2 down the old nayong pilipino property. They just hve to figure out wht to do with that hotel in between T2 nd NP.

Maybe PAL can just relocate to T1 if they are insistent on keeping all their operations under one roof and free up T2 for all domestic carriers which will be more convenient for international pax to transfer to their connecting flights due to the proximity between T2 and T3. That is if Mr. Tan is considerate enough. ;)

transfering operations involves alot of money. that is why PAL is being insistent on staying in T2.

All other airlines have no choice but to transfer its operations. the old domestic being torn down so that domestic airlines will use T1. if domestic operations transfer to T1, international carries have no choice but to transfer to T3. Pwersahan na ito eh.

T2, when it was being constructed was offered to other airlines as well. they were not interested. only PAL was.

so there u are, swerte lang ito ng PAL at malas ng ibang airline. IMHO.

But T2 is not offering a convenient atmosphere for passengers especially in the International Wing, with the limited space, makeshift immigration gates (I even quarelled with an immigration lady regarding those :) ), crowded baggage claim areas, etc... If PAL is really concerned about the smooth connection for their International and Domestic flights in a lower cost, I'd have to agree with Kuya Kimber that they should transfer to T1 instead and leave T2 for other domestic flights. In the first place, T2 was originally designed as a domestic terminal so why not utilize it as such?

But T2 is not offering a convenient atmosphere for passengers especially in the International Wing, with the limited space, makeshift immigration gates (I even quarelled with an immigration lady regarding those :) ), crowded baggage claim areas, etc... If PAL is really concerned about the smooth connection for their International and Domestic flights in a lower cost, I'd have to agree with Kuya Kimber that they should transfer to T1 instead and leave T2 for other domestic flights. In the first place, T2 was originally designed as a domestic terminal so why not utilize it as such?

i do agree with you on that. i also experienced the overcrowding when i went to hong kong last october. grabeee ang tao...i was like suffocated.

but the issue here is the money that is going to be spent by PAL in transferring to T1.

T2 was not designed to be a domestic terminal. as clearly seen the international wing has wider airline spaces than the domestic wing. i am beginning to think here that T2 was solely built for PAL. hehehehe.... :eek2:

i read that France paid for that Airport for friend Lucio Tan. I surely beleive that :lol:

But T2 is not offering a convenient atmosphere for passengers especially in the International Wing, with the limited space, makeshift immigration gates (I even quarelled with an immigration lady regarding those :) ), crowded baggage claim areas, etc... If PAL is really concerned about the smooth connection for their International and Domestic flights in a lower cost, I'd have to agree with Kuya Kimber that they should transfer to T1 instead and leave T2 for other domestic flights. In the first place, T2 was originally designed as a domestic terminal so why not utilize it as such?

It's not easy for those who will run T3 to accomodate PAL international and domestic in one roof in my opinion, they have to do some modifications also just like how they did some modifications in T2 for international operations. If PAL still insist on having PAL operations in one roof, then they do need to build an annex in T3. This is more or less for safety and security reasons because there isn't that much restrictions with domestic passengers as to international passengers. They both have different guidelines for it. That's why all international terminal buildings are always separated from a regional or domestic operations all over the world to avoid troubles and confusions for the passengers.

The thing is who owns T2? Not PAL, right? So basically the government should just take a hardline stance to get things going. If they want PAL's international flights to be at T3 then just make them do it. Conversely, if they are willing to succumb to PAL's wiches then say it from the get-go. No more of this tug-of war thing. Why are they pandering to PAL's wishes anyway? Same thing with the other international airlines in T1. Just give them a deadline to move out of T1 and into T3 and then shut down T1 once the deadline lapses. Tapos! Hongkong and KLIA did not have this same problem and they had to move to totally new airports! It's just a matter of political will IMO.

^^ Lucio Tan has a lot power too, you know.;)

i do agree with you on that. i also experienced the overcrowding when i went to hong kong last october. grabeee ang tao...i was like suffocated.

but the issue here is the money that is going to be spent by PAL in transferring to T1.

T2 was not designed to be a domestic terminal. as clearly seen the international wing has wider airline spaces than the domestic wing. i am beginning to think here that T2 was solely built for PAL. hehehehe.... :eek2:

No, T2 was in fact designed to be a domestic terminal. The "international wing" has wider spaces to accomodate larger aircraft operating domestic routes.

The thing is who owns T2? Not PAL, right? So basically the government should just take a hardline stance to get things going. If they want PAL's international flights to be at T3 then just make them do it. Conversely, if they are willing to succumb to PAL's wiches then say it from the get-go. No more of this tug-of war thing. Why are they pandering to PAL's wishes anyway? Same thing with the other international airlines in T1. Just give them a deadline to move out of T1 and into T3 and then shut down T1 once the deadline lapses. Tapos! Hongkong and KLIA did not have this same problem and they had to move to totally new airports! It's just a matter of political will IMO.

The case with HKG and KUL airports is that the old terminals were torn down thus prompting all carriers to relocate to the new terminal, no exceptions.

New thread! :okay:

If PAL is really concerned about the smooth connection for their International and Domestic flights in a lower cost, I'd have to agree with Kuya Kimber that they should transfer to T1 instead and leave T2 for other domestic flights. In the first place, T2 was originally designed as a domestic terminal so why not utilize it as such?

Are T1 and T2 about the same in pax capacity? :dunno:

This thread is full! Please continue posting and discussions at Airlines, Airplanes and Airports Thread VI (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=329861). Thanks! :colgate:

:lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock:

The thing is who owns T2? Not PAL, right? So basically the government should just take a hardline stance to get things going. If they want PAL's international flights to be at T3 then just make them do it. Conversely, if they are willing to succumb to PAL's wiches then say it from the get-go. No more of this tug-of war thing. Why are they pandering to PAL's wishes anyway? Same thing with the other international airlines in T1. Just give them a deadline to move out of T1 and into T3 and then shut down T1 once the deadline lapses. Tapos! Hongkong and KLIA did not have this same problem and they had to move to totally new airports! It's just a matter of political will IMO.


Well, the government can't force any airline companies especially if they have to pay double, the government does not provide the fund for the airlines internal operations and expenses so the government has to seranade them so to speak. They have to meet the happy midian with the airline companies otherwise these companies would file protest somewhere I'm sure.

New thread! :okay:



Are T1 and T2 about the same in pax capacity? :dunno:

I think T2 have bigger passenger capacity than t1, it was in discussed in the previous thread before like in NAIA T3 discussions.

t1 is bigger than t2

I read this today. It seems that Pakistan Airlines wants to resume flights to Manila.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-pakistan-airlines-plan-resume-flights-opposed-/2006/03/23/1485620.htm

Pakistan Airlines' plan to resume flights opposed

(Business World (Philippines) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has requested the Civil Aeronautics Board to allow it to resume flights to the Philippines after a two-year absence, board hearing officer Frederick G. Villarin said.


Pakistan Airlines wants to launch eight flights weekly - every Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday - from Karachi, Pakistan to Manila and then to Narita, Japan before returning to its home country.

The country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), however, is opposing Pakistan Airlines' plan to serve the Manila-Narita route, saying that the Japanese-Filipino air market is already well served by the Tan- controlled carrier.

