Repost ko na lang dito. Posted by JENSIE_G from PINOYEXCHANGE.com - Airlines of the World Thread.

More photos courtesy of Reuters

The Airbus A380 lands at Manila's International Airport on Thursday Oct. 11, 2007. The Airbus A380, the world's largest double-deck airline, is visiting the Philippines as part of a technical route proving exercise. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071011/capt.ca3f7f9bab15407b87ceaab020761c63.philippines_airbus_a380_mla110.jpg

Airport staff have their picture taken next to an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial airliner, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila October 11, 2007. The A380 is on tour to demonstrate its performance under normal airline operating conditions. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20071011/i/r2080844033.jpg

Airport staff have their picture taken next to an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial airliner, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila October 11, 2007. The A380 is on tour to demonstrate its performance under normal airline operating conditions. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20071011/i/r2968713429.jpg

A Filipino soldier prepares to take a photo of the parked Airbus A380 superjumbo passenger plane following its test flight from Melbourne, Australia Thursday Oct. 11, 2007, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071011/capt.12f4e56ba230495591226a4e69c2933e.philippines_airbus_a380_xbm102.jpg

An Airbus A380, the biggest commercial airliner, is pictured on the tarmac at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila October 11, 2007. The A380 is on tour to demonstrate its performance under normal airline operating conditions. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20071011/i/r2700362996.jpg

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?ei=UTF-8&p=A380&c=&fr=&c=images

^^ Thanks for posting that Bondurant! :okay:

It is awesome indeed. When they came here, they were given special permission to fly by Victoria Harbour twice, at an altitude lower than the height of the IFC tower. People in the high-rise offices gawked at the huge bird flying at eye level.

our pride of the century is now in MNL... tomorrow CRK :)

http://profiles.friendster.com/22165668

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2747.jpg

^^ That 5J plane should've parked right next to the A380 just for size comparison and to show just how massive the superjumbo really is. :colgate:

^^ That 5J plane should've parked right next to the A380 just for size comparison and to show just how massive the superjumbo really is. :colgate:

Also, imagine 500 ~ 800 passengers getting out into the concourse.

May palakpakan pa at unahan sa paglabas --- :lol:

Sabi ng UPO muna!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2804.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2803-1.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2789.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2805.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2805.jpg

^^ Too bad PAL's logo isn't part of the decals on the fuselage, it would've been cool if it was also a launch customer for the aircraft.

If we're going to NAIA now, where is the best possible area for us to see the A380? Thanks.

Awesome pics guys!!! Now, the debate in the past if NAIA is capable of handling & accomodating an a380 in landing and take off has already been answered.

wow..!!:applause: :applause: :applause:

ang ganda!!:lol:

kumasya ba siya dun sa gate?:)

ang gagaling nyo!!:cheers:

c/o kennseiba

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7205/15432572642e77f6b5a2bvs7.jpg

^^ Is it just me, or is the proportions of the A380 somewhat amiss? The tail seems awfully huge in relation to the length of the fuselage.

I think it's not a very graceful looking plane. It looks lumbering and whale-like.

^^ I am with you on that Mike. When it comes to jumbos, the B747 still takes the crown and title in the looks department. :okay:

the a380 looks like a swollen A320. btw, predictions nyo guys? out of all the airlines na nag order ng A380, sino sino kaya ang magdadala nyan for passenger use dito sa Manila?

^^ My best bet are the Gulf based carriers, like Emirates, Etihad, and Gulf Air, and to some extent US based carriers whose presence in the Philippines is significant, mainly at MNL. Regional Asian/ASEAN carriers like SQ, MH, TG, CX, JL, KE, OZ can (will) just make up the difference in pax loads by increased frequencies from their operational hubs.

whoa nice landing! cool that we can accomodate it. maybe pal or cebu pac will buy one sometime.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2789.jpg

Those are scary engines -- 70,000 lb thrust!!!!! Woommmp!!!!


(It looks like the crew is being sucked in!) :nuts:

wow! Freaking awesome! oo nga hindi nga siya goodlooking pero.. astig pa rin. Swerte naman nung mga nakakita nyan ng personal. :D

so after A380? Who's next? "Dreamliner"? sana.. sana..

Magoorder ba nyan ang PAL?

^^Sana.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/55/500x500/80/IMGP0206.JPG?et=vYdVQhsCdO%2B4DwRrfcg43A
Warning to all!!! Know PD1727

At DMIA:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2972.jpg

cool!!!
iwanttocry!!!

At the skies over Clark:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_2926.jpg

My photos of the Airbus A380 arrival at NAIA are here:
http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/202

Airline pushes Open Skies sans Manila (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=94119)

CLARK ECONOMIC ZONE -- Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is pushing for a variant of the open skies policy that will include all Philippine gateways except Manila and does away with airline designation.

CEO and president Avelino L. Zapanta told reporters on the sidelines of the Airbus A380's test flight here that a partial open skies policy would fast-track negotiations on air services agreements.

"We can just declare our skies as open except in Manila since it is already saturated. Interested airlines may be allowed in whether designated or not, provided their government will promise to allow our airlines into their country," Zapanta said.

"If our airlines are not ready to serve their country yet, at least the local carriers can reserve the right to fly there in the future," Zapanta said.

Zapanta also called on the government to abolish airline designation.
"Airline designation restricts smaller players. Airline designation is the greatest collusion being done by big airlines and government to control air traffic rights," he added.

He noted that the Philippines could draw more than three million tourists a year if smaller players were freely allowed to serve more routes alongside the designated or "flag" carriers.

"PAL for example was resisting the increase of seats to Korea because they don't have that much demand there. But what if other players can serve that route?" he said. "I'm not saying this because we are a small player."

He admitted, though, that SEAIR has not been able to register triple or quadruple growth "as it should" because it was not a designated airline.

Airbus super jumbo visits Philippines to show it is ready for Asia (http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5geoixOnYfop8GWntLoE2nRBDzjOg)


MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Airbus' extra-large A380 jetliner flew into the Philippines on a test flight Thursday to show it can be flown to existing runways in Asia, company officials said.

The A380 flew from Melbourne to the Manila international airport, landing smoothly with room to spare and taxiing to a parking area without a hitch despite its larger size.

"The landing had no troubles at all, absolutely no problem," said test pilot Peter Chandler at a press conference afterward.

Airbus senior marketing manager Julian Manhes said this was part of test flights by the A380 to show it could land and could "fit in today's airport infrastructure," with no need for any adjustments to accommodate the aircraft.

The Airbus A380 is the largest commercial jetliner and can accommodate as much as 850 passengers depending on the lay-out selected by the customer.

The company already has 165 orders and 20 commitments from 15 airlines for the new A380 and the first delivery, to Singapore Airlines, will take place next week, said Singapore Airbus manager Anthony Philips.

Despite delivery delays, company officials said there was still a strong demand for the plane with Airbus vice-president for sales Jean-Francois Laval forecasting "a second wave of orders," once the plane actually enters service.

Manhes said the larger size of the plane was necessary to meet an expected doubling in air traffic in the next 15 years, driven largely by growth in demand from the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.

This will require larger aircraft because eventually, airports will not be able to accommodate more frequent flights, he added.

Manhes said Airbus was forecasting that there would be a demand for 1,600 large-size jetliners in the next 20 years and that the company was expecting to get 50 percent of this.

Airbus officials declined to comment on the rival Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which reportedly is also encountering delays, except to say that it was not comparable to an Airbus A380 because it was a smaller plane.

Im still editing my pics. Hirap panoramas eh.

Heres a little preview. Probably my favorite shot.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/AirbusA380Clark10122007/a380arayatpreview.jpg

^^ Nice framing with the mountain as the backdrop. :okay:

Magoorder ba nyan ang PAL?

Ang mahal pa ata at medyo hindi pa siguro kasi malulugi lang sila sa opinyon ko.


---

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/images/October2007/2plsarees.jpg

Airport staff have their picture taken next to an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial airliner, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila yesterday. The A380 is on tour to demonstrate its performance under normal airline operating conditions. (REUTERS)


Madrid • Airbus was flying high yesterday after the European planemaker received a huge order just days before the first delivery of its superjumbo A380 and as archrival Boeing announced delays on its highly touted 787 Dreamliner programme.

Airbus signed a deal yesterday to sell 61 aircraft, including four A380s, to Spanish travel group Marsans, which owns Aerolineas Argentinas and the Madrid-based Air Comet, Marsans said.

The Spanish company, which is seeking to become a major global air transport operator, said it also confirmed orders for a further 12 aircraft, in a deal worth a total of $7bn.

The A380 is the world’s largest civilian airliner and can carry up 800 passengers. It has been seen as critical to Airbus’ bid to catch up with US rival Boeing in their cutthroat battle for supremacy in the civil aviation market.

News of delivery delays to the A380 last year hit the company hard. But the orders are now on the rise and the first A380 is expected to be delivered to Singapore Airlines on Monday, with the inaugural flight scheduled for October 25 from Singapore to Sydney.

Meanwhile shares of Airbus’ parent company, European aerospace manufacturer EADS, rose on the Paris Bourse yesterday after Boeing announced delays in deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner jets, the competitor to the A380 and seen as the future profit driver for the US aviation giant.

Boeing said on Wednesday that the first deliveries would not come until December 2008, six month later than planned. The first test flights were pushed back to next March.

A Marsans spokesman said the order signed yesterday in Madrid comprised four A380s, 10 A350s, 42 A320s, five A330s, plus 12 A330s previously ordered in December 2006. The planes will be operational between 2008 and 2014. Airbus confirmed the order in a statement, although it did not put a value on it.

The deal is part of “Marsans’ expansion plan in the Latin American and Spanish markets,” a Marsans spokesman said. The order “demonstrates our commitment to enhancing our group’s position on the short and long haul networks by incorporating the most efficient aircraft on the market today,” the Airbus statement quoted Marsans president Gonzalo Pascual as saying.

“Furthermore with the A380, we will become the first A380 customer and operator in Spain and South America.” Marsans is currently seeking to buy Spain’s second largest airline, Spanair, from Scandinavian travel group SAS. It hopes to link Spanair with its two existing carriers to form a global operator.

Spanair has flights to destinations in Spain, North Africa and Central Europe, while Aerolineas Argentinas and Air Comet operate long distance routes. Marsans, founded in 1910, has gone from operating buses to tour groups and hotels, and now hopes to be a major world player in the air tranportation.

Meanwhile, the extra-large A380 jetliner flew into the Philippines on a test flight yesterday to show it can be flown to existing runways in Asia, company officials said. The A380 flew from Melbourne to the Manila international airport, landing smoothly with room to spare and taxiing to a parking area without a hitch despite its larger size.

“The landing had no troubles at all, absolutely no problem,” said test pilot Peter Chandler at a press conference afterward. Airbus senior marketing manager Julian Manhes said this was part of test flights by the A380 to show it could land and could “fit in today’s airport infrastructure,” with no need for any adjustments to accommodate the aircraft.

Despite delivery delays, company officials said there was still a strong demand for the plane with Airbus vice-president for sales Jean-Francois Laval forecasting “a second wave of orders,” once the plane actually enters service.

Manhes said the larger size of the plane was necessary to meet an expected doubling in air traffic in the next 15 years, driven largely by growth in demand from the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific. This will require larger aircraft because eventually, airports will not be able to accommodate more frequent flights, he added.

Manhes said Airbus was forecasting that there would be a demand for 1,600 large-size jetliners in the next 20 years and that the company was expecting to get 50 per cent of this.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=market+news&month=October2007&file=Business_News2007101210756.xml

Ang mahal pa ata at medyo hindi pa siguro kasi malulugi lang sila sa opinyon ko.

Not really, They can afford paying up to $2B in their recent refleeting programs. why not an A380? which can only cost around $300M++.

I think its more of both politics and fleet usage. They choose 777-300 because they want to balance out their Airbus and Boeing fleets. Remember US routes is PAL's bread and butter. They don't want FAA poking out mistakes on them like what thet did on mid 90s forcing PAL to wet lease MD-11's...but who knows? ten years from now maybe...

Is it? Is that the reason why PAL went for a wet lease contract in MD 11's.I thought they were short of aircraft that can fly on that route.Was that Manila-Vancouver-New York-Manila?

Im still editing my pics. Hirap panoramas eh.

Heres a little preview. Probably my favorite shot.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/AirbusA380Clark10122007/a380arayatpreview.jpg
WOW:) ganda nang kuha hah arayat nasa back view:cheers: thanks !

RP market big enough for A380 – Airbus official (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007101262)
By Marianne V. Go
Saturday, October 13, 2007


The Philippine market has grown big enough for any of the country’s flag carriers to profitably acquire an Airbus A380, Jean-Francois Laval, vice president for sales-Asia of Airbus Industries, said yesterday.

In a press conference following the visit of the A380 at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga yesterday, Laval said there is enough passenger volume to profitably operate an A380 from either Manila or Clark to the United States. Since delivery of the aircraft would take a couple of years, Laval said, the market could grow even more.

Laval said Airbus is regularly in talks with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific although they are not at liberty to reveal any specifics about their current discussions.

The A380 visited Manila and Clark yesterday as part of its test proving route. The DMIA proved its capability to accommodate the Airbus A380. The public was even allowed to come close up and personal to the eight-story high mega aircraft.

According to visiting Airbus officials, Manila was chosen as one of the cities to visit in Asia to prove the aircraft’s facility and readiness to use current airport operations and compatibility.

The A380 is currently undergoing a certification exercise aimed at accumulating 150 hours of “typical airline” continuous operation.

By Monday, the A380 will have completed its certification and in fact will make its first delivery to Singapore Airlines which is set to start commercial operation of the “gentle giant” aircraft by Oct. 28.

During the technical route proving tour, the A380 will demonstrate that it can be turned around under normal airline operating conditions.

With its new Engine Alliance GP7000 engines, the A380 proved that it is quiet, greener and cleaner, setting new standards for air transport.

A tour of the aircraft, was limited to a chosen few and that mediamen were discouraged from viewing the interior of the A380 allegedly because the current configuration is still not commercial airline worthy.

Depending on its configuration, the A380 could seat as anywhere from 520 to 853 passengers, thus lessening the need to increase the number of flights.

According to Airbus data, it currently has 189 firm orders for the A380.

Among those who have already placed orders for the A380 are Air France, China Southern, Emirates, Etihad, ILFC, Kingfisher Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Although the country’s flag carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, have not placed any orders for the A380, the two airline firms have a fleet of Airbus aircraft.

PAL operates four A319s and 13 A320s on its domestic network, eight A330s on regional services across Asia and four A340-300s on long-range routes to the United States.

