Airlines, Airplanes and Airports - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 22

stephencua

February 12th, 2007, 06:06 AM

taken from philstar.com..

Cebu Air prepares for IPO
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
The Philippine Star 02/12/2007

Cebu Air, the airline unit of tycoon John Gokongwei, is now preparing for its planned initial public offering (IPO) of shares as mandated by its franchise.

Cebu Air has written the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking exemption from the payment of fees in relation to an application for increase in capital stock and eventual IPO.

The airlines cited Republic Act 7151 as basis for its exemption from the payment of filing fees. The said law states that any privileges and favorable terms enjoyed by any of its competitors such as Philippine Airlines shall likewise be applicable to Cebu Pacific.

"Considering that the Department of Justice already opined that PAL is not obliged to pay SEC filing fees in connection with an increase in its capital stock, we believe that Cebu Pacific is likewise exempt from paying such SEC filing fees," Cebu Pacific said in a letter.

A company official said that as soon as Cebu Pacific’s request for exemption has been granted by the SEC, the airlines will raise its capitalization to facilitate its future IPO in compliance with its Congressional franchise.

The official did not say by how much the airlines is increasing its capital stock, pointing out everything is still under study.

Cebu Pacific earlier said it was eyeing an IPO either this year or in 2008 to fund its ongoing expansion. It has allotted $600 million over the next five years for acquisition of 10 more new aircraft as part of a continuing plan to expand its service to other parts of the country and the world.

The airlines expects to complete its refleeting program this month with the acquisition of 14 brand new Airbus A319s and A320s, making its fleet one of the youngest in the region. It is flying to four regional destinations which include Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur from Manila and has introduced flights from Davao and Cebu to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific is looking at additional routes within the four-hour flying radius in North Asia such as China, Taiwan and Korea and other countries in Southeast Asia.

It positions itself as the first low cost airline based in the country, while serving regional destinations, and eventually other international routes. It flies to 20 destinations in the Philippines.

Despite the huge investment, Cebu Pacific is expected to be profitable as the new re-fleeting program would reduce fuel operating cost by 30 percent. The 179-seater A320 aircraft is known for low maintenance and fuel costs which would allow Cebu Pacific to continue offering its trademark value fares.

Cebu Pacific is targeting 2.5 million passengers this year with the acquisition of a new fleet of modern and low-cost planes.

Monsi

February 12th, 2007, 06:59 AM

Legazpi Airport tarmac...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/PALB737400atLegazpiAirport.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/PR278takesoffonrunway06Sipibehind.jpg
PR-278 bound for Manila taking off on Runway 06 of Legazpi Airport.

Monsi

February 13th, 2007, 06:42 AM

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/PR278onrunway06.jpg

kiretoce

February 13th, 2007, 06:55 AM

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/PALB737400atLegazpiAirport.jpg

The splendor of Mayon always makes any photo breathtaking! :okay:

WawaY[625]

February 13th, 2007, 07:03 AM

^^ TRUE TRUE!!

FrancisXavier

February 13th, 2007, 08:12 AM

pano pag naputok ang mayon, suspended ang flights?

dinabaw

February 13th, 2007, 02:24 PM

^^mayon sa avatar ni waway :lol:

Sou-jiro

February 13th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Just Wanna Share My YSSY (Sydney's Kingsford Smith International),Shots i take regularly...,.. i made this thread bacause i dont wanna disrupt other peoples discussion on the other threads...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040092.jpg?t=1171367609

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040091.jpg?t=1171367658

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_15-1.jpg?t=1171367721

http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_15-2.jpg?t=1171367754

i'll post some more tomorrow
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_15.jpg?t=1171367864

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_16-3.jpg?t=1171367898

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_15-2.jpg?t=1171367754

http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_17-3.jpg?t=1171367963

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_17.jpg?t=1171368029

http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_17-2.jpg?t=1171368115

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_16.jpg?t=1171368158

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040096.jpg?t=1171370985

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040095-1.jpg?t=1171371023

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_18.jpg?t=1171371068

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P04-02-07_17-3.jpg?t=1171371102

kiretoce

February 13th, 2007, 05:03 PM

Hoping to see PAL's planes soon Rodney! :okay:

Skyblade

February 13th, 2007, 10:41 PM

Nice shots, someguy! Definitely got a nice glimpse of what it's like in SYD. :okay:

Skyblade

February 13th, 2007, 10:41 PM

The splendor of Mayon always makes any photo breathtaking! :okay:

Indeed! Having Mayon in the background definitely makes the shot even more captivating! :D

JuIcYdUdE22

February 14th, 2007, 01:37 AM

really breath taking, especially when it will explode, sure it will take your braeth away. ahehehehe.:nuts: :nuts:

normandb

February 14th, 2007, 02:01 AM

really breath taking, especially when it will explode, sure it will take your braeth away. ahehehehe.:nuts: :nuts:

siguradong tanggal ang breath mo forever pag tinamaan ng pagsabog na mayon yong eroplano mo he he he pero kung titignan mo parang malapit lang yong airport sa mayon kasi masyado mataas si bulkan mayon.

IsaganiZenze

February 14th, 2007, 03:18 AM

clipper monsoon
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/clippermonsoon.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/361400576_6cab1c7f25_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/361399938_344454292c_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/360428079_a3f2752aaa_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/360373996_9394092a54_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/361403143_ab9be1fa9b_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/361402791_85bbaea05a_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/361402417_1660bbe97b_b.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/clippermonsoon00.jpg

brownpau
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/340659692_13da5cb059_o.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/brownpau.jpg

OTHERS
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/337722525_4ec16e0261_o.jpg

ryanr

February 14th, 2007, 03:21 AM

interesting to see a Garuda Indonesia jet in NAIA. Did i miss something or are they starting to fly to MNL? also interesting to see a new livery on their frames.

psionic

February 14th, 2007, 03:43 AM

hehe. the livery used in that Garuda Indonesia fleet is not their livery buy to an airline named My Travel.

ryanr

February 14th, 2007, 04:02 AM

^ thanks. no wonder...but what are they doing in MNL since they dont have flights to MNL...just a codeshare with PAL.

Skyblade

February 14th, 2007, 04:11 AM

Awesome pictures, IsaganiZenze. :okay:

hehe. the livery used in that Garuda Indonesia fleet is not their livery buy to an airline named My Travel.

Yeah it was most likely a wet-lease for hajj. It is common around this time of year to see hybrid liveries w/ GA and they really do come up with some interesting combos:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1140952/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0786929/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0473318/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0353058/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0227536/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0071068/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0972131/M/

...though I'm curious on how did that A330 wind up in MNL? Picking up some Filipino Muslims bound for JED?

ryanr

February 14th, 2007, 04:16 AM

thanks for the links skyblade. interesting combos...first time i've seen them.

ryanr

February 14th, 2007, 04:18 AM

Nice shots Rodney! Nice to see a lot of Southeast Asian carriers...but where is PAL?:D

kiretoce

February 14th, 2007, 04:25 AM

Yeah it was most likely a wet-lease for hajj. It is common around this time of year to see hybrid liveries w/ GA and they really do come up with some interesting combos:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1140952/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0786929/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0473318/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0353058/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0227536/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0071068/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0972131/M/

:lol: It's like playing a game of "pin the tail on the donkey," only this time it's slap the Garuda logo on any plane. :rofl:

LordCarnal

February 14th, 2007, 04:59 AM

Here are some photos of the Caticlan Airport as published in a German aviation magazine.

Kudos to richard fischer for passing them on.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan01.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan03.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan04.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan05.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan06.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan07.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/caticlan08.jpg

jgacis

February 14th, 2007, 08:42 AM

Legazpi Airport tarmac...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/PALB737400atLegazpiAirport.jpg

The tarmac looks great but the airport terminal didn't look so good last month after the typhoon damage from late last year.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1172/dscn3849dp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/886/dscn3850me4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This would have been one of the first signs I would've changed at the airport. Definitely not good for tourism!! :nuts:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5494/dscn3852wu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I'm sure you saw these too Monsi but I wanted to show the others here on this forum. I do wish they have the funds to fix the place up. Well, despite the damage, the beauty of Mt. Mayon more than makes up for it. And it is even more beautiful when you're up in the air looking out an airplane at her beauty. :D

You can see where the lava flow formed from the eruption last year.
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/1453/dscn3927la0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5980/dscn3933hg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A nice close-up of the tip...thanks PAL!!! :)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4863/dscn3934nx1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[dx]

February 14th, 2007, 09:08 AM

Nice Pics! You should have told us you were coming over, we could have given you a proper SSC welcome. hehe.

BYAHILO

February 14th, 2007, 09:08 AM

anong airling yang nasa likod ng Northwest? ang ganda ng livery...

jameslab8470

February 14th, 2007, 09:56 AM

anong airling yang nasa likod ng Northwest? ang ganda ng livery...

JAL Airways

Sou-jiro

February 14th, 2007, 10:20 AM

thanks for the comments guys...ok Kimber cge i'll get Pals A333 pic for you to get Pal U have to be there atleast 9am and its usually parked on the other side. The is a public observation deck

btw...i was on sydney airport tarmac tours on saturday the tour goes on for almost 3 hours & we were taken to the threee runways its was so cool how we waved at the control tower & they waved back at us. we also communicated to the tower to get clearance just meters after some jumbo's landed. its such an amazing experience to be literally 50 from runway 16R 34L i saw atleask 4 qantas 744 take off an emirate 773 a garuda a333 china souther 772 heaps more....its just amazing how huge the 777 engines are. I was also lucky to catch qantas wunala 744. we re taken ther while it was being prepared to its flight to LAX....then we wnet to the construction site were they were expanding qantas lounges & gates for the A380,,,...i dont know if this is old news but i got a confirmation that qANTAS PLACED AN ORDER FOR 115 B787 between 2008 -2015.It a shame i cant take pics...they were so strick but being meter from the runway watching jumbos from around the world was the highlight also being able to communicated with the tower.....also it was coll the Virgin atlantic A346 pilot waved back at us...hehehethe last part of the tour we went to the qantas hanger & museam were a saw past qants fleets particularly B707 for a second i though it was the one John Trevolta owned. It looked like it. there were some A333 743 744 being retrofited & cleaned. then the domestic with virgin blue & jetstar coming in & out....it was nice to see jetstar using A333 they have a quick turn around time of 30 mins which enablees them to keep the fares down.

actually i did Pal's A330 take off but by that time we werent right next to the runway anymore....it was so educational....i noticed the thai & SQ are regulars in YSSY there usually 2 jumbos of each parked same w/ malaysia. next time i will catch PAL & some south american carriers too...

i just though i'd share my adventure lets saturday....i liked it so much i think i will book for that tour again. it was funny even the plane spotters waved at us, & we waved back lol

this is the closest pal i got as it was parked on the other side. i'll be sure to get closer shots maybe this weekend.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040121.jpg?t=1171443974

ewh1

February 14th, 2007, 10:27 AM

thats actually
JALways a subsidiary of JAL specializing in leisure routes
Japan Airlines does not fly to Manila anymore.

Sou-jiro

February 14th, 2007, 10:46 AM

nice shots...i love it....i luv seeing naia busy & packed with widebodies

oz.fil

February 14th, 2007, 10:47 AM

nice to see a klm 777 at mnl ! :)

oz.fil

February 14th, 2007, 10:52 AM

im sold!!! lol how do you book and how much?!?!? :lol:

Sou-jiro

February 14th, 2007, 10:55 AM

^^ $47 bucks normal tour $147 for a flight w/ REXairways using Saab340

u must book atleast twi weeks ahead..you pay once you get there...9ambring any valid photo id hehe :D

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040220.jpg?t=1171445114

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/089807986.jpg?t=1171445414

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/689543.jpg?t=1171445482

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040221.jpg?t=1171445548

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/P2040166.jpg?t=1171445609

kiretoce

February 14th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Cebu Pacific to add Manila-Bacolod trips

Cebu Pacific said in a press release yesterday that it will increase its Manila-Bacolod flights from March 22 to June 12 to accommodate more passengers during the summer season.

During this period, the airline will have three to four Manila-Bacolod flights daily, with the additional service at 6 p.m., arriving in Bacolod at 7:05 p.m. The return flight from Bacolod will be at 7:35 p.m., reaching Manila at 8:40 p.m . The lowest fare for the route starts at P568.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific marketing director, said they are increasing their flight capacity by more than 33 percent to fill the need for more seats during the summer.

This makes Cebu Pacific the biggest airline operator in Bacolod, in terms of flight frequencies, she said in the press release.

Iyog said that to get the lowest fares, passengers must plan their trips and book their flights ahead of time.

The lowest "Go" fares are available during Tuesdays and Wednesdays, she added.

habagatcentral1

February 14th, 2007, 10:31 PM

^^ Finally, more flights to BCD! More alternatives goin home! :okay:

xXx carlos xXx

February 15th, 2007, 02:02 AM

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18705814&postcount=2080

a pal insider(?)... answering some of our questions..

ewh1

February 15th, 2007, 02:15 AM

argh
these are the times when i wish i knew Tagalog fluently
lol

tigidig14

February 15th, 2007, 03:06 AM

nice and very large

tigidig14

February 15th, 2007, 03:11 AM

^^galing nung pics ng mayon

ang galing ng mga bagong addition for flights for PAL
sana may madagdag sa northwest side dito

kiretoce

February 15th, 2007, 03:30 AM

@Tigs, what do you mean? Northwest Airlines? Or the US Pacific Northwest (ie, Washington and Oregon)? :dunno:

xXx carlos xXx

February 15th, 2007, 04:04 AM

guys... bad news...

kani kanina lang daw.. lumampas daw sa runway habang naglland ang pal sa tacloban airport...nobody was hurt naman... cancelled daw lahat ng flights patungo ng tacloban..

et ang press release..

Plane overshoots runway in Tacloban

A Philippine Airlines flight from Manila overshot the runway of Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, Leyte Thursday morning but caused no injury to the plane's 133 passengers and six crew members.

DZMM Correspondent Hector Go said the aircraft’s front wheel ended up in the past the airstrip after the plane attempted to touch down in the middle of the runway around 7 a.m.

Go said heavy equipment is needed to move the airplane off the runway.

Airport authorities have launched an investigation of the incident.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=66861

xXx carlos xXx

February 15th, 2007, 04:19 AM

PAL plane overshoots runway at Tacloban
02/15/2007 | 08:53 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us
A Philippine Airlines plane with 117 people onboard overshot Thursday the runway at Tacloban City in Leyte, narrowly missing over 100 shanties near the airport, GMANews.TV learned.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

The PAL Airbus 320 would have plowed into the shanties had it not been for a canal about 100 meters away. Authorities are now assisting the 113 passengers and four crew members who were onboard PAL flight PR-192.

"Everybody's safe, we're just trying to extract the aircraft ... We're still investigating what happened," PAL spokesman Rolando Estabillo said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the plane overshot the runway and stalled after experiencing problems with one of the wheels in its nose landing gear.

Estabillo said the nose wheel was still being extracted from the main runway, more than an hour after the accident.

Citing initial reports, he said the plane already landed when it overshot the main runway. He said the passengers had already disembarked from the plane.

Estabillo added that the plane will not be able to make its return flight on time. He said PAL may have to look for another plane to replace it on its next scheduled flight.