PAL has 47 coefficients to fly to various destinations in Japan from Manila and other points in the Philippines. A coefficient represents the number of flights a carrier can make under the Philippine-Japan bilateral air services agreement.

Domestic passenger and cargo carriers Cebu Pacific Air, Inc., Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines., Inc., and Asia Overnight Express, Inc., also have coefficients of seven, one, and one, respectively.

Mr. Villarin said Pakistan Airlines would want to resume flights to the Philippines after economic situation has stabilized in Pakistan.

Pakistan Airlines has an active five-year foreign carrier permit to fly to the Philippines, but it is due for expiration next year.

The airline pulled out of its Philippine operations to the country two years ago amid deteriorating political situation in its home base, Mr. Villarin added.

"We are giving PAL time to submit their written opposition this week. We will then weigh the arguments and submit this case for board resolution perhaps next week," Mr. Villarin said over the telephone.

"Pakistan Airlines has a valid permit to fly to the Philippines so I think the board [CAB] will honor that authority. But the contention is whether we will allow Pakistan Airlines to fly to Japan from the Philippines," he added.

Pakistan is the world's seventh largest country in terms of population. Its land area is 803,940 square kilometers. The European Union describes the country as being located in a volatile region, troubled by instability in neighboring Afghanistan and Kashmir and characterized by widespread incidence of illicit trade, including in drugs and arms.

PIA is trying to get a share of the lucrative MNL-NRT market. I'd have to side with PAL on this issue, but I'd also want PIA to resume flights between the two countries.

Repair of Manila airport air-conditioning system set
Saturday, March 25, 2006

With summer already on hand, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has taken the initiative to make travel more convenient by scheduling immediate repairs on its air-conditioners. The cooling coils of the main air conditioning system at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 will be replaced in preparation for the expected hot temperature this season.

MIAA General Manager Alfonso G. Cusi said the replacement of cooling coils for the domestic wing is scheduled to take place starting last March 21 until March 25 while that for international wings is slated to start on March 26 until the 31st.

Necessarily, the main air conditioning system for the affected areas will be completely shut off during the repair. As a result, room temperature for the departure areas of Terminal 2 is expected to increase while work is in progress for a few days.

However, air-handling units at the departure area will remain operational while portable cooling systems and industrial electric fans will be positioned at strategic points in the terminal.

"We would like to seek the usual cooperation of all airport users to bear with us for the temporary inconvenience. We expect to have a much cooler terminal after works have been completed," Cusi said.

Public advisories have been installed at prominent areas of the terminal and the airport chief has ordered hourly announcement through the central paging.

^^^^^^T1 has 4 million capacity (International) while T2 has 9 million (full Domestic operation) so T2 is bigger than T1.

PIA is trying to get a share of the lucrative MNL-NRT market. I'd have to side with PAL on this issue, but I'd also want PIA to resume flights between the two countries.
It'd seriously be great to see the PIA tail joining the ranks around NAIA once again as well as another choice when flying from NRT. :D

Its about time the do something about T2's aircon. It can get really hot in there during sunny days.

So T2 has no aircon? Whew! I didn't know that. How about T1? Yikes... our main airports have no aircon. What airport could be worse than that.

So T2 has no aircon? Whew! I didn't know that. How about T1? Yikes... our main airports have no aircon. What airport could be worse than that.

There are airconditioners for both airports. The problem is that they feel non-existent especially during extremely hot days. Imagine when you have luggages to maneuver around. By the time you get to your gate, it's almost time time for another shower. :)

what terminal number does asian spirit, cebu pacific (pre-t3 move), air philippines and other charter flights fly in and out too? that used to be the old manila domestic airport...is it terminal t2.5 ;)

So T2 has no aircon? Whew! I didn't know that. How about T1? Yikes... our main airports have no aircon. What airport could be worse than that.

No way, they both have aircon of course;) Its just that T2's aircon is rather weak for the terminal building because heat enters and is trapped by the building's glass design.

baka nagtitipid lang sa kuryente kaya mainit sa T2

DOES ANYONE HAVE THAT AERIAL VIEW OF THE THREE TERMINALS OF NAIA? CAN SOMEBNODY PLEASE POST IT!!!

from previous threads:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2076/8331136qn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/5813/miaaaerodromelargecopy0uh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Thanks but I was looking for the pic where you can clearly see the three terminals.DOES ANYONE HAVE THE PICS WHERE YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE THREE TERMINALS AT NAIA FROM ABOVE(I think it is a satellite pic). PLEASE POST IT!

^^ You can clearly see the three terminals in the second pic MarkiiBoii posted.;)

^^ JAMAICUS wants a satellite pic Grey. But I dont know what other terminals he is looking for. hehehe

^^ I know somebody posted a satellite pic where the airport terminal is seen .

Can somebody point in arrows where those three are? I could see the one in an angle as the T2. Maybe the one above it is the T3. Where is T1?

Can somebody point in arrows where those three are? I could see the one in an angle as the T2. Maybe the one above it is the T3. Where is T1?

check this www.geocities.com/manila_naia (http://www.geocities.com/manila_naia), i put a label on it.

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8538/naiacopy9qy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

If you are given a chance to build a Terminal 4 for NAIA, where would you put it in the above pic.

no room for expansion.

Haw abot that green area(I think the former Nayon Filipino)

^^ tear down T1 and T2 and make a one long huge terminal! :rofl:

Thanks MarkiiBoi. I could see it better now. You even pinpointed where the Domestic Airport is located. Maybe if there is a need for T4, the spot for T1 is the right place. It's huge enough. T2 is a very big edifice. We shouldn't be tearing all the building. Juan de la Cruz spent large sums of money for that building.

Yeah. You could extend Terminal 2 to where the Philippine Village Hotel and Nayong Pilipino are located. You could build a cargo terminal on the old Domestic Airport terminal Syempre, you need a lot of money, a foreign contractor, and a President who would block the terminal's opening for at least two years (hehe).

i think they should tear down T1 and the domestic terminal...ang panget ng T1 eh...

^^ yah and extend t2

the design for t2 seems like it could be extended both ways towards the old nayong filipino and t1...i could imagine that area between t1 and t2 becoming an extended parking lot/terminal extension, making the airport kinda jfk/lax-esque in setup...

terminal 1 is not ugly. its just poorly maintained and needs refurbishing badly. they shouldnt tear it down first because it is the first of all the three terminals so its the original one, second, it was the only existing terminal when Ninoy Aquino, the namesake of the airport was assassinated and third, out of all the three terminals, Terminal 1 is the only one that was designed by a Filipino. Kaya di dapat sirain yon!!!! tanggalin lang nila ang linoleoum floors dahil maingay pag de gulong ang carry on bag mo. LOL!!!!!

NAIA Mega Terminal :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/NAIA.jpg

^exactly!

olineil, great job!! that's f****ng huge!

^^ sweet dude!

nyehehehe...walang magawa sa opis...hehehe tanx guys...

^^ T3 is surely outsized. :hahaha:

galing oneil! maganda pa yun shape! :)

Great shot markiboi, where'd you find it!

