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.

yes, thank you very much for your completely baseless opinion. In other news, coke is way better that that thing you call pepsi, and nobody even think of touching GMA, which is definitely superior to ABS-CBN *sigh*

yes, thank you very much for your completely baseless opinion. In other news, coke is way better that that thing you call pepsi, and nobody even think of touching GMA, which is definitely superior to ABS-CBN *sigh*

Please do some research on aviation disasters. Fact is, the Airbus crash in Bacolod was the only non-fatal crash ever... thanks to Airbus Industries' Fly-by-Wire system. A Boeing could have easily handled an aborted touch down. An Airbus aircraft cannot. Add to that the composite materials they use on the wings which are difficult to maintain... like that incident in New York soon after 9/11... Baseless? The difference between Coke and Pepsi as well as ABS-CBN & GMA the "flavor". It all depends on the taste of a person... But with Airbus and Boeing, the difference is reliance on proven technology and new technology. For aircraft, the difference matters a lot. Thank heavens for the very well trained PAL pilots. Other carriers flying Airbus aircraft are not as lucky. Emirates, Thai, China Airlines, Lauda Air and some others had already experienced this. I am sure Airbus is just hushing it up so they could continue selling their flawed aircraft. Just pray really hard prior to touch down whenever you are on board an Airbus.

i think you should do too. the A343 incident in toronto just last year was a non-fatal one.
if airbus aircrafts are as bad as you seem to portray them to be, then they should be falling one by one right now(but they aren't). i think they are as safe as boeing aircrafts.

i think you should do too. the A343 incident in toronto just last year was a non-fatal one.
if airbus aircrafts are as bad as you seem to portray them to be, then they should be falling one by one right now(but they aren't). i think they are as safe as boeing aircrafts.

That one was a different case. It was landing during a thunderstorm, and though planes are safe even if hit by a lightning in mid-air, in this case, it was the main cause of the disaster. The Bacolod crash was an aborted touch-down as is the case in a lot of Airbus crashes. And you are wrong about them dropping out of the sky - well except in a few cases like post the 9/11 NYC crash - because the problem with Airbus aircraft is during an aborted landing wherein the pilots actions are contradicted by the computer's program. About them dropping out of the skies, I think Airbus is more cautious of these after the NY incident. The cause of that was failure of some composite component that join the tail wing or fins. But I think this is being addressed already especially in older Airbus aircraft.

airdisaster.com blame the incident on malfunction of on-board computers preventing power from being reduced to idle which inhibited thrust reverse and spoilers from being used. The offending engine was shut down, and brakes applied, but the aircraft was unable to stop before the end of the runway. it's hardly an aborted landing, imo. it's true that it was a problem for older airbii, but that has been addressed now.

airdisaster.com blame the incident on malfunction of on-board computers preventing power from being reduced to idle which inhibited thrust reverse and spoilers from being used. The offending engine was shut down, and brakes applied, but the aircraft was unable to stop before the end of the runway. it's hardly an aborted landing, imo. it's true that it was a problem for older airbii, but that has been addressed now.

See, it was not an aborted landing... BUT the computers are still to blame. Was it due to the lightning strike that the computers malfunctioned? If so, that would be another reason why computers could not be relied upon in aircraft. Thanks for the explanation about the Toronto crash. I had been looking for infor on that one. Will always choose Boeing's whenever possible and only on airlines with a good track record. It is about time that PAL got rid of the older Airbus.

actually, that was the explanation for the bacolod incident. i don't think it means boeing planes are safer(nb better) aeroplanes. computers can have glitches just as much as humans have errors in judgement. airbus has done a great deal in making their products good and reliable.

actually, that was the explanation for the bacolod incident. i don't think it means boeing planes are safer(nb better) aeroplanes. computers can have glitches just as much as humans have errors in judgement. airbus has done a great deal in making their products good and reliable.

The Bacolod crash could have been avoided if the computers had not contradicted the pilot's action. It was totally different in that there was no thunderstorm to cause the computer to malfunction. It was a case of the computer fighting against the pilots emergency action. Yes humans, do make errors, but Airbuses do not allow those errors to be corrected... That, I think, is a major problem.

it was a case of computers not responding to pilot's action. and as i said, the problem has been addressed so that it shan't happen again.

it was a case of computers not responding to pilot's action. and as i said, the problem has been addressed so that it shan't happen again.

I think that the problem with the composite materials has indeed been addressed already, but the problem with onboard computers will always be there and will be difficult to fix. Nevertheless, the computers are indeed to be blamed.

Please do some research on aviation disasters. Fact is, the Airbus crash in Bacolod was the only non-fatal crash ever... thanks to Airbus Industries' Fly-by-Wire system. A Boeing could have easily handled an aborted touch down. An Airbus aircraft cannot. Add to that the composite materials they use on the wings which are difficult to maintain... like that incident in New York soon after 9/11... Baseless? The difference between Coke and Pepsi as well as ABS-CBN & GMA the "flavor". It all depends on the taste of a person... But with Airbus and Boeing, the difference is reliance on proven technology and new technology. For aircraft, the difference matters a lot. Thank heavens for the very well trained PAL pilots. Other carriers flying Airbus aircraft are not as lucky. Emirates, Thai, China Airlines, Lauda Air and some others had already experienced this. I am sure Airbus is just hushing it up so they could continue selling their flawed aircraft. Just pray really hard prior to touch down whenever you are on board an Airbus.

Please do your research. Air disasters by themselves are not caused by planes alone. Human error and plain bad luck are the causes of most incidents. That aside, I'd rather save my prayers driving in Manila, because that's more likely to kill me than an Airbus aircraft.

Please also note that nobody can hush up poor safety on an aircraft. Be reminded that Airbus aircraft have undergone airworthiness accreditation from the same agency that Boeing goes to.

You're perfectly entitled to your opinion, but I'd suggest against stating your opinions as facts.

Accidents do happen. And when you're in one, you are just the unluckiest person on earth, be it onboard Boeing or Airbus.

Accidents do happen. And when you're in one, you are just the unluckiest person on earth, be it onboard Boeing or Airbus.

Agreed! :colgate: The last thing I think about when boarding a plane is crashing. I think it's just morbid to have that on your mind. Can't live your life in fear all the time. If it happens, it happens be it on an Airbus or Boeing aircraft. I have not had the opportunity to ride the 777 or the A340/A330 so I can't compare them yet. But between the 737 and the A320, I prefer the A320. :) It just seems more spacious

Sorry guys, i'm just experimenting on how I can post pictures here. Thanks!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/dieseljock/0566805.jpg

As for the plane crashes issue, from what i've read and from what a good airline pilot friend of mine from Australia who just earned some credit to be a Captain of a boeing 767-200 told me, that majority of these fatal/non-fatal crashes are mostly pilot error. He did mention that the earlier model of airbuses just like any newly introduced aircraft somehow had some flaws of some sort but after all these crashes those problems have been addressed in the newer models. He however did especify to me that he himself wouldn't fly any airbus aircrafts but that's his own preference because he was trained to fly 767s only.

As for A340s, Air France Crash in Toronto Canada was the very 1st known crashes ever reported on that latter model. So, the fear of flying is nothing but just mental. I do have those fear when I fly but I try to overcome it as just like what you guys mentioned above, we can't live in fear all the time.

Eva Air 'poaches' B-market
Posted: 0:10 AM | Apr. 03, 2006

Victor Agustin
Inquirer





Published on Page B3 of the April 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES had occasionally grumbled about Eva Airways undercutting and "poaching" the economy-class trans-Pacific market of PAL.



The Taiwanese carrier has apparently stopped doing that, at least for this season.

Instead, Eva Air is luring Philippine-based business travellers with lower fares to San Francisco and Los Angeles, the two popular gateway cities in the West Coast.

Eva Air is offering a $1,550 business class, Web-only roundtrip fare from Manila to either of the two cities, as against PAL's $3,776 buy-one, take-one (effectively $1,888 per passenger) business class passage.

Eva Air's offer is valid only up to June 30 departure, while PAL's promo is available all-year round. For the more price-sensitive passengers, Eva Air's De Luxe/Elite class, between economy and business class sections, offers a $1,100 fare from Manila for the same destinations.

Eva Air's downside: Excluding the detour and additional flight time to and from Taipei, stopover at the Chiang Kai-shek takes five long hours for the Pacific-bound leg, plus another 3.5 hours layover time for the Manila-return trip.

PAL's downside: Its planes, and quite a number of the seats, have seen better days. Incidentally, economy-class passage on Eva Air for the same route is quoted at $950, as against PAL's $940. In this case, travellers can get better rates from travel agents than the two airlines' Web-quoted fares.

Money-go-round
THE OFFICE of ex-Rep. Apolinario "Jun" Lozada Jr. wrote to clarify that the former Negros Occidental congressman is not the same "Jun" Lozada who was reported here Friday as a close-in consultant of Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri.

The latter Lozada (full name: Noel Rodolfo Lozada Jr.) hails from Bicol, and is president of Philippine Forest Corp.

-- HONDA is maximizing its marketing budget for the new, sharper-looking Civic by holding tonight's press launch by the Greenbelt 3 fountain, instead of the usual indoor/hotel event.

Heard through the grapevine
SEAIR is enjoying monopoly pricing status in Zamboanga-Jolo route with the stoppage of the fast-ferry service and the collapse of another airline serving the southern corridor. One-way airfare for the half-hour flight now costs P2,133.60 with taxes, as against the P2,795 PAL now charges for 1.5-hour Manila-Zamboanga flight.

i caught a news feature of lance gokongwei (if im right) yesterday and he said that cebu pacific would be expanding their international flights to 4-5 new destinations.. they might announce something by june-july of this year.. and their budget promos would extend to their international flights soon.. lets wait for these good news.. :D

Eva Air 'poaches' B-market
Posted: 0:10 AM | Apr. 03, 2006

Victor Agustin
Inquirer





Published on Page B3 of the April 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES had occasionally grumbled about Eva Airways undercutting and "poaching" the economy-class trans-Pacific market of PAL.



The Taiwanese carrier has apparently stopped doing that, at least for this season.

Instead, Eva Air is luring Philippine-based business travellers with lower fares to San Francisco and Los Angeles, the two popular gateway cities in the West Coast.

Eva Air is offering a $1,550 business class, Web-only roundtrip fare from Manila to either of the two cities, as against PAL's $3,776 buy-one, take-one (effectively $1,888 per passenger) business class passage.

Eva Air's offer is valid only up to June 30 departure, while PAL's promo is available all-year round. For the more price-sensitive passengers, Eva Air's De Luxe/Elite class, between economy and business class sections, offers a $1,100 fare from Manila for the same destinations.

Eva Air's downside: Excluding the detour and additional flight time to and from Taipei, stopover at the Chiang Kai-shek takes five long hours for the Pacific-bound leg, plus another 3.5 hours layover time for the Manila-return trip.

PAL's downside: Its planes, and quite a number of the seats, have seen better days. Incidentally, economy-class passage on Eva Air for the same route is quoted at $950, as against PAL's $940. In this case, travellers can get better rates from travel agents than the two airlines' Web-quoted fares.

$1,550 roundtrip on business class!?!? Even if it isn't the new Premium Laurel Class on the 773ERs, that still does sound good! Man, I really miss being back in America! Airfares out of Sapporo to Manila are seriously exuberant! :cry:

Says here in this businessworld that 5j will be flying to Japan (osaka and narita) in August. Can't cut and paste as I'm not a digital bworld subscriber but have their print on hand.

Also says Asian Spirit is acquiring 2 Bae 146 in 2007 for Guanzhou, shanghai and Sandakan. It's not clear if these are part of the original order of 5? or 2 more though I think it's the latter.

Please do your research. Air disasters by themselves are not caused by planes alone. Human error and plain bad luck are the causes of most incidents. That aside, I'd rather save my prayers driving in Manila, because that's more likely to kill me than an Airbus aircraft.

Please also note that nobody can hush up poor safety on an aircraft. Be reminded that Airbus aircraft have undergone airworthiness accreditation from the same agency that Boeing goes to.

You're perfectly entitled to your opinion, but I'd suggest against stating your opinions as facts.

2nd time you told me that and this is the 2nd time I will tell you that I have. Question is, have you?Aviation disasters are not brought about by human error and bad luck. Rather it is the weather, human error, bad maintenance, and faulty technology that are often to be blamed... well of course terrorism is also accountable for some of the recent fatal crashes. Huistenberg has been keen on defending Airbus Industrie but even what he has researched pointed to the fact that computers can be blamed on most of the recent crashes involving Airbus aircraft. These crashes do not involve really old aircraft like the Boeings and MD and DC's that just keep on flying. These Airbus aircraft are quite new and really airworthy... there is no argument about that. The argument is that this over-reliance on computers on Airbus aircraft are to be blamed for the accidents. It is also true that pilot error played some part on these accident since aborted landings could either be due to wind shear, a miscalculation on the pilot's part, or a misplaced instrument (another problem with Airbus aircraft according to some pilots). These four situations could be easily corrected if the computer do not fight the corrective action of the pilot or, as Huistenberg says, the computers failed to respond to the pilots actions. One thing is certain - and this is not just my opinion - fly-by-wire systems in Airbus aircraft are flawed. I think it is alright to use computers during midflight only where chances of missing or hitting something are really, really, really, miniscule. But for touchdowns and take-offs, it's best to rely on the pilot.

2nd time you told me that and this is the 2nd time I will tell you that I have. Question is, have you?Aviation disasters are not brought about by human error and bad luck. Rather it is the weather, human error, bad maintenance, and faulty technology that are often to be blamed... well of course terrorism is also accountable for some of the recent fatal crashes. Huistenberg has been keen on defending Airbus Industrie but even what he has researched poionted to the fact that computers can be blamed on most of the recent crashes involving Airbus aircraft. These crashes do not involve really old aircraft like the Boeings and MD and DC's that just keep on flying. These Airbus aircraft are quite new and really airworthy... there is no argument about that. The argument is that these over reliance on computer on Airbus aircraft are to be blamed for the accidents. It is also true that pilot error played some part on these accident since aborted landings could either be due to wind shear, a miscalculation on the pilots part, or a misplaced instrument (another problem with Airbus aircraft according to some pilots). These four situations could be easily corrected if the computer does not fight the corrective actions of the pilot or as Huistenberg says, the computers failed to respond to the pilots actions. One thing is certain - and this is not just my opinion - fly-by-wire systems in Airbus aircraft are flawed. I think it is alright to use computers during midflight only where chances of missing or hitting something are really, really, really, miniscule. But for touchdowns and take-offs, it's best to rely on the pilot.


Oh you won't believe on how many pilots nowadays land the aircraft in auto-pilot, it's the computerized era on flying. Whenever there is a bad weather or something out of the ordinary, that's the only time the pilots are landing these comercial liners manually. That fly-by-wire system is one of the biggest reason my aussie friend wouldn't fly an airbus.

Says here in this businessworld that 5j will be flying to Japan (osaka and narita) in August. Can't cut and paste as I'm not a digital bworld subscriber but have their print on hand.

Also says Asian Spirit is acquiring 2 Bae 146 in 2007 for Guanzhou, shanghai and Sandakan. It's not clear if these are part of the original order of 5? or 2 more though I think it's the latter.


Good news for both Ceb Pac and Asian Spirit airlines. I've noticed that all Philippine air carriers are all concentrating very much on China and Japan whenever they starts adding new routes to their international destinations. Why is that? Lots of tourist from the abovr mentioned countries or you guys sends alot of OFWs there?

guys why are you referring to cebu pacific as 5j? sorry i must have missed the explanation somewhere..