This was the second time a PAL plan overshot the Tacloban runway, with the first incident happening in the 1980s.

Last Tuesday, dzBB radio reported that a male passenger was able to board a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Dumaguete City without a ticket. He used the ticket of his brother to secure a boarding pass.

The pilot steered the plane back to Manila upon learning of the "extra" passenger."

In Cebu last February 7, a small Islander plane crashlanded some 200 meters away from the shores of the plush Plantation Bay resort. All passengers and crew were safe.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/30666/(Update)-PAL-plane-overshoots-runway-at-Tacloban

BYAHILO

February 15th, 2007, 09:36 AM

JAL Airways

ngek i didnt know that sa JAL din pala yun.. sadly ala na nga JAL sa pinas. i remember my uncle would usually fly from florianopolis to Sao then Sao to NY via Varig tapos from NY to Tokyo, tokyo -manila dati via JAL.

kasi dinalhan pa nya ako nun ng miniature die cast ng JAL, twas a cool pasalubong!:banana: :banana:

Skyblade

February 15th, 2007, 06:23 PM

PAL plane overshoots runway at Tacloban

Not good considering how much PAL needs these planes in operation but thank goodness there were no injuries and that it wasn't to the magnitude of what happened in BCD 9 years ago...

kiretoce

February 15th, 2007, 06:36 PM

From the main Aviation subforum of SSC. :colgate:

This would be really awesome if the Philippines (mainly Metro Manila and/or Clark Field) can build something like this:

This is merely a vision, but man, if this was built it would be the most innovative airport system in the world!!

Could Union Square Be Your Next Airport?
Why turn Stewart (where?) into New York’s fourth airport? SHoP Architects presents a radical alternative, in which check-in could be as close as 14th Street.

No one doubts that the city needs a new airport: Our gateways to the sky are inconvenient, inefficient vestiges of decades past, their weaknesses made all the more apparent by the fact that the transport hub at the other end of a flight to or from New York is almost always sleeker and less chaotic than our three-headed monster (“LGA/JFK/EWR-berus”). So it was certainly nice to hear that the Port Authority is taking over the lease on Stewart International Airport with an eye toward expanding the sleepy former Air Force base. But must this new airport be 55 miles north of the city, closer to Woodstock than to Manhattan? (It’s in Newburgh, New York—you know, Newburgh? Right between New Windsor and Plattekill?) The idea is that Stewart will siphon off travelers who live north and west of town, and thereby alleviate the crushing burden on the other airports. But it does nothing to address the horrendous mass-transit system that feeds our airports, and, let’s be frank, it also lacks a certain pizzazz. So here’s another idea from SHoP Architects, which responded to our request for a superior fourth-airport proposal with a fascinating scheme for solving the space crunch using the ones we already have. It’s a high-speed-rail loop, in which trains would serve both as a means of conveyance to the airport and, in effect, as the airport. In a bold new check-in paradigm, passengers would get their boarding passes and go through security at special stations in Union Square and Red Hook (and Astoria and Grand Central and …), then hop on trains that would let them out directly at their plane. Such an approach would have the added benefit of reducing the airport space devoted to terminals, making room for more runways. Aviation experts will no doubt find holes to poke here—but this is our future-jet-age fantasy, and if Amsterdam can figure out how to put a commuter-rail depot underneath the airport food court, we can certainly get a few trains up and running. Port Authority, take heed!

http://nymag.com/news/features/airport070219_1_560.jpg
From downtown to London, nonstop
In SHoP’s plan, check-in would take place at hubs around the city. Then trains linked to specific flights would whisk you off to the airport.
(Photo: Photo-illustrations by SHoP Architects)

http://nymag.com/news/features/airport070219_4_560.jpg
La Guardia, JFK, and Newark would all be linked by the high-speed shuttle circuit (which, since it’d be built from scratch, could be easily equipped with wireless, cable TV, and other forms of information-age distractions). Passengers and their luggage would be screened before entering each secure hub. Having security checkpoints throughout the system would help reduce X-ray-machine bottlenecks. Most important: no more $30-plus cab rides, ever.
Diagram by SHoP Architects

http://nymag.com/news/features/airport070219_2_560.jpg
While onboard the shuttle trains, passengers could check in luggage, shop duty-free online, and have a drink or two before disembarking at the gate.
Photo-illustration by SHoP Architects

http://nymag.com/news/features/airport070219_3_560.jpg
The New, Improved JFK

1. More runways!
The current JFK covers 4,930 acres and has four runways. This plan would put eight in the same amount of space. More runways equals fewer delays.

2. Easier connections!
Coming from Miami to La Guardia, then leaving for Tokyo from JFK? No more sitting in traffic on the Van Wyck while your cab fare and chances of making the connection move in opposite directions.

3. A greener airport!
This massive “energy blanket” would shelter planes from rain and snow, provide solar power, and reduce the airfield’s contribution to summertime urban heat effect.

4. The end of fast-food ripoffs at the gate.
Flight pushed back? Status boards at each shuttle hub let you wait out the delay at local restaurants and coffee shops, instead of their overpriced airport equivalents.

Check out the article here (3 pages):
http://nymag.com/news/features/27826/index.html

ryanr

February 15th, 2007, 08:43 PM

Hey, thats cool. New York really needs a system like that. good for them

Bo B

February 16th, 2007, 04:44 AM

Not good considering how much PAL needs these planes in operation but thank goodness there were no injuries and that it wasn't to the magnitude of what happened in BCD 9 years ago...

Any pictures of the recent crash? I don't think that they could ever fly that plane again. Airplanes that had been through an accident like that, where they plowed into the ground, are usually considered a total loss. The one that crashed in Bacolod can still be seen in a junkyard from the highway.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/02/16/pal.plane.bound.for.davao.experiences.engine.trouble.html

There was another Airbus that had trouble as reported in todays news. This time, the same aircraft suffered two different problems. The first one got fixed and then another one surfaced.

oz.fil

February 16th, 2007, 11:55 AM

^^ maybe manila needs an airport like that

kiretoce

February 16th, 2007, 07:27 PM

tigidig14

February 16th, 2007, 08:06 PM

mura din sa dmia compare to miaa

kiretoce

February 17th, 2007, 03:48 AM

Davao urges PAL to open Davao-Japan direct flight
Friday, February 16 2007

Davao City Councilor Peter Laviña has urged the country’s flag carrier Philippine Air Lines (PAL) to open a direct flight from Davao to Japan to develop the Japan market.

The city can capture Japan as a major market for tourism industry if a direct flight from Davao to Japan is opened, Laviña said during the Davao City Business Forum Thursday here.

Earlier, a PAL executive said the airline company is not keen on establishing a direct flight from Davao to Japan because there is no market in said country in terms of tourist arrivals and travelers in the city.

Laviña, however, is optimistic that Japan -- being one of the world’s economic powers -- is a potential market for Davao’s tourism industry, and this could be bolstered with the establishment of a direct flight to that country.

In a related development, Laviña said some airlines have expressed interest to open linkages with Davao City but cannot push through because of restrictive bilateral airline agreements.

These airlines are Viva Macau, Air Macau, Singapore-based Tiger Airways, Korea's Asiana and Air Asia, a revolutionary budget airline based in Malaysia.

kiretoce

February 17th, 2007, 03:55 AM

Airline firm eyes more summer flights for "Butanding" watchers
Friday, February 16 2007

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), the country's low fare and leading domestic carrier will start operating a second daily Manila-Legazpi service in anticipation of the coming summer peak season highlighted by the whale shark or "butanding" watching in Donsol, Sorsogon and in other parts of Bicol being visited by the "gentle giants" of the sea.

According to Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific marketing director, the said A320 direct service aircraft is expected to arrive in March this year to complete the $ 670 million re-fleeting program of the said company.

He further said the additional A320 Manila-Legazpi direct service will operate from March 22 to June 12, 2007. It is scheduled to depart Manila at 6:05 a.m., arriving in Legazpi at 7:30 a.m. and arriving in Manila at 8:25 a.m. The lowest 'GO' fare for this route starts from P288 one-way.

"We are happy that after less than six months of operating a daily service to and from Legazpi, we are now announcing our second daily service for the summer peak travel season. We will be using our 179-seater A320 for this additional service and increasing our capacity for this route by 119 percent. This means that we will be able to provide more low fares to the public," Iyog said.

She explained that another travel tip for those who are unable to get the lowest 'GO' fares is to book ahead of time and think about traveling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as there are a lot of low fares available in the middle of the week.

On its 11th year of service, CEB has the newest fleet in the Philippines, and one of the newest in Asia as it operates 13 brand new Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and seven regional destinations.

The airline awaits the delivery of one more Airbus aircraft in March to cater to the bulk of passengers this coming summer season.

ianers_ianized

February 17th, 2007, 05:56 AM

thats actually
JALways a subsidiary of JAL specializing in leisure routes
Japan Airlines does not fly to Manila anymore.

I know that JL are folding their wings in manila but since when. For me, i think they did not fully left manila through JALways they arestill present here.

kiretoce

February 17th, 2007, 06:15 AM

^^ JALways, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, they operate a "specialized" route network between Japan and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. But the airline code on tickets, before the flight numbers, are still under their parent company which is JL (for Japan Airlines). JALways airline code is JO.

OtAkAw

February 17th, 2007, 10:36 AM

The airport plan in New York city looks fantastic!!!!

IsaganiZenze

February 17th, 2007, 11:18 AM

found photos of the PAL plane that overrun the runway in Tacloban

squaroot from FLICKR

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/391747642_5f9cac7908_o.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/391747644_79ff0e8c5a_o.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/391747647_0e5a4b6011_o.jpg

habagatcentral1

February 17th, 2007, 12:25 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100366.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100368.jpg

FrancisXavier

February 17th, 2007, 01:20 PM

habagatcentral1

February 17th, 2007, 01:24 PM

^^ A319/320

IsaganiZenze

February 17th, 2007, 02:27 PM

most likely a 319...could be wrong...it just looks short on the "profile photo"...does pal even have a 319....i'm guessing it's a 320.......it has to be, no?

ravenhawk

February 17th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Actually PAL does have A319,last year pa,Im from Tacloban myself and normaly PAL is using A319 in the afternoon in Tacloban.The one that overshoot is A320 though

oz.fil

February 17th, 2007, 03:06 PM

yeah you can totally tell that is an A320/19 type

normandb

February 18th, 2007, 01:42 AM

parang pangit tignan yong Air.Com sa body ng cebu pacific. ang mangyayari tuloy cebupacificair.com airways

xXx carlos xXx

February 18th, 2007, 03:48 AM

some pics to share... i shouldve posted these last month pa... pero i was lazy pa..

CEB at Tacloban's tarmac

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/811/airportscenes025ua7.jpg

PR's A320 interior
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4264/airportscenes024pq3.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5138/airportscenes023ye9.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8402/airportscenes014iu8.jpg

CEB's A319 interior
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7822/airportscenes043pd8.jpg

CEB's mango drink..
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9196/airportscenes042xr7.jpg

CEB's tailS.. haha
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9739/airportscenes055os0.jpg

xXx carlos xXx

February 18th, 2007, 04:05 AM

pahabol.. makati pic
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2496/airportscenes015rq5.jpg

jameslab8470

February 18th, 2007, 04:39 AM

parang pangit tignan yong Air.Com sa body ng cebu pacific. ang mangyayari tuloy cebupacificair.com airways

Hehehe. I disagree tol. It's very cooL! hehe.

ryanr

February 18th, 2007, 09:38 AM

^^ I envision that for DMIA, being the designated primary gateway to Manila (and to the rest of the Philippines) with Northrail linking it to main city centers in Metro Manila (which will have check-in/baggage claim capabilities) and to NAIA for domestic flights.

Yeah, and maybe they could have a check-in terminal in BGC before you board the Northrail to DMIA... Kinda like Hong Kong and its airport. i wish.

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

February 18th, 2007, 03:16 PM

parang pangit tignan yong Air.Com sa body ng cebu pacific. ang mangyayari tuloy cebupacificair.com airways

Disagree. Cebu Pacific is Cebu Pacific Air or (simply) Cebu Pacific, not Cebu Pacific Airways.

normandb

February 18th, 2007, 06:22 PM

Disagree. Cebu Pacific is Cebu Pacific Air or (simply) Cebu Pacific, not Cebu Pacific Airways.

pero dito Cebu Pacific Air . Com :D ito yong tinutukoy ko na di bagay pero yong isa mas okay kasi nasa bandang baba yong website

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1549/p1100368le9.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9739/airportscenes055os0.jpg

kiretoce

February 18th, 2007, 06:55 PM

Yeah, and maybe they could have a check-in terminal in BGC before you board the Northrail to DMIA... Kinda like Hong Kong and its airport. i wish.

Yea, I wish too Ryan. :colgate: But hey, maybe our collective wishing will be paid off someday, hopefully within our lifetime. :okay:

xXx carlos xXx

February 20th, 2007, 12:50 AM

NAIA security checks tightened

After solon caught carrying bullets
By Tarra Quismundo

MANILA, Philippines -- Airport security officials on Monday pinned the blame on people, not equipment, for the security breach at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Centennial Terminal Friday night, where a Laguna lawmaker was caught carrying bullets on his way to board a US-bound plane.

Airport security chief Angel Atutubo said on Monday that human error allowed Laguna Representative Danton Bueser (3rd district) to pass through NAIA Terminal 2's first two x-rays with 20 bullets and a pistol magazine in his bag undetected.

Bueser was intercepted at the redundancy check, the third x-ray, at the Centennial Terminal around 9:22 p.m. Friday while the legislator was on his way to board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 114 to San Francisco.

The lawmaker said the .380 bullets were planted in his bag while he was waiting for the final boarding call, as the two earlier x-rays did not detect any bullets in his hand-carried bag. But Atutubo did not believe the lawmaker's claim as he said nobody in the airport could have done such a thing.

"You know how we Filipinos regard congressmen and other VIPs, we give them importance that's why sometimes, personnel do not notice (irregularities)... That's what we will correct and we have already spoken with our security personnel to concentrate, be extra vigilant in doing their jobs," said Atutubo on Monday.

To prove his point, Atutubo supervised a reenactment of three x-ray checks that Bueser, like any passenger, underwent when he was apprehended by airport police Friday night.

During the walk-through, airport officials used a shoulder bag where 20 real bullets and a pistol magazine were placed. Sure enough, screeners readily detected them in all the machines.

"We have 100 percent security check here that even VIPs undergo. There are three layers of security screening and even if you pass through the first two, for sure you'll be detected in the third one," he said.

A check of security footage at the time Bueser passed the two x-rays also showed that the screeners looked away at the exact moment the lawmaker's bag passed through the machine.

"We have reviewed the CCTV (closed circuit television) camera, and we admit that there was negligence on the part of the x-ray operators, and they have been relieved and given sanctions and will undergo further training," said Atutubo.

Sought for comment on Monday, Bueser said: "I will just wait for the result of the investigation."

The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group has yet to finish investigation of the incident, including the legislator's claim that the illegal items were planted in his bag.

Senior Superintendent Efren Labiang, chief of the 1st Police Center for Aviation Security, said authorities were still gathering statements of witnesses. He added that the police detachments legal officer would look into Bueser's
immunity from suit being a member of Congress.

