^^ are those warships of the philippine navy?

parang ang hirap gumawa ng way palabas ng sangley point, tulad ng pagtatayo ng highway o ng railway. siguro pede sa baybayin..

salamat sa pictures hehe.. sa ordinaryong mapa ko lang kasi nakikita yung pahabang part ng cavite city. puro kabahayan ba yang nasa south ng runway?

napansin ko, parang may pagkakahalintulad yung itsura ng map ng tangos ng cavite sa hakodate, hokkaido, japan.

Take a second look at this previous reposted proposals:

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


Both Cosco, the Sangley Naval Base, and the added proposal of new Manila Int'l Airport are shown below.

http://a401.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/98/l_06316966fa060cd0d321fb5763a7f708.jpg

:)

why in sangley? its just few kilometers from NAIA... besides we are not NY or tokyo which has very busy airport. NAIA 3 can hadle that aside from the centennial airport. meron pang subic and clark sa north just few miles from manila. this project lacks proper study or has been well studied by the chinese for future GOD knows what.

i highly doubt the intention of this china-owned firm considering their reputation as weapon smugglers.

^^ don't challenge possible blessings.

Passenger arrested for not turning off his laptop (http://www.gadling.com/2008/09/04/passenger-arrested-for-not-turning-off-his-laptop/)

A 35 year old "well dressed businessman" was arrested yesterday when he refused to turn off his laptop for the final approach of his Qantas flight. The passenger was on board flight QF418 from Melbourne to Sydney and apparently found whatever he was doing on his laptop to be more important than listening to flight attendant requests.

Upon landing, all passengers were told to stay seated while the Australian counter terrorist first response force arrived, taking the man into custody.

Witnesses report seeing the man being interrogated by 6 armed police officers in the airport terminal, but he was later released with no charges filed against him.

The only statement Qantas made, was that a male passenger had failed to comply with a captain's directive. Let this be a lesson to everyone; listen to the flight attendant, and turn off your laptop when you are told to. There may be no evidence to confirm that a laptop will interfere with flight controls, but a 4 pound laptop can become a cabin projectile when the aircraft touches down.

malapit naman sa imposible yun mga renditions nung mga daan..

bypassed talaga ang corregidor dun sa bataan-cavite bridge? bakit may tunnel sa ilalim ng laguna bay? wah..

why in sangley? its just few kilometers from NAIA... besides we are not NY or tokyo which has very busy airport. NAIA 3 can hadle that aside from the centennial airport. meron pang subic and clark sa north just few miles from manila. this project lacks proper study or has been well studied by the chinese for future GOD knows what.

i highly doubt the intention of this china-owned firm considering their reputation as weapon smugglers.
this is obviously a preparation for the future. ;)

there will be a new airline called "spirit of manila", anyone heard of that?

Yes, Infact they are now operational. The hub will be in DMIA. Here is there Airline Livery

http://www.spiritofmanilaairlines.com/images/fleet_b767-300_techspecs.jpg

I like the word MANILA on the fuselage, parang Philippines kung sa PAL. so is that design official na talaga?

EDIT: official na pala ang livery, tiningnan ko sa site haha

I like the word MANILA on the fuselage, parang Philippines kung sa PAL. so is that design official na talaga?

EDIT: official na pala ang livery, tiningnan ko sa site haha

Yes, it is official. I found this from there website. i think they should rename the airline to Spirit of CLARK... LOL

why in sangley? its just few kilometers from NAIA... besides we are not NY or tokyo which has very busy airport. NAIA 3 can hadle that aside from the centennial airport. meron pang subic and clark sa north just few miles from manila. this project lacks proper study or has been well studied by the chinese for future GOD knows what.

i highly doubt the intention of this china-owned firm considering their reputation as weapon smugglers.

Ideally daw kasi according sa planong yan (reposted photos), before sila gumawa ng engrandeng int'l airport sa sangley, dapat matapos muna yung DMIA. Then once na matapos na yung sa sangley, isasara na ang buong naia, and convert it into another business district like makati or taguig's BGC. Meanwhile, the recent reported plans of building a small scale int'l airport at sangley maybe the 1st step for the future's possible expansion to coincide with that previous reported ambitious infrastructure project at sangley.

^^ don't challenge possible blessings.

Yeahman! :)

malapit naman sa imposible yun mga renditions nung mga daan..

bypassed talaga ang corregidor dun sa bataan-cavite bridge? bakit may tunnel sa ilalim ng laguna bay? wah..

Remember, early 90's pa yang plano, very ambitious pa talaga sila nun.

Pero sa tingin ko kaya di rin nabenta yang 15 yr old plans dahil medyo di practical ang mga plano tulad ng mga tunnels nayan. Palpak yung nagdesign. But atleast, kung sino man yung mga involve sa nagplano nyan, their dreams may partly become true in the future nga lang....

BTW, the photos ay gawa lang ng coforumer natin according lang sa kanyang huling naalala so it is not the exact drawings. If you can only go back to page 5.

this is obviously a preparation for the future. ;)

It maybe the exact term. :okay:

SNEAK PEEK
It seems the triple seven WILL NOT be alone after 2015 in the family of Airbus after all. I will not answer query relevant to this matter. Just bookmark it and remove the ? after its official announcement!:cheers:

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/photorelease/q2/K64060_lg.jpg
Boeing 777-300ER
List price $250 million
Orders 6

http://www.airbus.com/store/photolibrary/AIRCRAFT/AIRBUS/A380/att00007905/media_object_image_lowres_a380_EA_engines2_md.jpg
Airbus 380-800
List Price $310 million
Orders 4?

http://www.sflorg.com/aviation/images/imav021907_02_01.jpg
Boeing 787-900
List price $200 million
Orders 8?

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/airbus-a350-900-xwb.jpg
Airbus 350-900
List price $240 million
Orders 6?

There are rumors in Philskies that the 777s of PR might be deferred.

^^
It wouldn't be planning for alternative routes if it were, isn't it? assuming that category 2 stands at that time... which I suspect would be lifted early next year. But lets hope not because I'm planning to ride one myself :)

Any ideas if PAL will be ordering new planes like the B748, A380, A350 and B787??

A. 737 Cross Sections & seating layout:

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/images/cross_sections.jpg

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/images/seating_charts.jpg



B. 777 Cross Sections & seating layout:

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/777family/images/cross_sections.gif

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/777family/images/seating_charts.gif
Source: boeing.com (http://www.boeing.com/)

I hope PAL pushes through with the acquisition of the 777's.

NAIA will never have an airport like this! :lol:


http://uploader.ws/upload/200809/lhr1.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200809/lhr2.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200809/lhr3.jpg


This is a WOW for me!

http://uploader.ws/upload/200809/lhr4.jpg



POOR NAIA!! tsk3x!!

What do you get from putting people down from countries that are already poor? I mean people there are happy enough to have some progress. People in the Philippines doesn't live in caves or anything, people there lives with humility and being humble with whatever they got... Do you feel better doing these? Well then I'm glad it makes you feel better.. bravo!!!!

I mean we have the Clark Airbase which has multiple parallel runways and its airport is expandable. No need to reclaim land which costs billions.

I'm now looking at economic standpoint. I don't know the details of who will own that proposed Sangley Airport. I feel that the government should own and run such facility.

I hope PR is not following a 3-4-3 configuration on its new B777s just like the illustration (anong say mo @arianespace - will PR do a "Lucio Tan" and cram 10 seats on a single row?). EK's B777s are 10 abreast and it's so cramped and really really cheap!

Sana PR follows the more reasonable 3-3-3 configuration (e.g. SQ and BA) but not UA's 2-5-2!


A. 737 Cross Sections & seating layout:



B. 777 Cross Sections & seating layout:

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/777family/images/cross_sections.gif

Source: boeing.com (http://www.boeing.com/)

I hope PAL pushes through with the acquisition of the 777's.

What do you get from putting people down from countries that are already poor? I mean people there are happy enough to have some progress. People in the Philippines doesn't live in caves or anything, people there lives with humility and being humble with whatever they got... Do you feel better doing these? Well then I'm glad it makes you feel better.. bravo!!!!

Hi @mwg12a,

Mga Pinoy talaga - natungtong lang sa ibang bansa at nakatikim ng konting ginhawa, they think they are far removed from the country's and our kababayan's situation - parang mga langaw na nakatungtong sa kalabaw..!

JanG257 is from Portsmouth - it does not have it's own airport. It used to be an important seaport during the Royal Navy's heyday - but that's ancient history now.

It's a tiny town of half a million on the southern coast of England whose most recent claim to fame is the uber-tacky Spinnaker Tower - but people visit the outlet shops next to it instead. In short, it's just a train and ferry station - people use it to hop on the ferry to the beautiful Isle of Wight instead.

Guys....As long as you believe NAIA is fine thats all that matters...dont pay attention to people who put it down...."obviously they LACK attention"...who cares what they say....Im know NAIA is not perfect...T3 is new & has issues but just give it time it will get much better /(better than being close diba)...atleast open na sya....if those peole cant dio anythong constructive whats the point of paying attention to them diba?..just ignore...PEACE

Well, the NAIA obviously won't have a terminal like that, Clark will. Geez.

Mabuti nang may Terminal 3, o baka gusto nyong bumalik dito?

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/135/600x600/21/80280324.jpg?et=CfABArnbvwbJH6UB5llDcA&nmid=75811126

i hope you can also post photos of these type of planes most particularly the pales of asian spirit and seaair.

Wow my B-737 ang asian spirit how come na hindi ko pa ito nakikta flying around the philippines and also saan na ung sinasabi nilang mga new Fleet nila

Alam nyo po ba na may Old existing railway dito sa cavite city noon at kaya nga nag karoon ng kalye tren dito sa cavite city! dating #1 City in the province of Cavite!

Old existing railway

from Manila - Bacoor- Kawit - Noveleta - Cavite City!

Alam nyo po ba na may Old existing railway dito sa cavite city noon at kaya nga nag karoon ng kalye tren dito sa cavite city! dating #1 City in the province of Cavite!

Old existing railway

from Manila - Bacoor- Kawit - Noveleta - Cavite City!

Dalipe hopeful PGMA will keep promise to fix city airport
by Nonong Santiago

Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe hopes that the promise made earlier by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) to improve the Zamboanga International Airport is forthcoming.

Dalipe yesterday called on the national government to appropriate more funds to further improve the runway and other facilities of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA).

Dalipe who arrived last Monday from his out-of-town trip, noticed the bumps when the plane he was flying on touched down the runway and taxied towards the tarmac.

He said he even over-heard one of the passengers as saying “Ito pala ang airport ng Zamboanga, ang daming lubak-lubak.”

No less than airport manager Celso Bayabos has decried for several times the sorry-state of the landing field in one of his television interviews.

Bayabos said that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has already appropriated more than P400,000 to cover the holes at the runway, but this amount is still lacking.

“I have, for so many times, asked the national office to appropriate funds for the improvement of the runway. At that time there were only holes but now it has gone from holes to big craters already,” Bayabos lamented.

He said pilots of the Philippine Air Lines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines have long been complaining about the sad-state of the runway.

“In one of the plane’s touched down, an item fell on the forehead of one of the passengers. The worst thing was that the passenger was an American,” Bayabos added.

“There is a need to further improve the airport because it is one of the show windows of Zamboanga City,” Dalipe remarked. (Nonong Santiago) :ohno:

Alam nyo po ba na may Old existing railway dito sa cavite city noon at kaya nga nag karoon ng kalye tren dito sa cavite city! dating #1 City in the province of Cavite!

Old existing railway

from Manila - Bacoor- Kawit - Noveleta - Cavite City!

Meron din sa GMA, Cavite papuntang Alabang and South... Medyo maganda ang railway system natin dati sayang at hindi lang naalagaan.

Well I'd like to share my trip on LH which many of you would find interesting enough as the in-flight food offerings were inspired by Philippine-born Chef Rey Lim who now runs a high profile restaurant in Beijing

Sarting with the Lufthansa Lounge in FRA, this new Business class lounge in the C terminal had everything a transit passenger could ask for; food, showers, and comfortable seating.

Lots of seating with wonderful views of the runway

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg021.jpg?t=1221170400

Lots of food in the club

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg027.jpg?t=1221170460

Wonderful shower facilities

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg031.jpg?t=1221170551

The 744 aircraft bound for JNB

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg036.jpg?t=1221170621

My seat

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg089.jpg?t=1221170660

Cabin view from the center seat

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg2071.jpg?t=1221170733

Pre-departure drinks

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg040.jpg?t=1221170832

The Menu

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg046.jpg?t=1221170879

The Chef, Rey Lim

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/033.jpg?t=1221170938

His restaurant in Beijing, The Courtyard

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/034.jpg?t=1221170991

Extensive beverage offerings, but no Krug or Dom Perignon here unlike Singapore Airlines.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/036.jpg?t=1221172605

My vegetarian appetizer, which was mistakenly offered to me. (Sorry to the gentleman who pre-ordered it! Hey when the FA hands me food I start eating, okay :lol:)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg052.jpg?t=1221171223

My choice, Mr. Lim's inspired Spicy prawn dish, which was okay.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg054.jpg?t=1221171304

A few minutes away from Johannesburg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg057.jpg?t=1221171360

Sunrise on the African horizon

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg056.jpg?t=1221172385

Lufthansa's angled seats. Can be comfortable despite the slant. This guy was completely out as you can see:lol:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg060.jpg?t=1221172482

Arrival at JNB

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/jef7/Johannesburg087.jpg?t=1221172526

Alam nyo po ba na may Old existing railway dito sa cavite city noon at kaya nga nag karoon ng kalye tren dito sa cavite city! dating #1 City in the province of Cavite!

Old existing railway

from Manila - Bacoor- Kawit - Noveleta - Cavite City!

Yeah. Before an International Airport was built in Manila, the Pan Am Terminal in Cavite used to be the Philippine's Premiere Gateway. A railway links Cavite to Manila so as to ease travel.

thanks for sharing jef7. it's really nice to fly on lufthansa. i really did enjoy and miss their services to the RP. i'm still waiting on the day PAL resumes it's services to Europe, despite the unlikeliness that it won't be anytime soon. i hear that hangang codeshare agreements na lang sila with the middle eastern carriers that service europe via dubai, doha, etc. and continuing to cebu or manila. :/

^^ Well let's just hope someday PAL will go back to Europe. It may not be the soon but hopefully someday... like 20 years?:dunno: :lol:

Anyways, does PAL have those overall liveries on some of their planes like that of JAL Hello Kitty planes? They look cute... but a bit tacky.

I was glossing over Wikipedia earlier and someone added that PAL will begin service to Phnom Penh late this year. Anyone have a definite date? (I know that PAL has planned to fly to Cambodia, but I'm surprised it will begin this year.)

I really wonder why PR are taking some new experimental routes like Chongqing and Chengdu, now Huangzhou and Phnom Pehn... and yet hindi rin tumatagal itong mga destination... Chongqing and Chengdu are not on the list of PR timetable...

v3gXB8Uyhko
Philippine Airlines - Shining Through - 1990

I really wonder why PR are taking some new experimental routes like Chongqing and Chengdu, now Huangzhou and Phnom Pehn... and yet hindi rin tumatagal itong mga destination... Chongqing and Chengdu are not on the list of PR timetable...

One of the main factors that made PAL drop those routes is, weeks after they launched the route, those cities were strong hit by the deadly earthquake.

I'm quite sure that the Cambodian route is a hoax. First, Economic relations isn't that strong. Second, the market isn't simply there...

PAL is seriously looking into opening flights to the Middle East, San Diego and Chicago in US and the untapped India

One of the main factors that made PAL drop those routes is, weeks after they launched the route, those cities were strong hit by the deadly earthquake.

I'm quite sure that the Cambodian route is a hoax. First, Economic relations isn't that strong. Second, the market isn't simply there...

PAL is seriously looking into opening flights to the Middle East, San Diego and Chicago in US and the untapped India

PAL opening flights to Cambodia was mentioned in an article published in the magazine Orient Aviation.

Speaking of missionary routes, I wonder why there is still no schedule for MNL-IGN and CEB-IGN despite the fact that PAL management said that flights to Iligan will commence on September 27.

PAL opening flights to Cambodia was mentioned in an article published in the magazine Orient Aviation.

Speaking of missionary routes, I wonder why there is still no schedule for MNL-IGN and CEB-IGN despite the fact that PAL management said that flights to Iligan will commence on September 27.

But when we had a program with Philippine airlines at PNB-Macapagal, That was never mentioned in their report.... i also think that there are more profitable routes than that of CMB

It's a great plan to divert International Airport from bustling City.

I hope that proper infra should be in place. Like an express train and a modern train station.

Thanks for Additional Info and sorry for double posting lag kasi '_'

I'm quite sure that the Cambodian route is a hoax. First, Economic relations isn't that strong. Second, the market isn't simply there...

PAL opening flights to Cambodia was mentioned in an article published in the magazine Orient Aviation.

I believe Philippines has to comply because this is part of the ASEAN Open Skies policy with DMIA as the designated entry point (http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/news/clark_dmia_asean_open_skies.htm).

^ haven't read the link but if thats the case, there would be no problem. the question is, which airline will serve the route?

Mabuti nang may Terminal 3, o baka gusto nyong bumalik dito?

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/135/600x600/21/80280324.jpg?et=CfABArnbvwbJH6UB5llDcA&nmid=75811126

^^ hay nako mabuti nga at nabuksan na yan kasi crowded na talaga at napakaluma ng Old Domestic Terminal lalo na ngayon Other carriers like SEair and Asian Spirit nagdadadag ng mga routes sabagay nakapagdagdag sila kasi wala n CEBU PAC don na mostly puro routes nila makikta mo don:lol:

One of the main factors that made PAL drop those routes is, weeks after they launched the route, those cities were strong hit by the deadly earthquake.

I'm quite sure that the Cambodian route is a hoax. First, Economic relations isn't that strong. Second, the market isn't simply there...

PAL is seriously looking into opening flights to the Middle East, San Diego and Chicago in US and the untapped India

But isn't it because of low traffic? I think its not because of the earthquake overall. Is it after the earthquake traffic began to fall?

They also cancel Okinawa before...

But isn't it because of low traffic? I think its not because of the earthquake overall. Is it after the earthquake traffic began to fall?

They also cancel Okinawa before...


exactly... the earthquake that hit them made their people and economy suffer... thus, resulting to low traffic :)

Cebu Pacific goes to Japan....:nuts::nuts:

Cebu Pacific to start RP to Japan route in November
09/15/2008 | 02:42 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific, the country's leading airline to Southeast Asian destinations, will start flying direct from Manila to Osaka starting November 20.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it is using a 179-seater Airbus 320 aircraft to Japan's second biggest city on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

“Japan has a very active and vibrant travel market which should help us attain our goal of flying 7 million passengers this year. This service will likewise allow overseas Filipino workers in Japan to come home more frequently because of our trademark low fares," Cebu Pacific President Lance Y Gokongwei said.

Osaka is Cebu Pacific's first destination in Japan and its fifteenth in Asia.

Japan is the Philippines' third top source of tourists, next to South Korea and the United States.

“The Manila-Osaka service will be strategically important to the Philippines’ tourism agenda. It will help generate interest on our country’s medical and wellness tourism among the Japanese," Gokongwei said.

To launch the new destination, Cebu Pacific is offering an introductory price of P1,999 for a one-way ticket from Manila to Osaka. The company claims that this is as much as 70 percent lower than the currest fares of other carriers.

The sale runs from September 16 to 30 and is good for flights from November 20 to December 18. Fares are non-refundable and are exclusive of applicable government taxes and surcharges.

After the seat sale, Cebu Pacific's one-way ticket to Japan will be P3,999, exclusive of taxes and surcharges. - GMANews.TV

^^^^

It seems no one noticed the video I posted in the previous page. Anyways, here's the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3gXB8Uyhko I actually think that this is among the most beautiful ads in the Shining Through campaign.

Cebu Pacific goes to Japan....:nuts::nuts:

Cebu Pacific to start RP to Japan route in November
09/15/2008 | 02:42 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific, the country's leading airline to Southeast Asian destinations, will start flying direct from Manila to Osaka starting November 20.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it is using a 179-seater Airbus 320 aircraft to Japan's second biggest city on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

“Japan has a very active and vibrant travel market which should help us attain our goal of flying 7 million passengers this year. This service will likewise allow overseas Filipino workers in Japan to come home more frequently because of our trademark low fares," Cebu Pacific President Lance Y Gokongwei said.

Osaka is Cebu Pacific's first destination in Japan and its fifteenth in Asia.

Japan is the Philippines' third top source of tourists, next to South Korea and the United States.