Cebu Pacific operates 10 A319s and four A320s.

not worth it unless they put personal tvs in economy class. i like my comfort.

Not really, They can afford paying up to $2B in their recent refleeting programs. why not an A380? which can only cost around $300M++.

I think its more of both politics and fleet usage. They choose 777-300 because they want to balance out their Airbus and Boeing fleets. Remember US routes is PAL's bread and butter. They don't want FAA poking out mistakes on them like what thet did on mid 90s forcing PAL to wet lease MD-11's...but who knows? ten years from now maybe...

from what i have read the reason behind PAL ordering 77Ws aside from the aircraft performance is to compensate for their remaining 747-400 orders. remember they still have 4 remaining orders way back in the 90s but tried to cancel them due to the financial crisis. of course, Boeing wouldn't let PAL get away without paying penalties. naturally, PAL couldn't afford paying for it so it has been on the orderbook for the past 10 years. now as part of the deal, they have converted those orders to 4 firm orders of 773ER plus 2 options.

checkout the news article below:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/11/20/210646/philippine-airlines-to-order-boeing-777s-instead-of.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/307716_boeing16.html

How I wish Manila would soon be a airline hub and not just a spoke.

Guys, do you think that in the near future, MNL or Clark would become an international hub for airline flights (pwera PAL)?

^^ I think Clark has better chances of being an international hub. The airport is big and very modern and it has the best strategic location (5 hours to all SEA capitals)

How I wish Manila would soon be a airline hub and not just a spoke.

Guys, do you think that in the near future, MNL or Clark would become an international hub for airline flights (pwera PAL)?

MNL, maybe not so. CRK, has potential to be a hub. But with other major hubs all with in a six-hour flying time within the region, it'll be an uphill battle to compete with the likes of SIN, BKK, HKG, NRT, and ICN.

btw, what is the runway requirements for A380? how long should the runway be for landing and take offs... thank you guys!

^^
1500m:)

Airbus Sees Philippines As An Important Asian Market (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008807155)

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - European aircraft manufacturer Airbus on Thursday said the Philippines is an important growing market in Asia and looks forward to forging more partnerships with local carriers.

Jean Francois Laval, Airbus vice-president for Asia, said the company hopes its new generation aircraft, the A380, will be part of the fleet of airlines, including flag carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

"We definitely hope to have customers in the Philippines. The Philippine market is important in the region, it is a growing market," said Laval in a briefing that occasioned the local visit of the airline's new A380 model.

The world's biggest passenger airplane touched down in Manila Thursday as its manufacturer continues a shakedown exercise spanning the globe. The aircraft came from Melbourne and took a short hop to Clark north of Manila on Friday before flying to Dubai. The airline's global trot aims to accumulate 150 hours of typical continuous airline operation to obtain the required certifications.

Julien Manhes, Airbus senior marketing manager, said 15 customers have already placed orders for 165 Airbus A380s.

The Airbus A380 provides 15 percent to 20 percent lower operating cost for airlines, with lower fuel burns, lesser noise and lower emission levels.

Its upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. This allows for a cabin with 50 percent more floor space than a Boeing 747-400. It can seat up to 853 people in full economy class configuration.

Manhes said Airbus expects to double air traffic in the next 15 years, thus the need for larger aircraft.

The A380 made its maiden flight on April 27, 2005 from Toulouse, France, and is scheduled to begin commercial flights on October 25 this year with Singapore Airlines.

^^ bro, sure ka 1500 m lng?

^^
1500m:)

Sure ka na 1.5 kilometers lang ang minimum requirement ng A380 sa take-off and landing? And is this for a fully-loaded plane? If yes, then wow!

NAIA ready for world’s largest airliner (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.

don't believe me?;)

oi.. tignan nyo 'tong news.. first delivery ng A380 sa SQ.. pasensya iba ung language..:)

Bx2rcs1KuR4

How was the visit.

Bwisit ako sa 5J they put us in window seat but at the back of the plane. SO IT HAD NO WINDOWS. Labo talaga. So we totally missed out on seeing it on the taxiway. And of course the flight was bad too since it was night and we had no reference for coming or going or what not. bwisit kayo bupak.

so ok ba iyung plane nga.

Napanood ko ng buo kaninang hapon sa Channel News Asia yung turnover at tour ceremony between Singapore Airlines and Airbus. Pinakita yung loob. It looks really nice. Ok yung Suites. hehehhee

yeah... iba talaga ang service ng SQ. talagang alagang alaga ka. check out pics, info, and tour of the cabins of the A380 on their website. Wow talaga. Praise for SQ kasi they were willing to sacrifice the number of seats on their A380 for the comfoft of their passengers. Diba the A380 can accomodate 525-550 seats? Ang sa SQ, 471 lang!!! Bale sa main deck: suite: 12, economy: 311. Sa upper deck naman, business: 60, economy 88. ganda!!! The first time i flew with SQ in 2004, i was already impressed with them. ever since hindi na ako sumasakay ng iba pang airline. Kahit na mejo mas mahal sila kesa sa iba, bawi din naman sa comfort. I have tried so far their economy, executive economy, the old style business class (yung for regional flights nila), at yung spacebeds. di pa ako nakakatry ng bagong classes eh. sana later this year yung 773ER ang masakyan ko para new business. 30 inch seat!!!! Basta check out their website about their A380, and like me, maiimpress din kayo. Sana talaga magcontinue pa ang pagprofit ng PAL para soon maging ala SQ na ang service nila at hindi 3start airline lang.

btw guys, i went to wikipedia.org, searched british airways, clicked on destinations, then under terminated destinations for southeast asia, it says: Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila (Manila Flights will Return when Airbus A380 Enters Service) . Does anyone have any more info about this?

^^ Wikipedia can easily be edited and it's content changed, so don't take it at face value. Wait until there's an official statement from British Airways about their plans to return service to Manila. It would be nice to see the Union Jack back at MNL after a long absence, although would it be really British Airways, or its subsidiary British Asia Airways that will fly that route.






Edit: Did some research online and found out that British Asia Airways ceased operations back in 2001. So it's just Birtish Airways now.

PAL and Etihad enter into codeshare deal (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=94594)

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines has started offering Manila-Abu Dhabi flights under a code-sharing agreement with Etihad Airways.

This is PAL's first such commercial deal since exiting receivership last Sept. 28.

The code-share agreement, which became operational on Oct. 4, gives PAL a seat allocation on Etihad's daily service between Manila and the United Arab Emirates capital.

These services are displayed in computer reservations systems as both Etihad (airline code EY) and PAL (PR) flights.

PAL has code-share agreements with eight international carriers, enabling the country's flag carrier to serve eight destinations from Manila and three from Cebu. PAL also has an extensive code-share partnership with Air Philippines on the latter's domestic network.

PAL has designated Etihad's Manila-Abu Dhabi flight as PR 621, departing daily at 4 p.m. with same-day arrival in the UAE capital at 8:25 p.m.

The Abu-Dhabi-Manila service is designated as PR 628, with daily departures at 2:05 a.m. and arrival at 2:30 p.m. of the same day.

Wait so PAL is gonna be adding this to its destinations? Or is it Etihad's flight?

I don't understand codeshare agreements lmao. Great news, either way.

^^ Etihad planes with PAL flight numbers. Basically, PAL sells tickets on Etihad's flights from Manila to Abu Dhabi and vice versa.

XJCUwy5dhlI
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJCUwy5dhlI)

1B8_RzpON-4
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B8_RzpON-4)

^^ Etihad planes with PAL flight numbers. Basically, PAL sells tickets on Etihad's flights from Manila to Abu Dhabi and vice versa.

wait.. so it's not a 'real' PAL going to UAE.. 'name' lang nila ang pupunta dun?:nuts:

^^ In a way, yes. It won't be PAL's plane and crew that will be flying but Etihad's.

This is a very clear example of PAL protectionism and open skies not working. In order to fly here an airline has to get rights, the Phil Gov't through CAB will only offer reciprocal rights (we give you when you give us), the reciprocal rights locally are given to PAL, thus for another airline to fly here , for all intents and purposes they have to give PAL a portion of revenue under the guise of Codesharing when in reality PAL neither flies there nor even offers the service, they are just selling their reciprocal rights. Easy way to make a buck. A good example of how protected markets and regulatory capture put more money in PAL's pocket.

1B8_RzpON-4
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B8_RzpON-4)

^^Whoa! A380 passenger overhead luggage bins are very similar to B777 and B747-400 ER.

This is a very clear example of PAL protectionism and open skies not working. In order to fly here an airline has to get rights, the Phil Gov't through CAB will only offer reciprocal rights (we give you when you give us), the reciprocal rights locally are given to PAL, thus for another airline to fly here , for all intents and purposes they have to give PAL a portion of revenue under the guise of Codesharing when in reality PAL neither flies there nor even offers the service, they are just selling their reciprocal rights. Easy way to make a buck. A good example of how protected markets and regulatory capture put more money in PAL's pocket.

yeah thats why I dont fly pal hehe 5j all the way!

pero i don't get it. etihad has been flying here before pa nag start yung codeshare with PAL ah. BTW, i know someone and his brother in law is a pilot who used to work for PAL but eventually transfered to Etihad. Ang ganda ng package of employment nya!! Grabe. i asked about the details and walang binatbat ang mga benefits na narereceive nya sa PAL. Ang masakit hinaharass sha ng pal ngayon. Meron daw sha kailangan bayaran. Actually maswerte pa din daw sha kasi others, gagamitin ng PAL ang connection nila sa government para hindi mapayagan umalis ng bansa yung aalis na pilot. Meron ata kailangan na document or permit i forgot na what its called. O diba? Only in the Philippines.

This is a very clear example of PAL protectionism and open skies not working. In order to fly here an airline has to get rights, the Phil Gov't through CAB will only offer reciprocal rights (we give you when you give us), the reciprocal rights locally are given to PAL, thus for another airline to fly here , for all intents and purposes they have to give PAL a portion of revenue under the guise of Codesharing when in reality PAL neither flies there nor even offers the service, they are just selling their reciprocal rights. Easy way to make a buck. A good example of how protected markets and regulatory capture put more money in PAL's pocket.

as if theres a real open skies policy in this world:lol:...everything my friend boils down in the idea of competition and market protectionism. Most of the times were the victim so we he have to bitch back sometimesl:)

By the way, can anyone of you identify what Airbus is this under the A320 family? Is it a A319 or an A320?

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/4/photos/55/500x500/87/IMGP0621.JPG?et=zNZu66mZve8Dqd4mBX%2CJtg

^^ thats an A320...

pag dalawa ang exit doors sa may wing part... A320

pag isa lang... A319

:)

yup. it's a320... pero yung cebu pacific's a319, may two emeregency doors din... so tingnan mo nalang ang length nila

Do you think it's more likely for PAL to get A380s or the Boeing Dreamliner?

^^ Ooh....that's a tough one. My guess they'd go with Boeing 787 Dreamliner instead of the Airbus A380. The A380 is too huge for PAL current operations whereas the Dreamliner seems to be just right, for the time being at least. Maybe when PAL has sustained prolonged profitability and increase passenger and cargo loads justifies the use of a Superjumbo, then and only then will it utilize the services of an A380 aircraft.

ok. now that i have put my eyes back into their sockets, wiped the drool on the floor and stuffed my tongue back into my mouth after seeing this website, i just have to share it with you guys. Take a look at this: http://www.changiairport.com/t3/

It's a shame that their terminal 3 is gonna be openning in January next year and we don't even have a definite date or assurance that ours will indeed be openning. And what's worse is that the construction of SIN T3 only started in 1999 whereas the construction of our T3 started way back in 1997. And their terminal 3 is twice the size of NAIA3. Ours can only accomodate 13M pax per annum whereas theirs can accommodate 22M. Yet they still will be able to open their facility earlier than ours. Heck our government could not even give us a detailed action plan. Its a shame that almost all if not all Philippine projects turn out bad due to corrupt officials and in NAIA3's case, corrupt and dishonest creatures.

Ok. I'm ranting. But i'm sure others share my sentiment. Granted that they can't open it immediately 'coz of pending court decisions, unfinished terminal, structural defects, yada yada yada. But the truth is, who made it like that? They were those cretins who ran the project. it shouldnt have been like that. All of these controversies could have been avoided. The NAIA 3 project is just one of many examples of how a good thing can turn bad in the Philippine setting. It's an absolute shame. If only Filipinos (yes, myself included) would think long term and always do whats best for everyone instead of always thinking selfishly with short term goals in mind, our country would be very different. The Philippines would have been prosperous, powerful, and respected by others. But instead, we area the laughing stock of other countries, our citizens are made fun of on national, international and cable TV (Desperate Housewives and The Late Show), and other countries think of us as just people who worships everything that they are and have.

But i guess the bottom line is...........we can only dream and hope. I think nobody here beleives that it could happen in the near future. Yes i know that their is nothing constant in this world but change, but then again, change doesn't happen overnight. It would really really take a lot of initiative and action by each Filipino if we want to sometime be considered at par with our SEAn neighbors. And another thing, that terminal of SIN reallly took my breath away. I still can't get over it.

PAL plies Negros Oriental skies this November (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dum/2007/10/17/bus/pal.plies.negor.skies.this.november.html)

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines will once again serve Negros Oriental in November, considered the start of peak period for travel since it is close to the Christmas season.

PAL folded its wings several years back after it was hit by labor and operational problems, including maintenance and profit margin.

Authorities from the local office of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) confirmed that PAL flights will resume early next month.

In fact, renovation of the airport ticket and departure areas is now ongoing.

Authorities said they already have set arrangements in the airport area.

Air Philippines and PAL, which are sister companies, will occupy the eastern side counters while Cebu-Pacific will occupy the western side.

In addition, reports have it that there will also be regional flights of both Sea Air and Asian Spirit based in Mactan, Cebu province. The flights have been approved by regional ATO authorities

Flights are from Mactan to Dumaguete and vice vera.

The regional flights were endorsed by the Regional Tourism Council chaired by Siquijor Gov Orlando Fua, Jr.

These regional flights will be connecting tourists through the Visayan Islands.

They will have connections with Boracay, Panglao, Siquijor, and even Palawan.

Aircraft market shows strong growth through 2023
Tuesday, October 16 2007 @ 07:49 PM BST

Business
More than 17,300 aircraft passenger and freight aircraft with a value of US$ 1.9 trillion, will be required by aircraft operators between this year to 2023.

Airbus forecast shows that 16,600 new passenger aircraft of more than 100 seats will be needed for the period under review, creating an average delivery of 830 passenger aircraft per year.