If it was up to me I'd use some extra money and expropriate the minimum land needed to build a second runway along side the main one. After my experience in Clark, it's really too far for a drive (feels farther than any international gateway in a capital city or anyplace for that matter I've been too). It'll make a good alternative airport and maybe for long haul but it seems ludicrous to me for the moment to drive there for a sub 2 hours flight within the region. The extra runway would allow more aircraft movements increasing capacity. Of course I don't really know how much land you'd need but from what I see it really does not seem like a lot.

I'd make sure the people mover between terminals is built plus make sure an underground highway from andrews to NAIA ave is done.

I'd also take out both domestic and T1, T1 would occupy just too much space for such a small capacity. I'd move all of the GA(General Aviation) hangars and PAL out of the side of T3 and move them to Domestic sites and Nayong Pilipino.

I'd then move the blue airforce hangars , structures all the way to Lufthansa macroasia. This whole strip would be for T3 expansion and cargo terminal. This way all critical int. and cargo will be on one side a stones throw away from the highway.

I reckon this would provide up to 150 to 200 percent more space for expansion.

T2 can also expand sideways into Philippine Village hotel and Nayong Pilipino.

Anyway what the heck , these are all just musing anyway. If they want to have a realistic international standard airport in clark, they'll really need to spend money, including a really good train link that ends close to the CBD's like Fort Boni as originally envisaged (but now turned into a mall (mktmkt)), no one is going to go to Kalookan just to take a train! And I predict in 5 years time NLEX speed will go down as the traffic volume will have increased by that time and this time they'll need to double deck as there no more space to build 4 more extra lanes each way.

That was the same opinion about Clark before Bustero, it would be nice to have that Airport up and running and help decongest NAIA, but I don't think it's really centrally located somehow than in MNL itself s far as the whole Luzon island is concern. And yes, the trip from the southern part of the Philippines to north going to Clark is just too long considering there is no good highway planning yet in the Philippines. Maybe that planned C6 would help a little. There has been poor planning in the past so the people now is suffering with bottle neck traffics here and there. I wish there are bypass highways that circle around greater manila area that connects the main arterial highways like SLEX and NLEX just like in other countries like here in the US, but I guess it's kind of late to plan for that since MNL is over populated already (the whole country literally)

NAIA Mega Terminal :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/NAIA.jpg


This is one excellent idea IMO, with a very intricate and careful planning this could be a good vision. Just imagine fusing the whole international and domestic terminal, it shouldn't be just real straight L shape, it could curve down a little to accomodate all the possible spaces, this will actullally save money for the airline companies as everything is under one roof. The only thing that will be considered as a problem here would be parking spaces (car parking). Now why can't they find a good engineer, planner and buillder who could of pulled a design like these in the Philippines? LOL

This is one excellent idea IMO, with a very intricate and careful planning this could be a good vision. Just imagine fusing the whole international and domestic terminal, it shouldn't be just real straight L shape, it could curve down a little to accomodate all the possible spaces, this will actullally save money for the airline companies as everything is under one roof. The only thing that will be considered as a problem here would be parking spaces (car parking). Now why can't they find a good engineer, planner and buillder who could of pulled a design like these in the Philippines? LOL

this is what i suggested some time ago. a very good idea and rendering !

^^

Great to hear from you again richard.

Nice suggestion indeed by xDieselJockxx.

I have another idea too: Instead of building so many international airports, the country should also just focus on the development of the existing hubs for the three Philippine island groups.

So in my opinion, Clark or NAIA for Luzon, MCIAA for Visayas, Davao for Mindanao.

Thanks Richard and Arnold. I like the T2 Design myself. Besides adding on and fusing the airport together would probably cheaper for the government instead of building in a whole new spot like in T3. Like addding on to the terminal building in segments.It should have been the MIAA president who should have envisioned this idea and presented it to Ramos in his time. That area where T3 right now could of been a Cargo building instead.

Now why can't they find a good engineer, planner and buillder who could of pulled a design like these in the Philippines?"

For a start, we have Olineil.

^^ What we lack for sure is the adequate funding.

^^^ that's why everyone in this country should feel obligated to pay taxes and those who handle those tax pesos be responsible. What we give to our country comes back to us and if people don't give a shit about paying the government then they get back shit.

^The plan to merge T1 and T2 is great but I think that it would really cost much. T3 is just a third compared to the size of that plan and it already costs millions of dollars. If they would merge T1 and T2 that might cost even greater than Thailand's BKK.

Info Bytes:

Underconstruction 'International Airports'

1. Iloilo
2. Silay, Negros Occidental


Planned 'International Airports'

1. Panglao, Bohol
2. Busuanga, Palawan
3. Laguindingan, Misamis Occidental [only 90 km away from CDO]


_________________

Is it really necessary to put up a lot of international airports? Cum'on!

great to see all the advances on the transport forums in the philippines. some airports now have their own threads. god what did i cause misunderstandings before because i pleadged to show photos of davao intern. airport. and now suddenly it is possible. great !

keep up the good work, fellow forumers !

"that's why everyone in this country should feel obligated to pay taxes and those who handle those tax pesos be responsible. What we give to our country comes back to us and if people don't give a shit about paying the government then they get back shit."

Add also the recipients. Remember the infamous General Garcia and his family cohorts?

^The plan to merge T1 and T2 is great but I think that it would really cost much. T3 is just a third compared to the size of that plan and it already costs millions of dollars. If they would merge T1 and T2 that might cost even greater than Thailand's BKK.

The whole idea is not to build it all at once, you do it in segments as if it's slowly expanding, it will probably give way for a much better planning as it expand , i don't think it will really cost more than in BKK since T2's dsign is alot simpler comparing to BKK.

ang galing Olineal i-submit mo kay daddy Tan :lol:

Poachers disrupt PAL plans

A shortage of pilots at Philippine Airlines (PAL) has caused the flag carrier to delay taking delivery of two Airbus A319s, pushing back the implementation of its narrowbody fleet renewal programme.

Delivery of one A319 from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has been delayed into next year, says PAL, which adds it still plans to introduce three A319s this year, all on lease from GECAS.

A pilot shortage is the reason for the delay, says PAL, adding that about 75 pilots have left over the past three years and it now has around 440 pilots. “For a small airline…losing 75 pilots is quite a lot. We are reaching a critical level. So far we have not had to ground aircraft, but if the trend continues then we might have to,” it says. PAL is suffering from a pilot shortage because airlines from India, South Korea and the Middle East have been poaching its employees.

Vietnam will be leaving us in the dust soon....read below.


Vietnam Airlines poised for regional role

Vietnam Airlines, the country's national carrier, hopes to transform itself into a regional carrier and Vietnam into a regional hub by 2020. "We want to be a regional company," said company chairman Nguyen Sy Hung, speaking on the sidelines of an investment forum in Hanoi last week.

Hung said the airline plans to spend US$3 billion to boost its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2020, which is roughly the size of most major Asian airlines.

As Vietnam Airlines will gradually lose some of its home advantages once the market liberalizes under membership in the World Trade Organization - expected probably this year or next - spreading its wings to the rest of the region should help it sustain a healthy growth rate in the years ahead.

The company saw passenger growth of around 14 percent a year on average over the past decade and has steadily improved the quality of its services during that time.

