Airlines, Airplanes and Airports - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 25

kiretoce

June 6th, 2007, 11:35 PM

Koreans eye airport in "Next Boracay" (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business5_june5_2007)

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — A Korean real estate company will start the construction next month of an international airport at Carabao Island, which is being eyed as the “Next Boracay.”

Carabao Island, part of San Jose town south of Romblon, is a 15-minute boat ride from the smaller island of Boracay, and has the same white-sand beaches and pristine waters, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano.

Durano said Carabao Island is about four times the size of the 10-sq. km. Boracay, which accommodated more than half a million visitors last year. It is closest to the Puka Beach, the northern part of Boracay.

“We expect the groundbreaking of the airport at Carabao Island by the end of the month,” said Durano, who, together with Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., visited the new large hotel developments in Boracay.

Durano said the San Jose airport, which will have a 4,000-meter runway, is part of the tourism masterplan being developed by Euro Asia & Group Holding, a Korean company headed by Byoung-Youn Park.

Korean tourists, representing two-thirds of total foreign guests in Boracay, numbered 124,618 in 2006. In the first four months of 2007, foreign visitors were up 40 percent.

Portions of Carabao Island, Durano said, had already been leased out to the Korean company, which committed to put up the necessary infrastructures before establishing commercial establishments.

“Everything is being planned in Carabao Island,” he said. “It will have the same model as Mactan in Cebu.”

The tourism chief said the development of Carabao Island will relieve Boracay of too much pressure from tourists, in the wake of constant power outages caused by peak demand from more than 250 resorts and hotels on the island. Most resorts here have their power generation sets ready in case of brownouts.

Ma. Victoria Jasmin, director of the Office of Tourism Standards, which is in charge of endorsing tourism projects for fiscal incentives, said the Korean company was applying for the declaration of the entire Carabao Island as a tourism economic zone.

The problem, she said, is that the island already has a thriving local population who own pieces of land in five barangays. San Jose town, which encompasses the whole Carabao Island, has about 10,000 residents.

“Their masterplan involves integrated resort development which will include construction of hotels, resorts and retirement villages,” Jasmin said.

She said the original plan aimed to build an international airport in San Jose capable of handling large Airbus or Boeing planes that will bring passengers to Boracay. But under the Korean masterplan, Carabao Island will now be the major attraction, with Boracay as the day-two destination.

Caticlan airport, which is about a 10-minute boat ride from Boracay, can handle only small turboprop planes, while it takes another two hours to reach Kalibo airport by land.

Asked how much the Korean group would invest, Jasmin said there were no official figures yet, but the amount is expected to be big, considering the extent of development it plans.

diz

June 7th, 2007, 05:02 AM

Well finally. That will relieve the landfill in Boracay if the "Next Boracay" succeeds.

queetz@home

June 7th, 2007, 05:15 AM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=79933

By ZINNIA B. DE LA PENA

The Philippine Star

Cebu Pacific, the airline unit of taipan John Gokongwei, is taking off for an initial public offering this year with proceeds expected to add up to P15.41 billion, according to the company’s application papers filed with securities regulators.

Cebu Pacific plans to sell between 145.65 million and 205.47 million shares through a primary and secondary offering in both local and international markets at a maximum price of P75 per share.

Between 101.96 million and 125.07 million shares will be offered overseas while 43.69 million to 53.6 million shares will be offered to domestic investors. The secondary offering, on the other hand, involves up to 61.9 million shares.

The company has set aside between 21.85 million and 26.8 million shares as greenshoe option to cover over-allotments, if any.

UBS Investment Bank has been tapped as sole international underwriter and book runner while ING Bank N.V. and First Metro Investment Corp. will serve as lead domestic underwriters.

The final offer price will be computed based on a book-building process and discussions between the company, the selling shareholder and lead manager.

Proceeds from the offering will be used by the company to rapidly expand fleet scale and strengthen its domestic flight network.

From a total of 14 aircraft, which includes 10 Airbus A319 and four A320s, Cebu Pacific plans to expand its fleet to between 30 to 44 aircraft, including up to 14 ATR Turboprop airplanes, by 2013.

"The company has entered into operating lease arrangements for four new A320s which are expected to be delivered in late 2007 and mid-2008. We have also announced plans to acquire up to a further 20 new A320s beginning 2010." Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

The ATR Turboprop aircraft will allow Cebu Pacific to more effectively operate out of smaller airports within the Philippines and to service smaller markets.

These aircraft have an operating range of 1,500 kilometers and are configured to seat 72 passengers.

Since it began commercial operations in 1996, Cebu Pacific’s passenger volume has increased from 1.02 million in 1997 to 3.46 million last year.

Cebu Pacific, the country’s low fare leader, currently flies to 20 domestic and seven regional destinations.

The airline is considering expanding its route network by introducing scheduled flights to Taipei, with the first flight expected to take place on June 13, 2007. It is also still negotiating slots with respect to new destinations.

Cebu Pacific expects the number of passengers to reach 10 million in 2013 from five million this year.

Cebu Pacific posted a net income of P133.9 million last year or more than 36 times the figure reported in 2005, on higher passenger loads.

Based on parent company JG Summit Holdings’ annual report, Cebu Pacific is now the group’s second largest revenue contributor, posting a 24 percent growth from P7.81 billion to P9.72 billion in 2006.

JG Summit attributed the significant income growth to Cebu Pacific’s successful shift into a true low cost carrier model which enabled it to stimulate passenger traffic growth with its increasingly popular "Go" fares and Internet booking engine.

Cebu Pacific launched the Go fares in an effort to drive additional demand for air travel as its refleeting project continues to add capacity.

More than a million seats were offered at fares below current levels — about 30 percent of total overall capacity for 2006.

The offering of substantially lower fares follow studies that pre-selling seats at lower prices would generate higher revenues and make Cebu Pacific financially stronger. Lower fares would also promote local tourism and even closer family ties since travel to the provinces will become very affordable.

Other factors that contributed to the increase was more fuel efficient aircraft fleet, better aircraft utilization, a dramatic increase in the number and profitability of its international routes.

bustero

June 7th, 2007, 12:13 PM

wha so expensive 100million Earnings targeted value of 15billion. so 150 PE hehe

with crazy valuations like these no wonder ayaw nila ng open skies , ayun ginasa tuloy hehe

I wonder kung tuloy na talaga ang korean carabao airport, matagaltagal na rin iyan, but it never took off , in any case if they develop it and put more hotels in carabao eh di ok

With PR extra 2 planes that brings it up to 8 with the leases from GE, good for them. They should be ordering more though sooner or later they will need to replace those 5 744's, takes time to order these things by the time the 777's come baka for retirement na iyung mga 744 nila

ewh1

June 7th, 2007, 12:27 PM

And Now PAL is looking at the Airbus 350 and Flying to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada::banana:

PAL crafts business plans up to 2015

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is finalizing its business plans till 2015, looking for new types of aircraft of the Airbus 350 generationand deciding on its long-term routes — considering possibilities for resuming its operations in the US East Coast, adding flights to San Francisco, California, mounting daily flights to Canada and serving Winnipeg, Manitoba, to target the 30,000 overseas Filipinos there.

"We’ll have more planes now," according to Jaime J. Bautista, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer. "We are supposed to get 7 this year, with 4 more to be delivered."

In all, the flag carrier is taking delivery of seven aircraft – four A-320s and three A319s, to serve domestic and regional routes for this year and retiring three.

Of the seven new aircraft, three will be leased and four purchased for around $ 250 million. In all, the flag-carrier is investing $ 1.5 billion in aircraft — some $ 500 million in firm deals, $ 500 million for leased planes and another $ 500 million option.

"We are also considering new types of planes of the 250-300 passenger capacity Airbus 350s, which will be more fuel efficient" he revealed.

This long-range, midsized, widebody family of aircraft currently under development is designed to compete with the Boeing 777 and 787.

So far, for May, 2007, PAL registered an almost 80 percent load factor, better than budget, despite increasing aviation fuel prices, Bautista noted.

PAL aims to boost its profits by 5 to 10 per cent, from around $ 29 million to close to $ 32 million this year after reviewing its business processes to cut costs.

The flag carrier targets 5 percent revenue growth for 2007 to about $ 1.3 billion, along with its expected 5 percent increase in passenger traffic, both domestic and international, from 7.2 million in 2006 to 7.56 million.

Aviation fuel, which accounts for 35 percent of the airline’s operating cost, remains high and is likely to increase again, he acknowledged. "We are studying the possibility of adjusting fares."

richard24

June 7th, 2007, 01:27 PM

Arkdriver

June 7th, 2007, 02:06 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Boeing Company and Philippine Airlines (PAL) Tuesday announced that the airline has increased its fleet plans for Boeing 777-300ERs to a total of six airplanes with a new order for two of the popular and efficient twinjets.

The order is an exercise of purchase rights disclosed in March when PAL placed an order for two 777-300ERs, the company said in a statement issued from Seattle.

In addition, PAL has an agreement in place to lease two 777-300ERs from GE Commercial Aviation Services.

The two new airplanes have a list price value of about US$500 million (US$1=RM3.41).

"Our future fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs will allow PAL to provide the best in passenger service to the United States, while providing increased efficiency in our operations," said Jaime J. Bautista, president of Philippine Airlines.

"Also, I am certain that our passengers will appreciate the world-class interior comfort and amenities of the 777-300ER."

"Philippine Airlines is a very forward-looking carrier that understands how the 777-300ER will help provide passengers with an exceptional service experience, while achieving increased efficiency for the airline in the midst of high fuel prices," said Rob Laird, vice president, Sales - Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Philippine Airlines is a long-time Boeing customer and currently operates five Boeing 747-400s and three Boeing 737-300/-400s.

PAL, the national flag carrier of the Philippines, conducted its first flight March 15, 1941, and has been operating longer than any other airline in Asia.

It has a modern fleet and a route network that spans 24 foreign cities and 18 domestic destinations.

The fuel-efficient 777-300ER is the world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner and is capable of carrying approximately 365 passengers in Philippine Airlines' two-class configuration, with a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 kilometers).

As of May 31, 21 customers have ordered 267 777-300ERs.

Boeing currently has unfilled orders for the model exceeding 175 airplanes, with a value of more than US$44 billion at list prices.

Since its launch, the entire 777 family of airplanes has consistently captured 65 percent of the 300-to-400-seat market segment.

-- BERNAMA

queetz@home

June 7th, 2007, 02:59 PM

Hard Ball

June 7th, 2007, 03:16 PM

From www.philippineairlines.com

7 June 2007
PAL flies to new Iloilo airport June 14; President Arroyo to open Mabuhay Lounge

MANILA - Philippine Airlines will operate all its four flights daily to Iloilo via the new Iloilo Airport in Santa Barbara-Cabatuan starting June 14, 2007, the flag carrier announced today.

A day earlier (June 13), President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally inaugurates the airport. She will also be the guest of honor at the opening of PAL's Mabuhay Lounge at the new facility. PAL president Jaime J. Bautista and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza then co-host lunch for President Arroyo and her party at the lounge.

Also on June 13, PAL ends its operations at the city's old airport in Mandurriao district, with the last PAL flight (PR 146) departing Mandurriao airport at 7:20 p.m.

From June 14, PAL passengers and cargo customers in Iloilo are advised to proceed to the new airport, located at Barangay Duyan Duyan in the municipality of Cabatuan, Iloilo province. The facility is situated at the juncture of Santa Barbara and Cabatuan towns, about 19 kilometers north of Iloilo City.

All PAL flights to and from Iloilo will follow previously published schedules. New-generation Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft will continue to be deployed on the route.

PAL will be operating one of the first commercial flights to the new airport on June 14. Flight PR 139, using an A320, is scheduled to depart Manila at 5:10 a.m. and touch down at the modern, international-class gateway at 6:20 a.m.

PAL first flew to Iloilo in February 1946, the city being one of the flag carrier's pioneer destinations. A Douglas DC-3 was deployed on the inaugural flight.

Today, Iloilo is the third-busiest station in the PAL domestic network next to Cebu and Davao, with four flights daily, from early morning to evening. The city is connected to PAL's 17 domestic and 24 international points via the airline's hub in Manila.

PAL's telephone numbers at the new Iloilo Airport are: ticket office - (033) 333-0003; cargo - (033) 333-0011; reservations - (033) 333-0004; and check-in - (033) 333-0013.

PAL will maintain its old telephone numbers for reservations, (033) 320-3030 and 320-3131, until further notice. However, the previous numbers for cargo (508-7176) and check-in (321-2805) shall no longer be in use from June 14, 2007.

For further updates, visit www.philippineairlines.com.

oz.fil

June 7th, 2007, 03:19 PM

hrmm... too many foreign tourists might aggravate the Carabao Island population? --"

good to know that more development is going on in the philippines ;)

ryanr

June 8th, 2007, 09:58 AM

With PR extra 2 planes that brings it up to 8 with the leases from GE, good for them. They should be ordering more though sooner or later they will need to replace those 5 744's, takes time to order these things by the time the 777's come baka for retirement na iyung mga 744 nila

Actually, it's six frames including the leases from GECAS. Two initial orders, two options that were recently taken up and two on lease.:)

This is not surprising given the sheer number of Pinoys in Winterpeg. And the Airbus A350 is just as good, if not better, than the Dreamliner anyway. As I always say, the only good bus in an Airbus!!! :okay:

Excellent news indeed! Winnipeg is a good destination for PAL, especially since the carrier heavily depends on destinations with high Filipino population. The Airbus A350 is a good choice too, and it will be pretty sweet to have brand new designs in the PAL fleet. However, i really hope they consider the 787 before any firm decisions are made. It is imo, a better design than the A350. And Boeing's production and resources are truly impressive. But in the end, it is up to PAL as the A350 should share commonality with the A330/A340s.

hmmm...nothing about this in A.net yet.

MilkyXplosion

June 8th, 2007, 11:01 AM

Excellent news indeed! Winnipeg is a good destination for PAL, especially since the carrier heavily depends on destinations with high Filipino population. The Airbus A350 is a good choice too, and it will be pretty sweet to have brand new designs in the PAL fleet. However, i really hope they consider the 787 before any firm decisions are made. It is imo, a better design than the A350. And Boeing's production and resources are truly impressive. But in the end, it is up to PAL as the A350 should share commonality with the A330/A340s.

hmmm...nothing about this in A.net yet.

Speaking of A350 and 787 did anyone here ever had a news on how their cockpit configuration will be? Will they gonna be same as A380 or 777?

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

June 8th, 2007, 01:34 PM

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/CUSTOMER/A380/att00009667/media_object_image_lowres_Singapore_A380_just_painted_mr.jpg
SQ livery on A380

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/CUSTOMER/A380/att00009666/media_object_image_lowres_Singapore_A380_being_painted_mr.jpg
Painting of Singapore Airlines’ no. 1 A380 took 21 days and used more than 2,200 litres of chromate-free paint

SOURCE: airbus.com

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

June 8th, 2007, 01:43 PM

A380
http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/AIRBUS/INTERIOR/att00009192/media_object_image_lowres__HG05273_md.jpg
Main deck first class

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/AIRBUS/INTERIOR/att00009190/media_object_image_lowres__HG05239_md.jpg
Main deck's welcome desk and stairs to upper deck

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/AIRBUS/INTERIOR/att00009188/media_object_image_lowres__HG05230_md.jpg
Upper deck business class

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/AIRBUS/INTERIOR/att00009191/media_object_image_lowres__HG05248_md.jpg
Main deck business class

SOURCE: airbus.com

kiretoce

June 8th, 2007, 03:21 PM

I still can't get over the fact that the A380 is so "ugly" looking on the exterior. :ohno: The B747 still wins on style points, it's a classic! But on the inside, the A380's interiors are awesome, wicked, cool! :okay:

oz.fil

June 8th, 2007, 04:22 PM

i think that last pic is first class not bussiness ^^

MilkyXplosion

June 8th, 2007, 04:23 PM

MilkyXplosion

June 8th, 2007, 04:44 PM

I forgot to add 787Dreamliner's interior renderings,DEFINITELY WORTH WATCHING!
Mt4lOxeys1Y

FlyboyJay

June 9th, 2007, 01:53 AM

Solblanc

June 9th, 2007, 10:20 AM

^^ I agree with Kiretoce plus the fact that Its very expensive to operate because of the expensive parts which is purchased in Euro. It will also require that most airports to upgrade their runways. For me the better option for PAL would be 747-8/787 . I also think that A350 isnt that hi-tech after all since their renderings doesnt specifically show any revolutioanary changes from older A330/340 designs except wider cabin,more use of composites and new GENx engines which is itself developed for 787.

Just because airbus is european doesn't mean that all the parts have to be bought in Europe. Plenty of components in Airbus planes are manufactured in the United States and Japan. And there's the engines, PAL has been loyal to GE, an American company. The same can be said of Boeing, there are loads of parts in Boeing planes that come from Europe. Why do you think that Iran Air can't get more modern planes than the A310? With US trade sanctions, Iran Air will not be allowed to source spare parts from the United States, and practically every Airbus aircraft after the A310 has parts built in the US.

While I do think that the 787 is indeed the best fit for PAL to replace the A330/340 fleet, the Airbus A350 is not a plane to sneeze at. And, technologically, the A350 is steadily improving. The 787 is coming out in a year or two. The A350 is coming out in eight. I do not believe that airbus will come up with a technologically inferior airplane six years after the 787 has been in service. And the A350 isn't just using GenX engines, Rolls Royce is developing the Trent XWB just for the A350.

The A380 would work well for PAL, for routes to LAX, SFO, and maybe NRT. The 748 would work, too. However, if PAL is going to select a VLA like the A380 or the 747-8, it will boil down to range. Neither aircraft is in service yet, so we won't be able to know how they perform on transpacific routes for a few years. At this point in time, the only aircraft that are capable of flying from LAX and SFO to Manila nonstop without a significant payload penalty are the A345/6 and 772LR/773ER (Of which the latter PAL chose). Not even the current 747-400 can make the route without sacrificing payload, hence the Guam stop westbound. Once both the 748 and the A380 are in revenue service, whichever airplane that can carry more payload nonstop over the pacific might win a PAL order. The A380 can take off and land where a 747 can land. Airports don't need to improve their runways, they need to improve their taxiways and gates, which is something that NAIA needs anyway, Heck, the NAIA terminals and taxiways are struggling to accomodate more planes. We need better taxiways, more rapid exits on runway 6/24, and an open T3 with or without an A380 flying here.

chevy_boy

June 9th, 2007, 04:46 PM

FROM CEBU PACIFIC's WEBSITE
---------------------------------------------------------------------

GO FARES FARE CONDITIONS (DOMESTIC)

Subject to applicable taxes, fees and surcharges

Flight changes are allowed with the payment of applicable fees and any fare difference.
Rebooking penalty : PHP 300 per sector per guest
Refund penalty : PHP 300 per ticket

Guests who failed to show up on their flight or failed to cancel their booking before 1400H the day prior to their scheduled departure will be charged the No-show / Non user's fee of PHP 200 per sector per guest

Seats offered at this fare are limited and may not be available on all flights.

GO FARES FARE CONDITIONS (INTERNATIONAL)

Subject to applicable taxes, fees and surcharges

Flight changes are allowed but subject to availability and payment of any applicable fees and fare difference.
Rebooking penalty :
PHP 1500 / HKD 250 per sector per guest for Hong Kong flights
PHP 1500 / SGD 50 per sector per guest for Singapore flights
PHP 1500 / MYR 100 per sector per guest for Kuala Lumpur flights
PHP 1500 / THB 1200 per sector per guest for Bangkok flights
PHP 1500 / IDR 290,000 per sector per guest for Jakarta flights
PHP 1500 / TWD 700 per sector per guest for Taipei flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Shanghai flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Xiamen flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Guangzhou flights
PHP 1500 / MOP 250 per sector per guest for Macau flights
Refund penalty :
PHP 1500 / HKD 250 per ticket for Hong Kong flights
PHP 1500 / SGD 50 per ticket for Singapore flights
PHP 1500 / MYR 100 per ticket for Kuala Lumpur flights
PHP 1500 / THB 1200 per ticket for Bangkok flights
PHP 1500 / IDR 290,000 per ticket for Jakarta flights
PHP 1500 / TWD 700 per ticket for Taipei flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per ticket for Shanghai flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per ticket for Xiamen flights
PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per ticket for Guangzhou flights
PHP 1500 / MOP 250 per ticket for Macau flights

Passengers who failed to show up on their flight or failed to cancel their booking before 1400H the day prior to their scheduled departure will be charged the No-show / Non user's fee of PHP 1500 / HKD 250 per sector per guest for Hong Kong flights; PHP 1500 / SGD 50 per sector per guest for Singapore flights; PHP 1500 / MYR 100 per sector per guest for Kuala Lumpur flights; PHP 1500 / THB 1200 per sector per guest for Bangkok flights; PHP 1500 / IDR 290,000 per sector per guest for Jakarta flights; PHP 1500 / TWD 700 per sector per guest for Taipei flights; PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Shanghai flights; PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Xiamen flights; PHP 1500 / CNY 250 per sector per guest for Guangzhou flights; PHP 1500 / MOP 250 per sector per guest for Macau flights.

Seats offered at this fare are limited and may not be available on all flights.

Disclaimer:
For promo fares, please refer to the fare rules contained in the next step of the booking process. You may view this by clicking on the "Rules" button of the "Confirm" page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like they're flying to these 4 Chinese cities soon... (Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Macau)

bustero

June 9th, 2007, 05:25 PM

Actually, it's six frames including the leases from GECAS. Two initial orders, two options that were recently taken up and two on lease.:)
hmmm...nothing about this in A.net yet.

hmmm ok but are you sure about this. My read was a new order not the conversion of the option. The articles don't mention the GECAS lease too so maybe. Anyway. The airplane freaks (the @sky's , solblanc etc). here who know much more can do the count from the boeing website if we want to make sure. In any case when is the delivery anyway still 2010 right.