This requirement results from a three-fold growth in passenger traffic, or an average annual traffic growth in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) of 5.3 percent, and the replacement of 9,200 less fuel-efficient passenger aircraft through 2023.

Air freight is forecast to grow even faster, with freight ton kilometers (FTs) increasing annually by 5.9 percent over the same period, generating the need for more than 700 new and 2,400 converted freighters.

Overall, this period includes the strongest traffic-growth recovery seen since 1980 and highlights the resilience of the industry to the effects of recent world events.

The strong economic development of the Asia-Pacific region, especially in emerging economies, and the increasing impact of low-cost carriers in all domestic markets will significantly contribute to this growth.

The nine trillion RFKs forecast in 2023 will largely be generated in Europe (32 percent), Asia-Pacific (31 percent) and North America (26 percent).

To accommodate this three-fold growth in passenger traffic, the number of flights offered on passenger routes and the number of passenger traffic aircraft on service will more than double in 20 years, accompanied by the use of larger aircraft.

Airbus therefore forecasts that the average number of seats per passenger aircraft will increase by 20 percent from 181 to 215 over this period.

Demand for air travel will result in the expansion of international traffic through the development of new routes as well as through consolidation of the major hubs.

Accounting for 22 percent of the value of all new aircraft delivered in the next 20 years, as many as 1,650 new passenger aircraft seating 450 or more passengers will serve the high density population centers in Asia-Pacific.

source (http://biz.balita.ph/html/article.php?story=20071016194923227)

So, is this also an A319? I'm quite confused with PAL due to its livery sometimes. I find it easy distinguishing A319 from A320 through 5J rather than PR

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/P1100722.jpg
So is this an A319 or A320?

as if theres a real open skies policy in this world:lol:...everything my friend boils down in the idea of competition and market protectionism. Most of the times were the victim so we he have to bitch back sometimesl:)

I understand there is still lots of pockets of market imperfection but in general the degree to which distortions are created by PAL are much more acute than an ordinary regulated environment like the US. PAL stops local airlines as well from operating routes they want to operate in through a myriad of regulatory manouvers since CAB is known to be doing PALs bidding. Hence the real bottom line for a lot of people who need these services is that considering the poor performance of the regulating agency then make it so as to lessen the actual need for any regulation at all with regards to offering services, hence open skies. If most people saw that CAB was fair and captured by private interests then the impetus for open skies or even just pocket open skies will be lessened.

8QLavkJO5Xc
Cebu Pacific Air A319 first flight bound for Iloilo, taking off from MNL at around 5AM.

So, is this also an A319? I'm quite confused with PAL due to its livery sometimes. I find it easy distinguishing A319 from A320 through 5J rather than PR

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/P1100722.jpg
So is this an A319 or A320?

thats an A320..

8QLavkJO5Xc
Cebu Pacific Air A319 first flight bound for Iloilo, taking off from MNL at around 5AM.

ganda! ikaw ba ang kumukuha sa video?

So, is this also an A319? I'm quite confused with PAL due to its livery sometimes. I find it easy distinguishing A319 from A320 through 5J rather than PR

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/P1100722.jpg
So is this an A319 or A320?


judging from the pic, it's a319

ganda! ikaw ba ang kumukuha sa video?

Yup. And quite sleepy. Its 5AM. :D

By the way those are the lights of Southern Metro Manila and the Northern edge of Cavite.

judging from the pic, it's a319

Yeap.. it's an A319..... The aircraft's registration would tell you instantly if it's an A319 or A320 (in 5J's equipments) :banana:

just a question? What's the difference between the A319's that have 2 exit doors in the middle and those that only have one? Who decides on this? Airbus or the airline who orders it?

just a question? What's the difference between the A319's that have 2 exit doors in the middle and those that only have one? Who decides on this? Airbus or the airline who orders it?

None of the above ^__^

Cebu Pacific gets clearance to fly to Macau from Clark international airport

BY MARIAN GRACE S. RAMOS (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101807/content.php?id=043)

GOKONGWEI-OWNED Cebu Air, Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, said it secured a conditional approval to fly to Macau from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The company, however, will not start flights to Macau until it gets approval to fly to other destinations.

"We received a conditional approval from [the] Macau [government] but no approvals to operate from Clark to Hong Kong and Bangkok," Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing and product said.

Ms. Iyog said clearance from the other governments would be dependent on the result of the air talks that have yet to be scheduled.

She also said in an earlier telephone interview that Cebu Pacific "can’t fly from Clark if the clearances from all five governments are not secured."

Besides Macau, Hong Kong and Bangkok, Cebu Pacific also wants to get clearance to fly to Singapore and Taiwan from Clark.

A Cebu Pacific official said the airline would not fly to any of the destinations until it gets clearance to fly to the other places since it "wants to maximize its presence" in Clark.

The airline, the official said, would only be using one plane to service the routes to Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Earlier, Clark International Airport Corp. President Victor I. Luciano said Cebu Pacific would soon be flying to Hong Kong, Macau and Bangkok from Clark.

In a phone interview, Mr. Luciano told BusinessWorld Cebu Pacific was working to attain the necessary clearances from the three governments.

He added that the talks between Cebu Pacific and the three governments were expected to be settled before the end of this year.

Last June, Cebu Pacific said it wanted to use Clark as the next launch pad for additional overseas flights.

In a previous statement, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Y. Gokongwei said, "If we get the necessary approvals from all the governments concerned, we will make Clark our third base and hub after Manila and Cebu."

Cebu Pacific intends to use Clark to fly daily to Hong Kong, four times a week to Singapore and Macau, and three times a week to Bangkok, Thailand and Taipei, Taiwan.

"We hope to get a favorable response from all the other governments considering that our own government has given their carriers similar rights to Clark," Mr. Gokongwei said.

Mr. Gokongwei also said Cebu Pacific’s presence in Clark would be "strategically important" to JG Summit Holdings, Inc., the family’s holding firm.

"Making Clark a base of aircraft and a hub for flights to and from various regional destinations give (us) a major presence in Central Luzon," he said.

At the moment, Cebu Pacific uses the Clark airport for its Clark-Cebu routes three times a week.

Cebu Pacific operates a total of 14 new Airbus planes in its domestic and international destinations, four A320s and ten A319s expecting to add over 30 planes by 2013.

Meanwhile, Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Edward Harun Pagunsan said the country would only pursue air talks if these would give equal opportunities to all parties.

He said that under the current setup, the country "is always a victim of some lopsided agreements."

Under the current setup, foreign carriers are granted rights to travel to the Philippines but the same luxury is not always granted to local carriers that want to fly to international routes.

This is why the recent thrust of the government, through the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), is to push for an open skies policy grounded on bilateral basis, which allows equal opportunities to both parties, Mr. Pagunsan said.

^^ Oh, so the clearance is from the Macau side, not the Philippine side.

Future looks good for PAL (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/oct/18/yehey/opinion/20071018opi2.html)

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has just graduated from the status of receivership. For a firm that lost its previous position as the nation’s flag-carrier—probably because of globalization—its emancipation from some kind of government control is indeed welcome.

This new status of PAL capped a nine-year period of a regulatory regime. Although shackled by control, the management transformed the firm into a robust and profitable company. In that simple but significant ceremony last week, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Fe Barin handed PAL President Jaime J. Bautista documents removing PAL from receivership.

The document formally released PAL from the restrictions of the rehabilitation plan. That was also the same document that had served as the airline’s road map of recovery since June 1999—the same year the SEC placed PAL under receivership.

The move was welcomed by PAL’s creditors, who have come to terms with the flag carrier on the rescheduling of its remaining obligations. As of August 31, 2007, PAL had $869 million in outstanding principal debt, down from $2.2 billion when it entered receivership.

The PAL president said that with PAL ending receivership, a number of benefits will come, among which are lower financing costs, improved financing terms and better access to capital markets.

It will also open up more doors and opportunities for the airline. It does not have to bear the stigma of being under rehabilitation. This is also expected to lead to more commercial and marketing opportunities.

The lifting of receivership, according to Bautista, provides greater flexibility for PAL, as it seeks to grow its fleet, expand services and venture to new destinations. He recalled a landmark development in the history of PAL when CEO Lucio C. Tan infused in June 1999 $200 million in fresh equity. This audacious move triggered the approval of the rehabilitation plan and from there—a smooth cruising to recovery.

Bautista has all praises for the PAL majority owner. “Dr. Tan’s bold and selfless move, taken when no one else wanted to touch PAL, was an act of faith in our ability to turn around the company. The new PAL, now among best performing airlines in the world, is a testament to Dr. Tan’s commitment.”

How committed is Mr. Lucio Tan to the future of PAL? It was said that he put on the line his other firms for the success or failure of the rehabilitation plan. What a gamble indeed!

None of the above ^__^


so who decides then? and is there any difference?

Decrepit Manila int’l airport hit
Takenaka agrees to repair NAIA-3 defects for free
Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101807/content.php?id=051

THE GOVERNMENT should immediately move air traffic to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga with the Manila airport now in bad shape, the association of foreign chambers of commerce yesterday urged.

In a briefing on Philippine airport infrastructure, the Joint Foreign Chambers pointed to several lapses particularly in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Brian Lane, chairman of the American chamber’s transportation and infrastructure committee, said the Manila airport’s runway and passenger terminals are severely inadequate.

"The runway’s design is way below standards for new-generation aircraft," Mr. Lane said, noting the airport was built way back in 1940 when the biggest plane carried about 50 tons compared with today’s wide-bodied planes like the Boeing 747 weighing 350 to 400 tons.

Because of this, Mr. Lane said the Manila airport cannot operate 24 hours as it needs repairs caused by load beyond its initial design.

Mr. Lane said the distances between the centerline of runways and centerlines of taxiways do not meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A380, which recently landed in Manila and the Macapagal airport at the Clark economic zone in Pampanga.

This poses serious safety concerns, he added.

Sought for comment, Alfonso G. Cusi, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the airport is complying with international standards.

"[While the] NAIA is a 25-year-old terminal with less than modern aerodrome and little room for expansion, NAIA manages to comply with ICAO standards," Mr. Cusi said.

But there have been reports that the small runway is often congested, forcing planes to stay in holding pattern for 30 minutes while waiting to land. This has supposedly increased the rates of planes diverted to Clark to refuel, adding to costs and delays for both carriers and passengers.

In the recent A380 visit at the Manila airport, Mr. Cusi said no delays or cancellations occurred.

Mr. Lane, who is also a director in the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, said the planned opening of the mothballed NAIA Terminal 3 next year will only be a temporary solution.

Benefits will only last for two years as traffic is expected to increase further, "hence, the need for traffic to be dispersed to other terminals not only Clark."

The government has failed to open the NAIA-3 because of delays in repairs due to a dispute with Japanese contractor Takenaka Corp. over costs.

But yesterday, Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said "progress has been achieved."

"Takenaka [has] agreed to adopt all the essential demands of the MIAA regarding operability guarantees," Mr. Mendoza said, adding that the Japanese firm will repair "proven structural defects" free of charge.

Is that good for Clark?

this is good for Clark, i think... but is DMIA capable to handle the load of NAIA?... I don't think so.... so I guess the government should move quickly on building a bigger terminal for DMIA....

The foreign chambers are only looking out for their airline members interest. There have been many instances that flights are diverted to clark because of various reasons like trouble in the runway, the presidents plane is landing (this one I really can't understand why they have to close the whole airport for a long while, 5 minutes yes but 20 minutes or more!), etc. That's why they'd like to have a big modern airport with two runways. Of course they seem to disregard the fact that we can't afford it at this time.

Decrepit Manila int’l airport hit
Takenaka agrees to repair NAIA-3 defects for free
Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101807/content.php?id=051

THE GOVERNMENT should immediately move air traffic to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga with the Manila airport now in bad shape, the association of foreign chambers of commerce yesterday urged.

In a briefing on Philippine airport infrastructure, the Joint Foreign Chambers pointed to several lapses particularly in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Brian Lane, chairman of the American chamber’s transportation and infrastructure committee, said the Manila airport’s runway and passenger terminals are severely inadequate.

"The runway’s design is way below standards for new-generation aircraft," Mr. Lane said, noting the airport was built way back in 1940 when the biggest plane carried about 50 tons compared with today’s wide-bodied planes like the Boeing 747 weighing 350 to 400 tons.

Because of this, Mr. Lane said the Manila airport cannot operate 24 hours as it needs repairs caused by load beyond its initial design.

Mr. Lane said the distances between the centerline of runways and centerlines of taxiways do not meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A380, which recently landed in Manila and the Macapagal airport at the Clark economic zone in Pampanga.

This poses serious safety concerns, he added.

Sought for comment, Alfonso G. Cusi, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the airport is complying with international standards.

"[While the] NAIA is a 25-year-old terminal with less than modern aerodrome and little room for expansion, NAIA manages to comply with ICAO standards," Mr. Cusi said.

But there have been reports that the small runway is often congested, forcing planes to stay in holding pattern for 30 minutes while waiting to land. This has supposedly increased the rates of planes diverted to Clark to refuel, adding to costs and delays for both carriers and passengers.

In the recent A380 visit at the Manila airport, Mr. Cusi said no delays or cancellations occurred.

Mr. Lane, who is also a director in the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, said the planned opening of the mothballed NAIA Terminal 3 next year will only be a temporary solution.

Benefits will only last for two years as traffic is expected to increase further, "hence, the need for traffic to be dispersed to other terminals not only Clark."

The government has failed to open the NAIA-3 because of delays in repairs due to a dispute with Japanese contractor Takenaka Corp. over costs.

But yesterday, Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said "progress has been achieved."

"Takenaka [has] agreed to adopt all the essential demands of the MIAA regarding operability guarantees," Mr. Mendoza said, adding that the Japanese firm will repair "proven structural defects" free of charge.



stupid american!!!!!!!!:bash: So how old is single runway Gatwick huh?

I think it's not really that hard to put a remedy on the runway if the only concern would be the load of the new generation aircrafts. It would be more on the current traffic that would double up 10 years from now or maybe even less, then a new runway would be necessary. But then again, NAIA has 2 runways that can be used and thickened, one of it can be widenned and lengthen as well. Now, the terminal buildings, yes, that is the problem, it's smaller and outdated... T3 would be a temporary solution for it up until the government started with the expansion and modernizattion of DMIA. I hope they would still keep NAIA even if we already have DMIA so that there would be an alternative for passengers who are from the capital region or elsewhere in Luzon who doesn't wish to go through 4 or so hours of extra road travel after a long trip from a longhaul flights. The airline companies can also have connecting flights from DMIA to and from Manila or to all other final domestic destinations.

totoo naman hah,kapag nakababa kana sa runway nang NAIA lubak lubak ang daan eh. lalo na kapag 747 400 ka nakasakay...