^^ 5J is the IATA code for Cebu Pacific, 2P is Air Philippines, and PR is Philippine Airlines.

oh ok.. thanks for that! :D

oh ok.. thanks for that! :D
No problem. :)

Anyhow, 5J operating to Japan? Sounds like music to my ears! :D I seriously thought that Cebu Pacific abandoned plans to come here (last I heard, they were supposed to have flights to KIX on the third quarter of last year) but it's good to see that Japan is still in their plans. m))

This story was taken from www.inq7money.net. Interesting how he used Virgin Atlantic's Richard Branson as his "role model" in setting up 5J.

URL: http://money.inq7.net/features/view_features.php?yyyy=2006&mon=04&dd=03&file=1

LANCE GOKONGWEI
'I'm no traditional entrepreneur, that's my dad'
Posted: 3:37 AM | Apr. 03, 2006
Margie Quimpo-Espino
Inquirer

Published on Page B2-1 of the April 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LANCE Y. GOKONGWEI WAS JUST 30 years old when his father, John, one of the richest men in the Philippines, told him he just bought four planes.

"Bahala ka na (take care of it)," John told Lance.

That led to the birth of Cebu Air Inc. or Cebu Pacific in 1996.

Today, Cebu Pacific is the second largest airline in the country with a 37-percent market share of domestic routes. It serves 15 local cities and flies to Hong Kong and Inchon. It recently bought a new airplane and will increase its fleet to 12 by the end of the year.

The growth of the airline, which incurred a loss only twice in its 10-year history, earned for Lance the Entrepreneur of the Year Award of Ernst and Young, besting 20 other successful Filipino entrepreneurs, most of whom started their businesses from nothing.

He now joins the ranks of Ton Tan Caktiong; and National Bookstore dame Socorro Ramos--the past two years' winners.

Lance will compete this June for the World Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which Jollibee's Tony Tan Caktiong won two years ago.

Cebu Pacific's growth was propelled by directions set forth by Lance--focus on being a low-cost carrier and adopt unique marketing strategies used by other foreign successful LCCs.

He is the first to admit that he is not your traditional Filipino entrepreneur.

"I am not the traditional picture of entrepreneurship, which is someone who has no money, and who started his business from scratch," he says.

Lance was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, as Dad John then owned a couple of businesses.

One of his most profitable firms was Universal Robina Corp., one of the largest manufacturers of snack foods in the country under the Jack n' Jill label.

Lance points out, however, that there is another way of defining an entrepreneur, usually more common in developed nations.

He is someone who grabs at opportunities around him, takes risks, avails himself of available resources and creates something big.

"It's about seeking out opportunities, taking risks. Developing nations have better capital markets and these provide sources of funding for ideas," Lance states.

But he says most Filipinos have this picture of traditional entrepreneurs, such as his dad.

John, although born to a wealthy Chinese-Filipino family lost his father early. He then had to fend for his mother and siblings, riding a bike for miles and crossing rivers just to sell goods to earn a living.

"That is my dad's story," says Lance.

But just because he did not have to start from nothing should not be taken against Lance who still had the responsibility of growing the conglomerate handed him.

And so far, the elder Gokongwei has no reason to believe that he did wrong when he handed to his only son one of the biggest enterprises in the Philippines.

Lance laughingly describes himself as the Stepford Wife, because his mind has always been focused on becoming the perfect manager for the family business--his only ambition as far as he could remember.

And he did as soon as he can, arming himself with unquestionable qualifications. He finished BS (Applied Sciences) from the Pennsylvania Engineering School; and BS (Finance) from the Wharton School. He graduated summa cum laude both times.

Not knowing anything about the airline industry, Lance says he read a couple of books to give him a better idea about the business. He read Richard Branson's book, Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way. And this somehow became a bible to him in the early years of Cebu Pacific.

Gokongwei's entry into the airline industry was prompted by the liberalization of several sectors during the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos.

Lance recalls at that time that Ramos encouraged tapping into the foreign capital markets for funding.

This spurred several investors to go into major industries which Ramos, through Congress, liberalized-telecommunications, airlines, cement, energy, petrochemicals.

His family went into telecommunications, airlines and petrochemicals and started Cebu Pacific with P125 million.

Cebu Pacific revenues as of June 2005 was P4.02 billion, up from P3.94 billion in 2004.

Its earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization for the first six months of 2005 dropped P359 million from the 2004 income of P772 million.

Lance attributes this to the steep rise in fuel prices. He says last year was only the second time in the 10-year history of the airline that Cebu Pacific registered a loss. The first was during its first year of operations.

The Cebu Pacific president says the company made a quick turn around because Cebu Pacific served an "unmet need in the market."

Its tickets sell at 40 percent lower than Philippine Airlines' rates.

There are many takers as he says the airline industry has been growing at over 20 percent a year.

He admits the biggest mistake he made in the airlines was to veer away from their focus as an LCC and introduced business class sections and other high-end rates.

"We have to focus on just one thing," he says.

But on top of offering Filipinos cheaper rates, Lance is also attempting to change people's habits.

By offering consumers cheaper rates if they book their tickets early, Cebu Pacific was able to change the habit of Pinoys who used to buy their tickets two days before they leave.

Asked if there was one thing he would change if given a chance to start Cebu Pacific all over again, he says he would have used different airplanes.

"We would not have started with DC-9s, but started with 737 or Airbuses," he says.

But then, it was dad John who bought the DC-9s.

Son Lance has since embarked on a refleeting program and recently purchased 12 Aibus A3192s and contracted to lease two Airbus A320s.

That's your non-traditional entrepreneur.


copyright ©2006 INQ7money.net all rights reserved

well, things seem to be picking up for philipiine carriers finally, now all we need are proper manila based terminals for international and domestic flights (except PAL who have their fine T2).....

Sorry Stephen just lazy to type Cebu Pacific too long....:)

DieselJocks - Intra regional market is the biggest growht area , it's also the most realistic in terms of tourism. Difficult to bring people from Europe or the Americas but East Asia is anothermatter, Easy to pop on over here. Japan has ofw but not china, that's more tourists. Plus they are coming whether we like it or not, projected tourists from china is 100 million a year by 1015 or something. So some will surely visit here. At this point all the other ASEAN countries have million person numbers from china , tayo lang 100t and this partly because of the lack of airlinks (and other facilities actually).

2nd time you told me that and this is the 2nd time I will tell you that I have. Question is, have you?

Well, if one would look at http://www.airdisaster.com/statistics/ , one would see that planes such as the Airbus A300 and A310 don't fare very well in the list of statistics, and these planes weren't fly-by-wire. Bear in mind that these were the very first aircraft that Airbus ever produced, and Airbus was desperate to sell the A300 aircraft to almost any operator. And if you'd look at the list of crashes for the A300 aircraft here: http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_manu_details.cgi?aircraft=A300 you will see that most of the carriers aren't very reputable in terms of safety. As for the ones that aren't, like DHL, I'm sure that a missile to the wing isn't the plane's fault. There's the disputed AA crash, but the finger-pointing in that incident is a bit of a poo-poo platter.

The A320 family, however, is fly-by-wire. Bear in mind that fly-by-wire was introduced to passenger airlines through this aircraft. It was new technology, so of course pilots had to adjust to doing nothing (I'd actually give a blow-by-blow of each A320 incident, however, my I.E. is acting up, so I'll edit this part when I have the leisure :D )

The only A330 crash was during testing, and the only A340s lost were the Sri Lankan plane that was attacked by Tamil Tigers and the Air France plane that skidded off the runway.


Aviation disasters are not brought about by human error and bad luck. Rather it is the weather, human error, bad maintenance, and faulty technology that are often to be blamed... well of course terrorism is also accountable for some of the recent fatal crashes.


Err, if you're the passenger, that counts as bad luck. And when it comes to the weather, human error, bad maintenance, when is that the plane's fault? That leaves us with :



Huistenberg has been keen on defending Airbus Industrie but even what he has researched pointed to the fact that computers can be blamed on most of the recent crashes involving Airbus aircraft. These crashes do not involve really old aircraft like the Boeings and MD and DC's that just keep on flying. These Airbus aircraft are quite new and really airworthy... there is no argument about that. The argument is that this over-reliance on computers on Airbus aircraft are to be blamed for the accidents. It is also true that pilot error played some part on these accident since aborted landings could either be due to wind shear, a miscalculation on the pilot's part, or a misplaced instrument (another problem with Airbus aircraft according to some pilots). These four situations could be easily corrected if the computer do not fight the corrective action of the pilot or, as Huistenberg says, the computers failed to respond to the pilots actions. One thing is certain - and this is not just my opinion - fly-by-wire systems in Airbus aircraft are flawed. I think it is alright to use computers during midflight only where chances of missing or hitting something are really, really, really, miniscule. But for touchdowns and take-offs, it's best to rely on the pilot.

i.e. you're paranoid of fly-by-wire. Of course every system has its flaws. Fly-by-wire is relatively new technology, so it'll take getting used to. Other than that, you do realize that the point of these computers are to make things easier for pilots. Saying that its unsafe and writing it off is one way to react to new technology, of course, but that's the same line of thinking during the Y2K scare. Besides, when it comes to pilots clashing with computers, half the time, crashes happen because the Pilots ignore the computers, because they think its another malfunction, when they just misread the signs.

Oh, and T/O and landings have to be done by the pilot? Ever heard of ILS? It isn't exactly necessary in the Philippines, but in airports like Hong Kong or New York, the ILS is absolutely necessary when there are conditions such as fog. There's no point in a pilot trying to land a plane if he can't see to begin with. There are cases where its best that the pilot lands the plane him or herself, like when approaching Hong Kong Kai Tak, but otherwise, ILS helps. Besides, in busy airports like London-Heathrow, can you imagine the brouhaha that a missed approach would cause just because a pilot miscalculated?

There is no such thing as 100% safe when it comes to the airliner business, and I'd honestly prefer Airbus planes in the Philippines considering Lufthansa Technik's specialty encompasses the A340, A330, and A320 families. But that's where it stops, and that's the only advantage that Airbus aircraft have in this country. Other than that, a crash or incident can happen at any time.

i heard that the 777 navigational and electronic system is equipped with a computer override, it can actually override a pilots landing or takeof maneuver if it sense that the pilots handling of the aircrafts is not correct and puts it in danger

If I may (and to disclose I'm no avaiation expert here). My understanding of your conversation is that it's about two different things:

fly by wire and flying using the computer.

Fly by wire to my understanding is not neccesarily about using computers to fly the plane but getting rid of the older hydraulic systems/cable controls needed and putting eleictriaclly controled motors in place. I think the 744's still have hydralulic controls/cables even if they use computers to take off and land the plane. I understand that the reason you have this (fbw) is to lighten weight and cut costs while increasing reliability as you just a wire sending the control commands to motors , rather than a cable or hydraulic lines runnig from the cockpit throughtout the plane. With triple redundancy that's a lot of hydraulic oil or cable. Anyway that's my understanding of fly-by-wire. I don't think any of the new Boeing planes are using hydraulic controls as well, it's fly by wire.

Flying on computers is another story and am not sure what the pros and cons versus their safety reliability issues are. Interesting to see the comments posted here about it.

April*2006 > Features
Orinet Aviation Magazine

Blue skies again for PAL
Tom Ballantyne
Philippine Airlines president, Jaime Bautista: leading PAL's successful transformation

Philippine Airlines (PAL) president, Jaime Bautista, was clearly enjoying his visit to Asian Aerospace in Singapore in late February. The doors of the world’s largest suppliers were open wide to him, not least Airbus. The European manufacturer’s president and chief executive, Gustav Humbert, invited him to dinner.
*
These are good times for PAL. The carrier recently placed an order for new Airbus aircraft and more could follow.
*
The affable and highly respected Bautista remembers the days when he was chief financial officer and creditors were unsuccessfully beating a path to his door for their share of the US$2.2 billion then owed to them by PAL.
*
Bautista (48), who took over as head of PAL in 2004, and his team have worked hard to restore the airline’s credibility in the market place.
*
For example, PAL has repaid more than half the US$2.2 billion debt it chalked up before its collapse and now expects to be totally free of debt obligations well before the 2010 deadline set by the Philippines Government and PAL’s creditors.
*
In December, PAL placed a US$840 million order for nine new Airbus A320s, took options on another five and moved to lease four more – two A320s and two A319s – from GE Capital Aviation Services. Deliveries will begin later this year.
*
By December 2008, when the major part of the re-fleeting programme is completed, PAL will have an all-new, narrowbody fleet of 14 A320s and two A319s. “This will give the airline the advantage of operating a uniform fleet, with one aircraft type, one engine type and one bi-class cabin layout,” said Bautista.
*
Currently, PAL has a mixed fleet of 14 narrowbody aircraft: seven A320s, four Boeing B737-300s and three Boeing B737-400s.
*
PAL is now evaluating the widebody jet market. Bautista is keeping his cards close to his chest, but whatever the outcome it will be a major order for the winning manufacturer. PAL has 17 widebody jets: five B747-400s, four A340-300s and eight A330-300s. Its options range from B777s and B787s to A350s and A340s. PAL will take its time deciding with an order likely “within the next five years”, said Bautista.
*
Majority-owned by local brewery and tobacco tycoon, Lucio Tan, in 1998 PAL fell victim to the Asian financial crisis and a series of crippling strikes and went into receivership. It even closed its doors for a month. When PAL took to the skies again its 53-aircraft fleet had been reduced to 22, staff numbers were halved to 7,000 and its engineering and maintenance division in Manila was sold to Lufthansa Technik.
*
The airline’s recovery, achieved by a complex rehabilitation programme, has been impressive. It would have been even more so but for the catastrophic events of 9/11 and the outbreak of SARS.
PAL’s ability to move forward has been bolstered by solid operational and financial management. In its fiscal year to March 31, 2005, the carrier reported a net profit of US$22.5 million, reversing a $12 million loss in the previous year. “We are expecting to earn at least the same, or more [in the year to March 31, 2006],” Bautista told Orient Aviation.
*
The carrier appears to be weathering challenges on most fronts. PAL is still technically in rehabilitation, said Bautista, pending agreement by one U.S. creditor “but PAL is up-to-date in the payment of all its obligations”.
*
Domestic business is growing despite the increasing presence of low-cost carriers (LCC), according to Bautista.
*
“Our loads continue to grow and our load factor is very encouraging,” he said.
*
Most of the regional LCCs are operating into the former Clark U.S. military base with only one, Jetstar Asia, flying directly into Manila from Singapore. Bautista’s view is the budget carriers are helping develop the market.
*
Internationally, there has been good and bad news. Last November, PAL returned to Beijing with direct flights from Manila after a 16-year absence, moving back into one of the region’s primary growth markets.
*
Now operating three times a week services to China’s capital with an A320, it plans to raise this to five a week later this year. Services to the U.S., Hong Kong and Japan are all making money. Bautista said PAL wants to increase flights to Japanese destinations, including Nagoya, but at present there are not enough entitlements.
*
On the down side, flights were halted in March to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, until now its only Middle East destination, and to Kuala Lumpur. According to Bautista, the Manila-Riyadh route has been a loss-maker for some time because of the presence of too many Middle Eastern airlines, which produced over-capacity.
*
“Middle Eastern carriers have been mounting many flights and forcing prices down. The fares are too low. There are Emirates, Qatar, Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Now Etihad has started flying four times a week to Manila,” said Bautista.
*
With PAL’s departure from its sole route, there are now 43 flights between Manila and the Middle East, all flown by Gulf airlines.
*
The impact of the competition from the Gulf is far wider than routes between the Philippines and the Gulf. Bautista said Middle Eastern operators were carrying a lot of sixth freedom traffic from the Philippines via the Gulf and onto Europe and elsewhere.
*
PAL shelved its European services after the 1998 Asian financial crisis, but would like to resume them. However, Bautista has warned the Manila Government if it continues to hand out routes to the Middle Eastern carriers, it will be difficult for PAL to return to Europe.
*
PAL has not been the only operator to suffer. In the last three years, four European carriers that used to operate direct flights between Manila and European capitals have either stopped or reduced services: British Airways in 2002, Swiss International in April 2004, Air France in November 2004 and Lufthansa German Airlines in April 2005.
*
The PAL decision to drop Kuala Lumpur was taken on frequency and schedule issues.
“We are only operating three times a week and our competitors [Malaysia Airlines] operate daily. It makes it difficult for us. We are not the preferred carrier. The preferred carrier will be the one that operates daily or more,” said Bautista.
*
PAL is continuing to offer seats through code-shares to both the Middle East, with Qatar and Emirates, and soon with Saudi and Gulf Air, and to Malaysia with Malaysia Airlines.
*
Despite these setbacks, Bautista is satisfied PAL has been transformed into a nimbler, more efficient and customer-focused airline in recent years.
*
Shortly before its temporary demise in the late 1990s PAL re-branded itself as Asia’s “sunniest” airline. It’s taken a long time, and there are still obstacles to overcome, but for now the sun is shining on PAL.*

