Airlines, Airplanes and Airports - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 28

3cr

September 13th, 2007, 02:43 AM

NAIA eyes maximized use of runway
By Michael Punongbayan
PhilStar
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Metro&p=49&type=2&sec=26

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is now pushing for a scheme that will maximize the use of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) runway system.

Airport officials are now planning to implement a so-called “time slotting” program that will address the problem of congestion, especially during peak hours by balancing flight schedules and giving passengers more options.

MIAA assistant general manager for airport development and corporate affairs Tirso Serrano said committees have been formed to study the idea and submit a report soon.

A dialogue with stakeholders including airline representatives and members of the Airport Operators Council (AOC) was held to inform concerned parties of the proposed scheme.

“MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi met with them in a meeting to show how we are exerting revitalized efforts to come up with new programs that will further improve airport services,” Serrano told The Star in an interview.

He explained that the NAIA operates two runways – Runway 0624, which accommodates wide-bodied jets for international flights, and Runway 1331, which is used by domestic flights.

He said the “time slotting” program hopes to balance daily flight schedules with peak and off-peak hours, the needs of the traveling public, and the supply and demand factor.

Serrano explained that the current system congests NAIA’s runways because flights are scheduled at the same hours of the day, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Controlling flight schedules to prevent congestion at the NAIA will definitely result in better airport services for both airline operators and passengers, he said.

“It’s a complicated process,” Serrano said, adding that the committees that Cusi formed were created to study and evaluate everything.

He said the MIAA continues to find ways and ideas to improve services as the country’s premier air hub in relation to its central role in regional airport development, specially as the NAIA services 95 percent of air traffic in the country.

Serrano said current efforts to achieve International Organization Standardization (ISO) certification is one way to raise management standards at the NAIA.

The ISO 9001 is by far the world’s most established quality framework, currently being used by over 7.5 million organizations in 161 countries, that sets standards not only for a quality management systems, but management systems in general.

bariQ

September 13th, 2007, 02:44 AM

i thought they were called the cabin crew..

kiretoce

September 13th, 2007, 03:20 AM

When I hear the term "cabin crew" I think of it as the collective term, while a "flight attendant" (FA) is the individual.

kiretoce

September 13th, 2007, 04:24 AM

UAE national airline to increase flights to Manila from October (http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/6260302.html)

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced on Tuesday that it will increase the frequency of its service linking Abu Dhabi and Manila from four flights a week to daily as of Oct. 1.

Etihad's Abu Dhabi-Manila service, which was launched in February 2006, has received a strong demand from leisure travelers and the 200,000-strong Filipino community in the UAE, according to a press release by the airline.

"Demand regularly outstrips supply on the Abu Dhabi to Manila service, especially in the economy cabin," said the airline's CEO James Hogan, who deemed the flight increase is vital for both the airline and the customers.

Etihad's new daily schedule will increase the number of seats available on the route from 1,512 seats each week to 2,646 seats.

In addition, Etihad has also signed a code share agreement with Philippine Airlines, which will enable Etihad's customers to book and travel seamlessly from Abu Dhabi to other cities on the Philippines Airlines' network such as Cebu and Davao via Manila.

Established in July 2003, Etihad launched its first flight on Nov. 6, 2003. It currently has 37 aircraft on fleet covering 45 destinations.

kiretoce

September 13th, 2007, 04:27 AM

PAL to increase flights to Australia (http://www.impactpub.com.au/micebtn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1107&Itemid=49)

The Philippine Depart of Tourism in Sydney has welcomed additional flights to Australia between the two countries.

This follows confirmation that national carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will increase its Australian services to five a week starting 26 November. The carrier currently operates services three times a week Melbourne –Sydney and Sydney-Melbourne to connect with its Manila service. From November, it will operate Melbourne-Manila via Sydney each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and Sydney-Manila via Melbourne each Monday and Thursday.

Travel to the Philippines has been steadily increasing. Australian visitor arrival figures for January-July 2007 show an increase of 8.3 per cent to 60,323.

Philippine Department of Tourism in Sydney’s tourism attaché - Consuelo Jones - said the extra flights would be very welcome. “The night departure provides really good connections when passengers get to Manila for those wanting to visit popular holiday spots like Cebu and Davao,” said Jones.

The additional capacity will also suit efforts by Jones to promote the Philippines as a MICE destination. She said the meetings and incentives market had been requesting additional frequencies and added capacity to meet increased awareness of the Philippines.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is already planning a stronger presence at AIME in Melbourne in February 2008 and expects to field a strong tourism delegation of hoteliers and tour operators at the annual travel mart.

kiretoce

September 13th, 2007, 04:37 AM

Cebu Pacific starts flight to China (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS20070913102824.html)

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific began flight services to China yesterday with the launching of their Manila-Shanghai route. Flight 5J678 pushed back from Gate 15 of this terminal at exactly 8:05 p.m. last night for its maiden voyage to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The aircraft, a 150-seater Airbus Industries A319 jet, was piloted by Captains Godwin Ciriaco and Manuel Osias with Capt. Victor Custodio, CEB’s VP for flight operations observing at the flight deck.

Before the flight left, JG Summit Holding’s chairman and CEO James Go, together with CEB VP for marketing Candice Iyog, led the inauguration ceremonies at the boarding gate where all 140 revenue passengers were treated to light cocktails and were given some souvenirs.

Also present for the inaugural flight were Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Chinese Embassy Charge ‘d Affairs Deng Xi Jun and airport general manager Alfonso Cusi.

The Manila-Shanghai service will operate from this airport on a daily basis, leaving Manila at 8:05pm and arriving in Shanghai at 11:45pm. The return flight leaves Pudong at 12:30am and arrives in Manila at 4:10am.

The maiden voyage to Shanghai marks CEB’s foray into the huge Chinese market whose number of travelers are increasing at a phenomenal rate. Shanghai is the CEB’s first destination in China which will be followed next week by an inaugural flight to Xiamen. In October, CEB will launch its flight services to Guangzhou and Macau.

"We are excited abour Shanghai as it comes at a very opportune time for everyone." Candice Iyog said. "Seeing that China is a growing tourist market for the Philippines, we want to be able to replicate the success of our low cost model in the Philippines, in China as well."

According to Iyog, the lowest ‘Go’ fare to Shanghai starts from R2,999 oneway, and can be purchased through their website.

"We are sure that with the low fares we are offering to and from Shanghai, we will be able to stimulate travel and help grow our tourist arrivals from China. We also hope that more Filipinos take advantage of our year round low fares to go and see the vibrant and dynamic city of Shanghai," Iyog added.

CEB announced earlier the acquisition of additional Airbus and ATR aircraft to complement its continued expansion both domestically and internationally. This is part of CEB’s strategy to carry more than 5 million passengers by the end of this year and more than 15 million passengers by 2013.

"This continues to be part of our commitment to the country’s tourism agenda and to bringing air travel closer to more people." Iyog emphasized.

Now in its 12th year, CEB has the youngest fleet in the Philippines with a fleet age of a little over one year. CEB operates 14 Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and soon to be 12 international destinations with the addition of Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Macau.

pi_malejana

September 13th, 2007, 07:17 AM

ma-share ko lang 'to... ahihihi...:lol:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/1370231854_4308519dcc_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1266/1370230988_1559529370_b.jpg

haha.. gawa namin ng bro. ko..:) napagidskitahan kong picturan, kaya na-post ko dito, airport naman yan eh.. hehe.. like a scale model..:)
u should find out the materials we used..lolz!!!

kiretoce

September 13th, 2007, 07:51 AM

^^ And what airport was that scaled down from? :dunno:

pi_malejana

September 13th, 2007, 08:12 AM

^^ And what airport was that scaled down from? :dunno:

hehe.. actually i can't call it a scale model, bec we didn't copy from any airport. it was just a hw from a pre-architecture-like class in his school.. i helped him out..:)

oz.fil

September 13th, 2007, 01:51 PM

chocolato1000

September 14th, 2007, 04:26 PM

100 Busiest Airports 2006

1 Atlanta ATL 84,846,639 ... -1.2%
2 Chicago ORD 77,028,134 ... 0.7
3 London LHR 67,530,197 ... -0.6
4 Tokyo HND 65,810,672 ... 4
5 Los Angeles LAX 61,041,066 ... -0.7
6 Dallas/Ft Worth DFW 60,226,138 ... 1.8
7 Paris CDG 56,849,567 ... 5.7
8 Frankfurt FRA 52,810,683 ... 1.1
9 Beijing PEK 48,654,770 ... 18.7
10 Denver DEN 47,325,016 ... 9.1
11 Las Vegas LAS 46,193,329 ... 5
12 Amsterdam AMS 46,065,719 ... 4.4
13 Madrid MAD 45,501,168 ... 8
14 Hong Kong HKG 43,857,908 ... 8.9
15 New York JFK 43,762,282 ... 4.5
16 Bangkok BKK 42,799,532 ... 9.8
17 Houston IAH 42,550,432 ... 7.1
18 Phoenix PHX 41,436,737 ... 0.5
19 Newark EWR 36,724,167 ... 7.9
20 Detroit DTW 35,972,673 ... -1.1
21 Minneapolis/St Paul MSP 35,612,133 ... -5.3
22 Singapore SIN 35,033,083 ... 8
23 Tokyo NRT 34,975,225 ... 11.3
24 Orlando MCO 34,640,451 ... 1.5
25 London LGW 34,172,492 ... 4.2
26 San Francisco SFO 33,574,807 ... 0.5
27 Miami MIA 32,533,974 ... 4.9
28 Philadelphia PHL 31,768,272 ... 0.9
29 Toronto YYZ 30,972,577 ... 3.5
30 Munich MUC 30,757,978 ... 7.5
31 Jakarta CGK 30,583,957 ... 9.4
32 Sydney SYD 30,375,799 ... 3.9
33 Rome FCO 30,102,097 ... 5.2
34 Barcelona BCN 30,000,601 ... 10.5
35 Seattle SEA 29,979,097 ... 2.4
36 Charlotte CLT 29,693,949 ... 5.3
37 Dubai DXB 28,788,726 ... 16.2
38 Seoul ICN 28,360,723 ... 8.2
39 Boston BOS 27,725,443 ... 2.4
40 Shanghai PVG 26,789,125 ... 12.9
41 New York LGA 26,571,146 ... -0.4
42 Guangzhou CAN 26,222,037 ... 11.3
43 Paris ORY 25,622,152 ... 3.1
44 Mexico City MEX 24,727,296 ... 2.5
45 Kuala Lumpur KUL 24,129,748 ... 3.9
46 London STN 23,686,800 ... 7.6
47 Istanbul IST 23,261,878 ... 10.1
48 Taipei TPE 22,857,445 ... 5.3
49 Washington IAD 22,813,067 ... -15
50 Manchester MAN 22,776,337 ... 0.2
51 Palma de Mallorca PMI 22,402,257 ... 5.5
52 Melbourne MEL 21,903,775 ... 3.4
53 Milan MXP 21,767,267 ... 10.9
54 Salt Lake City SLC 21,557,656 ... -3.1
55 Mumbai BOM 21,375,051 ... 22.8
56 Ft Lauderdale/Hollywood FLL 21,369,787 ... -4.6
57 Dublin DUB 21,196,382 ... 14.9
58 Batlimore/Washington BWI 21,184,208 ... 4.9
59 Copenhagen CPH 20,799,352 ... 4.5
60 Honolulu HNL 20,067,871 ... -0.6
61 New Delhi DEL 19,372,694 ... 28.4
62 Shanghai SHA 19,336,954 ... 8.7
63 Zurich ZRH 19,185,989 ... 7.6
64 Tampa TPA 18,867,541 ... -0.9
65 Chicago MDW 18,680,663 ... 5.8
66 Washington DCA 18,545,557 ... 3.9
67 Sao Paolo CGH 18,542,803 ... 7.4
68 Sapporo CTS 18,389,322 ... 2.9
69 Shenzhen SZX 18,356,069 ... 16.6
70 Fukuoka FUK 18,205,998 ... -2.6
71 Manila MNL 17,942,465 ... 10.6
72 Oslo OSL 17,672,179 ... 11.2
73 Stockholm ARN 17,667,501 ... 2.5
74 San Diego SAN 17,481,942 ... 0.6
75 Johannesburg JNB 17,344,669 ... 8.7
76 Vancouver YVR 17,139,527 ... 3.3
77 Brisbane BNE 17,087,549 ... 5.7
78 Osaka ITM 17,050,440 ... -10
79 Vienna VIE 16,855,725 ... 6.3
80 Brussels BRU 16,666,522 ... 3.3
81 Osaka KIX 16,599,429 ... 2
82 Dusseldorf DUS 16,591,174 ... 7
83 Chengdu CTU 16,278,700 ... 16.9
84 Cincinnati CVG 16,244,962 ... -28.7
85 Moscow DME 15,370,335 ... 10
86 St Louis STL 15,205,944 ... 3
87 Athens ATH 15,065,267 ... 5.6
88 Antalya AYT 14,767,977 ... -7.6
89 Oakland OAK 14,692,875 ... 0
90 Kunming KMG 14,448,653 ... 22.3
91 Naha OKA 14,172,504 ... 5
92 Portland PDX 14,043,489 ... 1.2
93 Seoul GMP 13,766,523 ... 2.4
94 Jeddah JED 13,357,093 ... 0.1
95 Malaga AGP 13,056,155 ... 3.2
96 Moscow SVO 12,764,263 ... 5.1
97 Lisbon LIS 12,314,314 ... 9.6
98 Helsinki HEL 12,142,873 ... 9.1
99 Jeju CJU 12,109,837 ... 6.6
100 Hamburg HAM 11,954,560 ... 12

Source: ACI

kiretoce

September 14th, 2007, 04:48 PM

^^ Is that list based on take offs and landings, aircraft movements, or passenger usage?

mwg12a

September 14th, 2007, 05:25 PM

This is awesome news! You dont know how boring an 8 hour day flight is without any ptvs... :nuts:
Now at least you can sleep in Melbourne and wake up in Manila!!!

Gawd, I envy u people who can sleep or even take a nap while on a trip, even if u are laid down in a first class, I can't ever fall asleep and will stay awake for atleast 3 days, the night before departure til arrival in the Philippines from the US...

terrapinoy

September 14th, 2007, 05:37 PM

@Kiretoce - Looks like passenger traffic. Amazing to see double digit increases especially in Asia with DEL and BOM at 20%+ increases. Those airports must be packed!

kiretoce

September 14th, 2007, 05:44 PM

^^ Thanks! Yeah, I can just imagine the airports in New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay), swarming with hordes of people. :eek:

Raven83

September 14th, 2007, 06:05 PM

^^ I saw in the Indian thread that delays in Mumbai were up to 2hours simply because of traffic problems....they have a nice new domestic terminal though

diz

September 17th, 2007, 08:43 AM

New Zealand, Philippines Near Airline Services Agreement (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008535396)
Komfie Manalo - AHN News Writer

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The governments of the Philippines and New Zealand have started talks for an air services agreement, granting reciprocal rights for airline carriers to operate both passenger and cargo flights at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Angeles, Pampanga, north of the capital Manila.

A key feature of the agreement includes rights to begin Auckland-Manila passenger flights.

Initial talks held earlier this month at the New Zealand Ministry of Transport in Wellington, New Zealand made considerable progress between the negotiators, according to Filipino Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin, who led Manila's delegation.

However the negotiations encountered deadlock on third-country code sharing. Civil Aeronautics Board Deputy Executive Director Porvenier Porciuncula said, "The Philippines has no problem with code sharing, as long as it is bilateral. We don't want third-country rights thrown in."

The second round of talks is expected to be held in December this year to conclude the agreement.

kiretoce

September 17th, 2007, 03:12 PM

^^ Great news! Hope to see PR flying to ACK and NZ to MNL/CRK soon! :okay:

terrapinoy

September 17th, 2007, 08:51 PM

As posted on a.net. John Gokongwei speculates on 5Js entry into US market. (paragraph 7)

Source: ABS-CBN Interactive (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=92726)

Chinoy taipans gravitate to Shanghai

DEMAND AND SUPPLY
By BOO CHANCO

SHANGHAI — The growth of business relations between Shanghai and the Philippines got a boost last Wednesday evening as Cebu Pacific’s flight 5J 678 landed at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport a few minutes past eleven in the evening. The inaugural flight left NAIA after ceremonies graced by two cabinet members, the secretaries of tourism and transportation and the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Manila.