For Atutubo however, Bueser should even be grateful that he was caught.

"I think he is even thankful that our security personnel and equipment, system and procedure are good because if he had surpassed our security here, he won't able to enter the US. And I think if he was able to board the flight, he would now be in jail in America," he said

Sinjin P.

February 20th, 2007, 06:03 AM

Cebu Pacific, PAL lead local carriers

Cebu Pacific Air, the budget airline of the Gokongwei group, accounted for about 35.8 percent of domestic flight seats in the country in January, making it the largest carrier in terms of seat capacity.

Data from the Department of Tourism show that Philippine Airlines, now owned by tycoon Lucio Tan, was a close second with a market share of 31.1 percent of the total seats while sister company Air Philippines cornered 20.2 percent.

Asian Spirit followed with a 9.9 percent share and South East Asian Airline was next with 3.0 percent.

The department said the five largest domestic carriers had a combined 2,307 domestic flights each week in January.

With a seat capacity of 45,323, these carriers could accommodate up to 262,965 passengers each week or more than a million each month.

In January, Cebu Pacific had the most number of domestic flights at 624 each week with a total of 94,094 seats. PAL had 512 domestic flights weekly with 81,750 seats.

Both airlines are undergoing refleeting programs to serve the rapidly increasing volume of both international and domestic passengers amid a boom in Philippine tourism.

For one, Cebu Pacific reported that the volume of passengers it carried rose by nearly 60 percent to 3.5 million passengers in 2006.

Air transport grew 5.1 percent last year, as cheaper airfares encouraged more Filipinos to travel by air, to the detriment of the water transport sector.

Air transport contributed about P18.5 billion to the national economy last year.

habagatcentral1

February 20th, 2007, 01:22 PM

tigidig14

February 20th, 2007, 10:32 PM

nde pa ko nakakasakay ng air phil.

bustero

February 21st, 2007, 05:43 AM

^^la kang na miss tigs!

ryanr

February 21st, 2007, 05:45 AM

^ except for the old leather seats...and the feeling of flying the oldest 737s in the skies (which involves a lot of praying).

Sinjin P.

February 21st, 2007, 06:53 AM

Cebu Pacific expands call center capacity by 67%

In order to keep up with passenger growth volumes, Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s low fare leader and leading domestic carrier, has upgraded the physical and technical capabilities of its call centers in Manila and Cebu.

"We’ve increased the capacity of our call centers by 67 percent over the past year and have recently linked our Manila and Cebu call centers so that calls are routed to the first available agent regardless of where the calls are coming from and where the agent is located," Marvin Cui, CEB director for reservations said.

CEB offers a 24-hour call center service for Manila (70-20-888) and Cebu-based (230-8888) guests. The airline receives more than 10,000 calls daily.

CEB’s call center also accepts credit card payments for ticket purchases.

"We are constantly upgrading and improving our services in order to address the growing needs of our guests," Cui added.

CEB employed an additional 130 agents in 2006 for its Manila and Cebu call centers in order to better serve its rapidly growing customer base. CEB reported a 57 percent increase in passenger volumes for 2006 vs. 2005.

SKYLINEPIGEON

February 21st, 2007, 04:52 PM

ang cute ng mga planes i hope airphilippines will upgrade their fleet sobrang luma na

xXx carlos xXx

February 21st, 2007, 06:34 PM

guys.. sabi sa pex, nagstart na daw ang pagreconfigure ng pal... A330 daw ang nauna.. cocoon seats pa rn daw eh..

Rolls-Royce

February 21st, 2007, 07:54 PM

I was lucky enough to have taken Air Philippines way back in 1996 when it only served three destinations namely: Iloilo, Subic and Zamboanga. I liked the colour way back then, and the pilot was I think an American named Capt. Foz. They served full meals on board which consisted of bacon, scramble egg and fried rice and the ticket price was Pph 1,990 return, Manila - Iloilo. I also have the opportunity to have taken GrandAir on Christmas eve to Iloilo and they served full meals as well. I remember checking-in right beside the Philippine Village Hotel and we got delayed for nearly three hours due to lack of planes. We were bussed from PVH to the tarmac right in front of NAIA terminal one and everyone was joking that we will be transported to East Timor at the time. Sadly, GrandAir went bust and all it remained was the relic of the plane somewhere in Pampanga if I'm not mistaken.

aUen

February 22nd, 2007, 01:41 AM

guys.. sabi sa pex, nagstart na daw ang pagreconfigure ng pal... A330 daw ang nauna.. cocoon seats pa rn daw eh..This is so exciting! I'm not surprised that they're reconfiguring the A330s first since these don't have first class. I wonder when would PAL stop selling first class tickets.

xXx carlos xXx

February 22nd, 2007, 05:46 AM

Indonesia grounds fleet of Boeing 737-300s over hard landing

Associated Press
Last updated 10:31am (Mla time) 02/22/2007

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- All seven Boeing 737-300 airplanes operated by Indonesian budget airline Adam Air have been grounded by the government after a hard landing cracked the fuselage of a plane and forced a temporary airport closure, a news report said Thursday.

Aviation authorities will examine all 737-300s owned by Adam Skyconnections Airlines to determine whether they are air-worthy, the Jakarta Post said, quoting Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa.

The planes were grounded after a hard landing in stormy weather at the country's second-largest city, Surabaya, severely bent an aircraft. There were no injuries.

The incident came after an Adam Air flight plunged into the sea on New Year's Day, killing all 102 people aboard. The cause of that crash has not been determined.

Adam Air has had a series of incidents since it was founded in 2003. More than a dozen pilots have quit because of safety concerns.

oz.fil

February 22nd, 2007, 10:42 AM

hmmm yeah dodgey airlines in indonesia...

Sou-jiro

February 22nd, 2007, 10:57 AM

guys.. sabi sa pex, nagstart na daw ang pagreconfigure ng pal... A330 daw ang nauna.. cocoon seats pa rn daw eh..

Im a sucker for upgrades :D hehe ..guys does anyone know what the business & Economy configs will look like on PAL A333...im itching with curiosity...coz itd PAL A333 the serve Melb & Syd......maybe i'll take PAL again onmy next trip :D...can anyone pls post pics what it would look like...if there are any...just curious...:nuts:

FrancisXavier

February 22nd, 2007, 11:06 AM

2 Philippine Low Cost Carriers

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100694.jpg
Cebu Pacific A319

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100693.jpg
Air Philippines B732

now i know how to differenciate the two...:D yung nguso.. mejo pointed yung sa boeing.. bilugan naman ang airbus...also, mejo pahaba ang "engine" ng boeing, mataba naman yung sa airbus..:D

terrapinoy

February 22nd, 2007, 03:35 PM

jameslab8470

February 22nd, 2007, 05:22 PM

^^ Grabe talaga... I think the problem here is both the pilot and the maintenance. PAL is still using B733's on some of their routes here in the Phils. But so far, wala naman serious reports like that of Adam Air

jameslab8470

February 22nd, 2007, 05:23 PM

now i know how to differenciate the two...:D yung nguso.. mejo pointed yung sa boeing.. bilugan naman ang airbus...also, mejo pahaba ang "engine" ng boeing, mataba naman yung sa airbus..:D

I think ang engines, depende siguro sa nag manufacture..

davaoeagle

February 23rd, 2007, 01:58 AM

The perils of budget airline travel

(Conclusion)

By MAG CRUZ HATOL

THE increasing preference of many first time Filipino travelers for budget airlines can mean no beverages and snacks on board. Meals and drinks are instead sold during the flight. Some airlines stretch their stinginess to ridiculous lengths by actually disallowing consumption of self-brought drinks and snacks in the cabin. What one saved from low fares is ultimately snatched through rocketpriced snacks and beverages sold on board.

Budget airlines also offer reduced baggage allowance. While standard airlines allow checked in luggage up to 20 kilograms, low cost airlines permit less than that. One cannot fault these airlines for the restriction. The savings generated from low baggage weights naturally translate to aviation fuel savings. Besides, it makes sense for any passenger to travel light.

Low cost airliners usually land in remoter airports, not the giant hubs one usually hears about. The reduced airfare could eventually mean higher costs on the part of the unwary traveler because most of these airports are not serviced by regular land transport. Instead, taxicabs operate as airport shuttle. Because the alternative airport is way out of the regular transport line, the rates could be higher and the route to the city, longer. This is why Clark Airport was assigned to the low cost international airlines. Thankfully, there are special buses charging inexpensive rates that ferry users of the said airlines. The same is not true in many other countries.

LCC HORROR STORIES

Online ticketing procedures by budget airlines like Tiger Airways obviously do not take passport scrutiny into account. The only key things they would check are seat availability and the genuineness and fund limit of the credit card. Since no travel agent or airline personnel personally reviews the traveler’s documents, no advice is offered whether a visa is required or if the passport may not be honored for reasons of discrepancy, tear, shabbiness or approaching expiration.

Many passengers exiting thru Clark right before boarding have been horrified because they were singled out during passport check. Immigration authorities will refuse to board passengers carrying passports whose validity will expire within six months. It is an international rule that many first time travelers are not aware of and which many airlines gloss over in their sales kits. Besides being unceremoniously bumped off and subjected to the trauma of being left behind in his "first trip of a lifetime," the poor passenger has to bear the surcharges of rebooking both airline and hotel. The amounts could be hefty. What was originally saved by traveling on a discount ends up being squandered needlessly.

At the opposite end of the world, RyanAir, the leading low value airline in Europe, has found itself on the defensive lately. An insider spent weeks filming clandestinely during its operations within the continent. The revealing video clips showed service crew napping on the job, being caught with the garbage bag still in hand even during passengers’ boarding time and pilots admitting to chalking up more flying hours per year than is internationally allowed. (For safety reasons, commercial pilots should not fly over 900 hours per annum; some RyanAir pilots admitted to have routinely flown way beyond that requirement.)

On a flight out of Spain that was delayed for four hours, the pilot argued with a passenger who was demanding that drinks at least be served while everyone waited. The pilot, for fear of losing his job if he did so, refused to allow any beverage served during the long wait.

Other controversial run–ins with passengers and the law involving the same transport company were much publicized episodes like the traveler who was being charged £ 18 for the use of a wheelchair and the nine passengers who sued for having been unceremoniously bumped off because they were blind.

To optimize profits, low value airlines such as the 20-year-old RyanAir rush their turnaround times at airports. Within less than an hour, they land to disgorge passengers and pick up new ones for another destination. Attendants are usually expected to clean up the cabin to save on air terminal labor costs. The frequent result is a hair-raising oversight of the most basic security checks. To spruce up the cabin for the new set of passengers, attendants are sometimes forced to cleverly conceal dirt and vomit and forget to check if the life vests were not removed from the aircraft. When someone tried to assess security consciousness by leaving a bag onboard in Dublin, he discovered that the bag returned after a roundabout flight and was not even noticed at all.

Closer to home, many standard perks one might expect from an airline are given up in exchange of a lower ticket. The first to go on Cebu Pacific flights were the hot meals. Then a year or so after, the newspapers were bumped off. In a couple of months, they stopped serving solid snacks like cookies and candy. On a flight to Iloilo, a brazen passenger was heard telling an attendant to please stop serving an orange-flavored drinks if they have not tried it themselves. Before landing, passengers noticed that most of the drinks were not consumed. Others have better luck on other flights where a popular bottled iced tea beverage is served.

Because it has started and made an institution of the funflight, Cebu Pacific has no recourse but to continue the games on board. It has however decided to push their merchandise as though they were duty free items. A frequent flyer friend who is fiercely loyal to Cathay Pacific and PAL once quipped that she has totally sworn off riding Cebu Pacific because attendants spent more time selling promotional items than looking after passengers’ welfare.

Sinjin P.

February 23rd, 2007, 02:01 AM

New Naia x-ray machines

THE Manila International Airport Authority will have four brand-new x-ray machines by the end of this month purchased with collections from the P200 security fee imposed on February 15. More have been ordered. They will augment those already in place.

“The acquisition of the machines shows that the security fees being collected at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) are helping secure both the passengers and the general public,” said airport general manager Artemio Cusi.

He expects they could collect about P5 billion within five years from the added security fee. So far, nobody has complained about the fee, which has increased the so-called terminal fee from P550 per passenger to the current P750 per passenger. (R. Mercene)

phenom

February 23rd, 2007, 05:29 AM

The perils of budget airline travel Caveat emptor!
This is even more applicable in the case of budget carriers.
Its the ignorant who stand to suffer the "perils". You get what you are paying for. Peanuts will get you monkeys. Planktons will get you just anchovies.
I have absolutely no issue with the many restrictions of LCCs as I know exactly most if not all of its shortcomings. I pay very low prices and I do not expect any frill......not for short hops anyway.
I have overheard many complaints of fellow passengers of lack of this and that, but if they hanker for salmon and caviar, then they should be forking out more for a ride in a regular carrier.

The perils of budget airline travel
Meals and drinks are instead sold during the flight. Some airlines stretch their stinginess to ridiculous lengths by actually disallowing consumption of self-brought drinks and snacks in the cabin. What one saved from low fares is ultimately snatched through rocketpriced snacks and beverages sold on board.

That is how LCCs increase their revenue. They sell food & bevarages and other items to supplement their income. Passengers can choose not to purchase anything onboard.
The prices though not cheap, are by no means "rocket priced". As an example; at S$2.50 for a can of coke, its is only double that of what is charged in the non-airconditioned earthbound common coffeeshops of Singapore where TigerAir is based. S$8.00 for "heavier" food such as "nasi-lemak" is comparatively not too stratopheric with the S$3.00 on terra firma.
Anyway, I usually eat and drink my fill before boarding for my almost monthly Sin-Clark-Sin flights. Only twice do I feel thirsty enough to purchase a drink which at a grand total of S$5.00 (a tad over US$1,50 a pop) didn't exactly "rocket" me into financial freefall.

The perils of budget airline travel
Budget airlines also offer reduced baggage allowance. While standard airlines allow checked in luggage up to 20 kilograms, low cost airlines permit less than that. One cannot fault these airlines for the restriction. The savings generated from low baggage weights naturally translate to aviation fuel savings. Besides, it makes sense for any passenger to travel light.

Absolutely.
If one has heavy baggages, forget the LCCs. The high excess charged would render the LCC to be even more costly. The heavier the baggage, the more uneconomical the LCC would be.

The perils of budget airline travel
Low cost airliners usually land in remoter airports, not the giant hubs one usually hears about. The reduced airfare could eventually mean higher costs on the part of the unwary traveler because most of these airports are not serviced by regular land transport. Instead, taxicabs operate as airport shuttle. Because the alternative airport is way out of the regular transport line, the rates could be higher and the route to the city, longer. This is why Clark Airport was assigned to the low cost international airlines. Thankfully, there are special buses charging inexpensive rates that ferry users of the said airlines. The same is not true in many other countries.
Again, one have to be aware of the destination's airport's location and its
ground transport facilities. For me, as my final destination in the Philippines is Angeles City, landing in Clark is a godsend as I need not make the two hour (or more) trip to and from Manila each time.:)

The perils of budget airline travel
Online ticketing procedures by budget airlines like Tiger Airways obviously do not take passport scrutiny into account. The only key things they would check are seat availability and the genuineness and fund limit of the credit card. Since no travel agent or airline personnel personally reviews the traveler’s documents, no advice is offered whether a visa is required or if the passport may not be honored for reasons of discrepancy, tear, shabbiness or approaching expiration.