Strong tourism growth, both domestic and foreign, will help it fill seats on planes even as Hanoi opens its skies to greater competition, while international demand for high-quality Vietnamese debt and equity will enable it to fund growth through international markets if domestic sources are limited.

But hurdles lie in the years ahead.

Constraints on the availability of leasable aircraft are hampering route development, while growing costs - particularly fuel and leasing contracts - could bite into profits.

The growing presence of low-cost carriers in the Vietnamese market may also force it to cut fares on routes that have until recently been relatively protected, and until the carrier joins an alliance and increases its fleet size, it will be hard pressed to compete with more established regional players.

Plans to expand fleet

From its current 39 aircraft, Vietnam Airlines hopes to operate a fleet of 56 by 2010 and 100 by 2020, Hung said.

That puts it ahead of Philippine Airlines Inc., which now operates 32 aircraft, and not too far behind Indonesia's Garuda with 57.

But it's well short of the 90 aircraft operated by regional leader Singapore Airlines Ltd., Thai Airways International PCL's 91 and Malaysian Airline System Bhd.'s 111.

Hung said funding for the expansion will come from various sources, including profits, domestic capital markets, export-credit organizations and international markets.

With international appetite for Vietnamese debt high, and borrowing rates established by a recent benchmark sovereign offering relatively low, the airline should have little trouble topping up domestic financing with foreign borrowing.

"If we can't access enough through existing sources, we might consider an international bond," Hung said.

International equities markets, too, would likely welcome the company's debut, analysts say, although Hung declined to comment on the likelihood of a foreign listing.

According to Dominic Scriven, director of Ho Chi Minh City-based fund management firm Dragon Capital, the airline's young fleet and the industry's growth potential - both within Vietnam and throughout Asia - would draw investors to the company.

A domestic listing, should Vietnam Airlines choose to offer one, would "certainly" attract buyers, he added.

According to company figures, Vietnam Airlines last year saw revenues increase 10.4 percent from 2004, while pretax profits gained 11.7 percent on year.

The airline conducted 50,000 safe flights, reported an 18 percent rise in passenger numbers to over 6 million and saw cargo transportation grow 6 percent from 2004 to 97,000 tons.

Hung anticipates annual industry growth of 13-14 percent a year through the near to medium term; something the state-owned provider can take advantage of.

In line with growing profitability, Vietnam Airlines is improving its safety record and service provision.

The International Aviation Transport Association is expected soon to grant it an Operational Safety Audit Certificate that will help it meet the requirements of potential code share and network alliance partners.

During an address to participants of the Hanoi forum, Hung said Vietnam Airlines in now studying the possibility of joining an alliance and hopes also to negotiate new code sharing arrangements. He didn't elaborate.

Ensuring demand for its services, tourism arrivals into Vietnam rose over 18 percent on-year in 2005 to 3.5 million and are expected to reach between 3.6-3.8 million this year. Vietnam Airlines currently controls 43 percent of all international air travel in and out of the country.

Domestic air travel, too, is growing: the company last year saw a 12 percent on-year gain to 16 million travelers.

"To be an important regional player, an airline needs a big local travel market and Vietnam has major potential," said Richard Pinkham, a Singapore-based consultant with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

Some turbulence ahead

As part of its plan to turn Vietnam into a regional hub, the government has told all transport sectors they must liberalize and allow greater competition.

Obligations already made under existing trade and investment deals, as well as those expected when Hanoi negotiates entry into the WTO, will take from Vietnam Airlines the de facto monopoly position it has enjoyed during much of its recent growth.

Although Vietnam has opened slowly to foreign carriers over the past decade, Vietnam Airlines still controls many overseas routes and almost all domestic ones.

Constraints on the number of affordable lease aircraft it can contract in are making it hard to expand services while awaiting delivery of planes it has bought but not yet received.

Earlier this year, a company spokesman told reporters that "there are almost no aircraft to lease on the international market" and those available are being leased for "a very high price."

Growing oil prices also threaten the company's bottom line, Hung told forum participates.

The arrival of low cost carriers in the Vietnamese market may threaten the full-service carrier at it builds its market position, analysts have said.

Last year, Tiger Airways and Air Asia launched discount routes to Singapore and Bangkok respectively from Vietnam.

A discount route to Kuala Lumpur will open in 2006. Jetstar Asia has a license to operate flights into Vietnam but has not yet announced plans to do so.

"Low cost carriers will pose a threat" to future growth, Hung told the forum.

^^ I saw that article around Yahoo news as well. Slowly but ambitiouly...

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/gedalanga/iloiloairport.jpg

Present Airport of Iloilo City

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/gedalanga/iloiloairportnew.jpg

NEW ILOILO AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (NIADP) in the towns of Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, and San Miguel in Iloilo (200 hectares). (under construction) to open sometime in 2008.

Hard to compare with a one airline country like vietnam, we have several and Cebu Pacific is not exactly small. Plus of course we have a much more open air policy.

Poachers disrupt PAL plans

A shortage of pilots at Philippine Airlines (PAL) has caused the flag carrier to delay taking delivery of two Airbus A319s, pushing back the implementation of its narrowbody fleet renewal programme.

Delivery of one A319 from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has been delayed into next year, says PAL, which adds it still plans to introduce three A319s this year, all on lease from GECAS.

A pilot shortage is the reason for the delay, says PAL, adding that about 75 pilots have left over the past three years and it now has around 440 pilots. “For a small airline…losing 75 pilots is quite a lot. We are reaching a critical level. So far we have not had to ground aircraft, but if the trend continues then we might have to,” it says. PAL is suffering from a pilot shortage because airlines from India, South Korea and the Middle East have been poaching its employees.

O'cmon uncle TAN, quit whining! you want your pilots to stay, give them a better pay. Stop giving to the politicians protection money and do your business clean and blameless. It should be fairly easy to generate positive income. If LCC's can make a huge profit why can't a full service airliner. Doesn't make sense.

oh uh, don't piss Olineil off, he is going to tell Tan off and kick his butt,,,LOL

^^ That wouldn't be a bad idea in itself! :lol:

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

^^ :okay: thats even better! I think you should design DMIA;) The renderings they came out with (in the video) are terrible compared to your designs.

Vietnam will be leaving us in the dust soon....


I think not. While Vietnam Airlines is indeed expanding at an admirable rate, most of its fleet consists of narrowbodies, and with the onset of LCCs, VN faces the same problems as every other Southeast Asian airline. VN also has to work very hard to make long-haul routes viable, especially with the amount of local competition.

While PAL is pretty teeny, remember that it can fill up daily transpacific 747s. Vietnam Airlines is a long way from that.

Vietnam uses they're Boeing 777's on most longer regional international routes
...here in Sydney they use B777's i think B777's are they're only large aircrafts followed by A321's while PAL uses and A333's here which use to be a B747-4....they fly wed,sat & sun arriving 9am via Melbourne...

but still

PAL has more presence in North America with V-Airlines almost non-existent(YET)......on the other hand VA has presence in Europe while PAL doesnt (AT PRESENT).

from Airliners.net PAL A330& VA B777 In Sydney's Kingsford Smith Inter/Airport

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/4/1/6/0847614.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/5/0/8/0566805.jpg

Vietnam Airlines also operates B767-300 aircrafts....

