diba merong MNL-Vigan flight before... or was it MNL-Laoag?
they stop that route because of some politicians.:ohno:
na sampal yata yong PAL employee...
it happen sometime Feb. 2006
It was Laoag. The confrontation between a PAL crew and Fariñas.
But I think PAL resumed its Laoag flights already.

MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!!!

http://anton.blogs.com/flag/large.jpg


MABUHAY ANG PILIPINO!!

MABUHAY ANG ARAW NG KALAYAAN!!

:horse:

J.P.

Looking forward to this more transparency on the rate issue:cheers:



Vol. XXI, No. 222
Thursday, June 12, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News
Cebu Pacific cuts regular fares by a third amid rising oil prices

THREATS OF an economic crunch have prompted Gokongwei-led Cebu Air, Inc. to cut domestic fares by as much as 32% despite rising fuel costs to prevent the contraction of the airline market.

Reduced fares take effect today as the airline also introduces all-inclusive fares and promo rates for Cebu Pacific routes, said Candice Iyog, company vice-president for marketing.

This means Cebu Pacific’s published rates for domestic travel will include, aside from the fares, all hidden charges — fuel and insurance surcharges, aviation security fee and 12% value-added tax.

Budget airlines have been criticized for advertising low fares that did not include hidden fees.

"We need to continue growing Philippine domestic tourism despite rising fuel costs. We cannot afford to have planes flying empty," Ms. Iyog told reporters yesterday.

The Civil Aeronautics Board earlier projected domestic travel to grow by only 15% this year against a 22.7% growth in 2007, when the volume of domestic passengers reached 10.38 million.

Ms Iyog said Cebu Pacific’s "all-in" fares would assure consumers that flying continues to be affordable.

Under the carrier’s all-inclusive scheme, regular fares for a one-way ticket from Manila to Legaspi will cost P999; P1,499 from Manila to Cebu; and P2,499 from Manila to Davao.

To counter the impact of the lean months ahead, Cebu Pacific is also selling more than 500,000 seats under a separate promotion.

Under the discounted scheme, one-way travel from Manila to Legaspi costs P699; P999 from Manila to Cebu; and P1,499 from Manila to Davao. Bookings should be made between today and June 17. Promotion rates are for travel from July 1 to Oct. 15.

"We want to assure the public that Cebu Pacific will do everything possible to keep airfares down because this is also good for the economy," Ms. Iyog said. She urged other carriers to do the same.

She said Cebu Pacific would remain profitable as the volume of passengers offset reduced fares.

"We are not doing this to undercut anyone but because our own business model can sustain this structure," Ms. Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific has 20 aircraft, and five more planes are coming before yearend to cater to its domestic and international routes.

Cebu Pacific expects to fly a total of seven million passengers this year from 5.5 million in 2007. Ms. Iyog said the airline is on track to meet the goal based on the airline’s performance in January to May. — Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo

Thursday, June 12, 2008
Complaints flood airline company
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan

THE Cebu Pacific office at the Bacolod-Silay Airport was swamped with complaints Wednesday after the 6:40 am Bacolod-Manila flight was canceled reportedly due to aircraft mechanical trouble.

Passengers were initially advised to wait for the next available flight but no guarantee was given if they could be accommodated since all flights were fully booked Wednesday.

Some of the passengers who have appointments to catch in Manila asked to be transferred to the Philippine Airlines flight leaving at 7:20 a.m. However, the Cebu Pacific ground crew told them there were no available seats in the PAL flight.

When PAL opened several seats due to the 'no-show' of some of its passengers, Cebu Pacific personnel advised their waiting passengers that they have to pay for the fare difference if they want to be transferred to PAL.

An airline representative later admitted they don't have the available money to absorb the additional cost of the transfer.

Irate passengers, however, insisted Cebu Pacific should shoulder whatever costs incurred due to the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the flight. There were some, however, who eventually decided to pay the fare difference themselves.

Cebu Pacific spokesman RG Orense apologized for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellation and appealed for public understanding.

He said the cancellation was caused by extended aircraft maintenance, adding the airline reservation team failed to inform the 23 passengers of the cancellation.

Cebu Pacific was able to transfer nine passengers to the PAL flight bound for Manila.

Cebu Pacific Airlines Philippines permanently cuts domestic fares (http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/cebu-pacific-airlines-philippines-permanently-cuts-domestic-fares/)
http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/cebu-pacific-airlines-philippines-permanently-cuts-domestic-fares/

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading domestic air carrier, shifts to all-inclusive fare format and is reducing its domestic fares permanently by as much as 32% to encourage more people to fly amid rising fuel prices.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and product, said the new lower all-inclusive fares will take effect on June 12, 2008. This includes the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12% VAT.

The ‘all-in’ pricing format is introduced with a seat sale across Cebu Pacific’s domestic network. The promotional offer will run from June 12 to 17, 2008 and is valid for travel on July 1 to October 15, 2008. There are more than half a million seats allocated for this promotion.

‘All-in’ fares for short sectors such as Manila-Legaspi are at P699 one-way while a one-way Manila-Cebu flight would cost P999 and a Manila-Davao sector would cost only P1,499 during the seat sale. At seat sale levels, these reduction represent savings of up to 56% over today’s rate.

Iyog also said Cebu Pacific is shifting to an ‘all-in’ pricing format so passengers will immediately know the total amount they need to pay and can easily compare Cebu Pacific fares with other modes of transportation including ferries and buses.

After the seat sale, the one-way Manila-Davao would cost P2,499 ‘all-in’ while a one-way Manila-Cebu is sold at P1,499. On the other hand, out of pocket cost for one-way Manila-Legaspi is P999 one-way.

“We would like to continue domestic tourism’s growth momentum by introducing reduced all-in fares. We want to assure the public that Cebu Pacific will do everything possible to keep air fares down because this is also good for the economy.” Iyog said.

Iyog also added that they are doing this to respond to the public’s desire for a more transparent and simple communication of fares.

“We really hope that this new move is deemed as a positive change in the industry and we encourage other airlines to do the same.” Iyog emphasized

Cebu Pacific has a fleet of ten A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR 72-500 aircraft. The airline flies to 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu next month. It will also add Tuguegarao and Naga,in its domestic network this June and San Jose (Mindoro) in July.

Fly all out with Cebu Pacific’s all-in promo seat sale! (http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/fly-all-out-with-cebu-pacifics-all-in-promo-seat-sale/)
http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/fly-all-out-with-cebu-pacifics-all-in-promo-seat-sale/

The fares listed now include the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12% VAT so that you will immediately know the total amount you need to pay and can easily compare Cebu Pacific fares with other modes of transportation including ferries and buses. Fly now!

P699

* Manila to Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, San Jose (Mindoro) or Tuguegarao
* Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro or Iloilo

P999

* Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan) Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban or Tagbilaran
* Cebu to Boracay, Clark, Davao, Puerto Princesa or Zamboanga
* Davao to Iloilo or Zamboanga

P1,499

* Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Tagbilaran or Zamboanga

Promo Period: June 12 - 17, 2008
Travel Period: July 1 - October 15, 2008

Can anyone confirm this.

from http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080611050051.b41h6liu&show_article=1&catnum=0
Oil costs will push some Asian airlines under: analysts
Jun 11 01:01 AM US/Eastern

Record-high oil prices have sparked the biggest crisis in the Asian airline industry since the SARS scare, and analysts say some carriers are likely to go under if prices do not let up soon.

They say many of the region's airlines are ill-prepared to cope with the price surge, which saw oil top 139 dollars per barrel last week amid wide expectation prices will only keep rising in the months ahead.

"No one is going to escape this crisis unscathed," said Derek Sabudin, an analyst from the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation consultancy.

He said airlines face a "severe shakeout" if extremely high fuel prices continue, with the industry already coping with the fallout from a US-led global economic slowdown.

"Carriers will be exiting the market," Sabudin said. "The weaker ones will go, and stronger carriers will shrink in size, if we see prices where they are above 120 dollars beyond the summer peak."

Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst with Standard and Poor's Equity Research, said most carriers had not factored in prices at such "stratospheric" levels -- and that they were now not moving quickly enough in response.

"Few Asian airlines are reacting, in our view, adequately and aggressively enough to the oil shock and the devastation soon to follow," Shukor said.

If prices continue rising and hit 150 dollars a barrel or even higher, he said, "expect to see a rash of Asian carriers grounded and go bust."

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which had predicted an industry profit of 4.5 billion US dollars this year, is now projecting a loss of 2.3 billion dollars.

The IATA, which represents more than 200 carriers that account for 94 percent of global traffic, says that every one dollar rise in oil prices will increase airline operating costs by 1.6 billion US dollars annually.

Airlines already expected to pay about 176 billion US dollars for fuel expenses this year based on oil prices of 106.5 US dollars per barrel, said IATA, adding fuel accounts for 34 percent of operating costs.

Overall, analysts say, it is the worst crisis to hit Asia's aviation industry since the pneumonia-like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) killed almost 800 people in 32 countries in a 2002-2003 outbreak.

The health scare led to a massive slump in regional travel as well as financial losses for major carriers including Japan Airlines Group, China Airlines of Taiwan, and Singapore Airlines (SIA).

To deal with the crisis, SIA slashed capacity by 30 percent while Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific suspended its route to Singapore.

In the face of the current situation, some regional carriers have begun to replicate the cost-cutting measures rolled out by US airlines trying to cope with the steep oil price rise.

Australian flag carrier Qantas announced plans last month to slash domestic capacity by five percent, cut payroll, and retire several aircraft. The airline also reduced service to Asia.

Thai Airways said last Friday it is cancelling its direct flight from Bangkok to New York, starting July, and selling four planes used on that route.

Malaysia Airlines said it would freeze recruitment and was considering axing more routes as part of cost-cutting measures triggered by rising fuel prices.

Apart from their financial reserves, the strategies adopted by Asian carriers will determine whether they can survive this latest crisis, said Jason Pereira, a senior associate with Las Vegas-based Globalysis consultancy.

"It is a combination of financial reserve strength and smart strategy that will see some airlines come out on top," said Pereira, who monitors the region from Singapore.

Some analysts say the region's low-cost carriers are more vulnerable to rising oil prices because they are typically managed on a tight budget.

Tiger Airways and AirAsia, two leading budget airlines in Southeast Asia, have both said will survive the turbulence -- and even emerge stronger.

"Profits are obviously going to be affected when oil triples in price but I take a very different approach," said Tony Fernandes, group chief executive of AirAsia, which pioneered regional low-cost travel.

"We think the time is to grow now," he told AFP. "There is a limit to what you can cut" in terms of costs.

Tiger Airways chief operating officer Steve Burns said the carrier keeps costs to a minimum and is confident it can weather the fuel price onslaught.

"What we focus on is to be as lean and as efficient as possible," he said.

CAB allows two new airlines to fly to Middle East

By JULIE JAVELLANA-SANTOS
abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Wednesday approved the application of two Philippine carriers to fly commercially to the Middle East.

The decision was announced by CAB deputy executive director Carmelo Arcilla during a hearing by the House Committee on Overseas Workers' Affairs.

"We have not really slept on this," Arcilla told abs-cbnNEWS.com, referring to the problem of lack of airline seats for OFWs going to the Middle East.

Although he identified the carriers as Spirit of Manila and Trans-Global Airways, he did not specify the actual routes they would be servicing. He said it was the airlines’ operational matter.

The approval came just before Trans-Global's maiden trip to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates last Friday.

Arcilla added that Trans-Global will initially be using MD-83 aircraft that has a capacity of 160 passengers. They also have plans to acquire a 767 airplane which seats 250 people.

The new airlines are both Filipino owned with foreign partners, Arcilla said.

He also added that CAB was expecting more airlines to come forward and apply for licenses. Definitely, though, he said, "new entrants who are capable would be preferable (to an old airline executing) a code sharing agreement (with another airline."

The code sharing agreement is a means by which an airline sells tickets to passengers for a flight on another airline. It does not actually fly a plane into the place specified.

Sangley Point should be developed as a 2nd premiere airport after DMIA. It should also serve flights bound for Manila and much of CALABARZON.

NAIA in the future should use only domestic flights and city-to-city flights from the nearest Asian city to Manila.

Sangley Point should be developed as a 2nd premiere airport after DMIA. It should also serve flights bound for Manila and much of CALABARZON.

NAIA in the future should use only domestic flights and city-to-city flights from the nearest Asian city to Manila.

^^ From Kang Pacific Airlines.

Kang Pacific Launches its Operation (http://www.flykpa.com/newsletter.php)

Kang Pacific Airlines launched its operation with a flight from Clark International Airport in the Philippines to Fujairah. The first flight landed in the soft morning light at Fujairah International Airport on 06th June 2008 at 09.27 hrs. The early morning low profile arrival was greeted by exited staff at the airport who watched in fascination as the MD83 aircraft resplendent in its new colours taxied majestically onto its parking stand.

Kang Pacific has begun their twice weekly operation in association with TransGlobal Airways of the Philippines using a newly acquired Boeing Corporation MD83. Kang Pacific is in negotiation with TransGlobal Airways Corporation to acquire more aircraft which will allow us to increase frequencies on the route to meet the ever growing demand for this new service.

Mr. Paul Kang, CEO of Kang Pacific Airlines and Mr. Tony Kim, CEO, TransGlobal Airways arrived on the first flight tired but very happy with their success. A small reception was held in Fujairah Airport to welcome the first passengers and crew. Mr. Paul Kang and Mr. Tony Kim expressed their appreciation to all those involved in achieving this first arrival for their support and unwavering dedication and belief in the project. They announced with great pride that this was the first ‘Small Landing for a Big Success’.

Kang Pacific will initially offer two flights per week between Fujairah and Clark International in the Philippines between the months of June and November 2008. Flight T7 998 will depart from Clark, the Philippines at 02.00am local time and arrive in Fujairah at 08.15am local time on Mondays and Wednesdays, while flight T7 999 will depart Fujairah at 02.15am local time and arrive in Clark at 04.30pm local time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Passengers can book through any appointed travel agent or by using the booking facility on our website.

http://www.flykpa.com/images/KPA%20Landing2.jpg

Sangley Point should be developed as a 2nd premiere airport after DMIA. It should also serve flights bound for Manila and much of CALABARZON.

NAIA in the future should use only domestic flights and city-to-city flights from the nearest Asian city to Manila.

I agree with you but the problem is Sangley Point is too much small to be the next DMIA and also the city is too much congested and one rail system. i am living here in cavite city.

maliit naman talaga ang sangley point,kaya nga inalis nang kano nila ang naval base nila dyan,nilipat sa subic eh...kaya ayaw na nang cosco dyan mga bosing..

maliit naman talaga ang sangley point,kaya nga inalis nang kano nila ang naval base nila dyan,nilipat sa subic eh...kaya ayaw na nang cosco dyan mga bosing..

^^
IF COSCO THINKS SANGLEY POINT IS TOO SMALL,
I RECOMMEND THE PORT OF DAVAO IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO.


http://www.mindanao.com/images/atfdavao.gif

.

Sayang maliit nga ang Sangley Point.

Kung ayaw ng COSCO sa Sangley Point or the Port of Davao.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/angeleslew/CDOBanner2.jpg

Why not the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao Island.

:horse:

J.P.

RP plans fresh air talks with the Netherlands and Hong Kong (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/100410/RP-plans-fresh-air-talks-with-HK-The-Netherlands)

The country's air panel will hold talks with counterparts in Hong Kong by the end of the month and the Netherlands next month to seek additional flight frequencies, a Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) official said.

CAB Deputy Executive Director Porvenir P. Porciuncula said in a phone interview Tuesday that the government also plans talks with Japan, Australia, and Thailand, though it has yet to set a date for these negotiations.

"We will try to get more flights outside of Manila like Clark and Subic, and possibly even Cebu and Davao," Mr. Porciuncula said.

He said under the current agreement, Philippine carriers can fill up 13,000 seats for flights to Hong Kong from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and 2,300 seats for airports outside of Manila.

"It seems that the airlines can still manage to operate more flights. Tourism is one of the factors. You also have the economic attraction of China. Even if there are direct flights to China, Hong Kong would still have some attractions," Mr. Porciuncula explained.

Mr. Porciuncula said additional flights to the Netherlands are needed after German carrier Lufthansa Airlines stopped flying from Manila to Europe last March. KLM flies daily to Amsterdam, alternately using the Boeing 777 200 and 300 aircraft which can carry 327 and 425 passengers, respectively. "There is a requirement for more flights by KLM. We won’t know how many until the negotiations take place," Mr. Porciuncula said.

The Philippines also wants to take advantage of Japan’s new policy of opening up airports outside of Tokyo such as Nagoya, Fukuoka and Osaka.

This should be the way, no more hidden charges and more transparent rates for easy comparison with other airline.:applause::applause::applause:

CEB to shift to all-inclusive fare format starting June 12

By Lynda B. Valencia

CEB is shifting to an ‘all-in’ pricing format so passengers will immediately know the total amount they need to pay and can easily compare CEB fares with other modes of transportation including ferries and buses, Iyog said.

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 223-A
Saturday, June 14, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News
Yao airline to refleet

Asian Spirit’s refleeting under its new management starts with the arrival of five turbo planes next month.

Businessman Alfredo M. Yao, who bought the carrier from the Turalba group in March, said some of Asian Spirit’s old planes may have to be retired with the arrival of the new ones.

"It is also more fuel-friendly. [With rising fuel costs] everybody is on the same boat. It’s a matter of ways and means on how to save [fuel] and be more efficient," Mr. Yao said in a phone interview.

Asian Spirit uses its turbo planes to fly to local destinations. According to its website, the airline flies to Baguio, Cebu, Caticlan, Batanes, Masbate, Zamboanga, Calbayog, Busuanga and Tawi-tawi.

Mr. Yao said two to three units of Airbus planes will also arrive within the year to boost the airline’s regional operations. His airline currently flies to Macau, Incheon in Korea, and Sandakan in Malaysia.

While Asian Spirit is currently focused on its refleeting and expansion, Mr. Yao said negotiations continue for the carrier’s merger with South East Asian Airlines (Seair).

"There has been a meeting of the minds and hopefully we can complete it within the year," Mr. Yao said. — Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo

Will the Open Skies policy be an advantage or disadvantage for RP carriers and tourism?

^^ That really depends. On the one hand, foreign arrivals would increase given that foreign carriers flying to the Philippines on the premise of open skies would now have a lucrative route on their hands. This would precipitate the return of some airlines that pulled out of the Philippines before, since the Philippines now would be an attractive destination to the airlines' bottom lines.

On the other hand, Philippine carriers who do not have the means to compete with their larger counterparts abroad would be unable to effectively compete with the foreign airlines. Open skies tries to provide a healthy competitive environment for Philippine and foreign carriers. This environment simply does not exist in the Philippine market, where even PAL can't compete with their larger counterparts. This basically means that on some routes, foreign airlines have complete monopolies or oligopolies over these routes, and the purpose of open skies, which is to provide a healthy competitive environment for both foreign and Filipino airlines, is effectively negated.

^^
Asian Spirit.
two brand-new airbus 320 will be wearing in Asian Spirit colors. They will be replacing the MD-83 leased from Trans Global Airways so no wonder it is venturing into another profitable endeavor. It will fly Kalibo-Incheon-Clark-Incheon-Davao vv routes while new destinations will be introduce for Singapore and Bangkok. It will be LCC alright. If load factor is good notwithstanding the oil crisis they will lease the third one.

Fujairah Flight.
As I told you in the previous post, legacy airlines currently don't have the planes to fly additional flights. These wannabe arlines, to include others of the same league which promise to fly mideast routes are TOP grantees only. Meaning, they still follow normal process for route application but operates on a temporary permit until mounted flights are approved by the destination State. It is usually valid for 6 months. In most cases the only way to do around it is by mounting chartered flights. Thats what it is. And one of the requirements for approval is the financial capacity of the company to support scheduled flights, that is in case if anything went wrong to any of their proposed aircraft or flights they have the capacity to pay. Its not that easy to fly long haul. In short, convince me first if you have the financial strength to support its operation for 6 months before I give you your license to fly that route and the permission from the other state, and if you do have the permission already and survives the period, ask congress to give you the authority to operate permanently.