Many passengers exiting thru Clark right before boarding have been horrified because they were singled out during passport check. Immigration authorities will refuse to board passengers carrying passports whose validity will expire within six months. It is an international rule that many first time travelers are not aware of and which many airlines gloss over in their sales kits. Besides being unceremoniously bumped off and subjected to the trauma of being left behind in his "first trip of a lifetime," the poor passenger has to bear the surcharges of rebooking both airline and hotel. The amounts could be hefty. What was originally saved by traveling on a discount ends up being squandered needlessly.
That's the reality of living....and travelling.
First-timers have to "pay school fees" to learn.....if they do not deligently do their homework beforehand.

The perils of budget airline travel ......... because attendants spent more time selling promotional items than looking after passengers’ welfare.
They have to do that if Cebu Pacific is like some LCCs whose FAs are given commissions on items sold onboard. It form part of their pay.

stephencua

February 23rd, 2007, 07:14 AM

i agree with phenom.. you get what you pay.. there is a reason why LCC are called LOW COST carriers.. they only provide for the bare essentials.. if you want comfort and other stuff go ride a conventional airline.. LCCs are there for the market that just wants to get from point A to point B.. without the frills..

the author of the article should focus on that.. :P

crappypants

February 23rd, 2007, 07:21 AM

I don't really care for all that , snacks, drinks, if it;'s a short flight , it's better to do without. As long as the budget airline can get me to my destination in one piecethen i'm happy.

bustero

February 23rd, 2007, 08:35 AM

Yup the article seems to have missed a very important point which is CHOICE.

You don't have to fly with an LCC if you don't think it's the flying experience you want to have.

JustHorace

February 23rd, 2007, 06:38 PM

Asian Spirit mulls flights on Incheon to Davao, Boracay routes
There are a lot of worlds to enjoy and celebrate in Davao City.

Asian Spirit(6K), one of the leading budget air carriers of the Philippines, is making a push for flight service on Incheon-Davao and Incheon-Boracay route respectively starting in mid March, according to a senior official at Asia Spirit Korea here.

"We have submitted necessary documents to the Ministry of Construction and Transportation for review and are awaiting for final go ahead," he told reporters.

If things go smoothly, no-frills Philippine air carrier would start flying on the two routes linking Incheon with Davao and Boracay from March 15 at the earliest.

For this, the Philippine air carrier has already recruited cabin crew as well as airport logistic staff members here while completing necessary procedures for procurement of air fleet comprising of MD82 and MD 83 on the two air routes— Incheon-Davao and Incheon-Boracay- which are to be made available two and three times a week respectively.

"Passenger seat sales for the new air service will be made through PSA system," an airline official said.

Eventually, Asia Spirit hopes to change the air service to regular one and new air service linking the two popular Philippine holiday destinations with such provincial cities of South Korea including Busan.

In 1996, Asian Spirit opened the gateway to the world's famous island Boracay when it started its regular air services to Caticlan airport utilizing it's 47-seater De Havilland Dash of Canada. Thereafter, the attempt to operate further to secondary and feeder airports gained positive acceptance to both local and foreign travelers.

Asian Spirit's distribution network drastically expanded as it opened major hubs to bridge small and the "sleepy" yet tourist-potential destination as it flies to airports not serviced by the other national carriers. These destinations are more popularly known in the industry as "missionary routes" or the "unprofitable sectors." Today these so-called "unprofitable routes" have progressed and continue to register dramatic increases in commuter passengers.

It can then be said that Asian Spirit remains to be the only scheduled domestic carrier with operations concentrated on these missionary routes.

In January 2003, the airline finally received its congressional franchise making it the country's fourth flag carrier, enabling it to expand its services both in the domestic and international regions as well as to receive incentives from the government in its effort to boost air services to various destinations in the country.
Today, the airline operates a fleet of 14 consisting of 40-seater CN235's, 50-seater Da Havilland Dash7's of Canada, 60-seater YS-11s, 70-seater British Aerospace Advance Turbo Prop (ATP), and the latest member of its fleet the 83-seater British Aerospace 146 Jet from the British Aerospace System of UK.

Over the next five years, Asian Spirit plans to consolidate and further expand its domestic network operations to airports no other carrier intend to operate. By operating feeder routes and supporting other carriers operating the trunk line routes, increasing capacity and flight frequencies to airport it now operates from and by initiating alliances and co-marketing efforts with bigger domestic carriers. The airline aims to avoid unnecessary and stiff market competition.

The Airline still serves Boracay with the most number of frequencies reaching up to 16 times a day and is looking at increasing it further to 18 times a day during the high season. Flight frequency increases are already being catered with respect to other Asian Spirit destinations

Source: The Seoul Times (http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=4832)

tigidig14

February 24th, 2007, 06:10 PM

^that is a great news
ye they should just start doing that instead of connecting from manila

kyle@1008

February 24th, 2007, 06:15 PM

The perils of budget airline travel

(Conclusion)

Closer to home, many standard perks one might expect from an airline are given up in exchange of a lower ticket. The first to go on Cebu Pacific flights were the hot meals. Then a year or so after, the newspapers were bumped off. In a couple of months, they stopped serving solid snacks like cookies and candy. On a flight to Iloilo, a brazen passenger was heard telling an attendant to please stop serving an orange-flavored drinks if they have not tried it themselves. Before landing, passengers noticed that most of the drinks were not consumed. Others have better luck on other flights where a popular bottled iced tea beverage is served.

Because it has started and made an institution of the funflight, Cebu Pacific has no recourse but to continue the games on board. It has however decided to push their merchandise as though they were duty free items. A frequent flyer friend who is fiercely loyal to Cathay Pacific and PAL once quipped that she has totally sworn off riding Cebu Pacific because attendants spent more time selling promotional items than looking after passengers’ welfare.

I agree with this one....

they lack customer service efficiency,.. and they should really abolish the games thing, it's annoying....

kiretoce

February 24th, 2007, 08:21 PM

San Carlos airport needs P100M

The Regional Development Council of Western Visayas yesterday endorsed the request of the San Carlos City government for P100 million from the national government to help fund the on-going construction of the city's community airport project.

The resolution was passed during the first quarter regular meeting of the RDC at the Grand Regal Hotel in Bacolod City presided over by Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez, RDC chairperson.

The project is located on a 40-hectare property donated by the Negros Fisheries Corporation to the city government, the site being adjacent to the San Carlos City Special Economic Zone, Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.

The on-going community airport project has a 1,350 meters runway with a 75 meter airstrip and other related air navigational facilities and structures, he said.

After spending approximately P84 million out of the city's local funds and accomplishing about 35 percent of the project's physical requirements, the need for additional funds from other sources to help finance other major work items of the project is seen as necessary for the project's completion, he said.

The P100 million is being sought through the Department of Transportation and Communications for the construction of box culverts across Socorro Creek, Vasconia Creek and Tongo Creek and other facilities and structures, the RDC resolution said.

Gov. Joseph Marañon thanked the RDC for earlier passing a resolution endorsing the conduct of a feasibility study for the proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship bridges that will connect Negros to Panay and Cebu.

A project study on the bridges is now being prepared by the Philippine Consultancy Inc., he said.

Perez also sought the passage of a resolution for OIC regional directors to be given permanent appointments.

The constant transferring of regional directors is detrimental to the continuity of projects in the region, Perez said.

The RDC yesterday also endorsed the project proposal of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for a "Community-Based Forest and Mangrove Management Program in Panay and Negros" for KfW funding in the amount of EUR 8.75 million.

The project focuses on a balanced program of investments in forest and mangrove rehabilitation and management, rural infrastructure, natural resource-based income earning activities and capacity building of the target beneficiaries, the resolution said.

It also endorsed the project proposal entitled "Strengthening the Implementation of Basic Education in the Visayas (strive) stage 2" to the Investment Coordination Committee.

The project proposal is part of the multi-year grant assistance from the Australia government to the Philippines to improve access and quality of basic education in the Visayas. In Region VI the Division of Negros Occidental was identified as the recipient.*CPG

sugarboy

February 25th, 2007, 12:14 AM

For the fans of our nation's official carrier, check out great pics at:

http://chuckpinoy.multiply.com

xXx carlos xXx

February 25th, 2007, 03:09 AM

^^ their f/a's are really gorgeous!! they are soo pretty...

kiretoce

February 25th, 2007, 03:41 AM

For the fans of our nation's official carrier, check out great pics at:

http://chuckpinoy.multiply.com

Things I've noticed:

1. They all could be fashion models (are you sure they're "real" FAs?). :colgate:
2. The women all wear their hair the same way.
3. The women's uniforms are a little bland, they look more like bank tellers to me.
4. On the women; somehow tying that scarf that way looks weird. They should have just knotted it or made a bow.
5. The men look goofy in their poses.
6. They all hate being in the sun.

But the photos did turn out really good! This Chuck Gutierrez is a very good photographer. Wish he took some shots of the plane's interior too though.

Sou-jiro

February 25th, 2007, 10:01 AM

hmmm....nakaka inlove naman other female F/A's nila..... :D

kunoL8

February 25th, 2007, 12:11 PM

Skyblade

February 25th, 2007, 11:13 PM

Great pics! Good to see some fresh, young F/As ready to join the corps. :D

also, i hope they'd have a "younger" crew. the FA's on my last PAL flight were fug middle-aged women with attitudes.
You have better chances of spotting a younger crew in the shorter-haul flights as PR usally reserves it's long-hauls for the more senior F/As. They're no Singapore Girls but they get the job done. :D

kyle@1008

February 25th, 2007, 11:26 PM

^^ those F/a's are good looking, but I've seen better,.. I always seat near the glass hallway in NAIA 2 to gawk at the F/As... lovely view...

kiretoce

February 25th, 2007, 11:41 PM

i hope PAL would change the FA uniforms. it's so outdated and unflattering. they should do what other airlines did, like hire a renowned international/local designer to design a new uniform. also, i hope they'd have a "younger" crew. the FA's on my last PAL flight were fug middle-aged women with attitudes. ang sarap pagbabatukan.

Yeah Karl, their unifrom isn't that memorable nor something to rave about. They should scrap the "western looking officewear" for a more Filipiniana oriented look, indicative of the country they're representing, because the essence of the Philippines isn't felt once you've reached our sunny shores, but it starts onboard the aircraft that brings you there.

Great pics! Good to see some fresh, young F/As ready to join the corps. :D

You have better chances of spotting a younger crew in the shorter-haul flights as PR usally reserves it's long-hauls for the more senior F/As. They're no Singapore Girls but they get the job done. :D

So true, lucrative routes are dominated by the senior FAs, which is why you see these middle-aged FAs flying the LAX/SFO/HNL/LAS/YVR routes. The young'uns mostly handle the intra-Asia flights.

^^ those F/a's are good looking, but I've seen better,.. I always seat near the glass hallway in NAIA 2 to gawk at the F/As... lovely view...

Have you seen the FAs of Air France? You'd be drooling! :drool: I was at LAX and was and saw a bunch of them lined up at the check-in counter to check their baggages for their flight. My mouth was gaping open the whole time! :lol: Oh yeah, the male FAs also look like they could be models too, maybe Air France stipulates that in their contract that you should look like you can both model for Vogue and still serve drinks in the air. :okay:

kunoL8

February 26th, 2007, 02:22 AM

^^ i think Emirates' FAs are good looking. we always used Emirates when going to HKG before and the FAs were eye candy.

Skyblade

February 26th, 2007, 02:30 AM

Have you seen the FAs of Air France? You'd be drooling! :drool: I was at LAX and was and saw a bunch of them lined up at the check-in counter to check their baggages for their flight. My mouth was gaping open the whole time! :lol: Oh yeah, the male FAs also look like they could be models too, maybe Air France stipulates that in their contract that you should look like you can both model for Vogue and still serve drinks in the air. :okay:

AF and LH F/As are the ones from the European side that usually brings me on my knees! I remember going through security at the Tom Bradley Terminal in LAX and running across both a LH and OZ F/A going through as well. Not to mention that it looked nice considering both the airlines are *A members but you got to see two gorgeous flight attendants from what felt like different worlds. :D

Yeah Karl, their unifrom isn't that memorable nor something to rave about. They should scrap the "western looking officewear" for a more Filipiniana oriented look, indicative of the country they're representing, because the essence of the Philippines isn't felt once you've reached our sunny shores, but it starts onboard the aircraft that brings you there.

IIRC F/As back in the early/mid 90s had those traditional piña tops but was elimated. But indeed, I definitely agree that something more cultural would be used considering that our airlines are technically are our "first line of defense" when it comes to the travel experience. SQ, MH, TG are among the handful that still maintain it whereas CI, EK, EY, etc. go for more of a hybrid while others like JL w/ their kimonos and KE w/ the hanboks are now long gone and going for more modern Westernized clothing. It would definitely be nice if PR could do something like reverse that trend and return to it's roots!

Skyblade

February 26th, 2007, 02:33 AM

Good to know that load factors are also increasing on PR's flights to Vegas. :D

Las Vegas airport reports record 46.2 million passengers in 2006

Airport officials pointed to increases in international flights, including September's launch by Korean Air of three weekly round-trip flights from Seoul, South Korea, and daily service by Virgin Atlantic Airways to London. Passenger totals also grew on Air Canada, Philippine Airlines, bmi and Mexicana.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/feb/07/020710042.html

kiretoce

February 26th, 2007, 02:59 AM

IIRC F/As back in the early/mid 90s had those traditional piña tops but was elimated. But indeed, I definitely agree that something more cultural would be used considering that our airlines are technically are our "first line of defense" when it comes to the travel experience. SQ, MH, TG are among the handful that still maintain it whereas CI, EK, EY, etc. go for more of a hybrid while others like JL w/ their kimonos and KE w/ the hanboks are now long gone and going for more modern Westernized clothing. It would definitely be nice if PR could do something like reverse that trend and return to it's roots!

Yeah, SEA carriers like SQ, MH, and TG still do maintain the traditional national costumes as the FA's unifroms. SQ's Sarong Kebaya is a classic and it'd be a shame if they do away with it. NEA carriers have become westernized with their FA's uniforms; CX especially, they look like Star Fleet uniforms! :lol: Hope PR does revert back to the piña Baro't Saya, it just looks better and I think it compliments our famous Filipino hospitality. :colgate:

crappypants

February 26th, 2007, 04:27 AM

Sou-jiro

February 26th, 2007, 05:22 AM

i know not to post pics from airliners.net but is this word what i think it is?....maybe:lol: :nuts: lol just an obsevation

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/justsomeguy02/1154597.jpg?t=1172459974

T*ti is ready for take off :D

kiretoce

February 26th, 2007, 07:32 AM

^^ That's probably a reference to Queen Nefertiti, the "Great Royal Wife" of Akhnaten. Nefertiti means "The beauty that has come."

the best looking filipino fas so far are with Northwest airlines specially the ones assigned in the business/first class. Both the ladies and gents, tall and beautiful. the domestic carriers are just average looking. Pal used to have beautiful fas but not anymore ,I guess because most of them have aged.
Korean Airlines have beautiful Fas in all Asian carriers.