The Philippine Star

SHANGHAI — The growth of business relations between Shanghai and the Philippines got a boost last Wednesday evening as Cebu Pacific’s flight 5J 678 landed at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport a few minutes past eleven in the evening. The inaugural flight left NAIA after ceremonies graced by two cabinet members, the secretaries of tourism and transportation and the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Taipan John Gokongwei was already in Shanghai ahead of a small group of friends, staff and media invited to the inaugural flight. Meeting with the group the following day, the 81-year old self made Filipino-Chinese taipan declared that Cebu Pacific’s daily flight to Taiwan will open the floodgates of travel between China’s business capital and the Philippines, powered by affordable cheap fares pioneered by the country’s first budget airline. Assuming you book early enough, the cheapest fare for the Shanghai flight, for instance, is just P2,999 one way or about 76 percent cheaper than current fares to China’s business capital.

Over dinner at a restaurant in Shanghai’s fashionable Xin Tian Di entertainment district, Mr. John exuded confidence as he predicted that Cebu Pacific, already first in the domestic market, will be first in Asia among Philippine carriers by February 2008. The airline is also launching inaugural flights to Macau, Guangzhou and Xiamen this month and to Beijing, Osaka and Tokyo shortly thereafter.

Cebu Pacific is already flying to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta as well as its initial international destinations of Hong Kong and Seoul. Cebu Pacific is also able to maximize utilization of their fleet of Airbus 319s and 320s that serve domestic routes during the day time and the regional routes at night.

Mr. Gokongwei was happy about the high passenger load factor in their midnight regional runs to Southeast Asian capitals. Not only are these flights profitable, they feel good about the service they are giving OFWs who are now able to go home more often with fares that are close to domestic rates. He is thinking of flying to the Middle East too, to serve the OFW market. But that’s just a thought at this point, given the tough competition from Middle Eastern airlines heavily subsidized by their governments.

And if Mr. John eventually wins an ongoing debate with his son Lance, Cebu Pacific may inaugurate a trans-Pacific flight to San Francisco and/or Los Angeles with onward final destinations of Chicago or Houston. He said he sees this happening within 18 months.

In a previous conversation I had with Lance, he told me the trans-Pacific route does not fit his current business model for Cebu Pacific. I also see the current rise in oil prices may also delay such plans. But Mr. John sounded certain it will happen because with major Asian cities already covered, the exciting new frontier for the taipan is the US and its rich market of Pinoy expats.

Mr. John also proudly announced airline profits of about P2 billion in the first six months of the year. When asked if the airline plans to do an IPO, the taipan said he is looking at the possibility of an IPO in March next year that will raise at least $400 million, depending on market conditions.

Looking back, the best thing that happened to him was losing the public bid for Philippine Airlines when it was privatized by the GSIS. He was able to build a new airline from scratch, without the historical baggage of PAL which rival taipan Lucio Tan had to bear for many years until PAL started showing some profits recently.

Mr. John was visibly worried about the contagion effect of the subprime woes of the American financial system to the Philippine economy. But he remained bullish about the business prospects in the varied business lines of the companies under the JG Summit holding company. Even his losing petrochemical operation, he said, should start seeing some money being made once they get their cracker operating.

kiretoce

September 17th, 2007, 09:17 PM

^^ Personally, I'd rather fly a "legacy" carrier that's full service than have to settle for an LCC on a trans-Pacific flight.

xXx carlos xXx

September 18th, 2007, 04:11 AM

^^ i wouldnt mind flying any carrier as long as its a direct or the shortest possible flight to/from houston,... currently the shortest flight from houston to manila is on china airlines may layover in seattle and taipei... im just glad that somehow (although not sure if mangyayari) may nagcoconsider to fly to houston na philippine carrier..

though the way i see it... parang di mangyayari dahil wala silang aircrafts that can serve US-Manila... unless they are going to have dozens of layover..

bustero

September 18th, 2007, 04:48 AM

Lance is probably right, flying long haul will distor their lcc strategy and break their cost structure making it hard for them to compete with AirAsia in the long run. Of course if they play the protectionist game then they can compete. Also flying long haul to the states is not only lucrative but will also lower prices on that route served by just one monopoly carrier.

Arkdriver

September 18th, 2007, 05:18 AM

Guess what? i heard the wildest rumour that Cebu Pacific (BUPAC or Bupak) will acquire an A380! Trial run at NAIA will be done by october or early next year. I think if they want to venture into long haul they must do it now as Air Asia X (Air Asia's long haul shot) will focus on Europe, China, India and Australia. So there's a gap bupak can exploit. It's north America. If they succeed in the LCC long haul business we can see many cost-sensitive tourists from North America transiting in MNL before embarking their journey to other destinations in Asia.

With strong airline we gonna see growth of air traffic in philippines' airports. See what SIA do for Changi, MAS for KLIA and Thai Airways for Suvarnabhumi. They are strong airline and trusted brand. They fly to almost all inhabited continents (with MAS fly to all 6 continents, the only Asian airline that serves Latin America) with contrast to PAL (still using "subsidised" magic words). I would love to see bupak fly to middle east to tap large OFW base there. If they're late to come into the game, they will find it hard, as Air Asia X will be launched today with scheduled service will start anytime soon to Australia.

tigidig14

September 18th, 2007, 05:42 AM

gandang story...sana

pi_malejana

September 18th, 2007, 06:32 AM

a LCC A380? why not..? if PAL doesn't like it, i think mr. gokongwei will..!!:lol:

kiretoce

September 18th, 2007, 12:43 PM

Hmm....LCCs are known for their rapid turn-arounds, I wonder how quick an A380's turn-around rate is. :dunno:

Arkdriver

September 18th, 2007, 01:52 PM

turn around for long haul operation does not need to be that fast. 25 minutes. I think they will give one to 2 hour turnaround for wide body aircraft. There's little need to rush.

terrapinoy

September 18th, 2007, 02:05 PM

Wow, interesting observations from everyone. @ssangyongs, I hope that rumor is true. It does not seem too far fetched since 5J is a good Airbus customer. It really does coincide with Gokongwei Sr.'s comments. I think if Cebu Pacific does enter the North American market, it only helps the consumers with more direct flight choices and hopefully lower prices. I read somewhere that maybe that they can use Hongkong Oasis as a long range LCC model. It seems that Hongkong Oasis has been fairly successful with its low cost fares from London and Vancouver. I would love to see MNL as an Asian hub as pointed out by @ssangyongs.

Raven83

September 18th, 2007, 02:08 PM

O would prefer CEB to initially use an A330-300 or 777-300ER than hopping into A380 immediately. That aircraft might have low per seat cost,but regarding operational efficiency for an LCC. I dont think A380 will fit in that role, or at least it hasn't proven itself just yet...

two cents...

hey ssangyong,What's the news regarding AirAsiax's A330-300? Is it true that it has 9abreast seating rather than the normal 8?...any source of pics?

edit: I've seen the pics in pangsapuri thread :D, any interior shots?

The Cebuano Exultor

September 18th, 2007, 06:18 PM

Hmm....LCCs are known for their rapid turn-arounds, I wonder how quick an A380's turn-around rate is. :dunno:

^^ You have a point. :yes:

Arkdriver

September 18th, 2007, 06:42 PM

@ravencute

currently there's no interior photoshot of the newly arrived A333. Expect it to come out in the forum within this month.

theyll be 2 classes,Premium Econ and coach econ,2 different pay scales and services but all seats will be assigned this time.First destination to Gold Coast (Coolangatta).Probably 4 flights a week,2 type of rotations with either one nite stop or two in Gold Coast.Departures from KUL will be at night(9-11 pm) and arrival in Gold Coast in the morning with return flight around noon local and arrival KUL evening.At the present time DCA has not approve XFA with ETOPS certification so flights will have to remain within 60mins diversion from suitable airports instead of more direct track and because of that now its gonna add some 40 mins to the overall flight time.I believe that the flight time will be around 8 hours.ETOPS certification will only be awarded after 6 months of operations.

Seating capacity will be 396 ,with 2-2-2 abreast seating in Premium Economy (J) and 3-3-3 abreast seating in Economy (EY)

@cebuano and kiretoce

Yeah it's true that LCC business model depends heavily on quick turnaround times but but for long haul operation, a 25 minute turnaround will have little difference on the whole operation since most flights will be more than 5-6 hours. As airplanes get bigger, the further the destinations meaning they fly longer than usual, with more revenue passengers contributing to the company's bottom line. Look at the post above, on how Air Asia X return flight from Gold Coast. They dont practice quick 25-minute turnaround for their long haul.

For me personally and logically i think that BUPAC should get A330 or 777 or 787 instead of jumping straight for A380. There's some logic in there when taking into consideration of these things.

For airbus, we can have double rating. In other words, we can have A320 and A330 ratings simultaneously. U can fly whichever of the two aircraft. Lets say this week i fly the A320. Then next week the A330. Then the week after fly the A320 again.

It's called Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ)

Both aircraft type shares very similar cockpit layout. The class isn't called conversion, it's called "differences class" just to tell the pilots what isn't the same as A320. And it takes 8 days if im not mistaken, including the simulator sessions.

Through CCQ bupak can maximise their crew for aircraft. If they decide to fly boeing they need to have another set of crew with different ratings and different pay which will in other way will increase their operation cost for crew.

For transpacific, A332 would be a better choice. The reason for the extended range of the A332 compared to the A333 is the availability of the center tank in A332,whereas on the A333 has no center tank,optional with the A333E.Hydraulics system is almost the same as with the A320 (Green,Blue,Yellow) but the RAT(Ram Air Turbine) powers the Green system on A330 while on the A320 it powers the Blue system.There are more system redundancies on the A330 such as Nav Backup fuction in the FMGEC in case of FMGEC failures,Land Recovery mode in case of total electrics failure.Also the A330 comes with 3 type of powerplants ;PW 4000 (A330-32x),GE CF6 (A330-30x),and RR Trent 700 (A330-34x).Of all three powerplants ,the most economical of all is the GE powered series but it also has the most IFD (inflight shutdown) record.

regarding the advantages and disadvantages of twin engines as against quads,twins are constrained by ETOPS(Extended -range Twin engines Operations) whereas quads are not affected by this,since an engine failure it becomes a DC-10,no worries except for the driftdown.
Probably these days the corporate people are willing to save money in the long run is what determines the ultimate decisions.

Let's hope for a better news. I think Bupac is in better position unlike Lion Air, Adam Air, and other indonesian LCCs in to give tiger and air asia some competition.

Raven83

September 18th, 2007, 07:12 PM

@ravencute
Seating capacity will be 396 ,with 2-2-2 abreast seating in Premium Economy (J) and 3-3-3 abreast seating in Economy (EY)

So wikipedia is right then, it's gonna be 9 abreast sitting on the economy class. rather than the normal (2-4-2) 8abreast. I wonder from where did AAX cut the spaces, walking aisles and seats?

@cebuano and kiretoce

Yeah it's true that LCC business model depends heavily on quick turnaround times but but for long haul operation, a 25 minute turnaround will have little difference on the whole operation since most flights will be more than 5-6 hours. As airplanes get bigger, the further the destinations meaning they fly longer than usual, with more revenue passengers contributing to the company's bottom line. Look at the post above, on how Air Asia X return flight from Gold Coast. They dont practice quick 25-minute turnaround for their long haul.

For me personally and logically i think that BUPAC should get A330 or 777 or 787 instead of jumping straight for A380. There's some logic in there when taking into consideration of these things.

For airbus, we can have double rating. In other words, we can have A320 and A330 ratings simultaneously. U can fly whichever of the two aircraft. Lets say this week i fly the A320. Then next week the A330. Then the week after fly the A320 again.

It's called Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ)

Both aircraft type shares very similar cockpit layout. The class isn't called conversion, it's called "differences class" just to tell the pilots what isn't the same as A320. And it takes 8 days if im not mistaken, including the simulator sessions.

Through CCQ bupak can maximise their crew for aircraft. If they decide to fly boeing they need to have another set of crew with different ratings and different pay which will in other way will increase their operation cost for crew.

For transpacific, A332 would be a better choice. The reason for the extended range of the A332 compared to the A333 is the availability of the center tank in A332,whereas on the A333 has no center tank,optional with the A333E.Hydraulics system is almost the same as with the A320 (Green,Blue,Yellow) but the RAT(Ram Air Turbine) powers the Green system on A330 while on the A320 it powers the Blue system.There are more system redundancies on the A330 such as Nav Backup fuction in the FMGEC in case of FMGEC failures,Land Recovery mode in case of total electrics failure.Also the A330 comes with 3 type of powerplants ;PW 4000 (A330-32x),GE CF6 (A330-30x),and RR Trent 700 (A330-34x).Of all three powerplants ,the most economical of all is the GE powered series but it also has the most IFD (inflight shutdown) record.

regarding the advantages and disadvantages of twin engines as against quads,twins are constrained by ETOPS(Extended -range Twin engines Operations) whereas quads are not affected by this,since an engine failure it becomes a DC-10,no worries except for the driftdown.
Probably these days the corporate people are willing to save money in the long run is what determines the ultimate decisions.

Let's hope for a better news. I think Bupac is in better position unlike Lion Air, Adam Air, and other indonesian LCCs in to give tiger and air asia some competition.

I totally agree with this one. The only issue though is whether CEB would be allowed to use A332's for transpac flight without refuelling somewhere in the pacific. AFAIK it hasnt done any full test flight between transpac flight except for NWA coming NRT going to west coast. This is the reason while i'm suggesting 777-300ER to CEB. Since it is certificated by FAA to fly ETOPS accroos the pasific even with just one engine on. The problem with that instead would be commonality with CEB's other fleet. A320/319,ATR's....anyway whatever they choose as long as the expand...

Honestly though I think CEB will have a difficult time expanding intercontinentally at least for the next two years and this A380 rumour may well be said.."a rumour". I'm handling the research regarding air transport related companies for my research team in the stockmarket. Currently the big two (though profiting) is walking on a very thin financial line. PAL may have made huge profits last year,but still carries a loan of at least $850m in its sheets and bills of at least $1.8b dollar for the new aircrafts and $250m budget set aside for tranferring of their facilities to T3 and Clark. Here is my fundamental analysis for CEB...

Currently CEB trying to best in their fiscal sheets to foot the huge bill of their previous $600m dollar refleeting program. Not to mention their another $1.4B bill for 20more A320 and ATR72's. It's quite a big bite for an airline who posted revenues of just roughly $200M last year and profited $2m. In fact this is the reason why they are planning an IPO to partly pay for those bills,but with currently shaky markets. They decided to postpone it for at least next year...So taking another big orders even for just a lease is a bit risky for them...

In my understanding in the situation of CEB is that it was the older Gokongwei who wanted CEB to start trans pacific flight. A fact that he suggested long time ago. but was never materialized until Lance finally began to shake up his company and make it a full LCC instead....

But I do hope they do expand in the future...*crosses fingers*

my 2 cents...

terrapinoy

September 18th, 2007, 07:31 PM

Arkdriver

September 18th, 2007, 07:48 PM

@ravencute

Would be nice if can chip in some inputs for you and your research team. I'll let you know if there's anything about philippine or regional aviation "insider" news.

I'm no business expert. I hardly understand the big numbers involved in aircraft orders. What amazes me is how a young airline like Air Asia managed to float the company in the stock market before going on crazy orders like 175 A320s (firm) and another 25 (option). And the sister company FAX (Fly Asian Express, owner of Air Asia X) booked 15 (firm) orders of A333s? Sometimes it makes me think does bupac really have ambition like them.

one of friends on maiden bupak shanghai flights said that it seems Mr John is deadset on the Trans-Pac deal and openly mentioned about the certainty of it to the Press. Lance is in France as we speak..so most probably the rumour must be correct. Mr John is known to get whatever he wants..and his close relative said he kept saying "A380" a lot!!! This will be frontpage news when the demo 380 comes here and bupak announces a purchase.

A380 deal is now buy one take one so it's a bargain. But minimum order is six? airplanes so it looks like an impossible dream. But dreams are free, so why not, di ba?

kiretoce

September 18th, 2007, 09:37 PM

PAL needs 1.4 billion dollars for re-fleeting program (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2007/09/19/bus/pal.needs.1.4.billion.dollars.for.re.fleeting.program.html)

The flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will seek a US$1.4-billion investment to finance its re-fleeting program next year.

“We need money to fund the pre-delivery (of the aircraft). We need about US$1.4 billion,” said PAL president Jaime Bautista.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

He said for the acquisition of seven Airbus A320, they would require about US$400 million budget while for the three 777-300 ERS, they would need at least US$1 billion.

“Financing can be through a combination of equity and loans and we can also use internally generated funds,” Bautista said.

According to Bautista, they are looking at both international and domestic investors to fund their re-fleeting program.

During their stockholders meeting on Monday, Bautista said the issuance of new shares to new investors and issuance of stocks from the un-issued shares were approved.