^ never experienced any bad runway surface in Manila ever. Unlike in Cebu long time ago, it was the case and you can really feel it. I'm glad MCIA took care of it now.

My friend at PAL says the company is planning to purchase this Chinese made plane... Here's the content of the description he forwarded me...

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture6.jpg

The MA60 is an advanced 50-60 seat class regional turboprop aircraft. Characterized by remarkable passenger comfort, operational adaptability and low operating cost the MA60 is suitable for frequent short and medium-haul commuter operations as well as multi-role applications. The MA60 can meet the increasingly demanding needs of modern transport and offer operators with the greatest operating benefits.

Excellent passenger comfort
The cabin has been designed in full consideration with passenger comfort. The spacious cabin and comfortable environment make the passenger comfort comparable to jet airliners.

Outstanding operational adaptability
The MA60's high operational adaptability in terms of cruise speed, range, airfield adaptability, "hot and high" performance, STOL performance and the capability of all-weather operations makes it a ideal regional turboprop aircraft.

Low operating cost
Low operating cost is one of the highest priorities in MA60's design. The MA60 has the lowest DOC in its class thanks to its competitive price, high reliability and dispatch rate as well as less maintenance cost.


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture4.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture3.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture2.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture1.jpg

^^It doesn't look good IMO.

I know Fred Yao was interested in this as well. But he bought into SeaAir right? (or was it Asian spirit) anyway they've existing planes.

Decrepit Manila int’l airport hit
Takenaka agrees to repair NAIA-3 defects for free
Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101807/content.php?id=051

THE GOVERNMENT should immediately move air traffic to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga with the Manila airport now in bad shape, the association of foreign chambers of commerce yesterday urged.

In a briefing on Philippine airport infrastructure, the Joint Foreign Chambers pointed to several lapses particularly in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Brian Lane, chairman of the American chamber’s transportation and infrastructure committee, said the Manila airport’s runway and passenger terminals are severely inadequate.

"The runway’s design is way below standards for new-generation aircraft," Mr. Lane said, noting the airport was built way back in 1940 when the biggest plane carried about 50 tons compared with today’s wide-bodied planes like the Boeing 747 weighing 350 to 400 tons.

Because of this, Mr. Lane said the Manila airport cannot operate 24 hours as it needs repairs caused by load beyond its initial design.

Mr. Lane said the distances between the centerline of runways and centerlines of taxiways do not meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A380, which recently landed in Manila and the Macapagal airport at the Clark economic zone in Pampanga.

This poses serious safety concerns, he added.



Wow. That is one of the stupidest statements ever.

I know that the DMIA is the future and all, but the NAIA isn't as decrepit as that guy says. 747s have been using the NAIA every single day for decades, and we don't really hear that many complaints. Terminal 3 may be a temporary solution, but I think it's temporary in the 10-year sense and not the 2-yearomgdisasteriscoming sense. The single runway issue isn't really an issue. Hong Kong Kai Tak had over 30 million passengers yearly flying to their scary runway with few incidents. For a more current airport, London Gatwick handles much more traffic than the NAIA on its single runway.

The NAIA's location right smack in the middle of Metro Manila and next to Makati will always make it an attractive port of entry. The DMIA is simply too far at the moment. The day that the DMIA becomes the premier gateway to Manila is the day that the government invests millions of pesos in a huge terminal with a high-speed rail connection to the metro. That can only be financially feasible when passenger numbers reach the 30 million per year mark. So far, we're only at twenty-something at the NAIA and around 500,000 at DMIA.

Relocating completely to the DMIA within the next five years would not only be ridiculously expensive, but also detrimental to the NAIA's catchment area. The NAIA serves the Calabarzon well, but an airport in Pampanga would be a nightmare for the area without the proper supporting infrastructure. Immediate relocation to the DMIA requires huge investments in infrastructure, and at the moment, we don't have the passenger numbers to make it worth it just yet.

I still say that the DMIA should grow organically as an airport on its own, as the NAIA will always be an attractive place to fly to. Perhaps in 30 years, the NAIA would be more valuable as a place to expand the Makati/Fort Bonifacio CBD area, but until then, the NAIA serves its purpose as the premier international gateway to the Philippines.

Planes at
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
MNL
(Sorry for the low quality.:()

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0803.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0809.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0813.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0816.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0817.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0823.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0833.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0844.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0820.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0830.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0835.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0848.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0847.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/PICT0849.jpg

Wow. That is one of the stupidest statements ever.

I know that the DMIA is the future and all, but the NAIA isn't as decrepit as that guy says. 747s have been using the NAIA every single day for decades, and we don't really hear that many complaints. Terminal 3 may be a temporary solution, but I think it's temporary in the 10-year sense and not the 2-yearomgdisasteriscoming sense. The single runway issue isn't really an issue. Hong Kong Kai Tak had over 30 million passengers yearly flying to their scary runway with few incidents. For a more current airport, London Gatwick handles much more traffic than the NAIA on its single runway.

The NAIA's location right smack in the middle of Metro Manila and next to Makati will always make it an attractive port of entry. The DMIA is simply too far at the moment. The day that the DMIA becomes the premier gateway to Manila is the day that the government invests millions of pesos in a huge terminal with a high-speed rail connection to the metro. That can only be financially feasible when passenger numbers reach the 30 million per year mark. So far, we're only at twenty-something at the NAIA and around 500,000 at DMIA.

Relocating completely to the DMIA within the next five years would not only be ridiculously expensive, but also detrimental to the NAIA's catchment area. The NAIA serves the Calabarzon well, but an airport in Pampanga would be a nightmare for the area without the proper supporting infrastructure. Immediate relocation to the DMIA requires huge investments in infrastructure, and at the moment, we don't have the passenger numbers to make it worth it just yet.

I still say that the DMIA should grow organically as an airport on its own, as the NAIA will always be an attractive place to fly to. Perhaps in 30 years, the NAIA would be more valuable as a place to expand the Makati/Fort Bonifacio CBD area, but until then, the NAIA serves its purpose as the premier international gateway to the Philippines.

i do agree with you 100%...:)

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture2.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture1.jpg


It reminds me of Fokker 50 days of PAL. :D

^^ and these will be used for domestic flights?

^^ Probably for "puddle jumping" flights, or for island hopping.

kasi taga maynila kayu po! hehehe

My friend at PAL says the company is planning to purchase this Chinese made plane... Here's the content of the description he forwarded me...

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture6.jpg

The MA60 is an advanced 50-60 seat class regional turboprop aircraft. Characterized by remarkable passenger comfort, operational adaptability and low operating cost the MA60 is suitable for frequent short and medium-haul commuter operations as well as multi-role applications. The MA60 can meet the increasingly demanding needs of modern transport and offer operators with the greatest operating benefits.

Excellent passenger comfort
The cabin has been designed in full consideration with passenger comfort. The spacious cabin and comfortable environment make the passenger comfort comparable to jet airliners.

Outstanding operational adaptability
The MA60's high operational adaptability in terms of cruise speed, range, airfield adaptability, "hot and high" performance, STOL performance and the capability of all-weather operations makes it a ideal regional turboprop aircraft.[CENTER]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n37/icarus05x/Airplanes/Picture4.jpg


You guy's know what this thing is? It's merely a Chinese licensed produced version of an old soviet aircraft called Antonov An-24 only re-engined and updated.

I dont think PAL will buy this aircraft since they will be leasing Air Philippine's Dash-8-300 for island hopping routes. This would have been nuisance to PAL fleet since no Legacy carrier have ever bought a Chinese Aircraft. Only a small Lao Carrier and Merpati operates this aircraft..

So that's where I've seen this before. Mosphil Aero was flying this back home. Are they still around?

Mosphil's Antonov
http://www.jetphotos.net/img/1/1/6/7/61110_1182500761.jpg

Wow. That is one of the stupidest statements ever.

I know that the DMIA is the future and all, but the NAIA isn't as decrepit as that guy says. 747s have been using the NAIA every single day for decades, and we don't really hear that many complaints. Terminal 3 may be a temporary solution, but I think it's temporary in the 10-year sense and not the 2-yearomgdisasteriscoming sense. The single runway issue isn't really an issue. Hong Kong Kai Tak had over 30 million passengers yearly flying to their scary runway with few incidents. For a more current airport, London Gatwick handles much more traffic than the NAIA on its single runway.

The NAIA's location right smack in the middle of Metro Manila and next to Makati will always make it an attractive port of entry. The DMIA is simply too far at the moment. The day that the DMIA becomes the premier gateway to Manila is the day that the government invests millions of pesos in a huge terminal with a high-speed rail connection to the metro. That can only be financially feasible when passenger numbers reach the 30 million per year mark. So far, we're only at twenty-something at the NAIA and around 500,000 at DMIA.

Relocating completely to the DMIA within the next five years would not only be ridiculously expensive, but also detrimental to the NAIA's catchment area. The NAIA serves the Calabarzon well, but an airport in Pampanga would be a nightmare for the area without the proper supporting infrastructure. Immediate relocation to the DMIA requires huge investments in infrastructure, and at the moment, we don't have the passenger numbers to make it worth it just yet.

I still say that the DMIA should grow organically as an airport on its own, as the NAIA will always be an attractive place to fly to. Perhaps in 30 years, the NAIA would be more valuable as a place to expand the Makati/Fort Bonifacio CBD area, but until then, the NAIA serves its purpose as the premier international gateway to the Philippines.

I"m glad I'm not the only one who thinks a drastic move to DMIA is just nonsensical. I agree that DMIA is just too far right now to be the main port of entry to the Philippines or the northern Philippines. Even if there is a rail service to connect the capital region and Clark. Most passengers still would want to have the convinience of private service like limo or car rentals and with that, the government do need to invest in having a good highway that would really cut the travel time short. If not, DMIA and NAIA can coexist and complement one another.

Guys any updates about PALs refurbishment of their cabins? when are they gonna start? Are they going to wait for the B773ER first? And i know that they are gonna refurbish the B747s and the A340s. Are they gonna refurbish also the A330? Coz they use it also for flights to Australia. Oh and another question. I read that PAL will be returning one of their leased B744s soon to the owner thats why they also ordered B773ERs. Aling B744 ito? Anong registration number?

Decrepit Manila int’l airport hit
Takenaka agrees to repair NAIA-3 defects for free
Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101807/content.php?id=051

THE GOVERNMENT should immediately move air traffic to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga with the Manila airport now in bad shape, the association of foreign chambers of commerce yesterday urged.

In a briefing on Philippine airport infrastructure, the Joint Foreign Chambers pointed to several lapses particularly in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Brian Lane, chairman of the American chamber’s transportation and infrastructure committee, said the Manila airport’s runway and passenger terminals are severely inadequate.

"The runway’s design is way below standards for new-generation aircraft," Mr. Lane said, noting the airport was built way back in 1940 when the biggest plane carried about 50 tons compared with today’s wide-bodied planes like the Boeing 747 weighing 350 to 400 tons.

Because of this, Mr. Lane said the Manila airport cannot operate 24 hours as it needs repairs caused by load beyond its initial design.

Mr. Lane said the distances between the centerline of runways and centerlines of taxiways do not meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A380, which recently landed in Manila and the Macapagal airport at the Clark economic zone in Pampanga.

This poses serious safety concerns, he added.

Sought for comment, Alfonso G. Cusi, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the airport is complying with international standards.

"[While the] NAIA is a 25-year-old terminal with less than modern aerodrome and little room for expansion, NAIA manages to comply with ICAO standards," Mr. Cusi said.

But there have been reports that the small runway is often congested, forcing planes to stay in holding pattern for 30 minutes while waiting to land. This has supposedly increased the rates of planes diverted to Clark to refuel, adding to costs and delays for both carriers and passengers.

In the recent A380 visit at the Manila airport, Mr. Cusi said no delays or cancellations occurred.

Mr. Lane, who is also a director in the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, said the planned opening of the mothballed NAIA Terminal 3 next year will only be a temporary solution.

Benefits will only last for two years as traffic is expected to increase further, "hence, the need for traffic to be dispersed to other terminals not only Clark."

The government has failed to open the NAIA-3 because of delays in repairs due to a dispute with Japanese contractor Takenaka Corp. over costs.

But yesterday, Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said "progress has been achieved."

"Takenaka [has] agreed to adopt all the essential demands of the MIAA regarding operability guarantees," Mr. Mendoza said, adding that the Japanese firm will repair "proven structural defects" free of charge.

this is really stupid. how come that american says that NAIA cannot handle the A380 when the latter just landed here recently? sure we all know that the current operating terminals of NAIA can't handle the A380, but the Terminal 3 can do the job once it opens. all that it needs is just put another finger from the present 2 fingers on some of its jetways so that both decks of the A380 can be accessed by passengers. Terminal 3 can as our main international terminal for 10 years, so why the rush to construct the terminal of DMIA? it wil just create confusion for the foreign tourists on which airport to use when NAIA and DMIA are both in operation for full service flights.

before constructing the HUGE terminal of DMIA, a high speed airport railway with trains running at more 300 km/h and either conventional rail or maglev should be constructed first. the railway should connect DMIA with the future Main Railway Station of Manila, Makati, and NAIA. then the NLEX should be expanded from its present 2-3 lanes per direction Balagtas-Santa Ines segment to 4 lanes per direction. and it includes the changing of the Candaba Viaduct into either a cable-stayed or suspension bridge to give foreign tourists and investors a nice impression of our country, and also the lighting of the whole median of the expressway. then construct the Stage 3 of Skyway so businessmen won't have to use EDSA to go to NLEX and DMIA. then build some elevated expressways inside the metro to put some relief to traffic, much like what Bangkok has done.

Guys any updates about PALs refurbishment of their cabins? when are they gonna start? Are they going to wait for the B773ER first? And i know that they are gonna refurbish the B747s and the A340s. Are they gonna refurbish also the A330? Coz they use it also for flights to Australia. Oh and another question. I read that PAL will be returning one of their leased B744s soon to the owner thats why they also ordered B773ERs. Aling B744 ito? Anong registration number?

I think that we'll see the first refurbished 747, the 74M, by May next year (this info is from Clarkent of pex in their air thread there) By the looks of what he posted, the 744 leaving is the one with the reg RP-xxxx.

Ok. Thanks. Will they also be upgrading the cabins of their Airbus widebodies including the A330?

Ok. Thanks. Will they also be upgrading the cabins of their Airbus widebodies including the A330?

theres already a new cabin design, new seats and 2 class configuration of 747 route from LAX to MNL. all seats has its own tv.