Domestic carriers here in the US employs middle-aged FAs, for denying them employment will fall against age discrimination and they can be sued for it.

Lili

February 26th, 2007, 07:45 AM

^ Imagine that ... talk about phallus symbology. And people can even read fine prints. It must be subliminal.

Lili

February 26th, 2007, 07:48 AM

the best looking filipino fas so far are with Northwest airlines specially the ones assigned in the business/first class. Both the ladies and gents, tall and beautiful. the domestic carriers are just average looking. Pal used to have beautiful fas but not anymore ,I guess because most of them have aged.
Korean Airlines have beautiful Fas in all Asian carriers.

Also Asiana.

But yeah, like @Kiretoce said, they cannot impose age, height, gender and look qualifications for FAS in the States because this is against federal anti-discriminatory laws.

FrancisXavier

February 26th, 2007, 04:40 PM

LOLS, post 405..:lol:

Skyblade

February 26th, 2007, 07:47 PM

^ Imagine that ... talk about phallus symbology. And people can even read fine prints. It must be subliminal.
If that specific 777 did operate into MNL back when MS was flying there, the poor thing must've been subjected to a few snickers and dirty jokes. :lol:

kyle@1008

February 26th, 2007, 08:25 PM

^^ a friend of mine, is an F/A at emirates, there are many filipinos among them, and yes, she did say that they were all good looking, she felt a little insecure,.. and to think that she's already pretty....

tigidig14

February 27th, 2007, 06:40 PM

buti nde neferkiki
kundi magagalit ang kababaihan

kiretoce

February 28th, 2007, 05:03 AM

Lufthansa eyes Davao market
By Carlo P. Mallo Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Officials of German airline Lufthansa were in Davao City over the weekend as the airline company took part in the recently concluded Davao Travel Show 2007.

Headed by the general manager for the Philippines Christopher Zimmer, Lufthansa participated in the three-day long event in order to "get a picture" of the tourism market in Davao City.

"We are basically here to do a feasibility study on the market of Davao City," Zimmer told Sun.Star Davao.

The airline, he said, also hopes to gain a better perspective of the city.

He said the Davao International Airport is one of the best in the country.

"The airport does not have to be reconfigured to fit the standards of Lufthansa," Zimmer said, implying the possibility of having Lufthansa service flights going in and out of Davao.

The airline also wishes to strengthen its presence in Davao City, as it considers the city as a hub for Philippine tourism.

"I would like to assure Davao and the Mindanao market of Lufthansa's commitment to provide reliable, comfortable, convenient, and a wide range of on-time travel options for business and leisure," Zimmer added.

Lufthansa has been serving the Philippines since 1986 and has a daily flight from Manila to Frankfurt.

xXx carlos xXx

February 28th, 2007, 05:06 AM

^^ good news for davao!

it would be really nice to see lufthansa in davao!

ryanr

February 28th, 2007, 05:45 AM

Lufthansa to Davao? Interesting and quite surprising actually.

kiretoce

February 28th, 2007, 08:44 AM

^^ I was scratching my head on that one Ryan. Could there be a considerable large German expat community in Davao? :dunno:

ewh1

February 28th, 2007, 08:55 AM

i could see how Lufthansa is interested...
its not the passengers that are going from FRA-DVO

its FRA-XXX-DVO they are interested in.

kiretoce

February 28th, 2007, 09:03 AM

^^ That would be CAN/Guangzhou, China. It's the only layover LH has on their flights to the Philippines (mainly MNL).

ryanr

February 28th, 2007, 09:05 AM

That does make sense.:) But maybe they wont use CAN anymore...BKK, SIN or HKG perhaps?

kiretoce

February 28th, 2007, 09:10 AM

LH use to transit via BKK before arriving in MNL, but they changed it to CAN when they commenced services to that city from FRA.

jgacis

February 28th, 2007, 11:17 AM

Do you think the Philippines can ever develop a space program? If other newly industrializing countries are doing it, why can't the Philippines? And if so, in how many years or decades? Where should the ideal launch pad facility be built? Most importantly, how can a space program benefit this country?

Someone on Yahoo once asked if the Philippines had a space program. Some answers where...

Yes, they do. Not enough space for so many people.

This is a poor country, they can't afford anything like that...

No but they have some fine women.

But seriously, I think the Philippines can compete just like the others if we put our minds into it. Its more than just money, it comes from our imagination, interest, and passion to provide the political and economical will to do so.

A space program would be great for us to set goals and challenges for our future, a way to help solve our problems instead of sulking in them.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4453/dbdsc05109jp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/703/dbdsc05131go7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3510/dbdsc05174be1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8467/dbdsc05107wx3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

White_soX

February 28th, 2007, 11:22 AM

Do you think the Philippines can ever develop a space program? If other newly industrializing countries are doing it, why can't the Philippines?

Wait, is Philippines an industrial country?:ohno:

jgacis

February 28th, 2007, 11:53 AM

^^ Yes, do your research :lol: :ohno:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newly_industrializing_countries

Take note of the URL address.."...Newly_industrializing_countries"

There is an -ing after industrial. So the Philippines is still in the process of building its industry. And that includes a space program if the people choose to.

OtAkAw

February 28th, 2007, 03:11 PM

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 03:50 PM

Before using the money for a space program, susmaryosep ang dami pang dapat tustusan. Education, health care, civil services, LAHAT! Imagine kung may lumilipad na Pinoy sa kalawakan habang libo-libo sa lupa ay naghihinagpis. IMHO, it's impossible, unless we become truly industrialized.

tama, sariling armas nga natin di natin kayang gawin o ayaw natin gawin. industrialisasyon nga natin baka maudlot pa kasi kaunti lang sa lokal na mamumuhunan ang interesado sa pagpondo sa mga imprastraktura at sa mga heavy industries.

death327

February 28th, 2007, 04:31 PM

Ou space awareness and understanding are still in spermatozoan stage. Based on my assessment, Philippine government is not yet ready to embark on scientific and technology driven economy. We need to improve our scientific endeavors first before we can start thinking about space. Honestly, right now, PAG-ASA doesn't even have good equipment to provide us reliable and preventive weather forecast, how much more alloting budget for space dream?

Maybe someday. After-all the world is dynamic. Who knows we might be the host of great space elevators someday.

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 04:33 PM

^^ sadly, science is not a corner stone for our country's policy formation. less than a percent of the country's GDP is used for research and development.

Rajah_Soliman

February 28th, 2007, 04:51 PM

.......... when you wish a falling star :lol: :lol:

palawan_buddy

February 28th, 2007, 05:05 PM

natawa ako sa topic. but before i read what it was about, andun pa yung thought na may catch yung title nung thread. wala pala.

farfetched pa to...

diz

February 28th, 2007, 05:24 PM

AH-7Raja

February 28th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Everyone, please.

First of all, this is a great idea and a great Filipino Dream.

Its not because we just got promoted into a newly industrialized country or NIC, that doesnt mean we got some spare money to spend in any space program. We did have though sent atleast 1 or 2 out of 3 commercial satellites (The Mabuhay Satellites) that our government have projected under this space project.

In my own opinion, since even our ASEAN neighbors cannot afford this type of space program yet, i think its a good idea for the whole southeast asian nations to have a joint-venture space program. The idea is to build a launching space station in Aurora, Philippines, and another alternative one somewhere in Vietnam or Indonesia. While other ASEAN countries can contribute in this program by building parts of the space shuttle or space rocket propulsions, other parts and modules. Example, Malaysia can assemble the some of the parts, and while the Philippines can assemble the final space parts for the preparation of space launch.

This is because, i believe that among all the ASEAN countries, only the Philippines have the only practical and safer location to launch any space modules/rockets or shuttles. Meanwhile, Thailand cannot have one until they finish off their insurgent problems. This is a contrast in the situation of the Philippines, since our country is consisted of many islands, therefore it is safer here as we can pick up an island or a place which is more safer and away from terrorrists where we can build a space station. As our insurgency problems is more controllable than Thailand in which their capital city is in danger of being overrun by islamic terrorrists.

While Indonesian islands are prone to tsunamis.

queetz@home

February 28th, 2007, 06:02 PM

You know....only the US has made a decent orbital launch vehicle in the history of mankind and even that one is going to be scrapped and replaced by an even crappier 60s era capsule. If the US can't even continue to have a decent space program, how can anybody possibly expect that the Philippines can have even a starter program? I think we need JETS in our airforce first before we could even have rockets to launch Sputnik type satellites.... :rant:

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 06:05 PM

tigidig14

February 28th, 2007, 07:52 PM

i dont blaim davao getting all the hype
its the cleaniest city, ive seen while traveling around pnas

tigidig14

February 28th, 2007, 08:59 PM

kukurakutan lang yan ng mga politiko
wag nang i-pursue

February 28th, 2007, 09:02 PM

we can't even patrol and guard our own sea, land and air borders properly and now we move on to space?? :lol:

Rajah_Soliman

February 28th, 2007, 10:13 PM

I need @PROBLEMSOLVER's idea regarding the philippine space program :)

jgacis

February 28th, 2007, 11:24 PM

I believe a Space Program will not benifit the Philippines, as much as the it will benifit it if the money for the space program were used elsewhere (Ed., Health, Infrastructure, etc.) Unless, the space program aims more than just try to get the first Filipino/a on the moon, I say forget it. We need the money for more crucial things.

diz, you make a very important point. I was only thinking though that sometimes one needs a catalyst (a space program) to help solve other problems (Ed., Health, Infrastructure, etc.).

A space program can:

1. Monitor our environment (geostationary satellites that can provide better tracking of typhoons and storms that can prevent loss of life and save millions of pesos every year. Improve terrain mapping and track volcanic activity more effectively.)

2. Promote science awareness (which can encourage our children to read more and have an interest in mathematics).

3. Create spin-off technologies to guard our coastlines/skies (real-time satellite imagery that can supplement our current border patrols. This can help improve our defenses more effectively with less cost. It will also train our troops to think smarter and adapt to modern global standards)

4. Allow our country to participate/partnership with other countries of advanced space programs, etc. (Philippines may one day be eligible for research grants and other funding to help our scientists start their quest for new discoveries. By being a participant of the global space community, the Philippines can see on the front lines how space programs are helping the problems of other countries and use that knowledge to our advantage.)

These are just a few examples of what a space program can provide.

So while the country is still struggling to improve it's other basic necessities, the planting of our seeds to create the next generation of astronauts, scientists, and engineers can at least start because these things take a long time. (We had our first filipino climber to reach the top of Mt. Everest only just last year, so when should we have our first astronaut?)

Sometimes we shouldn't think sequentially, or linearly. We shouldn't say let's fix this first, and that second, then we should do this...etc. Time keeps ticking, and we should use the synergy of all available resources to help ourselves. A space program can be a contributing catalyst in creating a multiplier effect to help solve or lessen our current problems.
:banana:

kiretoce

March 1st, 2007, 12:32 AM

A nice dream....but sadly not in our lifetime. :(

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 12:41 AM

amras

March 1st, 2007, 01:52 AM

Mabuhay Satellite Corporation (MSC) is the first Philippine entity to own and operate a communications satellite.

Incorporated on November 10, 1994 as Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation (MPSC), the company was set up primarily to establish, own, operate and maintain an international satellite facility and other forms of telecommunications equipment that are capable of providing international and domestic communication links to telecommunications, broadcast and other public utility companies operating in the Philippines and other countries; to purchase, sell or lease international satellite facilities and capacity to telecommunications, broadcasting and other public utility corporations; and to manage, operate and maintain domestic and international satellite facilities of other companies.

With the full support of its parent company, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), MSC successfully launched Agila2 on August 20, 1997 and commenced commercial operations on January 1, 1998. Agila2 is located at the 146° East Orbital slot.

Since then, the Company has successfully positioned itself in the competitive international satellite communications arena by offering video, IP, and telecommunications solutions for clients in Asia and North America.

MSC’s Agila2, with its already expansive Asian and transpacific coverage, is further complemented by the connectivity of PLDT and by strong entrepreneurial relationships with major teleport and satellite operators and integrators in Asia and the United States of America. With these networks MSC has been providing interconnectivity to major fiber and satellite-based communications networks in Asia and North America.

Moreover, Agila2 is listed on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Permitted Space Station List making it easier for US licensed earth stations to communicate with Agila2.

MSC hosts broadcasters, international news agencies, teleport operators and international channels for their domestic and international distribution requirements. The Company also welcomes existing and burgeoning teleport operators based in Hawaii to access Asia through Agila2.

In the coming years, MSC will continue to provide clients with reliable, efficient, and extensive satellite-related services for the evolving communications market.

Mission and Vision

MSC takes pride in being the first and only Philippine satellite operator.

Its mission is to provide reliable and competitively priced satellite-based services and complimentary products, thereby bringing optimum benefits to its customers, shareholders, employees, and the communities where it operates.

Its vision is to be the preferred satellite operator with an international reach; a dynamic organization that is intimate with its customers’ needs, maximizes shareholders’ value, enriches its employees’ lives and acts with social responsibility.

diz

March 1st, 2007, 02:08 AM

diz, you make a very important point. I was only thinking though that sometimes one needs a catalyst (a space program) to help solve other problems (Ed., Health, Infrastructure, etc.).

A space program can:

1. Monitor our environment (geostationary satellites that can provide better tracking of typhoons and storms that can prevent loss of life and save millions of pesos every year. Improve terrain mapping and track volcanic activity more effectively.)

2. Promote science awareness (which can encourage our children to read more and have an interest in mathematics).

3. Create spin-off technologies to guard our coastlines/skies (real-time satellite imagery that can supplement our current border patrols. This can help improve our defenses more effectively with less cost. It will also train our troops to think smarter and adapt to modern global standards)

4. Allow our country to participate/partnership with other countries of advanced space programs, etc. (Philippines may one day be eligible for research grants and other funding to help our scientists start their quest for new discoveries. By being a participant of the global space community, the Philippines can see on the front lines how space programs are helping the problems of other countries and use that knowledge to our advantage.)

These are just a few examples of what a space program can provide.

So while the country is still struggling to improve it's other basic necessities, the planting of our seeds to create the next generation of astronauts, scientists, and engineers can at least start because these things take a long time. (We had our first filipino climber to reach the top of Mt. Everest only just last year, so when should we have our first astronaut?)

Sometimes we shouldn't think sequentially, or linearly. We shouldn't say let's fix this first, and that second, then we should do this...etc. Time keeps ticking, and we should use the synergy of all available resources to help ourselves. A space program can be a contributing catalyst in creating a multiplier effect to help solve or lessen our current problems.
:banana:

Wouldn't it be more expensive though? But if the government shall propose a space program, I will support the idea. My only wish is to put the Philippines on the map.

March 1st, 2007, 02:13 AM

maybe in our lifetime it can happen... but we cannot do it ourselves it would be very impossible and expensive but with help and collaboration from our ASEAN neighbors we can do a joint space programs... it is very possible if we and our neighbors will continue to progress into industrialized nations or semi industrialized nations... :)

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 02:41 AM

A nice dream....but sadly not in our lifetime. :(

Nothing personal kiretoce, but I have heard that a thousand times before with my mga kaibigan and relatives in the Philippines, and even here in the states!