But Bautista said there is no final decision yet on the issuance of shares adding that “we are still working on a definitive program for the shares”.

The US$840 million modernization program of PAL for its narrow-body fleet started in September 2006 and expected to be fully complete in 2011.

PAL has contracted about 20 brand-new A320-family jets, comprising nine firm orders, six leased units and five option aircraft.

As of August, eight Airbus A320-family aircraft were delivered to PAL, three more are expected to be delivered this year and five more in 2008.

For the 777-300s, PAL is expecting a complete delivery of the six aircraft starting from 2009 to 2011.

kiretoce

September 18th, 2007, 09:39 PM

Air pact high on Gloria’s India agenda (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics5_sept18_2007)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to sign a bilateral air agreement with India that will grant more entitlements to three local carriers during her visit to New Delhi next month.

“India is a very big economy and we should not be left behind in the radar screen. We have to take advantage of the air rights that they are giving us,” Mrs. Arroyo said in an interview in Zamboanga del Norte yesterday.

Mrs. Arroyo said the bilateral air accord that will benefit Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines, is one of her main agenda during her state visit to India on Oct. 4 in a bid to boost the country’s growing tourism industry.

Indians, along with South Koreans and Russians, have been among growth drivers of the Philippine tourism sector, accounting for at least 1.8 million of all tourists arriving in the country from January to July this year.

The air accord with New Delhi is among the agreements, which the President wanted to be prioritized by the Civil Aeronautics Board, along with air accords being negotiated with Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Cambodia, New Zealand and Russia.

The Philippine air panel—composed of representatives of the Departments of Transportation and Communication, Trade and Industry, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs as well as the CAB and local airlines—has sealed an air pact with South Korea resulting in increased bilateral seat entitlements from 7,000 to 19,000.

President Arroyo said that another item on her agenda during her state visit is the procurement of more cheap medicine from India, which is a primary source of the Philippine International Trading Co. for off-patent drugs.

“The procurement of cheap priced medicines is not the monopoly of the PITC. So when I go to India I plan to take with me representatives of local drugstores. Anybody can import these medicines even without the PITC because it is just acting as a pioneer agency,” she said.

PITC has been given a budget of P1 billion to procure off-patent drugs from countries like India, in particular in the province of Mumbai, to bring generic medicine into the country.

Among the imported cheaper priced medicines are the generic form of Euglocon which is sold for only P6 per capsule in Botika ng Bayan stores while retailing at P11 in other private outlets, the anti-hypertensive drug Nifedipine which is sold in drug stores for P44 a tablet but only goes for P26 in government-run drugstores.

Mrs. Arroyo said she would also seek more investments from India as well as bilateral cooperation on the development of the jatropha plant (tubang bakod) as an alternative fuel source.

“India is a pioneer in the development of jatropha with their successful technology in converting it as substitute fuel,” the President noted.

Bilateral transactions reached $577 million in 2006 and both countries made a commitment to increase the two-way trade to $2 billion by 2010.

India’s exports to the country include primary and semi-finished iron and steel products with electronic goods accounting for a large chunk of the goods imported from the Philippines.

stephencua

September 19th, 2007, 02:31 AM

wow.. an A380 for 5J? now that would be something to look forward to if the rumor is true.. but then again, could the plane fit in NAIA runways? i think there have been posts before that doubt that it could..

Ex!lE

September 19th, 2007, 02:32 AM

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Airlines to feel impact of credit crunch (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/19/yehey/business/20070919bus2.html)

By Darwin G. Amojelar Reporter

The housing woes and credit market crunch in the United States will put pressure on the airline industry in the Philippines and Asia Pacific by next year, the International Air Transport Association said Tuesday.

“The impact of the credit crunch puts some question marks over the industry’s performance next year and the continuing high price of fuel will become more difficult to mitigate with efficiency gains,” Giovanni Bisignani, IATA director general and chief executive, said in a statement.

IATA said the potential impact of higher oil prices and the turmoil in credit markets have led the airline organization to take a more cautious view of prospect for 2008. “We have revised down our forecast [globally] for 2008 net profits from $9.6 billion to $7.8 billion,” Bisagnani said.

However, he said IATA has lifted its net forecast for this year to $5.6 billion from $5.1 billion as airline financial performance improved strongly during the first half of the year.

For Asia Pacific, including the Philippines, IATA projects a $2-billion profits by next year from an earlier forecast of $2.6 billion. For this year, IATA said Asia Pacific is likely to earn $700 million from last year’s $900 million.

“Having been the most profitable region from 2001 to 2004, Asia-Pacific airlines as a group saw their profitability slip, partly as a result of substantial additions of capacity to domestic Indian and Chinese markets but also because of the unexpected weakness of the air cargo market,” Bisagnani said.

IATA has also revised its forecast for oil prices this year to $67 from $63 a barrel.

The organization sees the Philippines increasing its international passenger by 5 percent and its freight between 2006 and 2010.

For Asia-Pacific region, IATA said international passenger traffic would grow at an average annual rate of 5.7 percent between 2006 and 2010.

Raven83

September 19th, 2007, 04:21 AM

^^ Probably the clearest analysis of Cebu Pacific's present situation. I remember stories of John Gokongwei buying up DC-9s and telling Lance Gokongwei that they now have an airline. I'm sure if John was still running the company, he would be a launch customer of the A380.:lol:

@ravencute so how are Asian Spirit and SEAir doing in the local market and their plans of expanding in the region?

As both PAL and CEB are soon to open their own Manila-Caticlan flights. with PAL starting this December. Asian Spirit and Seair are both in danger of loosing their bread and butter route in the future. Their has been a lot of suggestion of merging the two. but Irene Dornier has this reputation of being feisty in the industry. and Asian Spirit had just changed its ownership and management personnel besides whoould lke to merge with Asian Spirit? They may have made some good profits and numbers, but their fleet operational structure is a nightmare for an airline.

this is their fleet:
* 1 BAe 146-100
* 2 BAe 146-200
* 1 BAe ATP
* 4 Bombardier Dash 7 Series 100
* 1 Indonesian Aerospace CN-235
* 1 Let L-410 UVP
* 2 Let L-410 UVP-E
* 1 McDonnell Douglas MD-82(+1 on oreder)
* 2 NAMC YS-11

(plus: 4x more YS-11,2x Let 410,1x Bae146,1x Dash 7 being used for cannibalization. )

Imagine operating an airline with many types. I'm sure Irene was definitely spooked to merged with such. Because even though Seair is smaller it's fleet utilization,and operational efficiency is high. So I guess merging would be quite a distant posibility for now...

Regional Expansion:
Both have been trying to tap as a regional charter market. With Seair trying to become a regional partner for Tiger Airways (with little success due to opposition of PAL) and Asian Spirit trying to tap into Korean charter market. Like CEB. both are planning to Launch IPO's to subsidize their fleet expansion plan. Lately they have been paying newspapers to announce their procurement of MD-80's for regional charters. The truth in fact is that this aircraft has long been parked at Clark. Sitting idle for quite sometime except for some few flights it did last month for Kalibo-Incheon routes......

@ravencute

Would be nice if can chip in some inputs for you and your research team. I'll let you know if there's anything about philippine or regional aviation "insider" news.

I'm no business expert. I hardly understand the big numbers involved in aircraft orders. What amazes me is how a young airline like Air Asia managed to float the company in the stock market before going on crazy orders like 175 A320s (firm) and another 25 (option). And the sister company FAX (Fly Asian Express, owner of Air Asia X) booked 15 (firm) orders of A333s? Sometimes it makes me think does bupac really have ambition like them.

Nice observation,but sad to say local companies here in PI doesnt have that same guts of some guys there KL. Having grown in a very shaky environment. Companies here have learned to become consevative and concentrates mostly on survival rather than expansion. Tony Fernandez might not be a finance and enginering cum laude like that of Lance but is very much of a street smart at knows how play his card very well.

I'm one of those who's puzzled why Air Asia decided to sponsor F1 team and Manchester United. For a low cost carrier operating away from the home markets of those teams. It seems to be senseless. but looking at the big picture...It does create big benefits. By making Air Asia a "kitchen" term in europe, it makes them more famous among the local bourses there. You see sometimes in the stockmarket even if the company has good numbers in its sheets as long as the investors is not aware of it's existance. It will never become a good traded stock. So for Air Asia, their sponsorship activities,does work well for them. Their stock price have been soaring and foreign fund managers are always keen to invest in their company..thus fund is not short for for Air Asia allowing them to make that big orders

Brainy Tony Fernandez!

one of friends on maiden bupak shanghai flights said that it seems Mr John is deadset on the Trans-Pac deal and openly mentioned about the certainty of it to the Press. Lance is in France as we speak..so most probably the rumour must be correct. Mr John is known to get whatever he wants..and his close relative said he kept saying "A380" a lot!!! This will be frontpage news when the demo 380 comes here and bupak announces a purchase.

A380 deal is now buy one take one so it's a bargain. But minimum order is six? airplanes so it looks like an impossible dream. But dreams are free, so why not, di ba?

Transpac market is really lucrative,and Im very much sure the elder Gokongwei has long been bugging his son to tap into this market one way or another. Lance's Wharton Finance education might have led him to becme conservative,but I'm sure his definitely seeing the fundamental benefits of that into his company. Personally though I would rather see CEB expand into international markets with 777,A330 or A380 rather locally with ATR's. but it's a matter of market studies so I guess it's their choice then.... Looking at the order sheets of A380, CEB may make orders today without making any kinds of payments until two years form now. but deliveries would probably start at 2010 or later...... by then CEB may have more financial freedon. So i guess quite a possibility...but still it will take some time to materialize...

my two cents:2cents:

kiretoce

September 19th, 2007, 04:23 AM

^^ You're getting rich with all those two cent bits you're throwing in here. :okay: Very helpful information you have there Raven, keep 'em coming! :colgate:

Arkdriver

September 19th, 2007, 06:13 AM

@kiretoce

Sponsoring a football and an F1 team away from home seems like a stupid move for Air Asia in the eyes of foreign analysts. However you must take note that as football has HUGE following in Malaysia and Asia Pacific in general especially English Premier League teams, paying them to get your logo paste everywhere in the stadium including on electronic billboards next to the playing turf, the moved has paid off.

Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world in terms of global audience and fan base, and as expected they have massive base of followers in Malaysia. When Air Asia decided to sponsor them, they not only paint their new A320 with pics of Man U players and managers but also organised a trip to Manchester (promotional). The move is like killing bird with two stone. 1st, they get fans in England and Europe know about Air Asia although they hasn't started to fly there yet. 2nd is when the live telecast beamed in Malaysia, they get to reached their target audiences here through a truly global game. Football marketing is lucrative opportunities for advertisers. With billions of fans turning on TV to watch games every week, and in Malaysia it's like carnival atmosphere during the nite especially big games, it sounds like a good bargain for Air Asia. Now the brand is really a 'kitchen' name amongst Brit when they announce tie up with Richard Branson, Tony Fernandes former boss in Virgin Records.

As for the tie up with Williams F1 team, F1 is a popular sport in Malaysia too, and with upcoming new races in Singapore next year, India 2010, coupled with existing leg in China and Japan, Air Asia seems to struck another good deal, although Williams team is not really strong this season.

Not enough with Manchester United, they announced to sponsor EPL referee for three season starting this season with their logo appearing on both sleeves on referees shirt. Apart from EPL, referees will also carry Air Asia logo for matches in lower divisions. Also for 3 years. The Air Asia logo replaced Emirates logo who had been on the sleeves for 2-3 season i guess.

For the philippines, as football is not our cup of tea, maybe bupac can start something similar by sponsoring an NBA team perhaps? My suggestion only. Hahaha.

I did chat with Tony during my graduation from flying academy almost 2 years ago. He told me Air Asia already set up a company in the philippines but have yet to apply operating license from ATO. I checked on their website
and it's true there's air asia philippines or something. If i were tony fernandes, i'll buy both SeaAir and Asian Spirit, sold all the old planes and start transferring 733 from Malaysia and Thai operation for Philippine business. This way i can take Bupak head to head. Just another day dream. Hahaha.

p/s : Im not a Man U fan and Tony Fernandes is actually West Ham fan.

pi_malejana

September 19th, 2007, 06:58 AM

^^ yeah.. f1's famous there.. malaysia has its own tracks..

terrapinoy

September 19th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Raven83

September 20th, 2007, 06:54 PM

@Ravencute - Thanks for sharing your observations :okay: I did not know that Asian Spirit has not been flying it's MD-80 on a regular basis. So it has been more of a charter. You're right Asian Spirit's fleet would scare away any investor.

You're welcome, hopefully Asian Spirit will soon rationalize their fleet for their own sake:)

Heres some very interesting news:

CebuPac’s next meal: Regional, US routes
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...s5_sept17_2007
Sept 17, 2007

CEBU PACIFIC is poised to overtake the Philippine Airlines in the regional routes by the first quarter of next year, after the budget carrier led past the country’s pioneering flag carrier in the number of passengers flown in the domestic sector earlier this year.

Not only that, a confident John Gokongwei Jr. thinks Cebu Pacific is ready to go long-haul like fellow low-cost carrier Air Asia of Malaysia, with the taipan aiming to cross the Pacific and launch non-stop flights to the United States West Coast, and possibly onwards to Houston and Chicago, by mid-2009.

But the taipan is quick to admit that he has yet to fully convince his son and Cebu Pacific president, Lance, about the long-haul dream especially how the attendant cost-escalations would impact on the financial model of a single-class, short-haul, quick turn-around budget airline.

Lance is currently in Europe, officially to close the deal on the six ATRs turboprops that Cebu Pacific will field initially in the booming Manila- Boracay sector by early next year with the delivery of two planes.

According to the grapevine, Lance while in France has also taken to kicking the tires of an Airbus 340 and, with his financial calculator, punching keys on how to transform the flying bus into a single-class hauler without any passenger succumbing to deep vein thrombosis in the 14-hour transPacific flight and still make money on budget fares.

On the regional horizon, the skies, however, are clearer.

After launching the daily Manila-Shanghai flights on Wednesday, Cebu Pacific will begin flying to Xiamen four times a week on Sept. 27, and thence to Guangzhou on Oct. 10 and Macau on Oct. 11.

The Manila-Osaka and Manila-Tokyo routes are also being opened, hopefully in time for the Christmas rush.

“By the first quarter of next year, we should also be no. 1 [Philippine carrier] in the region,” the elder Gokongwei said.

kiretoce

September 20th, 2007, 09:36 PM

PGMA lauds SEAIR opening up routes to Mindanao tourism (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070920124837418)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lauded local carrier South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) for its commitment to help increase commercial activity and tourism in Mindanao by opening up new routes in the region.

The President recently graced the inaugural flight of SEAIR's Cebu-Pagadian-Cebu route which would make travelling for tourists and businessmen easier.

This would also help promote tourism activities in Zamobanga del Sur and nearby provinces.

SEAIR now flies to Cebu-Pagadian-Cebu every Mondays and Thursdays. This new route is in line with the Clark-based airline's expansion plans for the year.

While in Pagadian City, the President also inaugurated the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex aimed at making Zamboanga del Sur a tourism hub in southwestern Mindanao.

The event, which coincided with the 55th anniversary celebration of Zamboanga del Sur, was highlighted by the unveiling of the Megayon Monument through the dropping of the blue cloth.

Megayon is a Subanen word for unity which is the goal of the provincial leadership headed by Gov. Aurora Cerilles to forge a genuine and harmonious relationship among the people of Zamboanga del Sur.

The Chief Executive also graced the opening of the "Biyahe Na Sa Zambo Sur and the Megayon Festival."

The Biyahe Na Sa Zambo Sur is an annual exposition showcasing the tourism attractions of the constituent local government units of the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Megayon Festival is a meaningful celebration of peace and solidarity which features the age-old traditions and customs of the people of Zamboanga del Sur.

On the other hand, SEAIR president Avelino Zapanta said the airline "reaffirms its commitment to help increase commercial activity and tourism in the area. Since the opening of a regional hub in Zamboanga City in 2002, SEAIR currently flies to Jolo and Tawi-Tawi on a daily basis and to Cotabato every Monday, Wednesday and Friday."

He said SEAIR aims to bridge the Philippine islands by offering secondary and missionary routes to complement the trunk line routes serviced by other major players in the domestic airline industry.

The airline now flies to 15 local tourist destinations -- Manila, Caticlan (Boracay) and Cebu in Visayas; Clark in Northern Luzon; Busuanga, Cuyo, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Rodriguez in Palawan Province, Camiguin, Cotabato, Jolo, Pagadian, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga in Mindanao.

"Our Cebu-Pagadian route will make travelling for tourists and businessmen easier," said Zapanta.