“The Manila-Osaka service will be strategically important to the Philippines’ tourism agenda. It will help generate interest on our country’s medical and wellness tourism among the Japanese," Gokongwei said.

To launch the new destination, Cebu Pacific is offering an introductory price of P1,999 for a one-way ticket from Manila to Osaka. The company claims that this is as much as 70 percent lower than the currest fares of other carriers.

The sale runs from September 16 to 30 and is good for flights from November 20 to December 18. Fares are non-refundable and are exclusive of applicable government taxes and surcharges.

After the seat sale, Cebu Pacific's one-way ticket to Japan will be P3,999, exclusive of taxes and surcharges. - GMANews.TV

^^^^

^^^^ well it's good for us pilipino but i think i will suggest that Cebu Pacific will use a bigger plane rather than A320 Best choices of Aircraft are: A321, A330, A340 or The Boeing Family 767, 777

Cebu Pacific lobbies for Aussie air talks


CEBU Pacific is lobbying for the holding of air talks between the Philippine and Australian governments.

Porvenir Porciuncula, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) deputy executive director, said in an interview that the Gokongwei-led carrier plans to expand Down Under.

“We have already asked the government of Australia and we are waiting for their confirmation,” Porciuncula said.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that the number of Australian tourists rose by 12 percent in the first seven months this year.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and product, said the planned expansion is still being studied.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it would fly direct from Manila to Osaka, Japan three times weekly starting on November 20, using a 179-seater A320 aircraft.

Osaka is the airline’s first Japan destination and it’s 15th in Asia after Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Pusan, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.

Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific president and chief executive, said Japan has a very active and vibrant travel market, which should help attain the company’s goal of flying seven million passengers this year.

“This service will likewise allow overseas Filipino workers in Japan to come home more frequently because of our trademark low fares,” he said.

“The Manila-Osaka service will be strategically important to the Philippines’ tourism agenda. It will help generate interest on our country’s medical and wellness tourism among the Japanese,” he added.

Besides Australia, Porciuncula said the Philippines would have air talks with the governments of Russia, Spain, Malaysia, Brunei and Canada.

In July, the Philippines and Hong Kong agreed to increase seat entitlements to 23,800 a week for each state. Of the total, 15,000 have been allocated to Manila, 6,300 to Clark and the remaining 2,500 to Cebu.

In addition, the Canadian government has given the Philippines two additional frequencies from Manila to the North American country or from point to point only.

Canada also approved five frequencies weekly for cargo flights from Manila to Canada with no capacity restrictions.

An air agreement between Macau and the Philippines was concluded last month, bringing the total number of seat entitlement to13,100 a week from 850 previously.

Of the total, 3,600 seats will be allocated each to Manila and Macau, 6,000 seats to Clark and Subic, and another 3,500 seats weekly for carriers outside Manila.

The liberalization of the Philippines’ air policy is part of the Arroyo administration’s Medium-Term Development Plan for 2004 to 2010.

The government is banking on the liberalization of air transport to pave the way for the entry of more foreign budget airlines to achieve the five million tourist arrivals by 2010.
-- Darwin G. Amojelar (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/16/yehey/business/20080916bus9.html)

^^^^ well it's good for us pilipino but i think i will suggest that Cebu Pacific will use a bigger plane rather than A320 Best choices of Aircraft are: A321, A330, A340 or The Boeing Family 767, 777

Maybe 5J is just testing the water first, I'm sure if there is an increase in demand or market, they would start thinking of getting atleast an a330 to service that route.

^^ dmi nilang destinations pero onti lng aircrafts nila, pano kaya ung pgaaayos ng sked nila...

Cebu Pacific goes to Japan....:nuts::nuts:

Cebu Pacific to start RP to Japan route in November
09/15/2008 | 02:42 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific, the country's leading airline to Southeast Asian destinations, will start flying direct from Manila to Osaka starting November 20.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it is using a 179-seater Airbus 320 aircraft to Japan's second biggest city on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

“Japan has a very active and vibrant travel market which should help us attain our goal of flying 7 million passengers this year. This service will likewise allow overseas Filipino workers in Japan to come home more frequently because of our trademark low fares," Cebu Pacific President Lance Y Gokongwei said.

Osaka is Cebu Pacific's first destination in Japan and its fifteenth in Asia.

Japan is the Philippines' third top source of tourists, next to South Korea and the United States.

“The Manila-Osaka service will be strategically important to the Philippines’ tourism agenda. It will help generate interest on our country’s medical and wellness tourism among the Japanese," Gokongwei said.

To launch the new destination, Cebu Pacific is offering an introductory price of P1,999 for a one-way ticket from Manila to Osaka. The company claims that this is as much as 70 percent lower than the currest fares of other carriers.

The sale runs from September 16 to 30 and is good for flights from November 20 to December 18. Fares are non-refundable and are exclusive of applicable government taxes and surcharges.

After the seat sale, Cebu Pacific's one-way ticket to Japan will be P3,999, exclusive of taxes and surcharges. - GMANews.TV

^^^^



wow!! im so happy with this news sana may packages din sila....coz Japan's never really been a cheap destination in comparison to other Asian cities which why I notices most travel agents in manila did have much Japan package offering in comparison to offers for the likes of Hong Kong Sigapore & bangkok etc...

^^^^ well it's good for us pilipino but i think i will suggest that Cebu Pacific will use a bigger plane rather than A320 Best choices of Aircraft are: A321, A330, A340 or The Boeing Family 767, 777


before when they use to have 3 x 757-200 they used these in Japan...Japan prefers foriegn carriers to use 757 or larger arcraft which kinda affected cebupac from flying there as well...syempre landing tax...its a business..the bigger the better...kinda like Emirates..they use Auckland NZ as a secondary hub even though most flight are for Sydney coz it costs them less...Anyway even if its A320..if its cheaper fares to Japan i'll be happy....i've been waiting for this news for years now...

This airport made me never want to fly to Lima again. Immigration was horrible - there were 7 officers for God knows how many people - I was fortunate enough to be "near" the front of the line - it only took about 30 minutes to get through. By the time I reached the officers I looked back and literally could not see the back of the line -

^^
por qué tú fui a Lima?

^^ Isn't it Por qué tú fuiste a Lima? Fui is the first-person past preterite form of ir.

^^
While peruvian speak spanish, they have their own way of saying things like what american english did to the british language, corrupting them.:)

Another Philippine Airlines advertisement
NEHdMc

Well, good luck to 5J... it will be tough competition with PR... JL muntik ng tumaob... we'll see.

Cebu Pacific goes to Japan....:nuts::nuts:

Cebu Pacific to start RP to Japan route in November
09/15/2008 | 02:42 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific, the country's leading airline to Southeast Asian destinations, will start flying direct from Manila to Osaka starting November 20.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it is using a 179-seater Airbus 320 aircraft to Japan's second biggest city on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

“Japan has a very active and vibrant travel market which should help us attain our goal of flying 7 million passengers this year. This service will likewise allow overseas Filipino workers in Japan to come home more frequently because of our trademark low fares," Cebu Pacific President Lance Y Gokongwei said.

Osaka is Cebu Pacific's first destination in Japan and its fifteenth in Asia.

Japan is the Philippines' third top source of tourists, next to South Korea and the United States.

“The Manila-Osaka service will be strategically important to the Philippines’ tourism agenda. It will help generate interest on our country’s medical and wellness tourism among the Japanese," Gokongwei said.

To launch the new destination, Cebu Pacific is offering an introductory price of P1,999 for a one-way ticket from Manila to Osaka. The company claims that this is as much as 70 percent lower than the currest fares of other carriers.

The sale runs from September 16 to 30 and is good for flights from November 20 to December 18. Fares are non-refundable and are exclusive of applicable government taxes and surcharges.

After the seat sale, Cebu Pacific's one-way ticket to Japan will be P3,999, exclusive of taxes and surcharges. - GMANews.TV

^^^^

the old railways of cavite even reached naic. That's why there is daang bakal

Yeah...then...rumors...

November - Indonesia
December - Ausie, India
January to February - USA, MIddle East


And Sna meron ding Flight going to Spratly's Island...JejEJeje

Domestic air travel increases in first half
PAOLO LUIS G. MONTECILLO, BusinessWorld

MANILA, Philippines - Low ticket prices encouraged more Filipinos to travel by air to various parts of the country in the first half of the year, despite high prices of other goods.

Data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed that a little over 5.7 million people traveled within the country via air in the first six months of the year, or about 10% more than the 5.16 million people who used air travel the year before.

CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla said in a phone interview Wednesday that domestic air travel is still growing "despite high oil prices" because of the presence of low-cost carriers.

The Philippines has a "very vibrant domestic air transport industry," he said.

Mr. Arcilla said since the country is an archipelago, "the only practical link , other than maritime transport, are airlines."

Air transport also offers the advantage of speed and comfort, he said.

"[B]We have the fastest growing domestic air transport industry in the [Southeast Asian] region, if not the world," he added.

Gokongwei-led carrier Cebu Pacific still had the biggest market share as it posted a 13% increase in passengers for the period, to 2.56 million passengers, from 2.25 million passengers the year before, as the airline increased its number of seats for the period to over 3.1 million to just under 2.7 million the year before.

But the same airline’s load factor, or number of passengers on a flight relative to the number of seats available for said flight, slightly dipped to 82% from 84% last year.

Candice A. Iyog, the airline’s vice-president for marketing, said in a separate interview Wednesday that "we continue to stimulate travel for the whole industry" with the airline’s low fares.

"We just want more passengers to fly," she said.

Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) likewise posted a 13% growth in passengers to 2.25 million passengers from just under 2 million the same period last year.

PAL vice-president of corporate communications Rolando G. Estabillo said in a separate interview Wednesday that, aside from the airline’s improved service, the growth came from "the fact that [PAL] has expanded [its] network."

The airline also expanded its number of seats to almost 2.8 million seats for the six month period, from under 2.5 million last year. The airline maintained its load factor of 80%, flat from last year.

Mr. Estabillo also attributed passenger growth to the launch of its low-cost brand, PAL Express, which he said has encouraged those who did not fly on PAL flights to reconsider the airline.

Meanwhile, Air Philippines, which like PAL, is a Lucio Tan-owned carrier, saw its ridership grow by more than 14% to 623,038 from 544,340 last year.

Another low-cost brand, Asian Spirit, posted a passenger growth by just under 1%, to 249,651 from 248,456 the same period last year.

South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) was the only carrier which posted a decline in ridership, down 86% to 18,589 from 136,588 last year. SEAIR President Avelino L. Zapanta was not answering his phone as of late Wednesday afternoon, when called for comment on this data.

^^good news indeed

i hope FAA will lift the category 2 in our country...

anong nangyari sa seair? ang laking drop naman yung nangyari sa kanila. Natatandaan ko pa last year agressive pa sila sa pagpropromote lalo na yung palau destination nila

anong nangyari sa seair? ang laking drop naman yung nangyari sa kanila. Natatandaan ko pa last year agressive pa sila sa pagpropromote lalo na yung palau destination nila

nag survey sila nung First QUarter of this year... and ung time na un madaming bad news na nangyari sa SEAir and pagpatak ng Second Quarter ung Asian Spirit namn...pero i think tataas yan ang % ng Costumer nila this coming year after having a new leased 2 A320 from Tiger Airways ...

nag survey sila nung First QUarter of this year... and ung time na un madaming bad news na nangyari sa SEAir and pagpatak ng Second Quarter ung Asian Spirit namn...pero i think tataas yan ang % ng Costumer nila this coming year after having a new leased 2 A320 from Tiger Airways ...

wow... i didn't know they are leasing an A320... that's good indeed.. sana naman tropical yung livery nila... :)

Off topic
=============
doea anyone know where i can buy the newPAL herpa sets of 747 & A340 re issue edition..i was reading through a forum and I have read they have re issuesed these Plane for herpa again?..what Im really after is the 747 its so hard to find?....i've got 1:500 & 1:400 PAL A340 & also PAL 1:400 PAL 777-300er noth gemini jets & Dragon..but
im also looking for PAL's A330 I've seen it on 1:400 scall?....any info would be great?.

:cheers:

Philippine early birds at the Butuan Airport tarmac

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/Butuan007.jpg?t=1221749194

Maybe 5J is just testing the water first, I'm sure if there is an increase in demand or market, they would start thinking of getting atleast an a330 to service that route.

According to wikipedia, if they could open a route in Toulouse in France and in USA, they will buy the biggest passenger airplane, the Airbus A380.

^^
Very funny.:lol:
No wander Wiki always got a bad reputation for accuracy.
C'mon Dashalvin, you can do better than that!

Seriously, they will acquire 330 if they can fly the land down under. That is, if they can fly. Remember all flight entitlements are held by Philippine Airlines and Qantas. I don't think they would agree to that. Take the cue from Jetstar :)

any diecast plane collectors here?
this is the next show im going to, cant wait :banana:

I dont know what is it about me and planes....i just find them very interesting
too bad MH has had to pull out though

SYDNEY AVIATION
MODEL & MEMORABILIA SHOW

1st & 2nd NOVEMBER 2008
www.sydneyaviationmodelshow.webs.com
(Bankstown Airport -near the runway)

hanep...Qantas is the third airline company next to emirates and singapore airlines that purchased airbus A380...:banana:

Not sure where to post this but airports go with taxi stories............

Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish image



The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim to welcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation, so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit of a shock.

Even the locals are not spared the shabby service of unkempt and hostile drivers behind the wheels of decrepit vehicles who refuse to use the meter, overcharge and pick-and-choose which destinations they will travel to.

At the popular KLCC mall under Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Twin Towers is a typical scene, as a gang of cabbies negotiate with a young Norwegian couple just metres from a signboard warning against "taxi touts".

"Flat rate, flat rate, no metre," one driver insists as the tourists try to find a cab to take them to their hotel, less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

Anxious to escape the baking heat, they agree to pay 25 ringgit (7.22 dollars) for a trip that would have cost less than three ringgit on the meter.

"Is it expensive? We don't know, we thought it is normal here," said the woman as they piled in with their shopping bags.

More frequent visitors, however, are vocal in their criticism and say that aggressive and unprofessional drivers are tarnishing the nation's image as a squeaky clean and hospitable destination.

"I first visited Malaysia in 2006 and I was impressed by everything I saw except for the worst taxi service I have endured," said Kabir Dali, an Indian tourist waiting in vain for a metered taxi at another mall.

"I paid a whopping 260 ringgit (A$93) from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to town and was later told that was twice the proper amount."

Complaints about taxis are common in many countries, but in Malaysia it has escalated to an outpouring of frustration, on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.

In a survey by the local magazine The Expat, some 200 foreigners from 30 countries rated Malaysia the worst among 23 countries in terms of taxi quality, courtesy, availability and expertise.

The respondents lashed the fleet as "a source of national shame" and "a serious threat to tourists -- rude bullies and extortionists".

Salvation is in sight though, as a number of smaller, up-scale operators enter the market to provide a more expensive but quality taxi service for frustrated visitors and locals.

The uniformed drivers, behind the wheels of smart new multi-purpose vehicles and sedans, switch on the meter as a matter of course and do not refuse destinations -- surprising and delighting commuters in the capital.

That’s an interesting point because as a foreigner visiting Manila fairly regularly, it is quite worrying hearing stories of overcharging & kidnapping, it does put off visitors

Having said that my personal experience is that the drivers I have come across have usually been polite and friendly. While I realise that the story was about Malaysia, do you think it would be a good idea to have airport taxis in the same way that there are hotel taxis. Paid a bit more but with higher standards of service and accountability and run by the airport authorities.

I could mention having an Lrt station or two, IN the airport rather than a couple of kilometres away would definitely help.

It's not much fun lugging 25Kg of luggage up the road when you're tired and not used to the heat.

That’s an interesting point because as a foreigner visiting Manila fairly regularly, it is quite worrying hearing stories of overcharging & kidnapping, it does put off visitors

Having said that my personal experience is that the drivers I have come across have usually been polite and friendly. While I realise that the story was about Malaysia, do you think it would be a good idea to have airport taxis in the same way that there are hotel taxis. Paid a bit more but with higher standards of service and accountability and run by the airport authorities.

I could mention having an Lrt station or two, IN the airport rather than a couple of kilometres away would definitely help.

It's not much fun lugging 25Kg of luggage up the road when you're tired and not used to the heat.

GREETINGS TO READING.BERK
the YELLOW MUSTARD CABS FROM THE AIRPORTS ARE EXCELLENT..SAFE DECENT AND HONEST clean.
no need to pay for the higher priced but fixed cost revos from the airport anymore. for fort and makati destinations the mustard taxis are charging P200-250 only from T1 and T2 instead of the fixed cost P400.

with the new T3 ,these new taxis, and the more civilised routing to makati and fort we have almost achieved excellence as far first impressions to hotels for first time tourists.

i cannot comment on trip to roxas boulevard hotels and sofitel.

That’s an interesting point because as a foreigner visiting Manila fairly regularly, it is quite worrying hearing stories of overcharging & kidnapping, it does put off visitors

Having said that my personal experience is that the drivers I have come across have usually been polite and friendly. While I realise that the story was about Malaysia, do you think it would be a good idea to have airport taxis in the same way that there are hotel taxis. Paid a bit more but with higher standards of service and accountability and run by the airport authorities.

I could mention having an Lrt station or two, IN the airport rather than a couple of kilometres away would definitely help.

It's not much fun lugging 25Kg of luggage up the road when you're tired and not used to the heat.

very true! i went to manila couple of times already, and i find taxi drivers there not honest and very wise...iikot ikot ka sa ilang mga daan para tumaas ang metro, tapos manghihingi pa ng dagdag pasahe...:ohno:

if alam ko lang mga whereabouts ng manila, ill probably choose to catch a jeepney...or train.

Hello all! Can anybody tell me if there are any Cebu Pacific ticketing offices in the Alabang area? I tried looking for one on their website but the page was unavailable. Thanks!

Also, aside from Cebu Pacific, what other LCCs ply the Manila-Singapore route?

Hello all! Can anybody tell me if there are any Cebu Pacific ticketing offices in the Alabang area? I tried looking for one on their website but the page was unavailable. Thanks!

Also, aside from Cebu Pacific, what other LCCs ply the Manila-Singapore route?

tiger airways and jetstar

very true! i went to manila couple of times already, and i find taxi drivers there not honest and very wise...iikot ikot ka sa ilang mga daan para tumaas ang metro, tapos manghihingi pa ng dagdag pasahe...:ohno:

if alam ko lang mga whereabouts ng manila, ill probably choose to catch a jeepney...or train.

Ako mix madami nice pero ther was a couple of bad one from T2 then along roxas Blvd...then yung 2nd one around taft ave...humingi pa nga ng pang merienda at pamasko?....WHAT?...eh august lng nun ah...

GREETINGS TO READING.BERK
the YELLOW MUSTARD CABS FROM THE AIRPORTS ARE EXCELLENT..SAFE DECENT AND HONEST clean.
no need to pay for the higher priced but fixed cost revos from the airport anymore. for fort and makati destinations the mustard taxis are charging P200-250 only from T1 and T2 instead of the fixed cost P400.

with the new T3 ,these new taxis, and the more civilised routing to makati and fort we have almost achieved excellence as far first impressions to hotels for first time tourists.

i cannot comment on trip to roxas boulevard hotels and sofitel.

AND @Reading Boy s well.

So far, using airport cabs are safe for me, I have never encountered any trouble with any of them, they were mostly polite and friendly to me as well. They never asked for any tip, what I paid at the airport taxi office was the only fee charged to me although I have volunteered to offer a tip and if I may recall it right the driver told me they were not supposed to accept tips from the customers. I, as a matter of fact, even requested a couple of drivers in my previous trips if they can be the same drivers to come and get me on my departure dates so I wouldn't have to hassle people up, they gave me an official contact number and quoted me the prices, shown in an official leaflets although I insisted if they themselves can give me their cellular number I can contact them, the other driver refused, the other driver made an agreement and told me upfront it wouldn't be official, he charged me lesser as to what the cab company would actually charge me for getting me and driving me to the airport , although, I think I would have not minded if I paid him what the company usually charge their customers.

Hello all! Can anybody tell me if there are any Cebu Pacific ticketing offices in the Alabang area? I tried looking for one on their website but the page was unavailable. Thanks!

Also, aside from Cebu Pacific, what other LCCs ply the Manila-Singapore route?

tiger airways and jetstar

To be specific, Jetstar Asia serves MNL; while Tiger Airways serves CRK.