I actually find the A350 news interesting on several planes (forgive the pun could not resist!). That PR is looking for thinner line long haul upgrade indicates more seriousness in looking at reviving their long routes even to secondary European and American cities. Also that a more desperate airbus may give PR and others here (read 5J if they have some ambitions) a great opening for a good deal. Not only is a 787 right now more expensive, PR may not even get the slots if they wanted needing to wait much longer. On the other hand the A330's may start to get long in the tooth plus Airbus may be willing to give them a deal to trade in their A330/A340's for these newer birds! Now wouldn't that be wonderfull news :).

Solblanc

June 10th, 2007, 07:45 AM

ianers_ianized

June 10th, 2007, 11:00 AM

This is fabulous, 787 Dreamliner is great! It is really the future of flight aviation... everything is reinvented for space,comfort and the innovation were all cool... imagine those big windows w/ adjustable tints and lighting mood concept by boeing w/c i think is their signiture concept... everything are a wonders of aviation science!

I forgot to add 787Dreamliner's interior renderings,DEFINITELY WORTH WATCHING!
Mt4lOxeys1Y

queetz@home

June 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM

queetz@home,

Regarding the Air Canada and PAL discussion..

PAL canceled the YVR-SFO leg in favor of YVR-LAS because they want to serve another lucrative destination. Don't you think it's redundant to have the aircraft continue on to SFO when you already have a direct flight there? Air Canada is not the only player on that route. You have Alaska, United, Qantas, etc. If they really want to play with PAL, AC operates YVR-LAS as well so how come PAL is still operating the route? Don't get me wrong, I like PR and it's good to see that they're getting back on its feet but bashing AC just because you hate them is not a good idea either. The current AC is not the AC of yesterday. They've changed a lot just like PAL did and don't even get me started on comfort and services. It's obvious that you haven't seen the new product of AC.

NO!!! PAL didn't cancel that route just because they thought it was unfeasable. I posted the article years ago both here and SSP and it was a Transport Canada decision from an Air Canada complaint that barred PAL from flying from YVR to SFO. Below is the link. As you can see, it has NOTHING to do with the decision to go to just the YVR-LAS route but has something to do with Air Canada's inability to compete in a fair match, hence their predatory practices allied with the Canadian Federal Government... :ohno:

http://www.cta-otc.gc.ca/rulings-decisions/decisions/2002/A/32-A-2002_e.html

ianers_ianized

June 11th, 2007, 06:13 AM

Continental Micronesia
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/DSC04114.jpg

I just want to know what CO is servicing in Manila, is dis a B738 or B767 series? I think this is a B738 becuse of the bend winglet on the wings... pls confirm...

Arkdriver

June 12th, 2007, 09:25 PM

i didnt know sea air founder is american
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTzzZMFZej8

bustero

June 13th, 2007, 01:13 PM

^^

There was just one botched press release that wasn't worded properly, making the order seem like 8. Funny thing is that so many other news agencies including CNN quoted the incorrect wording, leading to even more confusion. Every other press release confirms the total orders at 4 and total leases at 2 :)

Thank you lurvebus:cheers:

Actually for those so inclined there is an excellent rebuttal of Anti Open-Skies Lobby by no other than Avelino Zapanta, president of SEAair and former president of PAL! You can download it off businessworld (just register to become a member and it's free). 2 parts and he identifies one by one the various instances where an airline like PAL basically makes money even without serving the public because we operate in a highly regulated closed skies type environment. The ironic part is just google him and you'll find him espousing delay of openskies when he was president of PAL:nuts: hay naku nothing changes.

ravenhawk

June 13th, 2007, 01:17 PM

^^ he was saying that now because nasa seair na siya and their brewing a deal with tiger haha! well ganun talaga,what do you expect? such Alligators protecting their turf:ohno:!

bustero

June 13th, 2007, 05:19 PM

^^hehe quite true. At least his arguments are lucid and well thought out and ultimately correct. Of course let's not disregard the message because of the messenger.

terrapinoy

June 13th, 2007, 05:28 PM

i didnt know sea air founder is american
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTzzZMFZej8

Hmmm... I think Iren Dornier is of German descent. Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia.
Seair is owned by local investors 60%, Nikos Gitsis (10%) and Iren Dornier (30%) [1]. Iren Dornier is a German pilot and entrepreneur, the grandson of German flying pioneer Claudius Dornier.

I wonder if Iren Dornier gets a discount on Dornier planes. :)
http://www.do-24.com/random/3.jpg

ravenhawk

June 13th, 2007, 05:53 PM

terrapinoy

June 13th, 2007, 06:15 PM

^^ hehe.. CNN must have sent its crack research staff to work on the Paris Hilton story instead...

Here's an old article on Dornier and Gitsis. LINK (http://www.westsidenewsonline.com/OldSite/westside/news/2004/1121/features/uniquedornier.html)

Arkdriver

June 13th, 2007, 09:09 PM

To add, Nikos Gitsis was Greek-American...He was the one who was interviwed by CNN who was "An American entrepreneur who founded a niche airline in the Philippines". I think CNN did'nt researched it well since he wasnt the majority shareholder of the airline.

i watched the report on CNN on you tube that's why i asked :)

Bustero can you paste the interview with Avelino Zapanta here? I tried to register but somehow i have account activation problem.

thanks in advance.

IMPRESARIO

June 14th, 2007, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by @whyte in Dinagyang.com Forum (http://www.dinagyang.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=80&topic=1721.msg36197&topicseen=1=1&phpsessid=15de8664371d10222b02b6a5e6fa730f)

from one end of the runway
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007317.jpg

the mercedes firetrucks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007318.jpg

the control tower
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007321.jpg

ticketing offices in the departure area
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007325.jpg

the elevator between the arrival and departure area
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007327.jpg

the departure area
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007329.jpg

taken from the departure wing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007334.jpg

para kay PGMA pero nauna pa kaming umakyat dun lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007348.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007343.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007350.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007346.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007347.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007350.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007354.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007364.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007366.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007359.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007370.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007371.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007379.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/10062007381.jpg

Thanks @whyte for these images! I'm getting excited to come back sometime soon! :)
Whoa! How did you get in??

We went there yesterday but the guards won't let us go near the terminal!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/542508043_c347e6f490.jpg

So I had to be happy taking pics from far away.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1242/542506575_709c5a4e3f.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/542506707_a1d94ab5f4.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1235/542507467_b14f4ed5a6_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/542398282_b237d0de92.jpg

Entrance to access road
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1040/542397336_c29a87a92e.jpg

Access road leading to the airport
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/542508521_9dfda07690.jpg

THe New Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan

tigidig14

June 14th, 2007, 03:35 AM

:eek2: WOW

ryanr

June 14th, 2007, 04:19 AM

Wow! Nice airport. It has a little bit of NAIA Centennial T2 resemblance. nice firetrucks too.

Rall

June 14th, 2007, 04:25 AM

Congrats Iloilo... nice looking airport.
hope to be able to visit your city soon...

The Cebuano Exultor

June 14th, 2007, 06:15 AM

I have the feeling that the best airliners ever designed are the:
1. A350 :applause: :applause: :applause:
2. B-787 :bow:
3. B-777-300ER (the most aesthetic aircraft ever and the longest-ranged)

Biggest Flop of All: The A380 :ohno: :down:

flying_olympic

June 14th, 2007, 08:33 AM

congrats to NIA...it is beautiful!!!

anyways, is PAL planning to change there livery and uniforms...since there mondernizing their fleet and cabin...wouldn't it be smart for PAL to change livery and uniforms and livery with everything else?

P.S. i like the tail, just get rid of all eurowhit fuselage

bustero

June 14th, 2007, 03:11 PM

Here's the article with rebutal versus closed skies. Quite important as we battle the forces of darkness.

from businessworld

A response to PAL, Part 1
by Avellino Zapanta

I thought PAL is wasting time and media space trying to destroy me instead of focusing on the
competitors. But so be it if it would rather train its guns on me than Cebu Pacific, which
is getting bigger and better than PAL by the day. I will be elevated to heights of public awareness
I do not seek while Cebu Pacific laughs its way to Philippine aviation dominance unchallenged.

Very quick explanations on the issues PAL cited.
(1) Repatriation of foreign airlines’ earnings
to their home countries.

I realized this amount is
so small compared to what the country would
gain if we open up our skies. I will cite only one
sector of the economy, the OFWs that remit over
$15 billion a year to the country. PAL’s total
revenue is no more than $1 billion. The foreign
airlines’ take from the country cannot be more
than PAL’s total revenue. By sheer magnitude, the
OFWs therefore count more for the national
interest. PAL’s interest should be subordinated to
this sector, which props up the economy during
difficult times. The even bigger sector is tourism,
but it will require volumes to write about the
opportunities the country has been missing in
tourism in protecting PAL.
(2) Executive Order 253, a unilateral grant of
7th freedom violates the national interest.

I believed this then because as PAL man I equated national
interest with PAL. The bigger picture is commerce
and trade spawned by air cargo services benefiting
all other sectors of the economy and employment.
Since PAL was not doing for the country
what FedEx, UPS, and DHL were doing then, it is
to the economy’s advantage to give them 7th freedom.
Furthermore, most of the airlines of the surrounding
countries operate a fleet of freighters.
PAL does not operate a single pure cargo aircraft.

(3) Secretary Neri’s view of open skies being
wrong.

He is right all along. The multiplier effect
of open skies in the economy is incalculable, so
much more than the $1-billion revenue of PAL per
year as demonstrated in item (1) above.

(4) SEAIR perceived as foreign-owned.

It wasafter all just mere perception. The issue was raised
with the CAB early in SEAIR’s 12-year history
(making it the second oldest airline of the country
next only to PAL) and proven wrong. SEAIR
complies with the 60/40 ownership requirement of
law.
(5) SEAIR being the only “primary Philippine
carrier” that did not sign the one-page ads against
EO 500-B.

SEAIR thanks PAL for recognizing it as
one of “the primary Philippine carriers.” SEAIR’s
not signing the ads is consistent with its position.
PAL’s “thwarting the expansion of SEAIR” is
evidenced by volumes of motions it filed before
the CAB against SEAIR’s lease of two A320s. Even
after the case had been submitted for resolution
PAL wanted more hearings to delay the
proceedings. The fallacy of the PAL statement on
Asian Spirit not granted permit on the Macau-
Clark route lies in the fact that the bilateral issue
is between the Philippines and Macau. Tiger
Airways as an excuse does not hold water because
it is a carrier of Singapore and not the Philippines.
Asian Spirit itself belies the attempt of PAL to
mislead the public. In the article “Local airlines
unite vs. open skies” by Daxim Lucas in the May
19 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, EVP JackPo is quoted as saying “no clear reason was given
by the Macau government for rejecting my airline’s
application.” PAL’s conveniently laying the blame
on Tiger Airways therefore is another ploy to
mislead the public. What Jack Po may not realize
is that Air Macau and PAL may have something to
do with the rejection because the two codeshare
on the Manila-Macau route and PAL ground
handles Air Macau in Manila. A Clark-Macau flight
of Asian Spirit would be deemed a threat to the
cozy codesharing of the two.

(6) PAL is not against foreign airlines operating
in Clark, but only asks reciprocity to operate
also from Clark to other countries.

PAL is muddling the issue again. Its president is quoted in the
BusinessWorld issue of April 19, 2007, that PAL is
“not keen on flying from Clark.” To PAL “DMIA is
not a priority for the airline.” It has all the rights to
operate from Clark to Singapore to reciprocate Tiger
Airways and Clark to Malaysia to reciprocate Air
Asia. PAL has no basis in claiming absence of reciprocity
except for its own refusal to operate in Clark,
a tactical error it will dearly regret in the not-sodistant
future when Clark becomes the country’s
gateway.

(7) Mr. Zapanta is singing a different tune
now.

The public may judge for themselves on the
basis of the issues discussed above. More illustrious
men than me changed hearts upon Enlightenment.
Gautama Buddha reached Nirvana and
St. Paul of Tarsus became a disciple of Christ.
They best exemplify the men of mission and
zeal.

In my case, I was and am aware of my enlightened
missions then and now. My focus as president
of PAL during its most difficult period of existence
in 1998 was to resurrect from the dead the
national flag carrier. To achieve the mission, I had
to battle with guns blazing at all obstacles, including
the aeropolitical hurdles.
That mission was done after over five years, but
it brought me to a crossroads. Family members of
the PAL owners began dictating policy changes that
would erode the newfound industrial peace and
profitability of PAL. I thought the honorable thing
to do was to retire rather than break my commitments
to the PAL people who sacrificed to
save the airline. In the end, the owners did not
implement the changes they asked me to do.
Otherwise, the harmony would have been shattered.
The issue today is not me, but the behavior of
the duopoly of PAL and Cebu Pacific, which is not
conducive to a stable air travel and tourism industry.
The duopoly is not living up to its mandates and
the expectations of the Filipino people.
As such, it has no business opposing the entry
of airlines, local such as SEAIR or foreign, willing
to provide the capacity and the flight frequency supportive
of air travel and tourism.

The article reflects the personal opinion of the
author and not the official stand of the Management
Association of the Philippines.

The author is president
of South East Asian Airlines. Feedback at
mapsec@globenet.com.ph.

oz.fil

June 14th, 2007, 03:44 PM

can any post a picture of PALs current uniform?

Arkdriver

June 14th, 2007, 03:54 PM

hahah i wonder how Lucio Tan and John Gokongwei are going to answer to the public. It's VERY OBVIOUS their resistant to open skies policy at Clark and Subic (yes..it's only Clark and Subic, not Manila..they PAL dont fly to/from Subic while Cebu Pacific only has Cebu - Clark ONE daily flight) is to protect their families' interest.

I think it's time for the government to purchase a stake in PAL. Having your flag carrier with no substantial investment from the government itself breeds wise, slick businessman like this.

I have nothing against John and Lucio but respect for their business exploits. We can call them greedy and indeed they are, but their greediness makes them where they are now. When things like this happen it only shows one thing : Government is not capable of controlling/putting national interest as their priority. Instead, to stay in office they have to please these taipan, and wise businessman show their best skill, seizing opportunity.

bustero

June 14th, 2007, 04:23 PM

A response to PAL, Part 2

Despite huge profits PAL has not reversed its policy of operating only the profitable routes.
It continues to shun developmental and missionary routes. It continues to abandon the
Middle East, where OFWs are concentrated. PAL prefers to profit by allowing foreign
airlines, e.g., Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, and Saudia, to use the Philippine air traffic rights for
compensation at no cost, only revenues to PAL.:ohno: It is not the mandate of PAL to collect
“compensation” from foreign airlines for the use of Philippine air traffic rights. Those [rights]
are entrusted to PAL to service the traffic, e.g., the OFWs.
and the domestic stations.:bash:

Thousands of Filipino seamen connect at major
cities in Europe to board their ships in Amsterdam,
Athens, New York, Miami, and other seaports of the
world. They have foreign airlines to thank for
servicing their needs. PAL continues to shun the US
East Coast and all of Europe. For years Filipinos in
these two major markets have been longing for the
PAL service in vain. Since it is the foreign airlines
who serve the OFWs it stands to reason that the
Philippines should open up our skies for them. They
will also add to Philippine tourism to boot.
PAL continues to hide behind the cloak of
receivership despite consecutive years of profits since
1999. The American carriers that declared Chapter
11 in 2001 due to 9/11 have all graduated from
bankruptcy. PAL continues to bask in government
protection from its creditors and labor unions. If
PAL, which refuses to operate in Clark, does not wish
to reinvest some of those profits to serve the Filipino
people, like it refuses to operate in Clark, then it
should not stop SEAIR, which is willing to operate
low-cost budget operation from Clark to the region

Regarding PAL’s, and also Cebu Pacific’s recent
acquisition of multiple aircraft, they did not hear
any opposition from the small airlines like SEAIR.
Yet today, for two A320 aircraft which SEAIR is
leasing, they have succeeded in blocking it for five
long months at the CAB. This is the only time SEAIR
has encountered resistance in expanding its fleet.
Being the second oldest airline of the country, SEAIR
acquired over 14 aircraft in its 12 years of existence
without any problem. Today, the duopoly does not
seem to want SEAIR to spread its wings.
Cebu Pacific was critical of SEAIR finances. A
review of the latest available financial papers (2005)
is showing that SEAIR and Cebu Pacific have the same
level of authorized capitalization and subscription.
The profit margin of SEAIR as a percentage of
revenue is better than Cebu Pacific. The Cebu Pacific
balance sheet shows hundreds of millions of “deposits
for future subscription,” which is yet to happen. Cebu
Pacific is in a hurry to do IPO possibly to convert
this liability to equity to show a pretty picture.
Cebu Pacific President Lance Gokongwei is
quoted in the May 28 issue of the BusinessWorld on
the subject of EO [Executive Order] 500-B as saying
“it is better for Cebu Pacific not to be a Filipino carrier
if we are not in a reciprocating situation.” There is
not a single foreign airline operating in Clark today
that denies PAL or Cebu Pacific the right to operate
reciprocal flights. On Tiger Airways’ Clark-Singapore,
they only have to decide right this very minute and
they can operate. On Air Asia’s Clark-Malaysia, the
same thing; they only have to will it.The claim
therefore of not being “in a reciprocating situation”
is an empty one designed to muddle the issue.
The reality is they are afraid to compete such
that in the same May 28 BusinessWorld [issue] and
in Philippine Star, Secretary Ed Pamintuan is quoted
that “top economic leader and industry expert Mr.
Washington SyCip told me that he personally
conveyed to Mr. Lucio Tan and Mr. John Gokongwei
the futility of stopping the full development of the
DMIA.”

SEAIR serves the higher purpose of tourism.
Among others, it performs a vital tourism service
of bringing the foreign tourists from the gateways
to the tourist destinations of the country. It also
serves the Filipino tourists who now see the value
of domestic tourism resulting in the conservation
of foreign currencies.
PAL and Cebu Pacific stick to the profitable domestic
trunk routes and some secondary routes. The
air services in many of the 55 domestic points PAL
abandoned years back have been lost forever. Very few
remember that once upon a time, there were air services
in such places as Bagabag, Ormoc, Hilongos,
Guiuan, Kiamba, Lebak, Allah Valley, Mati, Banganga,
Siocon, Labason, and many more. SEAIR is far better
than the duopoly in terms of corporate social responsibility
because for several years now it continues to
operate the commuter routes long abandoned by PAL,
including Manila-Busuanga, Cebu-Camiguin, Cebu-
Cotabato, Cotabato-Zamboanga, Zamboanga-Jolo,
and Zamboanga-Tawi-Tawi.
Regretfully, the obsession of the dominant
carriers today is to throw the gauntlet to the smaller
Philippine carriers operating in Boracay. Its priority
is to squeeze out these small carriers with the
acquisition of several turbo-prop aircraft. (PAL will
deny this because it is its sister airline, Air
Philippines, which is given that mission.) Boracay
might implode with too many airlines operating in
a very limited airport while many parts of the
country hunger for their share of air services.
Deregulation and EO219 do not seem to have
provided for unhealthy situations like this, but reality
has a way of dealing with this kind. In due time,
the concepts of fleet commonality and operational
simplicity will catch up with PAL and Cebu Pacific,
and they will wake up one day with history repeating
itself with another airline industry debacle of a
magnitude far greater than the one preceding the
One-Airline Policy of 1973.
In the wake of the PAL and Cebu Pacific invasion
of Boracay, the smaller carriers like SEAIR will need
alternative areas of operation to survive. But they
have blockaded all avenues of relief. SEAIR’s lowcost
budget service planned for the last five months
has been frozen at the CAB. The game plan is to
keep it frozen until they get their turbo-props and
altogether kill the small carriers. It is a cruel game
plan, but that is the perception the delay is creating.
Ultimately, the victim is the Philippine economy. It
should have been enjoying the benefit of a real
honest-to-goodness lost-cost, low-fare carrier in
SEAIR from Clark to Cebu, Davao, Macau, Singapore,
to later include Bangkok, Seoul, and Darwin.
The public can only wish the CAB rendered a decision
soon.
The article reflects the personal opinion of the
author and not the official stand of the Management
Association of the Philippines. The author is president
of South East Asian Airlines. Feedback at
mapsec@globenet.com.ph

IAMME

June 14th, 2007, 05:10 PM

New Iloilo Airport

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1006/547816040_c32b090ed5.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/547831229_909c68949d.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/547814480_ad4473670c.jpg

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/547815006_32c1bd0d53.jpg

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/547828053_59fb2a3135_o.jpg

Too bad I didn't have time to take more and better pictures. The shuttle was already leaving.

kiretoce

June 14th, 2007, 05:13 PM

^^ :shocked: Wicked! :okay: Wow! They have "curbside" check-in capabilities? That's so rad! :cheer:

OtAkAw

June 14th, 2007, 05:25 PM

^^Amazing! Ang cute cute pa! Reminds me of the small yet high-tech and edgy airports of Europe! "Ilo-Ilo" Airport lang ang pangalan?

Solblanc

June 14th, 2007, 08:16 PM

@bustero:

Thanks for posting! I loved the first argument, which basically stated that OFWs contribute far more to the country than PAL... or Lucio Tan for that matter :D

WawaY[625]

June 14th, 2007, 08:48 PM

which is longer, the A330 or the A340?

coz i saw an A340 (instead of the usual A330) here at DIA and well, the A330 looked longer..

but why does the A330 have 2 turbines while the A340 has 4?

ryanr

June 14th, 2007, 09:14 PM

A340 is longer. In fact, the A340-500 (or is it the 600, i cant remember) is among the longest aircraft.

Kimber, i dont see roadside check-in at all.

WawaY[625]

June 14th, 2007, 09:36 PM

what A340 does PAL use for Davao?

kiretoce

June 14th, 2007, 09:41 PM

Kimber, i dont see roadside check-in at all.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/547815006_32c1bd0d53.jpg

^^ This is the photo I was talking about Ryan. Guess that isn't a "curbside check-in" desk in the background then. :lol:

ryanr

June 14th, 2007, 09:53 PM

:lol: i dont think so. looks more like a taxi stand.