Flight to Amsterdam.
KLM intends to mount 2 daily flights within the next 3 years. This time entitlements will be in their favor until its all utilized and buy entitlements again from PAL for its rights. Why? KLM already utilizes all its entitlement and that of PAL for the route similar to what PAL did for ACA by buying its rights to fly. Wow, traffic seems to be growing on that route profitably. Good for both airlines though, profit-wise. Lets see how it progress with the oil crisis

Open skies.
That depends on what point of view you would like to know. One definite advantage would favor the passengers.:)

Will the Open Skies policy be an advantage or disadvantage for RP carriers and tourism?

Their interest are not necessarily aligned.

The primary interest of airlines is to make money (as is all profit oriented business)

The primary interest of the tourism industry (as with all consumers) is to get as much service at the cheapest price.

Regulation is designed to control the numbers of passengers that may fly each way. If overregulated (as it is here) this artificial limit keeps fares high as demand exceeds supply. Basically this makes sure the airlines make money.

Open skies brings greater competition which gives customers choice. There are NO natural monopolies nor duopolies that can exist unless the route is unprofitable to begin with. In the Philippines even if local airlines can not compete with other countries airlines could service the markets and consumers would enjoy the benefits of deregulated air travel.

It can basically be simplified as to what is more important for the country, to make sure that airlines and their owners make money by keeping prices high or for 90 million filipinos and unnumbered tourists to have more options for cheap fares and service to and from the Philippines.

GAano ba kalaki ang Portof Davao? Hindi ba masyadong malayo yan from mainland china? I think they prefer somewhere in the middle of the philippines, atleast.

If only they are willing to conduct reclamations at Sangley then that would be great.

GAano ba kalaki ang Portof Davao? Hindi ba masyadong malayo yan from mainland china? I think they prefer somewhere in the middle of the philippines, atleast.

If only they are willing to conduct reclamations at Sangley then that would be great.

http://www.unitedworld-usa.com/forum/img/pic/asian_map.jpg

The PORTS OF DAVAO AND CAGAYAN DE ORO in the ISLAND OF MINDANAO are both huge.

http://www.brunet.bn/org/bimpeabc/sealinks_g.gif

DAVAO'S PORT is more STRATEGICALLY LOCATED.

http://www.evergreen-marine.com/tbn1/images/051124.jpg

CAGAYAN DE ORO has the DEEPER PORT that can accomodate TANKERS and GIANT CARGO SHIPS.

http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/TRB1772.jpg

I envision SANGLEY POINT as the choicest PORT OF CALL for INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SHIPS.

MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS.
:horse:

J.P.

Continental reduces flights: Certain destinations will mean longer time in the air (http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080614/NEWS01/806140322/1002)

Guam's travelers will soon face higher prices, longer flight times and more congested aircraft on trips to Hong Kong, Bali and Saipan.

Yesterday, Continental Micronesia announced it would be cutting flights to and from Guam.

Rising fuel costs forced Continental to suspend non-stop flights from Guam to Hong Kong and Bali, beginning July 28 and Oct. 2, respectively, according to a news release from the airline. Flights between Saipan and Manila will also end on July 16.

"While these are very difficult decisions to make, the record fuel costs, combined with lower customer demand in these markets, lead to the decision to suspend service," said Continental Micronesia Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Erwin.

Since January 2007, jet fuel costs have spiked dramatically, increasing almost $100 per barrel, or more than 140 percent. Each dollar of oil increase has an annual impact to Continental Airlines of $45 million, a Continental news release said. The airline burns $169 a second on fuel, the release said.

"No one can speculate on what crude oil will do and that has been the leading contributor to the suspension. Until market conditions improve and fuel costs are reduced, (Continental) will suspend Hong Kong and Bali flights from Guam," said Grace Garces, with Continental Micronesia's marketing office.

Customers booked on canceled and suspended flights will be contacted by Continental to arrange alternate flights or, at the election of the customer, a ticket refund.

Layoffs

Last Friday, Continental announced reduced flights and layoffs of about 3,000 managers and employees worldwide.

Garces confirmed yesterday that the airline has offered voluntary layoff packages to Guam employees. She said it won't be known how many local employees would leave Continental until August, because employees need time to sign up for voluntary separation programs.

Continental Micronesia employs about 1,500 people on Guam and its $90 million annual payroll has been a long-time asset to the local economy.

Flight options

Continental said the Saipan-Manila market also felt the impact of a loss of Manila customers traveling to Saipan. Nurses used to travel from Manila to Saipan to take the National Council Licensure Examination, which is required for nurses to work in the United States. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing began offering the test in Manila in August.

"We will continue to offer our valued customers in the CNMI and Philippines daily service with our connecting service via our Guam hub," said David Kendell, Continental's Asia and Micronesia director of sales and marketing.

Miriam Capistrano, an independent travel consultant at R&C Tours, said traffic through Guam would increase as a result.

She said travel to and from Manila wouldn't become congested, because both Continental and Philippine Airlines offer flights. Flights between Guam and Saipan could become crowded, she said.

"It'll only have a great effect during the holiday and vacation seasons," she said. "Local folks from Saipan and Guam just need to think smart about their trips and not be late about their bookings."

Frances Schier, general manager of Travel Pacificana, said the suspension of non-stop flights between Guam and Hong Kong would increase travel time, but not prices.

Hong Kong

Schier said Hong Kong is the second most popular Asian destination behind Manila. Most Guam residents fly to Hong Kong on business, but vacationers will miss Continental's popular travel packages.

Daily flights will still be available to Hong Kong through Manila or Tokyo on several airlines, she said. Costs will stay the same -- about $550 during the low season -- regardless of the route, but total travel time will climb.

Continental's direct flight takes about five hours. A connecting flight through Manila would last about eight-and-a-half hours and flights through Tokyo could take up to twelve hours, including layovers.

"So you can see the convenience isn't there," Schier said.

Bali

Capistrano said Bali vacationers would feel the suspension in their wallet. Currently, Continental's direct flight can take residents to Bali and back for about $500.

Flights through Manila or Tokyo would be twice as much, she said.

"This is sad because it's a nice place for a lot of locals to go, but it's only profitable for (Continental) on Christmas, vacation time or breaks," she said. "The really great part about Continental flying to Bali was people with mileage could use it to take a weekend hop. Maybe that was their biggest downfall."

Capistrano said fliers headed to Bali are almost entirely recreational and the flights are sparsely populated.

"If there is no market there, I don't blame Continental," she said.

Divers

Dianne Collins worries about the impact on divers.

"I think it's going to hurt Guam," she said yesterday. "Bali is a destination that is very inexpensive to go to and you can even take your kids. A group of girls can go for shopping, divers can go for diving, ... they have so many activities you can do and we are going to be missing out on a lot."

Collins is travel manager for the Micronesia Divers Association. Yesterday she was trying to reschedule an October trip to Bali for 26 scuba divers.

The divers had made reservations at hotels, at a cooking school, for white water rafting and for three days of diving in search of the mola mola -- man-sized sunfish that makes a seasonal appearance in Bali's world-renowned reefs.

But they hadn't bought their tickets yet.

"I really don't know what we are going to do," Collins said. "I'm in a frantic panic to rebook. The customers don't even know yet."

PAL makes daily flights to Macau (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/06/14/bus/pal.makes.daily.flights.to.macau.html)

Philippine Airlines has boosted frequency to one of its most popular new destinations, Macau, upgrading the service to a daily schedule barely a fortnight after launching it last month on the back of strong market demand.

PAL recently began operating daily flights to the former Portuguese territory-turned-gaming mecca on China’s southern coast, up from the five-times-weekly frequency when the service was inaugurated on May 1.

To introduce the new schedule, PAL is offering a special round-trip fare of $108 between Manila and Macau, which is available for ticketing until June 30, 2008 and for travel until Dec. 15, 2008. It excludes insurance and fuel surcharges as well as taxes.

PAL’s Macau service, which utilizes 156-seater Airbus A320 aircraft configured into Mabuhay (business) Class and Fiesta Class cabins, has experienced near-capacity loads since its launch, as visitors flock to the bright lights and gaming tables of the city, which is dubbed as Asia’s Las Vegas.

Singapore, too

Meanwhile, PAL will add a fourth frequency to Singapore on July 1, a twice-a-week service operating every Tuesday and Saturday, complementing the current three daily services and raising total frequency to the Lion City to 23 flights weekly.

This makes Singapore PAL’s second-most-frequented international point after Hong Kong (which is served 28 times weekly)—an indication of the robust travel market between Manila and Singapore.

Bi-class Airbus A320 aircraft will also be deployed on this service.

As with any new PAL service, a special introductory fare is being offered – $108 round-trip, excluding taxes and surcharges, for passengers originating from Manila. Passengers boarding at all other PAL domestic points add $20.

These fares are available for ticketing until June 30, 2008 and are valid for travel between July 1 and Oct. 13, 2008. All travel must be completed by Oct. 15, 2008.

Continental to drop Manila flights: Saipan-Manila flights to end July 16 (http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=80892&cat=1)

Citing a dramatic hike in fuel costs and low sales, Continental Airlines on Friday revealed it will soon end service between Saipan and Manila, the only direct flight on the island to the Philippines, in a move that threatens to limit access to specialized medical care for locals and disrupt travel for many foreign workers.

“This will have a hugely negative impact on our ability to get people here the medical care they need,” said Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, adding that hospitals in Manila are the primary recipients of local hospital patients with ailments that require advanced treatment and that the alternative-airlifting patients to Guam-will prove costly and highly problematic.

In addition, the cut in service could prompt cutbacks at the Commonwealth Ports Authority, a government source said, because it will mean less revenue at an agency that is already on shaky financial footing.

Continental in statement said it will stop service on the Saipan-to-Manila route on July 16 and customers with reservations for flights after that date will receive calls from the company, which will rearrange their travel plans or offer a refund.

The announcement comes after a jump in jet fuel costs to almost $100 per barrel, a 140-percent increase since January 2007.

“While these are very difficult decisions to make, the record fuel costs, combined with lower customer demand in these markets, led to the decision to suspend service,” said Mark Erwin, Continental Micronesia's president and chief executive officer.

The airline also blamed the loss of Manila customers traveling to Saipan to take the National Council Licensure Examination nursing examinations. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing began NCLEX testing in Manila in August 2007, eliminating the need for Filipino nurses to travel to Saipan to take the exam.

“Despite our best efforts, working with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the government of CNMI, we were unable to generate sufficient customer demand from the Philippines to replace the loss of our customers traveling to Saipan to take the NCLEX exam.

“We will continue to offer our valued customers in the CNMI and Philippines daily service with our connecting service via our Guam hub,” said Continental's director of sales and marketing David Kendell.

Continental's move comes as hospitals in Guam have begun turning away some referrals from Saipan due to a lack of hospital beds there, Villagomez said. Until now, the flights to Manila have proven an inexpensive and effective way to get seriously ill patients specialized care. To move many patients to Guam, he said, health officials most often have to charter a flight at a cost of up to $15,000. Moreover, Cape Air, the primary air service from Saipan to Guam, which patients with less grave needs can take, lacks the certification to carry oxygen tanks, he said.

A source with Asiana Airlines, which runs air service from Saipan to Korea, said its flights are equipped to carry medical stretchers but was unable to answer whether the company could carry oxygen tanks. Northwest Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

To the many Filipino workers on Saipan, Continental's cut in service will mean a more arduous journey to their home country. Filipinos without U.S. visas are concerned they might be barred from traveling to Guam in order to catch flights to Manila from there, according to Irene Tantiado, president of the Coalition of United Workers, a local organization that represents many foreigners working on Saipan.

“Really, although we understand the reason for it, this will be very bad for guest workers who don't have visas,” said Tantiado. Those workers might be forced to travel longer routes through Korea or Japan to get home, she added, a change that will cut into vacation time. Moreover, some workers fear the other airlines will increase prices to destinations with connecting flights to the Philippines, she said.

At the CPA, acting executive director Lee Cabrera said the cut in Continental's service will “make it more difficult for CPA when it comes to investment issues and bond issues” and that the agency “regrets the loss of the flights.”

Ironically, Continental Airlines official Walter Dias visited Saipan in May to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company's service on the island, he noted.

A confidential source with CPA said Continental's Saipan to Manila service generated $106,000 each year in revenue for the agency, which places a charge on flights entering and leaving the island. In April 2008, the source said, flights on that route brought 943 passengers to Saipan, while 616 departed. The source noted that without the funds provided by those flights, the agency may have “to cut somewhere” to close that financial gap.

Continental will also cut more than a fifth of capacity at its small Pacific hub in Guam.

This development comes even as the islands' tourism industry continues to reel from the effects of Japan Airlines' cancellation of regular air service to the Commonwealth in October 2005.

Although it is generally seen as one of the healthiest network carriers, Continental is struggling along with other airlines to cope with rapidly rising fuel costs and a slumping economy. A number of industry observers say the current crisis is as bad as, if not worse than, the sharp downturn that followed the Sept. 11 attacks, which preceded a series of airline bankruptcy filings.

About 3,000 job losses are expected as a result of the cutbacks. Continental said it believes most of the cuts will occur "through voluntary programs," which could include early retirement or temporary leaves of absence.

Would it be nice to start another thread as Planned COSCO International Port and Logistic Center. Some of the forumers here is quiet confused since Sangley was just one of the several ecozones that was chosen by COSCO.

Actually malayo talaga ang davao sa china, ang plan kasi nila ay maging port hub papuntang U.S at Europe pero kung plan nila ay mag export through S.E. Asia maganda ang Davao kc malapit eto.

Parang malayong malayo pa yatang pangarap ang PORT OF CALL for international cruise liners, especially sa Sangley. Siguro sa Cebu medyo possible ito dahilan sa mga beach resorts duon. Pero kung yumaman ang Pilipinas possible siguro dahil maraming filipino ang makakaafford ng cruise trip tulad sa Miami at Tampa FL. Pero para sa mga import at export malaking chance mang yari ito.

CAB allows two new airlines to fly to Middle East

By JULIE JAVELLANA-SANTOS
abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Wednesday approved the application of two Philippine carriers to fly commercially to the Middle East.

The decision was announced by CAB deputy executive director Carmelo Arcilla during a hearing by the House Committee on Overseas Workers' Affairs.

"We have not really slept on this," Arcilla told abs-cbnNEWS.com, referring to the problem of lack of airline seats for OFWs going to the Middle East.

Although he identified the carriers as Spirit of Manila and Trans-Global Airways, he did not specify the actual routes they would be servicing. He said it was the airlines’ operational matter.

I saw this news:

Two more carriers get permit to fly internationally via Clark (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW060908/content.php?id=041)

TWO MORE airlines will soon be flying international routes via the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga after obtaining an operating permit from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Permits were given to Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) and Spirit of Manila Airlines Corp., said Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Jose I. Luciano, who met with CAB officials last week

Spirit of Manila, a Filipino-owned company with Middle Eastern minority stockholders, intends to fly to Bahrain with its Boeing 767, which can accommodate 250 passengers, Mr. Luciano said. Spirit of Manila officials were not available for comment yesterday.

And Spirit of Manila is now hiring new staff. here is ads from Manila Bulletin:
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/ericlucky290/Forum/newairlines-1.jpg

I think I'm just confused here. If Open Skies is implemented, do other airlines have unlimited/unrestricted fifth freedom rights in ASEAN countries? This is what I've been thinking about this open skies thingy.

^^
This is the basic rule on asian open skies.
1. apply only to ASEAN member countries,
2. apply only to ASEAN route networks,
3. apply only to ASEAN designated airlines.

Please see previous post for the answers to your query. Its more or less the same.
If your query does not fit there, consider BATA or the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement between States, like going to Hong-kong, Macao and yes Bahrain.:cheers:

With these sprouting airlines, I wonder if they ever fly?
One airline had the license to fly two years ago to the sandy side of the earth.
Its 742 airplane never saw the sky.
If they ever do, I hope they live to see the light of day on the 6th month of operation and continue going and going...

^^
Asian Spirit.
two brand-new airbus 320 will be wearing in Asian Spirit colors. They will be replacing the MD-83 leased from Trans Global Airways so no wonder it is venturing into another profitable endeavor. It will fly Kalibo-Incheon-Clark-Incheon-Davao

source?

^^
With continental out of the way, its a good welcome for cebupac to fly with no competition for the first time. It plans to expand in the eastward direction with the arrival of their new plane this year. That is if their plans push through.

Likewise, good news for PAL which plans to introduce Saipan to their route network this year. Its just a matter of time of which airline fly first, Cebpac or PAL. Wait a minute, PAL is planning to increase their Guam flights this year, while CMI is contracting. That's odd. While it may have the option to reduce frequency like some airlines did, it opted to suspend all. I sense a fish and not a gas here!:ohno:

;21749553']source?

I have my own sources lets say straight from the doorway of DOTC and ATO all the way to the corporate office of that airline, while the rest of the forum have newspapers to boot. Please see previous post for details.^^:)

^^
With continental out of the way, its a good welcome for cebupac to fly with no competition for the first time. It plans to expand in the eastward direction with the arrival of their new plane this year. That is if their plans push through.

Likewise, good news for PAL which plans to introduce Saipan to their route network this year. Its just a matter of time of which airline fly first, Cebpac or PAL. Wait a minute, PAL is planning to increase their Guam flights this year, while CMI is contracting. That's odd. While it may have the option to reduce frequency like some airlines did, it opted to suspend all. I sense a fish and not a gas here!:ohno:

I think its gas because Continental Airlines will also suspend flights from Guam to Hong Kong in July and to Bali from October.

^^
I hope so but the lay-off of workers is not a good sign. Usually airlines cut frequency like quantas did not suspend all of them. I do think its (gas) the best corporate weapon to axe excess fats and trim workforce without much ado. I also hope that my friend is not one of those guys!:ohno:

The rationale is this. If they minimize frequency, they can only reduce their pay, not their pension plans and other benefits mandated by US laws. If they cut service allegedly on that ground, they can justify termination without much further question. To cut it short, its easy to terminate people.

My take on the matter is this, like it always did before, say SARS and 911. Passenger traffic will contract but not eliminated. Passengers like me will continue to fly regardless of the gas pump unless its spiraling price out of control and of my company's pocket too, including mine. What British Airways and Singapore Airlines did on SARS was reduced frequency and not totally withdrew operations from Hongkong even if their wallet is leaking because they knew the traffic will gonna be there soon after the crisis. And its more expensive to hire new staff and crew to manned that station they left because you shoulder the cost of training and teachers aren't cheap.

Decision to suspend operation on gas price alone is odd when all airlines are suffering the same headache. On their pocket that is. Suspension means either not enough traffic generated on that flight sector or the company cannot sustain its profitablity without cutting cost. I take the latter for a simple reason. All airlines are having headaches right now and some of them did manage to trim operations to save on cost. That is a given condition. Here is the tricky part. If the reason is not enough traffic, then why are some airline plans to increase its frequency while others applying for the route mentioned in the report from PI.

Think about it!

Airlines are not dumb operating on tested sectors. The only excuse is when you pioneered the route and you found it ain't just enough traffic despite extensive promotions to sustain flight, that you have no choice but to dropped it, like Asian Spirit's flight to Palau from Davao. Had they have a better equipment to fly longer say from Manila with the same capacity, they could have survived, but BAe are not designed to fly farther otherwise they would end up swimming prematurely in the Pacific. Lets see if they try to re-introduce that island from Manila with the 320 having CMI out of the way.:cheers:

Anyway here is an Asian Spirit Kalibo flight to Incheon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubkg67YR3R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubkg67YR3R8

Is Kang Pacific a local airline?

:ohno:

PAL limits free baggage to 50 lbs/piece on US-Canada flights

By Lynda B. Valencia
Positive News Media

MANILA, June 17 (PNA) -- Starting July 1, 2008, Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country's flag carrier will cap the weight at 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per piece of the two pieces of free checked baggage for each passenger on flights to and from the United States (including Guam) and Canada for tickets issued or re-issued.

Jaime Bautista, PAL president, said tickets issued before July 1, but for travel from July 1 onward, still entitle the passenger to the erstwhile free baggage weight limit of 70 pounds (32 kilograms) per piece.

Record-high fuel prices have forced PAL to follow the lead of most major carriers in reducing baggage allowance on trans-Pacific routes, as a way of cutting operational cost, Bautista said.

The airlines include Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Asiana, Continental Airlines and American Airlines.

Bautista said the six largest U.S. carriers have gone even further, noting that, "American, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental and U.S. Airways have all recently imposed fees on checked baggage on domestic U.S. routes."