^^An interesting summary on the latest happenings of PAL...to think I was excited over PAL getting 3 more A320s, hearing about their order for more new ones as well as A319s was like an early X-mas present. :lol:

i heard that the 777 navigational and electronic system is equipped with a computer override, it can actually override a pilots landing or takeof maneuver if it sense that the pilots handling of the aircrafts is not correct and puts it in danger

Most of todays commercial airlines is equiped with a computer override. That's why most of these aircraft has the captain and the co-pilot only as opposed in the earlier years that there would be 3 or 4 manning the cockpit because they have flight engineers on board. They don't do that anymore. It saves money on the airline companies who used to pay a flight engineer to be part of the flight crews.

take note that its going to be major order wide body aricrafts within the next five years for either boeing or airbus whoever wins the contract

Well, I hope PAL will pick the new generation aircrafts in the line of 7E7 dream liners, extended 747-800 ,B777 ER , if not the A380 and put chicago back in their North American destinations. But I'm hoping more for 5js to pick up Chicago route in the near future since 5J is member of the skyteam with NWA.

PAL shelved its European services after the 1998 Asian financial crisis, but would like to resume them. However, Bautista has warned the Manila Government if it continues to hand out routes to the Middle Eastern carriers, it will be difficult for PAL to return to Europe.


Maybe PAL should find a niche market like direct flights to Europe from Manila/Cebu and bypass the Middle Eastern transit hubs. I think most overseas Filipinos on the Continent will like that better than having to spend long layovers in between flights.

Maybe PAL should find a niche market like direct flights to Europe from Manila/Cebu and bypass the Middle Eastern transit hubs. I think most overseas Filipinos on the Continent will like that better than having to spend long layovers in between flights.

UK should be PAL's target since I've heard that alot of nurses also seeks jobs in UK not to mention the caregiver and domestic helper professions are in demand there. Philippine tourism should also tap it's market in that country. So Manila and most especially Cebu will benefit from it.

OT: UK will no longer allow DH and caregivers starting 2008. :(

But yeah, PAL should reinstate their direct to Europe flights.

OT: UK will no longer allow DH and caregivers starting 2008. :(

But yeah, PAL should reinstate their direct to Europe flights.


I didn't know all these. Why is that?

Well, you guys have the nurses to back it up. There is still hope for MNL/Ceb - London market for PAL.

^^ 'twas just reported in primetime news. but the phil ambassador to the UK is doing his best to ask for review of immigration laws being proposed..

Maybe PAL should find a niche market like direct flights to Europe from Manila/Cebu and bypass the Middle Eastern transit hubs. I think most overseas Filipinos on the Continent will like that better than having to spend long layovers in between flights.
May not just be a niche market, point to point versus hub is a key strategic decision and many analyst think it's falling towards point to point favoring carrieres which actually serve big home markets. In reality this is true since I hate changing planes and am always willing to pay a little premium not to change. The current MidEast Carriers are all tiny home markets but use their georgraphic advantage to hub Europe asia flights with their huge planes and low cost. That's how they grew.

I think PR is taking it's time to see how this plays out before deciding on their widebody refleeting which is the bigger part of their fleet in value and importance. Plus at a certain point they will be able to get out of rehab and hence get better financing term from both Boeing and airbus so it's a real contest now. A350/A380/A340 vs B787/748/777. My money is on airbus at this point :) Would like to see us have a whale jet land constantly.

^^ but they have bigger problems.... their pilots are slowly quitting

^^true , but they'll have to address this anyway. Plus not everyone wants to leave, most who leave will be younger or older i.e. those without growing kids.

May not just be a niche market, point to point versus hub is a key strategic decision and many analyst think it's falling towards point to point favoring carrieres which actually serve big home markets. In reality this is true since I hate changing planes and am always willing to pay a little premium not to change. The current MidEast Carriers are all tiny home markets but use their georgraphic advantage to hub Europe asia flights with their huge planes and low cost. That's how they grew.

I think PR is taking it's time to see how this plays out before deciding on their widebody refleeting which is the bigger part of their fleet in value and importance. Plus at a certain point they will be able to get out of rehab and hence get better financing term from both Boeing and airbus so it's a real contest now. A350/A380/A340 vs B787/748/777. My money is on airbus at this point :) Would like to see us have a whale jet land constantly.

i´ll follow your bet bustero, it would also be more compatible for PAL due to less pilot training/compatability to other airbus cockpits and spare parts.

^^yup among other things!

They can hire bustero for operations manager or maybe the next PAL president...LOL

Seriously speaking, it will be more beneficial for PAL if they go on an ll airbus fleet. Hey BTW, I didn't even know that there is an A340-600, it's supposed to be longer than A380 I read in the SSC airport section, somewhere there. Maybe PAL can replace their aging 747-400 with it.

Asian Spirit to resume flights to Antique
Posted: 5:50 AM | Apr. 06, 2006



AIR carrier Asian Spirit announced it would resume flights to Antique province, in the central Philippines, from Manila starting Friday "due to the public's insistent demand."

The resumption of the service will come less than a week after the airline inaugurated its first international flight, to the Pacific resort island of Palau.



"As a response to the clamor of Antiqueños and nearby municipalities alike, Asian Spirit will resume and maintain regular flights to Antique from Manila and vice versa three times weekly every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday," Asian Spirit executive vice president Jack Po said.

Asian Spirit cancelled its flights to Antique earlier this year as poor passenger traffic made its jet service to the island unprofitable.

This time, the airline will use the 70-seater British Aerospace Advanced Turboprop on the route.

It said the offices of Congressman Ezequiel Javier, Governor Salvacion Perez and local government units had asked Asian Spirit to resume flights to Antique.

The Wednesday flight will depart Manila at 9:15 a.m. and leave Antique at 10:50 a.m. The Friday and Sunday flights will leave Manila at 3:30 p.m. and leave Antique at 5 p.m.

They can hire bustero for operations manager or maybe the next PAL president...LOL

Seriously speaking, it will be more beneficial for PAL if they go on an ll airbus fleet. Hey BTW, I didn't even know that there is an A340-600, it's supposed to be longer than A380 I read in the SSC airport section, somewhere there. Maybe PAL can replace their aging 747-400 with it.

ngek, super sakit ng ulo with 3 diff unions of pilots, stewardesses and mechanics, :gaah:

Some people were actually saying the A340-600 would be good for PR due to it's higher ratio of cargo to pax ,Big Plane actually, since PR carries a very heavy load from the states with everyone's two balikbayan boxes then it fits well. I think it's more expensive than the 777 to operate though so they'll have to weigh it. I actually like A340's seem quite and stable in flight. Looks nice too!

I flew United over the Pacific. Here are some of the intra-asia legs with SQ:


Getting ready for MNL (HKG-SIN leg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006038.jpg

Upper Deck Skybeds
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006035.jpg

My seat 11A
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006043.jpg

Best ensaymada in the sky with some Belgian waffles
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006021.jpg

Baggage area was packed with 3 aircrafts arriving consecutively!
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006052.jpg

Can you feel the heat? Now, where are my folks?
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/5ce34b65.jpg

^^ Excellent shots, jef7! I was hoping to try out Spacebed on my trip to the RP in 2004 but that never came around. The best I've tried so far was Northwest's new WBC seat and thought that was great, just can't imagine what the experience amongst even better premium products would be like! :eek:

Cool photos @jef7! SQ indeed has one of the best products and services in the airlines industry! :okay: By the way, if you don't mind me asking, does your job involve a lot of flying overseas? :dunno:

ngek, super sakit ng ulo with 3 diff unions of pilots, stewardesses and mechanics, :gaah:

Some people were actually saying the A340-600 would be good for PR due to it's higher ratio of cargo to pax ,Big Plane actually, since PR carries a very heavy load from the states with everyone's two balikbayan boxes then it fits well. I think it's more expensive than the 777 to operate though so they'll have to weigh it. I actually like A340's seem quite and stable in flight. Looks nice too!


Yes, but you should remember that all Airbus cockpits are designed as if it's an exact replica. This means they don't have to train more crews as all airbuses fly and handles the same way, plus it's easier to maintain airbuses than the boeing. From what my an airline pilot friend who is an australian and is now a captain in Qantas, he told me that he can't fly or commandeered other boeing aircraft other than 767-200 because he needs to be trained to fly other boeing aircrafts such as 757s, 747s and others. I guess my maain point is PAL would save money on training crews and most especially the maintenance of an aircraft.

Yes, but you should remember that all Airbus cockpits are designed as if it's an exact replica. This means they don't have to train more crews as all airbuses fly and handles the same way, plus it's easier to maintain airbuses than the boeing. From what my an airline pilot friend who is an australian and is now a captain in Qantas, he told me that he can't fly or commandeered other boeing aircraft other than 767-200 because he needs to be trained to fly other boeing aircrafts such as 757s, 747s and others. I guess my maain point is PAL would save money on training crews and most especially the maintenance of an aircraft.

from what i have heard, due to new developments, this will change in the A 350/A380. but not as significant as in the boing line though.

OH yes Rihard, A350/380 would be a whole lot different ball game. I agree with you there 100%

^^ Excellent shots, jef7! I was hoping to try out Spacebed on my trip to the RP in 2004 but that never came around. The best I've tried so far was Northwest's new WBC seat and thought that was great, just can't imagine what the experience amongst even better premium products would be like! :eek:

You know Skyblade, I have never been disappointed by SQ. I always look forward to fly them when I have the chance. They have a great product.

Cool photos @jef7! SQ indeed has one of the best products and services in the airlines industry! :okay: By the way, if you don't mind me asking, does your job involve a lot of flying overseas? :dunno:

Actually kiretoce, I wish my job involves travel (maybe someday), but I'm actually a leisure traveler. I fly a lot of domestic, and 3-4 international a year. You know how crazy our schedules can be over here, but traveling is my passion and I try to juggle around it as much as I can, especially if the price is right :) .

P3.2-B Panglao airport plan moves forward
Posted: 7:00 AM | Apr. 07, 2006

Daxim L. Lucas
Inquirer


AN international airport on the resort island of Panglao, in Bohol province in the central Philippines, has moved a step closer to becoming reality after the Department of Transportation and Communication began a formal study on the project's feasibility.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza told reported said his office was now looking at the project's particulars, including the kind of aircraft that would likely fly to the resort island.



"It should be able to accommodate at least a [Boeing] 737," he said.

A 737 is a twin-engine jet airliner used by carriers to service regional routes. Capable of carrying up to 200 passengers, depending on its seating configuration, it needs at least 2,000 feet of concrete or asphalt runway for take-offs and landings.

The government needs an estimated P3.2 billion for the proposed Panglao International Airport, which is being touted as an alternative to the nearby Tagbilaran City airport.

Mendoza said the proposed airport will help boost tourism on the island, which is being marketed by the government as one of the country's top tourism destinations, just behind Boracay island.

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.

its good to see that PK is trying to get back in manila again... i hope they fly here soon again.... esp after t3 is opened already.
i don't know the PR issue on narita because before PK dissappears here they are already doing that route of LHR-MNL-NRT, vv. i don't know why PR is disagrees when they already have a lot of flight to many points in Japan. MS (Egypt Air) was also doing the same route from Cairo, then Bangkok before it also disappeared in Manila. BTW, does anyone know why did MS cut their flights in Manila?

On the way to the airport MNL-SIN (From SLEX)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006144.jpg

Same old NAIA 1
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006158.jpg

Silver Kris SQ Business Class Lounge MNL (full capacity)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006005.jpg

Food is okay (Hotdogs and Garlic Fried Rice)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006006.jpg

Following a PR bird
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006009.jpg

SIN runway for departure after a quick stopover (SIN-HKG)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006026.jpg

Appetizer
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006031.jpg

Lobster Thermidore (Not bad)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006032.jpg

Arriving in HKG for a layover (While dreaming of the mothballed NAIA Terminal 3. Can you spot the Philippine Airlines Tail?)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006039.jpg

My seat: 15A Upper Deck (HKG-NRT-SFO)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006169.jpg

Red Carpet Club NRT (It is huge and beautiful)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006170.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006171.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006174.jpg

Macadamia Crusted Chicken (Very tasty)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006177.jpg

Cheese Omelet (Prior to arrival)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006179.jpg

San Francisco Downtown and the Golden Gate bridge (Quite foggy unfortunately)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Manila2006183.jpg

nice pictures jef.... i like your seat.... once pa lang ako naka try ng business class.. at yun ay sa northwest... not bad

Pardon me if this has been posted already, it seems PR is postponing the delivery of its A319s because of the pilot shortage.

Pilot shortage leads PAL to delay delivery of GECAS Airbus A319s

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has delayed taking delivery of two Airbus A319s from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) because the flag carrier has a shortage of pilots.

PAL says the carrier was supposed to get two A319s from GECAS, one in September and another in October, but has delayed it to next year, which means it will have no more A320-family aircraft coming this year. The spokesman is unable to say if GECAS agreed to this request but says this is what the carrier plans to do.

The two A319s were the first aircraft due to arrive as part of the airline’s narrowbody re-fleeting programme, which also includes the lease of two A320s from GECAS and an order for nine A320s from the manufacturer. The aircraft on order are due to arrive from the first half of 2007 through late 2008.

The two A319s from GECAS were also significant because these two were to be the first to have PAL’s new aircraft interior - a “tropical colour scheme” that includes “aqua marine” coloured seats, says the Manila-based carrier.

A pilot shortage is the reason for the delay, confirms the airline, adding that about 75 pilots have left PAL over the past three years and it now has around 440 pilots.

“For a small airline…losing 75 pilots is quite a lot” and now “we are reaching a critical level”, says the airline, adding that : “so far we have not had to ground aircraft but if the trend continues then yes” the airline might have to.

PAL is suffering from a pilot shortage because some aircrew have been poached by airlines in places such as India, Korea and the Middle East.

“Both [captains and first officers] have been poached but it is a little bit more on the captain side… Most of them were flying the Airbus A340 and Airbus A330 and A320 so it directly impacts on our re-fleeting programme.