If it's the N754PR B744 you're refering to, I"m afraid you might be mistaken coz i don't think they have started with the upgrade. That plane already has PTVs accross all classes since it was intended to be delivered if im not mistaken to Kuwait Air? and thus the reason why there are Arabic signs in that plane. It's the only one of all planes that offer PTVs on all classes but not AVOD feature. So you can't play, pause, rewind or fast forward the movie. I know coz i once rode this plane already. Also, were you able to check the business class secion? Coz if its the upgraded cabin,the business class seats should be the cocoon type one and there shouldn't be any first class section.

Airline opens Cagayan to Macau flight

By Estanislao Caldez (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=95859)
Northern Luzon Bureau

TUGUEGARAO CITY--An Asian Spirit Boeing plane carrying 18 casino players from Macau landed at the Tuguegarao airport last Thursday to start its flight from that Chinese gambling center.

The Macau visitors were invited by officials of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta. Ana town.

Cagayan officials led by Gov. Alvaro Antonio led the group that welcomed the visitors, who were entertained with songs and dances at the airport.

"The historic flight opens the development and progress of Cagayan," Antonio told the visitors.

With the flight from Macau to Tuguegarao, Asian Spirit plans to have other flights from 14 cities in Asia and the Pacific to ferry tourists and investors to Cagayan, he said.

^^ Will that be a scheduled or chartered service? :dunno:

^ It says here (another article) it'll have a scheduled service. I'm not sure.

Tuguegarao welcomes 1st intl flight

ABS-CBN (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=96549)

Tuguegarao in Cagayan province welcomed its first international flight at the city's airport last week, a sign that it has made its way to the list of major destinations for foreign tourists.

The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group report said the Asian Spirit flight from Macau, China landed late Thursday afternoon with 22 Taiwanese passengers on board.

The passengers were personally welcomed by Jose Maria Ponce, chief of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority. A display of fireworks and a treat of local delicacies were also laid out for the Taiwanese.

"Gusto rin ito ng mga foreigners especially from China para hindi matagal biyahe (The foreigners, especially those from China, want this so that the trip will not take long)," Ponce said.

He said that the direct flight to Tuguegarao is shorter than a connection to Cagayan via Manila.

Ponce added that there will be two to three flights to and from Macau and Tueguegarao each week. He said that officials expect an influx of tourists in the coming days because of the increase in the number of flights.

The provincial government, meanwhile, said that aside from its prime location and tourist spots like beaches, caves for adventure lovers and a casino in Sta. Ana town, Cagayan also has a lot to offer investors.

“Sa aspeto ng kalakalan, naghahanap sila where to invest money and Cagayan ang isa sa napili nilang [paglagyan ng investments] (In terms of investments, tourists are looking for places to invest in and they chose Cagayan to place their investments),” Gov. Alvaro Antonio said.

Antonio added a boom in the tourism industry will also mean more employment opportunities for his provincemates.

^^ From the looks of it, it may be a regular scheduled service. Cool beans! :cheer:










(Oh yeah, anyone have a photo of Tuguegarao airport?)

^ From what i remember, it looks like Kalibo airport with a much smaller terminal. :)

Air Philippines has flights between Manila and Tuguegarao.

Good development for the northern provinces! Soon this part of the RP will be the playground of our East Asian friends. Next inline for international flights will be San Fernando Airport in La Union and Alaminos City Airport (once operational).

I like the pictures of the airport in Baguio further up .. was there a year ago and drove around the runway. Not the safest aerodrome in the world but... we have them too in this category up here in Iceland. I alos love the you tube input.

It reminds me of Fokker 50 days of PAL. :D

This aircraft doesn't remind me of a Fokker it looks just like an Antonov 24.

The AN24's are still around, bunch of them. For example in Easten Europe and in former Soviet republics. South America aswell.

If it's the N754PR B744 you're refering to, I"m afraid you might be mistaken coz i don't think they have started with the upgrade. That plane already has PTVs accross all classes since it was intended to be delivered if im not mistaken to Kuwait Air? and thus the reason why there are Arabic signs in that plane. It's the only one of all planes that offer PTVs on all classes but not AVOD feature. So you can't play, pause, rewind or fast forward the movie. I know coz i once rode this plane already. Also, were you able to check the business class secion? Coz if its the upgraded cabin,the business class seats should be the cocoon type one and there shouldn't be any first class section.

that was last june only, 2 class configuration the business class has cocoon type set white the economy has upgrade set, with all the TV monitor, LAX TO MNL. and its Philippine airlines.....

Clark: 'The future of RP aviation'
By Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer
http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view_article.php?article_id=95862


MANILA, Philippines--ONCE UPON a time there was an airport called the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 (Naia-3), fabled to be built at par with the best in the world.

Alas, legal troubles left the Naia-3 unfinished for years while another airport captured the industry's imagination: the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), called by many as "Clark" because it is located inside the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

"Clark will become the Philippines' primary gateway," no less than Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza said during a recent meeting with the joint foreign chambers of commerce in the Philippines.

"There are other airports being developed to regional standards. But we are developing Clark as a primary gateway. We will connect Clark to Manila via the NorthRail," he said.

The foreign chambers were more direct, saying they were not waiting for the opening of Naia-3, but wanted a larger Clark terminal instead.

"Clark is the future of Philippine aviation," said Brian Lane, chairperson of the AmCham Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and director of the Australian-New Zealand chamber of commerce.

Lane said Naia terminals are simply too congested and hemmed in by residential and commercial structures to deal with surging passenger numbers.

"During peak hours, planes in Naia are in a holding pattern for 30 minutes waiting to land. There has been an increasing number of planes diverted to Clark to refuel, adding costs and delays," he said. "Even if Naia-3 opens next year, it will only give us reprieve for two years."

Lane noted that all major airports in the world are located at least 20 kilometers away from the city center to avoid security and safety issues that arise from having residential and commercial structures close to the airport facilities.

This also makes expansion works easier to manage.

And expansion in Clark is on-target, said the Clark Internationa Airport Corp. (CIAC), which operates the DMIA.

CIAC President Victor Luciano said DMIA's passenger terminal is being expanded to the tune of P130 million, all from internal cash.

The first phase will be finished in January next year and will increase Clark's capacity to two million passengers a year.

The second phase will increase capacity to five million passengers.

"We're taking off," Luciano said.

The joint foreign chambers comprise the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (Phils.), Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Phils., European Chamber of Commerce of the Phils., Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Phils., Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Phils., and the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters.

Wow. That is one of the stupidest statements ever.

I know that the DMIA is the future and all, but the NAIA isn't as decrepit as that guy says. 747s have been using the NAIA every single day for decades, and we don't really hear that many complaints. Terminal 3 may be a temporary solution, but I think it's temporary in the 10-year sense and not the 2-yearomgdisasteriscoming sense. The single runway issue isn't really an issue. Hong Kong Kai Tak had over 30 million passengers yearly flying to their scary runway with few incidents. For a more current airport, London Gatwick handles much more traffic than the NAIA on its single runway.

The NAIA's location right smack in the middle of Metro Manila and next to Makati will always make it an attractive port of entry. The DMIA is simply too far at the moment. The day that the DMIA becomes the premier gateway to Manila is the day that the government invests millions of pesos in a huge terminal with a high-speed rail connection to the metro. That can only be financially feasible when passenger numbers reach the 30 million per year mark. So far, we're only at twenty-something at the NAIA and around 500,000 at DMIA.

Relocating completely to the DMIA within the next five years would not only be ridiculously expensive, but also detrimental to the NAIA's catchment area. The NAIA serves the Calabarzon well, but an airport in Pampanga would be a nightmare for the area without the proper supporting infrastructure. Immediate relocation to the DMIA requires huge investments in infrastructure, and at the moment, we don't have the passenger numbers to make it worth it just yet.

I still say that the DMIA should grow organically as an airport on its own, as the NAIA will always be an attractive place to fly to. Perhaps in 30 years, the NAIA would be more valuable as a place to expand the Makati/Fort Bonifacio CBD area, but until then, the NAIA serves its purpose as the premier international gateway to the Philippines.

i agree! it's good that plans are already laid ahead but transportation developments should be together with the plan of the terminal because travelers may say that Good! a new and improved terminal for manila but later on they'll say ohh! it's so far from the city and no high-speed mode of transportation making my business transactions late! well i don't want to hear that! but i guess if our economy remains strong.. 2015 DMIA will be a dream come true!:)

that was last june only, 2 class configuration the business class has cocoon type set white the economy has upgrade set, with all the TV monitor, LAX TO MNL. and its Philippine airlines.....

Err, are you sure? As far as we all know, all of the 747s are still in a 3-class config. If you had a ptv, were there channels to choose from, or could you select any program that you wished to watch, and then rewind or fast-forward them?

that was last june only, 2 class configuration the business class has cocoon type set white the economy has upgrade set, with all the TV monitor, LAX TO MNL. and its Philippine airlines.....
*perks up*

Okay, looks like I'll be pulling myself out of lurker-mode to share Solblanc's curiosity on this. A couple more questions: did you happen to catch the registration of the aircraft? Secondly, did the Mabuhay and Fiesta Class seats look the least bit like the seats in the following pictures? (of course in PAL's preferred upholstery color ;)):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Germany/Aircraft%20Interiors%20Expo/Germany4128.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Germany/Aircraft%20Interiors%20Expo/Germany4137.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/Germany/Aircraft%20Interiors%20Expo/Germany4138.jpg

Sorry if it sounds like we're interrogating you, it's that we're now all curious if such an aircraft within PAL's fleet does exist. :)

^^ :lol: Looks like that lured out from under that rock you're hiding Joe! :okay:

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading domestic airline, cannot fly internationally from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga, as most regional destinations have denied the budget airline’s application for regular scheduled service despite CEB showing intent and full commitment to the operations.

Bangkok, Macau and Taipei agreed to only restricted charter services, which may not be advertised in their country and holds a one-way carriage clause, because of limited CEB flight entitlements. Hong Kong, on the other hand, rejected the application due to already depleted flight allocations given to Philippine carriers. Only Singapore has given the necessary approvals for CEB to launch regular scheduled service from CRK.

CEB had previously announced earlier this year that it would base a dedicated airbus aircraft at the growing DMIA airport and would launch international services to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau & Singapore.

Candice Iyog CEB’s VP for Marketing & Product said “It’s clearly very disappointing that despite us having the aircraft available we haven’t seen other countries matching the already highly liberal policy that is open to foreign carriers at Clark. In our eyes it just goes to highlight the dangers of having non-reciprocal Open Skies whenever & wherever that may be to or from. In this case we have been rejected flights from Clark where foreign airlines are allowed to operate with complete freedom. We support Open Skies whole heartedly as we are about growing the market for air travel. However, that must be fair to all airlines from all countries & not lopsided as it seems to be in this particular case.”

CEB also cited that foreign carriers could operate in Clark without having to work on their entitlements. CEB said that the foreign carriers’ apparent advantage in flight privileges may only be solved via government-to-government air agreements to grant the Philippines the same open skies privilege as granted to foreign airlines flying into Clark.

Iyog finished “We are still hopeful that we are successful in acquiring all necessary approvals from other countries. We at CEB certainly remain committed to growth at DMIA and with our growing fleet we certainly have the tools and the ambition to make it happen sooner rather than later. However, we really find it frustrating that other foreign airlines can grow at DMIA almost at their will while we and other Filipino airlines have to almost beg and borrow the necessary air rights that are required to expand service there.”

Department of Transportation and Communication’s (DOTC) plans to position DMIA as the country’s main international gateway within a decade.

^^ :lol: Looks like that lured out from under that rock you're hiding Joe! :okay:

You can surely bet on me getting active if it's anything pertaining to cabins, esp. considering I'm in LAX right now about to see my dad off on PR103. :nuts:

^^ You're at Tom Bradley right at this moment? As I'm typing this post? :shocked:

^^ Surrounded by balikbayans in the upper mezzanine. I can see the PR 744 (can't get the reg esp. this dark and w/o binoculars, it's in gate 102) from here. Great to see a sight fresh from home. :okay:

^^ Wish that I can see PR planes here at MCO too, all I see are BA and VS. Oh yeah, LH will start FRA-MCO-FRA soon, another European carrier to the The House of the Mouse! :lol:

Old PAL print ads, from various magazines:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/time07131987.jpg
Time
July 13, 1987

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/pal80s.jpg
Time
Unknown issue

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek11231987.jpg
Newsweek
November 23, 1987

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek08211989.jpg
Newsweek
August 21, 1989

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek07311989.jpg
Newsweek
July 31, 1989

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/asiaweek11161984.jpg
Asiaweek
November 16, 1984

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/asiaweek10191984.jpg
Asiaweek
October 19, 1984

^^ Ahh....the glory days of PAL. ;)

^^ Those days are going to come back!

I like the non-italicized helvetica typeface a lot more than the current italicized typeface that PAL uses.

^^ Those days are going to come back!

oo nga eh. talaga bang big airline ang PAL dati? kasi ngayon wala akongnakikita nilang ad on print eh. sa Nagmamahal Kapamilya lang. yung show sa ABSCBN about OFWs and voice over lang yun ni bernadette sembrano while showing either a PAL plane take off or in the air. Sa dyaryo wala na din ngayon. pero dati sa newsweek, time, and asiaweek!!! Bigtime!!!

oo nga eh. talaga bang big airline ang PAL dati? kasi ngayon wala akongnakikita nilang ad on print eh. sa Nagmamahal Kapamilya lang. yung show sa ABSCBN about OFWs and voice over lang yun ni bernadette sembrano while showing either a PAL plane take off or in the air. Sa dyaryo wala na din ngayon. pero dati sa newsweek, time, and asiaweek!!! Bigtime!!!

Actually big airline naman talaga ang PR dati. PR was the pioneer of SkyBeds. Sumadsad lang talaga noong '98.

i think they have to bring back the shining through thing or even asia's sunniest. now that they have gone out of bankruptcy. what d'ya guys think? For some reason the "its about experience" thing is not catchy enough. And i hope they bring back those FA uniforms as pictured above. definitely better that what they are wearing right now. Those uniforms definitely screams Filipino. What they're wearing now doesn't.its just a generic Uniform of FAs.

^It's the western type of FA uniform. The Maria Clara type of uniform, that screams Filipino identity, might be too uncomfortable. Besides, PR needs to be different from the Southeast Asian carriers' trend.

oo nga eh. talaga bang big airline ang PAL dati? kasi ngayon wala akongnakikita nilang ad on print eh. sa Nagmamahal Kapamilya lang. yung show sa ABSCBN about OFWs and voice over lang yun ni bernadette sembrano while showing either a PAL plane take off or in the air. Sa dyaryo wala na din ngayon. pero dati sa newsweek, time, and asiaweek!!! Bigtime!!!