American, United and U.S. Air now charge their economy-class passengers $ 15 each way for the first checked baggage and $ 25 for the second while Delta, Northwest and Continental charge $ 25 only for the second bag.

"The latter three are expected to soon follow the others’ lead in charging even the first piece of luggage, thus virtually eliminating free baggage allowance for economy fliers on interior U.S. routes," he said.

"The measures are part of efforts by airlines worldwide to stay afloat in the face of surging fuel prices," he added.

It will be noted that oil touched a record $ 139.12 per barrel in trading last June 5 and currently trades at around $ 135 per barrel.

Prices are double what they were a year ago and have surged six-fold since 2002.

As a result, Bautista said, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecast a massive global industry loss of $ 6.1 billion this year. (PNA)

^^ :lol: I just have to laugh at that one. So, from now on my fellow Balikbayans, don't overpack! :colgate:

Be thankful that PAL still checks in luggage for free. US airlines now charge a fee for every checked luggage. :ohno:

ask lang,
where can you buy this models?
please name the shop and place (mall)

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/svenz_2008/philippine_airlines634.jpg

ask lang,
where can you buy this models?
please name the shop and place (mall)

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/svenz_2008/philippine_airlines634.jpg

my official website naba ang Spirit of Manila Airline??...ilan ang plan na na order nila??

PAL cuts passenger baggage allowance
http://bworld.com.ph/BW061708/content.php?id=003

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/8666/naiajo7.jpg
Pasalubong — the gifts seemingly required by family and friends from Filipinos who have travelled abroad — will likely be sacrificed to the altar of lower baggage allowances.

RISING FUEL COSTS have forced flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to cut the free baggage allowance for passengers travelling to and from North America.

The new limit is 50 pounds (23 kilos) per piece for two items of checked baggage per passenger from 70 pounds (32 kilos) per piece previously, the airline said in a statement.

"Record-high fuel prices have forced PAL to follow the lead of most major carriers in reducing baggage allowance on trans-Pacific routes as a way of cutting operational cost," the airline said.

The new limits apply to passengers traveling to and from the United States, including Guam and Canada, for tickets issued or reissued from July 1 onwards.

Those scheduled to fly after July 1 but whose tickets were issued before the said date are still entitled to the 70 pound per piece limit.

"The draconian measures are part of efforts by airlines worldwide to stay afloat in the face of surging fuel prices. Oil touched a record $139.12 per barrel in trading last June 5 and currently trades at around $135 per barrel," the airline said.

Rival Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, said it was still reviewing its options before its own measures to reduce operational costs.

"Right now our limit is 20 kilos for domestic and international flights. We are reviewing everything right now but as much as possible we don’t want to (reduce the limit)," Cebu Pacific Vice-President Candice Iyog said.

Other major airlines which have applied the same fuel-saving measure include Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, EVA Airways, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Asiana.

In the US, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Continental Airlines have started collecting fees for baggaged checked in on domestic flights.

haha everyone seems to be on the ball with this one. was going to post it myself but i guess everyone is sensitive about it haha. Well there goes one of PR's competitive advantages.

How does this now compare with Northwest and CX? Does PR still have a heavier baggage allowance?

Chrisvenz I've seen those metal airplanes being sold in Vmall at the 2nd floor, basically a model shop at the end overlooking the garden.

Well looks like PR is whining about the CAT2 downgrade again. When is this due for upgrade anyway?

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW061708/content.php?id=045
Vol. XXI, No. 225
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News
PAL cites ’opportunity losses’ due to air safety downgrade

THE GOVERNMENT’S failure to get the Philippines out of a downgrade from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has resulted in many lost opportunities, Lucio Tan-led carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday said, citing its own inability to corner the market of Continental Micronesia’s now-defunct Manila-Guam route.

PAL intended to increase its flights to the US just before the American aviation watchdog decided to downgrade the Philip-pines for lack of air safety standards.

Being under Category 2 means that Philippine carriers cannot expand their US operations. PAL is the only Philippine carrier that flies to the US, with a frequency of 33 flights a week.

"One of the plans of PAL before we were downgraded, as we take delivery of new aircraft, was to fly daily to Guam," PAL President Jaime J. Bautista said in a phone interview.

There will likely be no up-grade within the next six months, contrary to the earlier promise by legislators when they approved the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) bill, he added.

The CAAP bill gives aviation regulators fiscal autonomy to improve services and facilities and keep them up to date with global standards.

PAL flies five times a week to Guam with a 70% to 75% average load factor for a plane with a seating capacity of 156.

Mr. Bautista assured travelers that it will continue to fly to the US territory.

Civil Aeronautics Board Deputy Executive Director Porvenir Porciuncula said the regulator "will try to talk to local airlines" which may serve the route suspended by Continental Micronesia.

Continental Micronesia last week announced the suspension of flights from Saipan to Manila effective July 16, and from Guam to Hong Kong by July 28 and Denpasar (Bali) by October 2.

"While these are very difficult decisions to make, the record fuel costs, combined with lower customer demand in these markets, [led] to the decision to suspend service," Continental Micronesia Chief Executive Mark Erwin said in a statement issued last week. — Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo

Some people take Asiana or China Airlines to the US because of the more generous baggage allowance. Direct flight ang PAL and they have exclusive use of the better airport terminal in Manila so I guess those are among its advantages. I would also like to think (based on experience) that flight attendants on long haul flights provide better service compared to those of United or NW.

Sayang lang talaga iyung downgrading because of the potential revenues from US flights. I read that PAL planned to serve Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Malaki ang demand sa mga cities na ito.

i've seen somewhere people working on the carousel..ng naia3....mukhang go....na ulit...na notice ko lang....things are stirring up again...now that the building near the airport are nearing completion or has been completed already....napansin nyo ba yon....hotel bldgs ba yon...yup yun nga the new buildings that is almost a stone throw away from the t3

@kalbongdad: you must be referring to newport city, directly in front of T3.

yung carousel, asa naia thread.

planned highways, rail system, airport, naval base and bridges:

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/20/96/645611536/n645611536_447464_9664.jpg
Dapat simulan na ‘tong Cavite-Bataan suspension bridge para madali nang puntahan ang Cosco pag full blast na ang operation nito. This will make Mega Manila, Calabarzon, Sangley Point, Clark and Subic all the way to Luisita industrial park a super economic corridor lalo na kung makukumpleto din ang Alabang-Balintawag Skyway, Northrail at Southrail. Metro Luzon Urban Beltway will then be the undisputed economic superpower not only in the Philippines but potentially in Southeast Asia as well.:banana:

Yup, the development across T3 is Newport City of Megaworld. There's even a plan for a shuttle service connecting that development with Eastwood City and the Megaworld development in Fort Bonifacio. The development includes a hotel and condos. That would probably be the airport hotel for T3.

^^ Wow, first time I've heard of a bridge connecting Bataan and Cavite. I hope they go "all out" in the construction of this bridge, meaning 4-6 lanes minimum. This bridge should have a direct highway links to major expressways such as SLEX and SCTEX. This would really spur the development of Bataan and the expansion of Metro Manila. It could become the Greater Manila Bay Area. :D

I just checked Google Earth and the distance from Bataan to Cavite on that path is about 21 kilometers, about the same as the Incheon Bridge. That bridge is expected to cost $1.4 billion. I hope the Bat-Cave Bridge (:D) will be of this scope. I think the Incheon Bridge's cable stayed form would be a better choice.

http://i32.tinypic.com/whz5l1.jpg

...undisputed economic superpower not only in the Philippines but potentially in Southeast Asia as well.:banana:


I can get use to this.
The bridge to becoming an:
ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER!!

:horse:

J.P.

^^ Wow, first time I've heard of a bridge connecting Bataan and Cavite. I hope they go "all out" in the construction of this bridge, meaning 4-6 lanes minimum. This bridge should have a direct highway links to major expressways such as SLEX and SCTEX. This would really spur the development of Bataan and the expansion of Metro Manila. It could become the Greater Manila Bay Area. :D

I just checked Google Earth and the distance from Bataan to Cavite on that path is about 21 kilometers, about the same as the Incheon Bridge. That bridge is expected to cost $1.4 billion. I hope the Bat-Cave Bridge (:D) will be of this scope. I think the Incheon Bridge's cable stayed form would be a better choice.

http://i32.tinypic.com/whz5l1.jpg

Manila Bay Area would be similar to the San Francisco Bay Area. Hahaha. It's nice.

^^ that's incheon. :)

Hahaha!! Bat-Cave Bridge. Good one! :okay:

Dapat simulan na ‘tong Cavite-Bataan suspension bridge para madali nang puntahan ang Cosco pag full blast na ang operation nito. This will make Mega Manila, Calabarzon, Sangley Point, Clark and Subic all the way to Luisita industrial park a super economic corridor lalo na kung makukumpleto din ang Alabang-Balintawag Skyway, Northrail at Southrail. Metro Luzon Urban Beltway will then be the undisputed economic superpower not only in the Philippines but potentially in Southeast Asia as well.:banana:

I was reading this book and the Bataan-Cavite bridge would not just include road but rail as well

Yup, the development across T3 is Newport City of Megaworld. There's even a plan for a shuttle service connecting that development with Eastwood City and the Megaworld development in Fort Bonifacio. The development includes a hotel and condos. That would probably be the airport hotel for T3.

well...mukhang...hinintay lang matapos ang development na yan..before opening the t3....nde ako makapaniwala na coincidence lang yan....hmmmmmm anyway maybe its just a product of my dirty mind ... magiging mutually beneficial naman sa hotel...at airport ang pag open nila ng halos sabay.....

well...mukhang...hinintay lang matapos ang development na yan..before opening the t3....nde ako makapaniwala na coincidence lang yan....hmmmmmm anyway maybe its just a product of my dirty mind ... magiging mutually beneficial naman sa hotel...at airport ang pag open nila ng halos sabay.....


he he he.. ako rin, di me makapaniwala na magoopen na eto this July.. Oh Gush, Im in love with this terminall..... Ohhhhhhh......:lol:

he he he.. ako rin, di me makapaniwala na magoopen na eto this July.. Oh Gush, Im in love with this terminall..... Ohhhhhhh......:lol:

tapos sa July 2 sabihin nila oopppss postponed yet again:lol:...pero mukang eto na talaga, meh task force terminal 3 headed by 'tol mike defensor...

tapos sa July 2 sabihin nila oopppss postponed yet again:lol:...pero mukang eto na talaga, meh task force terminal 3 headed by 'tol mike defensor...

Ha ha ha.... Parang SCETx Clark to Tarlac Section yan. Next year and opening... Pustahan tayo, there will be again another opening date... :)

Associated Press
First Posted 11:21:00 06/19/2008


TOKYO -- Japan Airlines pilots went on strike Thursday after failed talks with management over bonus payments and labor conditions, forcing the cancellation of 34 domestic flights, an airline spokesman said.

The cancellations at Japan Airlines Corp, the country's largest carrier, were the first to be caused by a strike at the airline and affected some 5,000 passengers, company spokesman Soichi Yatsugi said.

The strike will not affect the airline's international flights, he said.

"Managers and pilots could not agree on bonus payment and labor conditions," Yatsugi said.

Pilots of Japan's No. 2 airline, All Nippon Airways Co., also threatened to strike this week, but last-minute talks with the management averted the move.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080619-143575/JAL-pilots-launch-strike-34-domestic-flights-canceled

PAL cuts passenger baggage allowance
http://bworld.com.ph/BW061708/content.php?id=003

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/8666/naiajo7.jpg
Pasalubong — the gifts seemingly required by family and friends from Filipinos who have travelled abroad — will likely be sacrificed to the altar of lower baggage allowances.

RISING FUEL COSTS have forced flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to cut the free baggage allowance for passengers travelling to and from North America.

The new limit is 50 pounds (23 kilos) per piece for two items of checked baggage per passenger from 70 pounds (32 kilos) per piece previously, the airline said in a statement.

"Record-high fuel prices have forced PAL to follow the lead of most major carriers in reducing baggage allowance on trans-Pacific routes as a way of cutting operational cost," the airline said.

The new limits apply to passengers traveling to and from the United States, including Guam and Canada, for tickets issued or reissued from July 1 onwards.

Those scheduled to fly after July 1 but whose tickets were issued before the said date are still entitled to the 70 pound per piece limit.

"The draconian measures are part of efforts by airlines worldwide to stay afloat in the face of surging fuel prices. Oil touched a record $139.12 per barrel in trading last June 5 and currently trades at around $135 per barrel," the airline said.

Rival Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, said it was still reviewing its options before its own measures to reduce operational costs.

"Right now our limit is 20 kilos for domestic and international flights. We are reviewing everything right now but as much as possible we don’t want to (reduce the limit)," Cebu Pacific Vice-President Candice Iyog said.

Other major airlines which have applied the same fuel-saving measure include Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, EVA Airways, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Asiana.

In the US, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Continental Airlines have started collecting fees for baggaged checked in on domestic flights.


Northwest Airlines still has special consideration for its Philippine bound passengers as long as they are a member of the airline's World Perks, still 70 lbs allowed but the size of the luggage has restrictions. A few other countries are allowed 70lbs but the rest were lowered to 50lbs limit.

I love Northwest Airlines and I can fly for free to Hawaii next year if and when I decide to fly there. :)

Road and Rail is even better!

:horse:

J.P.

Dapat simulan na ‘tong Cavite-Bataan suspension bridge para madali nang puntahan ang Cosco pag full blast na ang operation nito. This will make Mega Manila, Calabarzon, Sangley Point, Clark and Subic all the way to Luisita industrial park a super economic corridor lalo na kung makukumpleto din ang Alabang-Balintawag Skyway, Northrail at Southrail. Metro Luzon Urban Beltway will then be the undisputed economic superpower not only in the Philippines but potentially in Southeast Asia as well.:banana:
This will be a megacity!!!

I wouldn't hold my breath for this bridge, it's been shot down by NEDA before, let's concentrate on building the roads and traffic to it first!

On the other hand if Cosco is not pushing through I hope they still push through with the manila cavite expressway, airport seaport development. This is still very worthwhile IMO. Having an airport in the south would compliment Manila and Clark.

If the Skyway is completely finish from Alabang to Balintawak and also the C-6 Tollway and also the Northrail up to Clark/DMIA, the Sangley Point airport will be rendered useless because people from the south will not experience the horrible Manila traffic going to NLEx and DMIA and the travel time by road from Alabang going to Balintawak Toll Barrier of NLEx will be reduced to almost an hour, compared today when using EDSA and the Quirino Avenue-Lacson Avenue-Dimasalang St.-Bonifacio Avenue route. Thus the people from the south will not use Sangley Point Airport as traveling to DMIA will be fast

Good point pero kailangan pa rin i-develop for Calabarzon and the southern provinces. DMIA will cater to people from the north while Sangley Point airport will be for the southerners.

Good point pero kailangan pa rin i-develop for Calabarzon and the southern provinces. DMIA will cater to people from the north while Sangley Point airport will be for the southerners.

Sangley Point should be renamed as either Benigno Aquino International Airport, Fidel Ramos International Airport or any other name once if the airport is expanded as the 2nd Premiere Airport after DMIA.

^^ Northwest Airlines is a Pinoy favorite when it comes to flying to the US.

Sangley Point should be renamed as either Benigno Aquino International Airport, Fidel Ramos International Airport or any other name once if the airport is expanded as the 2nd Premiere Airport after DMIA.

When I see it, this area is better off as a container port since the current one in Manila doesn't not much justice

^^ yes it can be the new container port of Manila with some reclamation. What if we close present container terminal and the south harbor then relocate them to Sangley Point? It would be a good location. Then I suggest that the Port of Batangas and the Port of Subic be merge with the Port of Manila, thus the Port of Manila will have a shallow water port and 2 deepwater ports.

^^ And that's why I fly it going to the US instead of PAL or another airline. For one, Tokyo-Narita as a hub does not appear congested, and Detroit and Minneapolis as hubs aren't as busy as major gateway cities like JFK, ORD or LAX. Plus, cost is a factor.

Northwest Airlines is a Pinoy favorite when it comes to flying to the US.

Because it's the only US airline that flies to the Philippines. :okay:

Hmm....that made me think....amongst NW's SEA destinations from its Asian hub at NRT, which one is the most profitable?

1. MNL
2. SIN
3. BKK

^^ CO also flies to the Philippines (it just happened to be its subsidiary, Continental Micronesia, that does the work).

I think Northwest's most profitable Southeast Asian route is MNL. For one, NW flights are almost always full. Also, NW serves MNL-NGO-DTW and MNL-NRT-LAX, while out of Bangkok and Singapore, there are only flights to Tokyo and Detroit. Besides, given the quality of TG and SQ, Thais and Singaporeans are more inclined to use their national airlines over NW. That doesn't necessarily exist among Filipinos and PR.

^^ True. CS (Continental Micronesia) flies to MNL from GUM, but I was talking of mainline US carriers flying their own aircraft to the Philippines. Also, NW and CO/CS are interline partners on SkyTeam, so their travel connectivity is seamless regardless whether you take the trans-Pacific route (or Polar route) via East Asia, or island-hop it from the US mainland.

How about Hawaiian Airlines and MNL-HNL? HA is also a Northwest partner, although MNL-HNL is good only for WorldPerks mile redemption only. :(

^^ Oh yeah, I forgot about that one! Not much news about HA since it's inaugural flight to MNL from HNL, wonder how it's faring these days now that the hoopla is over.

Mr. kiretoce, can you trace for all of us the thread and/or post about Swiss stopping flights to Manila? I can still remember that there was a SSC forumer who posted pics of a Swiss 343's last flight to MNL.

^^ Okay, will try to dig for it.

Addendum: Preliminary search narrowed it down to Threads 7 and 8. :colgate:

Oops, sorry! :( I never thought you have to dig thread by thread.:(

Air safety standards upgrade 85% complete--DOTC chief (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080620-143885/Air-safety-standards-upgrade-85-complete--DOTC-chief)

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:04:00 06/20/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Inching closer to world-class aviation safety standards, the transitioning Air Transportation Office (ATO) is now 85 percent compliant with to recommendations the United States Federal Aviation Administration made when it flunked the agency during a safety audit last year.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, who is concurrent ATO chief, told reporters Friday that the agency has 15 percent left to accomplish on its compliance checklist before seeking a re-audit from the FAA and an upgrade of the US agency’s assessment of Philippine air safety standards.

The FAA gave the ATO failing grades during an air safety audit last year and downgraded the Philippines into a Category 2 country.

American inspectors found flawed pilot licensing and airworthiness certification procedures, lack of personnel training, un-updated manuals for airworthiness, aircraft and pilot inspection, and even the absence of librarians to keep master copies of these guidebooks.

“We are addressing already that issue. The report of the ATO is that we are already 85 percent compliant [with] the FAA findings, and very soon we are asking for a re-audit,” Mendoza told reporters yesterday following a flight simulation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

He said ATO officials are flying to Washington DC next month to coordinate with FAA officials and formally seek a review of its audit findings last year. The US agency assessed the ATO in 2007 as part of its regular air safety audit of countries that host flights to and from American states and territories.

The agency had vowed in March to complete compliance within three months.

As part of the system overhaul, the ATO won the national legislature's signature on a law reorganizing the aviation body into the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), a fiscally independent organization that shall supplant the ATO and the 1952 law that governs it.

Mendoza said the ATO would be holding public hearings on the CAAP law's implementing rules and regulations. The agency's head, a director general, has yet to be appointed but several names are being considered, he said.

“It really takes a long time because we also have to build the infrastructure [required under the FAA audit], like the computerization of our records, the construction of some buildings,” said Mendoza.

“But from our point of view, we are almost compliant,” he added.

Besides lobbying for an upgrade from the FAA, the ATO is also preparing for an independent audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the global body that recommends air travel regulations.

pangit northwest, oa din yung mga stewardess nila, pangit ng service
mas maganda sa korean at jal

I forgot to post this on Independence Day.:(

tqOGHmL_Mo4
Singapore Airlines 1988 advertisement about a Singapore Girl in San Francisco

At 0:07 you can see a Philippine flag, probably this scene was taken at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco.

I wonder why our flag wasnt waving lol

Sangley Point should be renamed as either Benigno Aquino International Airport, Fidel Ramos International Airport or any other name once if the airport is expanded as the 2nd Premiere Airport after DMIA.
Di ba may NAIA na (for Benigno Aquino)? Hindi rin puwedeng ipangalan kay Ramos dahil buhay pa siya. Maganda rin naman sa pandinig ang Sangley Int'l Airport.:)

Ginamitan kase ng armirol nuong nilabahan tumigas masyado, yon, hindi na magwave..LOL

^^ Armirol, is that the Filipinization of the Armor All brand of starching spray used to iron clothes?