“They are targeting our [highly trained] captains and first officers so it is really the cream of the PAL pilot base they are siphoning off,” says the spokesman.

PAL has already taken measures to deal with the problem, adds the spokesman, who says that about 18 months ago it started introducing new remuneration packages which “significantly” increase pilot wages.

The airline’s pilot training school has also placed an order for five trainer aircraft, doubling the school’s aircraft fleet.

“We have placed an order for five more,” he says. “They haven’t been delivered yet but the contracts have been signed.”

The spokesman says this means the school’s yearly graduate numbers – those that succeed in getting a commercial pilot’s license - will rise to 56 from 26.

PAL’s A320-family aircraft are replacing Boeing 737-300/400s which are coming off lease. The airline recently returned one 737 and now has two 737-400s and four 737-300s.

from: http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/03/20/Navigation/177/205531/Pilot+shortage+leads+PAL+to+delay+delivery+of+GECAS+Airbus.html

i dont understand.... dba they ordered 9 new A320's 5 options from Airbus,delivery will start on the second quarter this year...sooo paano yun? nxt year pa din yun?

^^^^^ Too bad....

Nothing was ever delivered at all???

Zamboanga Airport

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/ZamboangaAirport.jpg

^^^^ Is that the facade and main entrance of the airport or this is where the tarmac is?

^^ I love the architecture of that airport!

^^ that's where the tarmac is.

nice shot. My dad was a construction worker during the construction of the original part of the runway. Thats when he decided that he wont take that kind of life anymore, and now the rest is history:D

The two A319s from GECAS were also significant because these two were to be the first to have PAL’s new aircraft interior - a “tropical colour scheme” that includes “aqua marine” coloured seats, says the Manila-based carrier.

PAL’s A320-family aircraft are replacing Boeing 737-300/400s which are coming off lease. The airline recently returned one 737 and now has two 737-400s and four 737-300s.

from: http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/03/20/Navigation/177/205531/Pilot+shortage+leads+PAL+to+delay+delivery+of+GECAS+Airbus.html

this is a bad news. however, i'm excited with the new "tropical color scheme" on PAL's cabin, I never been in an A320/19 aircraft.

IU think they should just make higher salaries and benefits for pilots to retained in their company. Kasi sa totoo lang talaga... mas malaki angg sweldo ng mga piloto sa mga foreign airlines.

Zamboanga Airport

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/ZamboangaAirport.jpg


It looks modern than Mactan International Airport.

modern? it doesn't look bad but it doesn't look modern to me. Mactan looks modern to me just because of the bridges and other features. the fcde in MCIA just don't look so eye catching.

^^ I guess if the terminal (Zamboanga airport) had more glass and steel but kept its architectural design, it'll look modern with a classical twist.

modern? it doesn't look bad but it doesn't look modern to me. Mactan looks modern to me just because of the bridges and other features. the fcde in MCIA just don't look so eye catching.

You are right, its not modern. Its post-modern, because it is local design fused with modern traits. Mactan is just an ordinary modern terminal because it doesnt have anything to represent Cebu in its design.

^^ Its kinda like the airport in Jakarta wherein local design elements are incorporated into the terminal architecture. I like it!

me too.... i would love to see a philippine airport, besides zambo's, that would resemble the philippine culture especially in the vis min area..

Zamboanga Airport

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/ZamboangaAirport.jpg

beautiful shot, do you have one with an aircraft and the terminal in one shot too ?

^^ Its kinda like the airport in Jakarta wherein local design elements are incorporated into the terminal architecture. I like it!

Yeah, that kind of architecture style is post-modern:)

Question, Does Asiana still fly to Clark and Cebu?

^^ Yes Asiana flies to CEBU from INCHEON every WED THU SAT SUN and back to INCHEON every MON THU FRI SUN using their A321.

Qatar Airways adds two new flights to Manila


The extra capacity between the capitals of Qatar and Philippines takes to nine the number of weekly services on the highly popular route.

The additional flights operate to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday night, returning to Doha International Airport on Thursday morning and Sunday evening, respectively.

The Doha - Manila flights operate non-stop using an Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration of Economy and Business Class. Passengers are able to benefit from the airline's award-winning Five Star service and a fully interactive inflight entertainment system in both classes.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Manila was one of the airline's most popular routes across its Far East network, which currently covers 12 destinations. Hong Kong became the airline's latest Far East destination with the launch of daily non-stop scheduled services on March 26.


'Our Manila flights are no exception. The extra services on this key route have been in the planning stage for some time. Qatar Airways is now able to offer passengers to and from the Philippines even more connections over our Doha hub to destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

'This is very much in line with our strategy to give our passengers greater choice of flights and a more comprehensive network of destinations to fly to.'

Qatar Airways currently flies to two destinations in the Philippines - Manila and the southern city of Cebu, served thrice-weekly via Singapore.

Qatar Airways adds two new flights to Manila


The extra capacity between the capitals of Qatar and Philippines takes to nine the number of weekly services on the highly popular route.

The additional flights operate to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday night, returning to Doha International Airport on Thursday morning and Sunday evening, respectively.

The Doha - Manila flights operate non-stop using an Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration of Economy and Business Class. Passengers are able to benefit from the airline's award-winning Five Star service and a fully interactive inflight entertainment system in both classes.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Manila was one of the airline's most popular routes across its Far East network, which currently covers 12 destinations. Hong Kong became the airline's latest Far East destination with the launch of daily non-stop scheduled services on March 26.


'Our Manila flights are no exception. The extra services on this key route have been in the planning stage for some time. Qatar Airways is now able to offer passengers to and from the Philippines even more connections over our Doha hub to destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

'This is very much in line with our strategy to give our passengers greater choice of flights and a more comprehensive network of destinations to fly to.'

Qatar Airways currently flies to two destinations in the Philippines - Manila and the southern city of Cebu, served thrice-weekly via Singapore.

My friends say that a big percentage of the passengers on the Cebu flight are Bacoleno who then have to catch another flight early the next morning to Bacolod. I just might try the Doha - Cebu flight to see if indeed there are a lot of Bacolenos on each flight. If it is true, they should probably assign a once a week Doha - Bacolod - Doha flight once our new airport is opened next year. Otherwise if they don't, I'd rather take the Doha - Manila flight which is direct and I need only wait a couple of hours to fly to Bacolod with 3 airlines competing for the Bacolod route.

^^
Ya, I must agree that the majority of the passengers of the Cebu bound flight are ofws from the middle east and the Doha bound flight are mix of ofws and european tourists.

^^
Ya, I must agree that the majority of the passengers of the Cebu bound flight are ofws from the middle east and the Doha bound flight are mix of ofws and european tourists.

What OFW? It is such absurd term. Expatriate Filipino would be better. Would be really great to have a Doha-Singapore-Bacolod-Singapore-Doha flight someday. I heard that the New Bacolod-Silay airport will be able to accomodate A330's, A340's and their Boeing equivalent.

What I don't like about Qatar Airways is that they don't have any Boeings. As M. Lee had earlier said Boeing's are much safer on landings. So it would be great if Qatar Airways would decide to get the Boeing's that they are seriously considering to purchase soon.

--is that the new term now?? I am an ofw and I cannot "absurd" myself. . . I think QR should concentrate more on the Cebu-Doha route which is highly profitable for them rather than opening up new routes in the country since Cebu and Manila are the 2 gateways of the Philippines. I remember last June 2005 that they released a statement during the Paris Show that they are gonna order both Airbus 350 and Boeing 777 . . . . worth US$15B!




What OFW? It is such absurd term. Expatriate Filipinos would be better. Would be really great to have a Doha-Singapore-Bacolod-Singapore-Doha flight someday. I heard that the New Bacolod-Silay airport will be able to accomodate A330's, A340's and their Boeing equivalent.

What I don't like about Qatar Airways is that they don't have any Boeings. As M. Lee had earlier said Boeing's are much safer on landings. So it would be great if Qatar Airways would decide to get the Boeing's that they are seriously considering to purchase soon.

^^ Airbus is the new trend. In fact QR is one of the only six carriers that has initial orders for A380s.

^^ Airbus is the new trend. In fact QR is one of the only six carriers that has initial orders for A380s.

Yup, That's why Airbus had to rush the A340's(?) just to catch up with Boeing. They under estimated the market for small long distance jets. As a passenger, I'd rather fly on a Boeing. Even my friends at Qatar Airways say that they do not like piloting Airbuses because of that.

Ashton, What is an OFW? It means Overseas Foreign Worker right? Why does our government have to brand its citizens as OFW's or OCW's... it just smacks of how low the status of the Filipino is nowadays... and most of them here behave that way too. The most annoying thing for me is to be seated next to a Tagalog who just cannot speak decent English!

India has a better term for its people working in other countries... NRI which means Non Resident Indian... Sounds better right?

Marky, Do you happen to be in Qatar too?

I don't know who made it official, but they said it is Overseas Filipino Workers and I understand your sentiment, but what is important is the quality of work produced by Filipinos abroad, or also in our country.

Filipinos are not low status-- if that is your opinion you are entitled to it-- maybe just desperate to have a better life. . . . Decent English?-- at least better than our Asian neighbors, right?

I don't know who made it official, but they said it is Overseas Filipino Workers and I understand your sentiment, but what is important is the quality of work produced by Filipinos abroad, or also in our country.

Filipinos are not low status-- if that is your opinion you are entitled to it-- maybe just desperate to have a better life. . . . Decent English?-- at least better than our Asian neighbors, right?

Better, yes, but not much... in fact it's getting worse... except for us Southerners. I am sure a lot of Filipinos had been reprimanded because they keep on insisting on using Tagalog just because they know you are a Filipino. Isn't English an official language of the Philippines too? Even the Filipino flight attendants at Qatar Airways keep doing that. It's so annoying - especially for me because I cannot speak Tagalog.

The most annoying thing for me is to be seated next to a Tagalog who just cannot speak decent English!

ang taray. are you sure that the person who is seating next to you is really from tagalog region? maybe those "tagalog" people you've met on the plane are OFW's originated from your region who lives in Tagalog region :D to have a better access to greener pasture....no offense

If they talk to you in Tagalog, just reply to them in English . . :) English and Tagalog are the official languages written in almost all the books that I read-- thats something that is hard to correct, blame it on some of our crazy politicians who insist in using Tagalog. . Its a big shame.

Anyways, do you think PAL will get one day an A380? Our Asian neighbors are my God, they are like panic buying-- Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and HongKong!

Better, yes, but not much... in fact it's getting worse... except for us Southerners. I am sure a lot of Filipinos had been reprimanded because they keep on insisting on using Tagalog just because they know you are a Filipino. Isn't English an official language of the Philippines too? Even the Filipino flight attendants at Qatar Airways keep doing that. It's so annoying - especially for me because I cannot speak Tagalog.

Learn Tagalog. There's nothing wrong with learning a new langauge/dialect now is there?

ang taray. are you sure that the person who is seating next to you is really from tagalog region? maybe those "tagalog" people you've met on the plane are OFW's originated from your region who lives in Tagalog region :D to have a better access to greener pasture....no offense

Nope, everytime somebody starts speaking in Tagalog to me, I ask him if he can understand Ilonggo/Hiligaynon... Most often they don't. And a high percentage of people from my place are fluent with English - some even Spanish. Besides, a Bacoleno would likely respond in English if spoken to in English, no matter where the other person may be from... that is the behaviour of a well bred person. You could even hear some of PAL's highly trained flight attendants stammer when facing a very demanding Bacoleno passenger - in fact most flight attendants don't like the Bacolod route because most of the passengers are so demanding... One other thing, the Bacolod flight is often filled with businessmen, students, and people going on holiday... You don't see many "OFW's" on the flights to Bacolod... Which in itself is creating a bit of a problem because a lot of the money in Bacolod end up being spent in Manila and other tourist and centers of education.

Learn Tagalog. There's nothing wrong with learning a new langauge/dialect now is there?

I'd rather learn Spanish. There are more Spanish speaking people in the world. Besides, I don't plan to settle in Luzon - ever!

If they talk to you in Tagalog, just reply to them in English . . :) English and Tagalog are the official languages written in almost all the books that I read-- thats something that is hard to correct, blame it on some of our crazy politicians who insist in using Tagalog. . Its a big shame.

Anyways, do you think PAL will get one day an A380? Our Asian neighbors are my God, they are like panic buying-- Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and HongKong!

I sure hope not... Big Jumbos are a thing of the past - as Airbus has belatedly realized... heheh!!! Why buy Airbus when much of our trade and income is with the USA and not Europe? Besides Boeings are safer and provide more jobs to our people. What they should do is increase the volume of Aviation students to cope with the shortage in pilots.

I'd rather learn Spanish. There are more Spanish speaking people in the world. Besides, I don't plan to settle in Luzon - ever!

In terms of population numbers, there are more Chinese in the world than Spanish.

In terms of population numbers, there are more Chinese in the world than Spanish.

THAT'S RIGHT. BUT CHINESE IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT. BESIDES, EVEN THE CHINESE ARE CLAMORING FOR MORE AND MORE ENGLISH TEACHERS.

^^ That doesn't mean that all Chinks (as you so call them) will be speaking English all the time. This language debate is for another thread, this is the Aviation thread. ;)

^^ That doesn't mean that all Chinks (as you so call them) will be speaking English all the time. This language debate is for another thread, this is the Aviation thread. ;)

I WAS TALKING ABOUT QATAR AIRWAYS AND THE COMPOSITION OF PASSENGERS IN FLIGHTS TO THE PHILIPPINES BUT SOMEHOW IT GOT TO THIS... SORRY.

^^ We're cool. :okay:

^^ If only airplanes could speak... :nocrook:

^^ :lol: What a way to lighten the mood! :rofl:

^^ If only airlplanes could speak... :nocrook:

Maybe its walls could whisper... when metal fatigue sets in!!! That would be scary! Remember that B737 Aloha Airways that had a part of its fuselage shaved off but was still able to land safely with all people alive, except for one unfastened flight attendant? That's a testament to Boeing's safety!

^^ Wasn't that made into a movie or something? :dunno:

^^ If only airplanes could speak... :nocrook:

Are you in Qatar? You seem to know much about Qatar Airways.

^^ Wasn't that made into a movie or something? :dunno:

I saw it in a documentary - that was before the time of Discovery Channel though.

Maybe its walls could whisper... when metal fatigue sets in!!! That would be scary! Remember that B737 Aloha Airways that had a part of its fuselage shaved off but was still able to land safely with all people alive, except for one unfastened flight attendant? That's a testament to Boeing's safety!

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9295/alohaairlinesdisaster2vk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

yeah i remember this one. National Geographic Aircrash Investigation! hehehe. poor old flt attendant "C.B." Lansing.




BTW, im not from QR nor from any other airline. i have not even travelled abroad! hehehe :D

^^ There was also a movie made about that incident. Forgot the title...

http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/pictures/00002234.jpg
Balikbayans and returning overseas Filipino workers crowd the arrival area at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal I as they start coming home in time for the Holy Week celebrations.


NAIA SWAMPED BY ARRIVING BALIKBAYANS, VACATIONING OFWs
APRIL 11, 2006 (STAR) By Rainier Allan Ronda

MANILA - Overseas workers and "balikbayans" started arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday to observe Holy Week in their respective hometowns.

Ferdinand Sampol, head supervisor of the Bureau of Immigration at the NAIA, said that the high turnout of arriving passengers, most of whom were returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and balikbayans, prompted them to add two more computers designated exclusively for the documentation of their arrival.