"Pagadian City has become more accessible -- now only 35 minutes away from Cebu via SEAIR," he added.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said 2007 is a milestone year for Philippine tourism as more than 1.5 million foreign tourists arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the first semester alone, an almost eight percent growth over the same period last year.

With more local and national efforts to promote the Philippines, the rate of tourism influx can go higher in 2010, he said.

Pagadian City is a first class city of Zamboanga del Sur and is the regional center of the Zamboanga Peninsula, the largest province of Western Mindanao.

It serves as gateway to the cities of Ozamis, Iligan and Cotabato. Its total land area is 331.6 square kilometers with 54 barangays and a population of almost 150,000 people.

"As the only local commercial airline offering inter-Mindanao flights, we at SEAIR feel that we have been a factor in the growth of commerce in the region. Our future focus is to develop tourism and international routes out of Zamboanga and Davao," said Zapanta.

For its Cebu-Pagadian route, SEAIR uses its 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft -- the latest in a long line of technologically innovative aircraft manufactured by Germany-based Dornier.

The Dornier 328 is one of the fastest and most advanced jetprop in the world.

Aside from local expansion, SEAIR is positioning itself to enter the international market after its appointment as one of the official carriers for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia, Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

Raven83

September 21st, 2007, 03:31 PM

^^Seair's Do328's being stationed in Mactan,well that's new because AFAIK only the Let410's are there :dunno:

Arkdriver

September 22nd, 2007, 09:06 PM

Confirmed test A/C A380 will be in Manila Oct 11 and Clark on Oct 12 - plane is full of test equipment so no rides - they want to prove out airports for Bupac. Prepare your gear.

bustero

September 23rd, 2007, 02:13 AM

Holy Shit are you serious, cool. What day is that so we can take a nice "pwesto" to see!

kiretoce

September 23rd, 2007, 02:22 AM

^^ 10/11 - MNL and 10/12 - CRK.

bustero

September 23rd, 2007, 02:25 AM

Actually I meant what day as in weekday or weekend so can take the kids! Too lazy to look it up also what time will it be. May try to pull a string or two from the Clark guys so can get up the plane!hehe

kiretoce

September 23rd, 2007, 02:27 AM

^^ Thursday and Friday. :colgate:

bustero

September 23rd, 2007, 03:25 AM

^^much salamat hehe!

jef7

September 23rd, 2007, 03:58 AM

Confirmed test A/C A380 will be in Manila Oct 11 and Clark on Oct 12 - plane is full of test equipment so no rides - they want to prove out airports for Bupac. Prepare your gear.

And the source for this information?

oz.fil

September 23rd, 2007, 05:14 AM

ahah id loove to be in the airport waiting for my flight when that happens... NOT! imagine the delays! :bash:

nice to hear the A380 is visiting manila also ;) thought the A380 would never touch philippine soil ahaha

stephencua

September 23rd, 2007, 08:28 AM

WOW.. i wonder if we could hear it from the makati area.. haha

ryanr

September 23rd, 2007, 09:21 AM

Arkdriver

September 23rd, 2007, 09:25 AM

And the source for this information?

word of mouth among pinoy pilots currently working with bupak and ex bupakers. I'm not asking anyone to trust but i trust my aviation colleague. this is confirmed. please dont hold me responsible if the mammoth flying metal doesnt show up. salamat.

BYAHILO

September 24th, 2007, 02:02 AM

word of mouth among pinoy pilots currently working with bupak and ex bupakers. I'm not asking anyone to trust but i trust my aviation colleague. this is confirmed. please dont hold me responsible if the mammoth flying metal doesnt show up. salamat.

whats bupak?

is this confirmed already?

tisoycuba

September 24th, 2007, 04:48 AM

:cheers: sana kunang ninyu picture kapag nsa NAIA at sa mga taga CLARK kunang din ninyu plssssssss para malaman natin, kung ano ang pinagka-iba nang NAIA at DMIA:) Plsssss pictureeeeee:)

habagatcentral1

September 24th, 2007, 05:20 AM

Confirmed test A/C A380 will be in Manila Oct 11 and Clark on Oct 12 - plane is full of test equipment so no rides - they want to prove out airports for Bupac. Prepare your gear.

^^ Are you sure Ssangyongs??? OMG!! :eek: Take me there!

Do you think MNL can take A380s?

pi_malejana

September 24th, 2007, 05:33 AM

if that's true, i'm sure we can get an official report from the web in the next few days.. be optimisitic!!:) if it didn't come, well just think A380's are capable of being invisible..!!!:lol:

xxpmrong

September 24th, 2007, 07:36 AM

technically, kaya ba magland ng A380 sa pinas? kasya ba sa haba ng runway? sorry kung nasagot na to...

GearX

September 24th, 2007, 10:35 AM

kayang-kaya ng A380....

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/a380.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/380.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/plane01_b.jpg

But there's a plane bigger than A380, it is the Horthtrop Grumman MusclePlane:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/muscleplane.jpg

BoNduRanT

September 24th, 2007, 11:19 AM

Puwede ba helicopters dito? :D A helicopter landed sa helipad ng Corinthians Garden, may sinundo.

Pa-landing......
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/crownesept2007helicoptercorithia-2.jpg

....konti na lang.....
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/crownesept2007helicoptercorithia-1.jpg

touchdown...
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/crownesept2007helicoptercorithians0.jpg

Lipad ulit pagkasakay ng sinundo.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/crownesept2007helicoptercorithians.jpg

Rall

September 24th, 2007, 12:10 PM

kayang-kaya ng A380....

But there's a plane bigger than A380, it is the Horthtrop Grumman MusclePlane:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/muscleplane.jpg

WOW:nuts: :lol: :lol::lol: :lol:

GearX

September 24th, 2007, 12:17 PM

that's 2 cockpits and one hell of an engine....:lol: :lol: :lol:

Rall

September 24th, 2007, 12:31 PM

that's 2 cockpits and one hell of an engine....:lol: :lol: :lol:

ya... wonder how it would be when one pilot goes the other way:lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Rall

September 24th, 2007, 12:33 PM

I wonder.. how the rear end looks!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

BYAHILO

September 24th, 2007, 01:54 PM

ay oo nga noh 2 cockpits. ahahah

akala ko may 2 smaller KLMs sa tabi nya.. LOL.

GearX

September 24th, 2007, 02:02 PM

ya... wonder how it would be when one pilot goes the other way:lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

one cockpit views the real view while the other pilot views a flight simulator...:lol:

at the back are the machine which you will drop your tokens whenever the simulator displays "game over"...in order to start again...:lol:

kyle@1008

September 24th, 2007, 02:12 PM

with such a huge engine, I wonder how fast is that plane?? :lol:

kiretoce

September 24th, 2007, 03:07 PM

That plane's gigantic engine is dangerous, it'll suck everything in its path towards its turbines! :runaway:

BoNduRanT

September 24th, 2007, 03:11 PM

Confirmed test A/C A380 will be in Manila Oct 11 and Clark on Oct 12 - plane is full of test equipment so no rides - they want to prove out airports for Bupac. Prepare your gear.

Holy crap! Bigla ako na-excite :D Sino dito may connection sa MIA. Dali organize tayo ng SSC EB, sama-sama tayo pumunta dun at manood. :lol:

kiretoce

September 24th, 2007, 03:15 PM

^^ Make sign-up list and post it here. :colgate:

Raven83

September 24th, 2007, 04:21 PM

Dang really the superjumbo in Pinas?.... If this is true I will cheat my personal procurement budget this year,and buy my nikon D40 five months in advance!!!

Wait is this true?

Is it?

really really?

gosh I'm blushing in excitement!!!!!:laugh:

Arkdriver

September 24th, 2007, 04:50 PM

Bupak is cebu pacific. ceBU PACific. thus the name bupak or bupac. I'll try to confirm again with ATC guys. I thought we have one here but i forgot his username. A380 visit will confirm Manila is capable in handling such big birds. I hope takenaka guys doing rehab work at NAIA 3 will be kind enough to install A380-capable gates there.

Solblanc

September 24th, 2007, 05:09 PM

That plane's gigantic engine is dangerous, it'll suck everything in its path towards its turbines! :runaway:

Well, technically, the A380's engines are smaller than the engines of the 773ERs that PAL ordered and Emirates already flies here. :D

kiretoce

September 24th, 2007, 05:19 PM

^^ Good to know! But my statement was about this photo.... :colgate:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/muscleplane.jpg

jaywalker

September 24th, 2007, 05:26 PM

^^ Is this for real?That photo does look like made by a photoshop.This airplane does look like a B777.They replaced the cockpit with engine and the wing engine replace with the half body of B737.Watch closely the aft part of the wings.Engine exhaust is still smoking.:lol: It is taxiing.

Ph Man

September 24th, 2007, 05:42 PM

kayang-kaya ang A380. Kasi parang pinalaki lang na B747. So the runway length requirement should be more or less the same.

I checked wikipedia, and this is what i found:
At MTOW, this is the Take off run (Whatever that means) :)
2,750 m (9,020 ft) for A380-800
2,900 m (9,510 ft) for A380F

Slightly shorter than A340 and all 747s. If that's what you meant in asking if NAIA can accomodate the "super" engine.

Arkdriver

September 24th, 2007, 06:11 PM

1.The wheel base of the 747-400 is 27.26 meters
2.The wheel base of the Airbus A380 is 30.4 meters
3.The wheel base of the 777-300 and 777-300ER is 31.2 meters
- 80 centimeters more than the A380 and,
- 3.94 meters more than the 747-400

The wheel base of the 777-200 and 777-200ER is 25.9 meters

bustero

September 24th, 2007, 06:25 PM

Puwede ba helicopters dito? :D A helicopter landed sa helipad ng Corinthians Garden, may sinundo.

Walang problema basta may ari ka ng airline:lol:

The confirmation for the A380 is in the net, just google it.

For sure Manila and Clark can take it, the problem they anticipated before was because of the wingspan it may only taxi or land alone as the tips of the A380 and another widebody may be too near one another. This is probably one of the things that the technical flight is for.

Be interesting to see if LT will be around for this as PR was rumoured to be interested. Much better than that flying sucking machine hehe:nuts:

kiretoce

September 24th, 2007, 07:18 PM

Is MNL and CRK the only A380-capable airports that can accomodate it? Isn't DVO and CGY also capable being that they have wide and long runways? I'm not sure about CEB though.

kiretoce

September 25th, 2007, 12:40 AM

Solid results for Asia-Pacific carriers (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/24/217001/solid-results-for-asia-pacific-carriers.html)

Stronger yields and revenue growth outpacing expenditure have been common themes among major Asia-Pacific carriers

Quarterly, half-yearly and fiscal-year results for Asia-Pacific carriers have generally been coming in strong, with profit records broken by many.

Australia's Qantas Airways has been one of the star performers, recently reporting record earnings for the financial year to June as demand remained strong and cost-cutting initiatives continued to produce positive results. Qantas says there was "a significant improvement in international operations and continuing improvement in domestic operations, driven by high yields and loads".

Air New Zealand also reported a sound result for the year to June, with a 123% jump in net profit as it benefited from restructuring initiatives, stronger demand and improved yields. Looking ahead, it says it has "strong forward bookings" and expects another solid financial year, provided "the operating environment does not change materially".

Record profits

Cathay Pacific Airways was another solid performer, reporting more than 50% growth in net profit for the six months to June. Net profit hit a record high and Cathay says the results were "largely driven by strong demand and rising yields on the passenger side". Cargo operations were weaker as intense competition impacted most Asian carriers with large freight businesses, but Cathay says it is not concerned and expects demand to pick up.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines says healthier cargo traffic growth in July "could suggest an improving trend as we move into the traditionally stronger second half of the year".

Singapore Airlines reported underlying growth in net profit for the first quarter to June when excluding a one-off gain booked last year from asset sales. SIA says demand for the months ahead remains strong "especially in the premium cabins". Its cargo division has suffered, however, and recorded a sharp drop in operating profit in the first quarter.

Once-troubled Malaysia Airlines recorded improved earnings, largely on the back of gains from restructuring initiatives and improved market conditions. It booked its fourth consecutive quarterly profit in the second quarter, and was in the black both at operating and net level.

Malaysia's AirAsia meanwhile reported more than 100% growth in both net profit and earnings before interest and tax for the financial year to June, cementing its status as the largest and best-performing low-cost airline in Asia.

Good news in Japan

Positive news also came out of Japan, where All Nippon Airways recorded profit growth and Japan Airlines reported sharply reduced losses. Rival JAL, which has been struggling to restructure operations, reported reduced losses for the first quarter. Total operating revenue dropped but operating costs fell 4.5%, and it is now more upbeat about its prospects for successful restructuring.

Philippine Airlines reported better-than-expected earnings for the year to March and expects to emerge from creditor protection by the end of the year.

It was a mixed picture in South Korea with Asiana Airlines recording growth in net profit for the three months to June, while Korean Air suffered a steep net loss after it booked a charge related to a $300 million US price-fixing fine. However, operating profit rose 9% as demand was strong and revenue increased.

Taiwan's China Airlines also fell into the red at net level in the first half, largely due to a loss booked on the sale of an aircraft.

It was a more positive picture in mainland China, with Air China recording solid results, China Southern Airlines returning to profitability and China Eastern Airlines sharply reducing losses in the first half.

kiretoce

September 25th, 2007, 12:50 AM

Survey reveals skills shortage in airline engineering (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/24/217000/survey-reveals-skills-shortage-in-airline-engineering.html)

A global survey of senior managers from the industry and across the aerospace supply chain by executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles has revealed some worrying shortages in engineering skills

When it comes to recruiting the right skills, the world's airlines have barely kept up as traffic has soared in recent years. The shortage of top executive and engineering talent is starting to cause problems which, if allowed to linger, will have a deep-rooted effect on the ability of airlines to continue expanding.

The supply of graduates isn't the only issue. It is the depth of experience that is lacking, as well as exposure to new and developing technologies. Big challenges are predicted for five to 10 years down the track.

Cebu Pacific chief operating officer Brian Hogan says the shortage of both skills and experience is broad-based and only partly solved by outsourcing. "There's a real lack of talent coming through the ranks," he says. "Is it because the airline business is growing so fast, especially with the low-cost carriers? Is it because we're outpacing the schools and the middle management? I'm not sure. But what I do know is that the depth of experience given to graduates these days is not as comprehensive as it used to be."

Manila-based Cebu Pacific has a core team of about 16 engineers, with much of the work outsourced to Singapore Airlines Engineering. "In addition, we rely a lot on our original equipment manufacturers and our partners to provide the analysis information that we need," Hogan says.

"In the airline industry I am seeing a lot of one-dimensional engineers. I don't see a lot of multi-dimensional ones," he adds. "There is a big shortage of the type of engineers who can understand the warranty requirements, the repair, the manufacturing, as well as being cross-functional. In the aviation business you have to learn as much as you can about structures, composites, hydraulics: the whole gamut of systems."

Hogan says the industry is still *recovering from the downsizing of earlier years. "These very experienced guys who'd been in the business 30 or 40 years jumped at these packages because it gave them the opportunity to retire early - but it has taken us years to recover from the loss of those experts."

Shortages have combined with spectacular growth in the industry. Hogan says that in his market, growth is 89% year-on-year, "admittedly from a low base". Over the next five to 10 years he expects a 40% increase each year. Exacerbating the problem is global competition. Engineers are constantly being "poached" by Asian and Middle Eastern rivals. The answer, according to Hogan, is to focus on key leaders, functional heads, managers and chiefs to ensure they are properly incentivised to stay.

Lack of talent

The shortage of engineering talent is the most widely predicted aviation crisis of the 21st century. In the USA, because of the military implications, a presidential commission was established in 2003 and predicted a "devastating loss of skill, experience and intellectual capital". The numbers tell part of the story. The first of the baby boomers have started retiring, and in the USA people are turning 50 at the rate of eight a minute. At the executive level, the scarcity of people who understand the building blocks of project success is even more acute.

The situation is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of projects. The global Heidrick & Struggles survey has revealed that difficulties are emerging both in terms of the shortage of high quality engineers and in the ability of airlines to manage projects in a timely manner. The survey of 112 executives, from C-level and general managers to functional leaders, regional heads and human resources executives, shows that the shortage of quality entry-level engineering talent will adversely affect the competitiveness of organisations in the medium- to long-term. Executives surveyed also say that flatter management structures - a reduction of the number of layers - have affected the ability of their airlines to grow potential leaders who are capable of taking larger responsibilities. As a result, they have been forced to recruit from outside the industry to fill key functional and general leadership positions.

Technical shortages

At Heidrick & Struggles, we are noticing a big gap between the attitudes of OEMs and airlines. In general, airlines until recently have appeared less worried about the growing technical shortages - partly because they have been preoccupied by competitive forces, including the growth of low-cost carriers.