PAL uses A340-300.

kiretoce

June 14th, 2007, 09:54 PM

^^ Doh! :doh: You're probably right! :rofl:

ewh1

June 14th, 2007, 11:27 PM

PAL is Launching Its First Photo Contest.
lots of Photographers in here. maybe this should have its own thread i don't know?

http://www.palphotocontest.com/

i like the site.. it looks nice :D

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

June 15th, 2007, 08:22 AM

Hey guys. 'Lam niyo ba ang range ng fares ng PAL MNL-SYD-MNL?

Sinjin P.

June 15th, 2007, 08:31 AM

PAL is Launching Its First Photo Contest.
lots of Photographers in here. maybe this should have its own thread i don't know?

http://www.palphotocontest.com/

i like the site.. it looks nice :D

Nice find. But it requires that photographers print their entries through EPSON Printers and EPSON only, what a hassle :D

kiretoce

June 15th, 2007, 11:47 AM

Hey guys. 'Lam niyo ba ang range ng fares ng PAL MNL-SYD-MNL?

Go check PAL's website. www.philippineairlines.com

bustero

June 15th, 2007, 12:08 PM

@bustero:

Thanks for posting! I loved the first argument, which basically stated that OFWs contribute far more to the country than PAL... or Lucio Tan for that matter :D

Hehe I know you and Ssangyong are also for Open Skies. Was a bitch to cut and paste since it was from pdf files in the BWorld archives but all worth it if people can be enlightened how spurious the arguments of the anti Pocket Open Skies guys are! Well I hope our president will not be swayed too much longer by the dark side and open up DMIA and Subic soon.

Arkdriver

June 15th, 2007, 06:02 PM

the fact that PAL and CEB are against operating from Clark and Subic shows that they are afraid of a shadow...imagine what will happen if SEAair/Tiger applied to operate from NAIA?. They must be running like headless chicken now.

If you dont want to operate from Clark and Subic, let other carriers do. It's just as simple as that.

portludlow

June 16th, 2007, 07:34 AM

Bullish
BUSINESS & LEISURE By Ray Butch Gamboa
Saturday, June 16, 2007
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007061556
Business at large is certainly bullish these days.
In the air industry, Boeing 737s and Airbuses are selling like hotcakes. Remember just after the 911 disaster in New York? Nobody could just fly in or out, or was it that nobody wanted to fly because of the terrorist scare? The industry was in a slump, and several companies even had to return some of their planes to the original sellers because of bad business. Most of the airline companies laid off personnel due to the drop in demand for travel. It did not help that airport security was so beefed up it took the fun out of traveling. In fact, it became such a hassle that people just cancelled out on non-essential trips.

Well, airport security is just as stringent now, but there is a hiked demand now for travel, and with the upward trending, more and more aircrafts are now being sold. The more popular models have been sold out even before they are out of the hangar. The Boeings and Airbuses certainly are, and you would have to wait until 2010 to purchase their new units. In fact, experts expect to have worldwide demand for air travel to increase by 260 percent by the year 2025. This surge in demand for travel, of course, means more planes, and because of the humongous costs involved, emerging markets like India and China, and even Latin America, have come out wit low-cost carriers. This is because the demand in air travel is not just confined to the United States and Europe. It is, in fact, global, and most of the Asian countries are in on the action too.

Heard that our own Philippine Air Lines is also beefing up on its fleet with quite a few units. Trouble is we now have a dearth of pilots because PAL has been losing them out to foreign carriers which pay pilots a lot, lot more. These foreign carriers are recruiting more pilots because they are acquiring more planes. It is high time PAL rethinks its pay scale for these highly-skilled men who must undergo rigorous training and years of practice before they can be considered full-pledged pilots. These heroes in the sky also pay a lot of money to chalk up the requisite flying hours, not to mention the daily stress they go through as the responsibility of getting hundreds of people across continents safely and promptly rests on their shoulders. This daily stress comes with the territory, but for all pilots (and other personnel manning the aircrafts) this stress has to recede to the subliminal level if one is to function at his optimum. It is only right that they are compensated well, and if we don’t watch out, those foreign airlines will have most of our gallant young men manning their fleet, and our local planes will have to make do with what’s left of the graduating batch. The same goes for our other airlines, of course, as Cebu Pacific is now slowly beefing up its own fleet and cautiously but surely eating into the Asian airspace.

For the region, the Airbus is adequate and is in fact seen to be the most appropriate as against the Boeing 737 which is more popular in the US and in Europe. To fly these Airbuses, experts predict that we would need about 6,000 new pilots every year to serve the growing demand for air travel in Asia alone. We hope to see more Filipino pilots filling up the vacancies in the industry.

Now that there are plans to expand the terminal (or to build additional terminals) at the Clark International Airport, local airlines are now looking into the possibility building their hubs there. Cebu Pacific already voiced its interest to do so because it has realized the potential of this airport. Renewed tourism efforts have been yielding positive results, and though we are still lagging behind our neighbors in the region, we welcome the news like a breath of fresh air that we so badly need.

The youthful Tourism Secretary seems dead serious in getting his job done in the shortest possible time, and his dedication sets him apart from other lackluster cabinet members.

The new Clark terminal is said to be eyeing expansion to accommodate up to five million passengers a year, an ambitious figure indeed to target given our present figures. To gear up for this, Cebu Pacific has been expanding its pilot-training program, and is in fact supporting scholarships to train young pilots.

With things looking up in the travel industry, we are bullish about tourism. Sadly, though, the players in the local aviation industry are griping about the lack of fairness in the dealings of other foreign airlines with us. In a recent business news, newspaper reports cited lopsided deals with Korean aviation officials, with the Koreans getting the longer end of the stick when they left the negotiating table. Our local officials just gave in to all their demands, afraid perhaps of losing the large Korean tourism market. While we gave in to much of their demands, we hardly made any of our own. The members of the Philippine negotiating panel were aghast with the end results of the negotiations. And they thought they were sitting down on a reciprocity deal.

Mabuhay! Be proud to be a Filipino.

ianers_ianized

June 16th, 2007, 08:23 AM

The best airport to date in our country. It's amazingly modern... hope to land there soon.

New Iloilo Airport

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1006/547816040_c32b090ed5.jpg

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/547815006_32c1bd0d53.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1368/547812996_2b62af9a2b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/547828053_59fb2a3135_o.jpg

Too bad I didn't have time to take more and better pictures. The shuttle was already leaving.

IAMME

June 16th, 2007, 09:38 AM

More of Iloilo Airport from rapuy

...
Road to the airport, with well-landscaped center-islands.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0856.jpg

Alighting from the taxi...
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0866.jpg

Facade of the airport... (kasabad sang waiting shed, hay commercials!)..
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0863.jpg

Font lobby garden, acccessible to well wishers kay before pa ini magsulod sa chaeck-in...
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0874.jpg

Passengers' pre-departure area...
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0889.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0894.jpg

Airplanes connected to the tube.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0891.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0892.jpg

Me, posing for souvenirs...
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0888.jpg

BoNduRanT

June 16th, 2007, 11:25 AM

Beautiful airport. Ang ganda pa ng view from the passenger concourse.

tigidig14

June 16th, 2007, 09:51 PM

nasasapawan pa yung domestic airport sa manila
mostly dun pa naman lumilipad, kakahiya. bukbuk yung mga ceiling, tapos yung a/c ang bunga lang e mainit na hangin. meron din namang bentilador pero simbahan style haha.
i manna visit ilo2 when i go home

eonynx

June 16th, 2007, 10:06 PM

pls do visit my hometown!:) and i hope you'll have a great time if your visit really pushes through!:)

WawaY[625]

June 16th, 2007, 11:40 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0889.jpg

the pre departure area looks very nice and well lit! :)

common area lang ba or may separate lounges/gates like DIA and MCIA?

kiretoce

June 17th, 2007, 05:09 AM

^^ Those seats don't look comfortable though. :( But the brightly lit and open view of the departure area are all a plus in my book! :okay:

WawaY[625]

June 17th, 2007, 07:20 AM

kimber, those seats are the standard on new Philippine Aiports ( i guess) if im not mistaken, those are the same seats sa common area ng DIA and MCIA and NAIA2

kiretoce

June 17th, 2007, 07:26 AM

^^ Yeah, I noticed that from NAIA T2 photos. Must be the same company that gets contracted to provide those seats at all Philippine airports.

WawaY[625]

June 17th, 2007, 07:39 AM

so isang lounge lang ba to or may separate gates for separate airlines? the way i see it parang common area siya, which i think is better than the setups ng DIA and MCIA na may iba ibang gate..

SleMarKen

June 17th, 2007, 08:28 AM

From a PAL Exhibit

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1269/pallogos01en9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4536/pallogos02co5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5967/pallogos03gd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2986/pallogos04sq5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3455/pallogos05qz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

June 17th, 2007, 11:39 AM

OT: What's with Air Canada pala? Nagkaroon din pala sila ng banggaan dati with SQ kaya hininto ng SQ ang Singapore-Toronto (Pearson) flight nila noong 1994.

kiretoce

June 17th, 2007, 03:51 PM

OT: What's with Air Canada pala? Nagkaroon din pala sila ng banggaan dati with SQ kaya hininto ng SQ ang Singapore-Toronto (Pearson) flight nila noong 1994.

SQ and AC are both members of Star Alliance. SQ code shares and has interline agreements with AC on flights to YYZ, thus SQ dropping YYZ on their route network.

Crazy4Airplanes

June 17th, 2007, 05:55 PM

daks2003

June 17th, 2007, 11:36 PM

^^ ^^
buti di mo dinilaan hehehe :banana: :banana:

xzibit31

June 18th, 2007, 02:19 AM

I went to Singapore last week and since i was on SQ, i had to use the NAIA 1. Grabe kakahya yung airport. Nung nakapila na ako sa immigration, merong babae na nagtatatalon. Kc ginapangan sha ng ipis sa katawan nya. Kakahiya. may mga americans and japanese tourist na nagtatawanan nalang at napapailing. siguro sabi nila buti nalang paalis na sila ng maynila. its bad enough na panget at maliit ang terminal 1, idagdag pa ba ang madumi sa listahan? haaayyy... tapos ang ganda ganda ng changi. paglapag pa lang ng plane para na ako nasa langit. pwde mo halos dilaan ung floor sa kintab at linis.

i was at naia 1 also on june 7 for my flight to sydney on qantas. grabe ang panget talaga ng terminal 1. hay nako...they should open terminal 3, then refurbish terminal 1 to become the domestic terminal...tama lang ang terminal 1 na domestic...

when i arrived at the sydey airport.....all i could say was wow! plus i got to see the a380 takin off.. grabe andg laki ng eroplano na yun....sayang no pics kasi a terminal employee told me that cellular fones were not allowed sa arrival area....hay....

i will be goin back to the phil this saturday...hay terminal 1 again...at least on sunday terminal 2 ako for my flight to davao(another very nice airport)....hehehehe

ryanr

June 18th, 2007, 03:14 AM

^^ Yeah, I noticed that from NAIA T2 photos. Must be the same company that gets contracted to provide those seats at all Philippine airports.

Yeah probably...and those seats aren't bad. They are more comfortable than they look.

Congrats to Iloilo, it is indeed a beautiful airport.:okay:

With regards to NAIA 1. Yes, it is old but i am not embarrassed about it. It is still a good terminal that needs updating. And yes, NAIA 3 needs to replace it but i would hate for them to demolish it. I would rather they renovate NAIA 1 and bring it back to its glory.

xzibit31

June 18th, 2007, 04:50 AM

Yeah probably...and those seats aren't bad. They are more comfortable than they look.

Congrats to Iloilo, it is indeed a beautiful airport.:okay:

With regards to NAIA 1. Yes, it is old but i am not embarrassed about it. It is still a good terminal that needs updating. And yes, NAIA 3 needs to replace it but i would hate for them to demolish it. I would rather they renovate NAIA 1 and bring it back to its glory.

it really need updating..the check-in section is so chaotic!!! grabe...its so warm inside..parang walang airconditioning...terminal 1 really needs to be updated... it would be nice if magiging domestic terminal yun...it would be more than sufficient...

to tell you frankly, i am not flying 5j, 2p, and 6k because of the present domestic terminal. i would not mind paying alot more for pal because it uses terminal 2 which is more organized and pridectable and clean...

kiretoce

June 18th, 2007, 09:34 PM

Advantages of open skies seen at Cebu air travel meet (http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=55&a=20984)

While the open skies policy would have adversely affected operations of local airline companies, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, some industry stakeholders said.

The open skies policy is an aviation principle that allows foreign airlines to operate unlimited services in another country. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreement would initially apply on routes between ASEAN capitals and would later expand to other cities.

Except for one, most panelists discussing open skies during the Cebu Business Month tourism congress favored this policy. The meet was held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Avelino Zapanta, president and chief executive officer of SeaAir, maintained that the Philippines had to adopt this policy to be able to catch up with other Asian countries.

Zapanta recalled that when he was still with the Philippine Airlines, the company introduced air travel to Vietnam.

"We taught them to fly. And now they are way ahead of us. Do you care for your country enough you don't want to see it lagging behind?" he asked lone dissenter Robert Lim Joseph, chair of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies and the Travel Cooperative of the Philippines.

Zapanta noted that the Philippines would have to comply with the open skies policy scheduled for implementation in 2008 as agreed by ASEAN members.

He said the Philippines should implement open skies "because closing up could perpetuate (the Philippines) in being a laggard."

Joseph told the congress participants that he was not opposing liberalized air policies or even open skies, "provided it is reciprocal and there is fair exchange between contracting parties."

"I am against unilaterally granting access rights to foreign airlines without clear guarantee that their governments would grant the same concessions to Philippine carriers," he said.

Unless the volume of passenger traffic is huge, Joseph said, the foreign airlines would not come even with an open skies policy.

But Narzalina Lim, president of Asia Pacific Projects Inc., noted that the open skies policy in other areas resulted in increased flights and passenger traffic. But she said the government had to monitor the policy's implementation to prevent any abuse.

Cathay Pacific Airways manager Eddie Kong maintained that open skies policy would boost the tourism industry.

Zapanta urged the Civil Aeronautics Board to allow the small airlines to implement their expansion plans to prepare for open skies.

"Our own regulatory bodies are hesitant (to give) our carriers a head start for the ASEAN open skies in 2008," he added.

bustero

June 19th, 2007, 04:51 AM

^^funny to see the 5j Cebu Manager espouse open skies, I wonder how he plans to reconcile this with his boss!

Vol. XX, No. 229
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News
Budget carrier looking at opening Davao-Kota Kinabalu-Brunei route

Zamboanga City — With its feasibility study supported by big numbers on prospective passengers traveling within the major points of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), regional air carrier Asian Spirit, Inc. is planning to open the Davao-Kota-Kinabalu-Brunei route.

Butch Rodriguez, Asian Spirit’s vice-president, said.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Rodriguez said the opening of new route is part of the company’s thrust to aggressively capture the "bright air travel market" of the sub-regional trade block.

"After 12 years, we are now flexing our muscle to capture this untapped market," he told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Rodriguez said the Davao-Kota Kinabalu-Brunei service is projected to be operational either in the last month of this year, or in the first quarter of 2008.

He said the company, which is Filipino-owned, is now earmarking some $50 million to buy a VEA-146, a 100-seater British-made jet which has the capacity to handle cargo volume of up to 12 tons.

"The market is so bright. We are very keen on expanding our operation in the region. We are now exploring new routes inside the BIMP-EAGA to meet the increasing international passenger demand," he said.

Based on the company’s feasibility study, Malaysia and Brunei have a market of at least 500,000 overseas Filipino workers.

"Looking at these figures, one can say that the strong market is there," he said.

In light of this development, Asian Spirit will also beef up its flight schedule for the Zamboanga-Sandakan route to three times from twice a week.

"We have seen the passenger load volume in the first month of our Zamboanga-Sandakan operation, and it was very positive," he said.

"At present, we are having 40% to 50% average of passenger load per flight and this is a good sign for us," he added.

Asian Spirit earlier revived the Zamboanga-Sandakan route in the first week of May.

The regional air carrier also opened the Zamboanga-Sulu and Zamboanga-Tawi-Tawi flights as part of its expansion.

The airline will also open the Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro route in November, Mr. Rodriguez said.

"Yes we are opening this route. We have seen the potential of this market." — Darwin T. Wee

flesh_is_weak

June 19th, 2007, 01:05 PM

philippine airports are scary...

some staff are snubs, while some ask balikbayans for pasalubong...

WawaY[625]

June 19th, 2007, 01:39 PM

^^funny to see the 5j Cebu Manager espouse open skies, I wonder how he plans to reconcile this with his boss!

fired out na siya malamang :lol:

Sinjin P.

June 20th, 2007, 05:29 AM

Cebu Pacific plans to use Clark
as 3rd hub after Manila, Cebu (http://businessmirror.com.ph/06202007/economy01.html)
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

CEBU Pacific (CEB) is eyeing Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga, as its third hub after Manila and Cebu.

Lance Gokongwei, CEB president and chief executive officer, said the airline plans to use Clark to fly daily to Hong Kong, four times a week to Singapore and Macau, and three times a week to Bangkok and Taipei.

The airline would first seek the necessary approvals from the respective civil aviation authorities of each country it plans to operate to, including the country’s Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

“If we get the necessary approvals from all the governments concerned, we will make Clark our third base and hub after Manila and Cebu,” said Gokongwei. The head of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) already welcomed CEB’s plan.

“Clark addresses a much-needed demand, and this is shown in the exponential growth of passenger traffic and cargo volume in the relatively short time that it has been in operation as an international airport. With CEB there, we expect to grow faster,” said Victor Jose Luciano, CIAC president and CEO.

Gokongwei said the plan is strategically important to Cebu Pacific since making Clark a base of aircraft and a hub for flights to and from various regional destinations gives the airline a major presence in Central Luzon, one of the country’s fastest-growing regions, and in the whole of Northern Luzon.

This move, he added, pits it directly against other foreign budget airlines that had been allowed to use Clark for their regional services. “We hope to get a favorable response from all other governments considering that our own government has given their carriers similar rights to Clark,” said Gokongwei.

CEB expects to carry about 300,000 passengers in and out of Clark per year initially but is confident of increasing this volume as Clark continues to spur growth in the region, being the gateway to the northern corridor.

“We want to help accelerate the growth of the region, as well as the commercial aviation market. We have done this in other parts of the country by offering our permanently low ‘GO’ fares and serving more destinations using our new Airbus fleet,” Gokongwei said.

Gokongwei added that as CEB takes delivery of more Airbus aircraft, Clark will see CEB introducing more local and regional flights to make travel to and from the North more convenient.

CEB currently has 14 new Airbus aircraft and is acquiring up to 20 more. It has also recently placed an order for up to 14 ATR 72-500 aircraft with the delivery of the first two in early 2008. CEB expects to operate a fleet of 46 aircraft by 2013.

habagatcentral1

June 20th, 2007, 07:22 AM

^^ They have to search for new hubs. Manila and Cebu are getting crowded by the day and sometimes affecting schedule adherence.

shyaman

June 20th, 2007, 09:31 AM

PAL planes galore!… See them big and small!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Metro%20Manila%202007/IMG_2490.jpg

oz.fil

June 21st, 2007, 05:12 PM

i saw PAL planes fly over me while i was swimming in pool somewhere in the outskirts of manila... dont remember what planes they were tho, all i knew is that they where PAL ;D

jaywalker

June 21st, 2007, 06:53 PM

:cheers: cool pics,so colorful.ganda talaga nang logo nang PAL.

bustero

June 22nd, 2007, 03:31 AM

A good idea of how things work here and how vested interests hijack the country's interest.

Vol. XX, No. 232
Friday, June 22, 2007 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Today’s Headlines

BY MARICEL E. ESTAVILLO, Senior Reporter
Carriers may be dropped from Philippine air panel

The Transportation and Communications department wants to remove airline representatives from the Philippine air negotiating panel to speed up talks with other countries.

Department sources said Transportation Undersecretary Edward V. Pagunsan, who is the Philippine air panel chairman, endorsed the proposal during a recent plenary meeting last month.

"Basically, the proposal seeks to change the panel composition and [again] remove the airline representation," a source said.

Mr. Pagunsan was not immediately available for comment, and the proposal was not welcomed by the Foreign Affairs department, which is also represented in the panel.

Airlines, as expected, rejected the move.

The present Philippine panel is composed of a Transportation official acting as chairman, a Foreign Affairs official acting as vice-chairman, and one member each from the Tourism department, Trade department, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), designated Philippine carriers, and two others as recommended by the Tourism Secretary.

Sources said the lack of initiative and divergent interests have been causing delays in air talks. While other countries only have up to five members, the Philippine panel goes into negotiations with a 12-man contingent.

In the last two years, only two deals have been closed: an expanded air agreement with South Korea signed early this month and the air agreement with Bahrain last year.

Both of the deals were controversial, with dominant carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) - which is usually represented in the panel - opposing the way the talks were handled.

"They (the airlines) should be just observers, they have no legal mandate to participate during the negotiations. Of course, they have their own private interest, hence, during negotiations, you would have three or four divergent interests. [There is] No unified position from the Philippine panel," one source said.

Sought for comment, PAL spokesperson Rolando G. Estabillo said, "Off hand, since there is no decision yet on this, the present model with the airlines as members is just right. This is our own model, and there is no reason for us to copy the model of other countries."

Asked as to what was holding up the negotiating process, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin M. Ebdalin said "It is all up to the Philippine panel, with the panel head to go ahead with the negotiations. Of course, you need to have a consensus first before entering into a negotiation."

But he said removing airline representatives of airlines in the panel would only "complicate things".

"Naturally, if you remove them from the panel, they would again complain and lobby, similar to what had happened before," Mr. Ebdalin said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo removed airline representation in the panel in August 2001 with the issuance of Executive Order 32 which amended an earlier order, EO 219. But after airlines lobbied for a recall Mrs. Arroyo signed EO 296 in March 2004, allowed airlines to again participate in negotiations.