Does somebody read and know Korean here? I saw this Korean vandal on the arms of the passenger seat of Cebu Pacific.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/99/NAIA397.jpg?et=xcDJFUndCif9BIP6%2CND%2CnQ&nmid=116760573

Taking Off from Manila
_setAlaTB2s

Whats up with Cebu Pacific and their banners that say every "Juan" instead of everyone?

juan is a filipino name.

Yesterday we got a visit from a PAL sales officer and relayed to us the following juicy news insider news and plans...

^^ PR is seriously returning to Europe and Middle East. But Europe was their priority because of a clamor frm the community.

^^ Frankfurt will be their initial destination to Europe and it was already sure because they already had rights to fly there. And they will be using their B777 once it was delivered.

^^ After FRA, secondary priority route will be LHR... but it would be MNL-FRA-LHR v.v. Then along w/ it will FCO - there a strong demand for them to fly in this destination as there are so many Fil in Italy esp. for religious people and missionaries aside frm tourists and OFWs. It will be a drect MNL flight.

^^ PR is also thinking to return to ZRH.

^^ The PAL express concept was just to establish the routes but once 2P is financial stable all of the planes, routes and brand will turnover to 2P.

^^ PR was so frustrated with the FAA down category. It will really hamper their US planned routes as the near delivery of their B777 is coming.

I think he's a reliable source bec. he is not a just a sales staff, having being part of the strategic planning and marketing of PAL.

Night Landing at NAIA.
Tpgy6nnzgEE

Just watch out for the stewardess' message somewhere at 6:10 of this video. A blooper after a turbulent ride from Cebu. :D

Yesterday we got a visit from a PAL sales officer and relayed to us the following juicy news insider news and plans...

^^ PR is seriously returning to Europe and Middle East. But Europe was their priority because of a clamor frm the community.

^^ Frankfurt will be their initial destination to Europe and it was already sure because they already had rights to fly there. And they will be using their B777 once it was delivered.

^^ After FRA, secondary priority route will be LHR... but it would be MNL-FRA-LHR v.v. Then along w/ it will FCO - there a strong demand for them to fly in this destination as there are so many Fil in Italy esp. for religious people and missionaries aside frm tourists and OFWs. It will be a drect MNL flight.

^^ PR is also thinking to return to ZRH.

^^ The PAL express concept was just to establish the routes but once 2P is financial stable all of the planes, routes and brand will turnover to 2P.

^^ PR was so frustrated with the FAA down category. It will really hamper their US planned routes as the near delivery of their B777 is coming.

I think he's a reliable source bec. he is not a just a sales staff, having being part of the strategic planning and marketing of PAL.

That is great news! Is there no mention of CDG? That would've been great to hear also. But it's nice PAL is looking on to return to Rome and Zurich, as well as Frankfurt and London, which I think were their last Euro destinations before the shutdown.

Then we can really talk about miles, hehe.

I thought PR used to fly to LGW not LHR and to Paris Orly (ORY) instead of CDG? I could be wrong, though!

Not sure if PR can cough out a huge amount of money for a slot in LHR...

Nevertheless, this got me really excited! I can't wait to see PR in London..!


Yesterday we got a visit from a PAL sales officer and relayed to us the following juicy news insider news and plans...

^^ PR is seriously returning to Europe and Middle East. But Europe was their priority because of a clamor frm the community.

^^ Frankfurt will be their initial destination to Europe and it was already sure because they already had rights to fly there. And they will be using their B777 once it was delivered.

^^ After FRA, secondary priority route will be LHR... but it would be MNL-FRA-LHR v.v. Then along w/ it will FCO - there a strong demand for them to fly in this destination as there are so many Fil in Italy esp. for religious people and missionaries aside frm tourists and OFWs. It will be a drect MNL flight.

^^ PR is also thinking to return to ZRH.

^^ The PAL express concept was just to establish the routes but once 2P is financial stable all of the planes, routes and brand will turnover to 2P.

^^ PR was so frustrated with the FAA down category. It will really hamper their US planned routes as the near delivery of their B777 is coming.

I think he's a reliable source bec. he is not a just a sales staff, having being part of the strategic planning and marketing of PAL.

Whats up with Cebu Pacific and their banners that say every "Juan" instead of everyone?

Juan to the Philippines is like what Joe is to the United States. Their slogan, a clever play on the word "everyone" (every Juan), means that even the "average Joe (Juan)" can now fly because of the low fares they have.

Yesterday we got a visit from a PAL sales officer and relayed to us the following juicy news insider news and plans...

^^ PR is seriously returning to Europe and Middle East. But Europe was their priority because of a clamor frm the community.

^^ Frankfurt will be their initial destination to Europe and it was already sure because they already had rights to fly there. And they will be using their B777 once it was delivered.

^^ After FRA, secondary priority route will be LHR... but it would be MNL-FRA-LHR v.v. Then along w/ it will FCO - there a strong demand for them to fly in this destination as there are so many Fil in Italy esp. for religious people and missionaries aside frm tourists and OFWs. It will be a drect MNL flight.

^^ PR is also thinking to return to ZRH.

^^ The PAL express concept was just to establish the routes but once 2P is financial stable all of the planes, routes and brand will turnover to 2P.

^^ PR was so frustrated with the FAA down category. It will really hamper their US planned routes as the near delivery of their B777 is coming.

I think he's a reliable source bec. he is not a just a sales staff, having being part of the strategic planning and marketing of PAL.

Good news indeed! But I'm cautiously optimistic. I'll rejoice when it does happen for real. :colgate:

What about their Middle Eastern destinations? You only mentioned the European ones. :dunno:

That is great news! Is there no mention of CDG? That would've been great to hear also. But it's nice PAL is looking on to return to Rome and Zurich, as well as Frankfurt and London, which I think were their last Euro destinations before the shutdown.

Yeah, where's CDG? Then add AMS, ATH, and MAD, and they've gotten back all their European destinations. :okay:

I thought PR used to fly to LGW not LHR and to Paris Orly (ORY) instead of CDG? I could be wrong, though!

Not sure if PR can cough out a huge amount of money for a slot in LHR...

Nevertheless, this got me really excited! I can't wait to see PR in London..!

PR did fly to both LHR and LGW, once.

Awesome news!!
Too bad they didn't mention AMS and MAD...

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/37/NAIA335.jpg?et=meYGsqFOKPViSOk9ukFucA&nmid=116760573

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/67/NAIA365.jpg?et=YMPDethf%2BBMpQJhp9E9MSQ&nmid=116760573
Cebu Pacific Air's ATR (bound for Caticlan)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/83/NAIA381.jpg?et=9Pzvt37RXc%2CLjfSQ7eY8%2BA&nmid=116760573
Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A320

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/90/NAIA388.jpg?et=Pt69OBWaQ4Pt3JL%2BO9NOUg&nmid=116760573
PAL Express' Bombardier Q-turboprop

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/233/600x600/93/NAIA391.jpg?et=%2BEoj63UJ7xkmkP75aejGkg&nmid=116760573
Asian Spirit's DeHavilland Dash 7

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/239/600x600/24/CEBMNL211.jpg?et=cMih8R8Xnd12aCFPqSNQYw&nmid=116775700
Cathay Pacific's Boeing 767(please correct me if I'm wrong) docked at Mactan Cebu Int'l Airport

Juan to the Philippines is like what Joe is to the United States. Their slogan, a clever play on the word "everyone" (every Juan), means that even the "average Joe (Juan)" can now fly because of the low fares they have.

Ah! I feel so dumb because I'm half filipino and didnt even know! but that is clever! haha thanks!\



http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/239/600x600/24/CEBMNL211.jpg?et=cMih8R8Xnd12aCFPqSNQYw&nmid=116775700
Cathay Pacific's Boeing 767(please correct me if I'm wrong) docked at Mactan Cebu Int'l Airport
777. Nice pics btw!

To be specific, Jetstar Asia serves MNL; while Tiger Airways serves CRK.


Thanks Mojacko and Pepe for the info. I've decided to go with Jetstar coz of bigger luggage allowance. Sadly, I won't be using T3.

Ah! I feel so dumb because I'm half filipino and didnt even know! but that is clever! haha thanks!\


777. Nice pics btw!


Nagpangap pa na half pinoy pero naiintindihan na ang ibig sabihin ng everyjuan means EVERYONE, If I don't speak tagalog nor understand it, i would have not guessed every Juan means everyone literally since you suggested, "why didn't Cebu Pacific use everyone instead of every Juan" you won't be able to pronounce Juan which sounds like ONE as well :lol::banana: Okay Peace man!!

Not sure where to post this but airports go with taxi stories............

Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish image



The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim to welcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation, so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit of a shock.

Even the locals are not spared the shabby service of unkempt and hostile drivers behind the wheels of decrepit vehicles who refuse to use the meter, overcharge and pick-and-choose which destinations they will travel to.

At the popular KLCC mall under Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Twin Towers is a typical scene, as a gang of cabbies negotiate with a young Norwegian couple just metres from a signboard warning against "taxi touts".

"Flat rate, flat rate, no metre," one driver insists as the tourists try to find a cab to take them to their hotel, less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

Anxious to escape the baking heat, they agree to pay 25 ringgit (7.22 dollars) for a trip that would have cost less than three ringgit on the meter.

"Is it expensive? We don't know, we thought it is normal here," said the woman as they piled in with their shopping bags.

More frequent visitors, however, are vocal in their criticism and say that aggressive and unprofessional drivers are tarnishing the nation's image as a squeaky clean and hospitable destination.

"I first visited Malaysia in 2006 and I was impressed by everything I saw except for the worst taxi service I have endured," said Kabir Dali, an Indian tourist waiting in vain for a metered taxi at another mall.

"I paid a whopping 260 ringgit (A$93) from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to town and was later told that was twice the proper amount."

Complaints about taxis are common in many countries, but in Malaysia it has escalated to an outpouring of frustration, on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.

In a survey by the local magazine The Expat, some 200 foreigners from 30 countries rated Malaysia the worst among 23 countries in terms of taxi quality, courtesy, availability and expertise.

The respondents lashed the fleet as "a source of national shame" and "a serious threat to tourists -- rude bullies and extortionists".

Salvation is in sight though, as a number of smaller, up-scale operators enter the market to provide a more expensive but quality taxi service for frustrated visitors and locals.

The uniformed drivers, behind the wheels of smart new multi-purpose vehicles and sedans, switch on the meter as a matter of course and do not refuse destinations -- surprising and delighting commuters in the capital.

headline ito sa kuwait times...my impression is malaysians are honest cabdrivers,hindi pala

any diecast plane collectors here?
this is the next show im going to, cant wait :banana:

I dont know what is it about me and planes....i just find them very interesting
too bad MH has had to pull out though

SYDNEY AVIATION
MODEL & MEMORABILIA SHOW

1st & 2nd NOVEMBER 2008
www.sydneyaviationmodelshow.webs.com
(Bankstown Airport -near the runway)

Should be a great show!!!

Thanks Mojacko and Pepe for the info. I've decided to go with Jetstar coz of bigger luggage allowance. Sadly, I won't be using T3.

Have a safe and uneventful flight to Singapore, Chot! :okay:

That is great news! Is there no mention of CDG? That would've been great to hear also. But it's nice PAL is looking on to return to Rome and Zurich, as well as Frankfurt and London, which I think were their last Euro destinations before the shutdown.

CDG is not on their priority to Europe. They are really sure with FRA... w/c kinda puzzle me bcoz... I won't be surprise if their priority route is FCO coz I know they have the highest no. of Fil community in Europe. But FRA... madami bang Pinoy tlga dun and is it bcoz their are many German firms in the country aside from tourists..

An old Philippine Airlines ad

http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/pr49/pr49-3.jpg

CDG is not on their priority to Europe. They are really sure with FRA... w/c kinda puzzle me bcoz... I won't be surprise if their priority route is FCO coz I know they have the highest no. of Fil community in Europe. But FRA... madami bang Pinoy tlga dun and is it bcoz their are many German firms in the country aside from tourists..

Contrary to popular belief, there are indeed tons of Filipinos in Germany. So, PR's decision to serve FRA is warranted. Plus FRA is a major hub in Europe, and Filipino nationals in other European countries who are planning to come home to the Philippines can arrange their travel itineraries via FRA just to catch a PR flight enroute to MNL.

Good news indeed! But I'm cautiously optimistic. I'll rejoice when it does happen for real. :colgate:

What about their Middle Eastern destinations? You only mentioned the European ones. :dunno:

Yeah, where's CDG? Then add AMS, ATH, and MAD, and they've gotten back all their European destinations. :okay:

PR did fly to both LHR and LGW, once.

They were kinda choosy on destination to Middle East either DXB or RUH but they are cautious which specific route as they are considering the factors like their existing code-share agreement with ME carriers, seat demand and the competition between those airlines in that region.

But hopefully the routes will commence for real.

^^
I would like to dispel and stop further speculations here. PAL IS NOT FLYING TO EUROPE soon or more specifically, within the next 5 years. Their main concern is really getting back the category 1 status so that they can expand to Chicago and San Diego. All long haul expansion plans are aimed at the north American Market. If that does not work soon, they will fly 3XW to Toronto which will be the first destination of the triple seven ER. They will pursue plans to fly back to Riyadh on a 330 as early as October 2009 . The second triple seven will fly Tokyo service.The land down under will have a daily service by next winter schedule. PR will not be going to DBX as previously posted.

As a consolation for the europe based filipinos, expect London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Italy as the future routes for PAL by 2014 if all goes well as planned. With next generation jet to boot too!

Anything about the rest are rumors. :)

Delta-Northwest merger?

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2533075420080925

Not sure where to post this but airports go with taxi stories............

Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish image



The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim to welcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation, so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit of a shock.


Grabe talaga ang taxi sa Kuala Lumpur. Tinalo pa ang mga taxi driver sa Metro Manila.

I took a taxi from Suria KLCC (beside Petronas) to KL Sentral. The EVIL drivers :bash: wanted to charge me RM25.00 (about PHP300.00) for the trip which is equivalent to a trip between Ayala and Ortigas. Since I was desperate I had no choice but was able to bargain to pay RM15.00 (PHP180). The price is still very steep considering that Malaysia subsidizes petroleum products for domestic use and the taxi runs on compressed natural gas.

Talaga ang mga tao na ito, ayaw ba nila ng development?:ohno:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122976/Pamalakaya-to-Bong-Revilla-Stop-your-fathers-Sangley-dream

Pamalakaya to Bong Revilla: 'Stop your father’s Sangley dream'09/25/2008 | 09:57 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is objecting to the reclamation of coastal areas along Manila Bay to give way to the development of Sangley Point in Cavite City.

The activist fisherfolk alliance on Thursday called on Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr to convince his father Ramon Sr, a former senator and concurrent chair of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), to scrap the project because it would affect fishermen in Cavite.

Revilla Sr wants to transform Sangley Point, a former US Naval Station, as an international logistics hub in Southern Tagalog region.

“Senator Bong Revilla, as chair of the Senate Committee on Public Works and Highways, must listen to the voice of the fisherfolk and the people in general who are affected by this across-the-bay reclamation project of his father to pave way for the transformation of Sangley Point into an international port harbor in the tradition of Hong Kong and Singapore," Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

Revilla Sr had talked about his dream to develop the Sangley Point as an international logistics hub where casinos, hospitals, call centers and recreational centers would be built.

But before construction could take place, the PRA must first reclaim coastal areas in Manila Bay, particularly in the coastal towns of Bacoor, Tanza, Noveleta, Kawit and Cavite City.

Hicap said the reclamation project would displace not less than 26,000 fishing families along the bay from Bacoor to Cavite City. He said the reclamation would also fast track the “death of Manila Bay" as a major fishing ground in the country.

Pamalakaya said Senator Revilla, as chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Public Works and Highways, could intervene in favor of the collective interest of the people in Cavite.

Revilla Sr, a strong ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the P 200-billion Sangley Point Development Project can lead to various businesses and if completed could rival other major international ports in Asia like that in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is also seen to generate jobs to people of Cavite. - GMANews.TV

^^ anu nga ba ang plano nila sa madi-displace na mga fishermen??

PAL to increase flights to key AsPac destinations

Friday, September 26, 2008

Philippine Airlines will increase flights to key destinations across Asia-Pacific in time for the peak Christmas holiday season, benefiting travelers with extra capacity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, the flag carrier announced.

Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan, as well as Singapore all get new frequencies in PAL’s recently released winter 2008 timetable.

These increases follow on the heels of a similar expansion in the PAL service to Bangkok, which rises from 11 to 14 flights weekly on Oct. 2, announced last week.

The airline’s Australia service, a triangular routing between Manila and the two Aussie points, gets a significant boost when it adds two frequencies on Nov. 30 to become a daily service.

Flight PR 211, a direct service from Manila to Sydney that currently operates every Monday and Thursday, will now also operate every Wednesday at the same times – departing Manila at 9 a.m. and arriving in Sydney at 8:15 p.m.

The return service, PR 212, routed via Melbourne, also gains the third weekly frequency every Wednesday, with departures from Sydney at 9:35 p.m., continuing on to Melbourne and departing that city at 12:25 a.m. the following day, and arrival in Manila at 5:40 a.m.

On the other hand, PR 209, a direct overnight service from Manila to Melbourne, adds a fourth weekly flight every Sunday to go along with existing flights every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Departure from Manila is at 8:30 p.m. and arrival in Melbourne at 7:40 a.m. next day.

Returning, PR 210 stops in Sydney and now also operates four times weekly, with an extra flight every Monday. The service departs Melbourne at 9 a.m., goes on to Sydney, leaves that city at 12:15 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 5:30 p.m.

Wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft will continue to fly the Australia routes.

Service to Osaka, Japan will upgrade to a daily frequency from Oct. 26, with the addition of flights every Tuesday and Saturday to the current five-times-weekly schedule. Operating times will change slightly to conform to winter hours.

Flight PR 408 departs Manila at 2:20 p.m. and arrives in Osaka at 7:05 p.m. The return flight, PR 407, takes off from Osaka at 9:55 a.m. and touches down in Manila at 1:55 p.m. Wide-body A330 and narrow-body A320 jets alternate on the route.

The Fukuoka service adds an extra flight to become five times weekly and adopts a new, same-day timetable that better suits passengers on the route.

Starting Oct. 26, flight PR 426 operates every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with departures from Manila at 10 a.m. and arrival in Fukuoka at 2:30 p.m. Return flight PR 425 departs Fukuoka at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Manila at 6:25 p.m.

Meanwhile, PAL’s Singapore service increases from 25 to 28 flights weekly on Oct. 26 when the mid-morning flight (PR 507) upgrades to a daily service from the current four times weekly. The early-afternoon return flight, PR 508, goes daily as well. — Mary Ann Reyes (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2008092516)

Should be a great show!!!


are you a collector too?...i missed the Arrival of QF A380 in sydneyon 21st Sept...too bad...i'll be sure to be there on its first flight From YSSY this Oct to LAX

^^
I would like to dispel and stop further speculations here. PAL IS NOT FLYING TO EUROPE soon or more specifically, within the next 5 years. Their main concern is really getting back the category 1 status so that they can expand to Chicago and San Diego. All long haul expansion plans are aimed at the north American Market. If that does not work soon, they will fly 3XW to Toronto which will be the first destination of the triple seven ER. They will pursue plans to fly back to Riyadh on a 330 as early as October 2009 . The second triple seven will fly Tokyo service.The land down under will have a daily service by next winter schedule. PR will not be going to DBX as previously posted.

As a consolation for the europe based filipinos, expect London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Italy as the future routes for PAL by 2014 if all goes well as planned. With next generation jet to boot too!

Anything about the rest are rumors. :)

It all makes sense. It will be really nice to see PAL service Chicago area again direct from Manila. I also believe that PAL should really get Toronto Market with the unbelievable number of filipinos living in that city, I know my cousin and her family always has to complain that there is no direct connection between Manila and Toronto.

PAL to increase flights to key AsPac destinations
The airline’s Australia service, a triangular routing between Manila and the two Aussie points, gets a significant boost when it adds two frequencies on Nov. 30 to become a daily service.

Flight PR 211, a direct service from Manila to Sydney that currently operates every Monday and Thursday, will now also operate every Wednesday at the same times – departing Manila at 9 a.m. and arriving in Sydney at 8:15 p.m.

The return service, PR 212, routed via Melbourne, also gains the third weekly frequency every Wednesday, with departures from Sydney at 9:35 p.m., continuing on to Melbourne and departing that city at 12:25 a.m. the following day, and arrival in Manila at 5:40 a.m.

On the other hand, PR 209, a direct overnight service from Manila to Melbourne, adds a fourth weekly flight every Sunday to go along with existing flights every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Departure from Manila is at 8:30 p.m. and arrival in Melbourne at 7:40 a.m. next day.