And while general managers are aware of the growing problems caused by shortages, functional leaders seem to be less aware. Low-cost and regional airlines in general don't seem to offer in-house training, while their more established rivals are keeping their engineering teams up to speed.

"The biggest issue is finding engineers who are committed to engineering long-term," says one respondent to our survey. "Most engineers feel the only career path is now through management and growing their commercial and financial or business skill sets. Very few, if any, aspire to vice-president of engineering roles. And we are finding that others want to move into the sales vice-president roles, which are well rewarded."

The competencies of the executive engineering roles are also changing. To the deep functional skills must be added commercial acumen and strategic thinking. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents say that future leaders will need high levels of business understanding, with 65% strongly agreeing that these skills would be needed and 27% agreeing "a little". Across the board, a third of the respondents point to shortages and difficulties in recruiting top talent.

Former Delta Air Lines senior vice-president of technical operations Ray Valeika believes the knowledge that has left the airline industry must be attracted back. In addition, "we need to make the job interesting for the younger crew. The boomers were prepared to work long hours, but the new generations are demanding more flexibility."

Valeika says China and India are booming at the levels western airlines were 10 or 15 years ago. "They are evolving their management structures and styles, and are better at managing their complex organisation, so they are catching up. They are not in the forefront, but there is catch-up and there is a tremendous amount of excitement."

As for the more developed nations, Valeika says that "there's a whole new world out there - airlines probably won't be in maintenance for too much longer. There will be exciting new frontiers being developed, but there is a tremendous reluctance on the part of labour, and on the part of management, to drive these changes forward."

The Heidrick & Struggles survey pointed to some regional differences in how the talent crisis is unfolding.

North America

Executives surveyed in North America say the combination of large-scale outsourcing (even of core competencies such as integration tasks) and the high degree of specialisation within the OEMs make the industry less competitive compared with Europe and emerging nations. The outsourcing trend is leading to a shortage of leadership candidates with a good understanding of the technical complexities of the aircraft industry, as well as of the industry in general - financing, human resource, supply chain, product strategy and markets.

One respondent says: "Europe is trying to ride the same dead horse (outsourcing) and playing catch-up with North America. But rising nations are studying much more closely what makes sense and what doesn't. They may not fall into the same trap. The risk is that the aerospace industry in North America and Europe may face the same fate as the US automotive industry. The aerospace industry in the western nations might lose its leading role much faster than anticipated today."

Quality engineering talent is hard to attract and retain, particularly in China and Japan. Respondents say it is a challenge finding English-speaking engineers and leaders who also understand local customers and products and who are also good communicators. Having to choose from the English-speaking management candidates limits the talent pool and is causing some companies to feel they may be about to lose their competitive edge.

"Many Asian engineers are too structured in their approach," says one survey respondent. "When it comes to a common problem and its routine they will make their way through it, but when it comes to a problem that is different from the routine problem, they have a difficult time thinking about a new way to solve it. Middle-grade engineers who will be leaders shortly have a lack of vision and should be moved from one process to another in three to four years. This will make them sharper."

Emerging and developed nations

Meanwhile, as Europe, the USA and Australia are trying to find emerging engineering talent in Asia, the boom in aviation and the competing technology sectors in China, India and the Middle East is creating scarcities in those regions as well. Talented engineers are being paid more, and salary scales across the world are equalising.

But according to a study by McKinsey Global Institute, young engineers coming forward in China may not be enough to meet even local demand. China has 1.6 million young engineers and 33% of university students study engineering - compared with 20% in Germany and 4% in India. But the main drawback is the educational system's bias toward theory. Compared with graduates in Europe and North America, who work in teams to achieve practical solutions, Chinese students get little practical experience. So the number that are considered suitable for work in multi-nationals is just 160,000 - about the same number as are available in the UK.

Poor English-language skills are also a limitation for multi-national companies seeking to source engineers.

India's outsourcing industry is snapping up engineering talent almost as fast as it can be produced. The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) forecasts a shortage of 500,000 professional employees by 2010. Universities and private colleges may be hard-pressed to keep up with the demand.

Seeking solutions

Solutions to the impending crisis include:
1. Finding top people in related but non-traditional fields
2. Managing talent over the longer-term
3. Industry insiders say the only way to mitigate risk in the short-term as aircraft become more technically complex is to find talent in other organisations. "You can identify the gaps and try to fill them, but this is defeatist over the longer-term," one executive says. "The best thing is to identify great people in other fields who can be brought into aerospace. Then of course you will want to ensure you have good training and links with schools at the graduate level."

Chris Doan, the chief executive of consulting firm TeamSAI, says the best approach to engineering shortages is to instill in the younger generations the "passion and potential" available in the industry. "We are seeing a huge demand," he says. "In the next 10-20 years we will need another 25,000 new planes and there is no reason that we would stop growing, so we need lots of people to be able to help us. But we have to bring back the passion of the job or we will face some difficult times."

EADS chief technical officer Jean Botti says if airlines in Europe, the USA and Australia want to stay competitive, they need to invest more aggressively in technical skills. Botti says that he spoke to a Chinese executive recently who told him the country was graduating a total of one million engineers this year, and 15,000 lawyers. "I said, 'Wow, that's amazing' and he replied, 'Yes - too many lawyers'."

kiretoce

September 25th, 2007, 02:30 AM

Bush approves $3.7 M for Jolo airport (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070924156)

JOLO, Sulu – US President George W. Bush has approved a request of President Arroyo for a total of $3.7 million in assistance to modernize the airport and water supply on this island, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney announced here yesterday.

Mrs. Arroyo asked for the aid during a chat with Bush on the sidelines of the annual leaders’ summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum earlier this month in Australia, Kenney told The STAR.

Kenney and British Ambassador Peter Beckingham were here yesterday to inaugurate several development projects financed or constructed through aid provided by their governments.

The $3.7 million is on top of the $190 million pledged last Sept. 19 by the US government to develop infrastructure and expand economic opportunities in Mindanao over the next five years.

Sulu has long been a hotbed of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and a renegade faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Together with Basilan, the area is considered one of the fronts in the Bush administration’s war on terror.

Since 2002, the US government has poured various forms of development and civil-military assistance into the two provinces and, to a lesser extent, Tawi-Tawi with the aim of eliminating conditions that breed terrorism. Most of the projects are undertaken through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under the USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program, an earthen causeway was paved with concrete and has become a popular promenade area for Jolo residents. Kenney and Beckingham, together with USAID mission director Jon Lindborg, formally inaugurated yesterday the Jolo Market Road, which makes it easier to transport goods between the Jolo port and barter trade market and the Serantes market complex.

From there they were accompanied to the provincial capitol by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan for the turnover of aquaculture production materials to former MNLF combatants who are now engaged in lobster and abalone farming.

Since 1997, the USAID has assisted more than 28,000 MNLF returnees throughout Mindanao in developing livelihood opportunities. Of the 28,000 former combatants, 3,400 are in Sulu.

The two envoys also graced a ceremony to mark their governments’ contributions to the remote Sulu village of Siasi: a British-funded water supply system and USAID-supported solar-powered electricity.

Later, the two ambassadors visited the Sulu National High School to check on computers, a printer and reference materials donated by their governments. Internet access is provided by satellite.

Tan thanked the foreigners, telling them, “Socio-economic development is our principal weapon against terrorism.”

The governor wants to change perceptions that his province is the most dangerous place in the Philippines.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who arrived here together with the foreign guests, said fugitive Bali bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek are still in Sulu. The remaining commanders of the Abu Sayyaf, who are allied with the Bali bombers belonging to Jemaah Islamiyah, are also being pursued by government forces in Sulu.

Kenney and other US diplomats are frequent visitors in Sulu, Basilan and other parts of Mindanao to support Manila in strengthening the foundations of peace.

For his part, Beckingham told Sulu residents yesterday, “We in the British embassy care about the Philippines and Mindanao in particular.”

bustero

September 25th, 2007, 08:22 AM

Good for them, I think it's the one battlefront of the war on terror that the bush Administration can claim to have some success and this is primarily from a total approach to the problem, socio-economic-military. If they dump all that money in that area then quality of life will go up as well as productivity giving the devil less idle hands to work with.

A key question with regards the shortage in skilled workers is what is the impact on safety of such shortages. Is it more a matter of increasing cost structure or is safety which is paramount in the airline industry in some way compromised.

bustero

September 25th, 2007, 08:25 AM

Is MNL and CRK the only A380-capable airports that can accomodate it? Isn't DVO and CGY also capable being that they have wide and long runways? I'm not sure about CEB though.

I believe so but since there is no market yet for such capacity I don't think they're bothering to check those airports out.

a s i a n a

September 25th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Engine Alliance-powered Airbus A380 to conduct route-proving tour (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/24/217013/engine-alliance-powered-airbus-a380-to-conduct-route-proving-tour.html)

Airbus is to operate a series of route-proving flights with its Engine Alliance GP7000-powered A380, conducting four tours which will take the jet to South America, the USA, the Asia-Pacific region and Canada.

Similar tests have been carried out with the Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered A380 since last year. The latest certification exercise, which will be performed by A380 number MSN009, will involve around 150hr of operations.

The first of the four tours will begin on 26 September when the aircraft flies to the Colombian capital Bogota before returning to Toulouse. From 2-5 October it will travel to the USA, flying to Windsor Locks in Connecticut, and Hebron in Kentucky, before heading for San Francisco.

MSN009’s third tour will take it to Dubai, Melbourne and the Philippine cities of Manila and Luzon [Clark] from 8-13 October. From Toulouse the jet will then travel again to Bogota, before heading for Vancouver in Canada and Osaka in Japan from 15-19 October.

Airbus expects to achieve type certification for the GP7000-powered version of the A380 in December this year. The Trent 900-equipped A380 obtained certification in December 2006.

WawaY[625]

September 25th, 2007, 12:27 PM

Is MNL and CRK the only A380-capable airports that can accomodate it? Isn't DVO and CGY also capable being that they have wide and long runways? I'm not sure about CEB though.

im not sure if CGY can (if we are referring to lumbia airport, then most probably hinde :( baka nga kahit B747 di kaya? im not sure)

Davao only has a 45m X 3000m runway so im not sure din, Cebu has a wider longer runway (i think) so baka kaya ng cebu

most probably, sa Cebu and Gensan ang kaya

kiretoce

September 25th, 2007, 01:34 PM

^^ Oh yeah, GES! That's what I was thinking of, but instead I put down CGY. :doh: Thanks Raven! :okay:

kyle@1008

September 25th, 2007, 01:40 PM

^^ Oh yeah, GES! That's what I was thinking of, but instead I put down CGY. :doh: Thanks Raven! :okay:

have you eaten breakfast yet?? :lol: :jk:

kiretoce

September 25th, 2007, 02:41 PM

^^ Actually Kyle, I don't eat breakfast usually during weekdays, but one thing's for sure, I haven't had my morning caffeine fix yet. :lol:

(Raven and Waway, sorry about that, I sometimes get the two of you mixed up) :doh:

kyle@1008

September 25th, 2007, 02:43 PM

ah I see, no-coffee-no-function.... I'm like that too :lol:

BoNduRanT

September 25th, 2007, 03:24 PM

I think confirmed na nga to. I found this article.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/08/17/AirbusA380_wideweb__470x290,0.jpg

Airbus A380 to visit Melbourne on test flight (http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/airbus-a380-to-embark-on-readiness-test/2007/09/25/1190486288860.html)

September 25, 2007 - 2:16PM

The Airbus A380, the world's largest civilian airliner, will visit Melbourne as part of a worldwide tour to test its readiness for operation.

The series of flights will begin Wednesday and take in airports in North and South America as well as Asia, Airbus said Monday.

The flights will test the aircraft's standard maintenance and operating procedures and its compatibility with different airports. The tests aim to accumulate 150 hours of “typical airline” continuous operation.

The tests will take place on the following dates:

September 26-27: to Bogata (Colombia) and back to Toulouse, Airbus headquarters.

October 2-5: to the United States, with stops at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, as well as Hebron (Kentucky) and San Francisco, California.

October 8-13: to Dubai, Melbourne (Australia), Manila and Luzon (in the Philippines) and back to Dubai.

October 15-19: to Bogata, Vancouver (Canada) and Osaka (Japan).
The A380, which has been plagued by production problems, has so far received 165 firm orders and eight commitments to purchase from 14 customers.

The first A380 is scheduled to be delivered to Singapore Airlines on October 15.

The aircraft can carry between 555 and more than 800 passengers depending on configuration.

with AFP

^^ Di kaya yung test flight from Manila- Dubai eh para sa nababalitang gagamitin ng Emirates ang A380 sa route na yan

Ph Man

September 25th, 2007, 03:36 PM

malamang Zach. san pa ba malaki ang market ng Emirates? kung san maraming Filipinos. pero dapat yata single seat-config lang ang A380 na gagamitin. share na lang kayo ng photos ha...

BoNduRanT

September 25th, 2007, 03:38 PM

Di kaya eto na yung chance natin sa matagal na nating binabalak na photo EB at plane watching.

bitoy

September 25th, 2007, 07:40 PM

NLexl8AyCck

Watch the landing gear collapse of the SAS Bombardier plane.
Kaya pala grounded lahat ng Q400 ng Horizon Air dito sa amin.
Watch the quick response of the Airport Emergency Response team on that disaster.

allan_dude

September 25th, 2007, 07:54 PM

Air Philippines plans E. Visayas flights (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=90675)

By Joey A. Gabieta
Inquirer

TACLOBAN CITY--Air Philippines has said it will start operating in Eastern Visayas with Tacloban-Cebu as its main route.

Glen Vallecera, regional manager of Philippine Airlines, said that the Tacloban-Cebu service could start by the second week of October.

Air Philippines, a subsidiary of Philippine Airlines, decided to operate in the region because of the strong clamor from Eastern Visayas residents for a Tacloban-Cebu route, Vallecera said.

Cebu is one of the region's main trading hubs.

"Right now, it is safe to say that we have good feelings that our Tacloban-Cebu flight could result in good profits for the company. That is why we intend to have a three times a week schedule," Vallecera said.

He also noted that the proposed regular Air Philippines flight between Cebu and Tacloban City would boost the region's economy.

"Commercial interactions will be enhanced. Connectivity among our people from the two areas will also be helped," Vallecera added.

If the plan pushes through, the company would be using a 737 type-of aircraft, which can accommodate 110 passengers, Vallecera said.

xXx carlos xXx

September 25th, 2007, 08:11 PM

^ at last.... thats better than taking a 2 hour land trip to ormoc and 2 and a half to three hours fast craft on supercat...

BoNduRanT

September 27th, 2007, 09:41 AM

Wala pang news tungkol sa time of arrival ng A380 sa Manila?

dattebayo

September 27th, 2007, 09:47 AM

^^ will it really touch down Manila?

habagatcentral1

September 27th, 2007, 03:57 PM

This is not Pinas (Nethearlands Antilles), 747 Landing at St.Maarten Cockpit view

ksmDuXO_k6E

LordCarnal

September 27th, 2007, 04:01 PM

^^

yeah CEB is capable kiretoce, the distance also between the runway and the taxiway is wide if you look at it at Google earth...

Ewan ko if NAIA can really accomodate the A380 with the very narrow distance between the runway and taxiway..

..

LordCarnal

September 27th, 2007, 04:03 PM

Got these photos from another forum

Princess Juliana International, St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm1edit.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm12edit.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm9_edited.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm13edit.jpg

amras

September 27th, 2007, 04:09 PM

hindi kaya nabingi na yung mga tao dyan sa beach?

kiretoce

September 27th, 2007, 04:12 PM

I guess if you're there often, you're used to it. Or, maybe flights are few and far between takeoffs and landings.

BoNduRanT

September 27th, 2007, 04:40 PM

Gusto ko yan. The sound of aircraft engines are music to my ears :D

Im surprised di tumatalsik mga tao dyan. Di ba sa Pushing Tin movie nina Billy Bob Thorton at John Cusack, they tried standing sa edge ng runway at tumatalsik sila everytime may naglaland.

O fake yun? :lol:

terrapinoy

September 27th, 2007, 04:46 PM

I've read that true airplane freaks like to book the hotels in Maho Beach (St. Maarten) just to be that much closer to the action. One of the hotels in the background is a Sonesta Resort:nuts:
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/12/96/51/maho-beach-sunset-beach.jpg

bitoy

September 27th, 2007, 04:52 PM

Ganyan din sa Kai Tak dati, meron din silang landing na mababa at kita mo yung mga nakasampay na damit sa mga building.

tigidig14

September 27th, 2007, 04:53 PM

very dangerous

terrapinoy

September 27th, 2007, 09:18 PM

Any word on Pacific Pearl Airways schedule? They've updated their website and no mention if they are selling tickets yet. The FA uniforms look interesting, but one of the flight officers in the picture needs a better fitting suit:)
http://www.pacificpearlairways.com/fgtcrwplnbck.jpg

http://www.pacificpearlairways.com/page-2-pic.gif

kiretoce

September 27th, 2007, 09:28 PM

^^ Kinda frumpy and drab looking.