That was back in its hey-days when PAL had a visible presence in Europe, the Middle East, and the US East Coast. They were industry leaders (at least in Asia) way before the rise of these East Asian and Southeast Asian airline powerhouses of CX, SQ, TG, MH, KE, JL, and OZ. I see PR getting back into the ranks soon if they stay the course and make sound business decisions.

i think they have to bring back the shining through thing or even asia's sunniest. now that they have gone out of bankruptcy. what d'ya guys think? For some reason the "its about experience" thing is not catchy enough. And i hope they bring back those FA uniforms as pictured above. definitely better that what they are wearing right now. Those uniforms definitely screams Filipino. What they're wearing now doesn't.its just a generic Uniform of FAs.
It's the western type of FA uniform. The Maria Clara type of uniform, that screams Filipino identity, might be too uncomfortable. Besides, PR needs to be different from the Southeast Asian carriers' trend.

It would be nice if they did bring back the Filipiniana FA uniforms, that presents a truly Filipino face to the passengers as they board the aircraft, for the Philippines doesn't begin the moment you land on its shores, but it begins on the flight over. But don't you notice that Southeast Asian carriers sport their national costumes as FA uniforms while Northeast/East Asian carriers adopt a more western look for their FAs. For PR, I don't think a Maria Clara style uniform would be work efficient, the free flowing sleeves can get in the way. A more close-cropped sleeve, like some of those Moro/Muslim tribal blouses will suffice, in fact that's more authentically Filipino compared to the Spanish influenced garments.

oh my, I still have a copy of an old PAL ad, with a 747 ....and the theme was " Out of the blue, Philippine Airlines come shining through"....

I'll have it scanned when I find that magazine, it's in the bookcase somewhere....

When will PAL Order A380?

^^ Only God knows. ;) By the way, you sure do ask a lot of questions. :sly:

^^^^^ Yeah really!! I see him just ask and ask questions as if the people here are the real authority for decision making for procurment and airport terminal expansions..LOL

CarloPlyr440, if your scroll back in thread and if you look at the archived threads on each topics you've already asked, you'll find most of your questions already answered. Well, not with NAIA 4 you are way too far ahead for it since NAIA 3 has not been openned yet, but then again, DMIA is being groomed to be the next main gateway to the philippines, that pretty much answered your question about NAIA 4. Just helping you out to be in the same page with everybody else bud, don't take it personally.

Old PAL print ads, from various magazines:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/time07131987.jpg
Time
July 13, 1987

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/pal80s.jpg
Time
Unknown issue

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek11231987.jpg
Newsweek
November 23, 1987

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek08211989.jpg
Newsweek
August 21, 1989

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/newsweek07311989.jpg
Newsweek
July 31, 1989

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/asiaweek11161984.jpg
Asiaweek
November 16, 1984

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee280/asia_na/asiaweek10191984.jpg
Asiaweek
October 19, 1984

I like the old FA attire more nationalistic compared now, they should bring it back..... their uniforms is like ordinary office work in makati.

the A380 just arrived an hour ago in Sydney :D
was just in the news here ahah

Airbus superjumbo makes first commercial flight
By Bernice Han
Agence France-Presse
Last updated 04:40pm (Mla time) 10/25/2007

ABOARD THE AIRBUS A380 -- Loaded with champagne, caviar and excited passengers from around the world, the biggest airliner ever built touched down in Australia on Thursday after its first commercial flight.

The Airbus A380 superjumbo, a gigantic double-decker, flew from Singapore to Sydney and into aviation history, making its maiden passenger voyage after months of delays and billions of dollars in cost over-runs.

Enthusiasts hailed the "textbook landing" as the Sydney control tower guided the aircraft they referred to as "the big fella" to a massive airbridge so the 455 passengers could disembark.

Travellers on the Singapore Airlines flight bought their seats in an online charity auction, with one Briton paying more than 100,000 dollars to be among the first to fly the largest passenger plane ever constructed.

"It's like a party on board," said top-bidder Julian Hayward, who confessed to being "pampered and spoiled" in his super-premium seat as flight attendants plied the debut passengers with champagne and caviar.

Singapore Airlines, the launch customer, offered champagne brunch for all aboard as giddy passengers snapped photos, watched by invited journalists who were to give the airline a great first-day publicity boost.

"We are indeed honoured to have you grace the first commercial flight today," Captain Robert Ting said as flight attendants strolled the aisles, handing out hot towels. "Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight."

The giant plane, so large that 72 cars could fit on each of its wings, can carry up to 853 passengers -- but Singapore Airlines (SIA) has opted instead for a more luxurious set-up with a maximum of 471 seats.

Those include 12 "Suites" which have been at the center of SIA's marketing campaign -- compartments featuring a full-length bed behind sliding doors, sheets by French design house Givenchy, and flat-screen televisions.
For Thursday's inaugural flight, suites passengers were offered Dom Perignon Rose 1996, caviar and a menu including duck breast and black cod prepared by two chefs on board.

But the mid-air celebration came after a bumpy take-off for Airbus, which was 18 months late in delivering the plane to SIA and suffered an estimated six billion dollars in cost over-runs.

The delay embarrassed the European manufacturer, a bitter rival of US firm Boeing, and some analysts have warned that the gigantic aircraft is a "white elephant."

But others insist the giant plane will revolutionize the industry.

"This is indeed a new milestone in the timeline of aviation," SIA chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng said in a send-off speech at Changi Airport. "We are on the cusp of history-making."

The plane departed at 0016 GMT from Changi Airport. It arrived in Australia on schedule at 0723 GMT after a seven hour seven minute flight, although overcast weather in Sydney ruined the passengers' views of the city.

After Thursday's inaugural flight, regular service to Sydney is to begin on Sunday.

Superjumbo service on the Singapore-London route will start in February, and Japan could come later, according to SIA executives.

Rival Boeing has put its energies into developing a midsized airplane, the 787 Dreamliner, which has secured at least 710 orders.

In contrast, Airbus has 180 firm orders and commitments to buy the superjumbo.

Dubai-based Emirates has ordered 55 A380s, making it the leading client on a list of predominantly Asian, European and Gulf-based customers. Qantas will get the A380 next year.

source (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=96614)

I really really hope Emirates will deploy an A380 in Manila in 2010.:)

Do folks think with the A380 being put wide to use, flight frequencies to some destinations will decrease? Since they are basically doubling/tripling up on capacity on what normally would be a twice/thrice a day/week service. One advantage I can see to decreased flight frequencies is that slots vacancies will open up at the major (busiest) airports around the world.

^^ that means NAIA's runway won't be stressed to the limit, opposite to what the business sector are saying..?

Any plans on updating the very antiquated Kalibo airport??

PAL seeks foreign investors (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/23/218840/pal-seeks-foreign-investors.html)

Fresh from its emergence from receivership after more than nine years of protection from creditors, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is seeking foreign investors as it eyes further expansion.

PAL emerged from receivership early in October and says the move "provides greater flexibility for PAL as it seeks to grow its fleet, expand services and venture to new markets". To support further expansion it is seeking to offer shares in publicly traded parent company PAL Holdings to foreign institutions.

"We will be embarking on a road show across Asia, Europe and North America to drum up interest in a limited offering of shares in PAL Holdings," says president Jaime Bautista. The carrier entered into receivership in June 1998 after nearly collapsing under huge debts. It originally expected to emerge from protection around the end of a 10-year "rehabilitation" period which began in mid-1999, but says a better-than-expected financial performance in recent years enabled it to do so earlier.

PAL says its stronger financial position is also enabling it to expand again. It is adding up to 20 Airbus A320s to its fleet.

PAL emerged from nine years in receivership in October.

http://img.iht.com/images/2007/10/25/25airbus2550.jpg

The first scheduled commercial flight of an Airbus A380 sits at a gate at Sydney International airport shortly after arriving from Singapore (Reuters)

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20071025/capt.sge.npk63.251007160908.photo00.photo.default-512x384.jpg

Hong Kong student Francis Wu(L), who turned 22, celebrates during his journey on the first Singapore Airlines superjumbo Airbus A380 to Sydney

(Birthday in the Sky!)

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071025/capt.9c55a2bcb55944e39cc1301200235e36.singapore_a380_historic_flight_xgw1015.jpg

An unidentified elderly woman asks Captain Robert Ting, left, for his autograph on Thursday Oct. 25, 2007 onboard a flight from Singapore to Sydney. The world's largest jetliner, the Airbus A380, made aviation history Thursday, completing its first commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney with 455 passengers, some of them ensconced in luxury suites and double beds.(AP Photo/Gillian Wong)

That's all for now, let's wait for other personal photos from our BGCitizen who's on the same inaugural flight.

http://img.iht.com/images/2007/10/25/25airbus2550.jpg

That's a pretty crowded tarmac. Look at all the utility trucks needed to service an A380. :shocked:

Also SIA Will make an A380 Comm. Flight to MNL (NAIA)

Philippine Airlines PR475 overshoots runway after landing in Butuan Airport (BXU) from Manila. The Aircraft is one of PAL's newer A319/320's....

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007173.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007174.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007168.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007171.jpg

^^ :omg: Holy crap! That recently happened?

from www.abs-cbnnews.com

Airbus overshoots runway, Butuan Airport closed to air traffic

The Butuan Airport was closed to air traffic after a Philippine Air Lines flight overshot a runway Friday morning.

Auhorities said PAL flight PR-475 from Manila overshot runway 30 of the Butuan Airport around 6:07 a.m.All 148 passengers on board the aircraft were safe.

As of 8 a.m., the airbus remained stuck on the runway, prompting air traffic controllers to advise all incoming flights to avoid the airport.

^^ :omg: Holy crap! That recently happened?

Just this morning at around 7:00...

Article from Guardian Unlimited (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7025439,00.html)

Philippine Jet Overshoots Runway

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A Philippine Airlines aircraft overshot a runway while landing in a southern city early Friday, and several passengers and crew were hurt, the airline said.

The Airbus 320 flight from Manila to Butuan city sustained minor damage, spokesman Rolando Estabillo said.

He said the pilot and co-pilot were slightly hurt in the neck and nose and several other passengers were brought to a hospital but none of them with serious injuries.

The plane had 148 passengers and crew.

Estabillo said the airport in Butuan, about 490 miles southeast of Manila, was closed until Saturday while the plane and the runway are inspected.

Philippine Airlines PR475 overshoots runway after landing in Butuan Airport (BXU) from Manila. The Aircraft is one of PAL's newer A319/320's....


i dont think it is... i think the newer A319/320s are registered RP-C86xx

i think thats an older A320 since it is registerd as RP-C3224... it is one of the older aircrafts..

wow. Good thing no one got seriously hurt or killed.
Is that frame salvageable or a write off?

the report said the damage was only minor. i hope that it is still serviceable. and btw, carlos, you are correct. its one of the original A320s that PAL acquired together with the RP-C3221, RP-C3223 and the one that was destroyed in 1998: RP-C3222. That plane also overshot the runway of Bacolod. That plane was written off. The RP-C3224 was delivered to PAL on Dec 8, 1997.

oh my. we lost another one of only few airplanes that we have. i hope we dont.

^^ that means NAIA's runway won't be stressed to the limit, opposite to what the business sector are saying..?

It's easy to reinforce the thickness of the runways, even widen it a little bit. It won't even cost that much. It's only the capacity of the terminal buildings like for instance 2 or 3 A380s docked in the terminal building. it seems that the bridges already there can be used or either just use those movable stairs for passenger deplaning or boarding.

Philippine Airlines PR475 overshoots runway after landing in Butuan Airport (BXU) from Manila. The Aircraft is one of PAL's newer A319/320's....

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007173.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007174.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007168.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007171.jpg

from the diagram on tv the Butuan runway is U-shaped?

Butuan need to improve the runway......1,966 meters only

Philippine Airlines PR475 overshoots runway after landing in Butuan Airport (BXU) from Manila. The Aircraft is one of PAL's newer A319/320's....

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/REDcrazy/26102007173.jpg


According to "Air Crash Investigation" show of National Geographic Channel, overshooting is one common accident that happens in aviation industry. Is this true?

I can still remember PAL's BAC1-11 that overshot NAIA and bulldozed the vehicles in SLEX way back sometime in 90's ba yun.

MNL, BCD, TAC then now BXU. Was there something wrong with the calculation from the Bangkasi (BXU) tower or some weather phenomena that affected the landing?

According to "Air Crash Investigation" show of National Geographic Channel, overshooting is one common accident that happens in aviation industry. Is this true?

I can still remember PAL's BAC1-11 that overshot NAIA and bulldozed the vehicles in SLEX way back sometime in 90's ba yun.

MNL, BCD, TAC then now BXU. Was there something wrong with the calculation from the Bangkasi (BXU) tower or some weather phenomena that affected the landing?

dapat kasi may marking yan parang free throw line ba ..but i think this 1 is pilot's error .

I think one of aviation's standards is to have a 30-300 meter (ata) overrun for runways as a safety precaution for overshooting. Is this correct?

from the diagram on tv the Butuan runway is U-shaped?

U-shaped? That's odd, never heard of such a thing! :dunno:

in gta san andreas, they have a u-shaped runway

Butuan need to improve the runway......1,966 meters only

Yup... The construction for the runway's extension will start anytime soon. the budget is already there..

Lufthansa Technik Profit Up; New Hangar Opens In Manila (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/LHT10257.xml&headline=Lufthansa%20Technik%20Profit%20Up;%20New%20Hangar%20Opens%20In%20Manila&channel=mro)

Lufthansa Technik's revenue for the first nine months of 2007 increased 5.9 percent from the same period last year to 2.69 billion euros on strong third-party sales growth. LHT's operating profit for the period also increased 5.9 percent to 197 million euros from 186 million euros during the first nine months of 2006.

Business with customers outside of the Lufthansa Group grew strongly, with revenues up 7.1 percent for the first nine months to around 1.7 billion euros. Revenue from Lufthansa Group companies increased four percent to 1.0 billion euros, the company said. Third-party revenue comprised 61.5 percent of total revenue for the period, up from 60.8 percent a year earlier.

LHT capital expenditures during the first nine months rose sharply from a year ago to 141 million euros from 81 million euros. According to the company, purchases included spare engines, new machinery and technical equipment. Money also was invested in an A380 maintenance hangar in Frankfurt and a new office building in Hamburg.

Since the beginning of the year, LHT has signed 360 new contracts and added 23 new customers. It now counts 594 customers worldwide.