Returning, PR 210 stops in Sydney and now also operates four times weekly, with an extra flight every Monday. The service departs Melbourne at 9 a.m., goes on to Sydney, leaves that city at 12:15 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 5:30 p.m.

Wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft will continue to fly the Australia routes.[/URL]

Hey man do you have any insider info if i'll be seeing any of PAL's 744 anytime soon/or at All here in SYD?...summer is approaching so i might be able to do some photography again..?

guys, any idean how much is the business class of PAL for domestic only.

Right click for source :

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2875531712_7c191e2e5c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2874771047_3160d4114c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2874813547_4aed1335e9_o.jpg

QANTAS A380

http://www.samchuiphotos.com/QantasA380/QantasA380/index.html

also wanna share this...has anyone seen a better Airport diorama than this?...i have to say this is easily the best diorama i've seen , the closest one doesn't even come close

http://www.airclipper.com/scalo/index.htm

^^ Bakit pa binibigyan ng attention ng media yan? We want development! progress!

^^ nagra-rally sila eh, yan ang gusto ng media...:D

pero kahit papaano may punto ang mga fishermen na ito...

Air Force mulls pullout from Clark

By Jacob Cunanan
Correspondent


CLARK FREE PORT—The commander of the 600th Air Base Wing (ABW) based here said the Air Force is prepared to pull out of the free port.

The newly installed 600ABW commander, Col. Francisco Cruz, said the Air Force has commissioned the creation of a master development plan, adding that Crow Valley in Tarlac and Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, are being eyed as the new locations for the Air Force units based in this free port.

The 600 ABW administers the Air Force camp just like a local government in the civil government. The other Air Force units here are the First Air Division, Air Logistics Command, Air Reserve Command, 410th Maintenance Wing, 420th Supply Wing and the 710th Special Operations Wing.

All of these units had to be pulled out from Villamor Air Base in Metro Manila to give way to the construction of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

“The total cost of the pullout and transfer of personnel, equipment and infrastructure from Clark is estimated at P8 billion,” Cruz said.

“We are just waiting for the completion of the master development plan before proceeding with the pullout,” he added, adding only a small Air Force contingent will remain in this free port.

Citing President Arroyo’s vision for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Dmia) to be the country’s premier gateway, Cruz stressed the presence of the Air Force here is vital for the security of the free port.

“The presence of Air Force personnel in Clark plays a very important role as far as security measures are concerned, especially now that the Dmia is on its way of becoming the country’s premier gateway,” Cruz pointed out.

At present, the PAF is based at the 333-hectare Air Force City here. The area consists of 668 housing quarters and accommodates 4,318 people, mostly composed of enlisted personnel, dependents and civilian employees.

The PAF earlier stayed in the area known as the Clark Air Base Command compound, when this free port still hosted the 13th US Air Force. The airmen secured Clark after the US pulled out following the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

The eruption and bases pullout prompted the government to enact Republic Act 7227, or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, and issue Executive Order 80 making the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) as the implementing arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

On June 10, 1995, the Department of National Defense, BCDA and CDC signed a memorandum of agreement for the management, responsibilities and delineation of areas, among others, of the former Clark Air Base. The agreement, which does not observe any timetable, is renewable every five years.

The planned pullout of the PAF contingent from the Clark Free Port coincided with the expansion plans of the Clark International Airport Corp. (Ciac) for the Dmia.

Ciac officials are currently reviewing a proposal by the Korea International Cooperation Agency for the development of the civil-aviation complex in this free port.

Terminal 3 is safe, fit for use–MIAA

By Recto Mercene
Reporter


THE Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Thursday said that the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is fit and safe for use.

The airport development and corporate affairs manager, Tirso Serrano, made the statement in response to yesterday’s full-page advertisement in some newspapers by the Fair Trade Alliance, questioning the P22 billion being spent in its rehabilitation.

“The Miaa, under general manager Alfonso Cusi, has always been resolute in the opening of the Naia 3 the soonest possible time, but it has also given the paramount importance to the safety of the public,” he said.

He added the Miaa’s decision to proceed with the opening of the Terminal 3 has put the country on the right track as far as its thrust to spur development in tourism is concerned.

“The Miaa thought it wise and practical to proceed with the opening of the new terminal in July 2008 to make it productive and responsive to the tourism and development thrust of the government,” Serrano stressed, saying that since its openig, Naia 3 has been a testament to the airport’s serious effort in pursuing fine service under its “We Go the Extra Mile” program.

The Philippine International Air Terminals Corp. became the sole builder of the terminal after its supposed partner in the deal, Fraport, was left out when the government rescinded its contract on alleged irregularities.

The terminal was scheduled for opening in February and March 2007, but the opening was aborted because of the technical consultants’ warnings on the terminal’s safety.

In April 2008, however, the two consultants—Arup and TGCI—came up with an independent analysis, that the total deficiencies of the terminal add up to only 4 percent of the total number of structures in the facility.

In June 2008, the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (Asep), upon the request of the Congressional Committee on Transportation, came out with its own conclusion that while there are structural defects in the facility, the terminal can still be safe for use “provided that the multilevel car park is not used and the deficient structures be programmed for remediation.”

The Miaa made it clear that the Authority was already done with the necessary repair of the collapsed ceiling at the main arrival hall, including similar-built ceilings, as per recommendation of the more reliable Asep and not the Tgci, which made its own independent assessment.

“We saw to it that those areas of concern in the structure had been fully addressed before the opening of Terminal 3, contrary to the assertion made by Fta,” Serrano said.

The first commercial flight by Cebu Pacific was mounted in the disputed terminal on June 30, 2008.

Hey man do you have any insider info if i'll be seeing any of PAL's 744 anytime soon/or at All here in SYD?...summer is approaching so i might be able to do some photography again..?

No. I don't have it but you will definitely see one soon, as it is a traffic dictated schedule. PAL, like all other world airlines do overbook their flight. And there are instances where an aussie travel agency blocks 200 seats for flights and there was no enough seats for all the weeks flight. If this happen, the 744 Tokyo flight must not be booked full as it is the only 744 available for the land down under. So the 330 goes to Narita and the 744 goes to Kingsford. Remember, aside from the North American and Japanese market, the land down under is also a gold mine to them as well as for Qantas. That's why I'm saying that their 77W will go down as well. It can be told that in the past, SYD was served not by an Airbus but by a Boeing all week long. Did you know that almost all the flight going down under are full one week before the scheduled departure? Its going to get worst by Winter (summer in Aussielandia) when they can have a months flight booked already. Although, I have my own way of going in or out on a weeks notice, via Singapore or Hong Kong but most Filipinos don't do that because they have huge luggage in tow. Aside from the 4 or 6 hours lost for transit to connecting flights, its more expensive too. But at least I got my flight.

Its the reason why I'm saying it would be very difficult for our government to convinced the Aussie's to negotiate a new ASA in favor of Cebu Pacific without PAL requesting too as all of its tariff are shared equally between Qantas. By the way, Cebu Pacific acquisitions of 330s depend upon the aussie flight that will also be used for Japan operations.

According to a published Qantas report, (I forgot the source), in Southeast Asia, there is only one country that warrants attention, the Philippines. Despite the global energy crisis that grips the airline industry and which dampen travel demands, only the routes to Manila showed positive growth in Asia. While the rest are slipping. Take note, Qantas are withdrawing services to other destinations in Asia Pacific and downgrading others. Only Manila got an upgrade. We might even see a possibility of Qantas 744 in 3 or 4 years time. Just wait.

If you recall I posted the Jetstar connection. If you can figure this out you know what I'm saying. :)

^^
I would like to dispel and stop further speculations here. PAL IS NOT FLYING TO EUROPE soon or more specifically, within the next 5 years. Their main concern is really getting back the category 1 status so that they can expand to Chicago and San Diego. All long haul expansion plans are aimed at the north American Market. If that does not work soon, they will fly 3XW to Toronto which will be the first destination of the triple seven ER. They will pursue plans to fly back to Riyadh on a 330 as early as October 2009 . The second triple seven will fly Tokyo service.The land down under will have a daily service by next winter schedule. PR will not be going to DBX as previously posted.

As a consolation for the europe based filipinos, expect London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Italy as the future routes for PAL by 2014 if all goes well as planned. With next generation jet to boot too!

Anything about the rest are rumors. :)

Well, it was Mr. N. Laude's update to us when he visited the office regarding PAL's update. I think he is a reliable source nman.. but hopefully all of PAL's plan comes into fruition. He is a Senior Account Officer for Passenger Sales, Marketing and Strategic Planning Philippines.

This may now be OT but since we are discussing Qantas, I might as well share this one.

yDWqGS71n04

Well, it was Mr. N. Laude's update to us when he visited the office regarding PAL's update. I think he is a reliable source nman.. but hopefully all of PAL's plan comes into fruition. He is a Senior Account Officer for Passenger Sales, Marketing and Strategic Planning Philippines.

^^
Ah, Mr. Laude, I know the guy. Kinda met him once at Padre Faura. I forgot his name though. But sorry, his not one of the team that decides the route. Its not his problem. Although I must admit that he is a junior officer at the company, if he was indeed the same guy we are talking about.:)

By the way, I was reviewing your post about what he said on 2P. I already told the forum about it way back then so its not a new story to others who may have read my post. Thanks for posting anyway. I'm glad he affirmed what I just said.

Talaga ang mga tao na ito, ayaw ba nila ng development?:ohno:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122976/Pamalakaya-to-Bong-Revilla-Stop-your-fathers-Sangley-dream

Pamalakaya to Bong Revilla: 'Stop your father’s Sangley dream'09/25/2008 | 09:57 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is objecting to the reclamation of coastal areas along Manila Bay to give way to the development of Sangley Point in Cavite City.

The activist fisherfolk alliance on Thursday called on Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr to convince his father Ramon Sr, a former senator and concurrent chair of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), to scrap the project because it would affect fishermen in Cavite.

Revilla Sr wants to transform Sangley Point, a former US Naval Station, as an international logistics hub in Southern Tagalog region.

“Senator Bong Revilla, as chair of the Senate Committee on Public Works and Highways, must listen to the voice of the fisherfolk and the people in general who are affected by this across-the-bay reclamation project of his father to pave way for the transformation of Sangley Point into an international port harbor in the tradition of Hong Kong and Singapore," Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

Revilla Sr had talked about his dream to develop the Sangley Point as an international logistics hub where casinos, hospitals, call centers and recreational centers would be built.

But before construction could take place, the PRA must first reclaim coastal areas in Manila Bay, particularly in the coastal towns of Bacoor, Tanza, Noveleta, Kawit and Cavite City.

Hicap said the reclamation project would displace not less than 26,000 fishing families along the bay from Bacoor to Cavite City. He said the reclamation would also fast track the “death of Manila Bay" as a major fishing ground in the country.

Pamalakaya said Senator Revilla, as chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Public Works and Highways, could intervene in favor of the collective interest of the people in Cavite.

Revilla Sr, a strong ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the P 200-billion Sangley Point Development Project can lead to various businesses and if completed could rival other major international ports in Asia like that in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is also seen to generate jobs to people of Cavite. - GMANews.TV

And what's wrong with having an international airport in the tradition of Hong Kong and Singapore?

traffic is really bad going to that area.

FYI

http://photos-129.friendster.com/e1/photos/92/19/4539129/1_789776257l.jpg


http://photos-129.friendster.com/e1/photos/92/19/4539129/1_632854278l.jpg


http://photos-129.friendster.com/e1/photos/92/19/4539129/1_554869012l.jpg

^^ nagra-rally sila eh, yan ang gusto ng media...:D

pero kahit papaano may punto ang mga fishermen na ito...

i have to agree. mukha kasing walang plano para sa mga iyon.

wala ring daanan na matino papunta sa lugar na yun. aanhin mo ang engrandeng airport kung oras naman ang byahe papunta ng manila. the lrt 1 extension to cavite will never be enough. alangan naman dun pasakayin ang mga foreign guests. this type of development must be parallel with the transportation infrastructure and people who will be affected.

a development must be progressive and sensitive at the same time or else it will be just a tacky one.

^^ Bakit pa binibigyan ng attention ng media yan? We want development! progress!

Tama!

^^ nagra-rally sila eh, yan ang gusto ng media...:D

pero kahit papaano may punto ang mga fishermen na ito...

May punto ngasila eh pero kung ilan sa kanila eh gumagamit ng dinamita na pampasbog para patayin ang mga isda at madamay ang mga corals sa manila bay, dapat lang sila sipain na talaga.... :lol:

And what's wrong with having an international airport in the tradition of Hong Kong and Singapore?

From japan to hong kong, maraming na-displaced na fishermen dun from their massive reclamation projects, so ur right, what's the big deal kung gumawa tayo similar projects samanila bay.... :)

Teka sinabi ba sa article na international airport ang itatayo... ang sabi international port harbor... para sa freight and container ships.... so ang kailangan is access roads and railroads para pagtransport ng mga goods

air service renews again Zambo-Sandakan link and other international route's

http://www.medco.gov.ph/medcoweb/images/photo/2007/May/ZamboSandakan.JPG

ZAMBOANGA CITY--A new air service is renewing Mindanao's direct link to its neighboring areas in the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) with Asian Spirit now flying the Zamboanga-Sandakan route, bringing in more opportunities for closer trade, tourism and investment ties between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Asian Spirit, a Philippine-registered airline company, offers a faster, cheaper and more convenient way of traveling to Malaysia. "We've studied the market and the market is there," Capt. Antonio Buendia, Asian Spirit president said on the market viability of the Zamboanga-Sandakan route during the airline's inaugural flight last 08 May. however this Route has been terminated.

Yeo Boon Hai, President of the Sandakan Municipal Council, welcomed the re-opening of the route, seeing it as a sign of renewed confidence of the airline business in sustaining business and tourism linkages between the two EAGA focus areas.

"This flight will enhance the relationship between the two sister cities," said Yeo.

The airline enjoys free navigational and landing charges from Sandakan government and 50% off on all aeronautical fees from the Philippine government in support of liberalizing the subregion's air linkages.

Asian Spirit is the latest airline that flies the Zamboanga-Sandakan route, Aside from this new route, Asian Spirit is also eyeing at linking Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro City and the Zamboanga-Brunei Darussalam routes.

The airline was flies regularly to Tawi-Tawi and Jolo from Zamboanga. but the Asian Spirit were end their deal to have a Flight Schedule's in whole mindanao.

Meanwhile, Dir. Ricardo San Juan of the Department of Tourism (DOT) IX said that the government will work hand in hand with the airline by exploring marketing windows of increasing tourist exchange between Sandakan and Zamboanga Peninsula. Zamboanga Peninsula has drawn a total of 507,376 domestic and foreign visitor arrivals, about 885 of which are from Malaysia, a drop from the 2,799 Malaysian arrivals recorded in 2005.


"The revival of the Zamboanga-Sandakan route is a positive indication of the strong policy cooperation not only between Malaysia and the Philippines but also of the other two members of the EAGA region, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia," according to MEDCo chair Virgilio Leyretana.

He added that the opening of another economic gateway in Mindanao is "a milestone in encouraging interest to the island-region especially in the sectors of tourism and trade as the airlink will promote Mindanao's potentials to the international market."

The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is a major collaboration to boost the socio-economic development among poor regions of its member-countries by strengthening policies that will enhance the movement of people and goods.

EAGA members are pushing for more regular air connections to link the four countries to the rest of the world and accelerate the planned integration of EAGA's tourism development. Medco.

OT: ^^ san newspaper galing yan? madaming mali sa grammar eh.

baka mahina ang copy reader. hehe...

in the meantime, let me share some planespotting photos taken last sunday from the American Battle monument at around 3 - 4 pm. actually, more international flights are landing at around 2 pm. i'll try to guess the type of aircraft. :)

Qatar Airways (looks like a B777 to me)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2890986454_374f64fff7.jpg

Cathay Pacific (B777) - some of its HKG-MNL flights use the B744 and A330-300
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2890182105_ffb624979f.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2890180169_b56c63721a.jpg

Malaysia Airlines (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2891009510_09da618237.jpg

Philippine Airlines (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2891003814_597f7ce14e.jpg

Singapore Airlines (B777)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2891021606_b961ba9b37.jpg

Kuwait Airways (A340)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2890156931_4d04b9e8cb.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2890154317_1c323b6633.jpg

i skipped the A320s, 319s and 737s. unfortunately, i haven't seen any B747.
And this is the landscape and cityscape of the American Battle monument. the park is open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm including weekends except during holidays.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2890718576_386bf1b98e.jpg

and few months ago, i spent an afternoon in another cemetery - at The Heritage in Taguig. Here are some photos i got...
Emirates (B777)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2621215993_690d3ce8e7.jpg

Cathay Pacific (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2621185267_6da8998aff.jpg

Philippine Airlines (A340-300). The jumbo jet came in later, but it was too dark already to get a good shot. :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2621520243_cbfcd01b45.jpg

Asiana Airlines B767 cargo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2622186670_bfb910e844.jpg

Sinita ako ng gwardiya afterwards. Kasi ginabi ako sa sementeryo. :lol: hindi ko naman masabing adik ako sa plane. baka tanungin niya, bakit dito ka sa sementeryo nagpplane spotting?
pati mobile phone may plane :lol:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2565077021_e31a583968.jpg

Anyway, heritage got a nice landscape...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2622012262_a829d952cc.jpg

Good job Mr Ph_man! Nice shots....

thank you mr midwestguy. :)

The Revilla's don't have the Technical Expertise to these kinds of Projects.
If they will just rely on advisers, baka lang sa pansariling interes mapunta
ito. On the other hand, all the infrastructure should be put up first before
these ports/airports is approved/build, The nearby communities are surely
have employment, etc.

nice pics, nakapamasyal ka na, nakapag plane spotting kapa. sarap :)

ph_man,
the last asiana cargo jet is a boeing 767 not a 777. but great pics!

thank you absinthe and flying olympic. it's so refreshing to spend one afternoon sitting on the grass of American Battle monument. it gives you a feeling of detachment from the chaotic metropolis. try it guys. i can help you go there. but please do it on a saturday or sunday.

@ flying olympic, i can't really tell what's the difference between B767 and B777 aside from the one being older and shorter. what else is the difference? i'm very interested to know. :) i changed the B777 to B767 already, thanks man.

i actually would like to see JAL, Saudi and China Airlines. All of which are using the B744.

Notice the number of rear set of gears of the 777. 3 pairs for 777(total of 6), 2 for 767(total of 4).

oh i haven't noticed that. i thought 767 also has 6 sets. so B767 is a competition to the A330. that brings up another question: what would be the most obvious difference between a B767 and an A330? everything else looks comparable.

edit: look what i got from aviation-news.co.uk

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/media/pic_mar_767_d8.gif

so the boeing type has shorter wing span, and length compared with its airbus counterpart.

traffic is really bad going to that area.

Well, true. But if we would like to be at Par with Singapore and Hong Kong, we know that we should built roads so that the International Port would be accessible primarily to those in the Calabarzon Region. Vehicular traffic in Singapore isn't bad. Even in Hong Kong although there are times where traffic is just bad.

From japan to hong kong, maraming na-displaced na fishermen dun from their massive reclamation projects, so ur right, what's the big deal kung gumawa tayo similar projects samanila bay.... :)

Of course to compensate, we should ensure that these fishermen shall be humanely treated. But I myself may be displaced by this project, and yet, I don't mind relocating if it would make the lives of my fellow Cavitenos better.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/junsan/seat.JPG

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/junsan/seat1.JPG

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/junsan/seat2.JPG

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/junsan/seat3.JPG


Source (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330114&page=249)

Any word on the commencement of PAL Express' MNL-IGN and CEB-IGN routes? Supposedly, service to Iligan will commence today, but PAL's timetables indicate otherwise (as in there's no sched at all).

holy cow! are those pics of PAL??
:banana:

Cosco ups Sangley investment

By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

THE China Ocean Shipping Group Company (Cosco) has increased its committed investments for the company’s proposed logistics hub in Sangley Point, Cavite, to $4 billion to $5 billion from the original $3 billion.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said Cosco’s management made the decision after the government officially made available to the company a big part of the naval station through the issuance of Executive Order 629 late last month.

EO 629 directs the Philippine Reclamation Authority to convert Sangley Point into an international logistics hub with modern seaport and airport through an enabling reclamation component.

Favila said the president and CEO of Cosco, Wei Jia Fu, will be coming back to Manila soon to finalize plans for the project.

“The Cosco CEO said he is willing to pump in $4 billion to $5 billion to convert Sangley Point to a modern port facility,” Favila told reporters Wednesday.