Sampol said he also issued an order for immigration examiners to expedite the facilitation of returning OFWs passing through the three special lanes to alleviate the congestion at the NAIA Terminal I international arrival area.

While they had braced for the 20 percent jump in the number of passengers transiting through NAIA due to the Holy Week break, Sampol said the increase in arrivals yesterday and expectedly in the next few days was still notably higher than in previous years.

"We are doing our best to expedite the processing to avoid congestion, but it is very hard dahil sobrang dami talaga especially kapag nagkakasabay ang mga arriving flights," Sampol told The Star in an interview yesterday.

NAIA I serves the international passenger terminal for arriving and departing passengers of 32 local and foreign airlines.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has exclusive use of NAIA Terminal II (Centennial Terminal) for their international and domestic flights.

He said they cannot add immigration lanes to accommodate the thousands of arriving passengers because of space limitations at NAIA Terminal I.

"In times like these, we always think of NAIA Terminal III, na sana makalipat na kami dun," Sampol said.

It can be recalled that the government had planned to hold a "soft opening" for the controversial terminal last March 31, but this was called off when a 100-square meter portion of the ceiling at the facility’s arrival lobby hall area collapsed in a heap of debris last March 27, or four days before the test run.

Making matters harder for the BI-NAIA, Sampol said, was that while there was a high number of arriving passengers, there was also a parallel increase in departing international passengers with many Filipinos going abroad to spend the long Holy Week break in neighboring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and the shopping cities of China such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Xiamen.

Sampol said that many Filipinos were going to Asian countries on the low-priced package tours being offered by many travel agencies.

"Apart from the high number of arriving passengers from international flights, we also have to process the huge number of departures of international flight passengers," he said. "We expect the high number of departing and arriving international passengers to continue even until next week."

Sampol called on all passengers who will take international flights abroad to go to the airport early to avoid missing their flights.

THAT'S RIGHT. BUT CHINESE IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT. BESIDES, EVEN THE CHINKS ARE CLAMORING FOR MORE AND MORE ENGLISH TEACHERS.

I'm glad that there are no chinese americans lingering in this thread or SSC Philippines, they would raise hell on the word "chinks" that's a real demeaning word or name for them just like the "N" word with blacks...LOL

Nope, everytime somebody starts speaking in Tagalog to me, I ask him if he can understand Ilonggo/Hiligaynon... Most often they don't. And a high percentage of people from my place are fluent with English - some even Spanish. Besides, a Bacoleno would likely respond in English if spoken to in English, no matter where the other person may be from... that is the behaviour of a well bred person. You could even hear some of PAL's highly trained flight attendants stammer when facing a very demanding Bacoleno passenger - in fact most flight attendants don't like the Bacolod route because most of the passengers are so demanding... One other thing, the Bacolod flight is often filled with businessmen, students, and people going on holiday... You don't see many "OFW's" on the flights to Bacolod... Which in itself is creating a bit of a problem because a lot of the money in Bacolod end up being spent in Manila and other tourist and centers of education.


You're gay are ya? Language or dialects were never a problem with straight people, I hear that alot from them and females mostly, not that all of them are like that in fairness to our good friends here with an alternate lifestyle.

You just made a good point there, most flight attendants doesn't like the Bacolod route because of the bacolod passengers "are so demanding" which to me is more of a personality and attitude issues.

I don't know why you think that the visayans speaks better english than the tagalogs or any other region that aren't from the Visayan province. When I speak to a visayan, they talk like they are speaking in their dialect, with a very distintive "u" "i" and "e" and the grammars are equally as good, it's no better than the tagalogs . Why do you have so much resentment towards them anyway? Were you mistreated by them that you felt your whole being was threatened? Maybe the reason why they don't respond back to you in english when you attempted english to them is that they were weirded out speaking in a foreign language to a person with the same feature and skin tone as them.

I don't hear anything against visiyans from the tagalogs except once in a while they mock the way a visiyan pronounce certain words, and I hear these in english. I do hear them phrase the visayans for being better in english.

What is wrong about the term OFC? I don't see anything you can consider degrading nor any condescending opinion towards it except you? It would be more foul sounding if OFC is actually connected to being a hooker or a mobster then that would be a bad thing. I think it's just a state of mind in your part.

On the part where you said "Lots of money in the Bacolod end"? Why is it that Bacolod is not the main center of commerce in the Philippines and pulled the country out of poverty? It seems to me that you have these "dellusion of grandeur."

Actually I like the NAIA Terminal 1 rather than T2. Its more beautiful and more advanced rather than t2, that uses plastic chairs and old TVs. :)

PAL needs to think about them boeing 747

Dang, PAL has to avenge its place in Europe or else use it or lose it theory damn occurs.

You're gay are ya? Language or dialects were never a problem with straight people, I hear that alot from them and females mostly, not that all of them are like that in fairness to our good friends here with an alternate lifestyle.


The esteemed Dinho may blubber nonsense sometimes, but I don't believe that sexual orientation has anything to do with that.

^^
I think that there are people like that -- its not about attitude but that is just the way they are- like you know I just realized from my French boss that French people are actually not rude, that is just the way they are.. we have to work around with it- people from Bacolod are like that and it will never change.

The esteemed Dinho may blubber nonsense sometimes, but I don't believe that sexual orientation has anything to do with that.

Yeah, I agree. Ones orientation have anything to do with it in general, but it's just a fact that women are very particular about languages and accents and to some point on some gay men. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that here, it's about "airlines and such " discussions for pete's sake...


MirageBistro, I am not sure but I think you confused yourself with T1 aand T2, I've never seen any plastic chairs in T2, they are mostly light grey in color and are metal, I'm sure it's metal since it's perforated where my little 2 y/o stuck some candy sticks in it...LOL
i'm not sure about the monitors though. I didn't see a whole lot of monitors in the departure area ....

^^
I think that there are people like that -- its not about attitude but that is just the way they are- like you know I just realized from my French boss that French people are actually not rude, that is just the way they are.. we have to work around with it- people from Bacolod are like that and it will never change.


Well, it doesn't mean you have to stoop down their level. I'm sorry, I don't get along with french and dutch at all, most especially the dutch. I'm sure not all of them are like that but .......

Yeah, I agree. Ones orientation have anything to do with it in general, but it's just a fact that women are very particular about languages and accents and to some point on some gay men. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that here, it's about "airlines and such " discussions for pete's sake...


MirageBistro, I am not sure but I think you confused yourself with T1 aand T2, I've never seen any plastic chairs in T2, they are mostly light grey in color and are metal, I'm sure it's metal since it's perforated where my little 2 y/o stuck some candy sticks in it...LOL
i'm not sure about the monitors though. I didn't see a whole lot of monitors in the departure area ....

You are sadly mistaken! I messaged you since what I had to say had nothing to do with the aviation thread. Many people do end up thinking like you about us Bacolod guys just because we are more well bred and are quite fluent in English. It's just in the way parents bring up their children. Just take a flight to Bacolod and go to the middle class restos there and you'll realize how wrong you are.

^^
I think that there are people like that -- its not about attitude but that is just the way they are- like you know I just realized from my French boss that French people are actually not rude, that is just the way they are.. we have to work around with it- people from Bacolod are like that and it will never change.

You are right about that. I don't have problems with the French... In fact I have several French friends here... Same goes for the Dutch. I have many, many Dutch friends but most of them are either from S. Africa or the USA.

Back to Aviation... I do not like the design for our new Airport in Bacolod. Have you guys seen the design? It's not ugly, but it's not nice... It's just plain ordinary looking and badly designed too. I'll look for the picture and try to post it tomorrow.

Dinho, how do you define a well-bred individual? How does he differ from, say, the average Filipino? I just wanna make sure that we are seeing the same apples (or mangoes), so to speak.

I know a lot of people who are from Bacolod - some of them trace their roots to the Lopez and Lacson clans. Wala naman silang yabang. They act and live simple lives. They don't push their weight around.

You are sadly mistaken! I messaged you since what I had to say had nothing to do with the aviation thread. Many people do end up thinking like you about us Bacolod guys just because we are more well bred and are quite fluent in English. It's just in the way parents bring up their children. Just take a flight to Bacolod and go to the middle class restos there and you'll realize how wrong you are.


My gf was from Cebu, I've imported her over. To tell you honestly, I've been surrounded by people from Ilo-ilo and Bacolod in a filipino American gatherings in our community. Infact, her best friend was originally from Bacolod whom we both love to death, once in a great while, you would run into someone like you who is very delusional. Mind you, none of the guys were too paticular about any languages, they are nothing like YOU. Whenever I listened to them when they talk, they don't sound any different than the tagalogs as far as the grammar is concerned, maybe the tagalogs speak english with a deep tagalog accent while the visayans do the same, with their visayan accent.
You don't have to describe to me the way you look like, I can careless about that. For all I know you could of just made it up.(incidentally, the way you defended and decribed yourself as far as how your looks goes? It was done in poor taste, very gay. True story folks....)
I've been to Bacolod once BTW, it seems like their rear ends twist around when they see a foreigner, that's for sure.

I know a lot of people who are from Bacolod - some of them trace their roots to the Lopez and Lacson clans. Wala naman silang yabang. They act and live simple lives. They don't push their weight around.

All these just because I was complaining about other Filipino passengers and flight attendants who keep insisting on Tagalog even on international flights?

All these just because I was complaining about other Filipino passengers and flight attendants who keep insisting on Tagalog even on international flights?


Actuallly? Maybe, it's part of their training. To speak to the filipino passengers in the National Language, after all , it's PHILIPPINE AIRLINES the national flag carrier, am I right?

NWA, Filipino Flight attendants talks to their filipino passengers in tagalog. Infact, whenever they would make an overhead announcement it will always be in filipino/tagalog. The Filipino crewmembers would speak in tagalog as mandated by the Northwest Airlines manangement, just like how the Japanese Flight Attendants would speak Nippongo to the Japanese passengers in the same NWA flights.

My gf was from Cebu, I've imported her over. To tell you honestly, I've been surrounded by people from Ilo-ilo and Bacolod in a filipino American gatherings in our community. Infact, her best friend was originally from Bacolod whom we both love to death, once in a great while, you would run into someone like you who is very delusional. Mind you, none of the guys were too paticular about any languages, they are nothing like YOU. Whenever I listened to them when they talk, they don't sound any different than the tagalogs as far as the grammar is concerned, maybe the tagalogs speak english with a deep tagalog accent while the visayans do the same, with their visayan accent.
You don't have to describe to me the way you look like, I can careless about that. For all I know you could of just made it up.(incidentally, the way you defended and decribed yourself as far as how your looks goes? It was done in poor taste, very gay. True story folks....)
I've been to Bacolod once BTW, it seems like their rear ends twist around when they see a foreigner, that's for sure.

You are way out of line here!

^^^^^Why? Because it's true? I'm not generalizing everthing because I've met some good folks from your area...

Actuallly? Maybe, it's part of their training. To speak to the filipino passengers in the National Language, after all , it's PHILIPPINE AIRLINES the national flag carrier, am I right?

NWA, Filipino Flight attendants talks to their filipino passengers in tagalog. Infact, whenever they would make an overhead announcement. The Filipino crewmember would speak in tagalog as mandated by the Northwest Airlines manangement, just like how the Japanese Flight Attendants would speak Nippongo to the Japanese passengers in the same NWA flights.

I've never flown PAL outside the country. I was talking about Qatar Airways. As for Northwest... I never had that problem with them. When I speak to Northwest's Filipino flight attendants in English, they always respond in English even if my accent is clearly Ilonggo (you had been accusing me of being particular about accents - something which I really don't care about.In fact it's quite funny to meet other Filipinos here in Doha who would dare to imitate an American accent but could not sustain a conversation in English... too sad, their English with American accent could only last up to 2 sentences at most). I think that the Northwest Airlines crew are better trained... they are working for an American airline after all.

^^ Love your own language :D which is Filipino (Tagalog). Itigil nyo na yan. Ang masasabi ko lang dyan ay "Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit ba sa mabaho at malansang isda" tama ba ang quote ko? I'm sure hindi naman lahat ng taga-Bacolod ay affluent tulad din yan sa tagalog region, may jologs at may conio, meron din namang pretentious na affluent ko no at social climber pero meron din naman talagang totoo gaya ng mga haciendero at azucarero dyan pero Im sure hindi naman lahat ng taga bacolod ay haciendero at mayayaman. Back to the topic na mga peeps and hindi ako bilib kahit na mag-ingles pa kayo dyan ng american, tagalog or ilonggo accent. Ang cheap na po kaya back to topic na po please. Dont be conceited and proud of your English proficiency nagmumukha lang eng eng...PEACE.

I've never flown PAL outside the country. I was talking about Qatar Airways. As for Northwest... I never had that problem with them. When I speak to Northwest's Filipino flight attendants in English, they always respond in English even if my accent is clearly Ilonggo (you had been accusing me of being particular about accents - something which I really don't care about.In fact it's quite funny to meet other Filipinos here in Doha who would dare to imitate an American accent but could not sustain a conversation in English... too sad, their English with American accent could only last up to 2 sentences at most). I think that the Northwest Airlines crew are better trained... they are working for an American airline after all.

Umm?? Not necessarily. The way the Filipino NWA crewmember would handle their passengers is no different than in PAL. There are good and bad ones, but so far, I've never run into anything bad with PAL , I do have to try the PAL international sometime, but from just a feed back, I heard it's better than NWA, it's just not at par with CX somehow.

I've never insinuated nor mentioned anything about your accent especifically, I don't think i've heard you talk in real time,have I? It was just you being too particular in having to speak english when you speak to a fellow filipino. Heck, what if they just think you are weird for doing that when you both know you are both filipino??? LOL

Heck, what if they just think you are weird for doing that when you both know you are both filipino??? LOL

ha ha ha that's true...very well said :D

Umm?? Not necessarily. The way the Filipino NWA crewmember would handle their passengers is no different than in PAL. There are good and bad ones, but so far, I've never run into anything bad with PAL , I do have to try the PAL international sometime, but from just a feed back, I heard it's better than NWA, it's just not at par with CX somehow.

I've never insinuated nor mentioned anything about your accent especifically, I don't think i've heard you talk in real time,have I? It was just you being too particular in having to speak english when you speak to a fellow filipino. Heck, what if they just think you are weird for doing that when you both know you are both filipino??? LOL

I've never had a problem with PAL too because most of the attendants on the flight to Bacolod are used to that already. I was complaining about the flights to the Middle East. Funny thing is, everytime I call for an attendant, they start referring me to the foreign flight attendants... which is actually better for me. Besides the Lebanese, Arabs (you only get to see them without their Abaya/face&head cover in flight), and S. Africans are very pretty. About the accent thing... You had indeed been insinuating that I was very particular about accents.

The only problem with Northwest to me is that you feel like your at home and not en route for vacation on their planes... with all those moms serving and attending to you. You don't get to see the sexy ones you see on the glossy magazines. But service wise, I think they are good enough. Most of the Filipina crew members disappear when the flight departs from either Japan or Hawaii. From Japan, you will have either the tiny Japanese ladies or the big American moms attending to your needs.

Can anybody post pics of NAIA Terminal 2 and 1?

Can anybody post pics of NAIA Terminal 2 and 1?

www.geocities.com/manila_naia

The only problem with Northwest to me is that you feel like your at home and not en route for vacation on their planes... with all those moms serving and attending to you.
Haha! I guess I'd still prefer those more experienced flight attendants who'd know what to do in case of (God-forbid) emergencies. Some of them have attitudes nga lang...