Arkdriver

September 27th, 2007, 10:18 PM

the two pilots are the only flightcrew left in the company. All other pilots gone because they were hired 8 months ago, yet the company has nothing to show. This is what happen if you dont understand aviation business and wanna make money right from the first flight.

bagel

September 28th, 2007, 01:48 AM

Got these photos from another forum

Princess Juliana International, St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm12edit.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/b00rdz/pandanon%20island/sxm9_edited.jpg

Saya siguro dyan sa beach.

But isn't it a terror danger? I'm surprised they didn't fence off that section of the beach.

bustero

September 28th, 2007, 05:28 AM

^^Is that a MANPAD in your thong or are you just happy to see me...

jogavilz

September 28th, 2007, 01:12 PM

can anyone tell me why grandair stopped its operations?

tigidig14

September 28th, 2007, 05:13 PM

xxpmrong

September 28th, 2007, 08:11 PM

di kaya magcrash yung plane pag binato yung makina?

~JasoN~

September 29th, 2007, 02:02 AM

^ hindi naman siguro aabot . tsaka wala naman sigurong loko loko dun . hindi gaya dito satin .. alam na .

tigidig14

September 29th, 2007, 02:05 AM

siguro may mga nagsa-suntan na tinamaan minsan ng gulong sa ulo pagbaba nung jumbo hotdog erplane

pi_malejana

September 29th, 2007, 04:50 AM

teka lang po mga ka-ssc..:)
i'm heading to college.. pursuing aviation.. could you give me an advice on what to take.. e.g. is PROF. PILOT better than ATC..? which has the higher salary..? which has the higher demand? many thanks..!!!:)

Arkdriver

September 29th, 2007, 09:22 AM

Of course pilots get fatter salary than ATC. I cant say much about demand, dont trust what the flight schools said about "shortage of pilots worldwide" because the reality is, even if you have frozen ATPL WITH A320 type rating, company wont hire you because your TT on type is 0 or less than 200 (at least that's the standard around SEA countries).

Yes there's shortage for pilots in China and India, indeed those 2 countries badly needed pilots to fly aircraft. But, almost all of them dont hire expat first officers. FO position are reserved for locals. It's all like that in any country. So stop dreaming about working in china and india if you wanna go there as first officer. You must have at least need 2000 TT on type to land a job there.

If you're confuse between choosing a job for better pay and consider one of your option as a pilot, i will say, it's not worth it. Flying is a passion. You dont need extra motivation to fly. Pay is of course the motivation but if your first step of determining career as a pilot is paycheck, forget it. First, u might not get what you want (flying jets for airlines), Second, in this country, you'll never satisfied with peanuts bupak and pal pay to their flyboys. Unless you can endure painful first 7 years of logging in precious hours on jets before decided to take your wing and fly elsewhere, then go for it.

It's not as sweet as you think..out of flight skool and straight into jets. Some of pinoy pilots i know came from PAF, and Gen Av (instructors). Only PAL and bupak cadets can afford to go straight into jets (and they have to bear half of the cost of training, about P 1.2 million) You must make a clear mind about it. There's no 2 same flights. Every flight is different. That's why in aviation you flying hours is precious commodity.

Just my 2 cents

Arkdriver

September 29th, 2007, 09:25 AM

and about ATC, it's the most stressful job in the world. I dont know much about the pay but i dont see where's the fun part of the job. challenging yes, but fun? no.

rage@cebu

September 29th, 2007, 12:41 PM

It's not as sweet as you think..out of flight skool and straight into jets. Some of pinoy pilots i know came from PAF, and Gen Av (instructors). Only PAL and bupak cadets can afford to go straight into jets (and they have to bear half of the cost of training, about P 1.2 million) You must make a clear mind about it. There's no 2 same flights. Every flight is different. That's why in aviation you flying hours is precious commodity.

Just my 2 cents

just like my brother. from PAF to Civil Aviation. hehehe!

a s i a n a

September 29th, 2007, 03:58 PM

So true, flying is a passion.

xxpmrong

September 30th, 2007, 05:58 AM

geeess.... thought being a pilot is a goldmine.. its not that easy pala but Im still dreaming of being one...

a s i a n a

September 30th, 2007, 09:08 AM

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/photos/middle/4/5/5/1273554.jpg
September 18, 2007
Cebu Pacific Air's Airbus A320-214 at Tolouse, France

Baka next year pa ma-deliver yan.

diz

September 30th, 2007, 11:56 AM

it's a beaut!

Skyblade

September 30th, 2007, 05:26 PM

thought being a pilot is a goldmine..

It is, however it's an extremely uphill battle to reach that goldmine. Over the years, I've pondered on possibly going to a college w/ an aviation program like Embry Riddle, Purdue, University of North Dakota, etc. and then 9/11 hit and the industry downturn worsened. Hearing of layoffs, ejecting pensions, and peanut pay for pilots in regionals was discouraging so at first I would have to live by my passion and determination to survive the first few years as a pilot.

I eventually was accepted to the Arizona campus of Embry Riddle but then deferred and later declined the offer. Being the typical college student split nine ways on deciding a major, I'm now kinda doing some soul searching on whether I would want to pursue a career where my passion is at. At least I know that if any of the other majors/careers don't work out, there will always be a place for me to return to and follow.

I guess it's also what you consider a goldmine as well. Again financially, it isn't going to be much in your first years but once you reach the more senior ranks, it gets much better. However, the experiences that you'd have, the people that you'd work with, and finally pursuing your passion seems like a goldmine to me. ;)

mwg12a

September 30th, 2007, 05:38 PM

Experienced pilots can still hit the goldmine working for other non-US non Philipine carriers. American pilots even accepts jobs from UAE, India and China where salary offers trippled than their current salaries so there is still a bright light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to accept certain little things like moving to another country temporarily.

xxpmrong

September 30th, 2007, 06:42 PM

awww... touch naman ako dun skyblade... yup.. passion talaga dapat ang sundin, kung pera lang, magiging pasyon yan! hehehe

asaina, how different is that new bupak plane than the ones they currently have?

Arkdriver

September 30th, 2007, 06:46 PM

airline pilots it's still like other profession. Lot's of politics and ass kissers standing on your way to the goldmine.

With regards to pilot wannabees.

Chase your dream. Put pay as your second priority. You'll enjoy fat paycheck later after you get your first command on the left hand seat. Depending on airlines, RTLS (right to left seat) would take 5-6 years if you do average 30-40 hrs per month. Remember career in aviation just dont restrict life in airlines, you can also fly as an instructor, banner flying, crop dusting etc. If you dont mind doing that kinda job that pays you at least a sufficient amount to repay your license loan, then go for it. I'm afraid to encourage you with fat paychecks but life's hard actually. Now in major airlines there's even some people willing to pay just to get enough hours to enable them to switch company. What if you dont have that kinda money? I've experienced that as i'm not sponsored by any airlines. Luckily i passed through SIA cargo and in 6 months will start life as freighter dog, flying on graveyard (night) shift.

Good luck. Flying in pinas may give u peanuts but if you have passion for it, stay for a while, log as many hours as you can, when the opportunities come, go abroad especially middle east.

pi_malejana

September 30th, 2007, 10:25 PM

thanks..:)

Skyblade

September 30th, 2007, 10:36 PM

^^ Thanks ssangyongs, xxpmrong and mwg12a. I was referring my outlook on my home industry, the US though I have pondered on taking the aforementioned pay-as-second-priority and dive into the Philippine industry just for nationalism's sake. ;) It's getting better here with most legacy airlines now bringing furloughed pilots back into the fold and hiring more pilots esp. after Northwest's fiasco in late June and July. And indeed, there's the option of going abroad which I have looked into w/ Korean, Cathay, Emirates et al.

Meh, I myself have some time to decide and as I'm going through my way to getting a PPL, maybe I could figure out where I'd wanna go. :okay:

oz.fil

October 1st, 2007, 07:49 AM

Does anyone know of any Universities that offer degrees in Avaition? The only one i know of is the Bachelor of Aviation course at the University of New South Wales... does anyone know of any other courses offered at different Unis? Espcially in America.. :)

Arkdriver

October 1st, 2007, 11:42 AM

Please think twice if you want to study aviation with CPL in countries other than the one you wished to serve or start your aviation career. License conversion can sot several thousand dollars....

Say that, i got my CPL in Australia, spending something around RM250,000 (P3 million) then i wanna go home to pinas to work for bupak or pal. Before i can start flying for them, i need to get my australian CASA license converted to Pinas CAB license. Some countries are strict they may require you a check ride on a twin engine aircraft which you have to rent and pay the fuel. Plus you may need to resit Air Law paper. Conversion can cost you thousand dollars.

American FAA are quite useless outside the states. Point is, find countries with joint-license agreement like Singapore and Malaysia. I hold malaysian license, and i dont need check ride to convert from malaysian DCA to singapore CAAS license, just some basic exam (Air Law) and now it's converted and ready for flying action in learjet in brisbane. Singapore Australia and Malaysia are quite lenient to each other but transformation from Aussie license to Malaysia license still require you a check ride on twin engine.

kiretoce

October 1st, 2007, 03:06 PM

PAL exits rehab program (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business1_sept29_2007)

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the early exit of the Lucio Tan-owned Philippine Airlines from rehabilitation after showing its financial viability and capability to sustain profitability in the next three years.

Documents filed with the SEC show that PAL expects net income to reach $32.3 million in fiscal year 2008, $26.2 million in 2009 and $47.4 million in 2010 and revenues to hit $1.37 billion in 2008, $1.4 billion in 2009 and $1.52 billion in 2010.

PAL is on the eighth year of its 10-year rehabilitation plan.

The SEC said the numbers indicated that PAL could sustain its profitability over the next three years and pay its secured and unsecured creditors.

The SEC noted that the airline planned to consistently increase its budget for capital expenditure and maintenance and trim expenses annually.

“The foregoing projections reflect the continued sufficiency of cash of the company for the next three years to ensure that its obligations will be met, despite its planned addition to property and equipment in the amount of $236 million and payment of principal and interest of liabilities covered by rehabilitation plan amounting to $245 million,” the SEC said.

PAL receivers Renato Francisco, Monico Jacob and Carlos Alindada endorsed the airline’s early exit from the rehabilitation.

The receivers said the case of PAL “is truly a showcase to the entire Philippine business community of a successful implementation of a rehabilitation proceeding”.

They attributed that improvement in PAL’s financial condition to the overall increase in the number of passengers it carried throughout the rehabilitation period.

PAL reduced its financial obligation to $869 million as of end-August 2007 from a high of $2.12 billion.

The airline registered a net income of $34 million in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending March, up from $17.2 million year-on-year.

PAL, as part of its refleeting program, is undertaking the delivery of two Airbus 320s this year and another five Airbus 320s in 2008, which costs around $400 million. Six B777-300s, costing $1 billion, will also be delivered from 2009 to 2011.

PAL is considering the possibility of raising fresh capital through borrowings, entry of new investors and stock rights offering to finance the refleeting program.

The company is now in talks with its financial adviser Macquarie to discuss various options in raising the required funds.

PAL entered into receivership in June 1998 after a series of external and internal crises led to massive financial losses, shut its operations and pushed it to the brink of liquidation.

kiretoce

October 1st, 2007, 03:56 PM

Hawaiian Granted Approval to Launch Honolulu-Manila Flights (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LAM07201102007-1.htm)

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Hawaiian Airlines announced today it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide nonstop flights between Honolulu and Manila in the Philippines. Hawaiian will be the only U.S. carrier providing nonstop service between Hawaii and the Philippines.

Hawaiian will launch the Manila service in March 2008 using its wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300ER aircraft that seat up to 264 passengers. The new flights will more than double the current capacity on the route.

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's President and CEO, commented, "Hawaiian is expanding its service into Asia for the first time and we couldn't have chosen a better destination than Manila. Considering the deep cultural and historic ties that exist between Hawaii and the Philippines, we are confident there will be great support for our new flights."

Hawaii has nearly 300,000 residents that are identified as either Filipino or part-Filipino, representing 23.5 percent of the state's population. Manila's greater metropolitan area has more than 10 million residents and is the Philippines' political, economic, social and cultural center.

terrapinoy

October 1st, 2007, 04:56 PM

^^ Great news. It was largely expected to be approved. It would have been real news it the request was denied. So who's next carrier to make a direct link between US and Manila? Hopefully it will be United, but Delta's making big plans in Asia.

WawaY[625]

October 1st, 2007, 05:09 PM

grabe di pa nag ooperate eh mukha nang luma ang pintura

http://www.pacificpearlairways.com/plnprspct.jpg

wala man lang din kabuhay buhay ang design

kiretoce

October 1st, 2007, 05:33 PM

So who's next carrier to make a direct link between US and Manila? Hopefully it will be United, but Delta's making big plans in Asia.

I'm all for DL establishing more routes to Asia, because it would be easier and convenient for me! :okay: I wonder if they can make non-stop trans-Pacific flights from their main hub in ATL? That'd be really cool if they did. :colgate:

terrapinoy

October 1st, 2007, 05:53 PM

^^ Delta flies to ICN (Incheon) non-stop from Atlanta on 777-200ER and they fly from JFK to Mumbai. Their flights to Shanghai will start in March 2008. It would be sweet to see a ATL-MNL non-stop flight someday!:)

ngprofflorida

October 2nd, 2007, 05:04 AM

kiretoce

October 2nd, 2007, 05:11 AM

Yea true my friend, it takes 2 planes to reach LAX or SFO.

Less plane changes the better. As of now, whenever we take NW from MCO, we always have to transit via DTW or MSP, then onto NRT or NGO before reaching MNL. A direct non-stop would be heavenly! :okay:

Sinjin P.

October 2nd, 2007, 07:09 AM

Cebu Pacific to go public in first half of 2008 (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/62774/Cebu-Pacific-to-go-public-in-first-half-of-2008)
10/02/2007 | 11:31 AM

okongwei-owned Cebu Air Inc., the firm which operates budget airline Cebu Pacific is set to embark on its initial public offering in the first half of 2008, a source privy to the IPO said Tuesday.

At the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines CEO conference, the source said Cebu Pacific is only waiting for market conditions to improve. The source, said another conglomerate is also planning an IPO worth as much as P12.6 billion.

"Hopefully, if the market condition continues to improve these companies will go ahead with listing in the Philippine Stock Exchange," the source said.

Cebu Pacific was supposed to go public this year, but delayed its maiden offering after the PSE tracked Wall Street losses related to the crunch in the United States credit market.

Lately, the PSE has been on an upswing following the move by the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 50 points in a bid to provide more liquidity to the market on the heels of the fallout on subprime mortgage.

bustero

October 2nd, 2007, 09:41 AM

Congratulations Ssangyong, I didn't know you got your wings on SQ Cargo. 744's for you then? A great way for your career to take off. Pilots Plane.

Wala na pala sa rehab ang PR , so they should now compete (as if) . Anyway I'l forgive them for their protectionist asshole tendencies if they buy a dozen A380's to replace their 744's!

nah rather fly cheap. Open skies rules.

Arkdriver

October 2nd, 2007, 10:58 AM

Salamat bustero. Seems like a big change when i looked back the stuff i flew 2 years ago. Started with Piper Warriors, then to Piper Senecas Twin, the Twin Otters, university break (i think i should have really finished my degree but SQ chance doesnt always come, it's a hard decision indeed), Lear Jet for 3-4 months starting this month and then off to the great 744F. Mega Ark. Can't wait for the first flight.

Some friends and relative asked whether this job offer is "top-end", glamorous part of professional pilot's life because the culture with many passenger airlines, is that cargo pilots are in a lower class than those who fly passengers. That is the old legends of pre 1970 years. take fedex or ups pilots, who are enjoying higher salaries than pilots with numerous passenger airlines.

I personally prefer cargo flights. Experience flying the twin otters really gave me the glimpse of what it's so hard to please passengers. Cargo flights are more often on time than passenger flights, no complaints from boxes. flying for passenger comfort is sometimes reducing your bank for turns to 20 degrees, whereas you really should do 30 degrees bank as procedures require, but then, passengers think you fly acrobatics.