The orders issued, including EO 219 which was signed during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos, changed the composition of the Philippine air panel. EO 219 allowed for a two-stage process in which talks for a basic air services agreement would be the task of the Foreign Affairs department. The CAB would lead the talks for the details of the deal.

Sources claimed however, that the process actually does not comply with the law, as according to Republic Act 776 which created the CAB, the agency, after consulting with the Foreign Affairs department, should be the one leading negotiations.

"EOs cannot amend the law," a source said.

For Avelino L. Zapanta, South East Asian Airlines (Seair) president, the proposal could have been the result after a reported disagreement over the South Korea air agreement.

"Magkakagulo talaga (There will be a problem) when you have the big airlines in the negotiations, they need to protect their respective interests. On the other hand, airlines should also be consulted first, with the position of the government very transparent to them," Mr. Zapanta, a former PAL president, said.

Having no international flights at the moment, Seair is not a member of the Philippine air panel.

[dx]

June 22nd, 2007, 07:15 AM

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3425/2704755in1.jpg
Photo by traveler101 (http://www.panoramio.com/user/409191)

bariQ

June 22nd, 2007, 07:54 AM

ang liit talaga ng NAIA

Solblanc

June 22nd, 2007, 09:02 AM

^^ eh? that's just half of terminal 1

I find it weird that Pagunsan wants PAL out of the air panel. Theoretically, the airlines should be there as observers. After all, the airlines are the ones that know which routes are financially feasible to operate... or maybe that's the problem.

I also find it weird that the Transport secretary heads the air panel. Usually, the DFA's representative is supposed to chair any panel, as they're the ones most familiar with protocol.

ryanr

June 22nd, 2007, 08:33 PM

Is that JAL on the upper right corner a 767? it looks small. And how many flights a day do they have to MNL, since there are two of them on that shot.

le Reine

June 22nd, 2007, 08:42 PM

oh, I still love T1... It's beautiful.

jaywalker

June 22nd, 2007, 08:54 PM

oh, I still love T1... It's beautiful.

:) yeah beautiful from the outside from a far distance.did the T1 renovation push through?

xXx carlos xXx

June 23rd, 2007, 12:27 AM

Is that JAL on the upper right corner a 767? it looks small. And how many flights a day do they have to MNL, since there are two of them on that shot.

yun din ang naisip ko... at akala ko, jalways lang ang lumilipad pa.manila... pati din pala ang jal

echeverriavy

June 23rd, 2007, 12:51 PM

For Airbus A380 fans out there!
An A380 emergency evacuation video. Warning The strong European language is a bit scary
weOcrP7u7Y8
A380 assembly video.."how giants are made"
LbEiHGZtCFA

the Germans would be used to all that shouting. auschwitz and dachau was good practice for them. hahaha.

FrancisXavier

June 23rd, 2007, 11:08 PM

PAL planes galore!… See them big and small!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Metro%20Manila%202007/IMG_2490.jpg

:cheers: cool pics,so colorful.ganda talaga nang logo nang PAL.

yeah^^ classic.. i wouldnt want PAL to modify its logo if ever they would have to..

tigidig14

June 23rd, 2007, 11:14 PM

the Germans would be used to all that shouting. auschwitz and dachau was good practice for them. hahaha.

nabasa ko last week na umuunti unti na ang mga german engineer
kaya hinahakiyakat na nung bansa nilang magbigay ng libreng paeskwelang engineer sa mga kalahi nila

ianers_ianized

June 24th, 2007, 06:23 AM

FrancisXavier

June 24th, 2007, 08:05 AM

yeah, i remember someone did(photoshop) the gray "Mabuhay" "watermark" on PAL's body.. looked really great.

habagatcentral1

June 24th, 2007, 09:07 AM

^^ Do somebody please bring life the PAL's livery from its white state? :D

jaywalker

June 24th, 2007, 12:48 PM

^^ Do somebody please bring life the PAL's livery from its white state? :D

sana lakihan din nila ang "philippine".lets watch for it bernie since they will be undergoing some modifications on thier cabin.hope we can see drawings on the aircrats fuselage.cebu pacific aircrafts are also attractive.i've read some comment on cebu pacifics livery especially from aircraft enthusiast that they are fascinated with the colors combination from nose to tail of the aircraft.

habagatcentral1

June 24th, 2007, 05:52 PM

National Geographic Featured PAL's ill-fated PR434 flight from MNL-CEB-NRT.

Remember PR434? Remember "Operation Bojinka"? 9/11 in the making as what they said.

Air Crash Investigations: "Bomb on Board". PAL PR434
DahucBzLmO4

A sneak peek of the the NGC show.

eonynx

June 24th, 2007, 06:03 PM

if i'm not mistaken, the involved terrorists here used this PAL terrorist incident as something of a dry-run for the 9-11 attacks

habagatcentral1

June 24th, 2007, 06:06 PM

^^ Project Bojinka. That also includes the plan the bombing of Trans-Pacific flights bound for United States back then.

kiretoce

June 24th, 2007, 07:05 PM

Air Philippines soon to start commercial flights in Ozamiz (http://biz.balita.ph/html/article.php?story=20070622171915898)

Air Philippines is slated to start commercial flights into this city on July 16, according to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

Parojinog made the announcement following a meeting with Air Philippines executives last week.

The slated flights are for Manila-Ozamiz and back every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noontime.

Maiden flight is expected to push through on July 8, Parojinog said.

The return of commercial flights into the city came after over a decade the national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) cut off its flight operations here due to financial constraints it suffered.

The Ozamiz air route was said to be a "missionary route" for PAL during that time.

According to Parojinog, the city's Labo Airport could now accommodate wider-bodied jets after its expansion through the financial assistance from the national government.

The official expressed confidence that the city will be further promoted as a historical-cultural tourism destination with the flights, which can also benefit other destinations in Misamis Occidental.

IsaRic

June 25th, 2007, 08:39 AM

jaywalker

June 25th, 2007, 03:53 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/621469507_0921fa7a6e.jpg?v=0

allan_dude

June 25th, 2007, 04:06 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/621469507_0921fa7a6e.jpg?v=0

^^ Sa angle na to, parang interior ng mga Manrose Bus (King Long - Euro Express) byaheng fairview mula ayala..

diz

June 25th, 2007, 04:30 PM

OMG. LOL. I like how almost all Filipino passengers (mostly riding Philippine Airlines) clap after landing. :lol: When I rode Asiana Airlines, I had the urge to clap after landing but my fellow Korean passengers didn't so I stopped myself from doing so.

tigidig14

June 25th, 2007, 05:21 PM

^they do the same with northwest
not with jal though baka nagsawa na yung mga japayuki haha

Raven83

June 25th, 2007, 05:30 PM

Pati sa Latin America they do the same...Our Hispanic roots showing up? hehe!

c6thBqlsKW8

kiretoce

June 26th, 2007, 01:09 AM

habagatcentral1

June 26th, 2007, 01:50 AM

when will it be aired bernie?

A few months ago it was being aired. Now that NGC Asia has a new season for Air Crash Investigations. But knowing cable shows, it might as well being replayed. :)

kiretoce

June 26th, 2007, 02:18 AM

yeah^^ classic.. i wouldnt want PAL to modify its logo if ever they would have to..

It wouldn't want also to change PR's logo... i thing they just needed to modify its white fuselage like putting a "Mabuhay or Pilipinas" word on gray color shadow design or flag ribbons of the flag.

yeah, i remember someone did(photoshop) the gray "Mabuhay" "watermark" on PAL's body.. looked really great.

^^ Do somebody please bring life the PAL's livery from its white state? :D

sana lakihan din nila ang "philippine".lets watch for it bernie since they will be undergoing some modifications on thier cabin.hope we can see drawings on the aircrats fuselage.cebu pacific aircrafts are also attractive.i've read some comment on cebu pacifics livery especially from aircraft enthusiast that they are fascinated with the colors combination from nose to tail of the aircraft.

Feast your eyes on this! A blast from the past (Airlines, Airplanes, and Airports Thread I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=160060))! :lol:
http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos/photos/big/00000468.jpg

Lucentino

June 26th, 2007, 05:11 AM

^^ Nice! Is it possible to include the 3 yellow stars (LuzViMinda)?...

Its not too difficult to find the gate of your flight to the Philippines at most international airports around the world --- just look for the most crowded and unruly queues :lol: ... and I thought they have checked in their luggage (most of those bags wont pass as a hand carry)... don't tell me you're bringing home the entire Circuit City or Deo Deo!... :lol:

You will also know that you have landed at NAIA when Pinoys clap their hands and cheer (sometimes loudly), and lose their discipline... some release their seatbelts, stand, and open the overhead compartments even before the plane gets parked at the gates... careful with that will you!... :ohno:

diz

June 26th, 2007, 06:01 AM

:lol: 이렇게 지금 당신은 한국 시민인가?

아니다!!! Pero, what I meant was my fellow passengers in general, pero mostly korean sila eh. :lol:

Arkdriver

June 26th, 2007, 07:41 AM

i've been on Air Asia flight from KUL to CRK many times. Majority of the passenger is Filipinos kabayan but i didnt see or hear any clapping during landing. Maybe only applies of PAL flights.

xDieselJockx

June 26th, 2007, 08:48 AM

^they do the same with northwest
not with jal though baka nagsawa na yung mga japayuki haha

I never experienced anybody or any people clapping in a NWA flights to Manila ever.. maybe it depends on the mood of the crowd/passengers at the moment...

If the filipinos are clapping their hands upon aircraft touch down to their native land, that is quite alright... I don't see anything wrong with it... it's a clap of joy... it only tells the other foreign passengers how much the filipinos love their own country inspite of everything or negativities one would hear about the Philippines.. So folks, don't be embarrassed if the korean passengers never clapped with the filipinos, I'm sure they know why and they understand it totally.. There is nothing to be ashamed of...

xDieselJockx

June 26th, 2007, 08:56 AM

Arkdriver

June 26th, 2007, 09:16 AM

http://www.philboards.com/index.php?showtopic=16534

Folks, I just had to extract this from the AC Board because it is a test in patience that, for sure, I would have failed! Thank you "Roadslut" for a true reality that has to be shared with everyone who might be thinking of traveling with Cebu Pacific!
Just last week I had to fly to Hong Kong on business so with Philippine airlines full on that day and Cathay Pacific having 1 flight full and another cancelled (don't know why) I reluctantly chose Cebu Pacific..here is how the story goes...

I'm booked on the 4.40pm flight Manila to Hong Kong.. ok no problems so far.. I arrive at Manila airport Sunday April 29 at 2pm to check in only to be told..."sir we are sorry but our flight is 50% over booked and we are going to have to divert the remaining passengers through Cebu to Hong Kong..

ah..ok not too bad I guess..extra 2 hours flying..i can live with that..so at our own cost..(Cebu Pacific refused) we all made our way over to the domestic terminal to board our rebooked flight to Cebu at 5.40 pm which is due to arrive in Cebu at 6.50 pm and the flight to Hong Kong departs Cebu at 9.15 pm...plenty of time in a normal country with a normal airline. Well I'm checked in at the domestic terminal awaiting to board at 5pm when it reaches 5.40pm and still no announcement to board..its now 6pm and still not boarding and no announcement so I wandered over to the control room where they make announcements and asked "what's happening with the Cebu flight?"...I get this reply from the girl ""my god I forgot to announce the delay...Im in trouble now..i will do it now sir..sorry for that". (ugh..she FORGOT!) The announcement is now being heard -
"We regret to inform u that the 5.40 pm flight to Cebu will be delayed and boarding will commence at 6.20pm" ..ok so now our arrival in Cebu is 7.30pm..

Still no problems..plenty of time to make the connection..tick tick tick...well u guessed it 6.20pm passes and NOTHING WALA..over to the girl at the control room again and this time she is crying..I ask her about the further delay with the Cebu flight and she starts whimpering...I'm too shy to announce a further delay sir..Im sorry." Between tears and sobbing I was able to get the information from her..the scheduled 5.40 pm flight to Cebu will now depart a 7.40pm. ummm ..that only leaves 25 mins to transfer and connect to the Hong Kong flight..not enough time..so I go in search of a supervisor...
Now if any of u guys have ever attempted to locate a airline supervisor in the Philippines when there are flight delays u will know its virtually impossible as they go underground or if they are actually a supervisor, they will not admit it, thats exactly what was happening here..bingo..I find one..Mr JUHN AGRILLO..airline ramp controller for Cebu pacific in manila...I tell him my dilemma that I need to connect with the Hong Kong flight from Cebu following the overbooking of the manila - Hong Kong flight at the directions of Cebu pacific and after he views my new ticket issued over at the international terminal he swings into action...well at least I thought he did..he was on his two way radio and then frantically on his cell phone for about 20 minutes then he reaches for his ball pen and makes some notes on my ticket..he stated to me that there will be no problem with the connection as the aircraft being used for the Manila-Cebu flight is the same aircraft to be used for the Cebu- Hong Kong flight and with that he made arrangements for my 2 bags to be re-tagged to go direct transfer to Hong Kong and gave me the luggage tags..in addition he said a airline representative will meet 17 passengers in Cebu and escort them through immigration and back onto the flight in Cebu..
Well I'm impressed and very professionally done, so I thought.. I WAS SO VERY WRONG! One thing I forget to remember was where I was..The PHILIPPINES where telling lies are a past time...u will understand what I mean soon.
Ok, we are now boarding the flight and arrive at Cebu at 8.45 pm and was told the Hong Kong flight was to be delayed until 9.30 pm as its required, for safety purposes that a 45 minute turn around for a aircraft is required by aviation law..ah..ok 45 minutes should still not be a problem as the international terminal in Cebu is right next door to the domestic with only a glass door separating them..ok out of the aircraft and u guessed it - nothing ..no one to meet us and no one knew anything about 17 passengers connecting to Hong Kong and being diverted by the airline itself due to the overbooking of the manila - Hong Kong flight...no one contacted anyone..it seems our little supervisor in Manila was talking to himself on his cell phone when he was supposedly arranging the connecting passengers to be escorted to the Hong Kong flight out of Cebu and nothing had been arranged and no one contacted in Cebu about this. Frantically, we had Cebu Pacific staff running in all directions until finally at 9.15 all 17 passengers had been issued boarding passes and all luggage (as I said before) was in transit transferring direct to Hong Kong so there would be no delays to all of us as we would be whisked away to immigration..RIGHT? WRONG! Remember that glass door I mentioned that separates domestic from international? Well its only allowed to be used by airline staff so we had to be escorted out of domestic, walk up the ramp and in through to the International terminal..
We reach the front door to the International terminal to find no one at the xray screening...seems they went to eat..so, more time was wasted until an x-ray guy was finally located..asleep, in the room beside the x-ray machine..ok we are all through the x-ray and up to immigration..everybody is relieved a little..but wait...whats this...Immigration is closed as it being the last international flight out all the immigration staff had gone home..
well now its total chaos with all Cebu Pacific staff including the head supervisor yelling and screaming at everyone until finally an immigration officer appeared from a room dressed in street clothes...luckily for us he was getting changed and ready to go home...ok, we are very quickly through immigration when all of a sudden some dick head filipino passenger yells out.."Hey we haven't paid our Filipino travel tax and there is no one at the counter" ..all stop .. now this is the Philippines...right? We all know that money is paramount here so it was decided that the head supervisor would collect the 1620p from the Filipino passengers and pay it tomorrow..now this should not have affected the 4 foreign passengers as we are not required to pay that tax and when I mentioned this to the supervisor so he could allow us to go straight to the plane..he abruptly said "NO..everybody stays until the money is paid!"..Ok its 9.35 pm..5 mins past departure time and we are finally being escorted to the air bridge where the plane SHOULD BE only to find the air bridge operater and a official of Cebu Pacific walking towards us with a surprised look on their faces.. yes guys... u guessed it...the plane had already left and was taxiing out onto the runway... a heated argument started between the 2 head airline staff to a point of almost a fight... meanwhile there are 17 passengers all standing here watching the greatest debacle of this century unfold..apparently the head supervisor who was with us through the entire check in and Immigration process FORGOT (there is that magic filipino word again) to inform the air bridge controller and the other head supervisor of the connecting 17 passengers so he cleared the plane to leave..
Can u believe this so far..im sitting here pissing myself laughing about all this now but wait...its not finished yet,,the saga continues..

After everything calmed down I asked the supervisor who cleared the plane for departure...."did u not notice 17 passenger names on the flight manifest were not on board when u had the captain and the head flight attendant sign off on the passenger manifest...of coarse....just a blank stare and no comment. I further asked..."are u aware that there is unaccompanied luggage on board that aircraft?" Now his eyes light up and he immediately contacted the control tower and the tower contacted the captain who at this point was still waiting to take off when all of a sudden the two way radio lights up and the guy in the control tower relays the captains response..this is unbelievable.. the captains response was.."thats bad luck for them passengers...this flight is already delayed and I'm not coming back to the terminal as I want to be on time for the return flight from Hong Kong..I will notify ground staff at Hong Kong and have the luggage held there.." now the captains name was obtained by me for follow up legal matters along with a detailed complaint to the airline..the captains name is:

CAPT. VINCENTE.G.CASIBANG II
A320 CAPTAIN
CEBU PACIFIC AIR

Ok - plane gone...nothing could be done and we have two supervisors tearing each other apart..what a nightmare..ok it continues..so now its calmed down a little but many problems still exist. Walking back towards Immigration I realize that we all have already been stamped out of the country and as I was right that the Immigration officer had left already..so the cell phones of both supervisors go into overtime trying to find out what to do about all this...and while we were waiting for a Immigration answer the funniest thing I have seen for a long time was 13 Filipinos trying to get their 1620p travel tax back from one of the supervisors...no Filipino wants to part with money already in his pocket and I was certain that money was never destined for the travel tax department...eventually he gave in and handed back all the money when along comes a well dressed Filipino in a suit and takes the two supervisors aside for a little heart to heart chat...yeah right..the supervisors, under the instruction from this guy, left and were not seen again that night..

ok this guy seems to be from the top of the Cebu Pacific food chain and starts apologizing and says we have all been re booked on tomorrow nights flight and told us to all go and come back tomorrow night... so ok ....I ask who will pay for our accommodation tonight as all of us had flown from manila on request from cebu pacific,, his answer was no surprise – “that’s your problem sir..we are not responsible...now everyone must leave the terminal or security will be called”... ok fine with me I say but...now you are instructing people to enter the Philippines illegally as we have not been processed by immigration to re enter the Philippines….his answer...again.. “not our responsibility sir...now will u all please leave and come back tomorrow night” .... with that he left. Now picture this.. 17 passengers inside a international terminal with no sign of any staff anywhere... I just had to laugh as I left the terminal and headed for a bar to get drunk... what everyone else did... I DONT KNOW..

Anyhow, to finish off....yes I got to Hong Kong the next night but wait...where is my luggage?.. hehe...u guessed it…. they sent it back to Cebu on that same return flight...and yes it was there when I returned... Now I ask u - could anyone dream up such a story?..

My complaint was issued to the management of Cebu Pacific yesterday morning and the return email response I got was just as I expected….. It was a copy of the terms of carriage of the airline..

“FLY CEBU PACIFIC AT YOUR OWN RISK" – (Holy horseshit, how the heck did Roadslut have so much patience and then be able to laugh about it later? I won’t say I will never fly Cebu Pacific but for sure, only if I really have to and then I will never forget this story).

el_dasik_oo1

June 26th, 2007, 09:32 AM

habagatcentral1

June 26th, 2007, 10:08 AM

^^ Well, thats what you get in affordable flights of LCCs. You have to risk that there would be no frills nor the comfort of an ordinary or business class or flag-carriers do. Its reality. :D

Hard Ball

June 26th, 2007, 11:30 AM

^^ Well, thats what you get in affordable flights of LCCs. You have to risk that there would be no frills nor the comfort of an ordinary or business class or flag-carriers do. Its reality. :D

Actually, CebuPac is a flag-carrier itself. Nevertheless, even if is an LCC, that doesnt give them an automatic right to treat passengers just like that. I've taken CebuPac a few times on domestic routes, luckily, havent experienced anything as bad as what I read in different message boards.

Skyblade

June 26th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Somewhat off the topic of Philippine aviation but the first 787 prototype is off the line and heading to the paint shop to add some final touches prior to the 7/8/07 rollout!

http://www.airliners.net/uf/view.file?id=536890128&filename=1182848535NSrI9Y.jpg

Check out the A.net thread (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3478111/) for a couple more bits. Major kudos to SEAchaz of the A.net forums for getting these shots! :D

jaywalker

June 26th, 2007, 12:21 PM

jaywalker

June 26th, 2007, 12:34 PM

^^ Well, thats what you get in affordable flights of LCCs. You have to risk that there would be no frills nor the comfort of an ordinary or business class or flag-carriers do. Its reality. :D

Maybe thats the reason why they come up with a travel insurance so that it will cover up cost of long delays and flight cancellations.I dont know what's the content of thier travel insurance policy though.Some lcc travel insurance answers the meals for long hour delays and hotel accomodation for flight cancelations on internationa routes.Travel insurance comes handy when this kind of inconviniences happen.It's always safe to have one.

Lucentino

June 26th, 2007, 01:12 PM

Kaw naman.. mga excited lang umuwi.. at baka hindi nila maabutan yung paborito nilang telenobela. :lol:

Yes they are excited because they want to make the most out of their vacation... And since they are already in Philippine territory, they feel they can do whatever they want to... :lol:

These things sometimes happen on Northwest flights coming from Japan/US...

ngprofflorida

June 26th, 2007, 05:42 PM

It's a common sight onboard PAL the hands clapping and cheering right after landing.Some says it's thier expression of appreciation in terms of good service ,excitement and smooth landings which is trademark in PAL especially on thier international flights.These mostly happening from thier middle east,Arab countries flights.Some are even chanting "k....tan naman!!!"opppps sorry:lol:Some Filipinos feel at home in PAL,they can freely express thier excitement.