The only problem with Northwest to me is that you feel like your at home and not en route for vacation on their planes... with all those moms serving and attending to you. You don't get to see the sexy ones you see on the glossy magazines. But service wise, I think they are good enough. Most of the Filipina crew members disappear when the flight departs from either Japan or Hawaii. From Japan, you will have either the tiny Japanese ladies or the big American moms attending to your needs.

That disappearing act by the filipino crewmembers are actually complaints I've read in the PAL passenger feedbacks posted online. I don't think that happens in NWA crews since their head FA which are normally Americans are all there to supervise them. I did notice one single filipina NWA FA who would pull the passenger's backseat by hand and without saying anything at all to the passenger whenever all the passenger's seat back should be in an upright sitting position upon take off and landing. It was real Annoying.

Is there a direct MNL-Honolulu flight at all with NWA??? I don't think NWA service that route.....

On a Osaka/Tokyo - MNL flights, the crew members are predominantly filipinos with one American who usually is the lead FA and a Japanese who would attended on all the japanese passenger needs. So, I don't know how and where you get the idea of a big american mommas attending on passenger's needs. This head FA usually tenders the 1st class cabins.

And why is the "feeling of being at home" in a NW flight a problem? Isn't it that a homely atmosphere would be more ideal? Very relaxing? Most especially in a very long flight like the North American Route? I never experienced homeliness in NWA but then I'm cheap, I always fly economy. Just once in awhile I would try 1st class, NWA isn't really the best in a 1st class service there is. So, far Virgin Atlantic has the best service for 1st class in my book.

That disappearing act by the filipino crewmembers are actually complaints I've read in the PAL passenger feedbacks posted online. I don't think that happens in NWA crews since their head FA which are normally Americans are all there to supervise them. I did notice one single filipina NWA FA who would pull the passenger's backseat by hand and without saying anything at all to the passenger whenever all the passenger's seat back should be in an upright sitting position upon take off and landing. It was real Annoying.

Is there a direct MNL-Honolulu flight at all with NWA??? I don't think NWA service that route.....

On a Osaka/Tokyo - MNL flights, the crew members are predominantly filipinos with one American who usually is the lead FA and a Japanese who would attended on all the japanese passenger needs. So, I don't know how and where you get the idea of a big american mommas attending on passenger's needs. This head FA usually tenders the 1st class cabins.

And why is the "feeling of being at home" in a NW flight a problem? Isn't it that a homely atmosphere would be more ideal? Very relaxing? Most especially in a very long flight like the North American Route? I never experienced homeliness in NWA but then I'm cheap, I always fly economy. Just once in awhile I would try 1st class, NWA isn't really the best in a 1st class service there is. So, far Virgin Atlantic has the best service for 1st class in my book.

Last time I flew NWA, There were a lot of American flight attendants... but that was more than 5 years ago. When I said no Filipino flight attendants from Japan to the US, I didn't mean that they were hiding or anything, I meant, they have disboarded and were replaced by Japanese and American crew. I can't remember seeing a Filipina FA on the US leg of the flight. Never flown in first or business class yet on planes.

And yes, you are right about the cessation of the Manila-Honolulu-Mainland flights. I've never been on it since Narita has always been our stop over. What I don't like about NWA is the fact that their planes are a lot older than PAL's fleet.

I'm glad that there are no chinese americans lingering in this thread or SSC Philippines, they would raise hell on the word "chinks" that's a real demeaning word or name for them just like the "N" word with blacks...LOL

tama! mga Chinese Filipinos lang :D....tulad ko :D

and I speak fluent english without any accent :tongue2:

tama! mga Chinese Filipinos lang :D....tulad ko :D

and I speak fluent english without any accent :tongue2:

I'm sorry for having said that. I admit that I am angry with Chinese from Singapore and Malaysia... they are a very arrogant lot... And because of that, I sometimes forget that I have good Filipino-Chinese, American-Chinese, and a Singaporean couple. I am really sorry about that.

I appreciate your apology, but we do not tolerate racist remarks. Cool it, Dinho...cant you make posts without arguing with other members?

Can anybody post pics of NAIA Terminal 2 and 1?

Jamaicus - Just for you :)

Terminal 2
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jbaino/t2pal-1.JPG
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jbaino/t2wait-1.JPG
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jbaino/t2pal1-1.JPG

^^ Oooh! Cool! The inside of T2 isnt as cramped as people say. I really love PAL's livery on the 747-400

ive never seen the international wing of t2..... it as nice as the domestic.... its nice

^^ Oooh! Cool! The inside of T2 isnt as cramped as people say. I really love PAL's livery on the 747-400

Nah, its really is cramped. Most especially in the arrival area. Conditions for passengers from long haul flights (especially when they arrive at the same time!) are quite brutal...lining up for immigration, waiting for your baggage..:gaah:

Nah, its really is cramped. Most especially in the arrival area. Conditions for passengers from long haul flights (especially when they arrive at the same time!) are quite brutal...lining up for immigration, waiting for your baggage..:gaah:

Yeah, unfortunately T2 is not as roomy as it should be. The pictures showed an early flight, so I can just imagine what departures are like with more than a couple of flights boarding. The immigration lines for check-in got long pretty quickly. Also, not enough Duty Free shopping and food stalls in the international wing. But, I must say the bathrooms were clean and the place was quite airy!

^^ And as mentioned numerous times here in SSC, the reason why its not that roomy is because its not designed for international flights! But PAL, just caring for their own interests, doesnt see that!:rant:

Nah, its really is cramped. Most especially in the arrival area. Conditions for passengers from long haul flights (especially when they arrive at the same time!) are quite brutal...lining up for immigration, waiting for your baggage..:gaah:

Oh. I never used it. Thats right. It's only the departure side on the pic. I guess the arrival side is a totally different story.

Yeah, unfortunately T2 is not as roomy as it should be. The pictures showed an early flight, so I can just imagine what departures are like with more than a couple of flights boarding. The immigration lines for check-in got long pretty quickly. Also, not enough Duty Free shopping and food stalls in the international wing. But, I must say the bathrooms were clean and the place was quite airy!

Well, it was originally meant to be converted into an all domestic terminal after all.

http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jbaino/t2pal-1.JPG
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jbaino/t2pal1-1.JPG


PAL's livery is indeed really one-of-a-kind, one of only a few national airlines that incorporates the flag with it. It's nice to see photos of T2 too! :okay:

PALs livery was actually voted as one of the most recognizable airline corporate logos in the USA a few years back. :) well of course it could be that many Filipinos were surveyed.

i remember in one of the movie of jean claude van damme that they showed PAL as his airlines

^^ Yep, it's that movie wherein he played twins and it was shot in Hong Kong, the title escapes me right now though. :colgate:

Government not giving up on rehab of Laoag airport
By Cristina Arzadon April 12, 2006

LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE -- Government planners are not giving up on improving the Laoag International Airport (LIA).

Hermenegildo Dumlao, executive director of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area (NLGQA), said improving the airport is crucial in the government's efforts to promote tourism in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

Dumlao gathered tourism planners in the Ilocos region last week to consult with them on tourism development and to assess the capability of the tourism industry.

The consultation also provided an avenue for government planners to solicit the private sector's support in tailoring their action plans on tourism initiatives with the Laoag airport development in mind.

Dissatisfaction

Dumlao did not hide his dissatisfaction on the failure of Ilocos leaders to capitalize on the P2.8-billion fund intended for the airport's upgrading in 1998. The budget for the LIA was later diverted to the rehabilitation of Iloilo International Airport.

"We will give Laoag [a] last chance [to improve its facilities], otherwise, we will lose out to Cebu, Clark and Davao," Dumlao told the tourism industry stakeholders.

After the P2.8 billion was diverted, the NLGQA could only rely on sourcing additional funds for the LIA upgrading from government line agencies, primarily the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Dumlao, however, assured LIA officials that funds from Europe are being sought to augment the airport's development program.

In a letter to Dumlao, Robert Castañares, DOTC assistant secretary for planning and project development, said P8 million was allotted for the construction of the LIA's perimeter fence, improvement of its administration building and the rehabilitation of runway lights.

The DOTC has also proposed another P52 million for the improvement of airport facilities under the department's infrastructure program this year.

More funds

Ronald Estabillo, LIA manager, said the Laoag airport has yet to comply with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

He said authorities are working on upgrading the airport's level of protection from Category 4 to Category 9 so it can accommodate bigger planes.

The airport also lacks fire-fighting equipment and visual landing aid in times of bad weather.

During the forum, Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said the LIA faces a reduced passenger load because of the smaller carrier that services the Laoag-Manila-Laoag route.

Cancelled

The 83-seater Asian Spirit has taken the route from Philippine Airlines before it decided to cancel its four-times weekly flights. PAL planes can accommodate 150 passengers.

Members of the Regional Development Council had promised to ask businessman Lucio Tan, PAL president, to resume the carrier's flights to Laoag because the LIA plays an important role in promoting trade and tourism in the Ilocos.

PALs livery was actually voted as one of the most recognizable airline corporate logos in the USA a few years back. :) well of course it could be that many Filipinos were surveyed.

It really is quite beautiful. And of course, for us Filipinos, the colors represent a very special meaning.

It really is quite beautiful. And of course, for us Filipinos, the colors represent a very special meaning.
The tail is really very lovely, I just hope they do something about the Eurowhite fuselage.

The tail is really very lovely, I just hope they do something about the Eurowhite fuselage.

I think Qatar Airways followed suit by changing their livery to white with the word QATAR on the fuselage and the colours are left on the tail.

IMO, without bias... the PAL logo is one of the best among airline logos I've seen.

ano ba mas mura pag mag LLC ka? hong kong or singapore?

IMO, without bias... the PAL logo is one of the best among airline logos I've seen.
same here... maganda talaga ang logo ng pal... simple yet elegant.... all white tapos yung logo lang sa tail at yung "philippines" na naka print sa harapan... maganda

On a recent flight to MNL, I was lucky enough to be the only passenger on the F cabin. I befriended the FA wearing green and got her to invite all the FAs on the flight for a group shot. The guy in the middle is their in-flight supervisor. They're all great.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/DSC00135.jpg

^^^^ did you get to take one of them home as a souvenir? he he

SQ's FA uniforms, the Sarong Kebaya, is indeed an iconic image for the airline. A great way to fly so their slogan says. :okay: By the way, I thought that you are the one in the middle with them in the shot. :colgate:

Well you know kiretoce, sometimes I do wish I can be a flight supervisor for SQ ;). Flying around the world, along some of the most lovely FAs in the sky, that will surely be fun.

And xDieselJockx, all I have is this image along with other photos as souvenirs :) .

IMO, without bias... the PAL logo is one of the best among airline logos I've seen.

yeah, i agree. and very symbolic too in our flag where it is really taken from. i also like the "philippines" printed in the fuselage... it is like boasting not the company name but the name of our country, so philippines can be known around the world where PAL flies. but i wish that PAL would add something in its fuselage after philippines like... a small name of "philippine airlines" and the triangle logo like japan airlines with a small name at the left and under the first row of windows put a their tagline on it... like "it's about experience" which is their current tagline. But i would like to see it as " the filipino airline" or its famous tagline of "asia's first airline". They could use the website printed on the fuselage but it would like a stealing the idea of livery design from emirates since they have that on their livery. Or it could be "Asia's first Airline is the Filipino Airline or their 65 years logo since the recently celebrated it.

PAL recently celebrated its 65th year... and they did not done anything in their fuselage to celebrate it like just putting their old logos or their 65th year logo... or make a special livery for it as other Asian airlines done.

^^ I agree. The PAL livery on the tail is beautiful, and its great they have "Philippines" printed instead of Philippine Airlines. And even though the fuselage is painted a plain white, they manage to keep it clean in all planes.

PAL recently celebrated its 65th year... and they did not done anything in their fuselage to celebrate it like just putting their old logos or their 65th year logo... or make a special livery for it as other Asian airlines done.
I haven't heard of a special livery in ages. Would've been great if they did do something for their the SEA Games (PFSG had someone paint the 2005 SEA Games logo into a PAL 744 for Flight Simulator, dunno where it went though.), their past anniversaries, etc.

But anyhow, the tail is indeed beautiful and timeless. I just can't imagine the airline replace that logo...IMO they could do whatever they want with the fuselage and maybe the font but let the tail stay.

opppss deleted

SQ's FA uniforms, the Sarong Kebaya, is indeed an iconic image for the airline. A great way to fly so their slogan says. :okay: By the way, I thought that you are the one in the middle with them in the shot. :colgate:

no offense but their uniform make them look like spa attendants rather than FAs.

most south east asian airlines FAs are into these "spa-like attendant uniforms" like thai, singapore, malaysia, and vietnam. i think garuda indonesia too. buti nalang philippine airlines didn't follow the routine on their FAs pero muntikan during the late 80's to early 90's they advertise their FAs in piña cloth (i think) like dress similar to terno with long "mangas" and then join by satin long skirt of pink and blue colors embroidered with ethnic designs like flowers in one line.

i think PAL is aligning more like with KE and JL and more with the western concept in blazered uniforms

no offense but their uniform make them look like spa attendants rather than FAs.

most south east asian airlines FAs are into these "spa-like attendant uniforms" like thai, singapore, malaysia, and vietnam. i think garuda indonesia too. buti nalang philippine airlines didn't follow the routine on their FAs pero muntikan during the late 80's to early 90's they advertise their FAs in piña cloth (i think) like dress similar to terno with long "mangas" and then join by satin long skirt of pink and blue colors embroidered with ethnic designs like flowers in one line.

i think PAL is aligning more like with KE and JL and more with the western concept in blazered uniforms

If the FAs look like spa attendants, then I guess that there's more reason to wear them to combat orientalism, if nothing else.

Oh, I heard that there was an incident with the Piña uniforms where a passing flight attendant caught her sleeve on a passenger's earring, and unfortunately, the passenger's ear was more damaged than the Piña.

But that aside, I liked the Piña dress. Its introduction was heavily influenced by Imelda Marcos; she would promote the fabric everywhere. Whenever she arrived in another country, she would bring a lot of Piña with her as gifts. And on PAL flight attendants, they looked lovely, especially since they were supposed to wear the awkward stuff during meal service, or so I've heard. PAL's uniform now is pretty drab and boring, and the 'western' orange style that came after the Piña but before the current one was even worse. Why should we copy western styles when we have the opportunity to be a bit more creative? Not everybody has to dress like an office worker, especially when one's outlet for creativity and rebellion lies in the tie :D

That being said, I think PAL's FA uniform now is still moderately atrocious. Emirates has the same color scheme, but at least Emirates FAs have a lovely red cap with a beautiful cream scarf to match. If PAL can bring back the piña or at least incorporate some jusi, not in the 80's style where big sleeves matched big hair, but in something more chic yet ergonomic. I'd come up with sketches, but then I doubt Lucio Tan would be willing to spend for a change in uniform :D

Here's some shot of the tarmac and what DMIA passengers go through, I already posted pix of the interior of arrival. I won't complain anymore, my airasia flight from KK was ok but their terminal in KK was terrible, I've not seen a worse Jet terminal. The checkin was basically a shed without aircon, and when you arrive, the departure line stretches all the way to the tarmac, and you have people literally lining up in the sun! amazing. Anyway, in Clark for some reason they make the planes park really far from one another (perhaps for confidentiality!haha go figure) anyway it's a long unneccesary walk I think. Lot's cement near the terminal .