Just because we can't see the results of our efforts doesn't mean we shouldn't even think about it or try to make a start.

Unfortunately, our forefathers thought the same way (not within my lifetime) in many other issues before many of us were even born...now look at us.....not too many achievements. :ohno:

We need to get out of our current mentality and start preparing for our future filipinos.. :)

bitoy

March 1st, 2007, 02:53 AM

^^ We can always think of the future but in the case of our country being into that Space Program is really Zero in our lifetime. The closest that we have, might be, is when I was with Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 Club," when we were introduced to model flying airplane and then model rocketry. :)

An annual R & D for Space Program research could be worth the Philippines' national domestic product.

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 02:53 AM

Wouldn't it be more expensive though? But if the government shall propose a space program, I will support the idea. My only wish is to put the Philippines on the map.

Yes, I think it would be very expensive to try and start sometime like NASA or ESA (European Space Agency).

I agree with TJ that perhaps a joint program or partnership with the ASEAN community would be a good start for the Philippines.

We need good practical programs that can be the building blocks for our own self-sustaining space program one day. It might also take a while to put the Philippines on the map in the global space community, but remember...we just had our first filipino climber to reach the Mt. Everest summit just last year; we have many more milestones ahead of us. :)

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 03:17 AM

For all we know, since the Philippines will be overpopulated. Let's populate space. Start with building a sustainable bio-dome.

diz

March 1st, 2007, 03:33 AM

I too agree with TJ. Bring on the joint space program.

Askal82

March 1st, 2007, 03:49 AM

Well, nothing is impossible as long as everything is in the right place at the right time. Before this happens, Philippines should focus on producing their own scientists and engineers by increasing the budget on R&D and education. It is very important for the government to give full support and recognition to our researchers, developers and inventors in pursuit of scientific achievements and contribution.

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/751/picmabuhaysubicev1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The Subic Space Center is a pioneer satellite communications facility in the Philippines providing tracking, telemetry and control for Agila2 in geostationary orbit. It houses the required equipment (both hardware and software) that provide satellite control, satellite orbit determination and prediction, on-station operations and payload and client monitoring.

Subic Space Center is manned by highly trained resident satellite controllers and engineers working on a 24/7 operating schedule. Our controllers and engineers periodically correct Agila2's altitude and conduct East-West and North-South stationkeeping maneuvers, thus ensuring the satellite's proper orientation and orbital position. They are also responsible for the routine maintenance of the antennas and other equipment housed in the Space Center. In addition, commands from the satellite control center can switch transponders in and out of service, control the charging and discharging of the batteries, activate backup equipment and engage other control functions.

The Network Operations Center (NOC), under the Engineering Department, is located in Subic. The group is responsible for monitoring the operation and utilization of Agila2 transponders. Its main function is to ensure the efficient use of both C- and Ku-band transponders by monitoring the signals of all users so that they are operating within nominal power level.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5448/picsatellitezambose8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
For contingency purposes, the main functions of Subic Space Center is duplicated at the Zamboanga Space Center, albeit on a smaller scale. Redundancy equipment covering baseband, radio frequency and antennas are incorporated in the Zamboanga Space Center. It is also equipped with an uninterruptible power supply system and a generator to ensure continuous power supply.

Our Zamboanga Space Center is manned by a satellite engineer who keeps the facility ready for any contingency action. Periodically, engineers from Subic Space Center visit for any upgrades.

bitoy

March 1st, 2007, 04:42 AM

kiretoce

March 1st, 2007, 04:54 AM

Nothing personal kiretoce, but I have heard that a thousand times before with my mga kaibigan and relatives in the Philippines, and even here in the states!

Just because we can't see the results of our efforts doesn't mean we shouldn't even think about it or try to make a start.

Unfortunately, our forefathers thought the same way (not within my lifetime) in many other issues before many of us were even born...now look at us.....not too many achievements. :ohno:

We need to get out of our current mentality and start preparing for our future filipinos.. :)

Nothing personal too, but I was being realistic and thinking about what the country needs now. Being idealistic isn't bad either, God knows the Philippines is in dire need of people with your mindset, but before we dream big dreams, we should try solving the problems that plagues the nation in the here and now first. :colgate:

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 04:57 AM

^^ I thought this thread is about Space Program for exploration of the outer space and things that can be done in Space that can not be done on earth.

In your case of Satellite technology for communications throughout the world, any country with a long term investments can just ride on International joint space programs in launching satellites in orbit.
I think that Subic/Mabuhay space center is funded by a group of Americans and PLDT.

These are the facets of the Philippines first steps toward a viable space program. And it's obvious that to explore outer space and do things in space, one must have the knowledge and experience to use satellite technology to achieve these goals.

Any space program encompasses MANY things. Communications, teamwork, science, collaboration with others, satellites, etc.

I don't think there's nothing wrong if PLDT and America are in a joint project with this space center. It's allowing filipinos the opportunity to take a look at space operations here on the motherland soil.... :)

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 04:58 AM

Nothing personal too, but I was being realistic and thinking about what the country needs now. Being idealistic isn't bad either, God knows the Philippines is in dire need of people with your mindset, but before we dream big dreams, we should try solving the problems that plagues the nation in the here and now first. :colgate:

Opo, tama yan. I agree with you too in some ways.... :)

Askal82

March 1st, 2007, 05:07 AM

Richard Fischer will be delighted to hear this.

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 06:06 AM

Richard Fischer will be delighted to hear this.

Where is he anyway?

kiretoce

March 1st, 2007, 06:16 AM

^^ Banned.

PaoloMig

March 1st, 2007, 06:57 AM

ryanr

March 1st, 2007, 07:34 AM

Philippine Space Program? There are other, more important things our country needs to focus on and direct the budget to before a Space Program. After they have significantly reduced corruption, reach a balanced budget, improve education and health facilities, construct productive infrastructure, slow population growth and reduce poverty, only then should they consider a space program.

queetz@home

March 1st, 2007, 07:43 AM

If I remember it right, the first moonrover was invented by a Filipino or at least a Filipino was part of the team that designed and built it.

I think we should start with policies, programs and incentives that will support the Filipino inventor and harness his skills and ingenuity.

Here, I verified it:

Eduardo San Juan - Filipino Inventor: Mechanical engineer, Eduardo San Juan (aka The Space Junkman) worked on the team that invented the Lunar Rover or Moon Buggy. Eduardo San Juan is considered the primary designer of the Lunar Rover. San Juan was also the designer for the Articulated Wheel System. Prior, to the Apollo Program, Eduardo San Juan worked on the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Moon Buggy: In 1971, the Moon Buggy was first used by during the Apollo 12 landing to explore the Moon.
Eduardo San Juan - Education & Awards: Eduardo San Juan graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology. He then studied Nuclear Engineering at the University of Washington. In 1978, San Juan received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology.

No wonder the Moon Buggy looks like a left-over G.I. Jeep. :D

True but there are many people from different nationalities that worked in the NASA space program but that doesn't mean those other countries had a space program or space pioneers. Eduardo San Juan, who just happens to be Filipino, is just one of many thousands of engineers that worked there and I doubt he was the sole inventor of the Moon Buggy. His work is still part of NASA, which is solely an American space program (even though even it got rocket technologies from Nazis) and must be creditted as such.

Askal82

March 1st, 2007, 07:44 AM

^^ Banned.

Seriously? No wonder I haven't seen him posting here for a while.

ewh1

March 1st, 2007, 07:50 AM

what happened?

evangelistik

March 1st, 2007, 08:05 AM

Commercialization will be the space sector's future. Competition will allow for cheaper materials, production, and overhead. Ultimately leading to lower and more affordable prices. Example: Nasa. NASA's accomplished a lot, but lately it's been hampered by too much red tape, white elephants (like the hundred billion dollar International Space Station), and complacency (we landed on the moon in 1969, what have we done since then?).

The success of the Ansari X Prize was a monumental occassion for space science. Virgin Galactic was created by Richard Branson as a means to provide affordable space flight to civilians. Last time I read we should be expected to see the first passengers of SpaceShipTwo fly out to orbit within 5 years, at the neighborhood of around $200,000 (with prices expected to fall to $50,000 within a decade of that first launch). My dream of feeling weightlessness will come true within that timeframe...

Perhaps a joint effort with the private and public sectors can take us that much closer to reaching the stars.

Just my two cents...

ryanr

March 1st, 2007, 08:28 AM

He had conflicts with Jan so Jan banned him. I won't go to details, but Jan took appropriate action.

Now, back to topic please.

BYAHILO

March 1st, 2007, 09:31 AM

attention mga peeps.

seat sale ng cebu pacific bukas.. its 1Pesos xcl YQ, ASF

stephencua

March 1st, 2007, 10:36 AM

hmmm.. i expect their site to be down due to the volume of people who would want to book tickets..

BYAHILO

March 1st, 2007, 11:07 AM

stephen.. ngayon pa nga lang down na sila.. pero mamayang midmite pa talaga simula ng seatsale.

im now cramming here which destination ticket should i prioritize. i have a sked for jun for tacloban
aug for davao
sep for zambo
oct for bacolod

:( di ko alam ano uunahin ko limited budget din ako ngayon kasi

sale will be mar2-8, flight dates jun 1-dec31

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 12:25 PM

PAGASA Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, & Astronomical Services Administration

Mission
The primary mission of PAGASA is to provide protection of life and property against natural hazards due to typhoons, floods, drought, giant waves, high seas, etc., to utilize scientific knowledge and information as an effective instrument to ensure the safety, well being, economic security and improve the quality of life of all the people and the environment; and to promote national progress and contribute to regional socio-economic development through various applications of meteorology, geophysics and space sciences (including astronomy).

Vision
PAGASA envisions itself to be the center of: Excellence in its distinctive competence in meteorology, operational hydrology, climatology, astronomy and other allied sciences; World-class capability in monitoring, analyses, forecasting and warning of tropical weather systems such as typhoons, monsoons, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1388/observatoryot8.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9564/planetariumhz3.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1488/stargazecc6.gif (http://imageshack.us)

From PAGASA website:

Work in Astronomy in the Philippines started in 1897. It was one of the functions of the "Observatorio Meteologico de Manila" (OMM), which became a government agency on 28 April 1884. Prior to this, it was a private undertaking that began on January 1,1865. The astronomical dome that housed the telescope of the Observatorio is its most prominent edifice. The observatory performed not only meteorological and astronomical services but also seismological and terrestrial magnetism services. Its astronomical activities were mostly limited to timekeeping and observation of solar and stellar phenomena.

The OMM became the Weather Bureau in 1901 with its observatory in Manila as its central office. During the last world war, the astronomical observatory was destroyed. It was only in 1954 that a new observatory was constructed within the University of the Philippines campus in Quezon City. It has remained there up to the present time (2003), now under the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as the only government astronomical observatory. Still performing basically the same functions as its forerunner in Manila, it has, however, updated its equipment in that disseminated time signals throughout the country, including the meteorological stations, by radio. It has also operated, beginning in 1970, an automatic picture transmission (APT) equipment, the predecessor of the modern telefacsimile or telefax equipment. The APT enabled the reception of satellite and other images over long distances. The PAGASA stopped operating the APT in 1978 because of the interference it creates with other communication network of the government. From 1954, the observatory has been quiescent, but for the construction of a planetarium in the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City in September 1977. And since 1969, the PAGASA has been establishing a solar radiation network that consists of 52 stations today.

In 1982, the first Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) ground receiver was installed in PAGASA, which introduced the agency to space technology. This equipment provided the agency with large-scale images of the atmosphere over the data-sparse western Pacific ocean and contributed to the significant improvement of its weather forecasting capability. The facility was upgraded in 1988 to enable it to receive the high-resolution images being generated by the Japanese satellite. In 1991, the ground receiver for the polar-orbiting satellite of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States was installed to complement the existing facility. From 1992 to 1993, additional satellite ground receivers were installed at the PAGASA stations in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Cagayan de Oro City and Mactan, Cebu.

At present, there are three institutions which undertake activities in astronomy in the Philippines. These are the PAGASA, the Manila Observatory and the National Museum (NM). The former evolved from the OMM while the second is a private institution under the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. The NM is also a government agency, which is under the supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and is located at the Rizal Park in Luneta. The PAGASA engages in the promotion of astronomy, including space science in the Philippines through shows in its Planetarium and the publication of posters. It coordinates and collaborates with other agencies or institutions in this field, such as the organization of astronomical societies in the colleges or universities. It should be stressed, however, that there is only one educational institution that offers a course related to space science in the country. No college or university gives a full course in astronomy in the Philippines.

In the olden past, astronomy was regarded as a pastime, until it became the foundation of modern physics and mathematics. Through observations of the motions of the earth with respect to the sun, stars and other celestial bodies, it was shown that the earth is round and is not the center of the universe. Thus, astronomy became a science.

Today, there are tremendous benefits being derived from astronomy and space science. Developed nations have reaped the rewards of these fields, as some developing countries are beginning or have began to do. Satellites and powerful computers, which are products of the application of astronomy and space science have become common factors in a host of activities such as communications, data and information exchange, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness and prevention, and resources assessment.

The Philippines would do well to follow the example of the countries that have benefited from the utilization of astronomy and space science. It is endowed with rich natural resources, which include a relatively highly literate human resource. In addition, the present staff in astronomy is imbued with enthusiasm to promote astronomy among the population, aware of the fact that it is the mother of modern sciences such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology and it will contribute to the upgrading of knowledge in science and technology. However, it has to enhance the knowledge and skill of the human resources engaged in the two sciences and to improve its facilities, especially its instruments and equipment. It has to provide better opportunities to its astronomical staff so that they will produce more and perform more efficiently and effectively.

The potential workers in astronomy are many compared to the present staff of the PAGASA, thanks to the organization of astronomical societies in the universities and colleges. This human resource has to be encouraged to pursue a career in science through attractive salaries, benefits and other opportunities for growth.

The PAGASA has been afforded by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs several opportunities to know and keep abreast of the latest developments in astronomy and space science through its participation in international workshops and congresses. The agency has made and partially implemented plans for the modest improvement of its facilities with its scarce financial and human resources. It needs more of these resources to make a big stride in astronomy and space science.

The Philippines has embarked to be in the status of a newly industrializing country in 2000. The present national leadership is now aware that one of the imperatives to attain this goal is to give a higher priority in fostering the development and application of science and technology in the country. The future, indeed, looks brighter for astronomy and space science in the Philippines.

I know we won't have a space program anytime soon, but the last pic (where the filipinos are looking into the telescope) makes me happy to know that these filipinos are taking the interest and motivation to learn new things..and it is people like them that will help make the Philippines achieve its goal of a space program one day.. :)

As I stated before, the multiplier effect can be very powerful. I know we still have corruption, illegal gambling, poverty, poor infrastructure, etc. etc. (which so many people in this post have stated - and thank you for your honest feedback).

But look at the last pic. These young people are not gambling at that moment, not complaining about their country, nor setting themselves up to be bribed by the NPA because they have no money and are lingering around doing nothing!