Lufthansa Technik Philippines alone has 10 international airline customers for long-haul aircraft and opened a second widebody hangar in Manila. The new 8,500 square meter facility will help Lufthansa Technik Philippines accommodate the growing demand for Airbus A330/340 base maintenance, including Philippine Airlines' expanding fleet.

LTP is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik (51 percent) and Philippine MacroAsia (49 percent).

i just read this in the SunStar news.... this is sad :ohno:... but luckily walang namatay... those banana trees saved the lives of the passengers.... :cheers:


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/10/27/article_233664_10-27-2007.jpg
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) airbus after it crashed Friday into a banana and coconut grove situated several meters away from the Butuan Airport runway. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Ben Serrano)

Yup... The construction for the runway's extension will start anytime soon. the budget is already there..

cool thats a good news.... hopefully they will upgrade into international standard.

i just read this in the SunStar news.... this is sad :ohno:... but luckily walang namatay... those banana trees saved the lives of the passengers.... :cheers:


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/10/27/article_233664_10-27-2007.jpg
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) airbus after it crashed Friday into a banana and coconut grove situated several meters away from the Butuan Airport runway. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Ben Serrano)

pero ang galing ha sakto yung emegergency chute sa daan .

i just read this in the SunStar news.... this is sad :ohno:... but luckily walang namatay... those banana trees saved the lives of the passengers.... :cheers:


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/10/27/article_233664_10-27-2007.jpg
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) airbus after it crashed Friday into a banana and coconut grove situated several meters away from the Butuan Airport runway. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Ben Serrano)

yeah...about those banana trees....I cannot imagine if those were houses or sturdy trees,,,,, the bananas cushioned the impact somehow....

iba talaga to si Rajah..^^^^

those were just luuky passengers, its fortuante that the plane didnt explode like wht happen in indonesia and canada

According to "Air Crash Investigation" show of National Geographic Channel, overshooting is one common accident that happens in aviation industry. Is this true?

I can still remember PAL's BAC1-11 that overshot NAIA and bulldozed the vehicles in SLEX way back sometime in 90's ba yun.

MNL, BCD, TAC then now BXU. Was there something wrong with the calculation from the Bangkasi (BXU) tower or some weather phenomena that affected the landing?

and a pal a-330 from singapore also overshot the runway back in the 80s

i just read this in the SunStar news.... this is sad :ohno:... but luckily walang namatay... those banana trees saved the lives of the passengers.... :cheers:


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/10/27/article_233664_10-27-2007.jpg
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) airbus after it crashed Friday into a banana and coconut grove situated several meters away from the Butuan Airport runway. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Ben Serrano)

I will add this to my list of why bananas (and coconuts) are good for your health and guarantee a long life. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

and a pal a-330 from singapore also overshot the runway back in the 80s

are you sure its an a330? Coz a330s only became operational in 1992.

are you sure its an a330? Coz a330s only became operational in 1992.

a-300 pala............. meron ding pala na nagovershoot sa old bacolod airport before di ba

sorry kung stupid question to pero...magagamit pa ba yung plane? or badly damaged na?

Aircraft registry RP-C3224 is among the first A320 of PAL.

I could feel how the passengers have dealt it after the accident. They are very fortunate since the chances of survival from an air disaster is usually very slim.

do you guys think serviceable pa yung aircraft? Kasi we don't have a pic of the entire plane eh to see for ourselves. Ung sa bacolod dati talagang hindi na serviceable lasi sira yung harapan. ito ba ganun din? is this plane owned or leased by pal?

I don't know, if I were a future passenger of PAL, it'd give more peace of mind to know if the aircraft I'm riding on wasn't involved in any prior accidents or mishaps.

Hi there to all present here.

I always believe na whatever plane ka pa even the newest and the biggest of them all if natawag ka na in nowhere then it’s the last plane out for you.

Got this experience in Iran where in our very eyes these steward and stewardess don't know how to close the plane door... maybe most of us think it was stuck but minutes past and they had to read the plane manual but to no avail they can't close it. Even the pilot tried to help but efforts are futile.

It's a terrible circumstance that I thought we will fly with these pilots that don't even know to close the door! My gosh! Thanks they decided that we wait for an incoming plane and it was a relief. Hahaha

Uncanny and stupid but TRUE!

^^ :shocked: Such ineptitude is laughable! :rofl:

MacroAsia sees $225-M revenue from new hangar (http://http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007102734)
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
Sunday, October 28, 2007


Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP), a joint venture between tycoon Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. and Germany’s Lufthansa Technik AG, is expecting to generate at least $225 million in revenues this year with the launch of its new hangar in Pasay City.

Started in March this year, the construction of the $6.5-million hangar facility will expand LTP’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul capability.

“Provision of the necessary tools and equipment, totaling about $4 million has been started so as to bring the hangar to productive use,” MacroAsia said in a statement.

MacroAsia holds a 49-percent stake in LTP while Lufthansa owns the remaining 51 percent.

Located at the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone in NAIA, Pasay City, LTP’s new hangar will have additional capacity to accommodate one wide-body aircraft (Boeing B747-400/800, B777-300, A340-600) and two A320s at one time.

“The projected additional annual revenues from this new hangar is about $14 million for 35 C-check events in a year,” MacroAsia said.

LTP services principally the aircraft fleet of Philippine Airlines, and has also served through its seven-year existence more than 27 airlines from all over the world. Its recent clients include Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air and Virgin Atlantic.

It currently showcases Filipino competencies in a global aviation setting and consistently delivers excellent turn-around times for aircraft servicing. With this reputation, more airlines are entrusting the servicing of their aircraft in Manila, thus requiring LTP’s facility expansion.

I could feel how the passengers have dealt it after the accident. They are very fortunate since the chances of survival from an air disaster is usually very slim.

actually, there was a stat here in the US before for world wide aircrashes. It does seems that most of the crashes widely published were fatal, but from my understanding from that report, there are actually much less than what we thought it is. There are many more crashes with less death even if the aircraft broke in half or engulfed with flames, take for instance air france crash in toronto, JetBlue air, even the recent PAL a320 crash there in Bohol. I guess all the worst and deadly crashes are the ones that exploded in midair. I'm not sure how to get that article because it has been a long while since I've watched that documentary on aircrashes all over the world.

compared to sea travel, i think planes do have a lower chance of accident rate..

many say air travel is the safest form of transportation.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/1783007837_f03df5f875_o.jpg

arents these planes supposed to be really super safe...... the planes computer is supposed to warn the pilot if hes landing too fast, the computer can even land a plane without the pilot can even override the pilot and land the plane itself it it sense the pilot is in error

the planes can't take off and land on its own. the pilot i believe has full control over this. Once the plane is in cruising altitude, that's the time when the auto pilot is activated. I know because i know a PAL pilot and that's what they do. He flies the A343 to SFO. but they still need to be seated in the cockpit just in case anything out of the ordinary happens.

ok thanks but i read that the 777's computer can actually override the pilots landing if it sense its dangerous and land the plane itself safely

According to "Air Crash Investigation" show of National Geographic Channel, overshooting is one common accident that happens in aviation industry. Is this true?

I can still remember PAL's BAC1-11 that overshot NAIA and bulldozed the vehicles in SLEX way back sometime in 90's ba yun.

MNL, BCD, TAC then now BXU. Was there something wrong with the calculation from the Bangkasi (BXU) tower or some weather phenomena that affected the landing?
Yes overshoot is very common because landings is one of the complicated part of flight.

;16139075']sorry kung stupid question to pero...magagamit pa ba yung plane? or badly damaged na?
According to my very reliable source,PAL is thinking twice about fixing the aircraft since repairing the damage on the aircraft will cost around half of its total brand new value.

I don't know, if I were a future passenger of PAL, it'd give more peace of mind to know if the aircraft I'm riding on wasn't involved in any prior accidents or mishaps.
There was this Air Canada 767 Aircraft that was involved in an accident in the early 80's but is still in use to this day.

arents these planes supposed to be really super safe...... the planes computer is supposed to warn the pilot if hes landing too fast, the computer can even land a plane without the pilot can even override the pilot and land the plane itself it it sense the pilot is in error

the planes can't take off and land on its own. the pilot I has full control over this. Once the plane is in cruising altitude, that's the time when the auto pilot is activated. I know because i know a PAL pilot and that's what they do. He flies the A343 to SFO. but they still need to be seated in the cockpit just in case anything out of the ordinary happens.

Okey now this discussion is entirely related to the accident, since my personality is a closely guarded secret. I can disclose to you some very confidential informaton fresh from a boardroom meeting. According to the initial report. (I'll make this simple,since it was 15 page report actually)

The cause of the accident is actually a sudden change of wind course during landing.

so wht actually happened to the aircraft did it land in the middle of the runway did it forgot to reverse the engine or brake the plane, did it land too fast

^^ It was hit by a heavy crosswind during landing, and also the landing was too fast. But that was normal anyway because A320 have strong braking capability in comparison to 737's,but again this was the initial release of info. The pilots will be under investigation by ATO personel upon arrival in Manila full report will be released after 90 days.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/1783007837_f03df5f875_o.jpg

roundtrip ba to? baka pagbalik ko 1000-something na yung pamasahe, di pa naman ako marunong lumipad :)

roundtrip ba to? baka pagbalik ko 1000-something na yung pamasahe, di pa naman ako marunong lumipad :)

One-way, lowest seat price na available yan. Add mo pa taxes and fuel surcharge, aabot approximately P3,XXX roundtrip. :lol:


**************

Vigan City airport to be expanded

Teddy Molina (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2007102830)

VIGAN CITY – The waiting may finally be over as Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson reported that the Vigan airport will soon be expanded to enable it to take in commercial and international flights.

Businessmen, balikbayans and tourists have been wishing to have the airport here widened and made accessible to commercial flights to shorten travel time from Manila that takes eight to 10 hours by land.

The Vigan airport has been available only for small planes.

Whoa sayang iyung plane, i heard about it when i was in Shanghai for the weekend.

Regarding this I just wanted to relay a little ditty which is quite significant as it shows the problems inherent in our current airline system.

Among our party in shanghai were those who chose to take Cebu Pacific rather than PAL. About 14 people. They did this because even if Cebu Pacific had a terrible schedule leaving MLA at 8 and arriving Shanghai at 11 and then returgning at 12 and arriving here at 330, THE PRICE OF 5J WAS LITERALLY LESS THAN HALF OF PR. ( I paid a "special arranged" rate of us$395 for PAL or about 19,000Pesos all in, With Cebu Pacific it was Php 18,000 all in FOR TWO PEOPLE).

In any case the intersting thing was that on saturday when people started to go home, 5J cancelled all it flights to Shanghai indefinitely because of regulatory issue with their landing rights. I was discussing this with Ricky Carandang who was very surprised because he knew of the issues that 5J was having with CAB and said these were very minor. Immediately we both wondered if this was another move by the TAN influenced CAB to limit competition reminiscent of Tiger Airways with Macau. In any case for nearly the whole of saturday the wedding organizers had a stressful time fixing th transport options for the stranded passengers who took 5J. By the end of the day though 5J was apparently able to "fix" their CAB issues and their flights resumed.

But the damage was done. a Big chunk of the party already had bought PR tickets and worse they swore never to fly Cebu Pacific again. Really a bad state of affairs.

I can't even land an airplane in FSX or FS2004! It does land though, although a crash landing, hehehe!! :D

@bustero

You know, a funny thing about destinations like Bangkok and Shanghai is that CX is actually cheaper than PAL half the time. Of course, there's a stopover in Hong Kong, but I've always liked the HKIA anyway.

It's great that consumers can hub through big airports like CLK and Changi to proceed to other places PR serves so there are alternatives. Even then PR exerts pressure on a regulatory level to preserve what advantage they have. What comes to mind for example is Asiana which was doing great business getting people to fly through Inchon or Seoul to go to the US which is PR's most profitable route. Same with EVA flying through Taiwan. Around 2000 current Clark International Airport Prexy Chichos Luciano who was the General Agent of Asiana was telling me of the problems airlines like them were experiencing because of CAB with PR behind it all. CAB essentially was hassling them to "control" their growth. As it happened Phil Taiwan flights were suspended for weeks! Korea nearly also got to that level. Again we see how protectionist tendencies to favor only 1 particular party have put the interests of the Republic down.

Nevertheless I am hopeful. Sooner or later this administration will have to go and perhaps even before that they will see the light.

Just like to inquire for curiosity sake... :)

According to this article, Lufthansa Technik Philippines is jointly owned by MacroAsia and Lufthansa at 49% and 51% respectively. (I already highlighted the section for everyone's convenience)

Isn't it that under section 10 article XII which concerns about The National Economy and Patrimony of the 1987 Philippine constitution, as further strengthened by the Commonwealth Act No. 108 or the Anti-Dummy Law, that sixty percentum (60%) of any property, businesses, corporations, and other related assets are entitled to Filipino citizens and that aliens or foreigners are restricted to owning these assets at forty percentum (40%) only?

Can somebody give an explanation as to why Lufthansa, in accordance to this article, owns at least 51% of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines - 11% more than the limitation prescribed by the Constitution for foreigners.

Although it is for the best interest of the Filipino People that Lufthansa has invested in our nation, we must always safeguard our patrimony and be vigilant with the promulgation of laws.

Thanks! :)


MacroAsia sees $225-M revenue from new hangar (http://http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007102734)
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
Sunday, October 28, 2007


Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP), a joint venture between tycoon Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. and Germany’s Lufthansa Technik AG, is expecting to generate at least $225 million in revenues this year with the launch of its new hangar in Pasay City.

Started in March this year, the construction of the $6.5-million hangar facility will expand LTP’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul capability.

“Provision of the necessary tools and equipment, totaling about $4 million has been started so as to bring the hangar to productive use,” MacroAsia said in a statement.

MacroAsia holds a 49-percent stake in LTP while Lufthansa owns the remaining 51 percent.

Located at the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone in NAIA, Pasay City, LTP’s new hangar will have additional capacity to accommodate one wide-body aircraft (Boeing B747-400/800, B777-300, A340-600) and two A320s at one time.

“The projected additional annual revenues from this new hangar is about $14 million for 35 C-check events in a year,” MacroAsia said.

LTP services principally the aircraft fleet of Philippine Airlines, and has also served through its seven-year existence more than 27 airlines from all over the world. Its recent clients include Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air and Virgin Atlantic.

It currently showcases Filipino competencies in a global aviation setting and consistently delivers excellent turn-around times for aircraft servicing. With this reputation, more airlines are entrusting the servicing of their aircraft in Manila, thus requiring LTP’s facility expansion.