My plant a B737 from KK, AK is now acquiring up to 100 new birds courtesy of airbus (narrow bodies of course).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/bustero/DSC00789.jpg

From that plane turn around to this point. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/bustero/DSC00786.jpg

Another pic of the terminal . Notice how effective the DMIA sun tanning feature of the terminal is, no need to go to a saloon, just use your legs and sweat it out.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/bustero/DSC00790.jpg

For those who like birds here's a reason why we parked far. A new A320 from TR.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/bustero/DSC00785.jpg

Lo and behold another one hehe. Probably the Macau one. Must be why we had to endure a longer sun tanning process today! Let's wait for the new ready wash service when the rainy season comes and we need to walk 5 minutes in the rain.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/bustero/DSC00791.jpg

Anyway my impression of both airlines since i've taken them both in the span of three weeks, is this . AK is a true low cost carrier, no frills, even their terminals are so cheap. No announcement from the pilot where you are, where you're heading, etc. The price is truly truly low for more seats . TR a bit classier IMO, they even have an inflight mag, pricing is much more efficient (in terms of their yield management program, more notches in increase). Anyway nice to see both services in DMIA. Hope to see them in DIA soon.

Can't see the pix myself, but it's happened before, hope you guys can see it.

Why should we copy western styles when we have the opportunity to be a bit more creative? Not everybody has to dress like an office worker, especially when one's outlet for creativity and rebellion lies in the tie :D


People will definitely have different perception on things and that's perfectly fine. My impression of the kebaya is a bit different though. They remind me of the colorful and intricate traditions and cultures of the Malay peninsula, as reflected on the printed batik. I agree with the statement above. Life is so much more interesting because of our individual distinctions :) .

BTW, I can definitely see your great pictures bustero. It's so nice to see LCCs competing in the Philippine market. Their lower pricings should allow many more Filipinos to experience the joys of traveling :okay:

no offense but their uniform make them look like spa attendants rather than FAs.

most south east asian airlines FAs are into these "spa-like attendant uniforms" like thai, singapore, malaysia, and vietnam. i think garuda indonesia too. buti nalang philippine airlines didn't follow the routine on their FAs pero muntikan during the late 80's to early 90's they advertise their FAs in piña cloth (i think) like dress similar to terno with long "mangas" and then join by satin long skirt of pink and blue colors embroidered with ethnic designs like flowers in one line.

i think PAL is aligning more like with KE and JL and more with the western concept in blazered uniforms
Just for a look-see, here's the 1984-1992 uniform of PR:
http://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/philip/pal3.jpg http://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/philip/pal.jpg

was looking around too... Found this on some site advertising PAL... was this the Pina uniform?

http://www.filipino.com/pal/images/palladies.jpg

Some PR ads, images I found:

Here's an ad from the 1950's (note the uniform, which is almost similar to current one):
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/1950sPR.jpg

A Douglas promotion from 1963 showing a PR DC-8 over Hong Kong:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PRHKG.jpg

Here are ads from 1978 (and you can at least see some part of the uniform then):
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR1978.jpg http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR78.jpg

And here's something from the 1980's, PR promoting its Skybed; probably beating SQ and all the others:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PRBed.jpg

wow.... pal's fa's are really good.... and the skybeds! woaaaaaahhhhh :eek2:

:eek: Those were PAL's glory days...
:cry: Too bad things have changed.

no offense but their uniform make them look like spa attendants rather than FAs.

most south east asian airlines FAs are into these "spa-like attendant uniforms" like thai, singapore, malaysia, and vietnam. i think garuda indonesia too. buti nalang philippine airlines didn't follow the routine on their FAs pero muntikan during the late 80's to early 90's they advertise their FAs in piña cloth (i think) like dress similar to terno with long "mangas" and then join by satin long skirt of pink and blue colors embroidered with ethnic designs like flowers in one line.

i think PAL is aligning more like with KE and JL and more with the western concept in blazered uniforms

No offense taken, but I still stand on my opinion that I'd rather have PR's FAs in a more traditional/cultural uniform than a Western/business looking style. FAs are the first impressions a foreigner/tourist gets before stepping foot in the Philippines. I think SEA national costumes are better geared for service oriented jobs like FAs (maybe that's why you have the connotation that they look like spa workers) compared to the very restricted Kimono (Japan) or that "wedding gown-like" garment that Korean women wear, which explains why NEA airlines have adopted the Western style attire.

I agree with Kimber. SIA (SQ)'s FA have some of the best uniforms. Its traditional Singapore/Malay attire. Its better to be unique, then have "usual FA uniforms".
Besides, SIA and their FAs provide the absolute best service, so nothing to complain about there.

I think that PAL should try a national costume coming from the Mindanao region(s), deviate from the "traditional terno" outfit that symbolizes only part of the Philippines (mainly Luzon and the Visayas).

Or the Malaks and Maganda style costume.

^^ :lol: I don't mean the tribal (bahag) wear. :colgate:

I think that PAL should try a national costume coming from the Mindanao region(s), deviate from the "traditional terno" outfit that symbolizes only part of the Philippines (mainly Luzon and the Visayas).
you mean similar to this?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/singkil-good20pose1.jpg





i would prefer if they would wear similar to this one....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/rural_tinikling11.jpg




:D

That being said, I think PAL's FA uniform now is still moderately atrocious. Emirates has the same color scheme, but at least Emirates FAs have a lovely red cap with a beautiful cream scarf to match. If PAL can bring back the piña or at least incorporate some jusi, not in the 80's style where big sleeves matched big hair, but in something more chic yet ergonomic. I'd come up with sketches, but then I doubt Lucio Tan would be willing to spend for a change in uniform :D

The "piña" inspired uniform created by famous Manila designer Chito Antonio was introduced in 1991. It patterned after the Filipina dress. A hisbiscus-decorated skirt in the overlapping style of native tapis is topped by a dainty kimona. This patterned is echoed in the monochromatic taupe suit w/ hibiscus-embroidered scarf - the modern FA unform of PAL. The two were launched in the same year.

I don't find the taupe uniform terrible but I prefer that than the kimona (w/c is unique). Although the taupe looks "nakakasawa na" (imagine since 1991 to 2006 the same uniform; its a decade in the making!), its stil make the FA look formal and class.

I thnik in 1996 or 97 Lucio Tan planned to introduce new uniform line of PAL FAs but it was cancelled. I already see it coz it was already presented to the public but then now it cancelled. The uniform was still the corporate look only this time there are no more symbolic features related to our culture and country which were done in the past years. The blazer was now colored like deep fushia or dark pink. And FAs has has now caps of the same color. The scarf were designed with brigthly color of pink, yellow, violet flowers and lines and yellow butterflies. The FSs have the same theme in their neck ties only the difference is that it is big checkered designed with sun rising drawings minus the yellow butterflies.

Some PAL staffs were already using it before it was fully used. I don't know the exact reason why it was cancelled. But I have heard a reason which is I'm not really sure.

I think SEA national costumes are better geared for service oriented jobs like FAs (maybe that's why you have the connotation that they look like spa workers) compared to the very restricted Kimono (Japan) or that "wedding gown-like" garment that Korean women wear, which explains why NEA airlines have adopted the Western style attire.

PAL belonging to SEA countries did not follow the trend of its SEA Airline counterparts in have the same FA uniform. Maybe PAL's reason to have blazered uniforms is to be different. Yung maiba nman, hindi katulad ng iba, sympre pare-pareho nga nman ng concept. and for safety pracautions na rin esp. during emergencies... FAs can more freely immediately during emergency or turbulences if there is neccesary things she must do during flight emergencies. Imagine if a FA running during emergencies in her long skirt like those of kimona. PAL has reasons in using those uni4ms.

was looking around too... Found this on some site advertising PAL... was this the Pina uniform?

http://www.filipino.com/pal/images/palladies.jpg

Yes... this is partnered with overlapping style of native tapis skirt embroidered with hibiscus pattrerns in blue, red and pink skirt colors. 'Hope you find a full view of the uniform. It is classic.

Although the taupe looks "nakakasawa na" (imagine since 1991 to 2006 the same uniform; its a decade in the making!), its stil make the FA look formal and class.


You see formality and class, I see tepidity and dullness.

Ah, HSBC, the world's local bank... :D



I thnik in 1996 or 97 Lucio Tan planned to introduce new uniform line of PAL FAs but it was cancelled. I already see it coz it was already presented to the public but then now it cancelled. The uniform was still the corporate look only this time there are no more symbolic features related to our culture and country which were done in the past years. The blazer was now colored like deep fushia or dark pink. And FAs has has now caps of the same color. The scarf were designed with brigthly color of pink, yellow, violet flowers and lines and yellow butterflies. The FSs have the same theme in their neck ties only the difference is that it is big checkered designed with sun rising drawings minus the yellow butterflies.

Some PAL staffs were already using it before it was fully used. I don't know the exact reason why it was cancelled. But I have heard a reason which is I'm not really sure.


This sounds interesting. Do you know where to find any pictures? PAL's uniform is indeed due for a change.

My preference is for that attire from Mindanao. And if it is possible if they can carry a sword and/or that bamboo, so much the better.

^^ so you agree with the first pic in post #308?

puede din... pero i still like the 2nd pic.... i think mas bagay yung oriental attires sa new planes na inorder ng pal.... dba the new a320's will have aquamarine seats? so i think mas bagay if oriental... besides their current 320's seems to have an oriental-inspired wallpaper..

hindi pwede.. hahaha.. baka pati FA ay hindi pasakayin sa airplane bec of terrorist threats (uniforms with bladed weapons).. hehehe


My preference is for that attire from Mindanao. And if it is possible if they can carry a sword and/or that bamboo, so much the better.

Some PR ads, images I found:

Here's an ad from the 1950's (note the uniform, which is almost similar to current one):

Here are ads from 1978 (and you can at least see some part of the uniform then):
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR1978.jpg http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR78.jpg



This FA uniform was first used in 1974 and designed by Pierre Cardin Manille. Hope you got a full picture of the dress uniforn. Anyway here a description of the whole uni4rm. This A-line mini skirt topped with a waist length blouse and two-tone patching from the front seams to the extencoller. A plain sleeveless camisoe was worn under the blouse covered vy a scarf in red, white and blue. There was a round patch on the left chest and another one on the right side of the skirt.

Hope you got it. But i know picture will do.

This sounds interesting. Do you know where to find any pictures? PAL's uniform is indeed due for a change.

Yes it really needed a change... it was due that year 96 or 97, but the already planned uniforn were cancelled for use. I'll try to scan pics of that uniform.

Here's a scan of the current uniform from the 65th Anniversary issue of Mabuhay:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/currentPR.jpg

Some PR ads, images I found:

Here's an ad from the 1950's (note the uniform, which is almost similar to current one):
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/1950sPR.jpg

A Douglas promotion from 1963 showing a PR DC-8 over Hong Kong:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PRHKG.jpg

Here are ads from 1978 (and you can at least see some part of the uniform then):
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR1978.jpg http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PR78.jpg

And here's something from the 1980's, PR promoting its Skybed; probably beating SQ and all the others:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/robbor7/PRBed.jpg
wow i like the last one, so what happened to that?

johnny delgado sat on one of those "skybeds"...then it broke down~! he sued PAL tapos ayun...nawala na tuloy yung skybed...hehehehe *kidding lang*

They got old, broke down and had to be replaced. But PAL replaced them with the seats we have now, because they couldnt invest in new skybeds.

How do you connect to the internet using WiFi at NAIA? I got connected to the provider but can't surf the net.

^^you have to pay a certain amount to the provider... i also tried to connect once but as soon as i found out that i have to pay, i didnt even bother...

Do you guys know what happened to those old BAC1-11's? I never heard of any BAC1-11 crashing with many fatalities unlike Airbus. I think the only crash of the BAC1-11 was when it overshot the runway at MIA and killed the occupants of some vehicles on the highway. Other than that, I don't remember anything else.

Probably not in the Philippines, but they're a really old plane. PAL flew them from the 60s through the 80s if I'm not mistaken (my first airplane trip from Manila to Cebu was on a BAC 1-11).

From http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk

I don't even know how long ago this was.
http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk/images/092%20Philippine%20Airlines%201-11%20PI-C1131.jpg

A little later... probably in the 70s through early 80s.
http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk/images/215%20Philippine%20Airlines%201-11%20PI-C1171%20.jpg

And with current colors.
http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk/images/209%20Philippine%20Airlines%201-11%20RP-C1188.jpg

The last commercial BAC 1-11 flight was a crash in 2002 by an African airliner. After this, all BAC 1-11 were grounded.

In airline fleets the BAC 1-11 were replaced by the DC-9 and the 737.

Interesting... there were 3 BAC 1-11 crashes for PAL according to:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?Type=080

On the first one in 1969, 45 out of 47 occupants died.
The last one was the crash that Russ cited. This was in 1989 when the aircraft tried to land during inclement conditions with poor visibility. Overshot the runway.

What was interesting was that most of the listed incidents for PAL BAC 1-11s were results of hijackings. Lots of hijackings in the Philippines in the 70s!

One of them was this one (from aviation-safety.net):
http://aviation-safety.net/photos/accidents/19760523-1-C-d-1-500.jpg
A terrorist threw a grenade.

Interesting... there were 3 BAC 1-11 crashes for PAL according to:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?Type=080

On the first one in 1969, 45 out of 47 occupants died.
The last one was the crash that Russ cited. This was in 1989 when the aircraft tried to land during inclement conditions with poor visibility. Overshot the runway.

What was interesting was that most of the listed incidents for PAL BAC 1-11s were results of hijackings. Lots of hijackings in the Philippines in the 70s!

One of them was this one (from aviation-safety.net):
http://aviation-safety.net/photos/accidents/19760523-1-C-d-1-500.jpg
A terrorist threw a grenade.

It seems like BAC1-11 planes only suffered fatal crashes due to mechanical design problems when it was first introduced and again in the african crash of 2002 which could be attibuted to bad maintainance typical of African Airliners with the exception of South African Airways.

was looking around too... Found this on some site advertising PAL... was this the Pina uniform?

http://www.filipino.com/pal/images/palladies.jpg

I actually really liked this uniform. But I think you have to be a tall slender model to pull this off. Not all PAL F/As are tall and slender. Or at least the time I rode they weren't.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three former Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - news) employees have alleged that the top U.S. planemaker installed improperly fitting parts in hundreds of Boeing 737 commercial jets, the Washington Post reported on Monday.


Boeing has denied the whistle-blowers' claims, contained in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita, Kansas, insisting that no faulty parts could have slipped past Boeing controls and that there is no safety issue related to the parts, the newspaper said.

Boeing officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The parts at issue, manufactured by Boeing supplier AHF Ducommun of Los Angeles -- a defendant in the lawsuit along with Boeing -- were made between 1994 and 2002, the whistle-blowers said.

They claim that Boeing allowed thousands of parts to be installed on the planes even though the aerospace company knew they did not meet specifications. Boeing also retaliated against people who raised questions about the parts, the whistle-blowers claim.

The whistle-blowers initially made the claims in 2002, the newspaper said. A review by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Pentagon, which bought some of the planes, found the charges had no merit.

But the Washington Post said it had reviewed the FAA's probe and found that the agency failed to visit any airplanes to inspect the 200 types of parts questioned by the whistle-blowers.

Ducommun declined to comment on the allegations, beyond referring to the FAA's previous findings the allegations had no merit, the Post said.

Do you guys know what happened to those old BAC1-11's? I never heard of any BAC1-11 crashing with many fatalities unlike Airbus. I think the only crash of the BAC1-11 was when it overshot the runway at MIA and killed the occupants of some vehicles on the highway. Other than that, I don't remember anything else.