Thats true everytime I flew Philippine Airlines MNL- LAX (LOS Angeles) and SFO(San Francisco)-MNL vice versa everybody clap their hands, is an expression of excitement, imagine 14 hrs of flight at 40,000 feet above the sky. No incident happened and the landing is very smooth. Some kababayan they cry for joy, I think this is our natural feeling being home with our family again . without any incident.

ngprofflorida

June 26th, 2007, 06:00 PM

;13765745']http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/rapuy/100_0889.jpg

the pre departure area looks very nice and well lit! :)

common area lang ba or may separate lounges/gates like DIA and MCIA?

Mga kababayan watch the Bacolod Airport next month pictures is also modern infrastructure. target date of inauguration will be august. visit. www.bacolod international airport.com blog

Rolls-Royce

June 26th, 2007, 06:02 PM

I think it's not just Filipinos who clap during landings. I still vividly remember during our landing at Montreal Dorval Airport in Canada, now called Pierre Trudeau, most of the French clapped because of the smoothest landing they'd ever been on, and the said airline was KLM and the date of our travel was the 10th of September 2001, the day before the unforgetable attack on the World Trade Center. We (six of us Filipinos) travelled via Amsterdam, from Birmingham, England. Sad to say that the day after we arrived in Montreal, New York suffered its worst atrocity.

Rall

June 26th, 2007, 06:43 PM

Thats true everytime I flew Philippine Airlines MNL- LAX (LOS Angeles) and SFO(San Francisco)-MNL vice versa everybody clap their hands, is an expression of excitement, imagine 14 hrs of flight at 40,000 feet above the sky. No incident happened and the landing is very smooth. Some kababayan they cry for joy, I think this is our natural feeling being home with our family again . without any incident.

flights from the US... landing smooth or not... believe me... Pinoys will clap.
I have not been on a flight from the US were in Pinoys didn't clap...
they're just happy to be on native land.

... its a different story on the way out... you'll heard people say "ay salamat... naka alis na rin...". and they don't clap upon arriving in the US.

WawaY[625]

June 26th, 2007, 07:41 PM

Mga kababayan watch the Bacolod Airport next month pictures is also modern infrastructure. targer date of inauguration will be august. visit. www.bacolod international airport.com blog

judgin by the initial pics, isnt bacolod airport a smaller, less grand version of the Iloilo airport?

xXx carlos xXx

June 26th, 2007, 11:14 PM

eto ung demo seats ng pal para sa 777-300ER's nila...

from clarkent ng pex..

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20447238&postcount=2570

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/front.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/sideview.jpg

Footrest:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/seatrest.jpg

Control Panel/Controllers
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/controlpanel.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/controller.jpg

PTVs
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/ptv.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/back.jpg

galing kay clarkent ng pex..

_zner_

June 27th, 2007, 05:35 AM

I never experienced anybody or any people clapping in a NWA flights to Manila ever.. maybe it depends on the mood of the crowd/passengers at the moment...

If the filipinos are clapping their hands upon aircraft touch down to their native land, that is quite alright... I don't see anything wrong with it... it's a clap of joy... it only tells the other foreign passengers how much the filipinos love their own country inspite of everything or negativities one would hear about the Philippines.. So folks, don't be embarrassed if the korean passengers never clapped with the filipinos, I'm sure they know why and they understand it totally.. There is nothing to be ashamed of...

ive experienced this last sunday. almost everyone were clapping. i was like, "what? what happened?". haha..

ngprofflorida

June 27th, 2007, 06:23 AM

;13950825']judgin by the initial pics, isnt bacolod airport a smaller, less grand version of the Iloilo airport?

You cant judge by looking at the pictures, you didnt even see the interior design, I worked in the different new airport project here in the philipines. , I can tell whats the different.I worked also in the Iloilo airport, the best. just watch the Bacolod airport. low profile lang muna sila ang taga Bacolod just watch the pic next month. you might right or wrong. its individuals opinion. peace:ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

xXx carlos xXx

June 27th, 2007, 06:38 AM

PAL to spend $50M for reconfiguration of 4 jumbo jets
By Marianne V. Go
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will spend $50 million to reconfigure its four Boeing 747 planes starting next year.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said the reconfiguration would involve the elimination of the first class section and expansion of the business and economy sections.

This, he said, is in line with the global trend of concentrating more on the business traveler and, doing away with the first class section. Likewise, the economy section would be upgraded so that each seat would have more space and would have its own entertainment audio-video screen with on-demand movies, taped television shows and video games.
The number of seats in the business class section, Bautista said, would be increased from the current 30 in the 747s’ bubble top to 42. At present, Bautista said, there are 18 first class seats, 30 business class seats and 383 economy seats. The former first class section at the front would be reconfigured to business class along with the existing business class section at the bubble top.

According to Bautista, the business class section will be installed with new cocoon type seats to give more privacy to business class travelers.

The reconfiguration is scheduled to start in March 2008 and will be completed over a one year period for all four 747s.

The reconfiguration, Bautista said, would be timed with the regular six-year D-check of the 747 which involves heavy maintenance and overhaul work. It would be scheduled after PAL’s peak season.

dexter06

June 27th, 2007, 08:57 AM

Ssangyong,

Quite a story there. I see gross negligence on the part of the supervisors. I understand upon boarding they are suppose to count the collected boarding passes vs the number of checked-in passengers? These boarding passes are very important because they are the basis for recognizing realized revenues for the airlines. That is why in airports, if the number of passengers boarding do not match with the number of checked-in passengers, they even announce the name of the passengers who have not yet boarded to board the flight. Whew, negligence, big time. If i were Cebu Pacific, i will fire or ground those supervisors. Those are very basic boarding procedures as they address controls logistically, service-wise and finance-wise.

If the manifest of checked-in passengers does not match with the boarding passes, then they do not match and the books do not balance, accounting-wise. Previously, when e-ticket was not yet used, some airports abroad staple the ticket coupon to that portion of the boarding pass that will be collected upon boarding or upon entering the pre-departure area.

Tapos, lumabas kayo sa airport na naka stamp na "DEPARTED" na ang passport nyo? They allowed that in Cebu? Grabe, i have tried Cebu Pacific pero domestic pa lang. So far so good. I have not flown internationally from Cebu.

Cebu Pacific is experiencing growth pains from growing fast. Growth is good but instances like what Ssangyong experienced should be reported to top management so that does not happen again. Ssangyong, how about writing Cebu pacific. Kahit yung pinost mo na lang padala mo.

chevy_boy

June 27th, 2007, 11:41 AM

CEB flies to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Macau; fares start at P888

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will start direct flights from Manila to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Macau this September and October with seat sale fares that are 85% lower than those currently available for these routes.

One-way fares exclusive of surcharges and government tax are pegged at P888 for Manila-Guangzhou, Manila-Xiamen, Manila-Macau, and P1,888 for Manila-Shanghai. This seat sale will run from June 28 to July 4, 2007 and is good for travel until December 15, 2007.

CEB’s daily service to Shanghai and Xiamen will begin September 12 and 26, respectively. The four times weekly flights to Guangzhou will start on October 10, while the thrice-weekly Macau service will start on October 11.

“We are aware of the importance of these markets to our country’s tourism agenda and now that we are ready to operate these routes with our trademark low fares, we hope we can successfully stimulate travel to and from these China markets.” Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO announced.

China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is particularly important to the Philippines because of its growing tourist arrivals. Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai have also become top business destinations while Macau is fast developing into a leading meeting, convention and leisure hub in Asia.

“With this development, CEB now offers the most routes to and destinations in China from the Philippines, than any other carrier.” Gokongwei said.

After its seat sale, CEB’s lowest ‘Go’ fare to Macau, Xiamen, and Guangzhou is P1,999 one-way -- a reduction of as much as 70% from the existing lowest year round fare to these destinations. CEB’s ‘Go’ fares to Shanghai starts at P2,999 one-way -- almost 76% lower than the current applicable lowest year round fare. Fares are exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.

“The best way to purchase tickets is through CEB’s website, (cebupacificair.com),” Gokongwei said.

“We feel that it’s quite fitting that one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, CEB, is a proponent in strengthening the link between the Philippines and the fastest-growing economy in the world, China,” added Gokongwei.

Now in its 12th year, CEB currently has 14 new Airbus aircraft and is acquiring up to 20 more. It has also recently placed an order for up to 14 ATR 72-500 aircraft with the delivery of the first two in early 2008. CEB expects to operate a fleet of 46 aircraft by 2013.

jaywalker

June 27th, 2007, 02:41 PM

Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Bomb joke delays plane, leads to joker’s arrest
By Elias O. Baquero

CEBU CITY -- A businessman was arrested and charged before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office for joking that he had a bomb inside his bag while the aircraft he was in was about to take off for Iloilo City Tuesday morning.

Superintendent Elias Abad Jr. of the Philippine Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) 7 said that Marcelo Galang, a businessman from Quezon City, told the cabin crew of Cebu Pacific that his clutch bag contained a bomb.

Crew member Diane Magtulis immediately reported the matter to the pilot, who at that time was taxiing moments before the 8 a.m. flight to Iloilo.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia said they learned through their own inquiry that Galang’s joke alarmed the pilot and the crew.

As part of procedure, the aircraft crew aborted the flight.

All passengers had to go back to the airport terminal while the aircraft and cargoes were inspected by security personnel and trained dogs, Francia said.

Delayed

The aircraft was finally allowed to leave for Iloilo City at 10 a.m., leaving Galang behind.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor-Elect Carlo Pontico Fortuna was scheduled to leave Iloilo for Cebu at 9 a.m. Tuesday, on board the same aircraft. But because of the delay, he was only able to board at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Mactan at 11:45 a.m.

“It was a bad joke and a hard lesson for him," said Fortuna, who was apprehensive that he would miss the 2 p.m. council session Tuesday.

Abad said that Galang was escorted to the City Prosecutor’s Office Tuesday afternoon and was charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1727.

PCAS and Cebu Pacific jointly filed the complaint.

Abad said that if found guilty, Galang could be jailed for five years or fined P40,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.

Bomb jokes

Abad said, though, that he believes that Galang was simply joking and was unaware that he already committed a crime.

“I think it was a lapse...on Galang’s part," he said.

Because of the incident, Abad said they will put up notices in strategic areas of the airport such as the boarding gates, informing the public that joking about bomb threats is a crime.

On March 2, 2005, the pilot of a Manila-bound Cebu Pacific flight from Davao City made an emergency landing at the Mactan Airport after the airline office received a text message that a bomb was stuffed inside a lechon.

No explosive was found inside the lechon, but the incident alarmed the 78 passengers and crewmembers on board the aircraft.

A Cebu Pacific flight bound for Manila was also delayed for hours last Jan. 23, 2003, after a Cebu City resident joked that his bag contained a bomb. (Sun.Star Cebu)

WawaY[625]

June 27th, 2007, 03:13 PM

Because of the incident, Abad said they will put up notices in strategic areas of the airport such as the boarding gates, informing the public that joking about bomb threats is a crime.

although ignorance of the law isnt an excuse, airport authorities should be responsible enough to post such warnings ASAP kasi maraming di nakakaalam nito tapos napaka severe pa ng penalty

habagatcentral1

June 27th, 2007, 03:24 PM

ashton

June 27th, 2007, 05:37 PM

I hope this would mean good service in the event of overbooking :) :)

CEB flies to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Macau; fares start at P888

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will start direct flights from Manila to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Macau this September and October with seat sale fares that are 85% lower than those currently available for these routes.

One-way fares exclusive of surcharges and government tax are pegged at P888 for Manila-Guangzhou, Manila-Xiamen, Manila-Macau, and P1,888 for Manila-Shanghai. This seat sale will run from June 28 to July 4, 2007 and is good for travel until December 15, 2007.

CEB’s daily service to Shanghai and Xiamen will begin September 12 and 26, respectively. The four times weekly flights to Guangzhou will start on October 10, while the thrice-weekly Macau service will start on October 11.

“We are aware of the importance of these markets to our country’s tourism agenda and now that we are ready to operate these routes with our trademark low fares, we hope we can successfully stimulate travel to and from these China markets.” Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO announced.

China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is particularly important to the Philippines because of its growing tourist arrivals. Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai have also become top business destinations while Macau is fast developing into a leading meeting, convention and leisure hub in Asia.

“With this development, CEB now offers the most routes to and destinations in China from the Philippines, than any other carrier.” Gokongwei said.

After its seat sale, CEB’s lowest ‘Go’ fare to Macau, Xiamen, and Guangzhou is P1,999 one-way -- a reduction of as much as 70% from the existing lowest year round fare to these destinations. CEB’s ‘Go’ fares to Shanghai starts at P2,999 one-way -- almost 76% lower than the current applicable lowest year round fare. Fares are exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.

“The best way to purchase tickets is through CEB’s website, (cebupacificair.com),” Gokongwei said.

“We feel that it’s quite fitting that one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, CEB, is a proponent in strengthening the link between the Philippines and the fastest-growing economy in the world, China,” added Gokongwei.

Now in its 12th year, CEB currently has 14 new Airbus aircraft and is acquiring up to 20 more. It has also recently placed an order for up to 14 ATR 72-500 aircraft with the delivery of the first two in early 2008. CEB expects to operate a fleet of 46 aircraft by 2013.

Arkdriver

June 27th, 2007, 10:11 PM

bustero

June 28th, 2007, 06:22 AM

dexter06

June 28th, 2007, 08:54 AM

dexter06

June 28th, 2007, 09:01 AM

I hope this does not mean 100% overbooking :) :)

Overbooking (beyond 100%) is a usual practice among airlines. That is why there are really passengers who get bumped off. I remember an officemate who was on a US Northwest flight. They were overbooked so the airline offered an overnight stay in a 5 star hotel (in Manila) plus a free domestic flight in the US provided he gives up his seat and instead take the next day's US flight.

A few years ago, i read an interview with an airline employee. He says that overbooking is not a policy but is a usual practice among airlines because their experience is that not 100% of booked passengers show up. Kaya nga pag peak season, kahit 100% booked na, may chance passenger pa rin na nakakasakay kahit isa, dalawa o tatlo.

tigidig14

June 28th, 2007, 09:17 AM

^wow neat info

ryanr

June 28th, 2007, 09:29 AM

in that case, i wouldnt mind giving up my seat:)

Arkdriver

June 28th, 2007, 10:19 AM

I think this is a manifestation of the break neck expansion of LCC's . I'm not justifying it mind you just trying to point out the operational problems when a fleet like Air Asia or 5J plan to essentially double or triple their flights and services in the span of afew years! It's quite tough to train and inculcate good service culture when almost everyone is new. Of course this is not a reason for shoddy service specially one as basic as so described. They poster should email Lance as surely surely he will act on it if he receives it.

maybe it has something to do as overworked pilots and FAs? From pilot point of view the pilot of the flight himself might be tired and trying very hard to catch the schedule. They have been delayed on Manila-Cebu flight and sure they dont wanna miss the next 25-minute turnaround at Cebu-Hong Kong sector. That's why the pilot chose to resume the flight, he already taxi to the runway and prepared for take off....

That's the price you're going to pay when you expand rapidly. I'm not saying it's only Cebu who usually encountered problems like this, Air Asia also had their fair share of problem. These LCCs they're operating at tight sched with all aircraft are utilised almost all the times. So if you're delayed, automatically next flight and so forth will also be delayed. I remember Air Asia flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur, scheduled at 12 noon, because of some technical problem with their B737 all the passengers only managed to board the flight at 9pm!! If you're flying on legacy, full fledged carrier, problems like this may happen but you're rest assured about all the necessary arrangement will be taken care off....In LCCs everyday you cant see any idle plane after 8.00 am at least in Malaysia. And i believe they operate the same way too in Philippine. Say, a PAL or MAS flight got delayed, they can easily dispatch another plane to get stranded passengers to their destinations. That's my point.

Well i havent experienced any uneasy situation using LCCs but i just want to share a comical moment with you.

Last year, august, while waiting in the departure hall of CRK for my flight back to KUL, we AK and Tiger pax share the same small departure hall with only two gates with flight from Singapore is due to depart at 1030am. During check in, Tiger pax were issued with a laminated manila card to differentiate them with AK pax. AK pax dont have any 'identification device' assigned. In the departure hall we're seated at two separate island of seat and there's clear sign which airline pax will sit where. But usual practice was you can sit in AK area if Tiger area is full and so forth. I was chatting with fellow passengers. AK flight is sched at 1115am and just arrived from KUL at 1015am so there's two airbuses sitting on the tarmac one unloading passenger another one was getting their SLF (self loading freight, term we use to describe pax) on board of their plane, which is Tiger.

Announcement made and all passengers ready to board to go to respective destination. Tiger pax board first and Tiger airbus was already taxiing down to the runway, while AK started to form a queue to board. Suddenly there's a commotion when a pinay, didnt realized she miss the boarding when she queued up together with AK passengers thinking that AK had depart and that's the time arrived for Tiger pax to board even though actually its the reversed. Supervisor had to radioed the captain to get back and fortunately for the women the pilot decided to go back to parking apron just to get her on board although clearly the pilot must be mad as hell racing with tight schedule. So moveable stairs was pushed back onto the plane, and they take off finally after adding 15 more minutes just to get one passenger who clealy didnt mind her surrounding and announcement. We AK pax just laugh all the way to the plane. and smooth journey home.....

WawaY[625]

June 28th, 2007, 10:37 AM

Duty Free exec hails Davao airport security
By Carlo P. Mallo

THE recent acts of terror and the kidnapping of Italian priest, Fr.
Giancarlo Bossi, does not reflect the tight security and peace and
order in Davao City, thus, there is no hesitation on the part of the
Duty Free Philippines to open retail stores at the Davao
International Airport.

"The security here in Davao is tighter than what Manila and Cebu
imposes," DFP general manager Michael Kho said in an interview during
the opening rites Wednesday.

Two retail outlets were opened by Duty Free Philippines at the Davao
International Airport Wednesday. One store is at the international
arrival area and another at the international pre-departure area. The
two outlets, counted as one, would be the ninth store of DFP and the
only one in Mindanao.

DFP once had its store here, at the Grand Regal Hotel which was then
known as Mercure Hotel, but it was closed down in 2000 after a major
slump in tourist arrivals following the Asian financial crisis that
started in 1998.

Now the foreign tourists are on a surge and thus the need for a Duty
Free Philippines.

Kho said he is more than confident that the retail outlets here in
the city will be at par if not outshine the other stores in the
country.

(June 28, 2007)
Sun.Star

kiretoce

June 28th, 2007, 03:20 PM

Overbooking and bumping off flights are a common practice. Like what @dexter06 said, not all ticketed pax show up for their flights, and the airlines want to fly full loads every time, saves them on costs. I've been bumped off flights before, all them were voluntary because I know there are other flights later in the day on the same carrier. Plus if you voluntarily give up your seat, the compensation (at least I think so) are way better than when they forcibly bump you off. I've been given full-roundtrip domestic tickets, free stays at hotels, even upgrades to first/business class on the next available flight if I volunteer to give up my seat. Of course I don't always do this, if I need to be somewhere important and there are time constraints, I won't give up my seat. :colgate:

chevy_boy

June 28th, 2007, 04:38 PM

There was once an incident In General Santos when my return flight to Manila (PAL Airbus A330) was overbooked. PAL was asking 10 passengers to voluntarily surrender their seats and would be given a free round trip ticket between Manila and General Santos good for one year.

A friend on mine from PAL also told me that the airline purposely overbook their flights because of the rate of no show passengers... I guess overbooked flights are normal, just that all passengers showing up for that flight (without any no show passengers) is unusual...

kiretoce

June 28th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Philippine Airline's year net profit up six-fold (http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-06-28T163552Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_India-282195-1.xml)

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine Airlines Inc (PAL) made a record net profit of $140.3 million in the last year, the airline said on Thursday, marking a more than six-fold rise from a year earlier and helped in part by non-recurring items.

PAL revised down its comparable net income for the previous year ended March 2006 to $22.8 million.

The airline has had three straight years of profits after an erratic financial performance since 1999 when restructuring began and despite an environment of rising fuel costs.

"These solid results, not just from last fiscal year but over the past eight years under restructuring, confirm that PAL is fully recovered and is now firmly on track towards long-term profitability," company president Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

Airline revenues climbed 12.8 percent to $1.39 billion in the fiscal year ending March. The growth was supported by average passenger loadings of 76.8 percent of capacity, a 15-year high.

The airline is currently upgrading its fleet, with plans to acquire up to 20 Airbus A320 jets by 2008-2009 for its regional and domestic service.

It has also signed a deal to acquire six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for its long-haul operations by 2009.

Shares in PAL Holdings, controlled by Lucio Tan and a majority stakeholder in the airline, gained 5.06 percent on Thursday, outpacing the main index's 1.61 percent gain.

Raven83

June 28th, 2007, 05:23 PM

^^ engot naman yung PAL Holdings(PSE ticker: B ) na yan! I tried purchasing that stock pero mukhang nagdududa ako sa buyers and sellers niyan I went out after a month, Its one of another LT cronie manipulated stocks in PSE, kahit kelan sila-sila lang talaga ang kikita diyan. It will take time before PAL would become a blue chip company,or perhaps with another owner instead. For now its one of another LT's for profit only and badly presented/baduy/tasteless corporations

kiretoce

June 28th, 2007, 05:25 PM

Cebu Pacific to commence services to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Macau; fares start at $20.00 USD (http://peanuts.aero/low_cost_airline_news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3641&Itemid=59)

Cebu Pacific announced plans to commence services from Manila to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Macau in Sep-07 and Oct-07, with sale fares 85% lower than those currently available for these routes.

One-way fares, exclusive of surcharges and government tax, are available for USD20 for Manila-Guangzhou, Manila-Xiamen and Manila-Macau, and USD40 for Manila-Shanghai. This seat sale will run from 28-Jun-07 to 04-Jul-07, and is valid for travel until 15-Dec-07.

Cebu Pacfic’s daily services to Shanghai and Xiamen will commence on 12-Sep-07 and 26-Sep-07, respectively. The four times weekly services to Guangzhou will commence on 10-Oct-07, while the thee times weekly Macau service will commence on 11-Oct-07.

“We are aware of the importance of these markets to our country’s tourism agenda and now that we are ready to operate these routes with our trademark low fares, we hope we can successfully stimulate travel to and from these China markets,” announced Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.