Their minds are focused on learning something new and sharing their knowledge with others (JUST LIKE SKYSCRAPER CITY!!! :D). And when more filipinos start doing that, that's when the Philippines will really TAKE-OFF!!! (Pun intended)

:banana:

Espma

March 1st, 2007, 01:22 PM

interesting topic...maybe in the near future SEA or perhaps the whole Asia can create a mega Space Agency kinda like the ESA of Europe and NASA of the US only much bigger. Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore can probably afford to contribute the bulk of the expenses, with smaller countries contributing in other terms...Dare to dream!!

Skyblade

March 1st, 2007, 11:15 PM

I was just reading OZ's press release on it's US site about adjustments for flight 203 from ICN to LAX. One thing that caught my attention was that there was an emphasis for connecting passengers to the Philippines. Interesting and a nice sign on showing how big this market is. :D

Begining February 24, ASIANA's early morning departures will move to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. In combination with our regular 7 days a week daytime flight schedule, ASIANA now offers one of the most convenient schedules to Asia, and more Philippine connections and destinations than almost any other airlines. All on state-of-the-art airplanes equipped with individual entertainment monitors, and the award-winning passenger service that only ASIANA can provide. Now that's some relaxing news.

http://us.flyasiana.com/specialoffers/oz203resume_new.asp

kiretoce

March 2nd, 2007, 12:43 AM

^^ That's great for the people traveling to and from the US and the Philippines. By the way, I'm diggin' Asiana's new livery, so clean and vibrant looking. :okay:

habagatcentral1

March 2nd, 2007, 01:18 AM

^^ That's great for the people traveling to and from the US and the Philippines. By the way, I'm diggin' Asiana's new livery, so clean and vibrant looking. :okay:

Will that be with Jang Geum as a livery? Or the new livery itself? I think I saw one with that Korean Drama livery too. :D

kiretoce

March 2nd, 2007, 01:45 AM

^^ These....

http://us.flyasiana.com/specialoffers/images/banner_left.jpg

http://us.flyasiana.com/specialoffers/images/oz203.jpg

I don't know if that was that one you're talking about. :dunno:

Skyblade

March 2nd, 2007, 02:23 AM

By the way, I'm diggin' Asiana's new livery, so clean and vibrant looking. :okay: Took me a bit but I'm beginning to like it myself. Still gonna miss having the Hanbok tail though. :(

I don't know if that was that one you're talking about. :dunno:

I believe he's referring to the special Dae Jang Geum/Jewel In The Palace livery painted on one of OZ's 763s. :D

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1135386/M/

tigidig14

March 2nd, 2007, 03:36 AM

when was the last time you went to pnas, kimber

kiretoce

March 2nd, 2007, 03:37 AM

^^ many moons ago....1991.

habagatcentral1

March 2nd, 2007, 04:53 AM

Kalibo airport opens up to reg’l flights on March 16

KALIBO, Aklan – Kalibo Airport is busy preparing for direct flights from South Korea starting March 16.

According to Airport Manager Engr. Percy Malonesio, Bureau of Immigration and Deportation Commissioner Jose Carrandang told him about this.

The maiden flight on March 16 is under the chartered flight of Pacific Pearl Airlines.

Malonesio reported this development during the Airport Security Committee Meeting at the Air Transportation Office here attended by the police, officials of neighboring barangays, airline company managers, concerned national government agencies and the local government of Kalibo.

Direct flights from South Korea are expected to spur more direct flights to Kalibo from other countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Malonesio said officials and tanods of neighboring barangays will be playing a larger role in keeping safety and secure the perimeter of the Kalibo Airport.

Source: Panay News

^^ Kalibo Airport may be a feeder airport but technically they may be the first international airport in Western Visayas. :okay:

oz.fil

March 2nd, 2007, 10:12 AM

^^ lol yeah rely on the other countries for funding and we contribute our super smart scientists :lol:

Cristovão471

March 2nd, 2007, 10:21 AM

What would be the point of a space program seriousely, I think the government has got better things to spend on, such as the millions of people living in poverty and shanty towns etc..

Stupid idea.

jgacis

March 2nd, 2007, 01:02 PM

What would be the point of a space program seriousely, I think the government has got better things to spend on, such as the millions of people living in poverty and shanty towns etc..

Stupid idea.

Well, it may seem stupid for now when we have so much hardship going on. And that is true, I'm not denying that.

But I think that using poor people and shanty towns as an excuse is the real stupid idea.

Try telling that to India (ISRO) , Iran (ISA), Brazil (BSA) and other countries who have "millions of people living in poverty and shanty towns".

While we sit and sulk in our problems, kids and young adults in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and the rest of the world are going to slowly leave us in last place. Why? Because it all started with a stupid idea... :ohno:

Rajah_Soliman

March 2nd, 2007, 06:56 PM

nab_uang

March 2nd, 2007, 07:32 PM

Sun.Star

LOW fare carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) will take delivery of its 14th brandnew Airbus A320 aircraft today from Toulouse, France.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said the arrival of the latest A320 marks the airline’s most significant milestone to date — the completion of its $670 million re-fleeting program.

The first delivery happened in May 2005.

“Our new fleet, which is one of the youngest in the world at less than 11 months old, supports the airline’s thrust to provide the lowest year-round fares,” Iyog said. She cited the aircraft’s high performance, which allows maximum aircraft utilization, as one of the contributors to CEB’s ability to offer low fares.

“With the completion of the re-fleeting program, we have effectively doubled our capacity. This means that we will be able to provide more low fares to every destination we serve,” she said.

Currently, CEB has the most domestic destinations, routes and flights in the local aviation scene, and these are serviced by 10 A319s and four A320s.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to the country’s tourism agenda,” Iyog said, adding that CEB hopes to bring air travel closer to Filipinos through its continuous expansion. (PR)

PaoloMig

March 2nd, 2007, 08:22 PM

y not close this thread,or rename it

jgacis

March 2nd, 2007, 08:45 PM

^^ yeah, to make sense to this phil. space program, why can't we be pioneers in the science of "space health care services"? maybe we will be needing our wealth of knowledge in care giving in providing health services to future space travelers ... imo, we need not develop rockets or weapons of mass destructions, we can develop other things that can be accessory/supplementary to future space programs..... :cheers:

That would be interesting...

y not close this thread,or rename it

I titled this thread to entertain the ideas of a Philippine space program. I wasn't specific on a question or thought because right now there are many changes going on in the Philippines and I wanted flexibility in all the responses related to this topic.

PaoloMig

March 2nd, 2007, 08:50 PM

i dig you.some people are'nt fond about this.but im not.

jgacis check ur PM.

jgacis

March 2nd, 2007, 09:01 PM

PaoloMig

March 2nd, 2007, 09:08 PM

death327

March 2nd, 2007, 10:08 PM

Actually it's really intriguing and I am delighted to know that there are very few Filipinos who like to dream about space. Indeed it is a great idea to entertain and good to squeeze our minds in how we can dip our fingers in a costly (superbly expensive) and delicate program.

For now I am resolved to the thought that only few Filipinos can do basic physics and most science-oriented graduates are no longer here in the country (somewhere abroad completing their post-graduate studies or helping international agencies and companies making breakthroughs in different scientific fields) and Space Dream has no place yet in most Filipino minds.

Maybe someday,but not now.

Btw, it reminds of a scene in the movie "Sphere" -- a trash can inside a spacecraft was labeled "BASURA." It means there were Filipinos in that space craft or it might be the whole spacecraft was owned by Philippines.

Who knows maybe someday we will rule the world Space Program. After-all history is dynamic and we don't know what will be the turning point/s that might happen in the future.

tigidig14

March 2nd, 2007, 11:47 PM

^^ many moons ago....1991.

yap its time for you to visit again

Ady001

March 3rd, 2007, 12:11 AM

If the US have Astronauts...

The Russians have Cosmonauts

And the Chinese have Taikonauts...

The Filipinos have

Coconauts.

Ady001

March 3rd, 2007, 12:23 AM

^^ BTW... In Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers, Johnny Rico, the main protagonist was a Filipino. Maybe, the space dream could come true.

jgacis

March 3rd, 2007, 02:14 AM

Leading indicators for a future Philippine space program...

From the Mabuhay Satellite Corporation Website...

01.26.2007
ASEAN Summit International Broadcasters uses Agila2 Satellite for the First Time

Once again, Mabuhay Satellite Corporation is proud to be a part of Philippine history in the making.

This year, Mabuhay gave yet another first for the Philippines. For the first time in the ASEAN Summit history, the major international broadcasters used Agila2 satellite for their broadcast requirements. Mabuhay also provided satellite uplink services.

The international broadcasters were happy not only with the hospitality of the Cebuanos, but also of the excellent service experience in using the Agila2 satellite and Mabuhay Uplink service. Futoshi Yamada of NHK Japan said, “This is the first time for NHK and the Japan Pool to use Mabuhay Uplink service and the Agila2 satellite. At first, we were reluctant, but when we experienced the efficiency of the service and power of the satellite, we decided to use it for all our feeds from Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).”

According to Johnson Regalado, the overall coordinator for Mabuhay Satellite ASEAN Service, Mabuhay met the challenge of providing all the satellite transmission requirements of all the delegates at the CICC. It covered countries in Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, India, China, Japan and the whole of Asia. “We were challenged by Secretary Milton Alingod of Radio TV Malacañang (RTVM) to provide a world class service at par if not better than the past ASEAN Summits. Judging from the feedbacks of our foreign broadcast participants, we have, indeed, delivered very well,” Regalado said.

The 12th ASEAN Summit is not the first time that Mabuhay showcased its capabilities in satellite service. In December 2005, Mabuhay was designated as the Exclusive Satellite Service Provider for the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, providing satellite uplink facilities for all broadcasters of participating countries. In the 22nd SEA Games held in Vietnam, Mabuhay was the Unilateral Transmit Facility for the Philippine Pool, which brought the games to local broadcasters.

Agila2’s footprint and radiated power are two major points in the success of Mabuhay’s satellite service. The footprint covers over 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. A spotbeam in Hawaii provides access to mainland US through its partner teleports. The radiated power goes as high as 41dBW, providing good reception to receivers within the coverage.

Mabuhay Satellite Corporation is the first and only Philippine entity to own and operate a communications satellite, the Agila2. It is also a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), a diamond sponsor of the ASEAN Summit. The PLDT group not only provided satellite service, but wireless Internet as well, via Smart Communications, Inc., another PLDT subsidiary.

Mabuhay Satellite president, Mr. Gabriel Z. Pimentel extends his gratitude to RTVM, for giving us the opportunity to serve and showcase the Filipino Technical capability to the world.

:okay: :banana:

aUen

March 3rd, 2007, 02:56 AM

Cebu Pacific's last A320 has been delivered while one of PAL's was involved in an accident a couple of weeks ago. Anyone know what PAL's doing with it?

xXx carlos xXx

March 3rd, 2007, 03:41 AM

Cebu Pacific's last A320 has been delivered while one of PAL's was involved in an accident a couple of weeks ago. Anyone know what PAL's doing with it?

i think na repair na nila.. btw, 2 aircrafts are scheduled to be delivered this month... the last A319 and a A320... thats according to Clarkent of Pex..

at ayon dn kay clarkent(he's a pal insider)... 2 widebodies are to enter pals fleet this year.. 1 mid range and 1 long range..

kiretoce

March 3rd, 2007, 04:01 AM

If the US have Astronauts...

The Russians have Cosmonauts

And the Chinese have Taikonauts...

The Filipinos have Coconauts.

The most intelligent post yet! :lol:

Askal82

March 3rd, 2007, 04:03 AM

What would be the point of a space program seriousely, I think the government has got better things to spend on, such as the millions of people living in poverty and shanty towns etc..

Stupid idea.

I think the Philippine government should engange in a different kind of space program - increase land space by slowing down the skyrocketing population.

kiretoce

March 3rd, 2007, 04:08 AM

^^ Witty! Very witty! :okay:

portludlow

March 3rd, 2007, 04:46 AM

PAL is riding high

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0302&032007/opinion03.html
Generally, the airline business worldwide is considered cyclical: A half a decade of losses and another half a decade of uninterrupted growth.

It may be true, internationally, but the Philippine Airlines, Asia’s first, is not taking its chances. Nor does it want to perpetuate the tradition of losses and profits endemic to many foreign airlines and make the disease financially contagious.

This is for the reason that PAL has started another five-year modernization that will bring it to more destinations and new heights.

To accomplish that, PAL is refleeting once more, an exercise that is concededly expensive. Airline analysts say that whatever profits international airlines are enjoying are usually spent on expansion. When times are good, the most airlines can earn is a net profit of 2 percent a year.

But PAL appears to be unperturbed. Last year, in an ambitious campaign, it expanded its reach to 21 domestic airports and 32 world capitals enough to make its competitors nervous.

More than that, PAL is also considering flying back to mainland Europe and expanding its routes and frequencies in China and Canada.

PAL will likewise be flying again to New York City and many international destinations, such as India, Cambodia, Seattle and San Diego.

All this will involve money but with new profits that PAL has been realizing, it can definitely reinvest. In May 2006, Philippine Airlines announced its medium-term fleet plan, covering fiscal years 2006 to 2011.

The plan, according to PAL, aims to increase and/or replace the current fleet with new additional aircraft for a complete fleet of 43 wide- and narrow-bodied aircraft at the culmination of the refleeting and expansion program.

A major overhaul of the narrow-bodied fleet includes the phaseout of all remaining Boeing 737 aircraft by October 2007, maintaining instead a fleet of 20 brand-new Airbus A320-family aircraft from 2008 onward.

The wide-bodied fleet plan also looks to increase the current medium-haul fleet of eight Airbus A330 with two additional midrange aircraft between 2007 and 2009, and the long-haul fleet of five Boeing 747 and four Airbus A340 with six additional long-range aircraft between 2007 and 2011.

In 2005, PAL gained a profit of $17.6 million and last year, $28.7 million, and that money will go to refleeting and improvement of services and facilities.

According to aviation industry consultant and market analyst John Walsh of Walsh Aviation of Annapolis, world airline traffic will grow more than six percent this year although profits of foreign airlines in 2007 will remain in the red despite work-force cuts. This is partly because of high jet-fuel costs.

Walsh predicts near-term deliveries of at least 1,000 aircraft in 2007 and believes that lower oil prices are coming. “The tough call is the timing,” says Walsh. “Is it five months or five years?”

Once jet fuel prices come down, he sees hard-hit US airlines moving into the black.

Boeing’s Andrew Magill predicts a 5-percent annual growth in passenger traffic over the next 20 years and total market potential of more than 25,000 new planes through 2024.

Magill says travel within the Asia-Pacific region represents the largest growth market for the next two decades, with trips within China growing the fastest. Boeing and Airbus agree that single-aisle aircraft will dominate aircraft new orders, according to aviation experts.

Tahimek

March 3rd, 2007, 05:08 AM

This is because, i believe that among all the ASEAN countries, only the Philippines have the only practical and safer location to launch any space modules/rockets or shuttles. Really? What about the project Spaceport Singapore?

http://www.spaceportsingapore.com/

kiretoce

March 3rd, 2007, 05:14 AM

Lili

March 3rd, 2007, 05:25 AM

If there is a space that we should venture and delve further into, it is the inner space of the mind.