Wasnt there a crash in Baguio too? When the plane slammed into the side of the mountain?I dont know if that wasa BAC1-11.

Wasnt there a crash in Baguio too? When the plane slammed into the side of the mountain?I dont know if that wasa BAC1-11.

that was a Fokker (sunriser) i guess :cheers:

How do you connect to the internet using WiFi at NAIA? I got connected to the provider but can't surf the net.

As noted, there isn't a free wireless signal at NAIA. One of the providers available is Airborne Access. At the SQ lounge they give guests pre-paid cards good for 1 hour. The 1-hour cards themselves cost 100 pesos. This connection however can be a hit or a miss (maybe that's why you were having problems surfing) sometimes.

that was a Fokker (sunriser) i guess :cheers:

Oh! forgot that PAL had those. Thanks!

---

that was a Fokker (sunriser) i guess :cheers:

You are right. It was a Fokker 50. But the Sunriser (SD340) is a totally different and much smaller aircraft. The Fokker had a circular fuselage while the Sunriser had a boxy fuselage.

Just for a look-see, here's the 1984-1992 uniform of PR:
http://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/philip/pal3.jpg http://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/philip/pal.jpg

Used in 1984, famed Italian designer Renato Balestra came up with this elegant suit in striking burnt orange with mandarin collars, shoulders, hemlines outlined in deep purple. A matching scarf printed with the new PAL sunrise logo complements the outfit.

Delays in flights seen as NAIA runway rehab starts


By ANJO PEREZ AND LOUIE PEREZ

NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT — Expect more flight delays at the country’s premier terminal as incoming and outbound flights can only use one runway until September.

Runway 13/31 was closed for use starting yesterday after airport management embarked on a much needed rehabiliation of the landing strip.

Airport general manager Alfonso Cusi disclosed that the the said runway, which has been in continuous use for more than 20 years, is in bad need of major rehabilitation and upgrade to make it safer for both landing and takeoffs.

According to Cusi, the rehabiliation and upgrade work on the runway entails the excavation of a 16-meter wide center section of the runway, replacement and compacting of its base course and sub-base as well as the replacement of the entire runway’s asphalt top base.

Lying between the NAIA Terminals 2 and 3, Runway 13/31 is 2,700 meters long but only the 1,800 meter section will be upgraded.

Work on the runway is being undertaken by ReadyCon on a 24-hour basis and will cost P314 million.

Once finished the new runway will be much smoother, giving passengers a much comfortable and safer flight experience.

The upgraded runway can also accommodate bigger and heavier aircrafts that will be using the NAIA Terminal 3.

The airport management is holding talks with the various airline companies operating out of the NAIA for time slotting to lessen delays caused by the runway closure.

http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/04/18/MAIN2006041861710.html

Does the Philippines have its own version of Airforce One?

no, but the president uses the refurbished military fokker jet for her domestic tours

This is as close as it gets

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/4/8/1/0949184.jpg

Thanks Carlos and jef7. I thought it was for free.

The PAL FAs in their "Filipiana-inspired" costume. I am wrong when I said it was released in 1991. These photos were taken in 1988/89 of their magazine "Mabuhay". Looking in my archives, I think this was used in 1983. But their are no details about it, or who made it. This was used by PAL since the 80's. The Filipiana-inspired uniform that was release in 1991 was also look like these uni4rms but a different design and more of a hisbiscus designs. That uni4rm was release together with the now taupe colored blazared FA uni4rm of PAL. I don't know when PAL stop using this uniform but I think they use this maybe on first class passengers during meal serving or to other class during flight. I'm not sure. But during that time this uniforms were used at the same time with their blazered uniforms.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/2279acb7.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/3afb7714.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/dd506879.jpg

Damn, meal service must've been really awkward back then :D

not practical uniform for flight service???

Those are nice PAL FA uniforms. Beautiful models too. I think they should put those unniforms back again with just some modifications for safety and comfort of the FA.


You think it's not practical Skylinepigeon? Why is that? I'm curious is all.

This is the current PAL FA and FS uniform. Famous Manila designer Chito Antonio created this uniform together with a new "piña" inspired uniform & introduced in 1991. The new piña-inspired uniform was patterned after the Filipina dress. The blazered uni4rm echoed the piña-inspired uniform pattern in these monochromatic taupe suit w/ hibiscus-embroidered scarf.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/Stewardess8.jpg

i like their current uniform

Puerto Princesa International Airport (although it doesnt look like an int'l airport..)
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0183.jpg

^^ What foreign destinations are being served from PPS and what international carriers ply those routes?

Puerto Princesa International Airport (although it doesnt look like an int'l airport..)
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0183.jpg


very nice shot, very neat terminal. is this the tarmac/apron side or the pick-up and go to town side ?
any more photos of that beautiful airport ?

PAL buying new planes
By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Philippine Airlines is in talks with French aircraft maker Airbus S.A.S. for the possible acquisition of additional A330s and A340s as the flag carrier continues to expand regional routes.

Anthony Philips, Airbus regional communications representative, said yesterday in a briefing that PAL had inquired for possible additional orders.

“Airbus and PAL are having discussions on the possible acquisition of A330 and A340 aircraft for PAL’s regional operations. Talks are still in the early stages,” he said.

PAL placed a firm order late last year for nine Airbus A320s plus an option to buy five more for $840 million as part of a long-term fleet organization plan.

The airline also plans to lease two new A320s and two new A319s from GE Capital Aviation Services. Deliveries of the new fleet of A320s will start in the second half of the year up to 2012.

The Airbus A330 is the longest-range twin-engine Airbus aircraft in service and has flown over five million operational hours with 60 customers and operators worldwide. It typically accommodates 335 passengers in two classes or 295 travelers in three classes and has a range of up to 10,000 kilometers.

The A340, meanwhile, is regarded as the market leader in the 295-380 seat categories. A variant of this model—the A340-500—can fly passengers up to 16,600 km, operating the longest nonstop commercial routes in the world.

PAL operates nine A320s on its domestic operations, eight A330s on regional routes and four A340-300s on long-haul flights to the United States.

The A320s will be configured to accommodate 12 seats for the Mabuhay Business class and 144 seats for the Economy class, while the A319s will accommodate eight Mabuhay Business class seats and 126 seats in the Economy class.

PAL is working on a financing scheme to fund its re-fleeting program. It has been in discussions with export credit agencies from the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

The Gokongweis’ Cebu Air Inc., which flies the Cebu Pacific fleet, Airbus’ other customer in the Philippines, has not made any recent arrangements to acquire new aircraft.

“I’m not aware on whether they’re looking for long range airplanes right now,” Philips said.

Cebu Pacific, which is marketing itself as a low-cost airline, acquired 12 Airbus A319s and leased additional A320s to replace its existing fleet of DC-9 and Boeing 757 aircraft. Deliveries started last year.

The airline has four A319s and two A320s in its fleet.

Airbus has delivered more than 4,231 aircraft to some 260 customers and operators worldwide.

Philips said the company expects to deliver over 400 units this year from actual deliveries of 378 units last year.

Airport repair to delay all flights

Both domestic and international flights are expected to be delayed by at least 30 minutes due to the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Runway 13-31 which is undergoing rehabilitation.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi, however, assured that air traffic at the Naia will be reduced as soon as the new time slotting scheme is implemented this week.

“We are now adopting a 10-minute separation procedure per flight for all incoming and departing traffic,” Cusi said.

The airport official convened the Time Slot Committee to closely coordinate with all international and domestic airlines to revise the current time slotting scheme.

With the closure of domestic runway, the Naia Runway 06/24 is now servicing at least 45 flights from the regular 30 flights an hour during peak hour operations.

Under the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization, airport runways need to be rehabilitated every 5-10 years.

Runway 13/31, which is 2,010 meters long, was last rehabilitated in 1996, Cusi said.

Once completed, the runway will allow the landing and takeoff of bigger airplanes, such as Airbus A319 and A320 and other huge jets.

The project will last until October this year but MIAA officials hope to complete the works ahead of schedule.

well, as expected...they are going for A330s and A340s for their upcoming widebody purchase. Pretty much clears up the news we got several months ago.

Flight delays seen with runway closure

First posted 07:13am (Mla time) April 20, 2006
Inquirer

CEBU Pacific Airways Wednesday advised its passengers to expect delays in its domestic and international service due to the closure of runway 13/31 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for renovation starting April 17. This leaves only Runway 06 to service all flights.

In a press statement, Cebu Pacific said runway 13/31 will be upgraded to handle bigger and heavier aircraft that are expected once the NAIA Terminal 3 starts operations. The renovation is expected to be completed by July 17.

The airline said it was discussing with airport officials ways to ease the delays.

i hope pal will consider the A380 for their refleeting program

richard: its the go to town side.

kiretoce: there was a small foriegn airline which flies from puerto princesa to kota kinabalu, malaysia. i am not sure if that route is still serviced.
PAL flies every septembr and october from puerto princesa to korea(seoul, i guess). thanks just it. :fiddle:

PAL buying new planes

By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Philippine Airlines is in talks with French aircraft maker Airbus S.A.S. for the possible acquisition of additional A330s and A340s as the flag carrier continues to expand regional routes.

Anthony Philips, Airbus regional communications representative, said yesterday in a briefing that PAL had inquired for possible additional orders.

“Airbus and PAL are having discussions on the possible acquisition of A330 and A340 aircraft for PAL’s regional operations. Talks are still in the early stages,” he said.

PAL placed a firm order late last year for nine Airbus A320s plus an option to buy five more for $840 million as part of a long-term fleet organization plan.

The airline also plans to lease two new A320s and two new A319s from GE Capital Aviation Services. Deliveries of the new fleet of A320s will start in the second half of the year up to 2012.

The Airbus A330 is the longest-range twin-engine Airbus aircraft in service and has flown over five million operational hours with 60 customers and operators worldwide. It typically accommodates 335 passengers in two classes or 295 travelers in three classes and has a range of up to 10,000 kilometers.

The A340, meanwhile, is regarded as the market leader in the 295-380 seat categories. A variant of this model—the A340-500—can fly passengers up to 16,600 km, operating the longest nonstop commercial routes in the world.

PAL operates nine A320s on its domestic operations, eight A330s on regional routes and four A340-300s on long-haul flights to the United States.

The A320s will be configured to accommodate 12 seats for the Mabuhay Business class and 144 seats for the Economy class, while the A319s will accommodate eight Mabuhay Business class seats and 126 seats in the Economy class.

PAL is working on a financing scheme to fund its re-fleeting program. It has been in discussions with export credit agencies from the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

The Gokongweis’ Cebu Air Inc., which flies the Cebu Pacific fleet, Airbus’ other customer in the Philippines, has not made any recent arrangements to acquire new aircraft.

“I’m not aware on whether they’re looking for long range airplanes right now,” Philips said.

Cebu Pacific, which is marketing itself as a low-cost airline, acquired 12 Airbus A319s and leased additional A320s to replace its existing fleet of DC-9 and Boeing 757 aircraft. Deliveries started last year.

The airline has four A319s and two A320s in its fleet.

Airbus has delivered more than 4,231 aircraft to some 260 customers and operators worldwide.

Philips said the company expects to deliver over 400 units this year from actual deliveries of 378 units last year.

from the Manila Standard (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business01_april20_2006)

even though they will acquire new widebody aircrafts... i still hope PAL will not give up their 747's.... imo, a strong/rich/ambitous(i cant find the proper term) airline has 747's.... if not, i hope PAL will consider the A380, since most of their 747 flights are full...

Cebu Pacific Airbus A320

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_pkBZkbxGE

i hope they will buy the latest model of a-340 (500 and 600 serioes) for their long haul flights but for me i would rather love pal having b-777-300er and b-777wl

cebu pacific will only considering buying wide body aircrafts long range aircrafts if they ar to fly inter-continental routes to the usa or europe and australia

^^ very soon...

^^ how soon is now? hehe

kiretoce: there was a small foreign airline which flies from puerto princesa to kota kinabalu, malaysia. i am not sure if that route is still serviced.

PAL flies every september and october from puerto princesa to korea (seoul, i guess). thanks just it. :fiddle:

Those are PAL's chartered operations to Seoul-Incheon right?

I hope they'll buy A340-600 version of A340 this time... its one of the longest aircraft I've seen. It's going to be wonderful in PAL logo. Together w/ A330, I hope the new aircraft will have In TV screens per seat in its economy class.

PAL buying new planes
By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Philippine Airlines is in talks with French aircraft maker Airbus S.A.S. for the possible acquisition of additional A330s and A340s as the flag carrier continues to expand regional routes.

Anthony Philips, Airbus regional communications representative, said yesterday in a briefing that PAL had inquired for possible additional orders.

“Airbus and PAL are having discussions on the possible acquisition of A330 and A340 aircraft for PAL’s regional operations. Talks are still in the early stages,” he said.

PAL placed a firm order late last year for nine Airbus A320s plus an option to buy five more for $840 million as part of a long-term fleet organization plan.

The airline also plans to lease two new A320s and two new A319s from GE Capital Aviation Services. Deliveries of the new fleet of A320s will start in the second half of the year up to 2012.

PAL operates nine A320s on its domestic operations, eight A330s on regional routes and four A340-300s on long-haul flights to the United States.

The A320s will be configured to accommodate 12 seats for the Mabuhay Business class and 144 seats for the Economy class, while the A319s will accommodate eight Mabuhay Business class seats and 126 seats in the Economy class.

even though they will acquire new widebody aircrafts... i still hope PAL will not give up their 747's.... imo, a strong/rich/ambitous(i cant find the proper term) airline has 747's.... if not, i hope PAL will consider the A380, since most of their 747 flights are full...

I think they won't its economy class has the best flight features... individual tv screens per seat in its economy class. I think those B744 is their only aircraft who has PTV per seat in its economy sections.

This sounds interesting. Do you know where to find any pictures? PAL's uniform is indeed due for a change.

This is the supposed new uniform of PAL FAs that is due to use in 1997 under their campaign of "Asia's Sunniest"
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/Stewardess7.jpg


This uniforms were unveiled in June 1997 under their new campaign at that time - "Asia's Sunniest". PAL envisioned at that time as Asia's First Airline to Asia's Best by the turn of the millennium.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/ianers_ianized/Stewardess6.jpg

The reason why it was not used because of the Feng Shui reading of Lucio Tan said the color of the uniform will bring bad luck to his PAL business when used. I'm not sure if this is the real reason but this is what I've heard.

And the rest is all history.

I hope they'll buy A340-600 version of A340 this time... its one of the longest aircraft I've seen. It's going to be wonderful in PAL logo. Together w/ A330, I hope the new aircraft will have In TV screens per seat in its economy class.

their economy class seats in their a-330's have seen better days

they will jst buy one or two wide body aircrafts

And the rest is all history.

:cry: Oh well, they are making good progress on their restructuring program.

their economy class seats in their a-330's have seen better days

PAL has never been good at maintaining the interior of their aircraft. I hope that they do a better job when they order new planes. Sayang e.

they will jst buy one or two wide body aircrafts
how did you know?

I think they won't its economy class has the best flight features... individual tv screens per seat in its economy class. I think those B744 is their only aircraft who has PTV per seat in its economy sections.
i dont think all of their 744's have PTV's.... im not too sure..

i dont think all of their 744's have PTV's.... im not too sure..

Im not sure also but I think I remember reading in Mabuhay Magazine that it is only in select 744's.