Exactamundo mi amigo!!! But, I use Hammer brand my man! (used to, not anymore)

Wait, armirol is IT already, I don't think there is any brand for it in the Philippines.. he he

they use starch and water. I remember my nannah told me that our great grandma use to "armirol" everything even her bloomers and granny panty...LMAOOOOOOO

See what you did to me? You got me OT here.. shame on you!!

Exactamundo mi amigo!!! But, I use Hammer brand my man! (used to, not anymore)

Wait, armirol is IT already, I don't think there is any brand for it in the Philippines.. he he

they use starch and water. I remember my nannah told me that our great grandma use to "armirol" everything even her bloomers and granny panty...LMAOOOOOOO

See what you did to me? You got me OT here.. shame on you!!we still use it. :D hahaha...

para hindi ot, let's put some of this almirol in our transportation secretary's brain para naman tumigas-tigas at umayos. :lol: puro kalokohan ang sinasabi eh.

^^ Kaya pala talagang diretso ang mga damit mo sa mga camwhoring pics me e. Sige yuong sobra is pahid mo sa utak ni traspo sercy!!! Pakibatukan na rin para sa amin...

we still use it. :D hahaha...

para hindi ot, let's put some of this almirol in our transportation secretary's brain para naman tumigas-tigas at umayos. :lol: puro kalokohan ang sinasabi eh.

wahahaha! teka almirol ba yung liwayway gawgaw? yun kz ginamit ko dati sa white hankie ko during our rotc days in college. sorry for being OT:lol:

Mr. kiretoce, can you trace for all of us the thread and/or post about Swiss stopping flights to Manila? I can still remember that there was a SSC forumer who posted pics of a Swiss 343's last flight to MNL.

While Swiss survived the 911 lull, SARS did it in 2004 ditching its flight finally on March 26, 2004. It once flew direct from Zurich until 2000 when it introduced stop-over in HK due to dwindling traffic. It did introduced additional flight 4x weekly on the booming HK run.:)

^^ Maganda pakinggang ang Sangley International Airport pero malamang Aguinaldo International Airport 'to. :D

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/20/96/645611536/n645611536_447464_9664.jpg

The planned bridge to connect cavite and bataan can go through the islands of corrigidor where they didn' have to dig deeper for its supporting pillars for the bridge. Anyway whatever happened to this plan? Nawala nanaman....

^^ as what i see at the map above, one of the proposed expressway will cut through the dormant mt. mariveles, which is not good. the proposed Bataan-Cavite bridge can have an exit ramp going to Corregidor, the design should be like that of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge.

^^ as what i see at the map above, one of the proposed expressway will cut through the dormant mt. mariveles, which is not good. the proposed Bataan-Cavite bridge can have an exit ramp going to Corregidor, the design should be like that of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge.

I know it doesn't make any sense, but since raja who originally posted that photo and according to him that was all he could remember seeing his friend's photos or blueprint/renderings, so possibly he's also making some mistakes here. If there were really plans to build those bridges and highways then it make a lot of sense to just build it around the mariveles mountains where the real population is residing, hopefully at the eastern part i would say, its closer to manila too. Beside building a tunnel that long is way expensive and no much access to the residents living around the mountanous part of bataan.

I was reading this book and the Bataan-Cavite bridge would not just include road but rail as well

Wht book? Any internet links about that plans? I wanna read and see any renderings about this bridge. Too bad they banned AH-7Raja cuz according to him he knew a person who had those blueprint of that planned cavite-bataan bridge that was shelved by Ramos administration including that laguna de bay bridges or whatever infrastructure it was.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/cavite1.jpg





http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/cavite2.jpg





http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/cavite3.jpg


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/cavite4.jpg

I remembered that a couple of years ago a chinese corporation also wants to
manage Panama Canal and a pier in Los Angeles, CA. But many peoples in those places objected to that plans for reasons of national security.

If a mainland Chinese company will take over Sangley Points which is a former
U.S. Naval and Air Station and now a base of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force, don't you think it will be bad for our national security especially if in the future China flexes it's military muscle. I reckoned COSCO is owned by Peoples Republic of China.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
some comments from Timawa

http://timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=8525.30

News: PMRF Review 2007: http://www.timawa.net/walkarounds/3-6-07/

Philippine Defense Forum
General Discussion
General Discussion
Chicoms want Sangley Point « previous next »
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Author Topic: Chicoms want Sangley Point (Read 967 times)
Ignatius1
Member

Posts: 43



Re: Chicoms want Sangley Point
« Reply #30 on: July 16, 2007, 09:17:17 pm »

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I have to say that I am suspicious of this deal as well. What possible benefit is China looking at as far as establishing a shipping hub at Sangley Point? Is the port of Manila over crowded and unsuitable for their purposes? China has thousands of miles of coastline. Why not find a nice spot somewhere along that coast? Looking at a map, it makes no sense economically. A hub is usually designed as an intermediate point where goods will go to different directions (think FedEx). The sea lanes from China to ports all over asia are not that long and a hub going to the Americas and Europe can just as easily be constructed in China providing shorter distance for goods to reach such a hub (as opposed to transporting all that stuff to a port only to tranfer them on another port).

Will the project benefit the Philippines? I am sure it will. Having someone else pay for such a massive infrastructure project is certainly beneficial. It will create jobs along the way, which will certainly benefit local economies and possibly increase the tax base. What we do not have a clear understanding of is the accompanying adverse impact - usually not readily apparent (especially in light of the fact that the company in question already has baggage associated with it).

As far as Chinese intelligence ops; I think they are already well settled in various parts of Filipino society (government, business, and the military). It is to PRC's advantage that the Philippines remains barely viable. I would not be surprised that in its view having a weak Philippines prevents encirclement from the sea via Japan, Korea, and Tiawan. It is worth noting that the PLAN has been working on its blue water capability for some time now. A country develops such capabilities if it feels threatened, has intentions to expand, or both.

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Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam


http://timawa.net/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=1035192fc5198724f73e08dfb899c089&topic=8650.0

brev
Member

Posts: 77

Re: Sangley port project OK'd
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2007, 03:37:04 pm »

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COSCO the same company caught by US authorities redhanded distributing firearms to gangs in the US?

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The choices we make dictate the life we live.........

philippinestoday
Member

Posts: 382

Re: Sangley port project OK'd
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2007, 03:44:57 pm »

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Quote from: brev on July 20, 2007, 03:37:04 pm
COSCO the same company caught by US authorities redhanded distributing firearms to gangs in the US?


with this and so many other info's regarding the true nature of cosco's business here and elsewhere..the government should and always check them out..I was against this but since only a part of the base will be use for this development, so its ok..But, the facility should be run,much like the way they run subic..filipinos overlooking on every aspect of the port - (just assuming,anyone here have any info to suport my assumptions? )

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Short list for AFP
http://timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=4099.0

I think there is still a chance to build another international airport at sangley point whether or not if COSCO decided to build a subic-style air/seaports there, but it will take us another 20 yrs o so to see this happening and only if DMIA became the next gateway. Because i cannot just really imagine if DMIA become our main gateway int'l airport PERMANENTLY for long whenever they finish the works there. Because it simply too faraway from the capital city of manila.

I brought up this issue before, & now i made a sketch based to what ive seen and partly remember from an engineer's plan a couple of years ago (it may not be the exact drawing):

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/20/96/645611536/n645611536_447373_7904.jpg

Ideally, there would supposed to be a new proposal of building a huge airport at sangley point by reclaiming part of manila bay. Its huge because the AFP will be sharing part of the airport and seaport with a naval base. The chinese were not really part of the original planners to build this ambitious project, it was actually us, not unless if some of those "filipino chinese" businessmen who were part of original planners 10 or 15 yrs ago, are somehow connected with those present chinese who wanted to be part of building this airport.

The new highways, tunnels, and railway system proposals were also part of the original plans including the transformation of the NAIA into a new progressive and business hub downtown manila city. Unfortunately we might not gonna see all of these to be materialized because of the too much corruptions going on in the government.

Anyway, to me this plan is excellent, with those runways facing away from crowded highrise buildings even with the seaport and naval base located just right beside the new airport. Again, there are no official blueprints or renderings on this one.

We'll see... Slowly they are revealing this rumor bit by bits. You people will believe me one day.

:cheers:


I think its not only the corruption that affected that plan if it is really true which i hardly believe right now, unless if i see any reports from that old plan during the ramos administration. The 97 asian flu have surely hit that infrastructure plans and the lack of foreign or local investors. Ngayon pa ngalang din hirap na silang gumawa ng SLEX at NLEX pati yang mga north/south rail project nayan, paano pa kaya ang isang mahabang bridge to connect bataan and cavite. If they can afford it then why not.

BTW, i think it's really a great idea to have an international airport built at sangley point and close the whole NAIA, but its gonna be very expensive because a lot of reclamation will be involved too. Because the Sangley Pt is faraway from the residents and the urbanized manila, less air polution too. Only in the perfect world....

I FINALLY found some truth and leads about what some forumers here (specially to raja) initially posted regarding that planned bridge to be built at manila bay to connect cavite and bataan:




Longest Bridge in the Philippines
The country's longest bridge is the San Juanico Bridge, a steel structure connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. Built in 1973 under the Marcos administration, the 2.16-kilometer bridge crosses over the picturesque San Juanico Strait as a part of the Maharlika Highway. Also known as Marcos Bridge, San Juanico Bridge has 43 spans rising 41 meters above the sea. Bunton Bridge in Cagayan province is said to be the country's second longest bridge.

The title of the longest bridge, however, may soon belong to a bridge, which will be built in the Manila Bay. This cable suspension bridge will link Metro Manila to the provinces of Bataan and Cavite. It will be patterned after the Tokyo Bay Aqualine, which connects Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture to Kisarazu City in Japan.

http://www.txtmania.com/trivia/longest.php


Sorry its OT but since there are no concrete renderings yet about this project, its not worthy to start a new thread, not unless if kiretoce think otherwise.

Any word on new service thanks in part to the bilateral agreement between Canada and the Philippines? It would help for Filipinos in Canada to have another option to get to the Philippines. I know there are nannies who cannot fly through the US, so that rules out Northwest. Their options now include taking PR out of Vancouver, JL through Tokyo, KE through Seoul or AC/CX through Hong Kong. None of which are particularly cheap airlines.

^^
PAL is now authorized to fly daily.:)

Is that true on well Planned for the Connecting Bridge of cavite to Bataan? i want to see those bridge stand in the said project, nice to hear but who is really man behind on this proposed project? actually the Mayor of Korea (just forget the name) will visit this coming week in cavite City and for sure some possible Big investment from Korea is await? let us wait for more info....

^^ And that's why I fly it going to the US instead of PAL or another airline. For one, Tokyo-Narita as a hub does not appear congested, and Detroit and Minneapolis as hubs aren't as busy as major gateway cities like JFK, ORD or LAX. Plus, cost is a factor.

I love Narita, the airport is definitely world class and not congested at all. On my last flight, NRT has an art exhibit on Japanese culture at the departure area. Nice!!! My first flight with Northwest was in 1985, Manila - Narita - O'Hare to JFK, a very long flight.

Mayor of Korea? :tongue2:

Do you mean the Mayor of Seoul?

Mayor of Korea??? :lol:

Baka nga gusto nilang gumawa ng ganitong bridge sa manila bay:
http://i32.tinypic.com/whz5l1.jpg

Yup let's cross our fingers.... Hopefully this means some big investment!

di kaya ma-block ang view ng Manila Bay sunset?

^^^ exactly what i had in mind. we can't have a bridge to block the serenity of the sunset.

If the bridge was ever approved, then the designer should take consideration of that.

I wonder if we add all the monies corrupted by all the politicians and their business cronies ,we can build a bridge like this on our own.

Is that true on well Planned for the Connecting Bridge of cavite to Bataan? i want to see those bridge stand in the said project, nice to hear but who is really man behind on this proposed project? actually the Mayor of Korea (just forget the name) will visit this coming week in cavite City and for sure some possible Big investment from Korea is await? let us wait for more info....

Is it true that a mayor from Korea will be visiting Cavite City? I just drove along Muralla going to the Cavite City Hall and I was surprised to see Philippine and Korean Flags side by side, the one's you commonly would find along Roxas Boulevard when a Foreign Dignitary arrives. By the way, to the moderator, if it's possible, let's rename this they Sangley Point Development Project to be more specific to the project. Peace:goodbye:

Local airlines stick to plans for expansion (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/23/yehey/top_stories/20080623top7.html)

Executives of local airlines said they will not scale down expansion plans, despite the domestic and global economic slowdown plus the soaring food and fuel prices that are threatening the tourism and travel industry.

The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2008, grew 5.2 percent, lower than the government projection of 5.7 percent to 6.5 percent. GDP refers to the total cost of all goods and services produced in the country within a year.

Inflation, on the other hand, has risen to a nine-year high of 9.6 percent in May.

Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines (PAL) president, told The Manila Times that the country’s flag carrier will push through with the acquisition of more aircrafts this year despite the rising jet-fuel prices.

“We have no plans to cancel or defer aircraft orders this year. [Instead] we want to operate more fuel efficient airplanes in response to the rising fuel prices,” he said.

The airline executive said Philippine Airlines expects delivery of four Airbus 320s from July to November and four Q400 also within the year.

And from 2009 to 2011, a fleet of six Boeing 777-300 Extended Range will be delivered to PAL.

Bautista had earlier announced that PAL will spend about $1.4 billion to buy more planes.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific’s vice president for marketing and products, said her company is not canceling any purchases either.

“All scheduled deliveries are on schedule. We have completed our re-fleeting last year. We ended 2007 with 15 brand-new aircrafts,” she said, adding that by end 2008, Cebu Pacific will have a total of 25 planes.

Iyog said that of the 10 brand new aircrafts, four are A320s and six are ATR 72-500s.

World, domestic routes

PAL and Cebu Pacific executives have also said that they will not reduce domestic and international operations.

The flag 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—18 domestic and 25 international. PAL also serves the US, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Middle East routes.

For its part, Cebu Pacific operates flights to 21 domestic destinations and 16 international destinations.

Budget fares

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific earlier announced th at it has reduced domestic fare by 32 percent by absorbing fuel and insurance surcharges to attract more people to fly.

“Right now, what we are avoiding is [for] the travel market to contract because of fuel,” Iyog, said.

Iyog said the airline’s business strategy is to entice more passenger traffic to offset the rising expenses. “We want to grow the market amidst high oil prices. It’s not about market share, but growing the entire market . . . We cannot afford flying empty. Flying with an empty seat is not good for the airline.”

She explained that if the company increases fares, the discretionary traveler will stop flying and the market will shrink, which is not good for the industry.

“It [the fare structure] is not to undercut anyone . . . It’s really because that our kind of business model can sustain this kind of fare structures,” Iyog added.

The company expects domestic and international passenger volume to reach seven million this year from 5.4 million last year.

Iyog added that the strategy would not affect her company’s profitability. “We have factored in all the other business elements . . . We have to properly manage the [seat] allocations.”

The company’s new lower-all inclusive fares include the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12- percent value-added tax.

Rival PAL, in comparison, offers a one-way fare of P88 between Manila and many destinations: Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos and Zamboanga.

Rolly Estabillo, PAL spokesman, said the company’s promo will stimulate demand especially during the lean season, protect and increase the market, and generate additional revenue.

“The idea is that a small margin on a single transaction will eventually translate to substantial profit from strong sales spurred by lowering of the price below the normal level,” he explained. “Higher revenues mean higher profit, for as long as the price of a good [or] service is pegged slightly over the unit cost of producing that same good [or] service. Note that various firms producing the same product have different means of production, thereby the differences in cost structure. Price and profit level then are determined by cost.”

Bautista said PAL’s promo fare offerings are expected to boost domestic tourism and attract more tourists from other countries. “There’s really a demand for low-cost tourism.”

Creation of Aklan airport body sought (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2008/June/23/businessnews2.htm)

Senator Loren Legarda is seeking the creation of the Aklan Airport Authority that would develop fully and oversee the two airports in Aklan province that serve as gateways to Boracay Island.

Legarda's bill said the body would look after the continuous modernization of the Kalibo airport and the Caticlan airport in Malay town.

She said in a press statement that there is a need to constantly build up the two airports, to include adequate night landing and all-weather support systems and equipment, to cope up with the growing demands of travel and leisure, and to support the growth of business activities associated with rapid tourism expansion.

Legarda said she envisions Kalibo airport with a world-class passenger terminal and modern safety and security facilities.

Passengers flying the Manila-Kalibo-Manila, Manila-Caticlan-Manila and the Cebu-Kalibo-Cebu routes have steadily increased, largely due to the continuing increase in Boracay-bound foreign and domestic tourists, she noted.

In 2007, 596,784 tourists arrived in Boracay, up by seven percent from 558,084 in 2006.

Cebu Pacific recently added Cebu-Kalibo to its domestic routes. PAL Express has also launched a Manila-Caticlan service, with 12 flights daily, using 50-seater Bombardier Q300 turboprops.

The Kalibo airport, Legarda said, is one of the country's 10 "international airports" with border control facility used in international flights, and is now getting a massive facelift with the construction of a new P80-million terminal.

The Caticlan airport, also known as the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, is just a "principal Class 2 airport" used for prop and jet aircraft smaller than the B737, A320 or DC9. The airport is now the country's fifth busiest.

The Kalibo airport is operates as a mere division of the Air Transportation Office while the Caticlan airport, as an extension of the Kalibo airport.

Legarda, in Senate Bill 940, proposed that the new airport entity wiould be attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications, and get adequate initial capital from the national government.

I concur with pareng mygz14
SANGLEY POINT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
is a more apropos title to this thread.

It will be more inclusive of other
DEV. PROJs.


:horse:

JP

Cebu-Palawan plane routes open (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/06/21/bus/cebu.palawan.plane.routes.open.html)

With the opening of the Cebu-Palawan route via the Philippine Airline (PAL) Express, a government official is optimistic that the two provinces will be helping each other boost their tourism and trade sectors.

Rep. Abraham Mitra (Palawan, 2nd district), though, believes Cebu will be helping Palawan grow more since the latter’s “tourist arrivals are not even half that of Cebu (annually) and is lacking in tourism infrastructure.”

“While we can be Cebu’s access to Malaysia because we are very close to it, I think this partnership would be more on tourism,” he told reporters who joined the first leg of the four-day PAL-organized familiarization tour in Palawan Thursday.

PAL Express, the new, low-fares brand of Philippine Airlines, has started servicing a single daily flight to Palawan since May 26.

Mitra described the partnership as a way of attracting potential investors to invest in Palawan, which lists unemployment as its top concerns.

He lamented that there is no strong tie-up between the two provinces even in terms of shipping.

However, he said that the capital city of Puerto Prin-cesa, recently reported about 250 applications for small to medium-sized businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and resorts, promising jobs for the locals.

No jobs

“The biggest employer here is the Provincial Capitol and City Hall, or the government. We have no large industries here (yet). Not that we don’t want them but (there is a problem with the) economies of scale. For example, you produce bags here but you don’t have a market. In fact, we only have one mall,” he explained.

But the close to a million Palawenos take pride in being self-sufficient in rice and being able to maintain its tourist attractions—rain-forests, dive sites, mountains, caves, and beaches—as well as its identity as a nature sanctuary.

Mitra admitted that the province is more on environment protection, hoping to strike a balance between preservation and development.

“I think we (can) try to rub off Cebu with our environmental concerns,” he added.

Infrastructure

While it is discouraging mining to improve its terrestrial tourism, Palawan is anticipating the completion of President Arroyo’s plan to cement the roads of the 1.4 million-hectare province as well as establish airports in the towns of Coron and Balabac and improve the existing ones in San Vicente and Puerto Princesa before 2010.

The road, Mitra said, will help ease travel for tourists.

Presently, half of the road going north from Puerto Princesa is “not so good.” He said that they would need more than P200 million to pave and maintain roads.

Mitra also explained that there is a need to build at least four airports to cut short the travel time of tourists and get them to their destination quickly. It will also open to Cebu more choices for flights.

“The airport in Coron is being started. The one in San Vicente is already there as well as Puerto Princesa. These three airports will follow international standards. Balabac is in the south. The airport there is privately funded. It is only identified in the State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo but the funding source is private,” he said.