China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is particularly important to the Philippines due to its growing tourist arrivals. Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai are also top business destinations, while Macau is fast developing into a leading meeting, convention and leisure hub in Asia.

“With this development, CEB now offers the most routes to and destinations in China from the Philippines, than any other carrier.” Gokongwei said.

After its seat sale, the airline’s lowest ‘Go’ fare to Macau, Xiamen, and Guangzhou is USD43 one-way, a reduction of as much as 70% from the existing lowest year-round fare to these destinations. CEB’s ‘Go’ fares to Shanghai starts at USD65 one-way, almost 76% lower than the current lowest year-round fare. Fares are exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.

Now in its 12th year, CEB currently operates 14 new Airbus aircraft and is acquiring up to 20 more. It has also recently placed an order for up to 14ATR 72-500 aircraft with the delivery of the first two in early 2008. CEB expects to operate a fleet of 46 aircraft by 2013.

Rall

June 28th, 2007, 06:33 PM

[QUOTE=kiretoce;13985360]Overbooking and bumping off flights are a common practice....QUOTE]

lets see....

PAL flights...
... twice na kami ni misis nag volunter ng seats namin for $400/pax refund on LAX-MNL flights - then board the next day flight at no additional cost.

... twice narin ang upgrade to bus. class MNL to LAX. They over booked the fiesta class... then issued a seat to two people (computer prob daw... one pass was issued in DVO pa and the other sa MNL na)... apparently I didn't force my right to the already occupied seat cause I knew meron upgrading..

... one time pa lang yong free hotel ... from DVO pa yong bagahe naka check-thur... walang ibang damit sa MNL so merong P1000.00 clothing allowance...

Cathay flights...
... once offered $300 plus free hotel sa HK.. that was a CEBU-HK-LAX flight w/ overnight stay in HK... so naging two nights sa HK on different hotels.

************
sa Domestic flights... I have never heard overbooking

but had an experience w/ Grand Air before...

Three of us were booked on a MNL-DVO flight at 3pm... so we arrived at their terminal (Phil village hotel at that time) an hour before the flight... lo and behold... walang pasahero!

They change the flight time to 1:45pm that day... (hindi pa online ang ticketing those days)... they couldn't inform us kasi na sa Baguio kami for the pass days... wala pang texting rin. Our contact numbers were dvo numbers... which they normally ask when you buy your ticket.

So the plane left w/out us...
We insisted... it wasn't our fault... they should have made flight schedule changes days or weeks ahead... so when we buy the tickets... alam na kaagad yong changes.

Then other passengers arrived... also blind about the changes.... nagulat.
We were about 17pax na... all were insisting - no fault kami. They were forced to give us rooms doon sa hotel (phil village hotel) & w/ meals rin.

anyway...
PAL was giving sandwhiches on their flight while Grand Air gave full meals...
oh how I missed those full meals on that airline...
nalugi na siguro... close shop sila.

Raven83

June 28th, 2007, 07:55 PM

Overbooking and bumping off flights are a common practice....QUOTE]

lets see....

PAL flights...
... twice na kami ni misis nag volunter ng seats namin for $400/pax refund on LAX-MNL flights - then board the next day flight at no additional cost.

... twice narin ang upgrade to bus. class MNL to LAX. They over booked the fiesta class... then issued a seat to two people (computer prob daw... one pass was issued in DVO pa and the other sa MNL na)... apparently I didn't force my right to the already occupied seat cause I knew meron upgrading..

... one time pa lang yong free hotel ... from DVO pa yong bagahe naka check-thur... walang ibang damit sa MNL so merong P1000.00 clothing allowance...

Cathay flights...
... once offered $300 plus free hotel sa HK.. that was a CEBU-HK-LAX flight w/ overnight stay in HK... so naging two nights sa HK on different hotels.

************
sa Domestic flights... I have never heard overbooking

but had an experience w/ Grand Air before...

Three of us were booked on a MNL-DVO flight at 3pm... so we arrived at their terminal (Phil village hotel at that time) an hour before the flight... lo and behold... walang pasahero!

They change the flight time to 1:45pm that day... (hindi pa online ang ticketing those days)... they couldn't inform us kasi na sa Baguio kami for the pass days... wala pang texting rin. Our contact numbers were dvo numbers... which they normally ask when you buy your ticket.

So the plane left w/out us...
We insisted... it wasn't our fault... they should have made flight schedule changes days or weeks ahead... so when we buy the tickets... alam na kaagad yong changes.

Then other passengers arrived... also blind about the changes.... nagulat.
We were about 17pax na... all were insisting - no fault kami. They were forced to give us rooms doon sa hotel (phil village hotel) & w/ meals rin.

anyway...
PAL was giving sandwhiches on their flight while Grand Air gave full meals...
oh how I missed those full meals on that airline...
nalugi na siguro... close shop sila.

We did that also pero with PAL's Mabuhay Class. Nag overbook yata kasi nag change planes. Airbus A340 was used on the LAX-MNL flight instead of 747-400 kaya there were lesser seats in B-Class. Though we were informed ahead of time. We were promised First Class seats on the next flight. Since nasa LAV pa rin kami nag extend nlan kami for one day. I wonder why we werent offered $400? Siguro we should sound disappointed instead of being happy on the phone. :bash: :lol:

OT: I booked my uncle's business class ticket to LAX via PALs website and found out that PAL's upperclass seats is still a lot cheaper than Northwest's. I got him a return ticket for around $2K++,while NW was quoting $6k++ on business class. Even PAL's MNL-LAX first class return ticket was still cheaper which is just around $3k. But on the economy the two has a little difference with each other. No wonder American executives loves to ride on Mabuhay class. They are saving a lot of money!

Solblanc

June 28th, 2007, 08:40 PM

OT: I booked my uncle's business class ticket to LAX via PALs website and found out that PAL's upperclass seats is still a lot cheaper than Northwest's. I got him a return ticket for around $2K++,while NW was quoting $6k++ on business class. Even PAL's MNL-LAX first class return ticket was still cheaper which is just around $3k. But on the economy the two has a little difference with each other. No wonder American executives loves to ride on Mabuhay class. They are saving a lot of money!

Err, yeah, but Northwest's business class product is superior to PAL's hardware-wise. Northwest gives you a 60" pitch angled lie-flat seat and AVOD, while PAL's business class product is markedly similar to Cathay Pacific's regional business class product found in their A330s and 77A/773s. (45" pitch and no AVOD)

Skyblade

June 29th, 2007, 02:43 AM

I got him a return ticket for around $2K++,while NW was quoting $6k++ on business class.

If you wait, are flexible with dates and stopovers, and/or look hard, NW actually drops it's C fares to around 2k-2,200USD. I've seen it around late summer (August) and ironically even around the Christmas season. I bagged one of these low premium class fares last year and flew to Manila for X-mas (first part of my trip report over here (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/96780/). One major regret I have is not taking up KE's little C sale for $2k for the same dates as when I flew NW! I've been dying to ride their new product and saw this as an excellent opportunity. I got that price quote numerous times last September but couldn't book until November so I had to see this steal of a deal pass me by...:(

Rall

June 29th, 2007, 05:40 AM

... We were promised First Class seats on the next flight. Since nasa LAV pa rin kami nag extend nlan kami for one day. I wonder why we werent offered $400? Siguro we should sound disappointed instead of being happy on the phone. :bash: :lol:

!

******************************
the offers are usually made at the airport counter na... to passengers who are standing in line to check-in... they realize a lot of the people were showing up for the flight...

in the mid 90's... the LAX station even had this policy that you should call to reconfirm your ticket 3 days ahead of the flight schedule... otherwise they'll cancel your booked ticket! oh boy... there would always be a shouting match at the counter...

... a booked ticket IS a booked ticket.... why call to re-confirm?
I'll call only when there's a change on my schedule...

at the time marami na ang complains... they had the ticketing offices in the philippines, issue a notice to people traveling to the US to call to re-confirm 3 days ahead of the scheduled return trip...

glad they stop that in the late 90's...

flying_olympic

June 29th, 2007, 07:11 PM

ryanr

June 29th, 2007, 08:54 PM

I heard from airliners.net that they will start with the A330s in the forth quarter of this year. I don't know about the A340s, though.

Raven83

June 29th, 2007, 09:19 PM

Meron na actually tine-test flight na nung wednesday yung naunang na overhaul na A330. Its sitting now on LTP hangar ready for use next week..

Solblanc

June 29th, 2007, 09:54 PM

Meron na actually tine-test flight na nung wednesday yung naunang na overhaul na A330. Its sitting now on LTP hangar ready for use next week..

Really!? With the new cabin? Lie-flat seats and all that jazz?

Raven83

June 29th, 2007, 10:13 PM

Err, yeah, but Northwest's business class product is superior to PAL's hardware-wise. Northwest gives you a 60" pitch angled lie-flat seat and AVOD, while PAL's business class product is markedly similar to Cathay Pacific's regional business class product found in their A330s and 77A/773s. (45" pitch and no AVOD)

Yeah but for me all that matters is that I could recline better and I could stretch my legs. Im 5'11 and anything that goes beyond 40"pitch is fine with me,as for my uncle as long as the seat is wide,the stewardess is sexy and the food is great he's okey:lol: . besides even If I upgrade to the almost full lie flat first class seats of PAL that would still be cheaper by $3'000 right?(anyway my october ticket to LA is F class but I got it with 50%[Php75k],contrast to my uncle's B which he paid in full[Php105k]) NW may have a AVOD's but PAL now has better catering on the upper class and PTV's Anyway I just found out also that the most hideous business class MNL-LAX businessclass seats is actually offered by CX. They were quoting US$8'300+. :ohno:

Really!? With the new cabin? Lie-flat seats and all that jazz? Not sure about the full lie flat seats. As far as I know those will be placed on PAL's new 777. I dont expect them to place full lie-flat seats on A330 since its mostly being used on regional flights only.

tigidig14

June 29th, 2007, 10:51 PM

ano ba trabaho nyong dalwa? bat ba puro patalbugan kayo ng talino sa mga airlines ek-ek. aber! aber!

crappypants

June 29th, 2007, 11:03 PM

^^:lol:
they are both employed by PAL.

flying_olympic

June 30th, 2007, 02:27 AM

Meron na actually tine-test flight na nung wednesday yung naunang na overhaul na A330. Its sitting now on LTP hangar ready for use next week..

any pix of the plane or the new interior?????:lol:

Rajah_Soliman

June 30th, 2007, 09:42 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/561601093_1b92df96aa.jpg?v=0

flying_olympic

July 1st, 2007, 03:47 AM

^^
:eek2: ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! THAT IS FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! :banana2:

Raven83

July 1st, 2007, 03:52 AM

any pix of the plane or the new interior?????:lol:

Nope but its just basically the same with the old one,it was merely overhauled(d-check) which means it a requirement every certain flying hours

^^
:eek2: ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! THAT IS FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! :banana2:

Nope that picture above by Rajah is an upperclass cabin of a Virgin Atlantic A340 Aircraft

ryanr

July 1st, 2007, 04:02 AM

Nope but its just basically the same with the old one,it was merely overhauled(d-check) which means it a requirement every certain flying hours

Basically the same? so no AVOD and cocoon type recaro seats in business class and no new recaro seats with PTVs in economy? It thought it was their plan to upgrade the interior during the d-check overhaul.

Raven83

July 1st, 2007, 04:11 AM

Basically the same? so no AVOD and cocoon type recaro seats in business class and no new recaro seats with PTVs in economy? It thought it was their plan to upgrade the interior during the d-check overhaul.

For the 747's yes,I doubt for the A330's. PAL wanted to keep that aircraft light to maintain its economical performance. They merely uses them for regional flights like the A319/320 so there isn't much rush for the PTV's I think they followed Lufthansa's example of selective cabin upgrade. I believe PTV's will only be installed on three long range types. 747-4's,777's,and A340's...Wise move I say as PAL is trying to give out a lot of sale seats to compete with 5J's discouted offer on regional flights.

ryanr

July 1st, 2007, 04:17 AM

^ did they at least get new recaro seats and the "ocean theme" interior?:D

Raven83

July 1st, 2007, 04:25 AM

Okey I'll ask my source later :)

ryanr

July 1st, 2007, 04:27 AM

thanks.

Solblanc

July 1st, 2007, 08:55 AM

Arkdriver

July 1st, 2007, 10:46 AM

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3814/1229116hq5.jpg

5J in KLIA low cost carrier terminal

jaywalker

July 1st, 2007, 10:56 AM

^^ I think PAL is doing well in thier mel-syd flight in Australia.They always have a good passenger load even in thier Business Class.

ewh1

July 1st, 2007, 12:03 PM

I found this video. Its basically a different variation of PAL's "Shining Through" jingle. Its the one minute version and seem even better than the other ones i have seen. Wish i could see the ACTUAL commercial though :( oh well:cheers:

QrscVEBAKpA

bustero

July 1st, 2007, 07:50 PM

Visited Clark last friday and finally got to check out that new school, clark aviation run by Alpha Aviation of England. They're situated with Clark Polytechnic in the old High School of Clark. Interesting set up , and they're using the new multicrew pilot license training which means they'll get you trained to be a second seat officer in A320 within a year even if you have no flying experience. Very modern place apparently they're the outsource flying institute of 5J. In fact they told me that 5J and other airlines were looking for people to sponsor (partially) with assured job with them. Lots of other countries aside from Pinoys. The facility includes dorms and they train women as well. Was actually surprised by how large it was. They even showed me their new flight simuator. So for those interested in a Flying career you can actually check them out.They're still short of people to recruit and train( they only train people with a very high chance of getting a job).

Arkdriver

July 2nd, 2007, 09:26 AM

would you invited or you just go there for the sole purpose of visit. I'm thinking about visiting the facilities too for a320 type rating...

bustero

July 2nd, 2007, 01:29 PM

I just showed up and said I wanted to see what they had to offer. They did the whole sales pitch. They're very open specially if they think they can get you to enroll.

oz.fil

July 2nd, 2007, 02:57 PM

ashton

July 2nd, 2007, 03:02 PM

^ oh that's bad -- just find another alternative then. ^_^

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

July 2nd, 2007, 04:02 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/580456174_d5c45bb9ff.jpg

Can you see "Philippines" there?

BoNduRanT

July 2nd, 2007, 04:05 PM

Ayun o, mid part sa right side ng photo.

Raven83

July 2nd, 2007, 04:44 PM

^^ thats Changi Airport right?

manchowyin

July 2nd, 2007, 05:28 PM

Yup. You can see the new Terminal 3 behind.

jaywalker

July 3rd, 2007, 01:08 AM

^^ Possibly 1st flight of PAL out of Singapore to Manila PR 502

kiretoce

July 3rd, 2007, 03:51 AM

ianers_ianized

July 3rd, 2007, 09:12 AM

For the 747's yes,I doubt for the A330's. PAL wanted to keep that aircraft light to maintain its economical performance. They merely uses them for regional flights like the A319/320 so there isn't much rush for the PTV's I think they followed Lufthansa's example of selective cabin upgrade. I believe PTV's will only be installed on three long range types. 747-4's,777's,and A340's...Wise move I say as PAL is trying to give out a lot of sale seats to compete with 5J's discouted offer on regional flights.

A330 should be upgraded with AVODs too... they mostly used it on almost all of their routes. They should be part of their enhancement inflight-service... look at A330 of BR deployed here in MNL... it has the best amenities onboard on a regional flight as well as SQ and CX. Plus PR's A330 were really in need of rettrofitting, it's already old.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/580456174_d5c45bb9ff.jpg

Can you see "Philippines" there?
Wow, Changi is really massive... I'm proud that I've been there... Orchids are all over inside the airport.

I found this video. Its basically a different variation of PAL's "Shining Through" jingle. Its the one minute version and seem even better than the other ones i have seen. Wish i could see the ACTUAL commercial though :( oh well:cheers:

QrscVEBAKpA
You know Kristine Alzar (The cover girl of d vid) is quite famous esp. after when she won Bb. Pilipinas-International in 2002. It thought this was a real PAL ad wen this is just one of the other FA class pakulo graduation vids

ngprofflorida

July 4th, 2007, 05:53 AM

PAL's FAs needs a makeover....their uniforms looks dated already.

True they should change their uniforms, should be filipiniana type, like SIA, KAL, JAL, MAL. they dress according to the customs of thier country, PAL should follow that also. any suggestion?

habagatcentral1

July 4th, 2007, 06:13 AM

^^ Dress them in a sleek yet Filipiniana style? Like the traditional "Maria Clara" with a twist of modernity. Well, designers know what to do, hehe! :D

jaywalker

July 4th, 2007, 06:38 AM

^^ Dress them in a sleek yet Filipiniana style? Like the traditional "Maria Clara" with a twist of modernity. Well, designers know what to do, hehe! :D

Remember PAL old advertisements where FA's wearing Filipiniana Dress.Those were the uniforms of the FA's serving First and Business Class section.

habagatcentral1

July 4th, 2007, 06:42 AM

^^ Right now they are more of the "western types". Hopefully fashion designers would design FA's clothes with a touch of modernity and what is Filipino in general. Its a showcase of Filipino or Filipina beauty.

kiretoce

July 4th, 2007, 09:24 AM

FA uniforms of Northeast Asian carriers are more western looking than FA uniforms of Southeast Asian carriers. SQ's famed Sarong Kebaya is a classic that blends with it elements of the traditional national dress with form and function in mind. CX's FAs looks like "space cadets" from Starfleet Academy! :lol:

Arkdriver

July 4th, 2007, 11:36 AM

flying_olympic

July 4th, 2007, 01:26 PM

Do we filipino have something like that? The only notable traditional cloth is barong tagalog. Maybe we should design new PAL male FAs dress based on barong tagalog.[/QUOTE]

how bout the barong for guys and those dresses that have big shoulder pads for the women...except both should be design with modern fashion, yet the the from form that compliments the filipino heritage

ashton

July 4th, 2007, 03:27 PM

^ I noticed that FA uniforms of SQ & MH are almost the same.. :)

kiretoce

July 4th, 2007, 04:51 PM

Sarong Kebaya is traditional Malay dress for Malay women apart from Baju Kurung. When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the airline's name was similarly changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airlines" (though still abbreviated to MAS). MAS also took over Borneo Airways.

They split in 1972 (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines), with MAS taking over all domestic route while SIA took all international operation from Changi. Although both separated they keep one thing similar, the sarong kebaya, which clearly remain as both airlines identity until now. With very little change to differentiate both company FAs. And both are 5 star airlines too..

Do we filipino have something like that? The only notable traditional cloth is barong tagalog. Maybe we should design new PAL male FAs dress based on barong tagalog.

Changi Airport wasn't even built yet in 1972. Singapore's airport back then was in Paya Lebar. :colgate:

PR used to have that baro't saya uniform for its FAs, but that was later changed for a more "westernized" look. At least their FA uniforms are a step up from that hideous orange with blue trim fashion nightmare! :lol:

(Yikes! Look at my post number! This is the second time that has happened to me!) :runaway:

The Cebuano Exultor

July 4th, 2007, 05:01 PM

^^ It's amazing how a small country of 4 million people can host five airports.

kiretoce

July 4th, 2007, 05:14 PM

^^ SIN is an ideally located air hub within Asia (or Southeast Asia). Famous for the "Kangaroo Route" wherein flights orinating from Australia and other points in the South Pacific make a transit stop there before continuing on to Europe, and vice versa. Ever notice that all flights from SIN are international? It'd be lunacy and hilarious if SQ would have a domestic flight within the nation. :lol:

As far as I know about SIN's aviation history, there have only been four airports that served/serving the country; the current Changi Airport and the former airports at Paya Lebar, Selatar, and Kallang.

kiretoce

July 4th, 2007, 05:20 PM

How bout the barong for guys and those dresses that have big shoulder pads for the women...except both should be design with modern fashion, yet the the from form that compliments the filipino heritage

The traditional Barong Tagalog and the butterfly-sleeved dresses for the women are more suited to formal and elegant events, not for on-the-job apparel. The cloth alone to make these clothes are not practical and it's cost prohibitive. I guess you can substitute other types of textiles to make them, but I think that will only come off as mediocre and looking like a cheap knock-off of the original.

Arkdriver

July 4th, 2007, 06:27 PM

i dont know much about Changi history although i'm pilot myself

Well back to the topic, so how should PAL FAs dress?

Raven83

July 5th, 2007, 08:08 AM

:bash:
THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THE A330 CABINS!!! ARGH!!! 8 FREAKING HOURS ON A PLANE WITH NO DECENT ENTERTAINMENT IS LIKE GOING THROUGH ... SOMETHING REALLY BAD THAT I CANT THINK OF AT THE MOMENT!!! THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THOSE AIRBUSES!!! IT MAY BE EASY FOR YOU OTHER PINOYS BECAUSE YOU AINT ON THE ASS END OF THE WORLD!!!

:ohno:
sorry, i needed to get that out :]

Haha! dude I understand what you felt,last 2003 I was on a middle isle of
A340 economy class flight going to San Francisco. The flight was full so I wasn't allowed to change seats. That was the most uneasy transpac flights of my life,I just went to the toilet to jerk off till I felt dizzy and tired so that I could get to sleep. Since then I've been hunting for seat bargains on business class seats going to US. Thankfully, PAL and Eva Air sells cheap business class tickets.

Yikes! Look at my post number! This is the second time that has happened to me! :runaway: Hala Kimber!! what does it means? :shocked:

i dont know much about Changi history although i'm pilot myself

Well back to the topic, so how should PAL FAs dress?

I once saw the "supposed" new crew uniforms of PAL. I guess it was way back 1998 pa, It was a design from a Chinoy Designer James Go? yata. It features maroon/magenta colored dress and cap,almost similar to Qatar Airways uniform and the scarf features a multicorol floral designs featuring "gumamela" (hibiscus). The new designes for office/ticketing and ground crew uniforms was already implemented. but the ones for the flight crew was delayed until now... I wonder why...

habagatcentral1

July 5th, 2007, 08:57 AM

Just watched Probe by Cheche Lazaro and they featured how to be a FA for CO. Maann!!! They're so strict with their looks and the smiles and schedule adherance.