With the issuance of the EO, Favila said the national government has done its part to make the project happen and it is now up to the local government of Cavite to do its share.

At this time, Favila said it will still take some convincing for the province of Cavite to help Cosco speed up the process.

Favila said he was assured by Cosco officials that the part of the Sangley Point that is being used by the Philippines Navy will not be affected by the Cosco operations.

Earlier, Cosco announced it will pour in $3 billion to convert Sangley Point to its Southeast Asian logistics hub.

The Cosco CEO and his team personally informed President Arroyo of their plan when they visited the country in June.

Favila said he told Cosco officials then to look for a place where they can set up operations and he was informed that the Chinese have already chosen Sangley Point.

Before the Cosco officials came over, Favila said the company had quietly searched for prospective sites and found Sangley Point the most suitable, especially with its deep waters near the shore.

I cant say Im against China investing in RP but I would say that I trust South Korea way way better than China at the moment. My question here is, why Philippines not Vietnam? COSCO being a government owned company and all, does make one think if this expanssion has any other motives other than the economics stand point.

Im a bit uneasy about this, frankly speaking. A country/government who we had no previous clear diplomatic replationship other than the Spratly issue suddenly decided to invest billions of dollars with us. The same country/government who is not affraid to test the waters with us by settings up installations in a disputed area (Spratlys). Trying to see what our reaction will be...hmmm. An investment that will bring in their "experts" who work for COSCO, a government owned corporation, who are probably members of "the Party".
Its like inviting your neighbor inside your house to fix your poarch. The same neighbor who had been trying to tell you that your poarch should be his.

Buying made in China is one thing (dont even get me stared with "infant formula scandal"), inviting them over is quite another.

Anyone here read about Chinese Investments in Africa? Try reading, I cannot provide link at the moment but Im sure ya'alls can ask our freind google. :)

^^ I love the new seats. I hope this is complemented by a beautiful, bilingual inflight safety video that PAL said they will be producing in line with the new cabin.

baka mahina ang copy reader. hehe...

Qatar Airways (looks like a B777 to me)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2890986454_374f64fff7.jpg


^^
It looks A330-200 to me.. :)

^^
I would like to dispel and stop further speculations here. PAL IS NOT FLYING TO EUROPE soon or more specifically, within the next 5 years. Their main concern is really getting back the category 1 status so that they can expand to Chicago and San Diego. All long haul expansion plans are aimed at the north American Market. If that does not work soon, they will fly 3XW to Toronto which will be the first destination of the triple seven ER. They will pursue plans to fly back to Riyadh on a 330 as early as October 2009 . The second triple seven will fly Tokyo service.The land down under will have a daily service by next winter schedule. PR will not be going to DBX as previously posted.


I concur 100% on this statement.

Any word on the commencement of PAL Express' MNL-IGN and CEB-IGN routes? Supposedly, service to Iligan will commence today, but PAL's timetables indicate otherwise (as in there's no sched at all).

They are deferred indefinitely as the AFP can't secure the approach and final path of the PAL express plane going to Iligan. Intelligence report possible attack on final. ATO/CAAP don't want to risk that until the area is cleared by unwanted MILF elements. Right now, the AFP can't guarantee it. Glad to help.

Source (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330114&page=249)

^^
For those who want to ride this plane on domestic front, book a flight for Cebu starting on the 3rd week of October leaving at 3pm. You might just be able to have a chance to enjoy it if you got lucky. It will be a LAX-HKG-CEB service. Remember this is alternating with another 744 so don't blame me if you ride the other one. Note also that afternoon flight is subject to arrival time of the 744 from Guam. If it arrives late, it will go to Cebu in the morning and Hongkong in the afternoon.Official announcement will be made next month. Look for the tail 7471. Don't fail to make a travel report after wards. Good luck!:)

You do it for yourself, arianespace! :D

Are the Recaro seats of PR resemble SQ's Spacebeds?

I think I will but not on those dates. Probably before all souls day. I might just be lucky as well. Lets see.

I really am not in the position to compare it with SQ since I haven't seen or better yet ride the new J class for PR myself. But one thing is certain though, SQ skybed is F class while PR is J class. That's one hell of a difference. As to J classes, it remains to be seen.

OT: ^^ san newspaper galing yan? madaming mali sa grammar eh.



hindi yan from newspaper forwarded e-mail lang sa amin ng local GSA ng Hong Kong Express dito, I'm working in a freight forwarding company kaya may copy ako niyan.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2890986454_374f64fff7.jpg

^^
It looks A330-200 to me.. :)

^^

Yup its A330-200 nga, dalawa flight ng Qatar, eto yung flight schedule

Doha-Manila (Daily)
QR646 ETD DOH: 0055H ETA MNL: 1530H
Manila-Doha (Daily)
QR647 ETD MNL: 1710H ETA DOH: 2140H

Doha-Manila (days 2,4,6,7)
QR644 ETD DOH: 1425H ETA MNL: 0500H
Manila-Doha (days 1,3,5,7)
QR645 ETD MNL: 0655H ETA MNL: 1125H

@ Arianespace - So you think RP-C7471 will do it's first Transpac flight after the reconfig in November? Hope I can catch it in the very near future.

Just to share, I was on board RP-C8168 (PR103 LAX-MNL) last Sept. 19 and we were on final at GUM. It was raining so hard and there was some buffeting. We had to do 2 go-arounds and was eventually diverted to Saipan. Since Saipan is not a PAL Station, we had to wait more than 2 hours before we can get refueled. The FBO wanted to make sure that they will get paid and waited for authorization from Manila. The crew made a heroic effort to keep a plane load of pax happy. It was the first time that I had a meal served while the A/C is in the ground. :D The go-around was one wild experience.

^^
sounds like the same post by PRFLYER at airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4118396/). Are you the same guy?

Yep...one and the same. So let me guess, you're Learnside or LurveBus. :banana:

^^
Nope.None of the above.

I believed this is the more vibrant site compared to other aviation related forums that concerns Philippine Airports & Aviation. A number of good local contributors keep us updated on any news and pictures, relevant or irrelevant. A good community actually, from the decent professionals to the occasional morons who parade as trolls. That's why I'm here.:)

Viasa never change his name here. Why change yours?

will one of those 744s be the San Francisco route?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2890986454_374f64fff7.jpg



^^

Yup its A330-200 nga, dalawa flight ng Qatar, eto yung flight schedule

Doha-Manila (Daily)
QR646 ETD DOH: 0055H ETA MNL: 1530H
Manila-Doha (Daily)
QR647 ETD MNL: 1710H ETA DOH: 2140H

Doha-Manila (days 2,4,6,7)
QR644 ETD DOH: 1425H ETA MNL: 0500H
Manila-Doha (days 1,3,5,7)
QR645 ETD MNL: 0655H ETA MNL: 1125H

You guys might be right. Here's the original version of my photo:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2889870799_22b3316116_o.jpg

By the way, I wonder why travel agents are booking our staff to a MNL-DXB-DOH-LOS (Lagos, Nigeria) flight when there exists a direct flight to Doha anyway. :)

^^
Best reason for that is all flights going to Doha are fully booked on the propose date of departure, especially if you book 1 or 2 weeks before departure date. It happen to me once, although on a different route. Since I have no choice but to leave on that date, I made a circular route. No problem actually if its other peoples pocket. The problem is you have to endure a longer flight and more connections too. The bottom line there is you arrive on the date you are supposed to be there. :)

^^
Nope.None of the above.

I believed this is the more vibrant site compared to other aviation related forums that concerns Philippine Airports & Aviation. A number of good local contributors keep us updated on any news and pictures, relevant or irrelevant. A good community actually, from the decent professionals to the occasional morons who parade as trolls. That's why I'm here.:)

Viasa never change his name here. Why change yours?

^^

did i do something wrong??? :lol: sorry guys i'm quite new in this forum second post ko lang and i'm not really used pa magpost ng mga message dito heheheh sorry if i used the pics without the consent of the owner... i just want to show lang kasi that the QR pics is an A330 :lol::lol:

by the way i'm working in a freight forwarding company (the one sending you cargo, parcel etc. outside the Philippines) and i'm currently in the Air Export department that why i have some info about airlines i actually have contacts directly from the local sales agent of almost all the airlines here (offline & online carrier) specially in the cargo section....

Again sorry if i did something wrong :) should you need to know anything about the airlines here etc. just ask me and i'll try to anwer you guys....

^^

did i do something wrong??? :lol: sorry guys i'm quite new in this forum second post ko lang and i'm not really used pa magpost ng mga message dito heheheh sorry if i used the pics without the consent of the owner... i just want to show lang kasi that the QR pics is an A330 :lol::lol:

by the way i'm working in a freight forwarding company (the one sending you cargo, parcel etc. outside the Philippines) and i'm currently in the Air Export department that why i have some info about airlines i actually have contacts directly from the local sales agent of almost all the airlines here (offline & online carrier) specially in the cargo section....

Again sorry if i did something wrong :) should you need to know anything about the airlines here etc. just ask me and i'll try to anwer you guys....

you did not do anything wrong. you can use my photo anyway you want. hindi yan copyrighted. arianespace is not referring to you. he's refering to the general public of SSC. unless he's referring to me. but i am more on posting photos.

@ arianespace. our staff are usually booked few days before their flights. i guess that explains why the ticketing company has to opt for that longer route. i actually have no problem with that as i get to visit several airports along the way. but as you said, it's the pricey option. but the company pays for it anyway. then so be it.

on second thought, i remember the return flight of my friend will also pass by Doha. that was booked 3 months ahead. hmmm...something's fishy here. :lol:

Okay guys, these are the real score on Open Sky policy of the Philippine government. The Pro's and the cons. All arguments from either side will be based on these proposition.


SPECIAL REPORT:
CLOSED OR OPEN SKIES?
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/2/5/1/1364152.jpg
Closed skies policy wins

Philippine Travel Agencies Association, SEAIR lose fight to PAL

By Rene Q. Bas (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/28/yehey/top_stories/20080928top1.html), Editor in Chief

THE debate is over: The “closed skies” policy has won over “open skies.”

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told The Times: “There is no such thing as EO500-B. There was a draft. But the President did not sign it.”

For more than a year now, until today’s revelation by the Executive Secretary, there has been a fight between those segments of the aviation and the entire tourism industry over which policy should prevail.

The Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) have been waging a war against open skies.

Ranged against them are the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), most of the members of the Hotel and Restaurants Association, SEAIR and even the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The last-named has the duty of making the country ready for the Asean opens skies policy as part of Asean economic* integration.

Open skies is supported by the experience of every country that has succeeded in getting scores of millions of tourists. It is purely an arithmetical formula. The more seats there are in incoming flights, the more tourists arrive.

But of course local airlines may end having less of those seats.

The philosophical arguments for the policy of restricting open skies only to countries that give similar rights to Philippine carriers are articulated best by lead convenor of the Fair Trade Alliance, former Senator Wigberto Tañada in a speech he gave last year at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) forum on “Save our Skies or Open Skies: A View from Both Sides.”

Tañada and the Fair Trade Alliance sided with the local aviation industry not because they are “against economic liberalization per se” but because they are “for an economic liberalization that is calibrated, measured, progressive and synchronized with our own development priorities and the capacities of our industrial and agricultural producers…”
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/2327108062_d4a46023a4.jpg?v=0


Calibrated protection

He explained that FTA’s policy of “calibrated protection” is exactly what “our neighbors – Japan, South Korea and now China and Vietnam – have done and are continuing to do. The problem is that our economic technocrats, from the time of Marcos to the present, have a very limited concept of attaining economic growth – that is, opening up of the economy in an accelerated, one-sided and even lazy and reckless manner.”

He cited how in the “l980s and 1990s, we opened up our manufacturing in a wholesale manner in accordance with a World Bank timetable, making us one of the ten most open economies by l997, this according to the Bank of International Settlements of Switzerland. The result? Many of our industries producing textiles, tires, tiles, plastics, chemicals, auto parts and so on have been decimated by the unilateral trade liberalization, aggravated by a culture of smuggling in the country and the anti-Filipino attitudes of our own technocrats. We did the same in agriculture, from the mid-1990s to the present. The result? From a net agricultural exporter, the Philippines is now a net agricultural importer of almost everything — from rice and corn to onion and garlic, from fruits and vegetables to meat and milk. Thus, if a food crisis will break out in Australia, Thailand and Vietnam simultaneously, this country will go hungry, as many of our displaced Filipino farmers have already been experiencing.”

“And now, from unilateral industrial liberalization and unilateral agricultural liberalization, we want to open up unilaterally our skies, our aviation market, without any equal reciprocity. My God, what is happening to this country?

“This brings me to the second fundamental belief of the Fair Trade Alliance – there should be a level playing field for Filipinos and foreigners alike. Why in heaven’s name should foreigners be treated like kings and Filipinos like beggars in their own country by their own government? Under Article 2, Section 19 of our Constitution, it is expressly provided that the State should provide a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. Does this have no meaning at all? Even one of our native songs call for kaunting pagtingin for Filipinos from their own government. But unfortunately all this has been rendered meaningless by the continuing colonial mentality of some of our policymakers.”

Clark issue

“Thus, in the Clark’s open skies issue, we are shocked to hear outright proposals for the Philippines to unilaterally open up our skies and abandon the globally-accepted norm of aviation trade negotiation, which is bargaining bilaterally for equal or reciprocal flying rights. Moreover, some arrogant foreign carriers want to have more rights than the Filipino air carriers such as the privilege of operating even without any permit from the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) and the privilege of using Clark as a hub to fly to other destinations.

“The unfairness is most evident when Macau denied the application of Asian Spirit to fly from Clark to Macau and back, whereas Tiger Air of Singapore has been allowed to fly freely from Clark to Macau and Singapore. As the CEO of Cebu Pacific himself was quoted, ‘we might as well as register as foreign air carriers’. A unilateral aviation liberalization policy clearly contradicts the Constitutional mandate that ‘the State shall protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices’ (Sec. 1, Article XII).

“Thirdly, we believe, if this country has to progress and soar, we must get our act together as a nation. But what some of the Clark open skies proponents have done are to divide us and confuse society because of some of the issues being raised are highly exaggerated if not false. For example, those questioning the proposal have been labeled as rent-seekers, protectionist and supporters of a failed Filipino-First policy. And yet, as clear as the blue sky, our unilateral economic liberalization of the last three and a half decades is what has failed this country.
http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/1/6/8/5/69981_1211097586_tb.jpg
Government support

“They have also conveniently ignored the inconvenient fact – most of the big air carriers in Asia are supported by their respective governments and are even owned wholly or partly by these governments, for example, Singapore Air is majority-owned by Temasek, a government investment corporation, while Thai Air is 70 per cent owned by the Thai government. In the Philippines, the industry players are now all private and do not get any assistance from the government.

“So who is rent-seeking? Who is protectionist? And yes, who is the anti-Filipino? Have you heard about what happened in the recent RP-Korea air talks in Davao? How about the expanded air agreement with Canada which has been pending for almost two years.

Another argument being raised by the proponents is that the entry of the foreign carriers in Clark has been a boon to tourism. Yes, it has been a boon to Macau tourism, a boon to Singapore tourism, a boon to Kuala Lumpur tourism and a boon to other tourist destinations outside the Philippines. Please take a look at the list of those taking the foreign air carriers, many of them are middle-class Filipinos herded at the pick-up point at Mega Mall in Metro Manila. Of course, we are not against Filipinos traveling and taking advantage of cheaper plane rates. But please, let us not exaggerate too much by saying that the Clark arrangement is a big boon to Philippine tourism when the fact is many of the tourists are flying outward, not toward our fabled 7,100 isles.”

Well, the “calibrated open skies policy” has won at last.


WHAT CAUSES THE CONFUSION

http://www.pcpo.ph/uploads/200407_02ad_640.jpg
‘No such thing as EO 500-B;
President never signed it’

By Angelo S. Samonte (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/28/yehey/top_stories/20080928top2.html), Reporter

President Gloria Arroyo has never supported a proposal calling for the “open-skies policy” liberalizing the local aviation industry because she was persuaded that it could have adverse effects on the operations of local carriers.

“There is no such thing as EO 500-B,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told The Manila Times. “There was a draft but the President never issued the executive order. She made the decision after getting several feedbacks from the aviation industry. The President came to believe that it’s not wise to issue such an order.”

Ermita said that the only existing order is EO 500-A, which is an amendment to EO 500. He added, as far “he knows there is no EO 500-B.”

Companies operating at the Clark Economic Zone urged President Arroyo early this year to sign the executive order that allows unlimited freedom rights to foreign air carriers.

Locators in the Clark economic zone said the implementation of EO 500-B would help not only Clark but the entire Central Luzon in developing the economy since the opening of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) will bring in more foreign tourists and investments.

But local airlines, especially PAL, opposed the move citing unfair competition, as EO 500-B will not automatically give them the same unrestricted flying rights in different countries.

Hotel and restaurant operators in Central Luzon on the other hand supported the implementation of EO 500-B, saying it is important to allow the entry of investment and foreign carriers into the DMIA (pronounced “Damia” and meaning “Diosdado Maca*pagal International Airport”) and into Subic Bay International Airport because it will bring in more tourists from Asia but also from other parts of the world.

Clark locators even signed a manifesto in May calling for the immediate passage of EO 500-B, the scheduling and successful conclusion of air talks with major and new partners in tourism, trade and overseas employment and the acceptance of proposals by other countries for liberal air access including “pocket open skies in Clark and in Subic.”

They stressed that opening Clark to foreign carriers will also solve the problem of the delays in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) due to lack of airline seats especially for those bound for the Middle East.

THE ARGUMENTS

Why seair is in favor of open skies policy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/2320618465_b4f70f41d5.jpg?v=0
By Darwin G. Amojelar (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/28/yehey/top_stories/20080928top3.html), Reporter

We asked Avelino Zapanta, president of South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR), “Are you for the so-called open-skies policy?”

He replied, “Yes.”

“The open-skies regime envisioned provides for unlimited third and fourth freedom traffic rights with all other traffic rights subject to negotiation. This conforms with my own definition of open skies.

“The Asean one is still limited though in the sense that it covers only the capital cities of the member countries. I would go so far as covering any and all points any airline would like to serve. Why curtail the opportunity of other Philippine cities by preventing foreign airlines to fly there?

“We should all the more ask for it because we should like the tourist to fly from their true origins in their countries to the true destinations in the Philippines without having to go through the hassle of connecting flights in Manila or Cebu.

“I also believe that you open the door and people are liable to enter. It benefits the country. For every individual who enters is bound to generate some income for the country: transport, hotel, food, entertainment, etc., industries will benefit. Therefore let’s make it easy for them to enter by relaxing entry rules.

“We should also improve our infrastructure, our facilities, machineries, materials related to product and service offerings.

“Do proper and sufficient level of marketing. By this the airline must produce the products and services designed to satisfy the needs and wants of the target markets in sufficient volume and priced within the acceptable limits by the target markets and distributed to places closest and conveniently accessible to the target markets.

“Finally, there must be sufficient promotion to communicate that the product/service exists, at prices that suit the pocket of the customers and found/available at specific places.

“Today our airlines and our country are doing half-hearted marketing. The product and the service might be good, the prices right but there is insufficient distribution and hardly any promotion.

“Other countries have big budgets in promoting via global TV channels. For a brief shining moment WOW Philippines was in CNN and elsewhere. It could not be sustained because of the limited budget.

“Watch how Malaysia, Thailand and the others saturate advertising and promotion in all media particularly the global TV channels.

“Anybody who says open skies is not going to boost tourism is deceiving himself or wants to keep the market for only himself. And will do everything to monopolize the market.

“If foreign airlines are competing openly in a route the likelihood of airfares going down is positive. A monopoly on a route results in very high airfares, and why not? There is no competition. Where airfares are low traffic volume goes up. If the volume is up more players are encouraged to operate. And the country must not care whoever carries the traffic, local or foreign airlines. What counts is the number of tourist arrivals is up because that number multiplies many times and benefits many other sectors of the economy.

“Local vs. foreign for as long as it is open skies, the field of competition is fair. Anyone may field any amount of capacity and the customers will never complain.

“Surprisingly, the lack of fairness is in the local vs. local competition. For example: Airline designation is a form of collusion that favors the major carriers. There should be open, multiple airline designation in all air services agreements with all countries.

“Another example: No carrier must be allowed to rent out traffic rights of the country in the guise of codesharing. When an airline codeshares the traffic rights of the country and does not launch actual flight operation and allows only the foreign airlines to operate then the local airline is renting out traffic rights which belong to the Filipino people and which might be operated by other local carriers.”

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/447175279_0ba299f906.jpg?v=0

Are you for the EO 500-B? We asked Mr. Zapanta.