Coron’s airport is an estimated P2 to P3 billion Korean investment grant while the one in Balabac, which is close to Malaysia, is targeted to attract foreigners, he said.

“The airport in Puerto Princesa, which is in the list of Asian Development Bank-assisted projects, has long been delayed because of bidding problems,” Mitra said.

yup mayor of Korea is visiting cavite City, Mayor Ding jang Gee (not for sure the name) of Dangjin City ,Korea i dont any have camera to take a picture of the said announcement posted in the entrance of Cavite City. those caviteno's who will participate in the Regada festival this coming June 24,08 can see the said poster. as far as i know even the Queen Elizabeth of England already visited the Cavite City in the 90's so this is not new for other respected people around the world to visit the historical City.

di kaya ma-block ang view ng Manila Bay sunset?

I think this is too far to block the manila bay view sunset...

Philippines' TransGlobal to add 767-200 (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/23/224839/philippines-transglobal-to-add-767-200.html)
By Leithen Francis

Philippine carrier TransGlobal Airways, which recently launched services to the Middle East using a Boeing MD-83, plans to also put into operation a Boeing 767-200.

TransGlobal CEO, Tony Kim, says he is currently in the process of purchasing a 767-200 which will be in a two-class configuration with a total of 238 seats.

Kim declines to say who the aircraft will be purchased from and says it will have to undergo a ‘C-check’.

But the aim is to put it into scheduled operation on the Manila Clark-Dubai route before year, he says, adding that the aircraft has the range to operate non-stop to Dubai.

Philippine authorities recently granted TransGlobal traffic rights to serve the Middle East from Clark, an airport outside of Manila.

On 6 June it launched a twice-weekly charter service from Clark to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates via Dhaka in Bangladesh using a Boeing MD-83 in a single-class configuration of 162 seats. It operates this service on behalf of UAE-based carrier Kang Pacific Airlines.

Kim says the MD-83 is dry-leased from an undisclosed company in Singapore which sourced it from an Indonesian airline.

He says the plan is to use the 767-200 for services to the Middle East, because this aircraft can operate there non-stop, and assign the MD-83 to routes within Asia namely the Clark-Singapore and Clark-Bangkok routes.

Longer-term the airline hopes to launch services from Clark to Hong Kong and Macau and also have charters to South Korea, he adds.

It is possible to reconfigure the MD-83 to a two-class configuration, in keeping with the 767, but Kim says he is unlikely to do this because on Asia routes it will mostly be competing against low-cot carriers.

TransGlobal started in 2006 as a dedicated cargo carrier and also operates a Boeing 737-200 freighter, which according to Flight’s ACAS database, is owned by Aergo Capital.

Kim says the 737-200 is mostly used for cargo charters to countries such as Bangladesh, China, Singapore and Thailand.

you mean it will go beyond the horizon if you're from roxas blvd.?

[QUOTE=kiretoce;21966413]Local airlines stick to plans for expansion (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/23/yehey/top_stories/20080623top7.html)

And PAL is negotiating on another 330/340 from another airline to add its fleet. Good news for the once ailing airline getting back and better than its contemporaries. Probably for rounds down under:cheers:

^^^ exactly what i had in mind. we can't have a bridge to block the serenity of the sunset.

di kaya ma-block ang view ng Manila Bay sunset?

You guys are right and maybe that was one of the reason why that plan was shelved.

yup mayor of Korea is visiting cavite City, Mayor Ding jang Gee (not for sure the name) of Dangjin City ,Korea i dont any have camera to take a picture of the said announcement posted in the entrance of Cavite City. those caviteno's who will participate in the Regada festival this coming June 24,08 can see the said poster. as far as i know even the Queen Elizabeth of England already visited the Cavite City in the 90's so this is not new for other respected people around the world to visit the historical City.



So hopefully he brings some new investments there! :)

I think this is too far to block the manila bay view sunset...


I think the sunset will not gonna be blocked that bad anyway because the planned bridge was a Cable Stayed Suspension bridge simlar to the photo and the one in Mactan. Beside its still gonna be a pretty sight if you see the shadow of a suspensin bridge.... But yes, it could also be the reason why it was shelved.... :)

I don't think the Manila Bay Sunset, as seen from Metro Manila, will be blocked by such a project. Normally, when I look at the sunset, it always seems to set behind Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Samat, which are located West of Manila. In my opinion, the bridge, if ever built, should traverse from the tip of Bataan towards the southern towns of Cavite (i.e. Naic, Ternate).

Also, I did a little research on Dangjin, Korea.

It's a small county located at the western coast of Korea, south of Seoul. Cavite City and Dangjin share many commonalities. Both are small local government units surrounded by bodies of water making them good docking sites. Both have historical significance. Dangjin was Korea's ferry town for those who wish to travel to the other side of the Yellow Sea (China in particular) and Cavite City was the site of Galleon Construction and served as a watch tower for those who wish to enter Manila bay and capture Manila. However, while Cavite no longer functions as a harbor city, Dangjin continues to be so. Also, this Korean Gun (County) also boasts of the longest bridge in Korea, the Seohae Grand Bridge (http://www.egypteng.com/projectm/grandnew.asp). Anyway, I hope our Korean friends will help spur development in this city of ours.

The departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Somehow this departure lounge remind me of a bus station.
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL2.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL1.jpg

The departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Somehow this departure lounge remind me of a bus station.
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL2.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL1.jpg

sossy naman ng bus station na yon...

^^^^^^Hehehe perhaps by Philippine standards. Our Greyhound bus station in Downtown Las Vegas is similar to this set up, may not be as spacious but quite similar, rundown and in the older section of Las Vegas.

Narita International Airport waiting lounge by the departure area. Nice and colorful. Last thing you want to see inside an airport are dull and dark interiors. Mind you, Taiwan's international airport is even more impressive than Naritas', bright and colorful as well.

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/nrt.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/nrt1.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/nrt3.jpg

"Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Samat, which are located east of Manila"

Hmmmm, sounds like the film "Krakatoa, East of Java."

they've improved as well, the last time i transited there (granted that was 2001!) it looked like T1 except more crowded!

"Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Samat, which are located east of Manila"

Hmmmm, sounds like the film "Krakatoa, East of Java."

Yeah but Krakatoa is actually west of Java ;)

^^
I think its a classic! Part of its identity. Its no modern airport so what do you expect. You can find similar scenario in older airports.

http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2001/november/lounge.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/27259666_d293be4569.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/69803235_cf99bb765a.jpg?v=0

Here is the view of CDG FRANCE

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/19/110329810_62aab31d39.jpg?v=0

Here is another view of FRA GERMANY

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/276335674_9a0aa631cb.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/272698067_a52ef2497f.jpg?v=0

Now look at the view of AMS NETHERLANDS

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1388/841490606_d29fb7d20d.jpg?v=0
Finally, the view of BCN ESPANA

The departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Somehow this departure lounge remind me of a bus station.
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL2.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/MNL1.jpg

I understand the frustration but I think everybody knew that T1 is really in its sorry state, there is no need to put it down even more really. It's not like you're not of a filipino heritage and once been a filipino. Their pain is our pain because it's inevitable that we all look alike no matter what papers we sign stating our new nationality. Peace. I'm just saddened if there is another filipino who would put down his own country even infront of other foreign nationals, I am not saying it's you but in general.


If you traveled in other US states even like up in Newark international, it's really not the best there is either, it just happen that the building turn older, sometimes we can't reverse once something aged, even human being is the same way.

^^
Good point! Same here!

T3 was supposed to be the solution to the sorry state of T1 but we all know what happened. If the domestic test runs proves to be safe and okay, maybe all the international flights can finally transfer to T3.

Any airport is ok with me as long as they have a tight security and a bathroom inside the departure lounge. :D

The last time I used T2, I had to go out and pass the security check again to get back in after using the bathroom na walang tubig(sira daw yung pump) --- yay!


Here's Baghdad International Airport after the remodeling.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2066809001_a13cb6ebe9.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2117448301_1aeb33d433.jpg

partida, mukang mas maganda pa sa T1, ginera na dun ha...

Alam nyo sa totoo lang, hindi NAIA Terminal 1 ang worst airport na nakita ko----actually after having been to a lot of huge airports, naappreciate ko pa ang size ng NAIA 1 kasi hindi sya mahirap i-navigate/ikutin. Para sa akin, straight to the point ang NAIA 1 dahil sa size nya. Un nga lang, talagang luma na sya, whenever my plane lands at NAIA 1, nalulungkot ako sa itsura nya kasi feeling ko isang lindol lang parang babagsak ang airport na yan. They need to let that airport take a break because yung capacity nya gamit na gamit na, nag-exceed na.


The worst airport I have ever been into is the London Heathrow Airport. Umiinit talaga ulo ko kapag andun ako. My family tries to avoid that airport talaga pero minsan walang choice. Napakagulo, airport staff are not friendly, minsan mali mali ung instructions na binibigay sa yo, palagi pang nahuhuli o nawawala ang baggage mo. I think for a big airport, they are not that efficient and systematic. So no thanks sa malaking airport kung sasakit lang ulo mo.

[QUOTE=mwg12a;21991155]I understand the frustration but I think everybody knew that T1 is really in its sorry state, there is no need to put it down even more really. It's not like you're not of a filipino heritage and once been a filipino. Their pain is our pain because it's inevitable that we all look alike no matter what papers we sign stating our new nationality. Peace. I'm just saddened if there is another filipino who would put down his own country even infront of other foreign nationals, I am not saying it's you but in general.


KOREK KA DYAN! I agree!

I don't think the Manila Bay Sunset, as seen from Metro Manila, will be blocked by such a project. Normally, when I look at the sunset, it always seems to set behind Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Samat, which are located east of Manila. In my opinion, the bridge, if ever built, should traverse from the tip of Bataan towards the southern towns of Cavite (i.e. Naic, Ternate).

Yup, IMO nothing would be blocked in case this project pushes through. It would be a good 25-30km away from the shores of Manila --- too far to cast a shadow even for a bridge as high as PBCom Tower.

Might be a different story for Cavite City though... but it would be better to see the sun set over the bridge than over the troubled waters... :lol:

Passing the bridge, one might have a good view of Corregidor Islands...

[Edit Post]

I stand corrected, Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Samat are located WEST of Manila, instead of what I earlier stated. By the way, the City Government has created an Office for this development. It is located at Samonte Park and shares the same building with the Cavite Tourism Council.

Goodbye for good Philippines, hello China!:lol:

Fraport signs Yunnan development deal
http://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/news.php?NewsID=6331

http://cms.ukintpress.com/UserFiles/Image/PTT/Fraport-works-with-Yunnan-Province.jpg
Right: Dr Wilhelm Bender (left), of Fraport, and Qin Guangrong (right), of China's Yunnan province, have agreed to develop the new Kunming International Airport

Fraport has signed an agreement with China’s Yunnan province to cooperate in the development of the new US$3.38 billion (Yuan 23.3 billion) international airport at Kunming.

Last week, Qin Guangrong, the governor of China’s Yunnan province, met with delegates of Fraport led by Fraport’s executive board chairman Dr Wilhelm Bender to sign the agreement.

“Yunnan’s aviation industry is facing new development opportunities,” says Qin. “We are building three new airports and expanding another six airports. Yunnan provincial government will take effective measures to vigorously push forward the construction of the airports in order to meet the growing demand of the aviation market.”

“Kunming New International Airport will become the air hub gateway connecting China with Southeast Asia and South Asia. Fraport Airport Group is experienced and renowned for its expertise in airport construction and operational management. We are very willing to establish a strategic partnership with Fraport. We hope that the two sides can work together on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win on the new airport’s capital investment, construction, operation, management, etc.”

Bender says, “Fraport will bring not only capital investment but also its management and market development experience to Kunming’s new airport project.”

After the meeting, the provincial state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Yunnan Province signed a formal “strategic cooperation memorandum” with Fraport.

The airport authorities of Hong Kong and Singapore have both reportedly expressed an interest in acquiring stakes in the new airport management company.

^^
I don't actually blamed FRAPORT for the mess in PI for the T3 project. In fairness to them, The company itself is run by honest and competent people. What screwed them is their local counterpart which carried the name PIATCO who promised everything under heavens name. The German people and its government who are investors of FRAPORT only knew what their local counterparts told them. They were kept in the dark as to corruption issues. What they had provided to the project were the funds to finance part of the project and their expertise to run airports. It turned out that their local counterpart doesn't have the money to spend from their pockets to finance the remaining part and most of all the competence and the ability to managed the project squarely. Instead, its local counterpart made circles out of them. The square turned out later a circle.

The Philippine Supreme Courts voided the circle of course because it was supposed to be square and that was what the german people believed that it was really a square as told by its local counterpart. They were finally convinced that what their local counterpart did made was a circle and not square when they were slapped with the arbitration decision in DC against them.:ohno:

guys, any comments on Korean Air, regarding their service etc. ?

^^ What do you want to know about KE?

I remember an article that said Korean Air was one of the most unsafe airlines.

^^uhm, like the seats, are they cramped or spacious?

the food, how good is it?

are they punctual? or prone to delays?

and what about Incheon Terminal, is it navigable? and how much would a trip to downtown Seoul cost me?

thanks in advance...and oh, feel free to pitch in any other info that may not be in my questions :)

korean airlines ba yung na shot down ng USSR pilot?

scary commments...hehehe...pero lately, nag-improve ba?

feel ko kasing i-confirm yung flight, ang mura kasi...imagine 950 USD lang, with taxes na yun...whereas yung sa CX, halos 1400 USD

^^ korean airlines was our first choice(MNL-JFK) but then we learned Asiana is cheaper..:lol:
i didn't have the time to go around incheon, our stop only lasted an hour... it's big tough..:D

korean airlines ba yung na shot down ng USSR pilot?

Yes, that was Korean Air Lines. Since then, the company rebranded itself as Korean Air.

uhm, like the seats, are they cramped or spacious?

the food, how good is it?

are they punctual? or prone to delays?

and what about Incheon Terminal, is it navigable? and how much would a trip to downtown Seoul cost me?

thanks in advance...and oh, feel free to pitch in any other info that may not be in my questions :)

Click on the links for reviews of Korean Air (http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/korean.htm) and [ICN] Seoul-Incheon International Airport (http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/icn.htm). :colgate:

thanks...i did some research myself too...so far so good, i guess it's a go for me :okay:

^^uhm, like the seats, are they cramped or spacious?

the food, how good is it?

are they punctual? or prone to delays?

and what about Incheon Terminal, is it navigable? and how much would a trip to downtown Seoul cost me?

thanks in advance...and oh, feel free to pitch in any other info that may not be in my questions :)

KE has improved tremendously in recent years. I have taken them from IAD to MNL a couple of times and they are great due to their non-stop service to Incheon from IAD making it a one stop service to MNL. The seats are great with PTVs in economy. Service was attentive and the only problem may be that not all FAs are fluent in English, but communication was never a problem.

The flights were on time and transferring in Incheon was a breeze compared to Narita. The terminal is beautiful and I believe has rail/bus service to Seoul. Make sure you check you connection time in Incheon since some connecting flights don't leave until late evening making for a long wait in the terminal.

KE's prices from IAD have gone up quite a bit so I'm surprised that they are cheaper than Cathay.

I understand the frustration but I think everybody knew that T1 is really in its sorry state, there is no need to put it down even more really. It's not like you're not of a filipino heritage and once been a filipino. Their pain is our pain because it's inevitable that we all look alike no matter what papers we sign stating our new nationality. Peace. I'm just saddened if there is another filipino who would put down his own country even infront of other foreign nationals, I am not saying it's you but in general.


If you traveled in other US states even like up in Newark international, it's really not the best there is either, it just happen that the building turn older, sometimes we can't reverse once something aged, even human being is the same way.



Again, the sorry people here are the ones who do not want to admit something is wrong. Im basing this from what I have seen not just in the United States but other countries as well. I have posted my opinion based on what I have seen. Sadly with many Filipinos they would rather look away.

If you people think airport officials are running their facilities properly just look around you. Look at the new-er Terminal 3, you would think airport officials will get their acts together on opening this terminal but up to now its just all talk and no walk.

On my last trip to the Philippines, at the arrival area the ceiling was about to fall off inside the luggage carousel. I dont know where airport officials spend the fees they collect at the airport which is a hefty fee. At least make this airport presentable.

The mentality of the people living in the Philippines is the reason why the country is in a state it is in. No one is to blame but the people residing and running the country. Wake up!!!!

^^
I think its a classic! Part of its identity. Its no modern airport so what do you expect. You can find similar scenario in older airports.




I expect and so do many travellers and not just Filipinos to have a decent airport. The problem with the international airport in the Philippines is not its age but the lack of maintenance which resulted in neglect and rundown facilities.

Just like what I have said, when I arrived this year the leaky ceiling at the luggage carousel was about to collapse. :ohno:

maganda korean airlines, keysa, jal or northwest. ang pangit lang is i had to leave here in chicago i think mga 2oclock yata yun. pero masarap pagkain nila may menu pang pagpipilian at chechekin, di lang yun meron pa silang pineapple juice LOL. o ye i had the best seat too, they bump me to first class, from incheon to chicago. hahaha. this was back in 02, tho, i dont know if theyve changed

actually mas mahal ang korean kesa jal, mula dito (chgo), does anyone know Y, nung pumunta ko dyan nung 06 . i know it was because of the season. well i thought every airline go through that

^^uhm, like the seats, are they cramped or spacious?

the food, how good is it?

are they punctual? or prone to delays?

and what about Incheon Terminal, is it navigable? and how much would a trip to downtown Seoul cost me?

thanks in advance...and oh, feel free to pitch in any other info that may not be in my questions :)


ICN is by far the one of the best airports I've been to.
Other being SFO.

so pag start ng operation ng PAL Express, ano na ang mangyayari sa mga routes ng AirPhil

Maganda ang Incheon, dalawang beses na ako na stranded dun dahil sa snowstorms. :lol:

Korean Air is I think better than JAL and EvaAir, mas maasikaso lang ang taga EvaAir.

Kung ala SIA lang lahat ng commercial flights, ang sarap siguro bumiyahe parati.... (kung may pera.) :D

^^ bakit? SIA ba ang pinaka ok?

^^ SQ and CX are the best in the industry according to reviews and surveys.

;22014789']^^ bakit? SIA ba ang pinaka ok?

To me SIA it is, asikaso nila kami sa ticketing pa lang and even during the flight, panay ang check nila sa mga passengers and the meals are served nicely.

On Cathay, I was still young then to remember the inflight service. Naalala ko lang nuon yung kita ko yung sampayan sa HK at lagabag na landing sabay liko. :lol: or yung biglang liko sa ere then landing then liko -- hahaha!

thanks for the info, sabagay kahit yung smaller sister ng SIA na SilkAir ay ok din talaga ang service :) lagi din nagseserve ng meal (asar lang at medyo di smooth ang flight so wala akong gana kumain :lol:)

So does SilkAir has this touch of SQ's famed service?
I wonder how is 5J's services for international flights? It seems that I have this impression that they have the same service as of their domestic flights.

What about other LCCs in the region like Tiger Airways and Air Asia?

according sa friend ko na kabbyahe lang ng DVO-SIN

SilkAir :okay:
5J :puke:

well cramped nga naman kasi ang upuan sa 5J, tapos mahal pa ng pagkain na benta...P100 for nissin cup noodles? WTF! lol

tapos pagdating mo singapore sa budget terminal ka so maglalakad ka from the plane unlike SilkAir na ChangiT2

pero enjoy ako nung hinatid ko barkada ko sa airport last week, kasi daming pinoy at bisaya sa terminal hehe feeling ko nasa pinas ako

On Cathay, I was still young then to remember the inflight service. Naalala ko lang nuon yung kita ko yung sampayan sa HK at lagabag na landing sabay liko. :lol: or yung biglang liko sa ere then landing then liko -- hahaha!