Reminds me of Catch me If you can or Gwyneth Palthrow! :D

allan_dude

July 5th, 2007, 10:02 AM

Haha! dude I understand what you felt,last 2003 I was on a middle isle of
A340 economy class flight going to San Francisco. The flight was full so I wasn't allowed to change seats. That was the most uneasy transpac flights of my life,I just went to the toilet to jerk off till I felt dizzy and tired so that I could get to sleep. Since then I've been hunting for seat bargains on business class seats going to US. Thankfully, PAL and Eva Air sells cheap business class tickets.

Naughty kid! :lol: sana himingi ka ng assistance sa female FA.

The Cebuano Exultor

July 5th, 2007, 04:11 PM

As far as I know about SIN's aviation history, there have only been four airports that served/serving the country; the current Changi Airport and the former airports at Paya Lebar, Selatar, and Kallang.

^^ There are, in fact, six airports in Singapore. Five have paved runways while one is merely an airstrip beside the road. All-in-all Singapore has 7 paved runways and one unpaved runway. :yes:

Here they are:
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Seletar Airport
3. Paya Lebar Airport
4. Mandai-Sembawang Airport
5. (The one beside the Lim Chu Kang Road)
6. Ayer Rajah Strip

jaywalker

July 5th, 2007, 04:38 PM

^^ There are, in fact, six airports in Singapore. Five have paved runways while one is merely an airstrip beside the road. All-in-all Singapore has 7 paved runways and one unpaved runway. :yes:

Here they are:
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Seletar Airport
3. Paya Lebar Airport
4. Mandai-Sembawang Airport
5. (The one beside the Lim Chu Kang Road)
6. Ayer Rajah Strip

Amazing....very resourceful to find these information.Have you lived in Singapore?

kiretoce

July 5th, 2007, 05:47 PM

Lucio Tan consolidates PAL control (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business3_july5_2007)

Tobacco and beer magnate Lucio Tan has solidified his control of the now highly profitable Philippine Airlines, through Trustmark Holdings Corp., which has raised its interest in PAL Holdings Inc.

PAL Holdings, formerly known as Baguio Gold Holdings Corp., is the majority shareholder of Philippine Airlines with about 82 percent stake.

The airline has consistently posted an operating income for eight consecutive years and a net income in six of those eight years since it entered a Securities and Exchange Commission-supervised rehabilitation framework in June 1999.

The airline posted a net income of $140.3 million for its financial year ending March 31, 2007, the largest profit in its 66-year history. It is in the midst of acquiring up to 20 Airbus A320-family jets, with six units already delivered, four due later this year and five more in 2008, in addition to five option aircraft.

Trustmark Holdings, owned and controlled by Tan, agreed to convert the remaining P14-billion loans with five wholly-owned subsidiaries of PAL Holdings into equity.

PAL Holdings board of directors approved the transaction on June 27.

The subsidiaries included Network Holdings and Equities Inc. with P1.832-billion debt to Trustmark; Ascot Holdings Inc., P2.357; Cube Factor Holdings Inc., P3.577 billion; Pol Holdings Inc., P3.479 billion; and Sierra Holdings and Equities Inc., P2.834 billion.

“Upon the assumption by the corporation of the debts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the corporation then became the direct debtor of Trustmark on the P14-billion debt. As both the creditor and majority owner of the corporation, Trustmark agreed to convert the P14-billion debt into additional paid-in capital in the corporation,” said PAL Holdings corporate secretary Ma. Cecilia Pesayco.

The subsidiaries obtained loans from various creditors, now represented by Trustmark, from 1992 to 2000, totaling P23 billion to finance their investments in PAL. They owned 81.57 percent of the outstanding capital stock of PAL.

kiretoce

July 5th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Cebu Pacific brings middle-class tourists to Bangkok (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business4_july4_2007)

Regional budget carrier Cebu Pacific began operating daily flights to this city in April, from four-times-a-week during the inaugural flights in December, to accommodate the rapidly increasing traffic between Manila and the Thai capital.

“We’ve witnessed high passenger loads for this service since we started our operations last December,” said Candice Iyog, the airlines vice president for marketing and product.

Cebu Pacific brings passengers to the modern Suvarnabhumi Airport, which has the world’s largest passenger terminal, completed in September 2006 after just four years of construction.

In comparison, the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal-3 in Pasay City, which was started in 1997, remains to be finished this day. The Department of Transportation and Communications said the $500-million facility would not be opened this year, after independent consultants found that it is not solid enough to withstand a strong typhoon.

The Thai government built the new airport outside the city because the old Don Muang international airport was not large enough to accommodate more than 37 million air passengers arriving in and departing from the city. The new terminal is capable of handling 45 million passengers and 3 million metric tons of cargo each year.

More than 15 million foreign tourists visit Thailand each year, compared with less than 3 million who go to the Philippines. A Filipino tourism official said a modern international airport was part of the country’s tourist attractions because it gave foreign guests a good impression of the country.

The Philippine government plans to build a $1-billion modern passenger terminal at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga, located around 80 kilometers north of Manila.

Officials said Clark could host more than 45 million passengers each year because of its capability to operate three runways. Both the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have expressed readiness to launch their international flights from Clark.

Philippine Airlines said it would build a $50-million catering and maintenance facility on a 30-hectare site in Clark while Cebu Pacific said it would use the Clark airport in mounting flights to Bangkok and other regional routes.

Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, said it would use Clark to fly daily to Hong Kong, four times a week to Singapore and Macau, and three times a week to Bangkok and Taipei.

Cebu Pacific started flying to Bangkok on Dec. 14, 2006, with regular Go fares of P2,999 one-way, exclusive of surcharges and taxes. The Manila-Bangkok service departs from Manila at 10:45 p.m., arriving in Bangkok at 12:50 a.m. the following day. The return flight leaves Bangkok at 1:35 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 5:40 a.m.

kiretoce

July 5th, 2007, 05:51 PM

New Flight Plan (http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=191&a=21325)

Airline passengers going in and out of the Philippine will all agree that the present airport facility has become more congested in the past few years. In fact, tourists, foreign businessmen and even local travellers have often complained of the increasing traffic in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Aside from the congestion, NAIA only has one international runway in operation. Also, the outdated facilities make it less friendly and uncomfortable for weary travellers.

Recently, two major local airlines have made announcements of expansion plans to respond to such concerns. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific have begun to prepare to move part of their operations to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga – with no prodding needed from the government. This move is due to fact that both airlines are well aware that NAIA has no more room to offer for air traffic and cargo-handling.

PAL disclosed that the company’s profits last year increased six-fold – a 15-year record high for its passenger load. This meant that the number of passengers per flight has risen to its highest since the early 1990s. Because of this, PAL is building a $50-million catering and maintenance facility at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark as part of a long-term plan to transfer its international flights to the former US air base. Its sister firm, budget carrier Air Philippines, meanwhile, will also likely relocate its hub to Clark. At present both PAL and Air Philippines are using the Centennial Terminal in Pasay City for their flights. Rival Cebu Pacific on the other hand, earlier announced that it would use Clark in mounting flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Bangkok and Taipei. The carrier likewise enjoyed rising air traffic.

There is no doubt that this new flight plan of the two major carriers will help Clark become the premier airport in the country in the near future. In fact, Clark, according to foreign businessmen operating in the Philippines, could become viable as an international airport only if the government puts up a road or rail network that would cut travel time from Clark to Makati City in less than one hour.

We also believe that the consumers – the flying public – are the ones who will benefit greatly in this move. They will have more choices before them, helping pull airfares down. Also, more foreigners will visit the country, boosting tourism dollars.

It is about time that the government take this move seriously, as the airline industry will need its all-out support to improve the system and quality of traveling in our country. Not only will it push our country in the map and be considered as a more ‘travel-friendly’ airport, but it will also lift the fighting spirits of domestic carriers despite of intense foreign competition. If we want to be part of globalization, then it is just right that our country’s gateway be at par with the other airport facilities in the world.

kiretoce

July 5th, 2007, 06:06 PM

Arroyo wants new Legazpi airport fast-tracked (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/49433/Arroyo-orders-fast-tracking-of-Legazpi-airport-on-a-plateau)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the transportation department to fast-track paperwork on a new multi-billion-peso "airport on the plateau" in Legazpi City in Bicol.

Mrs Arroyo issued the order during her visit to the area, where the Cabinet's disaster cluster held its meeting Tuesday afternoon.

New Albay Governor Jose Salceda, who served as chief of the Presidential Management Staff, also briefed Arroyo on the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Legazpi Airport, which Typhoon Reming ravaged last year.

A Malacañang statement said the new airport will be built atop a long mountain plateau in Daraga town, just north of Mayon Volcano and the old Legazpi Airport.

The "airport-atop-a-mountain plateau" is similar to Cagayan de Oro’s airport atop a mountain. Salceda said it will cost P3.4 billion to construct.

Salceda said that once it is completed, the old airport will be decommissioned like the old Iloilo Airport.

Meanwhile, Salceda said the repairs to the old airport that will cost around P20 million, including rehabilitation of the terminal building, control tower, transient building, motorpool, dire station, main powerhouse building, terminal powerhouse building, waiting shed, and billboard.

Crazy4Airplanes

July 5th, 2007, 06:12 PM

http://www.philippineairlines.com
5 July 2007
PAL, trade groups bat for 'equal opportunity'

Philippine Airlines (PAL) called on the government’s economic managers and policymakers to adopt a civil aviation policy of equal opportunity, providing the country’s air carriers with the same access rights and opportunities that are given to foreign airlines.

In a forum sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held today (July 5, 2007) at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati, Ma. Socorro R. Gonzaga (PAL Senior Assistant Vice President for External Affairs), urged government to “liberalize wisely and responsibly.”

Speaking for PAL President Jaime J. Bautista, Ms. Gonzaga said the national flag carrier is ready to take up the challenge of competition: “We are not asking to be coddled like a baby. What we need is a fair chance to compete … a level playing field. What we need is equal opportunity – equal access to the markets.”

PAL believes the shared goal of everyone involved in the open skies issue is the growth of the Philippines.

“Liberalization is not the goal – it is a tool,” said Ms. Gonzaga.

PAL is therefore asking government to focus its liberalization policy on markets that need more access to grow, while ensuring that Filipino airlines get equal opportunity to access international markets.

PAL admits that foreign airlines play a role in the country’s growth, but “Philippine air carriers play a greater, more strategic, more permanent role than do foreign carriers,” said Ms. Gonzaga.

At the same PCCI-hosted forum, Robert Lim Joseph, chairman of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies & Travel Cooperative of the Philippines, called on the PCCI to fully support Philippine industries in the same way that the chambers of commerce of the US and Europe support their own industries.

“I am not against a liberalized air policy or even open skies … I am against unilaterally granting access rights to foreign airlines without their governments granting the same concessions to Philippine carriers,” said Mr. Joseph.

He cited the number of foreign airlines who have been granted landing rights to the Philippines yet are not utilizing the entitlements because “there is no demand, no market.”

The prevailing open-skies agreement between the Philippines and the US serves as proof that there is no demand, according to Mr. Joseph. “US carriers virtually enjoyed unlimited access rights to RP market. Yet until now they are only able to mount 20 weekly flight to the Philippines and only to Manila because of the absence of passenger demand.”

“We who are concerned about our aviation industry just want fairness and equal treatment. We want fair skies and fair trade. Getting subsidies and grants from foreign governments should not diminish our nationalism,” said Mr. Joseph.

He believes pro-Open Skies lobby groups are misleading the people, inasmuch as they groups are being supported by foreign interests. “We should not surrender our rights to vested interests.”

Meanwhile, the Fair Trade Alliance, represented by its lead convenor, former Sen. Wigberto Tanada, also agreed with economic liberalization. “However, we are for an economic liberalization that is calibrated, measured, progressive and synchronized with our own development priorities.”

The group firmly opposes the unilateral opening up of Philippine skies without any equal reciprocity. “There should be a level playing field for Filipinos and foreigners alike.”

“Let us strategize the development of the aviation industry, the tourism industry and other ancillary industries in the context of what is best for the country and the Filipino,” said Tanada.

He concluded that it is high time we treat our own with respect and dignity, much more in our very own land. “Why in heaven’s name should foreigners be treated like kings and Filipinos like beggars in their own country by their own government?” he asked.

Crazy4Airplanes

July 5th, 2007, 06:20 PM

Future Fleet
In May 2006, Philippine Airlines announced its medium-term fleet plan, covering fiscal years 2006 to 2011. The plan 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 re-fleeting and expansion program. A major overhaul of the narrow-bodied fleet includes the phase out all remaining Boeing 737 aircraft by October 2007, maintaining instead a fleet of 20 brand-new Airbus A320-family aircraft from 2008 onwards.The wide-bodied fleet plan also looks to increase the current medium-haul fleet of eight Airbus A330 with two additional mid-range 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.On December 6, 2006, PAL signed the agreement with Boeing for 2 B777-300ER and a purchase agreement for 2 more aircraft. A separate agreement to lease 2 B777-300ERs from GE Capital Aviation Services was signed as well. Deliveries will start in 2009. In late May PAL exercised the rights for the 2 extra 777 Aircraft. And on July 2, 2007, PAL purchased 2 of the 3 De Havilland Canada Dash 8s ordered by it subsidiary Air Philippines, the delivery of the first aircraft will be on November. The cause of this is beacuse of the competition of Philippine carriers to service flights to the tropical island of Boracay.

Is This True? If so, then its great news!!!!! But they shouldve bought more though. the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 - Q300 only seats 50-56. surely theres more demand for boracay flights than that.

Arkdriver

July 5th, 2007, 07:09 PM

kiretoce

July 5th, 2007, 10:32 PM

Foreign chambers welcome hike in Philippines tourist arrivals, cite problems (http://pinoypress.net/2007/07/05/foreign-chambers-welcome-hike-in-philippines-tourist-arrivals-cite-problems/)

The Foreign Chambers of the Philippines warmly welcome the increasing tourist arrivals in the Philippines, which in 2006 grew at an annual rate of 14% (twice the regional average). If fast growth continues, we believe the government’s target of five million visitors by 2010 is achievable.

Premium hotels are crowded, and the Department of Tourism estimates 3,000 tourist-quality rooms need to be added in 2007 and larger numbers in future years. Every 1,000 tourist-quality rooms represent more than US$1 billion in new investment. Spending by an average tourist during one trip can support one job for an average Filipino worker for one year. Thus doubling foreign tourist arrivals could also double total direct and indirect jobs created by foreign tourism to nearly 7 million. The potential for tourism to create investment and jobs and add to the GDP growth rate of the country is enormous.

In addition, as the Philippine economy grows, more foreign businessmen are arriving to trade and invest and more Filipinos living and working overseas are returning on visits and many are purchasing real estate. They also stimulate the growth of sunrise industries like medical tourism and retirement that are prioritized by the government.

Since most foreign visitors arrive in the Philippines by air, their first and last impressions of the country are usually created by their experience at airports. Airline travel has become less convenient for travelers around the globe because of security threats, but in the Philippines we have particular concerns about the inefficiencies of several major airports to handle the expected growth of international and domestic air traffic.

A Turnoff for Visitors Arriving in Manila

Already, there are peak periods when the three operating terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are extremely crowded, creating negative impressions for travelers who are used to the modern, efficient facilities built in most Asian cities over the last decade. Examples include Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Narita, Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore and Xiamen. The Philippines had aspired to be among these, but NAIA’s new international terminal remains empty and its new domestic Terminal 2 facility only benefits passengers using Philippine Airlines. Fifty-three percent of the total domestic and international passenger throughput using NAIA in 2006 passed through terminals that should have been replaced long ago.

Serious Challenges at NAIA

NAIA faces challenges similar to many old airports in Asian capitals whose populations have grown rapidly in recent decades. Runway restrictions limit its capacity to handle flights (now allowed to land 22 hours each day from 4 am to 2 am). NAIA handled nearly 10 million international passengers in 2006 and 2.8 million international passengers in the first quarter of 2007, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2006. All three of NAIA’s operating terminals are today utilized beyond original design capacity (see charts 1 and 2). The old domestic terminal handled 3 million passengers in 2006, above its design capacity of 2.5 million passengers. Similar situations exist at NAIA Terminal 1 (the old international terminal) and NAIA Terminal 2 (the new domestic terminal).

NAIA suffers from two very serious constraints: (a) runway safety and capacity and (b) antiquated terminal facilities.

The Runway. While nearly all public discussion about NAIA has focused on the passenger terminals, there are serious and immediate constraints to runway capacity and safety.

* The runways’ design is now well below standards for new generation aircraft, creating serious potential safety concerns. For example, distances between the centerline of runways and centerlines of taxiways do not meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization criteria, the UN body that supervises international aviation regulation and standards

* The International Runway (called 06-24) was built in the 1940s when the biggest aircraft carried no more than 50 tons. Today an average B747 weighs 350 to 400 tons. With a single runway carrying the entire burden of all international flights, the runway requires heavy maintenance, which affects airline schedules and airport revenue.

* At the best-managed airports such as Hong Kong, Heathrow and JFK, planes can land at a rate of every 3 minutes or 20 an hour during any weather or light conditions. Based on current arrivals and departures, NAIA’s International Runway can accommodate only 15 flights per hour (taking off or landing) during bad weather or at night. With current annual growth in total passenger throughput above 10%, the runway capacity will reach its limits about the same time that all NAIA terminals including NAIA 3 reach their combined full capacity. In other words, very soon and as early as 2010 NAIA will probably not be able to take additional flights.

The Passenger Terminals. The airport master plan for three new terminals (domestic, international and cargo) drawn up in the early 1990s has yet to be fully implemented.

* The “old” domestic terminal is totally out of date, with only one passenger entrance, two security machines and no air bridges. There are often long lines of departing and arriving passengers outside the terminal exposed to the elements, while passengers bump into each other and their baggage in security, check-in and terminal fee lines inside. Most tourists traveling to the popular tourist destination of Boracay must experience the quite negative experience of going through this completely retrograde facility which should have been closed when Terminal 2 opened.

* Terminal 1, the current international terminal, is almost 30 years old and is a growing maintenance challenge. At peak hours, it experiences severe traffic and overcrowding with long delays while cars inch through departure and arrival areas.

* The “new” domestic terminal (Terminal 2), financed by Japanese Official Development Assistance, has operated for a decade as the domestic and international terminal of Philippine Airlines and since 2006 as the domestic terminal of Air Philippines, a PAL affiliate. PAL pays lease payments to the government for Terminal 2, but has not paid the government aeronautical fees amounting to billions of pesos.

* All other domestic and international carriers have continued to operate from outdated, unsafe and increasingly overcrowded facilities, while awaiting the opening of the ill-fated privately-financed Terminal 3, which the current administration expropriated in 2005 over alleged corruption in the terminal’s contracting and construction. Current estimates suggest Terminal 3 will not open until sometime in 2008, if at all. Many foreign businessmen visiting the Philippines for the first time ask why the facility remains unused.

New runways cannot be added at NAIA nor can the airport be closed to allow construction of an international runway meeting current international weight standards. When the airport’s runway capacity is met in three years (at current growth rates) it will be important that an alternative airport to NAIA is available for air travelers in Central Luzon. By that time, the maximum international and domestic passenger throughout of NAIA would ideally be met by the full operation of both Terminal 2 and 3, for domestic and international flights, respectively, in accordance with the original NAIA Master Plan.

Clark Should Be Developed Rapidly

The Philippine Government is fortunate to control the former US military base at Clark (renamed Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) north of Manila which has two parallel international runways (of which only 02 R/20 L accommodates flights) and vacant space for a third to be built as an option, instead of rehabilitating the old runaway 02/L20 R. This would allow simultaneous use of two runways.

However, Clark lacks adequate domestic and international terminals and its ground transportation links to Manila are subject to congestion. Clark is about the same distance from the capital as the expensive new international airports and terminals built in recent years in Korea and Malaysia at some distance from city centers, which have highly efficient ground transportation links. For example, the high-speed train connecting Kuala Lumpur to its new international airport travels 57 kilometers in 30 minutes.

Clark is already beginning to fulfill its potential as a complementary airport to NAIA. International arrivals doubled in 2006 to 471,000, and increased 35% in the first quarter of 2007. On an interim basis, Clark urgently needs an expansion of its small terminal to accommodate passenger growth. By early in the next decade, Clark will need a new large terminal which could eventually handle as much traffic as NAIA. With completion within the next 12 months of the new Subic-Clark Expressway, there should be no need to expand runway and terminal facilities at Subic.

Clark and Subic are experiencing increased investment in facilities for tourists - both domestic and international - while also attracting new investment in housing, IT-enabled services, manufacturing, shipbuilding and other business sectors.

Recommendations

Ø Central Luzon Air and Sea Logistics Master Plan – A new master plan is needed for the development of international and domestic aviation and sea transport for logistics in Central Luzon. The government should request support from the ADB or other international development technical assistance providers.

Ø NAIA Terminal 3 – It is extremely important that the terminal be opened at the earliest date and be available to all international carriers on a “level playing” field basis. The building’s former owners should be compensated immediately after the ongoing international cases in Singapore and Washington are resolved or in accordance with a negotiated settlement between the contending parties. The operation of the terminal should be bid out to the private sector, including international firms, to ensure professional management comparable to other international airports in Southeast Asia.

Ø NAIA Terminal 2 – The terminal should operate as originally intended as the new domestic terminal. An expansion should be started as soon as possible, following a design similar to the design of the current building. The Manila International Airport Authority could issue a bond to fund the expansion and should move all domestic operations to Terminal 2. If any Philippine domestic carrier wants a dedicated domestic terminal, it should build at its own expense. Terminal 3 should remain as intended a purely international terminal, so that the maximum capacity for international passenger operations of Terminal 3 can be realized.

Ø DMIA Terminal (Interim) – The current terminal at Clark is approaching capacity and needs to be expanded as soon as possible and completed by the end of 2008.