“It is difficult to say because EO 500-B is reportedly being drastically amended. Until we get to know what would really come out we would never know if it is acceptable or not. If it would open up the skies of Clark even on third and fourth with negotiated fifth and other freedoms, plus multiple airline designation, plus no unilateral codesharing, that should be acceptable.”

He cited how an airline like Cebu Pacific has become a world player.

“Cebu Pacific is now boasting that it’s been recognized as the third fastest growing airline in the world and it is not even open skies yet. Remove the obstacles, the obstinacies of the major carriers in the issue of open skies and you will find Philippine carriers fighting it out in the open arena.”

Aging population

“The world around us is suffering from aging population, depopulation and shrinking population of cities. They need migrants to augment the labor force, give care to the aged, support the economy through consumption. This is estimated to create traffic in the hundreds of millions in the decades to come. More startling is the subsequent wave of travelers which will be three or four times more than the migrants.

“This is what the industry is calling VFR traffic. These are family members and friends who visit their OFW family member wherever he is residing instead of the other way around. This is made possible by the LCC phenomenal pricing that contributes to create new and voluminous aviation traffic.

“A big part of this will come from the Philippines. And this is perhaps an argument for non-imposition of birth control if we suffer the same fate as Singapore and China who have junked their controlled family size due to the developing concern of shortage of people to churn the economy.”


Why PAL, Cebu Pacific don’t
like the open skies policy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2498355260_df9614c623.jpg?v=0
By Darwin G. Amojelar (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/28/yehey/top_stories/20080928top4.html), Reporter

We interviewed Rolando G. Estabillo, vice president of Philippine Airlines for Corporate Communications.

Are you in favor of open skies?

Reply: “We are in favor of a fair and meaningful open-skies arrangement within Asean that allows PAL and the Philippine aviation industry to grow in a healthy and sustainable way, and tap new opportunities in the Asean region.

“The Asean open-skies regime is a step forward in opening up some opportunities, but it suffers from the lack of a level playing field. Philippine carriers are private citizens that operate as business enterprises for profit, but the major airlines of the other Asean member countries are state-owned companies, many of which enjoy strong governmental backing and even financial assistance. That can distort competition, which does not help either our local airlines nor the airline customers.

“We would have preferred the Asean regime to incorporate stronger safeguards against market distortions and anti-competitive practices by dominant or subsidized airlines. If Asean is serious about aviation liberalization, then all Asean member countries should commit to privatize their flag carriers and allow truly fair competition to flourish—no bailing out of sick national airlines, no subsidies, no special favors, no coddling of anti-competitive predatory market practices. That would pave the way for legitimate liberalization, where everyone has a fighting chance, where success goes to the worthy competitor.

“We will stay on track with our current steady expansion program within Asean and offer attractive schedule choices on prime routes. In recent months we have added flights to the point that we are the only airline offering up to four flights per day from Manila to Singapore on some days of the week, one daily flight to Jakarta, a daily service to Vietnam [Ho Chi Minh City], and soon two daily flights to Bangkok.

“Overall, we now offer 50 [soon 53] flights weekly to Asean destinations, offering more flights and more seats [over 8,500 per week, to increase soon to 9,000] than any other airline between Asean and the Philippines.

“Since the Asean open-skies regime applies only to capital city airports, we see an opportunity in attracting more Asean citizens to venture beyond the capital to visit Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan and other tourist spots.

“In our international and domestic markets, PAL is competitive. We are thriving in competition with mega-carriers, low-cost airlines, global alliances, you name it. Apart from Asean, we have a strong presence in the US market, in Canada, Japan, Korea, and in China, the market of the future. We opened up new Korea routes when there was still no Korean tourist market to speak of, seven or eight years ago. We ventured into Shanghai when prospects looked dim after 9/11. We gambled on Las Vegas after much bigger Asian airlines abandoned that route. And we are doing well on all these routes.

“The challenges are great, especially in this era of skyrocketing fuel prices and economic setbacks, and especially when we are competing with subsidized and sheltered Asean airlines. But we will face the challenges squarely. We will be dynamic and innovative. We must continually tap new markets and seek opportunities. No policy will help boost tourism if airlines are not prepared to do the actual day-to-day hard work of promoting the Philippines as a business and leisure destination. We assure you that PAL will do its part.

“We would like to see a reciprocal liberalization policy for Clark that gives Filipino airlines equal access and opportunity. We don’t believe that unilateral open-skies declarations are good for the country, whether it’s the current E.O. 500-A policy or the E.O. 500-B policy being considered.

“It won’t work to have virtual open skies for foreign airlines while the policy is ‘closed skies’ for Philippine carriers. Sure, foreign airlines are welcome to serve these developmental airports, but there should be a guarantee of equal access and equal opportunity for the Filipino airlines as well. As you’ll note, the Philippine carriers are embarking on huge investments to build up air service hubs at Clark airport.

“We won’t just fly in and out of Clark, we will be making it our second home. It would be terribly counterproductive for us to be shut out of international routes to and from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. This is why we welcome the recent series of air services negotiations with countries like Macau, Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand, where the Philippines negotiated reciprocal air rights that both Filipino and foreign airlines may use to serve Clark.”
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/7/3/5/1155537.jpg


Cebu Pacific also has reservations

We also interviewed Cebu Pacific’s vice-president for Marketing and Products. Candice Iyog.

She said:

“Cebu Pacific advocates open skies as long as the rights are reciprocal to carriers of both countries. Unilateral grant of open skies often turns out to be ‘one-way skies’ because it undermines the Philippines’ negotiating position in terms of gaining equal or equivalent traffic rights to other countries for its carriers.

“Cebu Pacific supports Asean open skies because it is a multilaterally negotiated agreement that allows for reciprocity. Cebu Pacific already competes with foreign airlines on the international routes that it serves, and it will continue to operate in the same manner that it is operating now by offering year-round low fares and a fun on-board experience.

“We have a successful product as evidenced by our rapid growth in the past three years since we converted into a full LCC model. We believe that the open-skies policy will bring about more seat capacity in the Asean region. This will allow the Filipino traveler to have more choices and it will compel local airlines to be more competitive.

“Open skies, however, is only one of the factors that influence growth in the tourism industry. We must remember to improve on other factors as well [i.e. infrastructure, hotel rooms, perception of peace and order].

“Cebu Pacific favors bilaterally negotiated open skies, which means the Philippines grants another country the rights under an open-skies regime after having negotiated for the same rights for itself. The most important determinant of such negotiations is that the tradeoffs to be obtained by both parties are of equal or equivalent realizable value. In any negotiation, the main objective should be to achieve a level playing field.

“Our view is that E.O. 500-B as it is currently drafted is anti-Filipino and discriminatory because it allows foreign carriers to enjoy air rights that are not available to Philippine carriers.

“We believe that liberalization should not be achieved at the expense of Philippine carriers and other stakeholders in Philippine civil aviation industry. Ironically, E.O. 500-B, rather than encouraging liberalization and competition, is actually anti-competitive.

“Allow us to cite an example: Earlier in the year, Hong Kong Express, a Hong Kong-based carrier, was able to operate to Clark through E.O. 500-A. Cebu Pacific had wanted to fly the same route, yet we were unable to because the cap on flights between the Philippines and Hong Kong under the existing Air Service Agreement had already been reached. Thus, unilaterally allowing international airlines entry into Clark without their home governments granting Filipino carriers the same rights and had prevented Cebu Pacific from doing so.

“Fortunately, the Philippine government, during bilateral talks with Hong Kong, amended the Air Service Agreement, allowing Philippine carriers to begin servicing the Clark-Hong Kong route. As earlier stated, operating in an open-skies regime will compel us to be more competitive. We will have to constantly improve our products and services as we compete with the global carriers from other Asean countries.”

CONCLUSION

CAB: Asean open skies coming soon!
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/4/8/5/0620584.jpg
By Darwin G. Amojelar (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/28/yehey/top_stories/20080928top5.html), Reporter

Whatever the President decides on whether there should be open or closed skies, the open-skies policy will prevail in the end because under the Asean all the carriers of the countries of the association will be allowed unlimited rights.

Porvenir P. Porciuncula, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) deputy executive director and head of economic planning, told this to The Manila Times for this special report.

He said:

“In the Asean roadmap for integration, the agreement has been made ready for the members to sign. The agreement will allow flights between capital cities in Asean without limitations.”

The Philippines will have to sign the agreement. Then it has to ratify and carry it out.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs told the CAB that ratification is entirely within the power of the Executive branch because it is only an executive agreement, not a treaty that requires Senate action.

Porciuncula said the agreement is part of the “Asean roadmap” that was presented to the leaders and the ministers of the Asean countries in the Asean Summit in Cebu.

“There was a timeline set. And it will take effect in December. This December 2008,” he said.

“This has been discussed in the previous working group and ministerial meetings. However, in the Asean tradition, sometimes the implementation will also depend on the readiness of the member countries. This is part of the flexibility that was agreed when the roadmap was crafted,” he said.

“This is because the member countries also recognize that there are differences between countries in terms of infrastructure, the airlines, etc. But we expect that our airlines, having acquired new aircrafts, especially starting to expand their flights to a lot of Asean countries, will not take long to agree with our government to ratify and go ahead and implement the open-skies agreement.”

“Of course the industry players will all be consulted,” he said in answer to The Times’ question. “There are some issues that worry various segments of the travel and tourism industry.”

One of the issues, he said, is that some Philippine airlines worry that other countries’ airlines are government-owned and heavily subsidized.

“Unlike in our case we have private-sector owners of our airlines. They feel they would not be playing on a level playing field. Then government airlines have a lot more capital,” he said.

“Of course, our airlines would then want to see that our government will give them all the support they need.”

There are other questions: the competition mechanism, for example.

“Unlike in Europe where they have a single aviation market. There is a general competition policy in Europe to balance everything, there is a competition framework. Here in Asean, we are integrating but we don’t have competition policy among Asean countries. But air travel is in the top priority for Asean integration. So we had to inject a lot of competition policy issues. But in future Asean will tackle a general competition framework, policies and laws that will form part of the Asean integration mechanics.”

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/3/5/2/0172253.jpg

Viasa never change his name here. Why change yours?

I initially stumbled here in SSC because of Newport City and one of the cluster there is named Montecito. The name just quite stuck in my mind to remind me of my username on this board.
Which also leads me to ask, why a different name in a.net also? Don't see your handle here posting in a.net :lol:

I cant say Im against China investing in RP but I would say that I trust South Korea way way better than China at the moment. My question here is, why Philippines not Vietnam? COSCO being a government owned company and all, does make one think if this expanssion has any other motives other than the economics stand point.

Im a bit uneasy about this, frankly speaking. A country/government who we had no previous clear diplomatic replationship other than the Spratly issue suddenly decided to invest billions of dollars with us. The same country/government who is not affraid to test the waters with us by settings up installations in a disputed area (Spratlys). Trying to see what our reaction will be...hmmm. An investment that will bring in their "experts" who work for COSCO, a government owned corporation, who are probably members of "the Party".
Its like inviting your neighbor inside your house to fix your poarch. The same neighbor who had been trying to tell you that your poarch should be his.

Buying made in China is one thing (dont even get me stared with "infant formula scandal"), inviting them over is quite another.

Anyone here read about Chinese Investments in Africa? Try reading, I cannot provide link at the moment but Im sure ya'alls can ask our freind google. :)

I dont think COSCO is interested on the Philippines anymore. So this special interest theory of China over the Philippines is nothing to be worry of.

I dont think COSCO is interested on the Philippines anymore. So this special interest theory of China over the Philippines is nothing to be worry of.

coolness!!! been on Mars for quite a while...:nuts:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2893207761_b7f2bc4abf_b.jpg
JAL

I thought JAL stopped servicing MNL already and JALways picked up that route for JAL?

^^ JALways and JAL share aircraft. In this case, MNL is serviced by JL aircraft but using JO crew.

ah cool. I know they are the same company. What's the difference anyway? Is JALway an LCC type or what?

^^ JALways is a full-service airline, but they operate to resort destinations such as Honolulu. For one, JO crews are not Japanese, unlike mainline JAL. JALways pilots and flight crews are predominantly American, while their FAs are predominantly non-Japanese Asians. This is done to save on the higher cost of JAL's Japanese crews. Within Southeast Asia, mainline JAL flies to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, while JALways serves Bangkok, Denpasar, Jakarta, Manila and Surabaya.

In the future, JALways will be operating the entire fleet of JAL's 747s as mainline JAL retires them.

Good to know, thanks!!

Yep...one and the same. So let me guess, you're Learnside or LurveBus. :banana:

LOL, Kiretoce is Leamside, and I'm LurveBus.

And yeah, this is a far more vibrant phil-av forum than anything else, although I havent been posting in general lately due to my insane workload.

:lol:LOL, Kiretoce is Leamside, and I'm LurveBus.


^^^ At the end of the day, all the chicken come home to roost. :cheers:


@ Arianespace - Nice post on the Open Skies Policy. I'm with PAL and CP on their stand of reciprocal "Open Skies".

traffic is really bad going to that area.

I heard this comment several times. All I can say is: "sanay na kami". We have senators coming from Cavite and they PROMISED to help their fellow Cavitenyos. Well, we dont need wide roads, we just need PROMISES, it only takes 2 hrs going to makati anyway... This coming 2010, if I hear another "PROMISE" from them again, then they deserve a vote from me... Go Ping! Go Bong! we need your PROMISES...

baka mahina ang copy reader. hehe...

in the meantime, let me share some planespotting photos taken last sunday from the American Battle monument at around 3 - 4 pm. actually, more international flights are landing at around 2 pm. i'll try to guess the type of aircraft. :)

Qatar Airways (looks like a B777 to me)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2890986454_374f64fff7.jpg

Cathay Pacific (B777) - some of its HKG-MNL flights use the B744 and A330-300
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2890182105_ffb624979f.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2890180169_b56c63721a.jpg

Malaysia Airlines (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2891009510_09da618237.jpg

Philippine Airlines (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2891003814_597f7ce14e.jpg

Singapore Airlines (B777)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2891021606_b961ba9b37.jpg

Kuwait Airways (A340)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2890156931_4d04b9e8cb.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2890154317_1c323b6633.jpg

i skipped the A320s, 319s and 737s. unfortunately, i haven't seen any B747.
And this is the landscape and cityscape of the American Battle monument. the park is open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm including weekends except during holidays.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2890718576_386bf1b98e.jpg

and few months ago, i spent an afternoon in another cemetery - at The Heritage in Taguig. Here are some photos i got...
Emirates (B777)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2621215993_690d3ce8e7.jpg

Cathay Pacific (A330)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2621185267_6da8998aff.jpg

Philippine Airlines (A340-300). The jumbo jet came in later, but it was too dark already to get a good shot. :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2621520243_cbfcd01b45.jpg

Asiana Airlines B767 cargo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2622186670_bfb910e844.jpg

Sinita ako ng gwardiya afterwards. Kasi ginabi ako sa sementeryo. :lol: hindi ko naman masabing adik ako sa plane. baka tanungin niya, bakit dito ka sa sementeryo nagpplane spotting?
pati mobile phone may plane :lol:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2565077021_e31a583968.jpg

Anyway, heritage got a nice landscape...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2622012262_a829d952cc.jpg

nice shots francis and great effort..ok din spot me sementeryo :D

btw simple way of telling 767 to A330 is that A330 have wing tips...they are slightly longer & wider

^^
Ah, Mr. Laude, I know the guy. Kinda met him once at Padre Faura. I forgot his name though. But sorry, his not one of the team that decides the route. Its not his problem. Although I must admit that he is a junior officer at the company, if he was indeed the same guy we are talking about.:)

By the way, I was reviewing your post about what he said on 2P. I already told the forum about it way back then so its not a new story to others who may have read my post. Thanks for posting anyway. I'm glad he affirmed what I just said.


Yes he works at PLC...

So you know him... do you also work in PAL? You seem to know a lot in the travel/airline industry... Are you a high exec. of an airline? Owning a GSA in the Phils?

just a question is the spirit of Manila already operational?

And I've got another question:
"Is the Pearl Pacific Airways also operational too?"

http://www.aviationrecord.com/Portals/0/Airlines/P/philippine-plane747.jpg

MANILA: Philippine Airlines will increase flights to key destinations across Asia-Pacific in time for the peak Christmas holiday season.

It says the changes will benefit travellers with extra capacity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan, as well as Singapore all receive new frequencies in PAL’s recently released winter 2008 timetable.

These increases follow on the heels of a similar expansion in the PAL service to Bangkok, which rises from 11 to 14 flights weekly on October 2, announced last week.

The airline’s Australia service, a triangular routing between Manila and the two Aussie points, gets a significant boost when it adds two frequencies on November 30 to become a daily service.

Flight PR 211, a direct service from Manila to Sydney that currently operates every Monday and Thursday, will now also operate every Wednesday at the same times – departing Manila at 9:00 a.m. and arriving in Sydney at 8:15pm.

The return service, PR 212, routed via Melbourne, also gains the third weekly frequency every Wednesday, with departures from Sydney at 9:35pm, continuing on to Melbourne and departing that city at 12:25am the following day, and arrival in Manila at 5:40am.

Meanwhile, flight PR 209, a direct overnight service from Manila to Melbourne, adds a fourth weekly flight every Sunday to go along with existing flights every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Departure from Manila is at 8:30pm and arrival in Melbourne at 7:40am next day.

Returning, PR 210 stops in Sydney and now also operates four times weekly, with an extra flight every Monday. The service departs Melbourne at 9:00am, goes on to Sydney, leaves that city at 12:15pm and arrives in Manila at 5:30pm.

A wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft will continue to fly the Australian routes.

Services to Osaka, Japan, will upgrade to a daily frequency from October 26, with the addition of flights every Tuesday and Saturday to the current five-times-weekly schedule. Operating times will change slightly to conform to winter hours.

Flight PR 408 departs Manila at 2:20pm and arrives in Osaka at 7:05pm. The return flight, PR 407, takes off from Osaka at 9:55am and touches down in Manila at 1:55pm. Wide-body A330 and narrow-body A320 jets alternate on the route.

The Fukuoka service adds an extra flight to become five times weekly and adopts a new, same-day timetable that better suits passengers on the route.

Starting October 26, flight PR 426 operates every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with departures from Manila at 10:00am and arrival in Fukuoka at 2:30pm. Return flight PR 425 departs Fukuoka at 3:30pm and arrives in Manila at 6:25pm.

Meanwhile, PAL’s Singapore service increases from 25 to 28 flights weekly on October 26 when the mid-morning flight (PR 507) upgrades to a daily service from the current four times weekly. The early-afternoon return flight, PR 508, goes daily as well.

More schedule enhancements, including new routes and destinations, slated for winter will be announced soon, PAL said.

Source (http://www.aviationrecord.com/search-results.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=1284)

thought it would be appropriate to continue this discussion here..the topic was expansion of the Fort CBD and its prospects and i chimed in with the view that the airlines need to help out too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ph Man View Post
let's hope so, but by the looks of it, that's not going to happen in the next 10 years. we are still way way behind compared with our neighbors in terms of values of foreign investments. what we're getting are mostly share services for noncore business processes. that's the first wave so let's hope things will not stop from there.

Sloanesquare wrote:
its catch 22...but i think its the airlines that need to move first..28 flights weekly sounds a lot to hk by PAL but its really not enough..the total with CX and 5J is also not enough. basically the target has to be one per hour between 7am and 11pm monday to fridays amongst all the airlines...hk already did the hard bit of the quick train shuttle. manila T3 has also done its bit by being near Makati/Fort. (PAL needs to move soon to T3).

Only then will businesses based in Hk look favourably to Manila and take advantage because just the cost of having a business in HK is so expensive and a big plus for manila.

Then we need to work on frequency to the other ASEAN cities.

hilig talaga sa semeteryo si Ph, este eroplano pala..:lol:

Jolo Airport’s Construction In Full Steam (http://www.sulu.gov.ph/latestinsulu.asp?id=64&hide_id=5&tabid=1&scode#o183vt76dpSPQf5Vxu5C=m34BTa3HI7HNpm2Se01SLq0Xy28Egd)
Monday, September 29, 2008

Manila based-CS Santiago Construction Company wins the project

Patikul, Sulu---“The construction of the Jolo Domestic Airport in Jolo town is in full steam”, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said during the pre-construction conference held last September 17, 2008 at ACC bldg., Patikul, Sulu.

Tan said, “The pre-construction activities and other preparations for P151-Million airport, including the technical specifications and project safety and environmental aspects, have been completed and the construction contract has been bidden out and awarded already by the United States government through Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM3)”.