Here's a vidclip of an LH 747 flight landing at HKG's old Kai Tak airport. Notice the steep banking turns on the final approach before landing on the runway. A white-knuckle ride indeed to the uninitiated. :colgate:

PUyNg8jXIgQ
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUyNg8jXIgQ)

Aww....I miss Kai Tak. :cry:

;22016607']according sa friend ko na kabbyahe lang ng DVO-SIN

SilkAir :okay:
5J :puke:

well cramped nga naman kasi ang upuan sa 5J, tapos mahal pa ng pagkain na benta...P100 for nissin cup noodles? WTF! lol

tapos pagdating mo singapore sa budget terminal ka so maglalakad ka from the plane unlike SilkAir na ChangiT2

pero enjoy ako nung hinatid ko barkada ko sa airport last week, kasi daming pinoy at bisaya sa terminal hehe feeling ko nasa pinas ako

Di talaga ako nakakaiwas sa isang flight na walang seaman or DH or OFW sa loob ng eroplano, may it be bound for MNL, CEB, ILO, DVO, etc. :D

But I think SIN is the second most visited (or passed by) city from MNL after HKG...and 2nd busiest international route from Pinas after again from HKG. I forgot where I heard this figure.

^^ well sa Davao, pinakamarami ata ang flights papuntang Singapore versus Hongkong since 5J lang ang nagseserve ng Davao-Hongkong (not sure about the frequency though)

pero siguro nga overall mas lamang ang hongkong kasi diba less than 2 hours lang ang hongkong-manila?

^^ Para kasing ginawang hub ang SIN at HKG ng mga Pinoys to different destination, given the "hub-and-spoke approach."

^^ Para kasing ginawang hub ang SIN at HKG ng mga Pinoys to different destination, given the "hub-and-spoke approach."
totoo yan, nung papunta ako dito, marami akong kasabay na may connecting flight

nalaman ko kasi habang naglalakad kami bigla nag kumpulan ang mga kasama ko sa plane tao dun sa flight status board, kanya kanyang hanap ng gate ng connecting flights nila..ako naman si engot naki tingin din :lol:

But I think SIN is the second most visited (or passed by) city from MNL after HKG...and 2nd busiest international route from Pinas after again from HKG. I forgot where I heard this figure.

PR has 4 flights daily to HKG from MNL, and 3 flights daily to SIN from MNL.
SQ has 3 flights daily to MNL from SIN.
CX has 5 flights daily to MNL from HKG.

MNL-HKG (vv) = 9 flights daily between PR and CX.
MNL-SIN (vv) = 6 flights daily between PR and SQ.

Another scary Kai Tak landing

fv_QYd2CRkg

As they say "Any aircraft landing that you can walk away from is a good landing" or else, you might NOT be able to talk about it. :lol:

Singapore Airlines ok sya! Cathay Pacific ok din!

Cebu Pacific - Last January 2008, my family and I went to Boracay via Kalibo. To my dismay, wala silang infant seatbelt for my 1 1/2 year old. Sabi ko bakit wala, sagot lang ng flight attendant na wala daw sila talaga seatbelt for infants, kaya kakandungin ko nalang daw at hawakan ung bata. Tapos nung pabalik sa Manila, we experienced turbulence tapos hindi nakaseatbelt anak ko dahil wala nga silang infant seatbelt....Sandali, di ba seatbelts are a MUST sa airplane kahit pa infant seatbelt lang ito.....kung ganun hindi sila nagcocomply sa batas.....I have never been to an airplane na walang seatbelt for infants, dito lang sa 5J.

Seatbelts are not designed for toddlers. That is why you don't pay for it because you carry and hold it. If it is 2 years old and above you pay for its seat and then they will wear seat-belt as part of aviation regulation. Those regulations vary around the world except the mandatory ones and toddler belts is not one of them.

^^dapat siguro lagyan nila ng bassinet...

* * *

maganda talaga yung service nung CX, like ngayong pag-uwi ng lola ko, na-delayed sila sa JFK at na-stranded sa HK dahil bumagyo, pero super asikaso sila ng CX

guys, any comments on Korean Air, regarding their service etc. ?

Don't fly Korean. Instead, take Asiana (ehem Skytrax five-star airline).:D

I'm kinda shocked to know that there are a lot of SSC forumers who love CX. Well, it's not surprising (my post is ironic) because Philippines is a CX country, as Indonesia is to SQ. From what I've observed, SQ is the risk-taker and the trend-setter. CX just waits for something and goes for it if proven to be wise and right. SQ and CX had this some sort of war from 80s to 90s: Singapore Girl versus the Cabin Crew from 10 Asian lands, and a lot more. SQ won, a long time ago.:D

^^Asiana does not fly to Toronto kasi :(

nice option din sana ang SQ, but they dont fly from Cebu either :(

^^ SQ's wholly owned subsidiary, Silk Air (MI), flies to CEB from SIN.

kainis...my tita called up, and she apparently managed to convince my mom and just recently, my lola that i should take CX...grrr...meron na sana akong plans for my 15-hour stop-over sa Seoul...(although meron din naman akong 8 hours dun sa HK...pero ayokong mamasyal ng HK...gusto ko sa korea...grrr...) :mad:

^^ You can reason out that KE is much cheaper than CX, according to the fare quotes you got.

^^i won them over to my side na...

i should work for the government and do peace negotiations :D

^^ Good for you! :okay: So, when are you leaving for Toronto?

september pa...still waiting for my board exam results and also for the off-peak season (para makatipid sa airline rate...hehehe)

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW062608/pal.jpg

PAL’s low-cost brand widens Cebu network, won’t fire workers yet
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW062608/content.php?id=048

MACTAN, Cebu — PAL Express, the low-fare brand of Philippine Airlines, will add five new routes to its Cebu network on July 1, as it lures more Filipinos to travel locally by air.

The addition will double the reach of its main hub and expand the PAL domestic network to 30 routes across 21 destinations nationwide, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The new services will be between Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Ozamiz, Cebu and Dipolog, Cebu and Zamboanga, and Zamboanga and Davao.

"With four more important routes between Cebu and as many Mindanao points, plus one key intra-Mindanao route, we are giving our Cebu-based passengers further options in their travel itineraries, and at lower fares at that," PAL President Jaime J. Bautista said.

The Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Zamboanga-Davao services will all operate daily, while the Ozamiz service will fly four times weekly and the Dipolog service, three times weekly.

All will use modern, 76-seater Bombardier Q400 turbo-prop aircraft, the flagship of the PAL Express fleet.

The low-fare brand was launched on May 5 to protect its market share amidst costly fuel and stiffer competition.

PAL Express has undergone rapid expansion since launching less than two months ago. The addition of the five routes widens the brand’s network to 11 routes out of its Cebu base and 13 overall, counting two routes from its secondary hub of Manila.

PAL Express already operates flights of varying daily frequencies between Cebu and Bacolod, Butuan, Boracay (Caticlan), General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban. The Cebu hub was inaugurated only on May 19.

From Manila, PAL Express flies eight times daily to Boracay and daily to Busuanga in Northern Palawan.

More destinations and routes will be added to the network in the coming weeks as PAL Express takes delivery of its aircraft, the company said.

In all, the unit will operate a fleet of nine Bombardier turbo-props, six Q400s and three Q300s. Five of the nine aircraft are already in service, with the latest Q400 joining the fleet just this week.

Also yesterday, PAL said it does not plan to lay off workers yet despite rising fuel costs.

Felix J. Cruz, PAL vice-president for marketing, said they would try to continue providing free snacks, coffee and water on their flights.

The company, however, is threatened by a potential decline in air travel because of higher fares.

"We hope demand [for air travel] will not go down because fares are going up and there’s a threshold for passengers when it comes to travel costs. People might postpone travel," he said on the sidelines of a tourism convention in Cebu City yesterday.

PAL earlier said it would cut the free baggage allowance of passengers on trans-Pacific flights starting July 1 to cope with rising fuel costs.

The new limit is 50 pounds (23 kilos) per piece for two items of checked baggage per passenger from 70 pounds (32 kilos) per piece.

Mr. Cruz also said they were cutting weight on board to reduce fuel consumption. Instead of every crew member bringing a manual, for instance, only one is brought on board every flight. They are also reducing the volume of water carried on board.

"The fuel price is a big problem. We have to cut costs and be more efficient because we don’t want to pass on to our customers the oil price increase. We have to reduce weight because weight means fuel burned," he pointed out.

He said PAL’s cost-cutting measures would not compromise flight safety. He added that the company does not have plans yet to let go of any of its estimated 8,000 employees here and overseas.

"We can’t reduce the number of crew members on board every flight. Of course, all these [cost-cutting measures] have to be within safety limits," Mr. Cruz said. — with Marites S. Villamor

PAL’s low-cost brand widens Cebu network, won’t fire workers yet


That headline makes you do a double-take. Expanding network, yet they're thinking of laying-off (which is a better term than "firing," IMO) some of their workers? What kind of thinking is that? :ohno: ( :nuts: )

september pa...still waiting for my board exam results and also for the off-peak season (para makatipid sa airline rate...hehehe)

Enjoy the flight and the Bibimbap! (http://www.japannewbie.com/?m=200602) :)

Passenger shipping industry drowns while budget airlines fly high (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=122995)

While overloading used to be an easy culprit in most sea mishaps in the Philippines involving passenger liners, the case of the recently capsized Princess of the Stars shows that traveling by sea is not the primary choice to reach any of the archipelago's over 7,100 islands anymore.

The ill-fated Sulpicio Line ship plying the primary Manila-Cebu route had a capacity of 1,992 passengers, excluding crew members. But when it encountered rough waters during a typhoon and capsized in June 21, it was only carrying over 700 passengers and more than a hundred crew members.

It means the massive 23,824-ton ship was going ahead with an expected business-as-usual day with just about 40 percent load.

Compare that with another ship also owned by Sulpicio Line, the M/V Dona Paz, which sank in 1987 after colliding with a small oil tanker. Its weight was just 2,215-ton, a fraction of M/V Princess of the Stars'.

M/V Dona Paz had a capacity of only 1,518 passengers, but after the tragedy it was found to be carrying more than twice what it was allowed. Investigations following its sinking showed that it was overloaded and up to 4,375 people onboard died. It has gone down in history as the worst maritime disaster during peacetime.

The M/V Dona Paz tragedy, however, occurred during the Christmas holidays, a peak season in the travel industry. M/V Princess of the Stars, on the other hand, was traveling during a traditionally low season.

Nonetheless, transportation industry observers note that a 40 percent load factor even during an off-peak season is low.

This could be explained by recent realities in the inter-island shipping industry and the dynamics in the overall transportation industry in the Philippines, especially those that occurred in the past three years.

Flying more affordable

The changes in the inter-island transportation were not due to competition among passenger liners themselves. The threat came from substitutes.

It started in 2005 when Cebu Pacific, a local airline which used to compete with legacy and full-service airline, Philippine Airlines, changed its business model and decided to follow a growing trend among the global aviation players—it converted into a low-cost, no-frills airline.

Cebu Pacific and other local carriers were born after the aviation industry in the Philippines was deregulated during the Ramos administration in the nineties.

Cebu Pacific dramatically dropped its fares for various domestic destinations by reducing turnaround time, thus increasing per-plane utilization. In other words, its planes were up in the air most of the day, which meant more revenue per passenger. It also reduced operating cost by removing traditional freebies, such as complementary food. They computerized ticketing and offered lower fares for early bookers.

In other words, it was going for volume. Eventually, other local airlines followed suit. Now, PAL Express, Asian Spirit, and Southeast Asian Air are also offering more affordable plane fares to local and international destinations.

Budget airlines proved to be a hit as more flying passengers increase every year. The increases in airline passengers did not only account for new—and more frequent—inter-island hoppers, it also meant passengers who were on budget and considered flying a luxury now have an alternative mode of transport.

Depending on the season and timing of purchase, a round trip plane fare between Manila and Cebu could go as low as P3,000. In the past, round trip boat fares on the same route hovered between P4,000 to P8,000. But even at reduced rates of up to a little over P2,000, the small difference with the cost of flying have enticed some to convert.

The airlines could afford to offer these low fares after they adopted a sophisticated pricing strategy that guided budget carriers in allocating more discounted seats during the lean months of June to October to improve their load factor, or the measure of how full the aircraft is. Thus, even on lean months, Cebu Pacific's load factor can go as high as 80 percent.

Flying budget airlines is not only more affordable now, it is also more convenient. A Manila-Cebu boat ride, for example, takes almost a day. A plane ride, on the other hand, takes just over an hour.

Richard Pinkham, a Singapore-based aviation expert previously with the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, explained to abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak what this means to the customers: "If you can lure a new passenger onto an airplane with a super low fare, then it will be harder for that person to accept a long ferry ride in the future. They may return to the airplane even though the price has gone up."

Diminishing sea passengers

The diminishing trend in the number of people taking sea craft as a means of transport was evident in the decreasing growth rates. According to the Philippine Ports Authority data, in 2005, overall recorded passengers taking sea-based transport grew by only 2.55 percent. It has been downhill since.

In 2006, total sea craft passengers dropped by 8.27 percent. That's only 42.56 million passengers for the entire year. Data for 2007 is expected to show that passenger counts plunged deeper.

The business decisions of market leader and publicly listed Aboitiz Transport Services in 2007 provided indications on where this industry is headed. The dramatic reduction in their passenger loads cut their revenues up to 30 percent in 2007.

To adapt, they have converted several of their passenger-cargo lines, under the Superferry brand, to accommodate more cargo than passengers.

This means shipping companies such as Aboitiz Transport and Sulpicio lines have joined another competitor—the government-backed roll-on-roll-off (RORO) operations, which resulted in lower operating costs not only for cargo operators but also as another substitute for passengers who still could not afford flying.

Roro is less expensive for those involved in the cargo business because of its multi-port approach. For example, a Roro boat that leaves the Batangas port can pass by various smaller islands, such as Mindoro and a few more islands, which are not traditionally serviced by other big boats because business there used to be not as brisk as, say the likes of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, where there are more commercial activities.

Roro, which was launched in 2003, has since led to changes in areas and islands that used to be left behind in terms of economic development. According to Henry Basilio, a transportation export from the University of Asia and the Pacific, cargo traffic for Roro vessels in 2003 was only at 30,000 metric tons. He said this has since increased exponentially to 240,000 metric tons recently.

Poorer customers take sea-based transportation

Several short-haul inter-island ferries have also increased their business as cargo and passengers between two nearby islands have increased. These routes are usually serviced by fastcraft ferries that could carry a few hundred passengers.

Basilio said the Roro is also cost competitive for passengers. Roro vessels carried only 130,000 passengers in 2003, and has since skyrocketed to about 700,000 passengers in 2007.

"The winner in this case is the riding public. The competition not just among the shipping liners’ peers but from other modes of transport as well," Basilio said.

Basilio said that the budget airline industry has eaten into the first and second class passengers of the shipping industry. "Those who still could not afford the few hundreds or thousands of peso difference between a plane and ferry fare are still taking the latter."

These include housemaids from the southern part of the country who are working in Metro Manila or students from the south studying in universities in Metro Manila.

"Domestic sea passengers in the country are mostly the C and D crowd or low-income group of the society," Basilio said.

Passengers are gravy
Shipping companies which ply longer inter-island distances, such as Manila-Cebu and Cebu-Zamboanga, among others, are traditionally not dependent on revenues from passengers alone.

"Passengers are just their gravy," Basilio said. "They [shipping companies] really earn their dough from their cargo business."

These liners derive about 70 percent of their revenues from cargo and about 30 percent from passengers, Basilio explained.

Historically, ships carry passengers onboard because it translates to scheduled departures and specific routes, elements that assure a cargo client that he could plan and manage the movement of his goods.

This 70:30 ratio is almost similar to that of long-haul commercial passenger airlines, which also carry cargoes in their bellies. Electronic shipments are particularly sensitive to delivery timing, since electronic companies require limited transportation lead time from the port of origin to their destination.

Bigger, better ships

Nonetheless, the different alternative modes of transportation for passengers have wreaked havoc on shipping companies' previous plans and investment strategies. When sea travel was still the preferred mode of inter-island transportation, especially between Manila and the regions of Visayas and Mindanao, the players, such as Aboitiz Transport and Sulpicio Lines, were forced to improve the quality of their service to passengers.

Improvement in the quality of service meant the introduction of new facilities and amenities on board, and improvement or upgrading of facilities in passenger accommodation and in ticketing and booking facilities.

Improvement and upgrading of facilities resulted in the modernization of the domestic fleet. Bigger and better vessels were acquired starting in the nineties. M/V Princess of the Stars, which was acquired for $5.25 million in 2004 and was the newest and most technologically advanced in the fleet of Sulpicio Lines, featured spa services, a karaoke lounge, a pool and a game room on board.

But these investments were based on expectations of increase in demand, which did not materialize. Shipping companies, such as Aboitiz Transport and Sulpicio, have since reduced their fleet and rationalized their operations to adjust to the changing transportation game.

Nonetheless, M/V Princess of the Stars, which had a gross tonnage of 23,824, was meant as a Roro vessel. Its cargo operations meant it was important to be at its destination as scheduled.

kainis...my tita called up, and she apparently managed to convince my mom and just recently, my lola that i should take CX...grrr...meron na sana akong plans for my 15-hour stop-over sa Seoul...(although meron din naman akong 8 hours dun sa HK...pero ayokong mamasyal ng HK...gusto ko sa korea...grrr...) :mad:

Can you even get out of the terminal building especially if you are not a US or canadian citizen? Unless Korea does not require visas for filipino citizens, I don't think you will be allowed to leave the terminal building unless it is an unavoidable situation where you have to stay in a hotel overnight to catch another flight the following day....

Singapore Airlines ok sya! Cathay Pacific ok din!

Cebu Pacific - Last January 2008, my family and I went to Boracay via Kalibo. To my dismay, wala silang infant seatbelt for my 1 1/2 year old. Sabi ko bakit wala, sagot lang ng flight attendant na wala daw sila talaga seatbelt for infants, kaya kakandungin ko nalang daw at hawakan ung bata. Tapos nung pabalik sa Manila, we experienced turbulence tapos hindi nakaseatbelt anak ko dahil wala nga silang infant seatbelt....Sandali, di ba seatbelts are a MUST sa airplane kahit pa infant seatbelt lang ito.....kung ganun hindi sila nagcocomply sa batas.....I have never been to an airplane na walang seatbelt for infants, dito lang sa 5J.

Seatbelts are not designed for toddlers. That is why you don't pay for it because you carry and hold it. If it is 2 years old and above you pay for its seat and then they will wear seat-belt as part of aviation regulation. Those regulations vary around the world except the mandatory ones and toddler belts is not one of them.

I dont think there is any passenger aircrafts or airlines that provides infant seatbelt, you do have to keep your infant on your lap and/or provide your own belt extender to be placed around the infant's waist or torso with a 3 -point contact. Otherwise, if you buy a seat for the infant, you will have to put the infant in a carseat, strapped in there as you would strap it at the backseat of your car. I know this because I have been through it many times before when we travel around the US, Canada, europe or the philippines with an infant. Now, 2 y/o to 3 or 4 is considered a toddler, a walking stage and preschool age, you will have to get the child seated and pull the seatbelt on the child snag enough to hold the child, just as a child on her/his own or you can "again" bring your own carseat or booster seat, then buckle him/her up. That is the FAA mandate for a traveling infants and toddler...

^^
That is not quite accurate. So is my previous post which is couched in general terms. I post this again for specifics and clarity. Below are the rules adopted by United and other US airlines. Some are FAA mandated regulations. Again, it is valid only in North America and does not apply in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and South America. Australia has similar rules with Europe. International Aviation Regulations are however valid anywhere such as international travel and child safety. The rest are FAA crap.

RULES ON TRAVEL FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS (http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1051,00.html)

Infant fares
One child less than 24 months of age may travel free within the U.S., between the U.S. and Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and between the U.S. and Canada when accompanied by an adult and not occupying a separate seat. Applicable taxes for travel to and from Canada apply.

For international travel, a ticket must be purchased. Often a discounted fare will apply, depending on the international destination. One adult customer traveling with more than one infant must purchase an adjacent seat for each additional child, at the applicable fare. Additional children must be properly secured in their seats. A passenger must be at least 18-years-old to hold an infant as a lap child.

Passengers with newborns and infants may be required to show proof of age in order to travel. Newborns up to 7 days old require a doctor’s authorization to travel.

Booking a seat for an infant
There are two options when traveling with an infant (child under 2 years of age):

* Infant not occupying a seat (Lap child)
For travel within the U.S., between the U.S. and Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and between the U.S. and Canada, infants are not required to occupy a seat. However, your reservation must be documented as having an infant in seat. If you decide to fly with an infant in your lap, book your reservation and then advise that an infant will be traveling on your itinerary.