Looking forward for weird cargo. Giraffe, elephants, sharks, military equipment. hahaha

ashton

October 2nd, 2007, 01:16 PM

^ congrats!

kiretoce

October 2nd, 2007, 02:51 PM

I personally prefer cargo flights. Experience flying the twin otters really gave me the glimpse of what it's so hard to please passengers. Cargo flights are more often on time than passenger flights, no complaints from boxes. flying for passenger comfort is sometimes reducing your bank for turns to 20 degrees, whereas you really should do 30 degrees bank as procedures require, but then, passengers think you fly acrobatics.

Looking forward for weird cargo. Giraffe, elephants, sharks, military equipment. hahaha

Don't you think animals would also mind 30 degree banking turns too? :dunno:

Arkdriver

October 2nd, 2007, 03:16 PM

cant answer the question as i have yet to experience flying them (except a pig during twin otter days) but usually animals will be put to temporary sleep during loading and unloading. Some very hostile animals will remain sleeping during the entire flight. case-to-case basis. I was told they even shipped a whale from South Africa to somewhere i'm not sure how they do that. Whatever it is, it will be one in a lifetime experience.

Senior management pilot told me this how's life flying passengers compared to cargo:

"But rule number one with pax, never marry the flight attendant, the women they put on the freighter to handle the horses are a much better option, ha ha."

Hard Ball

October 2nd, 2007, 03:41 PM

By Tarra Quismundo
Inquirer
Last updated 08:56pm (Mla time) 10/02/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The superjumbo Airbus A-380 is set to touch down in Manila next week, becoming the largest aircraft to ever land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Airbus' test aircraft MSN009 will land at the NAIA on October 11 at 2:45 p.m. as part of a route proving tour, a 150-hour four-leg tour around South and North America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific aimed at showing the new plane's ability to complete long-haul flights and the receiving airports' capacity to accommodate the superjumbo.

Airport security chief Angel Atutubo said the Manila International Airport Authority has been preparing since 2006 for the arrival of the superjumbo, a twin-deck aircraft that could seat 40 percent more than the typical 525-seater jet.

“It is a test flight that will check the capability of our runway, ground handling and our emergency services, if we will be ready,” Atutubo said on Tuesday.

He said NAIA's runway 06-24, the main runway used for touchdowns and takeoffs of international flights, with a length more than double the A-380's required 1,500-meter landing strip, was more than sufficient for the superjumbo.

He said meetings with the aircraft maker have been going on since 2006 in preparation for the test run in Manila.

After NAIA, the superjumbo will fly to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga's Clark Special Economic Zone on October 12.

The A-380's technical tour will entail “checks on standard aircraft maintenance and behavior, as well as typical airport operations and compatibility, confirming the aircraft's readiness for entry into service,” Airbus said in a recent release.

The aircraft earlier flew to Bogota, Colombia. It is currently completing a three-city tour in the United States.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=92083 :cheers:

bustero

October 2nd, 2007, 03:47 PM

You're very lucky. Top notch airline to fly from and cargo is actually more interesting with it's variety in routes and different rest rules. Plus of course you get to do some real flying, with a megatop pa! Excellent news. Better than puddle hoping all over SEA with narrow bodies pressured to make endless bus stops on time!

I agree with grabbing the chance, make sure though once you're regularized to continue it and get your degree, even online. It will help in the long run.

Make sure you do an FR for your first flight specially on the megatop would love to see what you have in the cargo hold!

jaywalker

October 2nd, 2007, 03:48 PM

SQ B744F are called Mega Ark:)

Raven83

October 2nd, 2007, 06:07 PM

jaywalker

October 2nd, 2007, 06:50 PM

@ Sir Ssangyongs don't forget to greet Filipinos working in SIA Engineering.You might encounter them performing routine ground servicing to your assigned aircraft.Heaps of Filipinos working there as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Aircraft Maintenace Planners.Good Luck!:)

mwg12a

October 2nd, 2007, 06:57 PM

I'm all for DL establishing more routes to Asia, because it would be easier and convenient for me! :okay: I wonder if they can make non-stop trans-Pacific flights from their main hub in ATL? That'd be really cool if they did. :colgate:

I've had such a bad experience with Delta but I only flew with them once and it was that time when they had that computer glitch, the delta authorities weren't very accomodating and good lord, it took us 2 days to get to our destination when it's usually would take 6 hours only (including layover) Are they any good kiretoce? Their service route is actually convinient to us up here, I'm just scared to have to go through the same ordeal with them like in the past.

Congratulations to you as well ssangyongs!!!

Skyblade

October 2nd, 2007, 07:00 PM

Gah, I can't believe I forgot to give my congrats in my last post. >< But indeed, congratulations ssangyongs!

Great to hear PAL finally exit rehabilitation and to have Hawaiian approved to fly to MNL. Looks like I'll be burning some WorldPerks miles soon. ;)

Arkdriver

October 2nd, 2007, 08:15 PM

@all pinas ssc members

thanks for all the wish. Yeah i'm sure there's plenty of pinoy engineering crew in SQ engineering department. Jaywalker do you know any of them? You relatives@friends?

Now reading a lot about Lear Jet, hope to finish the jet conversion ASAP.

Anyhow who's going to clark or naia on 11th and 12th of this month for a380 spotting? take some pictures. Expect flyover around MNL on 12th morning before they go to clark. They do it in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong and other cities, flying above famous skyscrapers.

kiretoce

October 2nd, 2007, 08:36 PM

I've had such a bad experience with Delta but I only flew with them once and it was that time when they had that computer glitch, the delta authorities weren't very accomodating and good lord, it took us 2 days to get to our destination when it's usually would take 6 hours only (including layover) Are they any good kiretoce? Their service route is actually convinient to us up here, I'm just scared to have to go through the same ordeal with them like in the past.

My experience with DL flights were all fine. It also helps that MCO is one of DL's busiest secondary hubs/focus cities in the country and flights from here are numerous. Whenever I fly with them I try to avoid transiting through their main hub in ATL, I prefer DFW or SLC, much less traffic and connection times aren't as tight.

I'm sure that your bad experience was just a one time thing, like you said, it was a computer glitch in the airline's systems. Try them again, maybe this time it'll be a more pleasant trip with them.

xxpmrong

October 2nd, 2007, 09:13 PM

ey! congrats ssangyongs! remind mo ako pag may cargo flight ka pauwi ng pinas! bka pwede kami hitch! hahaha jk lang...

ey.. yung bagong plane ng bupak, is it the same with what they have now?

jaywalker

October 3rd, 2007, 06:02 AM

@ Sir Ssangyongs, i have some schoolmates there during my high school years and was been able to meet them in my recent trip to Singapore.Based on thier statements,some of them are involved in the some of SIA Megatop to Cargo Coversion Project(passenger to frieghter conversion).I think they have done two so far.If i'm not mistaken,18 of SIA Megatop are lined-up for this Project.It a massive work of Aircraft Modification.Some of them transfered to Malaysia as they have bigger offer there while others have moved to HAECO, Cathay Pacific aircraft maintenance.

mwg12a

October 3rd, 2007, 08:48 AM

My experience with DL flights were all fine. It also helps that MCO is one of DL's busiest secondary hubs/focus cities in the country and flights from here are numerous. Whenever I fly with them I try to avoid transiting through their main hub in ATL, I prefer DFW or SLC, much less traffic and connection times aren't as tight.

I'm sure that your bad experience was just a one time thing, like you said, it was a computer glitch in the airline's systems. Try them again, maybe this time it'll be a more pleasant trip with them.

We'll see, right now we have the budget airlines Allegiant air servicing out the city direct to Orlando, they use Sanford International and one in Tampa. With Delta, we have a lay over to either Cincy or ATL , Allegiant Air is a direct flight and way cheaper than Delta, AA, NW, UA and one other airlines. I'll try Delta again if they started serving MNL, God knows when I will get the chance to visit the Philippines again.

Arkdriver

October 3rd, 2007, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the info. Yes. The trend nowadays with ageing planes (like 747) often they're going to be turned as cargo planes. When it's nearing the end of its lifecycle, planes will find a new lease of life flying cargo. MD-11s are highly sought because it's a good cargo plane when it's no longer economical (arrival of newer and better model/variant) to fly passengers. Only few companies still operating passenger flights using MD-11.

I think they made the right decision to move to Malaysia. Higher salary, lower cost of living. Much more space to move around. Perfect. You should follow their footsteps. Hehehe. I wish i could adjust living in Singapore ASAP. I'm not a fan of urban living, i prefer tranquil, quiet place, or small city instead of big,boastful and busy place like Makati, QC, KL and Singapore. But i think most of the time i'll be away from Singapore on layovers and going home to Penang on consecutive off days).

@jaywalker are you working in aviation industry?

and how lufthansa technik's business in NAIA? I know some qantas did send some birds for maintenance there. Do they cater any conversion, repainting works like the one does in Malaysia and Singapore?

kiretoce

October 3rd, 2007, 10:33 PM

Manila to reopen air talks with Singapore and New Zealand (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=91928)

The Philippine air service negotiating panel is gearing up for a new round of negotiations with Singapore and New Zealand within the month.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said among the topics to be discussed would be the regular Singapore-Clark and Auckland-Clark passenger flights.

CAB Deputy Director Porvenir Porciuncula said that in t the talks to be held in the city-state, the Philippine panel would ask Singapore to regularize flights to and from the Clark Special Economic Zone, north of Manila, so that both Philippine and Singapore carriers could serve the Singapore-Clark route and travelers would have more choices and the airlines, more competition.

In negotiations with New Zealand, the sticky issue will be the Wellington’s proposal for a third-country code sharing.

“The Philippines has no problem with code sharing, as long as it is bilateral,” Porciuncula told the Inquirer. “We don’t want third-country rights thrown in.”

“But it is a basic issue, [and] we are willing to sort it out,” he said. “After all, it is our first air service agreement with New Zealand.”

Highlights of the emerging agreement include a grant of reciprocal rights to New Zealand and Philippine carriers to operate passenger and cargo flights at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark.

Earlier, Porciuncula and other members of the air panel said the two governments made considerable progress in Sept. 6-7 negotiations at the New Zealand Ministry of Transport headquarters in Wellington.

Details of the next meeting have yet to be set.

The Philippine panel consists of representatives of the CAB, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philippine carriers.

Raven83

October 4th, 2007, 04:42 AM

kiretoce

October 4th, 2007, 05:59 AM

^^ Speaking of Virgin Atlantic, how I wish they would serve MNL from either LHR or LGW, I believe there is a market for flights between these city pairings.

Sinjin P.

October 4th, 2007, 08:03 AM

AirAsia eyes new routes to Cebu, Davao (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/10042007/headlines011.html)

By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

MALAYSIAN budget airline AirAsia is still keen on expanding its operations in the Philippines, particularly to new routes such as Cebu and Davao, the carrier’s director said on Wednesday.

Right now, AirAsia flies daily to Clark from Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “In due course, we will probably increase our flights here. It may take some time though,” said Raja Azmi in an ambush interview after he made a presentation at a forum sponsored by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

It was reported earlier that AirAsia had elicited the support of the Malaysian government to talk with its Philippine counterpart on the possibility of getting more flights for the airline.

AirAsia was launched as a budget carrier in December 2001, offering more than 100 domestic and international flights to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Azmi said AirAsia continues to look at new destinations, including Cebu and Davao. He, however, did not say when the company plans to expand the carrier’s operations in the Philippines. “There are some destinations which will take more time for us to be there.”

AirAsia is among the several no-frills carriers taking advantage of the country’s “liberalized charter program,” which aims to boost tourism, cheapen air travel for Filipinos overseas, and drive activity in airports outside Metro Manila.

Malaysia, he said, fully supports an open-skies regime, though he noted that some countries in Asia are reluctant to implement a more liberalized approach. “Some countries hold back. They may be protective but it is better to open up because there are benefits to be generated from it as a whole. Their governments have to look at it,” he said.

AirAsia is a subsidiary of Tune Air Sdn Bhd, with hubs at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Senai Airport in Malaysia, Bangkok International Airport in Thailand, and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia.

SugarFreak

October 4th, 2007, 10:38 AM

target of operation of the airports in negros occidental:
1. bacolod-silay airport- nov.-dec. 2007
2. sipalay airport- between oct.-dec. 2007
3. san carlos airport- 2010
4. kabankalan airport- 2010
5. bacolod-singcang airport- pushing for retention

SugarFreak

October 4th, 2007, 10:42 AM

Sipalay Airstrip Reopening Expected to Boost Tourism (http://www.negrosdaily.com/oct0207v3)

The Sipalay airstrip located inside Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC), could reopen between now and December this year, as soon as both parties - the management and the city government firm up an initial agreement brokered by Sixth District Congressman Genaro "Lim-ao" Alvarez, Jr. The airstrip was previously used only by management of the mining firm.

In earlier interviews, Sipalay City government officials led by Mayor Soledad Montilla and her son, Vice-Mayor Oscar Montilla have stated that the operationa-lization of the airport would greatly boost tourism as foreign tourists could proceed directly to the beach resorts which have sprouted in this southern Negros city. Since some years ago, Sipalay's playground, its beach resorts have proven as a come-on for thousands of tourists who visit the city monthly, earning millions in revenues for resort owners.

In an interview with the talk show, Freedom Forum on Sunday morning over Super Radyo, Alvarez said he had a three-hour long talk with Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC) owner, Teodoro Bernardino who set five conditions for the use of the airstrip by the city government.

The present airstrip, Bernardino said, will be turned into their tailings pond, but because it would still be some way off, the city government can make use of it temporarily.

If that happens, they will build another aisrtrip later near their tailings pond No. 3.

As to the conditions they want signed and agreed upon by the two parties, Bernardino said they would demand that nobody go inside their hangar and inside their mining plant, and once the airstrip becomes operational, should not be liable for injuries or damages arising from any accident. He also stipulated that the city government must be responsible for the airport's repair and construction which will take only a few days. They must also settle the matter of taxes, the mining firm owes the city government. As for the pending problem related to labor, it is Bernardino who will take care of this.

Both sides are to discuss the airstrip's reopening in Manila with Alvarez as the third party in the discussion and eventual agreement.*(EC)

WawaY[625]

October 5th, 2007, 08:43 AM

november na ang NBSA? hmmm delay ko na lang kaya ang lakad ko para makaabot ako

kyle@1008

October 5th, 2007, 01:24 PM

^^ sana, please I also want to land there....

ngprofflorida

October 6th, 2007, 05:49 AM

for sure November, electricity and water is expensive. everymonth tax payer has to pay NBSA bills they need to open.

ngprofflorida

October 6th, 2007, 05:55 AM

I will check again my source inside.....

n773ph

October 6th, 2007, 09:57 PM

^^ Speaking of Virgin Atlantic, how I wish they would serve MNL from either LHR or LGW, I believe there is a market for flights between these city pairings.

i agree! just flew with them last summer lhr-lax and was so impressed with their service. however, i think i read somewhere that PAL is having second thoughts of going back to LGW due to low revenue turnout or something. with BA dropping MNL 10 years ago. i think it would be for the benefit of the pinoy community in UK to have a direct flight to MNL. imagine the hundred of thousands of nurses in UK and add to that the tourists that will be flying to MNL i guess it isn't that bad.

n773ph

October 6th, 2007, 10:01 PM

i'm not sure if this was posted already. the A380 is coming to manila on October 11!!! yay!!!

World’s largest aircraft to visit RP

The Philippine Star

The world’s largest commercial aircraft to date, which can lift more than 500 passengers into the air and carry almost a million pounds of weight, will visit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Field, Pampanga this week.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials are already preparing the NAIA for the landing of the new Airbus A380 on October 11.

MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi said the runways of both airports can take in and support the weight and width of the aircraft, which is bigger than a Boeing 747.

The aircraft will land at around 2:45 p.m. on October 11 and will depart at 11 a.m. the following day.

The Airbus started its 18-day journey across South America, North America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific last week.

The Airbus A380 MSN009 test aircraft, powered by Engine Alliance GP7000 engines, left its home base in Toulouse, France and flew to Bogota, Colombia before again returning to its point of origin.

It is now completing its United States tour by landing at Hartford, Connecticut; Cincinnati, Ohio and San Francisco, California before flying back to Toulouse.

The route proving will continue for the next days, covering flights to Dubai; Melbourne, Australia; Manila, and Clark before going back to Dubai and again to Toulouse.

The next destinations, which will complete the proving tour, will cover Bogota, Colombia; Vancouver, Canada and Osaka, Japan.

The Airbus A380, a model which will soon be used by Singapore Airlines, boasts of a greener, cleaner, more quiet and smarter performance with an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three liters per 100 kilometers.