The airport will be built midway between Jolo and Patikul municipalities with a new runway specification of 1,800 meters and 60 meters wide at both ends. A dimension needed by large aircrafts like Boeing 737 and Airforce C-130 to land.

Tan also said “the completion of the airport will boost investments in the Sulu province and several local and foreign investors have already expressed their intent to set up businesses here”.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’ thrusts through the Department of Transportation and Communication will provide the public with an efficient, effective and secured infrastructures support by 2010. Improvement of Jolo Airport is just one of the big infrastructure projects under the President’s super region program.

In an interview with Engr, Jam Jamonir, he said that “some PHP 80 Million had already been allocated by the government through the DOTC for the construction of a terminal building, perimeter fencing, and relocation of affected military camps and residents who will be affected by the project taken from the 2008 General Appropriation Act (GAA)”.

“The duration of the project is 300 calendar days, and construction will immediately start by 1st week of October 2008” GEM-Area manager-Engr. Eugenio Siason said, during the pre-construction conference.

Sources learned, CS Santiago Construction Company, Inc. a Manila based construction company won the bidding process held last August 2008 in Manila.

In a statement quoted by Engr. Jophel Calaor of the CS Santiago Company, “the construction company committed to successfully implement the project on time, complying all the necessary provisions in the contract”.

Other participants at the pre-construction conference are: Sulu Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, General Juancho Sabban, DOTC-ATO/CAAP, local officials from the Provincial government, Jolo, Patikul and Indanan, GEM-USAID technical staff, CS Santiago construction company representatives and other sectors involved in the project. >with report from BIA-PPDO

Wit, you would more likely find me in a cemetery than in malls. :lol:

nice shots francis and great effort..ok din spot me sementeryo :D

btw simple way of telling 767 to A330 is that A330 have wing tips...they are slightly longer & wider

thank you for the info. i hope i can do some planespotting in busy airports like Hong Kong or Singapore. what about Sydney? :)

How can we tell the difference between a 767 (particularly 764) and a 777 (particularly 772)?

by looking at the landing gear, the cockpit area, the cabin doors of the 777 look larger than the 767, the rear of the fuselage, the size of the engine...i guess that's it

B767-400
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/6/7/7/1391776.jpg

B777-200
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/3/0/4/1398403.jpg

Feel ko lang i-post hope you like it....

***Routing out Manila and Interline Partner Airlines are indicated below the images.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Air_Canada_Logo.svg/280px-Air_Canada_Logo.svg.png
Air Canada (AC)
Manila to Narita via Japan Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/Air_France_logo.svg/250px-Air_France_logo.svg.png
Air France (AF)
Manila to Amsterdam via KLM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/AirNZ_logo2006.svg/230px-AirNZ_logo2006.svg.png
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Manila to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Alitalia.png/300px-Alitalia.png
Alitalia (AZ)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d7/American_Airlines_logo.svg/250px-American_Airlines_logo.svg.png
American Airlines (AA)
Manila to Narita via Japan Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/42/British_Airways_Logo.svg/250px-British_Airways_Logo.svg.png
British Airways (BA)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific
Manila to Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3e/Cargolux_logo.PNG/250px-Cargolux_logo.PNG
Cargolux (CV)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/NewElAlLogo.JPG/250px-NewElAlLogo.JPG
El Al (LY)
Manila-Taipei-Amsterdam via China Airlines
Manila to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Finnair.svg/300px-Finnair.svg.png
Finnair (AY)
Manila-Singapore-Bangkok via Jet Star

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Valuair_logo.jpg
Valuair (VF)
Manila to Singapore via Jet Star

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/84/Lan_Cargo_logo.png
Lan Cargo (UC)
Manila-Taipei-Los Angeles via Eva Air

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Martinair_Logo.jpg/200px-Martinair_Logo.jpg
Martinair (MP)
Manila to Bangkok via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/32/MasAirlogo.jpg/250px-MasAirlogo.jpg
Mas Air (M7)
Manila-Taipei-Los Angeles via Eva Air

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/PIA2007logo.jpg/250px-PIA2007logo.jpg
Pakistan International Airlines (PK)
Manila to Narita via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/Scandinavian_Airlines_logo.png
Scandinavia Airlines - SAS (SK)
Manila to Bangkok via Thai Airways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/SouthAfricanAirways.png/240px-SouthAfricanAirways.png
South African Airways (SA)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Sri_Lankan_Airlines_logo.png/150px-Sri_Lankan_Airlines_logo.png
Sri Lankan Airlines (UL)
Manila to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysian Airlines
Manila-Begawan-Kuala Lumpur via Royal Brunei Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f1/United_Airlines.svg/250px-United_Airlines.svg.png
United Airlines (UA)
Manila to Nagoya via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/Vietnam_Airlines_logo.png/333px-Vietnam_Airlines_logo.png
Vietnam Airlines (VN)
Manila to Saigon via Philippine Airlines

Lufthansa is also included but they have 5 interline parter out Manila tinatamad na akong magtype eh :lol:

****I just don't know if the above routing out Manila and Interline Partners is the same with the passenger section.

The APU tail cone of the B777 is like a fin while the B767 is round.

by looking at the landing gear, the cockpit area, the cabin doors of the 777 look larger than the 767, the rear of the fuselage, the size of the engine...i guess that's it

B767-400
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/6/7/7/1391776.jpg

B777-200
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/3/0/4/1398403.jpg

@ph actually i love your hobby too... parang enjoy... :)

Wit, you would more likely find me in a cemetery than in malls. :lol:



thank you for the info. i hope i can do some planespotting in busy airports like Hong Kong or Singapore. what about Sydney? :)


hehe punta ka dito pare..i'll personally take you there...naka park lagi SQA380 sa morning then it leave around 3pm Yung sa QF A380 ready na din

How can we tell the difference between a 767 (particularly 764) and a 777 (particularly 772)?


767-400 is slightly longer..only continental & delta uses them. they are usually if not all er versions 767-400 has a slighly different wing to a 300 series...easiest way to tell different is that landing gears at the back as aa set of 3 767-400 still have 2...a 767-400 is really more like a smaller 777 its thinner but is more technologically advance than a "say 767-300/er's I believe its same style cockpits as 777s



Montecito_Kid....btw i really like the continental on 767-400 it suits is it looks really good...favorite plane ko 767-400 maybe because i know they're rare to spot on most places apart from N. America..

Asian Spirit now called Zest Airways (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW093008/content.php?id=045)

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW093008/plane.jpg

BUDGET AIRLINE Asian Spirit, Inc. will soon be carrying a new name after regulators approved the ammendments to its articles of incorporation on Thursday.

Asian Spirit has changed its name to Zest Airways, Inc. its amended incorporation articles submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed.

In a phone interview, Asian Spirit Chairman Donald G. Dee said the name switch seeks to reflect the stake of its new owner, juice maker Zest-O Corp. Chairman Alfredo M. Yao, in the firm.

Mr. Dee said they would come out with for the plans for the rechristened firm in the next few weeks. The firm’s board approved the name change in August, while the Civil Aeronautics Board okayed the switch earlier this month.

Set up in 1995, Asian Spirit flies to 12 local and three international destinations — Incheon, Korea; Sandakan, Malaysia; and Macau — using a fleet of 10 planes.

Mr. Yao bought Asian Spirit in March reportedly for P1 billion. Earlier this year, Asian Spirit offered to buy rival Southeast Asian Airlines, Inc. but the two failed to close the deal. — Don Gil K. Carreon

Like the juice?

I just watched the movie Double Impact starring Jean Claude Van Damme on Star Movies. It showed Van Damme taking a PAL 747 flight from LA to Hongkong, landing at the old Kai Tak Airport. Was there ever a PAL flight on that route or is it just in the movies?

Okay guys, these are the real score on Open Sky policy of the Philippine government. The Pro's and the cons. All arguments from either side will be based on these proposition.


:ohno:a dark day indeed, i guess in the end money talks (as always in this country) oh well

source GMANews

The Philippines’ premier carrier is hopeful the government succeeds in upgrading the country’s aviation safety status next year so it can continue its expansion in the United States.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Jaime J. Bautista said the carrier wants to resume operations to New York and expand its operations to San Diego.

Plans of PAL to expand in the US remains stalled unless the local aviation system is given a Category 1 ranking for safety. It may be recalled that the US Federal Aviation Authority downgraded the Philippines' safety rating in January.

"We should be back to Category 1 by July 2009. That is the target. It is very important not only for PAL but for Philippine tourism," PAL President Jaime J Bautista told reporters on Tuesday.

The airline is currently awaiting the delivery of two new Boeing 777 with a 376-seating capacity in September 2009. Both are geared for medium- and long-haul flights and are expected to be 20 percent more fuel efficient than PAL’s older aircraft.

If the Philippines fails to secure a US rating upgrade, Bautista said PAL will just use the new aircraft for flights to regional destinations like Japan, Australia, and Korea.

While waiting for the FAA's decision, PAL announced on Tuesday that it is increasing flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco in anticipation of a surge in passenger volume from the US in time for the Christmas season.

“The trans-Pacific sector is PAL’s most important long-haul market and we are infusing extra capacity as well as upgraded service and equipment into it," Bautista said.

On October 26, PAL will start flying nine flights a week from Manila to Los Angeles from the current frequency of seven weekly flights. Frequency for the same route will be hiked to 11 times a week from December 16, 2008 to January 15, 2009.

For the Manila-San Francisco route, PAL is adding one flight weekly from December 21, 2008 to January 11, 2009.

While PAL expects losses from the July to September period, Bautista said the airline should be able to book profits from October to December as more passengers are bound to travel during the Christmas season

Asian Spirit now called Zest Airways (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW093008/content.php?id=045)

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW093008/plane.jpg

BUDGET AIRLINE Asian Spirit, Inc. will soon be carrying a new name after regulators approved the ammendments to its articles of incorporation on Thursday.

Asian Spirit has changed its name to Zest Airways, Inc. its amended incorporation articles submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed.

In a phone interview, Asian Spirit Chairman Donald G. Dee said the name switch seeks to reflect the stake of its new owner, juice maker Zest-O Corp. Chairman Alfredo M. Yao, in the firm.

Mr. Dee said they would come out with for the plans for the rechristened firm in the next few weeks. The firm’s board approved the name change in August, while the Civil Aeronautics Board okayed the switch earlier this month.

Set up in 1995, Asian Spirit flies to 12 local and three international destinations — Incheon, Korea; Sandakan, Malaysia; and Macau — using a fleet of 10 planes.

Mr. Yao bought Asian Spirit in March reportedly for P1 billion. Earlier this year, Asian Spirit offered to buy rival Southeast Asian Airlines, Inc. but the two failed to close the deal. — Don Gil K. Carreon

Oh....like Zest-O....I am now thinking of its livery that has that juice logo and Jolina with it, hehe!! :D

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10598141/Zesto_Juice.jpg

yep, zest-o...

Uhh...I still think Asian Spirit should have been kept as the name. It sounds better than Zest Airways, for one. It gives it a brand of uniqueness. If we were to wantonly change all the names of Alfredo M. Yao's companies to reflect their affiliation to Zest-O, then his bank, Philippine Business Bank, should become "Zest Bank". Haha.

By the way, I notice that on 6K's webite, they supposedly reinstituted bookings to Jolo, Bongao, Marinduque, Baguio and some of its other terminated destinations. I wonder why.

source: flightinternational

A long-delayed partnership in the Philippines, meanwhile, finally looks set to come to *fruition in some form. In *September 2006 Tiger and small Philippine carrier Seair announced plans for a partnership that would see Seair leasing two A320s from Tiger. Seair would operate the aircraft under its own flight code but there would be marketing ties between the two carriers.

Delayed Plans

Original plans called for services to start in early 2007, with flights operating between Clark, outside Manila, and both Cebu and Davao within the *Philippines, followed later by international flights to Macau and Singapore.

But plans were badly delayed due in large part to the fact that rival carriers sought to block the arrangements between Seair and Tiger. Seair president Avelino Zapanta says the Civil *Aeronautics Board has now given approval after many hearings for the turboprop operator to lease A320s from Tiger. The former head of Philippine Airlines says Seair is now trying to firm up lease arrangements and an *implementation schedule with Tiger for these two aircraft.

Seair president and CEO Avelino L. Zapanta interviewed by The Inquirer
Read full interview here (http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20080928-163468/Battle-to-fly-the-friendly-skies-heats-up)

...most interesting part...
Q. How do you see Seair in the next five years?

A: Seair will be entrenched in its leisure flight operation in the domestic network and in its low-cost destinations in the region. Within the five-year horizon, Seair will also fly international probably the Middle East (mostly land-based OFWs) and Europe for both land and sea-based traffic, e.g., seamen, nurses, caregivers, etc.

cebupac is offering a 288 all-in promo for domestic flights, what is that mean? all you have to pay is 288 for one-way or just the starting rate and other payments shall be added?

Uhh...I still think Asian Spirit should have been kept as the name. It sounds better than Zest Airways, for one. It gives it a brand of uniqueness. If we were to wantonly change all the names of Alfredo M. Yao's companies to reflect their affiliation to Zest-O, then his bank, Philippine Business Bank, should become "Zest Bank". Haha.

By the way, I notice that on 6K's webite, they supposedly reinstituted bookings to Jolo, Bongao, Marinduque, Baguio and some of its other terminated destinations. I wonder why.

And the MNL-ILO flights were postponed too.

source GMANews

The Philippines’ premier carrier is hopeful the government succeeds in upgrading the country’s aviation safety status next year so it can continue its expansion in the United States.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Jaime J. Bautista said the carrier wants to resume operations to New York and expand its operations to San Diego.

Plans of PAL to expand in the US remains stalled unless the local aviation system is given a Category 1 ranking for safety. It may be recalled that the US Federal Aviation Authority downgraded the Philippines' safety rating in January.

"We should be back to Category 1 by July 2009. That is the target. It is very important not only for PAL but for Philippine tourism," PAL President Jaime J Bautista told reporters on Tuesday.

The airline is currently awaiting the delivery of two new Boeing 777 with a 376-seating capacity in September 2009. Both are geared for medium- and long-haul flights and are expected to be 20 percent more fuel efficient than PAL’s older aircraft.

If the Philippines fails to secure a US rating upgrade, Bautista said PAL will just use the new aircraft for flights to regional destinations like Japan, Australia, and Korea.

While waiting for the FAA's decision, PAL announced on Tuesday that it is increasing flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco in anticipation of a surge in passenger volume from the US in time for the Christmas season.

“The trans-Pacific sector is PAL’s most important long-haul market and we are infusing extra capacity as well as upgraded service and equipment into it," Bautista said.

On October 26, PAL will start flying nine flights a week from Manila to Los Angeles from the current frequency of seven weekly flights. Frequency for the same route will be hiked to 11 times a week from December 16, 2008 to January 15, 2009.

For the Manila-San Francisco route, PAL is adding one flight weekly from December 21, 2008 to January 11, 2009.

While PAL expects losses from the July to September period, Bautista said the airline should be able to book profits from October to December as more passengers are bound to travel during the Christmas season

Why are they targeting San Diego though? It's really close to LA... Why not Seattle?

cebupac is offering a 288 all-in promo for domestic flights, what is that mean? all you have to pay is 288 for one-way or just the starting rate and other payments shall be added?


If it says all - in, its all in.. except for the terminal fee at the airport. I already bought cebu bxu roundtrip for just 600 pesos

cebupac is offering a 288 all-in promo for domestic flights, what is that mean? all you have to pay is 288 for one-way or just the starting rate and other payments shall be added?

Kapag All-In-One fare, inclusive of tax na yon. Pero non-refundable and must travel on exact date. Moreover, limited seats and on particular flight lang.

Why are they targeting San Diego though? It's really close to LA...

There is a large Filipino Community in SD compared to Seattle. Also those who live south of Orange county will benefit by this because they don't have to fight the late afternoon/early evening 405 traffic going to LAX.

to be upgraded from category 2 to category 1 on 2009?..is that true

wlang bang plan ang PAL na mag resume or expand their flight's in Europe,Africa or South America?

sana PAL will have an innovation to its brand as it goes back to europe, middle east and other parts of north america in the future. sana may bagong livery or new logo, or a new livery that will complement its existing logo, new advertising, new uniforms to their cabin crew etc etc etc.

OK yan pero isa-isa lang.these things takes years off study & planning..Im sure PAL has Plans but not anytime soon, there's many thing you ned to take in consideration when expanding...

Teaser Ad of Zest (Asian Spirit) Airlines. Taken today at Philstar

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/81/dsc06374bh7.jpg

is that a jet engine? sana maganda din ang livery nila no hehe

ok na zest "o" airways .... del monte airlines naman dapat.. tapos sago't gulaman airways

sago't gulaman airways! i'd ride that.

id rather ride boybawang air :D

Feel ko lang i-post hope you like it....

***Routing out Manila and Interline Partner Airlines are indicated below the images.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Air_Canada_Logo.svg/280px-Air_Canada_Logo.svg.png
Air Canada (AC)
Manila to Narita via Japan Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/Air_France_logo.svg/250px-Air_France_logo.svg.png
Air France (AF)
Manila to Amsterdam via KLM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/AirNZ_logo2006.svg/230px-AirNZ_logo2006.svg.png
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Manila to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Alitalia.png/300px-Alitalia.png
Alitalia (AZ)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d7/American_Airlines_logo.svg/250px-American_Airlines_logo.svg.png
American Airlines (AA)
Manila to Narita via Japan Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/42/British_Airways_Logo.svg/250px-British_Airways_Logo.svg.png
British Airways (BA)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific
Manila to Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3e/Cargolux_logo.PNG/250px-Cargolux_logo.PNG
Cargolux (CV)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/NewElAlLogo.JPG/250px-NewElAlLogo.JPG
El Al (LY)
Manila-Taipei-Amsterdam via China Airlines
Manila to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Finnair.svg/300px-Finnair.svg.png
Finnair (AY)
Manila-Singapore-Bangkok via Jet Star

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Valuair_logo.jpg
Valuair (VF)
Manila to Singapore via Jet Star

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/84/Lan_Cargo_logo.png
Lan Cargo (UC)
Manila-Taipei-Los Angeles via Eva Air

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Martinair_Logo.jpg/200px-Martinair_Logo.jpg
Martinair (MP)
Manila to Bangkok via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/32/MasAirlogo.jpg/250px-MasAirlogo.jpg
Mas Air (M7)
Manila-Taipei-Los Angeles via Eva Air

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/PIA2007logo.jpg/250px-PIA2007logo.jpg
Pakistan International Airlines (PK)
Manila to Narita via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/Scandinavian_Airlines_logo.png
Scandinavia Airlines - SAS (SK)
Manila to Bangkok via Thai Airways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/SouthAfricanAirways.png/240px-SouthAfricanAirways.png
South African Airways (SA)
Manila to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Sri_Lankan_Airlines_logo.png/150px-Sri_Lankan_Airlines_logo.png
Sri Lankan Airlines (UL)
Manila to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysian Airlines
Manila-Begawan-Kuala Lumpur via Royal Brunei Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f1/United_Airlines.svg/250px-United_Airlines.svg.png
United Airlines (UA)
Manila to Nagoya via Philippine Airlines

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/Vietnam_Airlines_logo.png/333px-Vietnam_Airlines_logo.png
Vietnam Airlines (VN)
Manila to Saigon via Philippine Airlines

Lufthansa is also included but they have 5 interline parter out Manila tinatamad na akong magtype eh :lol:

****I just don't know if the above routing out Manila and Interline Partners is the same with the passenger section.

AC teams w/ CX and Pr via HKG... OZ via ICN... JL/JO via NRT.... via HKG is less expensive via CX but on PR quite high because of add-on

BA plates with CX on out-MNL via HKG and on PR but with add-on on fare so CX is better. I've just recently known that BA still has a counter at NAIA whenver there's a CX flight as if an online flight. Most of its pax are using the CX out-MNL flight. It means it still has a market here.

AA is plating JL on out-MNL via NRT, while AZ is split ticketing I don't know how they do their out-MNL.

NZ is plating w/ CX and PR on HKG and LY is both on PAL in BKK, HKG and PEK as well as TG in BKK and CX in HKG.

SK is via BKK using TG and PR in their out-MNL. Then AY teams up with CX and PR in HKG and P and TG in BKK.

I thibk SA pax goes to CX and teams up either PR or HKG for their out-MNL



sana PAL will have an innovation to its brand as it goes back to europe, middle east and other parts of north america in the future. sana may bagong livery or new logo, or a new livery that will complement its existing logo, new advertising, new uniforms to their cabin crew etc etc etc.
I say "GO" for the new uniforms and livery but not the logo.. its one of the most recognized international brand ib the airline industry. But first, go for the new uniforms!