For international travel, an infant may be required to have a ticket to travel as a lap child. Contact Reservations for details on how to purchase a ticket for your infant.
* Infant occupying a seat
For travel within the U.S., including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, and between the U.S. and Canada, you may purchase a separate seat for your infant for increased comfort. Infants occupying a separate seat are subject to the full adult fare.


Child safety seats
You may use an approved infant car seat on board the aircraft when you purchase a seat for your child. The seat must be an FAA-approved child safety seat device.

If manufactured after February 1985, the car seat should also be certified for use in aircraft. You should seat your child in the child safety seat for takeoff, landing and during turbulence.

The FAA has approved the use of a child safety restraint system for travel. The system, named “CARES”, uses an additional belt and shoulder harness that goes around the back of the seat and attaches to the lap belt. Children weighing between 22 and 44lbs may use this device. More information is available at www.kidsflysafe.com.

The following child restraint devices may not be used on board the aircraft: booster seats, belly belts which attach to adult seat belts only, and vests or harnesses which hold the infant to the chest of the adult.

Bassinets
Bassinets are provided, free of charge, on all international aircraft (747, 767 and 777). When confirming your reservations, you may request a seat in an appropriate location for bassinet usage. These bassinets are large enough to hold a child up to approximately six months old. They may not be used for takeoff, landing, or any time the fasten seat belt sign is illuminated.

Changing tables and diapers
We recommend that you have an adequate supply of diapers for your trip. Changing tables are available on certain types of aircraft. Your flight attendant will direct you to the proper lavatory.

Seating
If you are traveling with an infant or any child under 15 years old, you cannot sit in a designated exit row, in keeping with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Only one infant per each grouping of seats on the aircraft is acceptable due to the availability of oxygen masks.

Strollers

Strollers may be checked to your final destination without a fee, in addition to your free baggage allowance.

Children can be transported in their stroller throughout the airport. However, strollers must be checked at the gate. The stroller will be delivered to you at the aircraft door upon request at your connecting city or destination.

United highly recommends using an umbrella stroller when traveling. Umbrella strollers may be accommodated onboard the aircraft when space permits in place of your carry-on bag. Large-sized, non-collapsible, or heavy strollers are awkward and facilities are not designed to accommodate these type of items. United is not responsible for damage that occurs to strollers that are not packaged in a box and checked at the check-in counter.

General information
We recommend that you bring your child's favorite toy, coloring books and storybooks. We also recommend that you give your child something to eat or drink when the plane is taking off and landing. This may help alleviate ear pain caused by the pressure as the cabin adjusts to the altitude.

Would it be possible that all Tiger Airways flights going to/from Singapore-Manila are fully booked for the week before Christmas and the first week of January this early? I've been trying to check for flights from their website since May but my search would always say Sorry, the flight you have selected is either fully booked or does not depart on or between Sun, 21 Dec 08 and Tue, 23 Dec 08/Sun, 04 Jan 09 and Tue, 06 Jan 09.

@arianspace, that is pretty much what they said. they used the term "harness". airline companies does not provide them but there is an FAA approved harness and carseats which is available out there such as airlines "skysmall" where you can order these products. The basinettes are usually folded cardboard boxes for neonates up to 6 mos old that is usually laid down on the floor, normally at seatrows just infront of the big screen monitor(such as 747 type aircrafts) and they are not usually fastened. you can pick up the infant if you want and hold them on your lap upon take off or landing.

I believe there is still a flaw on that mandate as far as infants in bassinette, because in an emergency situation, you have to lay the infant down unstrapped on the floor in a basinnette. In the case of a NWA flight crashed in the early 90s i believe, the plane crashed upon landing at an airport, the plane broke in several parts, everybody survived except that one infant because the flight attendant commanded the mother to put the infant in the basinnette instead of her holding the baby. The result? The baby went flying up in the air during the crash, killing him instantly... they haven't made much changes in that part as far as I know...

^^
Its part of the FAA crap. No wonder Euro counterparts don't always agree with them. Anyway, it was supposedly used for passenger comfort and convenience on long haul flight. As I've said there are rules for domestic and international travel involving infants and toddlers as there are for short and long haul flights. But there is only one universal rule for emergency situation and that is in a brace position which require passengers to hold babies and toddlers in front of them without the aid of any other fasteners. When old rules are perfect, they never go out of style. Convenience and comfort wise, airline services vary.

My guess on that accident most probably convinced FAA to adopt and integrate this...

Bassinets
Bassinets are provided, free of charge, on all international aircraft (747, 767 and 777). When confirming your reservations, you may request a seat in an appropriate location for bassinet usage. These bassinets are large enough to hold a child up to approximately six months old. They may not be used for takeoff, landing, or any time the fasten seat belt sign is illuminated.

I dont think there is any passenger aircrafts or airlines that provides infant seatbelt, you do have to keep your infant on your lap and/or provide your own belt extender to be placed around the infant's waist or torso with a 3 -point contact. Otherwise, if you buy a seat for the infant, you will have to put the infant in a carseat, strapped in there as you would strap it at the backseat of your car. I know this because I have been through it many times before when we travel around the US, Canada, europe or the philippines with an infant. Now, 2 y/o to 3 or 4 is considered a toddler, a walking stage and preschool age, you will have to get the child seated and pull the seatbelt on the child snag enough to hold the child, just as a child on her/his own or you can "again" bring your own carseat or booster seat, then buckle him/her up. That is the FAA mandate for a traveling infants and toddler...



Well I live in Europe and all the airlines I have been into here, even the budget Ryannair provides infant seatbelts/belt extender whatever you call it. All the time. That is for 2 year olds and below I mean.

OT:

PAL Landing in LAX.. "Kiss landing"....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sLJ8ktI0mc

smooth as silk.... :)

PAL FA Charmie.... with nice Filipina voice... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7S-uQk0_mw

bloopers at 03:40.. :lol: :lol:

another FA of PAL... Manila to Xiamen...

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

bloopers at 03:38 ... :lol: :lol:

^^ Nice Xiamen short clip also... plus the blooper... hehehe!

^^
As I was saying, infant and toddler amenities are for comfort and convenience of the passenger. They are not required as mandatory. But you may asked for them in some flights. Its not generally available in all EU flights. Of course you have to pay for it. When you are on tight budget, its better for you carrying the baby on your lap than paying extra fare for the seat beside you.

Rules on Travel with infants in the UK (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/child/public/en_gb#infant)


* Infants are those under two years old at the time of travel.
* The youngest age an infant can be to travel is 48 hours old. We also advise you to ensure that the treating doctor agrees to the infant traveling.
* An infant fare is charged at 10% of the adult fare when the infant does not have his/her own seat, but sits on an adult’s lap.
* If you want your infant to sit in his/her own seat (they must be between 6 and 23 months), you will be charged the child fare. This cannot be booked online. Please contact your airline office if you wish your infant to have their own seat. You will need to ensure that you have a suitable car seat or have requested one from us for your child to travel in.
* There must be one adult accompanying each infant seated on an adult’s lap.

- if one adult wishes to travel with a second infant, this is only possible if the second infant is aged between 6 and 23 months, he/she must be seated in an approved car-type seat and we will charge the child fare

- if the second infant is under 6 months you must travel with a second accompanying adult or a British Airways escort for which there is a charge

* Find out more about infant seats and carrycots

Children

* Children are those over two and under twelve years old at the time of travel.
* We offer a limited number of discounts for selected shorthaul routes.
* For longhaul flights we charge 60% to 80% of the adult fare, depending on your departure gateway. Please refer to your price quote for full details.

All airlines reserve the right to request documented proof of age of any infant or child. Most airlines to not let infants less than 7 days old to fly.

SOME Q & A's YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN TRAVELING WITH CHILD IN EU (http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/British_Airways/infants.php)

Do I need to reserve a seat for my infant?

Children up to 2 years old (24 months), are not required to have their own seat. You must, however, inform the airline that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap. Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 15 years of age.

Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.

You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.

Will I pay for my infant to travel domestically?

Yes, a child up to 2 years old (24 months) is usually charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes, even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.

Will I pay for my infant to travel internationally?

Yes, a child up to 2 years old (24 months) is usually charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes, even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.

What if my child turns 2 on the trip; will I have to buy a ticket for the return flight?

Yes, a ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.

What types of child restraint devices are allowed?
Country: Certification: Details:

United States
US FMVSS #213
or
Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA)
Manufactured after 26 February 1985; red sticker bearing text "This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft" and “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

Manufactured before 1985; it must state “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

Canada
Transport Canada


European Union
Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)

Germany
TÜV: TÜV/958-01/2001

U.N.
United Nations ECE R 44-03 (or later versions)


If your device does not have the labels noted above, you will not be allowed to use it during take-off, landing, and surface movements. This includes booster seats and other types of harnesses.
What infant amenities are available on the aircraft I'll be flying (ie. Bassinets)?

infant icon
Infant amenities vary by aircraft. When you're on the airplane page, look for the Infant Amenity Icon. If it is present, clicking on it will tell you what infant services are available on that airplane. If you do not see it, infant amenities are not offered on that aircraft. You can always contact British Airways for more information.

Can I sit in the Exit Row with my infant?

Lap children and infant seats are allowed not allowed in Exit Rows.

That headline makes you do a double-take. Expanding network, yet they're thinking of laying-off (which is a better term than "firing," IMO) some of their workers? What kind of thinking is that? :ohno: ( :nuts: )

Its a strategy generally called "addition by subtraction" :)

Would it be possible that all Tiger Airways flights going to/from Singapore-Manila are fully booked for the week before Christmas and the first week of January this early? I've been trying to check for flights from their website since May but my search would always say Sorry, the flight you have selected is either fully booked or does not depart on or between Sun, 21 Dec 08 and Tue, 23 Dec 08/Sun, 04 Jan 09 and Tue, 06 Jan 09.

that is very possible, considering the number of Pinoys in Singapore right now :lol:

^^ What are the chances of a stand-by passenger during the holiday rush?

Good news, CRK-HKG route finally approved :)

RP increases air passenger, cargo capacity to Hong Kong
http://www.bworld.com.ph/BW062708/content.php?id=041

AIR PASSENGER and cargo capacity between the Philippines and Hong Kong have been increased following successful talks between negotiators, a move that will ease congestion of the popular route.

Passenger capacity has been increased for the Manila to Hong Kong route to 15,000 from 13,000 passengers per week; to 6,300 from zero for Clark to Hong Kong; to 2,500 from 2,300 for Cebu to Hong Kong; and to 2,500 from zero for any other point from the country to Hong Kong.

For air cargo, the Manila to Hong Kong route will now have a capacity of 400 tons per week from 300; for Clark to Hong Kong, 1,400 tons from none, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said in a statement yesterday.

"The increase in the Philippine-Hong Kong air capacity answers the challenge of air congestion for this route in Manila," said Doroteo A. Reyes II, undersecretary for civil aviation and chairman of the Philippine delegation.

"This is good news for travelers and other stakeholders for they now have more options to fly this route... It will also boost tourism and other related businesses," he added.

DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza said higher capacity is in line with the government’s thrust to strengthen the Super Regions to sustain economic growth.

The growing demand for the Philippine-Hong Kong route, he added, required the increased capacity. "We have to keep up with the demand to remain competitive."

Negotiators held the talks on June 25 and 26 in Clark, Pampanga. The Philippine air services negotiating panel was composed of officials from the DoTC, Foreign Affairs department, Civil Aeronautics Board, the departments of Trade and Industry and Tourism, as well as representatives from local airline companies.

Can you even get out of the terminal building especially if you are not a US or canadian citizen? Unless Korea does not require visas for filipino citizens, I don't think you will be allowed to leave the terminal building unless it is an unavoidable situation where you have to stay in a hotel overnight to catch another flight the following day....

yeah, i had that same question too...but my agent consulted with the airline, and told me that it is possible to go out daw of the terminal without a visa if the passenger would sign up for a guided tour...

* * *

although i did check, and it seems na sa Jeju Island lang pwede ang visa-free entry ng mga pinoy...gotta clarify with my agent pa...baka mag CX or SQ na lang ako...with extended stop-over of course para makapagliwaliw sandali sa HK or S'pore, dahil nothing's gonna stop me from making pasyal on this trip...:lol:

QANTAS fights the PR invasion (http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/travelClasses/businessChanges)

It seems the battle plan for the land down under is taking shape as PR gains market share to the lucrative continental island market away from industry leader QF. It is ironic that it was caught by puny PR with its pants off on both sectors as it flex its dominance by adding another flight. While QF cuts back its capacity and route network (http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008/may08/Q3768) PR is expanding and beating them on its own turf. And if to add insult to injury PR is deploying 744 frequently which only showed its lucrative side of the market and it is cashing on it.

QF is now scrambling its unit to fight back the island invasion by cutting NRT frequency and introduce similar equipment head on with PR and perhaps win back capacity while cutting several services to other international destinations.

Currently, PR utilizes its wide-body fleet to staggering figure of 15 hours per day average. Its 744 flight logs almost equals the freight version of cargolux (http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1995/news.release.950921a.html) but in Passenger service. Cargolux has flown its existing two 747-400 Freighters an average of almost 16hours per day, setting a new utilization record in the industry in 1995.

Its not the Best turn-around airline for nothing!:cheers:

NEW AIRLINE RULES

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket?

Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.

Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done! That will be $10, pl ease.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.

Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you're right, you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But, first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way!

Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10. I can't believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, s ir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there's a change making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter. What the heck can I do with this?

Attendant: Hang onto it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.

^^ Hay life...Good thing though here in Pinas, they are not yet charging extra "chorvanous" fees such as those...

well...that is kinda true these days......there are no more freebies....yung pal at least meron pang free na 50lbs of checked-in baggage....

DOTC reclassifies RP's airports
Butuan Airport Now A Principal Class 1 Category Facility

By Lynda B. Valencia

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

MANILA,(PNA) -- Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza ordered recently the reclassification of airports to improve the management of the nautical airport system as well as upgrade, modernize and enhance the civil aviation safety in the Philippines.

Mendoza said the new classification of airports is pursuant to the Philippine Transport Strategic Study and the Civil Aviation Master Plan developed in 1992, identifying the need to revise the country’s airport classification.

The need for classification was also reiterated in the recent Master Plan Study on the Strategy for the Improvement of National Airports in the Philippines conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under the issued Department Order No. 2008-06, the criteria that shall be considered in the reclassification of airports are: simplicity, transparency, degree of rigidity, ease of up-date, linkage with facility planning, linkage with policy formulation, and linkage with regulatory requirements.

The Air Transportation Office (ATO), which was renamed Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) by virtue of Republic Act No. 9497, otherwise known as CAAP Act of 2008, will initiate the up-dating of classification of national airports in the Philippines.

Updating of the reclassification will be done every three years or as the need arises.

Based on the criteria, the new classification are as follows:

International airports – These are airports with border control facility used for international flights such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Davao, Zamboanga, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Laoag, Clark, Subic and Kalibo.

Principal airports – These are airports used for domestic scheduled flights. These are classified into Class 1 which are used for jet services (jet aircraft including B737, A320, DC9 or greater, which has equal to or more than 100-seats capacity) and Class 2 which are used for prop services (prop aircraft of jet aircraft smaller than those indicated in Class 1, which has equal to more than 19-seat capacity).

Fifteen airports under Principal Class 1 classification are the Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Butuan, Legazpi, Cotabato, Roxas, Dipolog, Naga, San Jose, Tuguegarao, and Pagadian.

For Principal Class 2 classification, there are 19 airports and these are the Caticlan, Busuanga, Basco, Masbate, Baguio, Virac, Catarman, Surigao, Calbayog, Jolo, Tandag, Camiguin, Sanga-Sanga, Siargao, Cuyo, Romblon, Marinduque, Antique and Ormoc.

Community airports – Used for general aviation that includes 40 airports such as Plaridel, Cauayan, Palanan, Lubang, Vigan, San Fernando, Iba, Bagabag, Lingayen, Jomalig, Guiuan, Maburao, Baler, Iligan, Hilonogs, Allah Valley, Siquijor, Daet, Ipil, Bulan, Sorsogon, Liloy, Cagayan de Sulu, Rosales, Alabat, Bantayan, Biliran, Bislig, Borongan, Calapan, Catbalogan, Itbayat, Maasin, Malabang, Mati, Ozamis, Pinamalayan, Siocon, Ubay and Wasig. (PNA)

Didn't know that PPS is an "international airport." while the much heralded airports of ILO and BCD aren't even considered as such.

^^ It has been, I think since the 90's.

QANTAS fights the PR invasion (http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/travelClasses/businessChanges)

It seems the battle plan for the land down under is taking shape as PR gains market share to the lucrative continental island market away from industry leader QF. It is ironic that it was caught by puny PR with its pants off on both sectors as it flex its dominance by adding another flight. While QF cuts back its capacity and route network (http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008/may08/Q3768) PR is expanding and beating them on its own turf. And if to add insult to injury PR is deploying 744 frequently which only showed its lucrative side of the market and it is cashing on it.

QF is now scrambling its unit to fight back the island invasion by cutting NRT frequency and introduce similar equipment head on with PR and perhaps win back capacity while cutting several services to other international destinations.

Currently, PR utilizes its wide-body fleet to staggering figure of 15 hours per day average. Its 744 flight logs almost equals the freight version of cargolux (http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1995/news.release.950921a.html) but in Passenger service. Cargolux has flown its existing two 747-400 Freighters an average of almost 16hours per day, setting a new utilization record in the industry in 1995.

Its not the Best turn-around airline for nothing!:cheers:

AHA...a lesson for QF....they're not bad its just it seems all theyre asian destination are served by 744s & A330s with upgraded product only Manila has an old 767 serving it..I wonder why...go PAL...

i hope PAL start flying to Brisbane...there is Market for them there
and I think Perth WA even just twice a week and Adelaide SA. currently filipino's in these cities dont have that options to fly non stop to Manila...they either have to transit & catch MH, CX, SQ ..knowing how filipinos are....if you carry alot of luggage it can be hard specialy if you have a toddler travelling with..I see these even with Pinoys in Sydney & Melbourne

Are there any new news about this thread? I only go home once a week.

^^ Yeah, PR used to fly to BNE before the financial crisis. Hope they plan to serve that city again soon.

Cebu Pacific Adds Morning Flights to Butuan and GenSan

source : http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/cebu-pacific-adds-morning-flights-to-gensan-bu...

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s leading domestic airline, will expand its existing daily mid-day service from Manila to General Santos and Butuan on July 11 and 12, 2008, respectively.

Cebu Pacific will add a morning flight to its Manila-General Santos service every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, expanding the service to ten times weekly. This translates to a 42% increase in capacity for the Manila-General Santos route.

The additional flight will depart from Manila at 7:05am and will arrive in General Santos at 8:55am using Cebu Pacific’s A320 aircraft. The return flight takes off at 9:25am and lands in Manila at 11:15am.

The budget airline will also increase its daily flights from Manila to Butuan to 11 times weekly, increasing the capacity by 57% for the service. The additional morning flight will depart every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday also using the A320 aircraft.

The flight leaves Manila at 7:35am and arrives in Butuan at 9:00am. The return flight departs at 9:30am and arrives in Manila at 10:55am.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific VP for marketing and product, said, “We hope that by adding morning flights to the existing daily mid-day schedule for these routes, we will be able to provide ease and convenience for both business and leisure travelers both to General Santos and Butuan. This will also mean that more low fare seats are going to be available for these routes.”

Now in its 13th year, Cebu Pacific operates flights to 23, soon to be 24 domestic cities with the addition of San Jose (Mindoro) on July 1. It also flies to 15, soon to be 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu on July 18, 2008.
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that is very possible, considering the number of Pinoys in Singapore right now :lol:

^^ What are the chances of a stand-by passenger during the holiday rush?

Good God, so they're actually fully booked this holiday season. Heck, so I'm left with 5J.:( I've also checked 3K but apparently their Jetsaver is already sold out since last month.

NEW AIRLINE RULES


^^I heard similar jokes in a hotel setting. I forgot the text though.

that's funny kimber! i can imagine the passenger's exasperation. i hope no extra fee is charged for oxygen mask (just in case pressure problems are encountered while in flight)...but then, that'd be another joke...

in the meantime, i made a rundown of today's airline related biz news from Manila Bulletin.

here they are:

+ Malaysia Airlines hikes int'l fuel surcharge (at varying percentage; does not apply to China routes)
+ Thai Airways to suspend NY sevice due to rising fuel cost (passenges who are booked are advised to contact Thai Aiways or their ticketing agency for the refund; no refund fee of course)
+ Business jets sales boom as rich float above oil crisis
+ Strikes cancel more Qantas flights (I tried googling for related articles elsewhere)


Strikes cancel more Qantas flights, talks set for Monday
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDjXqMR3kdEjInusbn7uLgeKMzdA

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian airline Qantas said Friday it will sit down with striking maintenance engineers next week for talks aimed at ending a pay dispute which has forced dozens of flights to be cancelled.