Ø DMIA Terminal (Future) – Clark will need a large modern terminal for international and domestic traffic in around five years and the current master plan for Clark should be revised as part of the new Central Luzon Air and Sea Logistics Hub Master Plan. Then a design-build contract should be prepared for international bidding. Funding for the terminal might come from a bond issued by the Clark International Airport Corporation.

Ø DMIA Runway – Runway 02 R/20 L needs an additional parallel runway as an alternative runway as well as to allow eventual dual simultaneous operations. Runway 02 L/20 R can not be used by any aircraft because of the “crocodile cracks” which appeared on it after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. The construction of a runway takes 2-3 years, after a planning and bidding period of 2-3 years.

Ø Manila-Clark Rail – A high-speed rail connection between Metro Manila and Clark will be essential. There will be many challenges, such as design, routing, terminal locations, technology, funding and construction, but such a multi-billion project is essential for future development and needs to be a core element in the Central Luzon Air and Sea Logistics Hub Master Plan. Extending the MRT-3 and LRT-1 up to NLEX must also be considered in order to allow efficient access to the NCR light rail system.

A Footnote on Four Other Airports Needing Upgrading to Accommodate Foreign and Domestic Tourists

Ø The Cebu International Airport Terminal is also reaching its maximum capacity. Cebu, as a premier tourist destination, needs to have more terminal capacity through an expansion to accommodate an additional 3 million passengers per year. Furthermore, the runway in Cebu has to be strengthened and lengthened to accommodate new generation aircrafts (A380, B 747-800).

Ø The Kalibo Airport needs to be upgraded in terms of runway length, width and capacity. Kalibo is now accommodating the first direct flights from Korea. The terminal in Kalibo is not designed to accommodate international flights and the passengers are experiencing inconvenience after their international arrival.

Ø The long delayed Puerto Princesa Airport expansion, upgrading and modernization project, which was aborted in the past due to disagreements on project execution, should be implemented to give tourists an alternative entry and exit point in the Philippines.

Ø Finally, the long delayed Laoag International Airport project, which will increase safety and security as well as passenger capacity, should also be carried out.

ROGER J. DALLAS
President
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.

RICHARD BARCLAY
President
Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.

STEWART HALL
President
Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.

HUBERT D’ABOVILLE
President
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. 　　　　　　

TOSHIFUMI INAMI
President
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Philippines, Inc.

JAE J. JANG
President
Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.

SHAMEEM QURASHI
President
Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc.

Skyblade

July 6th, 2007, 06:21 AM

^^Thanks for sharing once again, Kiretoce. An excellent summary of the current situation that we are facing with our current airport infrastructure and how it is becoming more critical as we expect higher passenger enplanements/deplanements each year.

The Cebuano Exultor

July 6th, 2007, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by The Cebuano Exultor
There are, in fact, six airports in Singapore. Five have paved runways while one is merely an airstrip beside the road. All-in-all Singapore has 7 paved runways and one unpaved runway.

Here they are:
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Seletar Airport
3. Paya Lebar Airport
4. Mandai-Sembawang Airport
5. (The one beside the Lim Chu Kang Road)
6. Ayer Rajah Strip

Amazing....very resourceful to find these information.Have you lived in Singapore?

^^ Nope. :D I just happened to check it out at Google Earth.

Raven83

July 6th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Foreign chambers welcome hike in Philippines tourist arrivals, cite problems (http://pinoypress.net/2007/07/05/foreign-chambers-welcome-hike-in-philippines-tourist-arrivals-cite-problems/)

I totally agree with this plans except for the fact that its quite biased to central luzon area. Honestly going to Clark from Southern Manila is a one big hassle. With 30% of this nations total exports coming from factories on Southern Luzon with moro expats now living in Alabang and Sta Rosa area,commuting for around three to four hours just to reach Clark isnt so sensible for a lot of people. My suggestion is to include the planning of an alternative airport being built on the planned free trade zone in Sangley similar to the joint airport and seaport facility the govnt built in Subic. They mentioned the fact that Incehon and KLIA are far from city centers,but being in a not so vibrant economy. Spending fuel and time for the tranport is not only environmentaly unfriendly it adds cost to businesses as well. If London was able to sustain having several airport around its urban areas why not us?

Arkdriver

July 6th, 2007, 08:50 AM

I totally agree with this plans except for the fact that its quite biased to central luzon area. Honestly going to Clark from Southern Manila is a one big hassle. With 30% of this nations total exports coming from factories on Southern Luzon with moro expats now living in Alabang and Sta Rosa area,commuting for around three to four hours just to reach Clark isnt so sensible for a lot of people. My suggestion is to include the planning of an alternative airport being built on the planned free trade zone in Sangley similar to the joint airport and seaport facility the govnt built in Subic. (1)They mentioned the fact that Incehon and KLIA are far from city centers,but being in a not so vibrant economy. Spending fuel and time for the tranport is not only environmentaly unfriendly it adds cost to businesses as well. (2)If London was able to sustain having several airport around its urban areas why not us?

your point number 1 totally killed by the second point. First, economy is not so vibrant, okay it make sense, the second one you said we can emulate London by having multiple international airports while totally disregarding the state of our economy compared to the British economy...

When KLIA was completed every Malaysian didnt like it because of the distance.There's expat community living in Ampang (northeast of Klang Valley), and big industrial zone in Petaling Jaya (just 20 minutes from the old airport)...they said when they gonna move the airport from Sepang, 60 kilometer south of Klang Valley it will be inconvenient for them etc etc..just like your points.

Government resolve this by forcing old airport Subang (SZB) to be closed for scheduled pax services and move operation all to KLIA. Human nature is, we dont like changes especially when we're comfortable with it. It took years for Malaysian to finally realize that KLIA move is indeed a right thing for the economy, as Subang is too close to urban area and limited space available for expansion, also civilian operation had to share runway facilities with RMAF.

Moving main international airport out of Manila not only created new towns and facilities, but also help disperse wealth distribution to all Filipinos. It may free prime land in Pasay which better be utilised to develop another township similar to Fort Bonifacio. It will also help reduce traffic congestion around Manila and lower the noise pollution.

Building another airport just to cater cargo and people in the south, Sangley (Cavite, Laguna, Tagaytay or Batangas what else) will be a complete waste of money while the money should be better utilise to expand and upgrade connectivity from central Makati to Clark. (high speed train).

We're not vibrant enough to have four airports in Mega Manila area (Clark, Subic, NAIA and your suggestion Sangley).

Raven83

July 6th, 2007, 09:58 AM

The thing is theres already a long runway in Sangley....Its just the terminal that they have to build. What is the cost of a terminal compare to the huge transporation cost that will accumulate over the years? KL can afford to do that since areas around KL arent that dense compare to what we have here in NCR area so buliding new highways and train systems would certainly be expensive,hard and takes time to build. Regarding cost Spending something like $2b dollar for a highspeed train,which specifically carries only people and not freight. is much more expensive than say built a $750m terminal with around 10million pax cap. Besides where not just talking about Manila here its the whole Southern Luzon area. Laguna,Cavite,Muntinlupa,Batangas and Quezon..

For me definitely Subic is redundant since theres already CRK in the area(I dont know if someone still flies there either). but lets compare CRK as Stansted,MNL as Heathrow, and Sangley as Gatwick. All three have access to millions of residents in their respective catchment radius. So I think three airport for area of around 25million people for South and Central Luzon area is definitely viable. Besides If the Chinese port developers at Sangley would think of logistical support. I think putting up a terminal with no cost to the goverment is not that impossible.

If some would remember the plan of putting up an airport terminal there was mooted before during Erap's time when an aircraft overshoot in NAIA(I forgot which aircraft). but of course GMA is biased toward Clarks development.
Thus the Sangley plan was never revived till recently by the Revilla's.

habagatcentral1

July 6th, 2007, 11:48 AM

How long is the Sangley Runway?

Arkdriver

July 6th, 2007, 01:31 PM

shyaman

July 6th, 2007, 02:54 PM

How long is the Sangley Runway?

2368 m x 46 m.

Here's the complete list of airports in the Philippines. Iloilo's data is still for the old airport.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Airport-1.jpg

oz.fil

July 6th, 2007, 03:04 PM

Raven83

July 6th, 2007, 07:04 PM

i still think it's not viable. First, London airports are like transit points for passengers around europe. The volume is so vast and Heathrow cant simply fit all the international passengers in. That's why there's Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City airport, plus smaller other airport in Ashford etc.

British is a mature economy, and it's only natural for them to get passengers flying in because of their history and their rank amongst economic powerhouse. Also their per capita income for Londoners is more than we had in Manila. Where do we stand now? DMIA and NAIA is enough for international traffic for Manila, even then, you have to choose DMIA for because they have vast land for expansion.

Then we have to think about our airports competitiveness when we want to win passengers and airlines operating from Suvarnabhumi, Changi, KLIA, HKIA and Incheon. By having one truly big, international airport, it's only then we can attract them to fly and transit here. Having 3 airports within 200km radius wont help. Especially when there's no need for these. How many passengers NAIA handle yearly, then you compare how many Stansted handles. They need to have more airports because they need to, WE DONT REALLY NEED another aiport for southern tagalog region.

Also, let's compare aiports with their anchor airlines. Changi - Singapore Airlines, KLIA - Malaysia Airlines, HKIA - Cathay Pacific, Incheon - KAL,Asiana,
NAIA - PAL. We're talking about airlines that brings passengers from all continents.

All listed airlines above except PAL brings in more than 5 million international passengers with most of them transiting/disembarking at their respective home hub. How many airplanes PAL have and did they fly to Europe? Did PAL can do the job bringing in European destined for Kangaroo Route? Unless PAL flew more than 15 million pax per year, only then we'll have to clear another piece of land to extend runway at Sangley.

And how many airlines (weak airlines like PAL and CEB) actually wants to maintain redundancy in their operation (Manila - Hong Kong, Sangley Hong Kong, Clark - Hong Kong).

Doesnt make sense, but good thing you actually come out with something. Your suggestion might be considered when we're politically stable and economically strong, unlike now.

Sangley runway is 2,367 meter long.

Well for one the reason I'm mooting this thing out is simply because of one thing,convenience...being in a transport intensive business I do require quick transport solutions. More transiting time for me means more money to be spent. Our arguments here pretty much resembles the A380 vs 787's hub to hub or point to point arguments. Well I must accept that Sangley maybe redundant but closing NAIA and forcing all flights to DMIA like what the Malaysian government did to Sepang is one total disaster for businesses around Southern Luzon. In your comparison to KL well I understand your point. but keep in mind that all cities are unique and doesnt require the same solutions. Areas sorrounding KL arent that dense so building up infrastructures are easy. Try to do that around MM and you'll probably see a congressman trying to make pa-pogi to his constituents by putting himself in front of the demolitin team. (like last week in Malabon ba? hehe). You mentioned that its economically unviable. It entirely depends on populations travel need and geography. Malaysia is larger than the Philippines so KL-ites wouldn't mind travelling to Sepang to take a three hour flight to areas in East Malaysia. Compare that for us here in Alabang. Whats the point of doing a three hour trek up north for a 80minute flight to HK or 60min flight to Cebu. not to mention spending another Php300 worth of bus transport coming from Megamall?. Megahubs are just numbers. Travelling passengers per country for me is much more important. Whats the point on competing as transit hub when you can't even conveninetly serve your own countrymen?

If ever constructed Sangley can fully replace NAIA as a downtown airport because its distance are not that far from the city center(8miles).plus being beside an open water means more room for expansion in the form of reclamation,which shouldnt be hard sine that area consist of shallow water.

There's also an IATA study in the 1960's recommending regional or domestic flights must be on an airport within a short distance from a city That I guess is the logic behind other densely populated cities who have two operational airports like Seoul(Gimpo and Incheon),Taipei(Songshan,Taoyuan),Tokyo(Haneda,Narita). Other less richer cities who have two airport systems are Buenos Aires(Ezeiza,JorgeNewberry),RioDeJaneiro(Galeao,SantosDumont),SaoPaolo(Congonhas,Guarulhos). We must keep in mind that Manila is not "just" an ordinary city it is a megacity with big population. Regarding Cargo oh well I definetly push for a Cargo facily in Sangley. For one Manufacturers like us could not bare any longer the high production cost here. The congested NAIA would bring more of head-ache for us and tranferring to Clark is certainly means closure and even now I myself is planning to tranfer our garments facilty to Hanoi.

Back to reality:For now,my recomendation is that domestic and connections to economically significant cities must be retained at NAIA. While other long range flights can transfer now to Clark. I also suggest various aviation related activities must be segregated on various airports around Manila. Like this one.

Clark: International and domestic flights,cargo,Gen Av,Military

NAIA: Regional and Domestic Flights,limited cargo,no gen av,no military flights.

SANGLEY: Alternative low cost airport,Cargo,Gen Av. Military (Kalayaan Flights)

Plaridel: Gen AV,Training

Basa: Military,Training,Gen Av

Lipa: Militart, Training,Cargo,Gen Av

Subic: Cargo,Training,Gen Av.

Ph Man

July 6th, 2007, 07:10 PM

hello guys....would like to post for BKK airport photos
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p702eb35aa8760c78d48fd0d92dd6df6e/e8c39cbc.jpg

some part of the ceiling look unfinished
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf2b51cd554ae1b9de14c175428fad06b/e8c39c85.jpg

i think they have more belts than HK
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p40f611c948294589113e3b1d175dba6d/e8c39c48.jpg

ceiling
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p4245aa219bfd428ebd6fd48bb1c151d7/e8c39c0f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p3c713cf8b79ec77f5fff59c82949c33a/e8c39bf6.jpg

i think it's unnecessarily huge

Departure
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5868464f69a41e07faa1ab2dc14034e1/e8c39a0d.jpg

Colorful Camrys at the GF
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p7afcad3f8fcbfbca7ad04e5876aa4f19/e8c399e1.jpg

And of course, the tallest control tower in the world
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p89f4506a9362cefafabfe96811add839/e8c39964.jpg

habagatcentral1

July 6th, 2007, 09:42 PM

^^ Is that Suvarmabhumi?

ryanr

July 6th, 2007, 09:43 PM

nice, esp. the ATC.

oh, and those aren't Camrys. They are Corolla Altis taxis.

Arkdriver

July 7th, 2007, 10:26 AM

Well for one the reason I'm mooting this thing out is simply because of one thing,convenience...being in a transport intensive business I do require quick transport solutions. More transiting time for me means more money to be spent. Our arguments here pretty much resembles the A380 vs 787's hub to hub or point to point arguments. Well I must accept that Sangley maybe redundant but closing NAIA and forcing all flights to DMIA like what the Malaysian government did to Sepang is one total disaster for businesses around Southern Luzon. In your comparison to KL well I understand your point. but keep in mind that all cities are unique and doesnt require the same solutions. Areas sorrounding KL arent that dense so building up infrastructures are easy. Try to do that around MM and you'll probably see a congressman trying to make pa-pogi to his constituents by putting himself in front of the demolitin team. (like last week in Malabon ba? hehe). You mentioned that its economically unviable. It entirely depends on populations travel need and geography. Malaysia is larger than the Philippines so KL-ites wouldn't mind travelling to Sepang to take a three hour flight to areas in East Malaysia. Compare that for us here in Alabang. Whats the point of doing a three hour trek up north for a 80minute flight to HK or 60min flight to Cebu. not to mention spending another Php300 worth of bus transport coming from Megamall?. Megahubs are just numbers. Travelling passengers per country for me is much more important. Whats the point on competing as transit hub when you can't even conveninetly serve your own countrymen?

If ever constructed Sangley can fully replace NAIA as a downtown airport because its distance are not that far from the city center(8miles).plus being beside an open water means more room for expansion in the form of reclamation,which shouldnt be hard sine that area consist of shallow water.

There's also an IATA study in the 1960's recommending regional or domestic flights must be on an airport within a short distance from a city That I guess is the logic behind other densely populated cities who have two operational airports like Seoul(Gimpo and Incheon),Taipei(Songshan,Taoyuan),Tokyo(Haneda,Narita). Other less richer cities who have two airport systems are Buenos Aires(Ezeiza,JorgeNewberry),RioDeJaneiro(Galeao,SantosDumont),SaoPaolo(Congonhas,Guarulhos). We must keep in mind that Manila is not "just" an ordinary city it is a megacity with big population. Regarding Cargo oh well I definetly push for a Cargo facily in Sangley. For one Manufacturers like us could not bare any longer the high production cost here. The congested NAIA would bring more of head-ache for us and tranferring to Clark is certainly means closure and even now I myself is planning to tranfer our garments facilty to Hanoi.

Back to reality:For now,my recomendation is that domestic and connections to economically significant cities must be retained at NAIA. While other long range flights can transfer now to Clark. I also suggest various aviation related activities must be segregated on various airports around Manila. Like this one.

Clark: International and domestic flights,cargo,Gen Av,Military

NAIA: Regional and Domestic Flights,limited cargo,no gen av,no military flights.

SANGLEY: Alternative low cost airport,Cargo,Gen Av. Military (Kalayaan Flights)

Plaridel: Gen AV,Training

Basa: Military,Training,Gen Av

Lipa: Militart, Training,Cargo,Gen Av

Subic: Cargo,Training,Gen Av.

You have some points that make into my logical side of thinking about MM aviation scene. I see Sangley idea would only be available if NAIA is closed down so we would have two international airports in Clark and Sangley. I think NAIA should be tore down to free up prime land also it would enable Manila to build tall skyscrapers and observation towers.

A truly international airport have no room for Gen Av. Gen Av and private jet traffics can be concentrated at Subic and Sangley. I also recommend subic to be transformed into a integrated air cargo transport hub. Air, sea and land cargo. No other airports can match highly specialized cargo center. Strategic location. Cargojocks dont like to share traffic with GenAv and pax service. trust me.

Military airports, for security reason, should remain closed to the public and Gen Av. Whatmore if someday we acquire fighter jets, the sensitive information of number of fleets and personnel can't be leaked to the public. We're still at war with Abu Sayyaf and NPA.

by the way you live in Alabang? my family lived there for 10 years before we moved to Malaysia. I'm miss the place so much.

tigidig14

July 7th, 2007, 05:31 PM

^meron bang bapor mula kl or any cities in malaysia, full of asia, to manila

bustero

July 8th, 2007, 06:14 AM

Bapor :lol: nawawala ka ata Tigs! hehe Anyway alang ganon. Galing Sa Zamboanga at Sulu Islands , madami. Several ports sa Mindanao including Davao meron ring papuntangd Indonesia.

Re the airports, I don't think there are plans at all to close MIA. I'm pretty sure in the long run Clark will be the Primary Gateway for the country but it doesn't mean MIA will close. For one thing GA will not be allowed within the Clark Aerodome. There have been several studies what to do with Sangley, I think it can still be maintained as alternative Airport since they're building an expressway all the way to Cavite City anyway. That would make travel time from Makati to Sangley just ever so slightly shorter than Clark , haha. It could even be a regional airport without much change since it's over 2km already.

If anything we need to plan for the future, Greater Manila and the country will not always be at sub 20million air pax . That can easily double in less than 20 years specially with regional integration, LCC's and increased tourism on top of increasing gdp per capita changes in consumption patterns.

dinabaw

July 8th, 2007, 09:54 AM

Starweek
A green jet takes flight

Sunday, July 8, 2007

The eyes of the aviation world will be fixed on Boeing in Washington today when the US aircraft giant unveils its 787 Dreamliner, the “green” passenger jet it hopes will revolutionize air travel.

The mid-sized plane, which seats up to 330 passengers and is capable of flying long-haul routes using up to 20 percent less fuel while pumping out fewer greenhouse gases, will be rolled out for 300 gathered media.

The 787 – Boeing’s first new model in 13 years – will make its maiden test flight later this year before going into commercial service with Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) in 2008.

The new aircraft boasts several revolutionary design features, most notably the use of high-tech plastic composites instead of aluminium.

Up to 50 percent of the primary structure of the plane – including the fuselage and wing – will be made of composites such as carbon-fiber.

“By manufacturing a one-piece fuselage section, we are eliminating 1,500 aluminum sheets and 40,000 to 50,000 fasteners,” Boeing said in a statement.

The composites used in the Dreamliner are also stronger and lighter than traditional materials, allowing the plane greater fuel efficiency.

“In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance,” Boeing has said. “The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today’s similarly sized airplane.”

Lower fuel-costs could in theory lead to cheaper long-haul travel, aviation industry analysts say.

Richard Aboulafia, chief analyst with the Teal Group Corporation, said the Dreamliner was poised to revolutionize air travel if its projected rates of fuel-efficiency proved accurate.

“If you look at it from an airline standpoint: you don’t have a choice,” Aboulafia told AFP. “If you don’t have a 787-class aircraft and your competitor does, he can under-price you and out-profit you.

“We can’t be sure of their performance objectives, but if it does what they say, it’s revolutionary, both in terms of the plane’s operating economics and durability,” Aboulafia added.

Scott Hamilton of aviation industry analysts Leeham Co echoed Aboulafia’s assessment. “This is the next evolutionary step in aviation,” Hamilton told US media. “It’s a game-changer for its manufacturing and assembly processes and will probably be mimicked by succeeding airplanes.”

The Dreamliner’s other innovations include greater levels of comfort for passengers, with higher humidity levels within the cabin expected to reduce passenger dehydration.

Boeing, which aims to build 2,000 Dreamliners over the next two decades, has so far received 634 orders from 45 companies for the plane, which has a catalogue price of between 146 to 200 million dollars.

The 787 will go into service after Airbus’s mammoth A380 takes to the skies. The first units of the double-decker superjumbo – capable of seating up to 800 passengers – will be delivered to Singapore Airlines in October.

Analysts say the Dreamliner and the A380 reflect the different strategies of Boeing and Airbus as they seek to achieve the same objective – cheaper air travel. In response to Boeing’s Dreamliner, Airbus has announced plans for a further new model, the A350. But the new plane is not expected to be ready for commercial use until 2013. —AF

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Starweek&p=49&type=2&sec=52&aid=2007070743