Nortwest Airlines Will be launch flights to Vigan when Complete

I you want Northwest Airlines To become launch flights From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Make Vigan Airport Larger

^^ Were you just let out of the mental institution? Or did you escape? :lol:

:nuts: It's not Halloween yet or is it full moon again.:lol::lol:

PAL seeks tax incentives for refleeting program (http://http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/oct/30/yehey/business/20071030bus7.html)


PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) wants the government to grant the company tax and other perks for its billion-dollar refleeting program.

Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president and chief operating officer, said the company has applied for incentives with the Board of Investments (BOI).

“We have [application] papers in BOI,” Bautista said last week on the sidelines of the inauguration of Lufthansa Philippines’ new facility.

The flag carrier’s refleeting program will cost $1.4 billon. PAL is set to secure two Airbus 320 aircraft this year and another five next year.

In addition, a fleet of six Boeing 777-300 Extended Range will be delivered between 2009 and 2011.

Earlier, the BOI granted pioneer incentives to the P21.146-billion refleeting project of Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific, involving the acquisition of 14 new Airbus aircraft servicing local and international routes.

With its refleeting, PAL plans to hire 100 pilots starting this year until the completion of its program in 2012.

At present PAL has 450 pilots and 1, 300 cabin crew.

The carrier operates a mixed fleet of 14 narrow-body aircraft, comprising seven A320s, four Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 737-400s. It also operates eight A330s and four A340s for regional flights and long-range routes.

PAL flies to 43 destinations including 18 domestic and 25 international points. It serves the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and the Middle East.

The airline had said it will use the proceeds from the sale of 20 percent of Trustmark Holdings Corp. shares as well as a commercial loan to finance its refleeting program.

However, Trustmark has decided to defer the sale of 1.56 billion shares because of unfavorable market conditions. The company owns 97 percent of PAL Holdings Inc., the owner of the country’s flag carrier.

Bautista said Trustmark may consider selling its shares in the first quarter of next year.

PAL Holdings owns an 84.7-percent stake in the flag carrier. It earlier acquired six holding companies that collectively own 81.57 percent of PAL. Separately, PAL Holdings also owns 3.1 percent of the airline through a subsidiary, PR Holdings, Inc.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier approved PAL’s early exit from rehabilitation. The airline earned a profit of $34.5 million in the April to June period.
--Darwin G. Amojelar

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3071s.jpg
Philippine Airlines A340-313X
F-OHPJ

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3090s.jpg
Philippine Airlines B737-300
RP-C40007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3106s.jpg
Japan Airlines B747-300
JA8166

^^ Where were you plane spotting?

^^ At the Libingan ng mga Bayani. :)

hooorahhhhhh!! Awesome shots!!!

ganda naman ng pagkaka kuha!:)

NICE!!! :okay: Natawa naman ako sa 2 post na nasa taas>>>>:nuts: Libre mangarap.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3071s.jpg
Philippine Airlines A340-313X
F-OHPJ

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3090s.jpg
Philippine Airlines B737-300
RP-C40007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3106s.jpg
Japan Airlines B747-300
JA8166

:banana:

Whoaaaaa!!!!...Galing naman....

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3071s.jpg
Philippine Airlines A340-313X
F-OHPJ

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3090s.jpg
Philippine Airlines B737-300
RP-C40007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j74/ryucloud/IMG_3106s.jpg
Japan Airlines B747-300
JA8166

^^ I believe RP-C4007 is the last remaining 737 in Philippine Airlines' fleet. One recent flight I flew on, a pilot confirmed to me the news of 737s leaving the airline by October (that's THIS time of year), so I would presume that plane is operating PAL's last 737 flight?

Posts: 184 New international routes opening in Visayas airports
By Roderick T. dela Cruz

New international routes will be opened to bring foreign tourists from Russia, China and Korea to different destinations in the Visayas over the next two months, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano.

Durano said direct flights between Shanghai in China and Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan province, which has jurisdiction over the world-renowned resort island of Boracay, were expected to begin next month.

He said direct flights between Incheon City, where Korea’s main international airport is located, and Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental province in Western Visayas, would also be mounted.
In December, international flights will be launched between Beijing, the capital city of China and Kalibo, according to the tourism chief.

He said more international flights would also be opened to bring visitors from Russia and China to Cebu, the main gateway in the Visayas.

Early this month, Asian Spirit launched new flights from Macau, China to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, which is being developed as a free port and gaming destination in the northeastern part of Luzon.

Durano said the plan aims to “internationalize our provincial airports” to bring tourists directly to major destinations, without passing Metro Manila.

The Department of Tourism earlier disclosed that a group of Korean investors was building an international airport in Carabao Island in Romblon to transform the island into the next Boracay.

PVG-KLO, PEK-KLO, ICN-BCD; I wonder what carriers will serve those routes? Philippine carriers, or airlines from China and/or Korea?

^^ This might answer the question, but the dates quoted have already passed.

From Manilatimes.net

Gambling investors keen on turning
resort into another Macau (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/18/yehey/prov/20070918pro3.html)

Boracay Island as casino haven?

BORACAY ISLAND: This island paradise continues to attract tourists and investors … and possibly gambling investors, too.

Gaming institutions expand in the country, especially with the go signal given by the government to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s Small Town Lottery to curb illegal gambling operations in the countryside.

Investors have shown keen interest in putting up gambling operations, although this may put some sectors in the community in a quandary.

And what would Aklan’s most illustrious son, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, say if he were alive?

If he were alive today, Cardinal Sin would surely challenge the operation of STL and casino.

In Iloilo City, before the operation of the Small Town Lottery, some concerned groups, particularly the Church, expressed opposition. But with the proper evaluation on the favorable sentiments of village officials and residents, city officials backed its operation. Next week, STL will be marking its first year of operation in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Aklan is optimistic of reaching its target of one million tourists in Boracay by 2010, said Aklan provincial planning officer, Engr. Roger Esto.

Esto said nearly 600,000 tourists were recorded to have visited Boracay Island in 2006. He noted that the direct flights from South Korea to Aklan boosted the number of tourists in the island.

Esto said Boracay is getting good exposure with the island now becoming a venue of major international conventions.

Next month, Boracay is again finding direct access to the world’s biggest tourism market with Philippine Airlines opening its direct flight from Shanghai, China to Kalibo, Aklan starting October 1.

Percy Mallonesio, head of the Air Transportation Office (ATO)-Kalibo, said executives from PAL have confirmed that their airbus fleet will land at the Kalibo Airport with Chinese passengers bound for Boracay.

“PAL was inspired by the success of the ongoing daily flight from Incheon, South Korea of other airline companies. It hopes to become successful in these new international direct flights,” Malo*nesio said.

The travel time from Shanghai to Kalibo is about four to five hours, according to the ATO.

The PAL maiden flight is expected around 6 a.m. of October 1.

Asian Spirit made a historic landing at the Kalibo Airport on May 11 with its first international flight bound for Boracay from Incheon. It started its six-day flight in July. Meantime, one airline company from China also expressed interest to open a direct flight to Kalibo.

“Executives of the Spring Airline have made proper coordination with our office and they are planning to have a daily flight from Kalibo to Shanghai, China soon,” Malo*nesio said.
--Panay News

Airline’s flights to Amsterdam stay normal (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police3_oct30_2007)

KLM Airlines’ daily flights from Manila to Amsterdam remain normal despite the wildcat strike by its employees in Charles De Gaulle and Orly airports which is on its sixth day today.

But the Ninoy Aquino International Airport flight information office said that the arrival of KLM flight 803 in Manila was moved from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and claimed it has nothing to do with the current labor strike abroad.

All scheduled departure flights of KLM 804 leaves Naia Terminal-1 at exactly 11:45 a.m. bound for Amsterdam. There was no delay or whatsoever, according to the flight information desk.

Media affairs head Connie Bunag of the Manila International Airport Authority said all international schedules at the Naia were business as usual.

“We have received an information that KLM seats bound for Amsterdam Monday were almost fully booked... Connecting flights from Amsterdam to France’s capital city are not our concern, nor the KLM office in Manila,” she said.

The KLM office at the Naia was closed yesterday afternoon while staff at the main office in Makati City said they were not authorized to give a statement nor any advisory to passengers headed for Amsterdam because flight operations as far as they knew from the schedules has stayed normal.

Industry sources said about 70 percent of KLM flight schedules around Europe and America were disrupted because of the workers’ unrest, causing delays and frustration to thousands of travellers.

ano ba update kelan bubuksan yung bagong nalumang erport?

PVG-KLO, PEK-KLO, ICN-BCD; I wonder what carriers will serve those routes? Philippine carriers, or airlines from China and/or Korea?

maybe Korean airlines, if not Cebu Pacific and Asian Spirit.

ano ba update kelan bubuksan yung bagong nalumang erport?

Authorities hope repairs will be finished by Feb 2008, and soft opening done by April 2008.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4620/05021005pd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

i'm also not 100% sure with my answer but as far as i know, there are some businesses and or industries which are exempted from that law you've just quoted. it might be okay to assume as well that investments for this type of busines, which i believe is the first in the philippines, is one of those given special consideration.

Just like to inquire for curiosity sake... :)

According to this article, Lufthansa Technik Philippines is jointly owned by MacroAsia and Lufthansa at 49% and 51% respectively. (I already highlighted the section for everyone's convenience)

Isn't it that under section 10 article XII which concerns about The National Economy and Patrimony of the 1987 Philippine constitution, as further strengthened by the Commonwealth Act No. 108 or the Anti-Dummy Law, that sixty percentum (60%) of any property, businesses, corporations, and other related assets are entitled to Filipino citizens and that aliens or foreigners are restricted to owning these assets at forty percentum (40%) only?

Can somebody give an explanation as to why Lufthansa, in accordance to this article, owns at least 51% of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines - 11% more than the limitation prescribed by the Constitution for foreigners.

Although it is for the best interest of the Filipino People that Lufthansa has invested in our nation, we must always safeguard our patrimony and be vigilant with the promulgation of laws.

Thanks! :)

Authorities hope repairs will be finished by Feb 2008, and soft opening done by April 2008.

Give or take six months to a year, or two. :okay:

^^ or two? decades? :lol:

^^ Heck, while we're at it, might as well make that scores, or even centuries! :lol:

are the repairs free? courtesy of takenaka?

^^ I believe RP-C4007 is the last remaining 737 in Philippine Airlines' fleet. One recent flight I flew on, a pilot confirmed to me the news of 737s leaving the airline by October (that's THIS time of year), so I would presume that plane is operating PAL's last 737 flight?


bkt yong gulong ng 737 hindi nakatago

@Gellox - the constitutional provisions you cited actually specify which types of assets and business operations may not be foreign owned or controlled. Aircraft Maintenance is not one of them. Hence they may own control.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4620/05021005pd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sigh, mas maganda pa rin and old DIA sa new DIA (sa exterior)

yup.. lalo na pag A380 ang nagland...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/dia.jpg

whoa!

yup.. lalo na pag A380 ang nagland...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/dia.jpg

:rofl: Well, at least someone's dreaming big. :okay:

mali ata yong landing

Hello sa lahat, I am new in this forum.....:)

By the way, ganda ng A380 sa maynila, lalo ung mga nakakita sa kanyang paglanding at pag-alis.

Tanong ko lang, un bang mga airplanes ng CEBU PACIFIC, lahat ba iyon ay brand new, as in brand new na never been used by other airlines at binili talaga/ pag aari ng CEBU PACIFIC? Kasi I read before na ung PAL parang nagrerent ( tama ba ang term ) or is it leasing airplanes from other international airlines? Tama ba yun? Meaning me mga airplanes ba sila na talagang kanila lang at hindi " borrowed? "

^^ yes they are all brand new

Looks like people are thinking the same thing when it comes to the A380 Skybeds...

Airline brings lovers down to earth
Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:42am EDT

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines, the first operator of the new Airbus A380, has dashed the hopes of sexual thrill-seekers planning to engage in amorous activity aboard the world's biggest jumbo jet.

The carrier said it would ask passengers on the A380 to refrain from sex while ensconced in one of its 12 first-class suites, which boast the world's first airborne double beds.

"All we ask of customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, is to observe standards that don't cause offence to other customers and crew," the company told Reuters in a statement.

"Nothing different applies for our Singapore Airlines Suites customers."

While private, the double cabins are neither sound proofed nor completely sealed.

Singapore Airlines, the world's second-largest airline by market value, started commercial flights of the double-decker A380 last week with a Singapore-Sydney service.

"So they'll sell you a double bed, and give you privacy and endless champagne and then say you can't do what comes naturally?" Tony Elwood, who traveled with wife Julie in a suite aboard the inaugural flight, told the Times of London.

"They seem to have done everything they can to make it romantic, short of bringing round oysters," Julie said. "I'd say they shouldn't really complain, should they?"

^^ sus.. kung sa lavatory nga eh, di maiiwasan eh.. jan pa kaya..? :lol:

^^ sus.. kung sa lavatory nga eh, di maiiwasan eh.. jan pa kaya..? :lol:

oo im sure me mga pasaway pa rin na susubukan gawin ang alam mo na sa a380

do u think its a good move if ever man Cebu Pacific will indeed order A380 in the future, di ba kaya malugi kasi sobrang laki nya saka ung costs nya

Authorities hope repairs will be finished by Feb 2008, and soft opening done by April 2008.


what do they mean when they say "soft opening? " Di ba pwede yung talagang opening na ready na lahat, as in full normal operation.

^^ Soft Opening means that it would open/operate without much fanfare.

yup.. lalo na pag A380 ang nagland...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/dia.jpg

mali ata yong landing

tama lang. eksakto sa bagong terminal pag landing niyan. kailangan lang malakas ang preno :lol:

Good day!

In response to your suggestion, we have already updated the site and include the time clock of different states in USA as well as the local time in London and in Dubai.

Also, we are happy to inform you that you may now take a glimpse of the inside of the airport as we have posted some pictures on the About page of the airport pre-departure area and check-in area.

A list of recommended hotels in Bacolod is also available on site. Soon we will be uploading other pertinent information on the site.

In the meantime, we encourage you to spread the news about www.bacolod-silayairport.com to your friends and relatives in whatever means you can.

Thank you and Best regards,

administrator@bacolod-silayairport.com

oo im sure me mga pasaway pa rin na susubukan gawin ang alam mo na sa a380

do u think its a good move if ever man Cebu Pacific will indeed order A380 in the future, di ba kaya malugi kasi sobrang laki nya saka ung costs nya

Actually, Cebu Pacific might actually make more money with the A380 if it decides to finally compete with the US flights of PAL using their innovative pricing scheme. Imagine if Cebu Pacific has 888 economy seats in an A380 bound for MNL from LAX...Each seat would probably cost each passenger around $300 for a one way ticket or $500 for a round trip ticket. ^^