Four-hour work stoppages in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane caused the cancellation of 19 domestic flights on Friday.

A Qantas spokeswoman said a further three flights would be grounded on Saturday and 15 on Sunday because of the strike.

"It's strike action today and tomorrow and it will be a flow-on effect on Sunday," the spokeswoman told AFP.

So far this week, Qantas has had to transfer hundreds of passengers to alternative flights as dozens of aircraft were unable to take off as scheduled.

Engineers are pushing for a five percent pay increase. Qantas says that despite record profits, it can only offer a three percent rise because of the dramatic escalation in the cost of fuel.

Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) federal president Paul Cousins said Qantas' decision to meet for talks on Monday was a good sign.

"It's obviously something that suggests we can move forward," he told Australian news agency AAP.

"Hopefully, Qantas will bring something to the table that is worthwhile."

NAIA Terminal 3 opening when??

NEW AIRLINE RULES

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket?

Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.

Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done! That will be $10, pl ease.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.

Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you're right, you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But, first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way!

Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10. I can't believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, s ir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there's a change making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter. What the heck can I do with this?

Attendant: Hang onto it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.

very funny!!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

CX 905 from Hong Kong landing in Manila :lol:

TVUzu8TaNEQ

NAIA Terminal 3 opening when??

JanG257, you will find your answer in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport thread on this same subforum :okay:

cool! what aircraft was used? thanks for sharing Jan. i haven't dared and try taking landing or take off videos. even photos because the FAs said it's not allowed. is it really? CX uses wide-body aircrafts for their HKG-MNL routes, B777-200 (1), B777-300 (2), A330-300 (1) and B744s (2).

edit: CX905 uses the B777-300 type. :)

Airport Terminal in the Philippines
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/cpc.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PICS/asc.jpg

^^ This is MPH (Godofredo Ramos Airport - Caticlan, Malay, Aklan) right?

Walang aircon ang terminal?

bakit pa naka tsinelas at shorts lang ang tao hehe

with the development of making T3 open with domestic flights, what happens now to the expansion of the old Domestic Terminal?

^^ The use of T3 as a domestic terminal is merely temporary. T3 will hopefully be used for international flights come December. So there's still a need to pursue the plan to expand the old Domestic Airport.

^^ This is MPH (Godofredo Ramos Airport - Caticlan, Malay, Aklan) right?

Yes!

^^ The use of T3 as a domestic terminal is merely temporary. T3 will hopefully be used for international flights come December. So there's still a need to pursue the plan to expand the old Domestic Airport.

Does it mean we still have to use the dilapidated old domestic terminal? I thought T2 would become the domestic terminal once T3 would be fully operational as international hub.

Yes!

Whoa! MPH needs a heavy make-over. Needs a bigger airport terminal plus I hope that someday the airport will have ILS too.

bakit pa naka tsinelas at shorts lang ang tao hehe

with the development of making T3 open with domestic flights, what happens now to the expansion of the old Domestic Terminal?

I think I have quoted something in a previous post, it's a news article that the old Manila Domestic airport would have the domestic LCCs will be operating there, but I could be wrong...

PR 453 (MNL-GES) A330 service that left MNL at the height of Typhoon Frank the other Sunday:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1847.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1843.jpg

PR 454 our return flight to MNL from GES an A340 service...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1852.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1856.jpg

Just want to share with you this pics of USS Ronald Reagan's Seahawk helicopters and an aircraft in Iloilo this morning...they're doing relief ops in Panay Is.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1943.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1945.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1946.jpg

Whoa! MPH needs a heavy make-over. Needs a bigger airport terminal plus I hope that someday the airport will have ILS too.

It definitely needs work considering the number of passengers utilizing this facility.

So the truth is revealed. Local Carriers don't want others to expand with Open Skies in Clark yet cannot service it anyway. They even make it seem that Clark is only open for foreign carriers.



Government, airlines to map out action plan for RP
By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Government and the local aviation sector are set to negotiate on an action plan to allow the Philippines to reap the full benefits of the opening up of the Clark to Hong Kong route to local carriers.

In an interview, Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei told The STAR that while the recent air talks between the Philippines and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have resulted in an increase in passenger capacity from zero to 6,400 passengers per week in the Clark-to-Hong Kong route, the company still has to review its plans as far as flying from that part of the country.

However, Gokongwei emphasized that the opening up of the route is a good benefit for the Philippines.

Previously, only foreign airlines such as Hongkong Airlines were allowed to fly out of Clark. “This agreement gives reciprocal rights for local carriers. This is a good step forward because local carriers were at a disadvantage,” he said.

But Gokongwei said mounting flights from Clark to Hong Kong will not be immediate. “We have to review our plans,” he pointed out.

For his part, Philippine Airlines (PAL) assistant vice president for government affairs Jocen Perez de Tagle, who was part of the air talks, said that although this route has been opened up to local carriers, it may take some time before they actually avail of it.

He explained that government agencies, including the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and other support agencies such as the Clark International Airport Corp. and the Clark Development Corp., and the local aviation sector will have to negotiate on how to first develop Clark as a viable route for Philippine carriers.

The negotiations, he said, will include making available property for local carriers where they can put up their own support facilities for the flights, including maintainance and catering services. “It might take a year or more before we can actually fly out of Clark,” he revealed.

“We first want to build a base, a network of three or four routes. We also would like to have aircrafts that will be stationed in Clark instead of flying them first from Manila,” he added.

De Tagle said PAL cannot fly immediately to Clark even if it wants to, until the support services are in place. “But we are working on it. We have plans to invest as much as $50 million to do all this. What is important though is that the Philippines has the rights to fly out of Clark,” he explained.

So the truth is revealed. Local Carriers don't want others to expand with Open Skies in Clark yet cannot service it anyway. They even make it seem that Clark is only open for foreign carriers.

Good observations. But not exactly true. You see when EO 500 was issued it opened clark to international aviation. The problem was while they (government) invite foreign airlines to come in, local airlines was not invited back say Hong Kong. Truth of the matter is, Asian Spirit was not allowed to launch flight to Hong-Kong from Clark while a Hong-Kong Airline served the route. Its application was actually denied by HK. Not fair isn't it! So the local airline industry balked and protested. Hence, the new negotiation for HK. The Philippine government threaten HK that it have no choice but not to allow its airline to service the route without reciprocity and allow its local airline in. Its what open sky is all about. At first HK refused but when GMA amended the EO, they realized that the Philippines was not bluffing. Instead of dividing traffic, they double entitlement. That is more or less the content of the agreement. This time, no more excuses. How about the Oil? That can't be agreed upon. Could that be an excuse?

Now on the traffic, PAL is not inclined to serve Clark within the next 5 to 10 years, however Air Philippines does, probably starting next year when PAL hands down their old 320's. So does Cebu Pacific and most of all Asian Spirit which now regularly flies to Macau on a 146.

The comment of Lance is a manifestation of a difficult time ahead, the oil crisis. Sure they intend to operate from there under normal conditions, and this time is not one of them. If you take Candice words, they can actually now fly SIN, BKK and HKG from CRK and then to CEB with the arrival of their new aircraft by November. Probably, that's what he meant. Anyway, going further, a travel agent for that HK Airline is worried on the dwindling reservations they are having and that would prompt the airline to either reduce or cut service to CRK. Tough times really.

With the current situations we have, the Philippines is still receiving foreign tourists from reservations made last year. The problem now is how to address next year with dwindling reservations. That is if the worst is over. With $143 pb, that does not come cheap, and so are the fares all inclusive, and with that, decline of the boom time. Right now, its the lean time for air travel, and the revised forecast for winter sked and for next year is bleak. Perhaps the local airlines are wary now.:ohno:

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 236
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News

BY PAOLO LUIS G. MONTECILLO
Airbus marketing A380 as a greener, more profitable plane

EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT maker Airbus S.A.S. is marketing its flagship aircraft, the A380, to Asia-Pacific airline companies as a greener, less expensive and more profitable plane to fly.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW070208/airbus.jpg
Airbus 380 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport — Photo by Jonathan L. Cellona

Airbus claims the $320-million A380 costs 20% less to operate than its closest competitor, the $250-million Boeing 777 — savings that can be passed on to consumers. In the Philippines, Airbus is targeting long-haul flights from Manila to North America as possible routes that the 555-seater A380 can fly.

Sean Lee, Airbus regional communications head for Asia-Pacific, said the Philippines remains "a very important market."

He said the Asia-Pacific region’s aviation industry is growing faster than the worldwide average at 5.3% in 2007.

Mr. Lee also said local airlines would benefit from the more efficient A380 as air traffic between Manila and the United States grows and record high oil prices put a strain on the industry.

In a statement, the company noted that per passenger, the A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three liters per 100 kilometers.

Airbus said the A380 will allow airlines to carry more passengers and fly fewer flights, resulting in more efficient operations.

Only five A380s are in operation, all owned by Singapore Airlines. The jets fly to Sydney, Heathrow and Narita. Airbus also has 17 customers who have ordered a total of 196 A380s, all of which have yet to be delivered. Mr. Lee said Airbus would not finish delivery of all the aircraft until 2012.

Rolando Estabillo, vice-president for corporate communications of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) — the only local airline that flies to North America — said it is in talks with Airbus, and the "A380 is worth looking into."

In an interview, Mr. Estabillo told BusinessWorld PAL may order an A380 as it considers to increase the frequency of its flights to destinations in North America. Airbus’s Mr. Lee said if PAL were to order the A380 today, it would not get it until five years later.

PAL has daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. It also flies to Honolulu, Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada. PAL likewise flies to Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Estabillo said the airline might offer flights to San Diego, California, and more flights to Europe. PAL is waiting for the arrival of six 400-seater Boeing 777 aircraft set for delivery next year as part of its expansion.

In June 2006, Airbus was embroiled in an international controversy over its announcement of a further delay in the delivery of its A380. A French shareholder group later filed a class suit against Airbus owners in a Dutch court for failing to inform investors of the financial implications of the A380 delays. As a result, No�l Forgeard, chief of Airbus parent EADS, and Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert announced their resignations on July 2, 2006.

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 236
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News

BY PAOLO LUIS G. MONTECILLO
Airbus marketing A380 as a greener, more profitable plane

EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT maker Airbus S.A.S. is marketing its flagship aircraft, the A380, to Asia-Pacific airline companies as a greener, less expensive and more profitable plane to fly.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW070208/airbus.jpg
Airbus 380 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport — Photo by Jonathan L. Cellona

Airbus claims the $320-million A380 costs 20% less to operate than its closest competitor, the $250-million Boeing 777 — savings that can be passed on to consumers. In the Philippines, Airbus is targeting long-haul flights from Manila to North America as possible routes that the 555-seater A380 can fly.

Sean Lee, Airbus regional communications head for Asia-Pacific, said the Philippines remains "a very important market."

He said the Asia-Pacific region’s aviation industry is growing faster than the worldwide average at 5.3% in 2007.

Mr. Lee also said local airlines would benefit from the more efficient A380 as air traffic between Manila and the United States grows and record high oil prices put a strain on the industry.

In a statement, the company noted that per passenger, the A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three liters per 100 kilometers.

Airbus said the A380 will allow airlines to carry more passengers and fly fewer flights, resulting in more efficient operations.

Only five A380s are in operation, all owned by Singapore Airlines. The jets fly to Sydney, Heathrow and Narita. Airbus also has 17 customers who have ordered a total of 196 A380s, all of which have yet to be delivered. Mr. Lee said Airbus would not finish delivery of all the aircraft until 2012.

Rolando Estabillo, vice-president for corporate communications of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) — the only local airline that flies to North America — said it is in talks with Airbus, and the "A380 is worth looking into."

In an interview, Mr. Estabillo told BusinessWorld PAL may order an A380 as it considers to increase the frequency of its flights to destinations in North America. Airbus’s Mr. Lee said if PAL were to order the A380 today, it would not get it until five years later.

PAL has daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. It also flies to Honolulu, Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada. PAL likewise flies to Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Estabillo said the airline might offer flights to San Diego, California, and more flights to Europe. PAL is waiting for the arrival of six 400-seater Boeing 777 aircraft set for delivery next year as part of its expansion.

In June 2006, Airbus was embroiled in an international controversy over its announcement of a further delay in the delivery of its A380. A French shareholder group later filed a class suit against Airbus owners in a Dutch court for failing to inform investors of the financial implications of the A380 delays. As a result, No�l Forgeard, chief of Airbus parent EADS, and Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert announced their resignations on July 2, 2006.

^^ They have to fix the FAA downgrade first before they even think of mounting new routes to the US.

If they order the whale bus, then the top deck might have to be mabuhay class and the main deck fiesta...vice-versa......since PAL is switching to two classes.....wouldn't that be odd...thats like 600-700people on a plane.

In my opinion the A380 is too big....the 748i better suites them....is also saves fuel with GENX engines...it seats between the capacity of the A380 and 77W....and they don't have to spent alot of money on training because its similar to a 744...

bakit pa naka tsinelas at shorts lang ang tao hehe



ok din naman yun...di masyadong hassle sa security checks kapag pinaghuhubad ng foot wear

i'm actually more excited about PR having the B777s than the A380, which is more unlikely imo. by the way, had PR operated a B777 before? if the B748i can match the efficiency of the twin-engine B777, then that's definitely a better option than A380. I'm still skeptic about A380's claimed fuel efficiency. a 4-engine giant to be more fuel efficient than the B777 is not quite convincing. considering also that B777 also made some modifications to be better in long haul operations than its older versions.

PR 453 (MNL-GES) A330 service that left MNL at the height of Typhoon Frank the other Sunday:


cool photos @ romantic guy. :okay: is A340 a regular aircraft for the MNL-GES route? it's always been A330 right? is this route really a big market for PR? of all domestic routes, only DVO, GES and CEB use the A330 aircraft, and sometimes ILO.

^^
PAL 330/340 flies to CEB, DVO, GES and PPS ONLY.
the 744 flies to CEB and sometimes DVO and occasional at GES.
All the rest are 319/320 service. FYI:cheers:

yep, thanks Arianespace. i'm of course aware of the 319s and 320s. those are actually relatively new aircrafts for PR and i love them. the A330/340 to PPS and 340 to GES are news to me. thanks for the info. :)

Airbus exec offers A380 to PAL, Cebu Pacific

By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is inviting Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) to join the 17 international airlines that have already placed their orders for A380, which the company described as the most advanced, spacious and eco-efficient airliner in service today.

“There are no formal discussions going on but we are hopeful that they will be interested,” said Sean Lee, Airbus head of regional communications in Asia. Lee is in the country for an informal gathering with representatives from the local airlines.

When sought for comment, PAL president Jaime Bautista said the plane, which cost roughly $320 million, is “worth serious study and evaluation.”

“A3880 is another aircraft type,” he said. “We will have to study it,” Airbus said 17 airlines had already ordered a total of 196 for its A380 aircraft. Among them were Singapore Airlines, which was among the buyers of its first production in October last year; Emirates; Qantas Airways; Lufthansa; Air France; and British Airways.

The A380 has a capacity of 525 passengers in three classes.

In eyeing Cebu Pacific and PAL as potential buyers of its A380, Lee said the Philippines is a very important market for Airbus.

“The Philippines is a market which we are very much in contact with since 75 percent of the jet fleet in the Philippine is Airbus,” Lee said.

Airbus accounts for 75 percent of all passenger aircraft in the country today, while rival Boeing accounts for 22 percent.

Airbus’ relationship with the Philippines dates back to the company’s early days when in 1979 PAL placed an initial order for the original A300B4. In 1993, PAL joined the list of buyers of A340, and subsequently also placed orders for the twin-engine A330 and the single-aisle A320 family.

To date, PAL operates 18 A320s in its domestic network, eight A330s in regional services across Asia and four A340-300s on long-range routes to the United States.

It has ordered four more A320s for delivery in the second half of the year.

Cebu Pacific became a new customer of Airbus when it signed a contract for the purchase of 12 A319s and arranged for the lease of two additional A320s. It also placed a follow-up order for 10 A320s in March 2007.

The Gokongwei-owned airline operates a fleet of 18 A320s, including 12 purchased from Airbus and six on lease. The carrier has more than 10 on firm order for future delivery.

^^
PAL 330/340 flies to CEB, DVO, GES and PPS ONLY.
the 744 flies to CEB and sometimes DVO and occasional at GES.
All the rest are 319/320 service. FYI:cheers:

But why did I saw am A330 once land @ ILO in one instance last January for a late night flight? (PR145/146) (That was during Dinagyang Festival week, just this year).

Yet most of the regulars in ILO airport are A320/319s.

^^ Probably to supplement the flights already scheduled for ILO because of the festival.

I dont see Cebu Pacific ordering A380 just yet unless they started to venture in the transpacific services like PAL. Now with PAL, there is a possibility of atleast 2 A380, only if they actually try to expand T2 themselves IF THEY ARE STILL NOT WILLING to transfer to T3 once it is fully operational already.

i've been in iloilo last april, on my return flight to manila, i believe i've flown on one of PR's latest A320s (not the A319s) in w/c the covers are the "sea reflection" in wave patterns of light blue and maize. It contains more overhead TVs and the biz class is in light blue covers w/ PTVs. It so delighted to see that the PR planes on domestic are now modernized, featuring short features on overhead TVs like "Just for laugh" episodes and travel reports, no more manual demos of satefy features of the cabin, all are demo in the TV screens and the announcements are now all pre-recorded in a clear manner in both bi-language of Filipino & English. All of this in a 45min flight. I would say this is an improve service from the previous PAL that I experience in the past.

Clearly no.1? I would say yes.

BTW, its my first travel in domestic region since my last travel was back in 1998.

cool photos @ romantic guy. :okay: is A340 a regular aircraft for the MNL-GES route? it's always been A330 right? is this route really a big market for PR? of all domestic routes, only DVO, GES and CEB use the A330 aircraft, and sometimes ILO.

From what I've read in other forums, PR use their wide bodies for GES primarily for the cargo (i.e. Tuna). Although in my flights to GES, its always almost full.

As what ariane stated, they use either A333 or A343 for the MNL-GES-MNL route...

i'm actually more excited about PR having the B777s than the A380, which is more unlikely imo. by the way, had PR operated a B777 before? if the B748i can match the efficiency of the twin-engine B777, then that's definitely a better option than A380. I'm still skeptic about A380's claimed fuel efficiency. a 4-engine giant to be more fuel efficient than the B777 is not quite convincing. considering also that B777 also made some modifications to be better in long haul operations than its older versions.


It all depends on the airline. Obviously, the A380 would burn more fuel than the 77W. It's bigger, heavier, and has more engines. When you divide that fuel burn among the amount of passengers, however, the A380 wins most of the time. The 77W can't carry a load as heavy as the A380.

However, if you can't fill the seats on the A380, then obviously, the optimum fuel efficiency won't be reached, and you might as well use the B77W, as it's smaller.

Technically, if PAL weren't going to acquire 77Ws, then five A380s might have been a good choice. Once daily to LAX/SFO on an A380 would've saved more money and fuel than two 77Ws or two A340s because of the costs involved in flying a single flight. (landing fees, ground handling fees, ground crew, cabin crew, and all that jazz) Of course, it's not without its downsides; the A380 might encounter a lot of awkward situations at the NAIA, although it would be cool to see A380s shuttling between MNL and CEB.

As for the B748, we'll have to wait and see. The A380 is technically more fuel efficient than the B77W, and it can be proven because both planes are already in service. Until the B748 enters passenger service, we have no real way of gauging its performance.

From what I've read in other forums, PR use their wide bodies for GES primarily for the cargo (i.e. Tuna). Although in my flights to GES, its always almost full.

As what ariane stated, they use either A333 or A343 for the MNL-GES-MNL route...

The MNL-GES route is indeed always full for both PAL and CEB that's why CEB added 3 new weekly services between GES and MNL... I think for PAL, 1 A330/A343 is enough as of the moment and maybe 3 additional A319 flights in the near future....