Are there plans for PAL to buy an A380? Hehehehehehehehe

Are there plans for PAL to buy an A380? Hehehehehehehehe
There have been suggestions but haven't heard of anything firm yet...

BTW did anyone hear of Cebu Pacific's new 1 peso airfare promotion? I just heard in ANC and seriously would love to jump at the opportunity. :D

There have been suggestions but haven't heard of anything firm yet...

BTW did anyone hear of Cebu Pacific's new 1 peso airfare promotion? I just heard in ANC and seriously would love to jump at the opportunity. :D

1 peso airfare but the tax is 2000 pesos :D

BTW did anyone hear of Cebu Pacific's new 1 peso airfare promotion? I just heard in ANC and seriously would love to jump at the opportunity. :D
Cebu Pacifc rates are incredible! Planning for a trip to Kalibo June and July, RT fares are around P1376 that's less than $30 RT. Meanwhile PAL's fare is P6083... I think I'm flying with Cebu Pacific. BTW, Cebu Pacific has done a nice job with their online booking system. PAL's site needs a major makeover.

1 peso airfare but the tax is 2000 pesos :D
Of course other expenses still apply... :nuts:

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

Looks like the semi-circular terminal design is what's "in" these days huh? Seoul's Incheon airport and soon Ankara's new terminal will also have that shape. :colgate:

O'cmon uncle TAN, quit whining! you want your pilots to stay, give them a better pay. Stop giving to the politicians protection money and do your business clean and blameless. It should be fairly easy to generate positive income. If LCC's can make a huge profit why can't a full service airliner. Doesn't make sense.

at last someone talking business. you are so right olineil, these bastards are solely interested in their own fate and simply filling their own pockets !

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

great design ! if only these corrupt politicians would realize what a coutry really needs......

When I looked at the pic of Vietnam Airlines it seemed nice. I like the blue paint. Unlike in our simple white paint but I like the design of the tail.

And nice design for NAIA. But it looks like a bended tube. In fairness, it seems that it can handle 20 planes at a time.

great design ! if only these corrupt politicians would realize what a coutry really needs......
:lol:

galing O'lineal :okay:

Construction of P2-B Daraga airport set
Posted: 3:04 AM | Mar. 27, 2006

Inquirer

(Published on Page B11 of the March 27, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

DARAGA, ALBAY-The construction of the first international airport in Southern Luzon has been set for the last quarter of the year following the approval of the 2006 General Appropriations Act. The 2006 GAA or national budget includes the P2-billion allotment for the airport in Daraga.

Site development could be started before the year ends, according to Daraga Mayor Gerry Jaucian.

Called the Southern Luzon International Airport, the project will cover some 24 hectares in barangays Alobo, Kinawitan, Mabini, Burgos and Inarado in this town.

Areas for the runway, airport terminal and control tower are currently being identified in these villages.

The Special Technical Working Group headed by Air Transportation Office chief Frisco Sto. Domingo is handling the technical aspects of the proposed project, Jaucian said.

He disclosed that aside from the P150-million initial funding from Albay 3rd district Rep. Joey Salceda, House appropriations committee chair, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, concurrent Regional Development Council (RDC) chair, has pledged P100 million as equity for the project.

The mayor expressed optimism that the international airport, which was expected to spur economic development in this part of the country, would be realized because of the support from the local chief executives in Bicol.

Earlier, members of the RDC--composed mostly of mayors and governors from all over the region--promised to extend whatever resources they could share to the project.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, for his part, said the city government accepted Daraga as the site of the international airport.

Rosal said the port would not only benefit the host town and Albay, but also the entire region and Southern Luzon area in terms of business and tourism, once it is fully operational.

The project is expected to be completed by 2009.

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

looks good! it's bigger than the terminal 3, with monorail ba yun?

^^ is there any designs for Southern Luzon International Airport?

^^unlikely

Arnold PR still considering their B744 replacements, one of which is the A380 decision will probably be around next year for widebody refleeting program but I think we'll see some progress on their rehabilitation prior. With the pilot leaving they have to rethink their strategy if they can not rely on the cheap labor they have assumed.

Those 5J fares are nice if you can find any. Tried to book recently to no avail. Baka malas lang.

My nephew tells me they had a big meeting last week and PR management gave them a stipend raise. Actually natawa na lang siya sa effort nila at stemming the exodus of pilots.

^^ is there any designs for Southern Luzon International Airport?

Wala pa Design Renderings so far. We are also keeping track of this in the Legazpi City Bicol Thread. Was actually thinking of starting a dedicated thread for this. But I guess it wouldn't be very wise for now. Maybe until actual constructtion starts.

^^unlikely

Arnold PR still considering their B744 replacements, one of which is the A380 decision will probably be around next year for widebody refleeting program but I think we'll see some progress on their rehabilitation prior. With the pilot leaving they have to rethink their strategy if they can not rely on the cheap labor they have assumed.

Those 5J fares are nice if you can find any. Tried to book recently to no avail. Baka malas lang.

My nephew tells me they had a big meeting last week and PR management gave them a stipend raise. Actually natawa na lang siya sa effort nila at stemming the exodus of pilots.


Where did you get the info about A380? NAIA isn't designed to accomodate this humongous moster aircraft in the terminal building let alone the modicafications in taxiways and runway. I know that right now PAL is putting most of its refleeting programs into a halt because of the exodus on pilots and aircraft maintenance personel who are all accepting jobs in many foreign countries, I know for a fact that PAL lost about 75 pilots and half of it are captains. PAL's supposedly refleeting programs consist mostly of A320 and A319s to replace their aging boeing 737s fleets. Meanwhile, the north american routes are being served with A340s and 747-400. The A340 fleets are still almost brand new looking.

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

i told my Ate that theyre gonna build that, and she wont beleive me since its called MIAA :lol:

taken from philstar.com..

Asian Spirit set to open Manila-Palau route
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 03/30/2006

Asian Spirit is investing P100 million for opening up its first international air route to the western Pacific nation of Palau.

This was announced yesterday by Antonio V. Turalba, chairman of Asian Spirit Inc., during the formal announcement of the airline company’s first international destination.

Asian Spirit, with executives and airline employees among its 36 shareholders, is planning to sell shares to the public next year to comply with a provision in its franchise.

But even as Asian Spirit is still to start flying three times a week to Palau starting April 2, the low budget airline is already initiating talks to fly to other international routes in Malaysia and China.

The fare for Filipinos working in Palau will be half the $660 on Continental Micronesia’s twice-weekly non-stop Manila-Koror service.

According to Turalba, Asian Spirit will utilize its three newly-acquired 100-seater British Aerospace jet.

Asian Spirit, furthermore, is set to take delivery of a fourth BAe jet next month which will service its Palau route as well as its 23 domestic destinations, according to Jack Po, executive vice president of Asian Spirit.

The P100 million that Asian Spirit investing, Po said, is all internally generated.

The additional investment, Po added, would be used for operating expenses, to upgrade Asian Spirit’s terminal here as well as to put up facilities in Palau.