And the MNL-ILO flights were postponed too.

It isn't postponed...their whole booking engine is down. I can't even book flights from Manila to Malay if I wanted to the next day. Asian Spirit's website for some reason is horribly screwy.

is that a jet engine? sana maganda din ang livery nila no hehe

i believe that is the A320 nose, or some other A320 family.... hopefully nga sana maganda ang livery, hopefully not an orange or some sort of citrus rind....

Teaser Ad of Zest (Asian Spirit) Airlines. Taken today at Philstar

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/81/dsc06374bh7.jpg

^^^^ Wow Nice name than Asian Spirit :lol: i think it's a A320 or A319. let's just wait but i voted it's a A320 craft. they also utilizing Wide-Body Aircraft right i wonder what is it?

Philippines, Finland ink air services agreement

MANILA, Philippines, Oct 3 (GCTL) -The Philippines has signed its first air rights agreement with Finland, including fifth-freedom rights to one point in Asia in the allocation for Clark and other Philippine airports outside Manila, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. Philippine air panel member...

wow this is great for PAL... the seat design is the same as its predecessor aircrafts of wave and light reflection on water on economy.. I'm glad that their economy's don't have that spaces in between bec. their new A320s has that disturbs yuor privacy frm pax behind you coz they can see you even people at the front rows you can see what they're doing bec. of those in-between spaces.

Business class is good but they have diff. upholstery with the A320s w/c are in light blue w/ paintbrush lines in white. Plus the PTV is great. Great news for PR... keep upgrading your products!

Source (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330114&page=249)

Iloilo Airport (Cabatuan, Iloilo)
flickr photos by GeorgeParilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgeparrilla/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2884802030_6f973c102b.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2883971529_a3b8733d1f.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2884804796_1d058104b7.jpg?v=0

Philippines, Finland ink air services agreement

MANILA, Philippines, Oct 3 (GCTL) -The Philippines has signed its first air rights agreement with Finland, including fifth-freedom rights to one point in Asia in the allocation for Clark and other Philippine airports outside Manila, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. Philippine air panel member...

-the agreement allocate four flights per week between Manila and Helsinki
-Clark was assigned one daily flight plus 700 metric tons of cargo per week.
-Another seven weekly flights will be distributed among other international airports in the Philippines

The Department of Foreign Affairs said last month that Finnair wanted to open a Philippine route.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Franklin Ebdalin said said Finnair wants very much to come here



The Department of Tourism (DOT) representatives are excited on the prospects of tourism in Finland saying that “many Finnish take their vacation, particularly during winter to escape the season even for just two weeks. The Philippines can be a good destination for those who enjoy the sea particularly diving, snorkeling and surfing.”

The air connection (if the airlines can operate soon despite the effect of the US financial problem and the oil price level) will enhance these opportunities and increase the cultural exchange between the people of the two countries and even those from the Nordic countries and northern Europe.



hope this going to happen for real and as soon as possible. I am eargly waiting for another manila flight from Europe. Is this going to be a nonstop flight?

-the agreement allocate four flights per week between Manila and Helsinki
-Clark was assigned one daily flight plus 700 metric tons of cargo per week.
-Another seven weekly flights will be distributed among other international airports in the Philippines

The Department of Foreign Affairs said last month that Finnair wanted to open a Philippine route.



hope this going to happen for real and as soon as possible. I am eargly waiting for another manila flight from Europe. Is this going to be a nonstop flight?

btw..this article also says the following
Philippine Airlines has said it is not keen on reviving European routes for now because of stiff competition from state-subsidized Middle Eastern carriers

This is the end of all rumors regarding a PR flight to Europe!

Teaser Ad of Zest (Asian Spirit) Airlines. Taken today at Philstar

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/81/dsc06374bh7.jpg

Sounds like a soap brand!

I wonder if Malabanan became rich enough to buy an airline company!....:nuts:

btw..this article also says the following
Philippine Airlines has said it is not keen on reviving European routes for now because of stiff competition from state-subsidized Middle Eastern carriers

This is the end of all rumors regarding a PR flight to Europe!

PAL Code-sharing to Mid-east should continue though.

Hi Guys. I haven't tried Cebu Pacific's A320 or A319 yet. For those who have, are the armrests movable? My cousin kasi is taking Ceb Pac next week from Cagayan de Oro and he's on the stocky side. He has never tried Ceb Pac yet din. hehehe. medyo embarassing pero he can barely fit in economy class seats eh. so what he does whenever he flies economy, he raises the armrests after the seat belt sign is turned off to make it more comfortable. Please advice so that i can let him know immediately. Thank you! :)

movable ata. not sure tho. been a long time.

Hi Guys. I haven't tried Cebu Pacific's A320 or A319 yet. For those who have, are the armrests movable? My cousin kasi is taking Ceb Pac next week from Cagayan de Oro and he's on the stocky side. He has never tried Ceb Pac yet din. hehehe. medyo embarassing pero he can barely fit in economy class seats eh. so what he does whenever he flies economy, he raises the armrests after the seat belt sign is turned off to make it more comfortable. Please advice so that i can let him know immediately. Thank you! :)

yup its movable. but i find the recaro seats not comfy. my back always hurts when i ride the new 5j planes with recaro seats.

Commuter's Guide Series on How to Get in or Out of the three featured Visayan Airports (Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2881015717_364f31bd07.jpg?v=0
How to Get In or Out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (http://taralets.co.cc/2008/10/07/how-to-get-in-or-out-of-mactan-cebu-international-airport/)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/148/600x600/19/bacolod00056.jpg?et=Kk9fAbS2rNriHxJ4TNC9pg&nmid=88374654
How to Get in and Out of the New Bacolod-Silay Airport (http://taralets.co.cc/2008/09/04/how-to-get-in-and-out-of-the-new-bacolod-silay-airport/)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/9/photos/55/500x500/6/DSCF0080.JPG?et=YFrqAJDFJwSSL5QLb67hYw
How to Get in or Out of the New Iloilo Airport (Updated) (http://taralets.co.cc/2008/08/24/how-to-get-in-or-out-of-the-new-iloilo-airport-updated/)

City to have an airport soon (http://www.kabankalancity.gov.ph/plans_programs_projects.asp)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/kabankalancityairportnegros.jpg

The city will soon have an airport. More investors and visitors are expected to come that will push up the economy of the city.

A 40-hectare site in Sitio Cabangahan, Brgy. Hilamonan has been picked up by the Air Transportation Office technical officers as the location for this airport.

ATO personnel have already visited Kabankalan and gathered data for the technical requirements for the proposed airport with an initial 1.8 kilometer runway.

City engineer Rogelio Diaz said the airport will initially cater to light aircraft and will have the capacity for airplanes similar to those that land at the Bacolod airport. This will be funded by the Kabankalan government with a counterpart from the provincial government.

The airport is being eyed to boost tourism and economic activity in our area, Zayco said. He said its construction will not be too expensive as the city government has the equipment for leveling the gravel runway. The mayor hopes the work on the airport will start this year.

Meanwhile, Gov. Joseph Marañon said the Kabankalan airport is targeted to be a domestic airport that can also cater to flights from neighboring countries bringing in tourists to southern Negros.

Flight Review PR210 Sydney - Manila Philippine Airlines
Monday, September 08, 2008

As I checked-in for my Business Class flight on Philippine Airlines I was greeted with a disappointing 2-hour delay.

Apparently a transit aircraft from Melbourne was running late, delaying my flight which was meant to depart at 11am, which as a result we departed around the 2pm mark. Fortunately I was accommodated at the Qantas lounge where I got my breakfast and coffee hit before the 7-hour flight.

Once boarding began everything went smoothly and I was particularly excited to see what Philippines Airlines had to offer as it was my first time flying the airline and Business Class.

The aircraft was an A340-300 and the Mabuhay class seats were spacious with plenty of leg room, allowing me to place my hand carry on the floor without compromising the comfortable position of my legs.

As I explored the seat in a fascinated fashion, I found three buttons on the right hand side of my arm rest, which allowed me to extend my foot rest, recline my seat and pump air into the back of my seat for more support – this was certainly an upgrade from my usual Economy seats.

After the plane departed, menus for lunch were abruptly handed out and orders were taken. It was a five course meal and passengers had a choice between Filipino, Chinese or Western style for their mains. I chose the Filipino main which comprised of garlic fried rice and beef steak with vegetables. The rice was quite dry and tasteless but the beef was excellent, especially considering it was grilled on the plane.

I checked out the entertainment unit as I gobbled my final course down, finding the TV to be a disappointment as it wasn’t a touch screen unit with on demand movies and music. Although it did have many current films, I couldn’t be bothered to jump in halfway through a playing movie and try to figure out what was happening so I stowed the screen away and just listened to music.
Straight after lunch the lights were switched off and the music drifted me off to sleep. The flight attendants were kind enough to let me sleep and at times I would wake up to find a glass of water or bag of chips placed next to me.

By the end of the 7-hour flight my stomach felt satisfied and having gotten a few hours sleep I felt refreshed enough to enter a bustling city. Philippine Airlines may need to upgrade their entertainment units, but the hospitality is exceptional.
-etravelblackboard.com (http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=81867&nav=32)

^^ by end of 2009 B744 fleet & A340 would have been all upgraded by then

In four separate filings, the Pampanga-based airline sought the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) nod to fly to
Macau in China. The company sought 1,036 seats to Macau, to where it now flies daily from Clark, Pampanga under a temporary permit.

Kuwait, The company also asked for 148 seats for Kuwait — equivalent to one flight — a route it now serves weekly also under a temporary permit.

Bahrain
If granted, this will be the airline’s first direct flight to Bahrain, where it now flies to from Clark with a stopover in Dubai.

and Dubai
the airline also wants to fly to Dubai twice weekly or an equivalent of 296 seats. Spirit of Manila now flies to Dubai using two Boeing 737-300 mid range aircraft also under a temporary permit. Hearings for the new seat entitlements will be held on Oct. 22.

He said once the rights are granted, the company would lease more aircraft, particularly long-range Boeing 747s and 767s, which are more capable of handling the nine-hour Middle East flights.

Franklin Ebdalin, Undersecretary of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and concurrently one of the members of the Philippine panel, said the Turkish Airlines wants new route and "we are studying on that."

Ebdalin said the Turkish could very well capitalize on the growing tourism industry of the Philippines and operating a direct or even a chartered flight here could jumpstart more economic cooperation between the two countries.

”The Turkish airline and other airlines want more additional routes aside from what they have at this moment,” Ebdalin said.

Meanwhile, Adnan Basaga, Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines, said he will convince leading airline operators in Turkey to start the flight between their country and the Philippines.

Basaga, said “Turkish airlines fly to most key destinations in the world but not to the Philippines. The Filipinos can use the hub point of Istanbul as a gateway to Europe through direct flights from Manila."

He said Turkish airline representatives have already started visiting Manila to explore flight opportunities between Turkey and the Philippines.

Etihad's services to Asia and Australia turned in a particularly strong performance with overall seat factors averaging 82 per cent across the region. Passenger loads in the economy cabin averaged 84 per cent, led by Manila (94 per cent), Jakarta (90 per cent), Sydney (87 per cent) and Bangkok (83 per cent).

http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/chart1.png

In four separate filings, the Pampanga-based airline sought the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) nod to fly to
Macau in China. The company sought 1,036 seats to Macau, to where it now flies daily from Clark, Pampanga under a temporary permit.

Kuwait, The company also asked for 148 seats for Kuwait — equivalent to one flight — a route it now serves weekly also under a temporary permit.

Bahrain
If granted, this will be the airline’s first direct flight to Bahrain, where it now flies to from Clark with a stopover in Dubai.

and Dubai
the airline also wants to fly to Dubai twice weekly or an equivalent of 296 seats. Spirit of Manila now flies to Dubai using two Boeing 737-300 mid range aircraft also under a temporary permit. Hearings for the new seat entitlements will be held on Oct. 22.

He said once the rights are granted, the company would lease more aircraft, particularly long-range Boeing 747s and 767s, which are more capable of handling the nine-hour Middle East flights.


nagooperate na spirit of mla? anung IATA call sign nila?

Why are they targeting San Diego though? It's really close to LA... Why not Seattle?

kasi po 1. mas malaki po ang population ng Pinoy immigrants in San Diego than Seattle. Based 0n 2006 US Census estimates in the city of San Diego alone, there are 72,604 Filipinos, San Diego County has 130,604 Filipinos. On the otherhand, Seattle has only 13,190, King County (where Seattle belongs) has 36,252 Filipinos. Neighboring counties Snohomish has 10,870 while Pierce has 11,395. So even if you add the three counties (King, Pierce and Snohmish) it still is behind San Diego. And those are just based on 2006 estimates.; 2. another factor i would presume is the intense lobbying of Fil-Am associations in San Diego. In fact, even the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has submitted to the US DOT their support of PAL's application for authority to fly MNL-SAN via YVR. These are the same reasons why the Philippine government has dropped Dallas from the four original designated cities in the 1995 Amendment to the US-RP Air Transport Agreement. The other three are Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.

SOURCES:
2006 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau. factfinder.census.gov
Docket No. DOT-OST-2008-0015-0001 PAL Application for Exemption from 49 USC 41301 www.regulations.gov

What about the Portland metro Filipinos?
Plenty of us here. :D

^^ I don't think "plenty" is enough for them; it should be "teeming." ;)

Franklin Ebdalin, Undersecretary of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and concurrently one of the members of the Philippine panel, said the Turkish Airlines wants new route and "we are studying on that."

Ebdalin said the Turkish could very well capitalize on the growing tourism industry of the Philippines and operating a direct or even a chartered flight here could jumpstart more economic cooperation between the two countries.

”The Turkish airline and other airlines want more additional routes aside from what they have at this moment,” Ebdalin said.

Meanwhile, Adnan Basaga, Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines, said he will convince leading airline operators in Turkey to start the flight between their country and the Philippines.

Basaga, said “Turkish airlines fly to most key destinations in the world but not to the Philippines. The Filipinos can use the hub point of Istanbul as a gateway to Europe through direct flights from Manila."

He said Turkish airline representatives have already started visiting Manila to explore flight opportunities between Turkey and the Philippines.

This is something of a good news. But then if it does happen, they would still use T1. Hindi kaya madidismaya ang THY dito.

-the agreement allocate four flights per week between Manila and Helsinki
-Clark was assigned one daily flight plus 700 metric tons of cargo per week.
-Another seven weekly flights will be distributed among other international airports in the Philippines

The Department of Foreign Affairs said last month that Finnair wanted to open a Philippine route.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Franklin Ebdalin said said Finnair wants very much to come here



The Department of Tourism (DOT) representatives are excited on the prospects of tourism in Finland saying that “many Finnish take their vacation, particularly during winter to escape the season even for just two weeks. The Philippines can be a good destination for those who enjoy the sea particularly diving, snorkeling and surfing.”

The air connection (if the airlines can operate soon despite the effect of the US financial problem and the oil price level) will enhance these opportunities and increase the cultural exchange between the people of the two countries and even those from the Nordic countries and northern Europe.



hope this going to happen for real and as soon as possible. I am eargly waiting for another manila flight from Europe. Is this going to be a nonstop flight?

AY currently teams up with PR or CX - their one world alliance via HKG from HEL.... most likely the route would still be a stop in HKG then direct to HEL. hopefully AY will pursue that plan...


Etihad's services to Asia and Australia turned in a particularly strong performance with overall seat factors averaging 82 per cent across the region. Passenger loads in the economy cabin averaged 84 per cent, led by Manila (94 per cent), Jakarta (90 per cent), Sydney (87 per cent) and Bangkok (83 per cent).

In addition to that EY has cheaper fares to ME and Europe and high commission (9%) to travel agents ticketing. Before they had a promo of 1000USD airfare Business Class to Europe.

PGMA leads New Air access road groundbreaking (http://www.dakbanwangsilay.com/Blog/)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bacolodinternationalairport/phoca_thumb_l_Img2002.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bacolodinternationalairport/phoca_thumb_l_Img2003.jpg

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal arroyo led the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the New Bacolod (Silay) Airport Access Road at Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, October 1, 10:30 A.M.

The brief ceremony was also joined by Hon. Isidro Zayco, Governor, Province of Negros Occidental, Congressmen Hon. Monico Fuentebella (Lone District of Bacolod City) and Hon. Jose Carlos V. Lacson, (3rd District, Negros Occ.), Mayor Eric Saratan, Talisay City, Neg. Occ., Hon. Mark Andrew Golez, Vice Mayor, Silay City (OIC), and Mrs. Marissa Montelibano, wife of Mayor Jose L. Montelibano.

The city and barangay, DepEd officials of Silay, Talisay, Victorias City also witnessed the eventful occasion.

The Airport Access Road runs parallel to and about 3 to 4 km. east of Bacolod City coastal road and traverses mostly sugarcane fields at the back skirt of Talisay City and Silay City. It branches off at the north tip of the existing Bacolod Circumferential Road and ends at Silay- Guimbalaon Road at about 500m. west of the New Bacolod (Silay) Airport.

The project cost is Php 1,558,041,767.60, with a length of 10.12 km. and 40 m (only 2-lane road at this stage) ROW width. The construction will start on November 2008 and the target date of completion is May 2010.

The main objectives of the project are to provide smooth access to New Airport from Bacolod City, reduce traffic congestion of Bacolod Coastal Road, North Section, form flexible road network and guide and support sound urbanization of Bacolod City, Talisay City and Silay City.

This project will not only benefit nearby cities of Silay but the whole Negros Occidental residents.

^^kasi po 1. mas malaki po ang population ng Pinoy immigrants in San Diego than Seattle. Based 0n 2006 US Census estimates in the city of San Diego alone, there are 72,604 Filipinos, San Diego County has 130,604 Filipinos. On the otherhand, Seattle has only 13,190, King County (where Seattle belongs) has 36,252 Filipinos. Neighboring counties Snohomish has 10,870 while Pierce has 11,395. So even if you add the three counties (King, Pierce and Snohmish) it still is behind San Diego. And those are just based on 2006 estimates.; 2. another factor i would presume is the intense lobbying of Fil-Am associations in San Diego. In fact, even the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has submitted to the US DOT their support of PAL's application for authority to fly MNL-SAN via YVR. These are the same reasons why the Philippine government has dropped Dallas from the four original designated cities in the 1995 Amendment to the US-RP Air Transport Agreement. The other three are Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.

SOURCES:
2006 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau. factfinder.census.gov
Docket No. DOT-OST-2008-0015-0001 PAL Application for Exemption from 49 USC 41301 www.regulations.gov

Nice find and research work! You did good.:cheers:

I would rather vouch for the first one though and not the second. As you may know, other communities requested for direct flight as well, but for one reason and another, the traffic is not there at the moment to be sustainable in the long run. Based on the survey, San Diego did pretty well garnering 23% of the LAX market. Chicago metropolitan residents are served by Northwest. Its introduction to LAX flights paved the way for PAL to go in that direction before re-introducing New York. They will have 35 flights for mainland U.S. by 2011 before the next re-negotiation commences. Hopefully, Portland should be on that list as Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Iloilo are introduce as additional Philippine gateway.

Based on the 1983 ASA and the amendments on 1995, there are seven entry points from the original three, reciprocal to Manila, Cebu and Davao. Sadly, Northwest is contented serving Manila alone after October 1, 2003.:)

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

Now, on the other ASA's with Finland and Turkey. Yes, both Finnair and Turkish Air are interested to fly to the Philippines but for the moment, on charter flights only, not regular scheduled flights, at least not yet for the time being, as most of its flights are seasonal, mostly during the winter season.

I would not be surprise if one of their plane lands at Kalibo International. Its what the Russians have been doing in Cebu and Clark for the past two years. So don't be alarm if you find Ilyushin-96 or Tupolev-204 at your local airport.

One last trivia. Contrary to widely held beliefs, The Russian made Ilyushin Il-86 aircraft is the world's safest airliner with zero passenger fatalities, and not the Boeing 737, as what the western world proclaims. :cheers:

Posted in Philstar. Apologies for the grainy images:lol:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3539/dsc06376jq9.jpg

Zest (Asian Spirit) Airlines
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/656/dsc06377yc5.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8065/dsc06378wu0.jpg

Zest (Asian Spirit) Airlines
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/656/dsc06377yc5.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8065/dsc06378wu0.jpg

Is that going to be their color scheme? Because I'm not feelin' it, at all.

^^ I dunno but I still prefer the livery of Asian Spirit, hehe!! :D

I was expecting a big "Zest-O" logo there like the ones seen in the juice drink, hehe!!! :D