AH-7Raja

March 3rd, 2007, 05:49 AM

y not start with the rockets MARCOS did,you know the BONG2Xs.they were big rockets.the BONG2X 2 were intended to be an intercontinental ballistic rockets.so y not upgrade it capable of reaching space.lets start first with the business of launching satellites into space.so we have our propulsion na.all we need then are guidance systems,space vehicle,astronaut,etc...

BTW does anyone have information bout this rockets now?i've this question on the PHILIPPINE DEFENCE thread.no one will answer me.

Matagal ng inabolish yang project, ever since we kicked out the marcoses.

The CIA has asked us to destroy all those philippine made various models of rockets.

The only chance to revive it is to bring back the marcoses in our government. Otherwise we will have to wait til one of our government official take notice of the space program, then we can start rediscovering the technology of rocketry and begin developing our own rockets and other missile weapons for export. Then use the revenue to support our self-reliance space program.

Every great things starts from a small idea. :)

AH-7Raja

March 3rd, 2007, 05:51 AM

Really? What about the project Spaceport Singapore?

http://www.spaceportsingapore.com/

You mean this:

http://www.spaceportsingapore.com/img/homecontent.gif

Nice eh? :cheers:

kiretoce

March 3rd, 2007, 06:04 AM

PAL buying 7 new planes
By Jenniffer B. Austria

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. will acquire seven new Airbus 320 aircraft this year to beef up domestic and regional flights, a PAL official said yesterday.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said two of the new planes will be delivered in April and another in May. The rest will arrive between July and December this year.

Bautista said the company was studying the best way to finance the acquisition of the new airplanes. PAL, he said, had held initial talks with foreign banks to fund the purchase of the planes.

“The financing is already in place because foreign banks that we are talking to have offered more than enough to cover the acquisition,” Bautista said.

PAL expects deliveries of 20 new airplanes starting this year up to 2011. The 20-plane acquisition program, which was finalized late last year, costs about $750 million.

PAL expects to register a five-to-10-percent growth in passenger volume in its fiscal year 2008 due to a resurgent global tourism.

“The airline industry will continue to grow this year because people continue to travel,” Bautista said.

He said PAL’s load factor had risen to 80 percent, which is respectable for an airline undergoing a corporate rehabilitation. He said the load factor was expected to increase in the coming years.

PAL operates a mixed fleet of 14 narrow-body aircraft, comprising seven A320, four Boeing 737-300 and three Boeing 737-400. It also operates eight A330 and four A340.

Bautista said he expected PAL’s net income for fiscal year ending March 2007 to either remain flat or slightly higher than that of 2006 because of the higher fuel cost. PAL, however, expects revenues to double in the new fiscal year because of increased passenger volume.

PAL registered a net income of $22.85 million in the first nine months of fiscal year ending December, up 15 percent from $19.86 million year-on-year.

PAL booked revenues of $944.3 million from April to December, slightly higher than the $895.1 million posted in the same period a year ago.

Passenger revenues reached $774.2 million in the first three quarters from $741.2 million on year while cargo revenues rose to $92.2 million from a year-ago level of $88.8 million.

PAL registered a net loss of $2.9 million for the quarter ending December, lower than the $3.1-million loss posted a year ago.

bitoy

March 3rd, 2007, 06:09 AM

These are the facets of the Philippines first steps toward a viable space program. And it's obvious that to explore outer space and do things in space, one must have the knowledge and experience to use satellite technology to achieve these goals.

Any space program encompasses MANY things. Communications, teamwork, science, collaboration with others, satellites, etc.

I don't think there's nothing wrong if PLDT and America are in a joint project with this space center. It's allowing filipinos the opportunity to take a look at space operations here on the motherland soil.... :)

Those highlighted ~ have been done much earlier by other Filipino companies(Marcos cronies) way back since the Marcos era or during the Vietnam war. ITT and Nippon Electric also have set up telephone systems and satellite stations.

If you knew about Intelsat or Philippine Overseas Telecommunication Corporation which I'm not familiar with, that's like the same things as what you posted, but others here might know especially Bartman, who served in CAB as a telecom specialist.

I'm not trying to destroy your hope and dreams, but reality should step in front of any dreams much less some wishful thinking. :)

Siopao

March 3rd, 2007, 06:10 AM

While we sit and sulk in our problems, kids and young adults in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and the rest of the world are going to slowly leave us in last place. Why? Because it all started with a stupid idea... :ohno:

I agree with your point. Philippines and its people need a great deal of pride in their nation. That's probably one of the reasons why the country is lagging behind in the world stage.

and one more thing.. Try putting Vietnam in that list, they even have more advanced space programs than the Philippines. Veitnam's economy is getting bigger than the Philippines....

..and to think they just had a war. Go figure. :ohno:

xXx carlos xXx

March 3rd, 2007, 06:47 AM

^^ ayon sa website ng pal... they are operating 9 A320's, 1 B737-400 and 2 737-300...

SKYLINEPIGEON

March 3rd, 2007, 07:51 AM

The wide-bodied fleet plan also looks to increase the current medium-haul fleet of eight Airbus A330 with two additional midrange aircraft between 2007 and 2009, and the long-haul fleet of five Boeing 747 and four Airbus A340 with six additional long-range aircraft between 2007 and 2011.

the six additional long range aircrafts they refer to are the b-777-300 wht abt the two mid range aircraft

ewh1

March 3rd, 2007, 08:06 AM

They don't plan on being the new Singapore Airlines
they strive on being a "highly profitable, mid size airline"

http://www.orientaviation.com/section.php?currenyIssue=I20070125140145-mA6W4&currentSection=coverstory&currentArticle=A20070125140119-4xFlW&

crappypants

March 3rd, 2007, 08:33 AM

Great news! PAL should modernize its fleet first and be up to par with its competitors, mainly Asian carriers (heck, why not even surpass them!), then add more frequencies to their already established and profitable routes. Then, and only then should they consider expanding the network of destinations with flights returning to Europe first and foremost (give KL and LH stiff competition and a run for their money). :colgate:

I agree. they should sthrive to be the no. 1 asian airline. This means more jobs for local pinoys. they should really open up the San diego route that can be a lucrative market as there are tons of pinoys there. Even Portland they should start looking into.

evangelistik

March 3rd, 2007, 08:50 AM

I'm telling you guys, but I don't think anyone seems to be listening. The future of space is in the hands of the private sector, not the public sector. This allows everyone in the world stage to participate in the space age.

We'll see a millionaire filipino launch into space well before a filipino government sponsored astronaut does. I'll put my life on that.

oz.fil

March 3rd, 2007, 10:29 AM

anyone can go into space now that virgin galactic is up and running in a few years

sandrn

March 3rd, 2007, 01:33 PM

^^ Oo, naiintindihan ko pero our country is changing and I'm just thinking about the future of the Philippines. Alam mo..just thoughts, not necessarily diverting much needed funds right now.. away from our current necessities. My pinsan is a science teacher and his students get excited when they learn about the planets and space technology.

Check your PM rin....

Great vision Gjacis. Big dreams begin with a bright idea. It doesn’t mean that we have to spend billions now. It only means that we create a pool of scientists and engineers (or attract the retiring ones from abroad) first to initiate this R&D project. Probably in 20 years when the Philippine Economy reached the first world status and we have a huge capital market at hand, maybe then we could start building the product of our R&D project. A Space program takes decades to develop that’s why we must start R&D now.

Oh and we also need to build our own robotic model now. This is the road to keep up with the future. Science & technology, science & technology, science & technology, research, research, research.
Talented artistry is inherent to the Filipino culture. If we put this artistic talent to use in our sound science & technology program, only then we could create something extraordinary.

(sana wag mabulag yung lahat ng Pinoy dyan sa call center, politiko, o anu man na nakaka-bobo sa bansa). Laging gamitin ang utak, umpisahan sa Syensa at Teknolohiya!
Lahat ng Bagay an AASENSO kung GAGAMITAN ng MATALINONG SYENSA AT TECKNOLOHIYA. At saan kukuha ng pera, ngayon pa lang simulan na ang hikayat ng malaking kapital market.

SKYLINEPIGEON

March 3rd, 2007, 04:25 PM

may promo ngayon and cebu pacific 1 peso per way bali ging to davao from naila return with taxes and surcharges ay 2500 pesos lng , nagbook na ako for my september 2007 vacation sana yong saudia doon na lalalapag sa naia 3that time hehehe

tigidig14

March 3rd, 2007, 07:42 PM

^they should start going in this side, eastcoast
daghan ang mga noypi here

Askal82

March 4th, 2007, 12:28 AM

PAL should make a comeback to East coast particularly NYC (JFK) or New Jersey (EWR)

Crazy4Airplanes

March 4th, 2007, 09:47 AM

i just heard from a tito who lives in san diego. sabi nya hindi daw kaya magland ang 747 sa SAN kasi maiksi lang daw ang runway dun. tsaka may mga bundok at tubig daw. so its kinda like yung sa kai tak dati.

how true is this? does this mean na hindi rin nila kaya i accomodate ang A343? kasi i mentioned to him that PAL is trying to open a route to SAN via YVR eh. kasi kakaawa sila. ang route nila via KE and AA: SAN-LAX-ECN-MNL and shempre ang return MNL-ICN-LAX-SAN.

kunoL8

March 4th, 2007, 10:44 AM

^^ yeah, SAN's runway is on the short side. parang 5 seconds palang after magtouch down ang plane todo brakes na.

SunKing

March 4th, 2007, 12:01 PM

ewh1

March 4th, 2007, 01:12 PM

Technically Yes
but with lots of Weight Restrictions.
and knowing PAL planes.. they aren't exactly the lightest with Balikbayan Boxes.

lewdsaint

March 4th, 2007, 03:26 PM

Latest photos of Iloilo International Airport
from markoakx of www.dinagyang.com

Thanks mark!

Fresh Pictures!!!
Thank You Very Much

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b035.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b032.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b024.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b011.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b001.jpg

ravenhawk

March 4th, 2007, 05:36 PM

Kelan ba talaga opening niyan?,Im hearing different dates.....

Guys pwede mag-plug?

Philippine Airlines Is now listed in the Philippines Stock exchange as PAL Holdings,current market price is running around 3.90 to 4.0 per share and is a good long term stock with target price of around 20 pesos in two years time, and destined to become a blue chip,If your interested to invest in the stock market PM me..

BoNduRanT

March 4th, 2007, 05:57 PM

WHoa, that airport terminal is goodlooking! :okay:

ryanr

March 4th, 2007, 07:04 PM

impressive airport, iloilo:okay: also got themselves three mercedes firetrucks:D

Skyblade

March 4th, 2007, 08:32 PM

Can't wait for April 18! :D

stephencua

March 5th, 2007, 11:07 AM

taken from inquirer.net

Cebu Pacific, Seair fight over air routes

By Tonette Orejas
Central Luzon Desk
Last updated 04:28pm (Mla time) 03/05/2007

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, Philippines -- Cebu Pacific and the Clark-based Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair) are locked in a feud over control of the airway routes before the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

A Seair official on Sunday denied his company was acting as a front for Singapore's Tiger Airways when it applied for permits to new local and international routes that Cebu Pacific had blocked before CAB.

"That's not true," Avelino Zapanta, Seair president and chief executive officer, said of Cebu Pacific's claim that Seair had struck a tie-up with Tiger Airways.

Seair is applying for routes for Clark-Davao, Davao-Clark, Clark-Cebu, Cebu-Clark, Clark-Macau, Macau-Clark, and Clark-Singapore, Singapore-Clark.

According to him, Seair's lease of two, 180-seater Airbus 320 from the Tiger Airways and its use of the latter's global reservation system were all being paid for by his company.

Seair pioneered airline operations in Clark in 1994, with a fleet of seven LET 410-UPV-E and four Dornier 328.

Its main routes include Clark-Manila, Manila-Caticlan, Manila-Busuanga, Busuanga-El Nido, El Nido-Puerto Princesa City, Manila-Taytay (Palawan), Caticlan-Busuanga, Clark-Cebu, Cebu-Caticlan, Cebu-Camiguin, Cebu-Cotabato, Cotabato-Zamboanga, Zamboanga-Jolo, and Zamboanga-Tawi-Tawi.

Zapanta said he expected the CAB to make a ruling on the application after giving Cebu Pacific 15 days to comment.
"It's already overdue," he said of the decision.

He said the CAB subjected Seair's application to a hearing, instead of it being studied only by the board's executive director.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer called Cebu Pacific officials for comments but they referred the matter to Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing. Iyog did not answer calls and text messages.

Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, chief of the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council and the Luzon Urban Beltway super region, said he was "deeply concerned" about the issue and said he and officials of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at Clark were "helping sort out the problem."

"We need these players to prop up the DMIA. Everybody seems agog now over the DMIA," Pamintuan told the Inquirer by phone.

Rene Diaz, presidential adviser for Central Luzon, backed up the expansion plan of Seair.

"Once CAB has approved Seair's request, this means an increase in operations at the Clark area and additional flights for the DMIA, which will support the airport's objective of becoming a premier gateway for tourism, trade and investment opportunities for the region," Diaz said in a statement.

He said airlines should be encouraged to fly in and out since the government was constructing airports in almost all islands in the country.

Frankie Villanueva, president of the Clark Investors and Locators Association, said the CAB should "promote the true spirit of the open skies policy."

jgacis

March 5th, 2007, 12:12 PM

Thanks guys for all your feedback. Overall, it's important to be realistic but to balance it out with vision as well.

At the PAGASA website:

The PAGASA, now under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is organized in such a way that it has nine (9) branches or divisions. Each branch/division is composed of sections. A section in astronomy is under the Atmospheric, Geophysical and Space Sciences Branch (AGSSB). The Astronomy Research and Development Section (AsRDS) of AGSSB is staffed by 16 professional-level personnel, employees who hold a college degree and by 22 sub-professional-level employees.

At present, the AsRDS has began the process of establishing an astronomical organization that will include all astronomical societies in the Philippines as its member. It will be named Astronomical Organization in the Philippines, Inc. whose objectives are the same as the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The idea was conceptualized from the fact that the Philippines, represented by PAGASA is already an Associate Member of the IAU.

Vision Statement of AsRDS
Our vision for AsRDS is to eventually become an Institute, possibly an aeronautics and space agency, in 10 to 15 years. Our short-to medium-term goal is to promote astronomy education and contribute to the enhancement of knowledge in S &T. We are also dreaming that someday when we have already gained staff capability in observation and basic knowledge of astronomy/astro-physics, we will be able to conduct research thru the data that we gathered from our 45-cm telescope. We wish that we could also participate in the future in collaborative research activities with our neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.

So two possible scenarios might be:

1. Start with a small Philippine government agency that can grow/develop by collaborating with our Asia-Pacific neighbors.

or -

2. A public corporation (as evangelistik mentions-public sector) such as Mabuhay Satellite Corporation that can develop through private funding (domestic and international) and be the premier think-tank for our space programs.

I think it might be a combination of the two, with my preference more on the government side since it would provide more national vision and unity for the people (IMO). :)

By the way, that Singapore Spaceport looks awesome! Not only does it promote science and space education, it's a great tourist spot as well (notice the multiplier effect!). Sort of reminds me of the National Space and Science Museum in Washington D.C. but with extra exciting features!