The P100 million additional outlay, Po clarified, does not include the cost of the aircraft as Asian Spirit had a separate outlay for the four BAe jets.

Asian Spirit flies between Manila and Boracay island using four of BAe System PLC’s BAe 146 jet planes and 10 turboprop aircraft made by Bae and Bombadier Inc.’s De Havilland unit, according to vice president Butch Rodriguez.

The new planes, Po further elaborated, are actually being leased from BAe with an option to purchase at the expiry of the lease contract.

Depending on negotiations, Turalba said, Asian Spirit hopes to be able to fly to Sandakan, Malaysia and to Shanghai and Guangzhou, China also within this year.

Asian Spirit, Po said, would allocate additional investments for each new sector it operates.

Asian Spirit’s fare on the new service will be $330 for Filipinos working in Palau and $420 for other passengers, the carrier said.

A380 maiden Flight...You can see how Gangantuan this plane is!
Click Me (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1613193024172320587)

Assembling the Gigantic A380...
Click Me (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3046542226114078023&pl=true)

Where did you get the info about A380? NAIA isn't designed to accomodate this humongous moster aircraft in the terminal building let alone the modicafications in taxiways and runway. I know that right now PAL is putting most of its refleeting programs into a halt because of the exodus on pilots and aircraft maintenance personel who are all accepting jobs in many foreign countries, I know for a fact that PAL lost about 75 pilots and half of it are captains. PAL's supposedly refleeting programs consist mostly of A320 and A319s to replace their aging boeing 737s fleets. Meanwhile, the north american routes are being served with A340s and 747-400. The A340 fleets are still almost brand new looking.

My nephew is a pilot with PR and this is from his conversations with flight ops, bautista etc. Also I think I read somewhere in Flight Int before their sched about narrow body decisions last year and widebody next year.

Of course things have changed so we'll see. I'm very sure PR will consider A380, their 744's are old and they must look for replacements sooner rather than later specially since they'll have to get rid of them soon and order times for planes are long. With their plan to get out of rehab I'm sure they would prefer to order and not lease , at this point they could get decent deals from airbus for either A340's or A380's specially since they're not moving that well.

I remember reading an article saying that NAIA would not be limited serving the A380's, yes taxiway limitations will limit any runway movements while the beast is taxiing to the terminal but they expect that since NAIA is not a hub only a few A380's would land here and hence they can handle the ground movements. The terminal people have said that they could make the neccesary adjustments to accomodate the double decker. I'm pretty sure it's in this or an older thread.

The limitation for a Boeing sale is financing as the bigger chunks of their (PR) current rehabilated debt is US EXIM which they'll need to fix before they can get decent financing package with a Boeing plane I think, otherwise they'll need to lease which will be more expensive. I've not heard if they're considering the 748 which sounds logical but I've heard talk about triple 7's. Anyway as with any Lucio Tan company, doesn't really matter what the hackahacka is downstairs, He'll surely have last say and I heard he's got an old fashioned bias for four holers rather than ETOP approved two holers. tsismis lang nothing more.

dont forget that pal still has deposits with boeing for four xxled 747-400 i heard theyre going to take that option to convert that deposit to buy at least one b-777 though in the press release they would rather have an all airbus fleet for both narrow and wide body aircrafts

My nephew is a pilot with PR and this is from his conversations with flight ops, bautista etc. Also I think I read somewhere in Flight Int before their sched about narrow body decisions last year and widebody next year.

Of course things have changed so we'll see. I'm very sure PR will consider A380, their 744's are old and they must look for replacements sooner rather than later specially since they'll have to get rid of them soon and order times for planes are long. With their plan to get out of rehab I'm sure they would prefer to order and not lease , at this point they could get decent deals from airbus for either A340's or A380's specially since they're not moving that well.

I remember reading an article saying that NAIA would not be limited serving the A380's, yes taxiway limitations will limit any runway movements while the beast is taxiing to the terminal but they expect that since NAIA is not a hub only a few A380's would land here and hence they can handle the ground movements. The terminal people have said that they could make the neccesary adjustments to accomodate the double decker. I'm pretty sure it's in this or an older thread.

The limitation for a Boeing sale is financing as the bigger chunks of their (PR) current rehabilated debt is US EXIM which they'll need to fix before they can get decent financing package with a Boeing plane I think, otherwise they'll need to lease which will be more expensive. I've not heard if they're considering the 748 which sounds logical but I've heard talk about triple 7's. Anyway as with any Lucio Tan company, doesn't really matter what the hackahacka is downstairs, He'll surely have last say and I heard he's got an old fashioned bias for four holers rather than ETOP approved two holers. tsismis lang nothing more.

Wow bustero! :) You're lucky that you have some access to inside info at PAL! Didn't PAL had a falling-out with Boeing over some downpayments for the purchase of several B747-400 planes prior to the crisis? When PAL ordered those A320 planes last year, didn't they say they wanted to turn the airline into an all-Airbus one? I'd love to see a PAL A380!

Bustero, is there any news of PAL coming to Europe in the near future? Since 2002 or 2003, PAL expressed interest in returning to Europe. But no news yet. :sleepy:. Will the planned Manila-Mumbai, India service be launched this year or next year pa with the pilot exodus. BTW, matagal na yang pilot exodus sa PAL. Even before 1998, you could find ex-PAL pilots working for United Airlines or Singapore Airlines.

Does the Philippines or Philippine Airlines still have slots at London's Heathrow Airport? PAL stopped flying to Heathrow in 1998, but in the event that they choose to resume flights to London, I wish that they would fly into Heathrow and not Gatwick (where PAL used to fly into). Gatwick is not as prestigious as Heathrow kasi. I'm hoping that PAL has not given up or sold their landing slots at Heathrow because they're very valuable (and difficult, if not impossible to get). PAL had daily flights to Heathrow, and I believe it was their longest flight (17 hours non-stop).

^^ IMO, I don't care about arriving at a "pretigious" airport, I care about arriving safely! :colgate:

London, UK? That's when PAL would be needing the new generation b777 for its long haul flights since 777 is currently the only aircraft that can fly for the longest possible hour. I just forgot how far it can fly exactly without refueling. I'd like to say 18 hours but i'm leaning towards 16 hours. The new boeing Dreamliner 787 and the new generation 747-800 will be the only two aircrafts that would beat 777.

Friday, March 31, 2006
Airline offers 50T seats for P1 each

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s low-fare pioneer, will offer seats at P1 to any of its domestic destinations from March 29 to April 2 or until seats are sold out.

Passengers have only from March 29 to April 2 to buy their tickets for travel from June 20 to Oct. 18. There are more than 50,000 seats available for the promotion.

The P1-seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

Encouraging

“The success of the recently concluded 10th anniversary sale was very encouraging. We realized how much the market can be stimulated to travel and book ahead of time. It’s something we want to further promote because we want Filipinos to realize that the earlier they book their tickets, the less they really end up paying for them,” said CEB general manager Bong Mojica.

CEB’s 10th anniversary seat sale was sold out and more than half of the tickets were sold online through the airline’s website (www. cebupacificair.com). These P1 seats will also be available online.