It also brags of advanced materials and systems together with state-of-the-art aerodynamics and an all-new engine design. – Michael Punongbayan

from ABS-CBNNEWS.com
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=94926

the article below from airbus.com
http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/07_09_24_a380_route_proving.html

Airbus A380 MSN009 to embark on route proving tours
24 September 2007

Airbus' A380 MSN009 test aircraft, powered by the new Engine Alliance GP7000 engines will embark on a series of four tours as part of its technical route proving. During this certification exercise, which aims at accumulating 150 hours of "typical airline" continuous operation, the A380 will visit destinations in South America, North America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

The A380 will first go to Bogota, Colombia (26th and 27th September), returning to its home base in Toulouse, South West France. It will then fly to the USA, landing at Hartford, Connecticut; Cincinnati, Ohio and San Francisco, California (2nd till 5th October) and back to Toulouse. The route proving will continue, flying to Dubai; Melbourne, Australia; Manila - International and Manila - Clark, both on the island of Luzon in the Philippines and back to Dubai before returning to Toulouse (8th till 13th October). The next destinations to be visited are Bogota, Colombia; Vancouver, Canada and Osaka, Japan (15th to 19th October).

During the technical route proving tour, the A380 will demonstrate that it can be turned around under normal airline operating conditions. The same tours were successfully completed by test aircraft powered by Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines in 2006. Tests will cover, amongst other things, checks on standard aircraft maintenance and behavior, as well as typical airport operations and compatibility, confirming the aircraft's readiness for entry into service. Type certification for the A380 fitted with Engine Alliance GP7000 engines is expected for December 2007.

Being greener, cleaner, quieter and smarter, the A380 is already setting new standards for air transport and the environment. Per passenger, the A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres. In addition, the advanced materials and systems on the A380, together with state-of-the-art aerodynamics and all-new engines result in outstanding economics and higher operational flexibility - with seat-mile costs 20 percent lower and range over 1,000 nautical miles longer than the largest aircraft flying today. The A380 also provides vital extra passenger capacity without increasing the number of flights, seating over 40% more passengers, in noticeably higher comfort, than today's largest aircraft in a typical three-class, 525-seat configuration.

Total orders and commitments for the A380 are 173 from 14 customers (165 firm and 8 commitments).

Airbus is an EADS company.

a s i a n a

October 7th, 2007, 11:42 AM

Philippine Airlines spreads wings as it exits receivership (http://asia.news.yahoo.com/071004/afp/071004081235business.html)

MANILA (AFP) - A newer fleet, more destinations and alliances are in the works as Philippine Airlines spreads its wings after coming out of receivership on Thursday, officials said.

http://sg.yimg.com/xp/afp/20071004/08/698157805.jpg

The Securities and Exchange Commission said it has released the flag carrier from managerial supervision, nine years after coming within a day of being liquidated amid massive debts in the midst of the Asian financial crisis.

It said in a ruling that PAL's "operations and its financial condition have been normalised and stabilised in conformity" with its 1998 rehabilitation plan, and unlikely to default on its remaining outstanding debt that the airline placed at just under 900 million dollars.

The airline, which suspended payments of 2.07 billion dollars in debts in June 1998 after being laid low by the Asian crisis, restructured 92 percent of the total while in receivership.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said the ruling "removes the stigma of being a bankrupt airline" and means it can now better attract investors, "join alliances and pursue its refleeting program without getting approval from its creditors."

This would lead to lower financing costs, improved financing terms and better access to capital markets, he added.

The regulatory commission said PAL projected a net profit of 32.32 million dollars for the fiscal year to March 2008, 26.28 million dollars for fiscal 2009, and 47.41 million dollars for the year after that.

"We have a very positive outlook for the industry. The global industry projects that there will be growth of around 6.0 to 7.0 percent in international travel. In the Philippines we are expecting a higher percentage of growth because most Filipinos now would prefer travelling by air," Bautista said.

PAL is to send out a roadshow team next week in Asia, Europe and the United States to drum up investor interest, he added.

It would spend about 1.4 billion dollars over the next three or four years to acquire new aircraft, Bautista said.

The airline and sister companies likewise controlled by PAL majority shareholder Lucio Tan "are in discussions with Clark officials about the possibility of putting up maintenance facilities as well as catering facilities" at the former US air base north of Manila.

Bautista said PAL would maintain itself as a "legacy carrier" with costs as well as fares that are "a little higher" than budget airlines and believes it would weather the challenge they posed.

But outsourcing more areas of PAL operations "is an option," he added, conceding that its work force of 7,500 was hefty compared to non-Asian carriers with similar fleet sizes.

Bautista said PAL plans to raise flight frequencies between next month and next year to the US cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, South Korea, as well as Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Xiamen ahead of the 2008 Olympics in China.

Similar plans for Japan are on hold due to regulatory issues.

The government has identified the four countries are the fastest-growing markets for Philippine tourism, Bautista said.

le Reine

October 7th, 2007, 08:14 PM

Peeps,

Sino ang pupunta sa landing ng Airbus 380? Saan puwedeng manood? Manonood din kami ni EricD sino sasama?

mwg12a

October 7th, 2007, 09:41 PM

Wish I can go, but I am not there. Just post pics if you guys can. Thanks!!

BoNduRanT

October 8th, 2007, 07:17 AM

Peeps,

Sino ang pupunta sa landing ng Airbus 380? Saan puwedeng manood? Manonood din kami ni EricD sino sasama?

Sang part niyo balak manood? I still have no word frm my friend who is trying to get us some airport passes. Im desperate. :lol: Pag walang chance na makita ko dito sa manila. Pupuntahan ko sa clark :lol:

WawaY[625]

October 8th, 2007, 07:33 AM

Peeps,

Sino ang pupunta sa landing ng Airbus 380? Saan puwedeng manood? Manonood din kami ni EricD sino sasama?

sige saan tayo magkikita? what time?

BoNduRanT

October 8th, 2007, 08:03 AM

Luwas ka manila waway?

pau_p1

October 8th, 2007, 11:29 AM

aabangan ko ang paglapag nya from our office.... I'll try to take pix while it touches down on NAIA..:D

sana lang maganda ang weather...:D

BoNduRanT

October 8th, 2007, 01:20 PM

GOOD NEWS!!! Since medyo malabo na makita ko sa NAIA. I called DMIA this afternoon and they told me na they will be holding a public viewing from 12PM to 4PM this Friday, October 12. :D

BYAHILO

October 9th, 2007, 06:48 AM

GOOD NEWS!!! Since medyo malabo na makita ko sa NAIA. I called DMIA this afternoon and they told me na they will be holding a public viewing from 12PM to 4PM this Friday, October 12. :D

oh my effin god! alanganin sa sweldo at may duty pa ako sa gabi. pak! :lol:

allan_dude

October 9th, 2007, 09:42 AM

^^ Yahoo! Kita kita nalang tayo sa Clark!

Thanks for sharing the info BonNduRanT!

stephencua

October 9th, 2007, 10:43 AM

allan_dude

October 9th, 2007, 12:29 PM

^^ I doubt. Mukhang for the eyes only. Mga taga DOTC, CDC, local officials, press and chu-chus lang siguro pwede umakyat. test plane lang kasi.

heto yung eroplano na bibisita satin:

A380 in SKBO | Bogota-Colombia | (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=532902)
A380 Tour: Pics from KCVG! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=532055) ‎(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=532055) 2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=532055&page=2))

I'm so excited na!

BoNduRanT

October 9th, 2007, 04:06 PM

Sa mga pupunta ng Clark! See ya!!!

Baka meron alng designated area for viewing na medyo reasonable ang distance mula sa plane. I dont think paaakyatin sa loob kasi puro testing equipments eh.

kiretoce

October 10th, 2007, 12:35 AM

PAL: Biggest turnaround story (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=93533)

MANILA, Philippines -- Last week’s exit of Philippine Airlines (PAL) from receivership ended a tumultuous nine-year period that started with the company standing on the brink of becoming the biggest collapse in local corporate history.

Indeed, what would have been the largest corporate failure has become one of the biggest turnaround stories among firms that were hit hard by the 1997 East Asian financial crisis.

While many companies have successfully implemented rehabilitation programs before, few have actually emerged from receivership programs that were supervised by corporate regulators, with most heading straight for liquidation due either to disagreements among stakeholders or difficult business conditions.

PAL has survived both.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said, however, the company’s survival was by no means certain at the height of strained negotiations with its creditors to whom the airline owed $2.2 billion at its peak in 1998.

“When you default on debt, you automatically become the bad guy,” he said in an interview with the Inquirer. “They started calling us names, saying we were ‘liars’ and [that we were being] ‘disingenuous’.”

Distrust ran high among PAL’s bankers -- a situation that was aggravated by the fact that creditors were dealing with a company owned by tobacco magnate Lucio Tan, whose business methods are routinely the subject of scrutiny by the local press.

Bautista said relations with PAL creditors improved only after the company became transparent with its true situation.

“We told them what the real problems were,” he recalled. “We told them the issues facing us.”

With transparency came understanding and a dramatic increase in patience on both sides of the negotiating table.

“We became patient with them, too, and when we restructured our debts, they changed,” he said.

PAL’s situation vis-a-vis its creditors is unique only in scale, but the dynamics are evident in smaller corporate rehabilitation programs.

One corporate rehabilitation specialist interviewed by the Inquirer said that one critical element necessary for a successful rehabilitation program is a rational manager amid the chaos of a debt default or bankruptcy.

Such an individual, he said, should be allowed to function without the obvious pressure from creditors to produce immediate results.

“A company should be given time,” he said, requesting anonymity, having worked with distressed companies of the Lucio Tan group in the past. “If a company is already in trouble, it becomes even more mistake-prone if it is pressured.”

This was evident even in PAL at the outset when the airline tried costly stopgap measures like the hiring of pilots from Cathay Pacific to help it get over a crippling strike in 1998.

“For a while, they tried all sorts of things,” he said.

Aware that the airline’s reputation and corporate future was on the line, PAL’s Bautista said that management decided to pay off creditors as soon as they could, in order to establish “good faith” among all parties involved.

Thus, a year after entering into the rehabilitation program, PAL decided to begin paying off its creditors, many of whom had agreed to a painful “haircut” -- deep reductions in their interest incomes -- while others agreed to longer repayment terms.

“The relationship changed after that,” he said. “They started to trust us again.”

By the end of the first year of rehabilitation, the company reported a $16-million profit. It was meager. But it was the first black ink on the company’s bottom line in six years.

Timeline

1992 - Government privatizes PAL; PR Holdings acquires a 67-percent stake in airline

1993 - PAL expands fleet, orders 747-400 aircraft; Lucio Tan elected vice chair of PR Holdings

1995 - Board calls for capital infusion to finance a refleeting, but shareholders are divided on the issue; Lucio Tan becomes PR Holdings chairman

1996 - Tan infuses P5 billion in fresh capital into the airline; PAL embarks on massive refleeting program, funded by equity and debt, involving the acquisition of 36 new aircraft worth $4 billion

1997 - PAL embarks on major facelift of facilities; launches “Asia’s Sunniest” marketing drive

1998 - PAL pilots go on a three-week strike over wage issues, causing massive losses; coupled with the effects of the East Asian financial crisis, the airline effectively goes bankrupt and suspends debt payments

1999 - Lucio Tan commits to infuse additional $200 million into PAL; creditors agree to debt restructuring; company submits rehabilitation plan to the Securities and Exchange Commission. PAL moves to Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport

2000 - On the first year of the rehabilitation program, PAL declares a modest P44.2-million income, ending six straight years of losses

2001 - PAL reports a P419-million profit, expands international network and launches Internet booking system

2002 - PAL reports a P295-million profit

2003 - International network expansion continues with new flights to Okinawa and restores service to Kuala Lumpur

2004 - PAL reports P1.2 billion in net income despite rising fuel prices and the jitters caused by the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, the Iraq war, and the SARS outbreak in Asia

2005 - PAL orders nine A320s worth $840 million

2006 - Airline starts planning exit from receivership as profit continues improving for eight consecutive years

2007 - PAL exits receivership program. It likewise completes e-ticketing system for entire network. PR Holdings acquires direct control of the airline, laying the groundwork for public share offer via listed firm PAL Holdings. From $2.2 billion in 1999, PAL’s total debt comes down to $869 million as of end-August 2007

le Reine

October 10th, 2007, 01:29 AM

;15775101']sige saan tayo magkikita? what time?
seryoso ba ito?

GOOD NEWS!!! Since medyo malabo na makita ko sa NAIA. I called DMIA this afternoon and they told me na they will be holding a public viewing from 12PM to 4PM this Friday, October 12. :D
wahh... :cry: buti ka pa. parang mas gusto ko atang pumunta ng clark

oh my effin god! alanganin sa sweldo at may duty pa ako sa gabi. pak! :lol:
don't tell me na hindi ka pupunta. papatayin kita... hehehe...

Manila-X

October 10th, 2007, 08:19 AM

I'm just curious why PAL isn't a member of any airline alliance whether it's One World, Star Alliance, etc.

davaoeagle

October 10th, 2007, 08:34 AM

^^

This has been the question of many. A client doctor of mine who went on a vacation to Singapore then to the Philippines ( he is based in Vancouver) wanted to fly PAL but didn't wanna do it when he found out he would get no Airmiles points for such long haul trip.. too bad.

el_dasik_oo1

October 10th, 2007, 08:34 AM

Walang Public viewing sa NAIA?! aw... :(

IsaganiZenze

October 10th, 2007, 08:54 AM

I'm just curious why PAL isn't a member of any airline alliance whether it's One World, Star Alliance, etc.

I think it was that conditionality of the bankruptcy agreement that was signed after 1998 collapse of the airline, but now that they are not in this situation(I was reading news about this, i think it was last friday....) they can join any now, correct me if i am misguided with my information on this.....it was this bankruptcy agreement that PAL couldn't really be in a airline alliance, right?

manchowyin

October 10th, 2007, 08:54 AM

NAIA and DMIA ready for world’s largest airliner
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=93502 (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=93502)
By Tarra Quismundo, Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer
Last updated 11:32pm (Mla time) 10/09/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Can the Ninoy Aquino International Airport accommodate and adequately service a passenger aircraft which is as tall as an eight-story building and has a wingspan almost as wide as a football field?

This will be known on Thursday when the Airbus-380, the world’s largest passenger jet, arrives at the NAIA as part of its three-country Asia-Pacific leg of its “route proving flight.”

The double-decker Airbus A-380 MSN 009 test aircraft is expected to land at the NAIA at around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

The A-380 test flight will leave the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France for a journey to Dubai, UAE; Melbourne, Australia; and Manila. From NAIA, the aircraft will proceed to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) on Friday.

The Asia-Pacific tour is aimed at showing the four-engine plane’s ability to complete long-haul flights and keep up with the demands of actual commercial operation. The test flight series also seek to check whether airports in future destinations can accommodate the two-deck 525-seater plane, now tagged the “21st century flagship.”

While at the airports in Dubai, Melbourne, NAIA and DMIA, the A-380 will test airfield maneuvering, docking, ground handling services and fueling to determine its compatibility with various airports in the world.

To accommodate the A-380, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has prepared a special landing arrangement, restricting use of the airport’s main runway and parallel taxiway the minute the superjumbo jet lands.

MIAA said the measure would be done to accommodate the hefty jet, which boasts of a wingspan of 79.8 meters, a length that requires a wider turning radius.

Current long-haul commercial airliners such as the Airbus A-340 and the Boeing 747 both have wingspans of around 64 meters, almost 15 meters shorter than that of the A-380.

“There was some procedure that we laid out because we have to accommodate the wingspan of the A-380. There will not be a problem though. We can handle this aircraft,” said MIAA operations chief Octavio Lina.

NAIA’s runway 06-24, which is used for landings and takeoffs of international flights, is more than enough to accommodate the A-380 which requires a runway at least 1,500 meters long. NAIA’s international runway measures around 3,700 meters.

“We can accommodate this plane. Larger aircraft have already landed here before,” said Lina.

The US Air Force’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft touched down in Manila during President George W. Bush’s visit in Manila four years ago. Russia’s Antonov AN-225 had landed several times at the NAIA.

Officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Air Transportation Office, MIAA and the Philippine Air Force will be given a tour of the plane during Thursday’s ceremony.

The aircraft will stay overnight at the NAIA before taking off for Clark in Pampanga where it will be serviced for four hours.

“This (test flight) is important to CIAC (Clark International Airport Corp.) and DMIA because it will position the Clark airport to be a viable alternative airport and eventually the future premier gateway of the Philippines,” CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano said.

The DMIA, with its two 3.2-kilometer parallel runways, had accommodated several large aircraft in the world such as the US’ C-17 “Starlifter” and the Russian-made Antonov “Condor” 124.