“The best way to get these seats will be through our website so we suggest for everyone to go online and get your P1 seats there to avoid the long queues at our ticket offices,” he said. (PR)

^^

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

How can they stay in business with prices like those? :dunno: I wonder if PAL would follow suit. ;)

Are they trying to grab all the loyal passengers of PAL???? With Cebu Pacific operating A319s and A320s, similar to Pal's fleet, I guess PAL should really consider revising their very expensive fares, for both of them are now operating brand new planes (unlike air phil)...good thing PAL still has a monopoly over the MNL - GES flights, which earns a lot for the cargoes it carries everyday....

^^ I Hope I can get some this time:) I love this competition great for us consumers as long as they are safe.

nicepo - just to put my lucky access into perspective - I hear it from my nephew who hears it in a watercooler from other pilots/management who don't know the mind of the opaque Mr. Tan so hehe take it with a boat load of salt!!!:) Actually from what I've heard from him -sometimes even from LT's kids who I can say are pretty clueless - I can honestly say that if what he tells me is accurate PR is super gulo at papalitpalit ang isip. I wish them well but Last Dec they were on to refleeting, europe, new planes, now on hold nanaman for the nth time so who knows really, I'm not sure even Mr. Lucio tan knows hahaha :nuts:

Anyway for me A380 ok, A340 ok, 747-800 ok, 777 ok , 787 ok rin, basta i-upgrade nila ako sa first class :tyty:

And the price war begins....


Air Philippines to Offer Very Cheap Seats
Associated Press March 30, 2006

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Air Philippines will offer seats for one peso ($0.02) on domestic flights during the lean travel months of June to October, the second local airline to do so.

"Instead of the seats being wasted, we might as well offer them at a low price," said airline spokeswoman Leah Sison. "We also want to boost tourism and travel during the traditional lean months."

Sison said only about 10 percent of the seats for every flight will be offered at the promotional rate. Insurance and fuel surcharges amounting to 850 pesos ($16) for the southern Mindanao region and 650 pesos ($12.75), for the central Visayas destinations will be added, she said.

She said the company expects about 100,000 seats would be available during the period.

Passengers need to confirm their bookings on April 1 to 15 for flights between June 16 and Oct. 15.

Air Philippines is controlled by business tycoon Lucio Tan, who also operates Philippine Airlines, the country's largest carrier.

Earlier, Cebu Pacific, offered more than 50,000 1 peso tickets to be used from June 20 to Oct. 18 for sale through Sunday.

The company, also known as Cebu Air Inc., recently marked 10 years with a promotion sale of 154,000 seats at 10 pesos ($0.20) each.

The airline, owned by conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc., recently acquired 12 new Airbus A319s.

^^

Hehe, nice.. The competition is now on our shores. Would PAL follow too?

Hehe, nice.. The competition is now on our shores. Would PAL follow too?

I don't think would PAL follow suit since it has Air Philippines as its budget carrier to go up against Cebu Pacific.

Does the Philippines or Philippine Airlines still have slots at London's Heathrow Airport? PAL stopped flying to Heathrow in 1998, but in the event that they choose to resume flights to London, I wish that they would fly into Heathrow and not Gatwick (where PAL used to fly into). Gatwick is not as prestigious as Heathrow kasi. I'm hoping that PAL has not given up or sold their landing slots at Heathrow because they're very valuable (and difficult, if not impossible to get). PAL had daily flights to Heathrow, and I believe it was their longest flight (17 hours non-stop).

London Heathrow has a policy on slots: use 'em or lose 'em. Those slots are long gone. Oh, and the longest flights weren't to LHR, but to LAX.

London, UK? That's when PAL would be needing the new generation b777 for its long haul flights since 777 is currently the only aircraft that can fly for the longest possible hour. I just forgot how far it can fly exactly without refueling. I'd like to say 18 hours but i'm leaning towards 16 hours. The new boeing Dreamliner 787 and the new generation 747-800 will be the only two aircrafts that would beat 777.

PAL's A340s and 744s can handle London non-stop as it is. PAL had a choice of sending their ex-Riyadh bound planes to Europe, but they decided to add frequencies to their American destinations instead.

So, which would everybody prefer : Pal or Cebu Pacific?

hehehe....next installment...minadali ko lang. wala lang. Day dreaming at the opis again.

Complete with the "Tech21 people mover" am I right. Fully underground parking on the terminal itself. Nyahahaha...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/naiacopy.jpg

Great idea and rendering! Now all we need is a parallel runway. Maybe you can demolish some of the structures on the right to make way for another runway

^^ IMO, I don't care about arriving at a "pretigious" airport, I care about arriving safely! :colgate:

Yeah but tourists care. It's the first impression they get of the country. :colgate:

Question to those who have flown Cebu Pacific:
What is their service like? I know that this airline is patterned after Southwest Airlines here in the States which I have flown. Do they also have a first come first served basis on the seats? So you basically just sit anywhere you like? Do they also charge for alchoholic beverages? Basically, I would like to know what makes it a low cost carrier when compared to PAL. What are the differences in service?

A friend of mine regularly takes the MNL-CEB route. Assigned seats pa din naman daw.

i have flown with cebu pacific before and the service was quite similar to phiilippine airline or even better. passenger have assigned seat, no alcohol but snacks, and game on board.

games hold by the flight attendand and prices are given away, mugs, caps etc.....

"Great idea and rendering! Now all we need is a parallel runway. Maybe you can demolish some of the structures on the right to make way for another runway."

Expropriation is a very litigious endeavour though. I also wish it could be done. I am just wondering why would people choose to live near a runway when there could be plane disaster anytime aside from the hourly roar of the jet to bear.

I fly almost exclusively 5J, of course I still fly PR but if I fly domestically I will choose 5j first specially now they have new planes. i used to think twice about the safety of their dc9's something about the rust in the bathroom that spells antiquated and unsafe to me ( I exagerate but it really was a crappy old plane) in any case when i found out that the their plane crash was not due to bad maintenance but their pilot flew the plane into the mountain I felt they should be ok (ngek). Anyway in my 8? 10 years of flying with them I've never experienced a very late flight and infact do not even remember being late in the past two years and I fly at least once a month with them. I flew PR domestically with them last month and it was late by an hour , I last flew PR internationally to vietnam last august and they were late for an hour, my record for being late with them was for a 1140 am flight that got me to davao at 1am. That's pretty much par for the course for me when I consider flying PR.

Ramvingar, 5j patterns itself as a LCC in operation but their cabin service (apart from serving juice and chips instead of full meal like a mainline) is essentially mainline except for those irritating games which most people like to play ( if you're sleepy you don't want to hear you fellow passengers rendition of wan weey teecket to the mmooon, do you) , but must admit am not above to participating when the loot is not bad (my record of winning includes a cap, couple t's!, and some gift certificate of some sort). Ground and passenger relations are also mainline,they've a loyalty program, and their uniforms have changed from skorts ( I miss those ---sigh---) to real , stiff as mananangal type palda) no internet only tix and a real person to scream at for those days when you feel like shitting on someone because you can't tie your shoes.

Consider this a ringing endorsement of 5j, Airphil for some reason creeps me out, I can understand a pilot flying into a mountain (huh ) but flying into a tree well that's another story (of course dapat mas madaling iwasan ang puno di ba :bash: )...

"Great idea and rendering! Now all we need is a parallel runway. Maybe you can demolish some of the structures on the right to make way for another runway."

Expropriation is a very litigious endeavour though. I also wish it could be done. I am just wondering why would people choose to live near a runway when there could be plane disaster anytime aside from the hourly roar of the jet to bear.

Yeah, I know, huh? Just dreaming, I guess.

But while Olineil is dreaming up a new terminal and making renditions, I was thinking that he might as well make a new runway while he's at it. :)

Allin101, Federal and Bustero, thanks for your replies. I want to try Cebu PAcific when I go home.

Oh man, I hope 5J doesn't have those games in their International flights especially if they start having north american routes. I guess it would be okay in short flights like the domestic ones.

"Originally Posted by kiretoce
IMO, I don't care about arriving at a "pretigious" airport, I care about arriving safely!"

i hate being pat down 100 times before you fly :no: they gotta do somthing with that system

woould cebu pacific have "business and first class" when they start flying north american routes? they should use wide bodies right? ang pangit naman sigurong tingnan if mono class lang ung trans pacific flights nila dba?

"Originally Posted by kiretoce
IMO, I don't care about arriving at a "pretigious" airport, I care about arriving safely!"

i hate being pat down 100 times before you fly :no: they gotta do somthing with that system

When I flew to Vegas last weekend, I was selected for a body search (hindi cavity search, ha?) for the first time. Don't know why but I was nervous even if I didnt have anything on me.

woould cebu pacific have "business and first class" when they start flying north american routes? they should use wide bodies right? ang pangit naman sigurong tingnan if mono class lang ung trans pacific flights nila dba?

They probably will have two classes at least. Their business class should be a cheaper version. Maybe they can make it like EVA Air's economy deluxe class.

I fly almost exclusively 5J, of course I still fly PR but if I fly domestically I will choose 5j first specially now they have new planes. i used to think twice about the safety of their dc9's something about the rust in the bathroom that spells antiquated and unsafe to me ( I exagerate but it really was a crappy old plane) in any case when i found out that the their plane crash was not due to bad maintenance but their pilot flew the plane into the mountain I felt they should be ok (ngek). Anyway in my 8? 10 years of flying with them I've never experienced a very late flight and infact do not even remember being late in the past two years and I fly at least once a month with them. I flew PR domestically with them last month and it was late by an hour , I last flew PR internationally to vietnam last august and they were late for an hour, my record for being late with them was for a 1140 am flight that got me to davao at 1am. That's pretty much par for the course for me when I consider flying PR.

Ramvingar, 5j patterns itself as a LCC in operation but their cabin service (apart from serving juice and chips instead of full meal like a mainline) is essentially mainline except for those irritating games which most people like to play ( if you're sleepy you don't want to hear you fellow passengers rendition of wan weey teecket to the mmooon, do you) , but must admit am not above to participating when the loot is not bad (my record of winning includes a cap, couple t's!, and some gift certificate of some sort). Ground and passenger relations are also mainline,they've a loyalty program, and their uniforms have changed from skorts ( I miss those ---sigh---) to real , stiff as mananangal type palda) no internet only tix and a real person to scream at for those days when you feel like shitting on someone because you can't tie your shoes.

Consider this a ringing endorsement of 5j, Airphil for some reason creeps me out, I can understand a pilot flying into a mountain (huh ) but flying into a tree well that's another story (of course dapat mas madaling iwasan ang puno di ba :bash: )...

I've flown with Cebu Pacific only at one time between Bacolod and Cebu. I thought it might be okay since it was only a mere 15 minute flight. My seat kept reclining by itself. Whew!!! But I have been on DC9's before on Northwest and they were equally as scary due to the alarm that kept buzzing at the back. I wonder what that was. But after CP's CDO disaster, I'd think twice about flying with them anywhere near a mountain range. As for Air Philippines, I still would not fly with them. Now that CP/5J has new planes, I might consider flying with them, except that the night before a flight to Iloilo burst its tire prior to take off, I had a dream of a tragic Cebu Pacific plane crash in the Visayas area just prior to touch down. It was not clear which plane it was on my dream but Cebu Pacific's insignia was quite clear. I also had a dream of a B737 exploding just a week before the Air Phil crash in Davao. I was flying to Manila the day after and told everyone that I was afraid of flying because of the dream, but since I had to be there on that day, I had no choice... I was relieved to arrive safely in Manila. I chose to take the ferry back but also had to change my mind due to time constraints... Again I was scared ______ the entire flight since the plane exploded on approach in my dream... I sure had an agonizing flight... Again, I was relieved to arrive safely. Two days later my classmate called me to inform me that there was a B737 crash in Davao.

I would still trust PAL since I cannot recall any major plane crash yet. One that would have been fatal was tha crash in Bacolod, which the pilot handled really well. In fact that crash is know to be the only none fatal Airbus crash of its kind. I still prefer flying on Boeing's anytime. Fly-by-wire Airbus aircraft are just not good enough during emergencies. It has been repeatedly proven that those computers tend to over-ride the pilots actions on aborted landings and the plane always ends up plowing onto the neighboring areas. Another problem with older Airbus aircraft is that it is harder to detect problems with the composite materials they use as has been the case with the American Airliner which crashed into a neighborhood in New York area. The recent B737 disasters just last year could be attributed to bad maintenance by disreputable African and Eastern European airline companies. I hope that Lucio Tan will go for more Boeing Aircraft instead of Airbus Aircraft.

according to myfriendwho works for the air trasportaion office in manila, among the 3 major airlines here in the phils, cebu pacific is the most compliant in maintaning their planes. i would trust cebu pacific any time.

It is not just a matter of maintenance. The type of planes that any airline is using is also an important consideration and I say Boeing Aircraft are much more safer than Airbus Aircraft.

i realy dont dont care man din what aircraft i fly in. i have flown in the biggest and smallest plane on the planet. heck, i even flew on the concorde... :)

i realy dont dont care man din what aircraft i fly in. i have flown in the biggest and smallest plane on the planet. heck, i even flew on the concorde... :)

Well! I envy you for having done that. Must have burned a hole in your pocket? Can't do that anymore huh? They've all been grounded. But really, I prefer American Airliners which are proven over the new European Airbuses. Heck, if an A380 should go down, A lot more people would be greiving and all the victim's families will find that the insurance companies will only pay out a maximum amount per plane and it will be divided among all the policy holders. It is folly not to decide or care what course or plane or airline you take. After all, We've been given brains so we could decide on what is best.

Well! I envy you for having done that. Must have burned a hole in your pocket? Can't do that anymore huh? They've all been grounded. But really, I prefer American Airliners which are proven over the new European Airbuses. Heck, if an A380 should go down, A lot more people would be greiving and all the victim's families will find that the insurance companies will only pay out a maximum amount per plane and it will be divided among all the policy holders. It is folly not to decide or care what course or plane or airline you take. After all, We've been given brains so we could decide on what is best.

yup.... :) it was so expensive...but well worth it...

Allin101, Federal and Bustero, thanks for your replies. I want to try Cebu PAcific when I go home.


Get your tickets early so could save a lot at madaling maubos ang slots especially during peak seasons.