Wala lang....

Air France ordered to pay traveler P1.3m (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/november/7/news8.isx&d=/2009/november/7)

The Supreme Court has ordered Air France to pay a Filipino traveler P1.3 million for breach of contract, a failure that caused his overseas trip to become an ordeal instead of a pleasurable one.

The Court’s First Division denied Air France’s petition to reverse a Makati court’s decision finding for the traveler, John Anthony de Camilis, and the Court of Appeals’ decision affirming it.

“Both the Regional Trial Court and the [appeals court] have competently ruled on the issue of respondent’s entitlement to damages and attorney’s fees, as they properly laid down both the factual and legal bases for their respective decisions,” Associate Justice Renato Corona said.

“We see no reason to disturb their findings.”

De Camilis said he went on a pilgrimage to Europe with a group of Filipinos—in what year it wasn’t clear—but Air France’s agent in Paris failed to inform him that he needed a transit visa to Moscow. As a result, he was denied entry to the Russian capital and endured a humiliating interrogation by the police.

He also complained that another Air France agent, a Ms. Soeyesol, rudely denied his request to contact his travel companions to inform them that he was being sent back to Paris from Moscow with a police escort.

Soeyesol even reported him as a security threat, resulting in his being further questioned by the police in Paris and Rome, and canceled his flight coupons for the rest of his trip.

Air France’s agents in Rome also refused to honor his confirmed flight to Paris for his connecting flight to Manila.

That sux... But I wondered why that person didn't check if he needed a visa for moscow? I'm sure somehow, one of his fellow travelers would of mentioned a moscow visa. But somehow how, Air France people are too hard on him even for his connecting flight back to Manila. That was a total disaster I would of sued the travel agents as well.

I think the treatment of him by AF was the biggest and most humiliating issue. If I were this poor guy, I would charge AF staff of being a racist moron.:ohno:

^^ But isn't it that when you're "in-transit" (on a layover) you don't have to clear immigration since you're not exiting the terminal and are still in the "sterile" part of the terminal awaiting your connecting flight. Maybe this hapless person wandered off and found himself in the immigration area and was thus asked to show a visa to enter Russia.

Hmm, I'm not sure. But in some cases, some countries allow certain passport holders to wander off to the city if their stay will only be less than a certain number of hours. And these regulations change.

For example, some years ago when Switzerland wasn't part of the Schengen area, a visa wasn't required for stays less than 24 or 48h(?). It was considered a "transit stay" even if you went down to the city. But even during those days, they were already suspicious of certain nationalities. Perhaps the poor guy thought regulations were similar in Russia. Of course, now Switzerland requires visas for any length of stay.

^^ E-jets or CRJs would be nice for lesser-density domestic routes that are too inefficiently-served by turboprops but do not need the capacity of A319s or A320s. CEB-ILO would be an example.

^^
how about the following:

MNL-Ormoc
MNL-SUR
MNL-Catarman
MNL-Calbayog
MNL-Busuanga
and other airports which have shorter runways for airbus jets and airports that will be opened soon,are they feasible for E-jet service too?:)

^^ But isn't it that when you're "in-transit" (on a layover) you don't have to clear immigration since you're not exiting the terminal and are still in the "sterile" part of the terminal awaiting your connecting flight. Maybe this hapless person wandered off and found himself in the immigration area and was thus asked to show a visa to enter Russia.

Different countries have different rules sometimes, so, we do not know for sure... There are pinoy seafarers that still needed a transit visa in the US if they are departing in another terminal that requires them to board a domestic flight before continuing with their other international travel. It's like what hybridace101 quoted from his skyteam.com find.

Wala lang....LAX has awesome plans ahead!

http://www.wingsfoundation.com/indexfiles/images/lax.jpg


Massive expansion of LAX in the near future. Practically doubling the airport; construction starts in January 2010 with the revitalization and expansion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

The master plan includes more terminals to the west all connected by an enormous aerial sky bridge


ACTUAL LAX

http://www.aerochannel.com/uploads/Image/LaxTerminalMap.gif
http://www.landrum-brown.com/assets/Downloadables/LAX.jpg



RENDERINGS:
NEW AREAS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE LIGHTING

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3048977280_7c9b59af97_b.jpg
From Flickr, by brettsnyder

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3048136561_21f08a4ddd_b.jpg
From Flickr, by brettsnyder

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/3048136265_f442dd7e83_b.jpg
From Flickr, by brettsnyder

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/3048136501_c7338179d1_b.jpg
From Flickr, by brettsnyder

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/3048136401_839ced60a8_b.jpg
From Flickr, by brettsnyder



THE FIRST PHASE: TOM BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL

. http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136295_95852beae7_o.jpg This is Bradley-Phase 1 This seems to be a complete overhaul and expansion of Bradley's concourse . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136265_67da9537c2_o.jpg This can be seen on the right side of this picture ^^ . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136339_067558c608_o.jpg Bradley-Phase 2 is even more extensive, and all new . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136265_67da9537c2_o.jpg Seen at the center and extreme right in this picture and connected by the archway . Main Arch, high enough to clear the height of the A380's tail (63 feet, 8 inches)http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136561_bd5a1972be_o.jpg . . You can see an elevated track that runs the perimeter along World Way with 5 covered stations that I could see http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/3048136783_242beb65a1_b.jpg brettsnyder FLICKR


*MORE RENDERINGS*

New areas are highlighted in BLUE, including the people mover.

WESTERN EXPANSE
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Aerial%20Master%20Plan%20View-JK_lowresolution.jpg


NEW TERMINALS AND AN ENORMOUS AERIAL BRIDGE
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Airside%20Bridge%20to%20Midfield%20Concourse-JK_lowresolution.jpg



SOLAR PANELS FOR TERMINAL ROOFS.
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Airside%20Looking%20North-JK_lowresolution.jpg


http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Airside%20Looking%20Southwest-JK_lowresolution.jpg


PONORAMIC VIEW NORTH TO SOUTH
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/View%20to%20the%20South-JK_lowresolution.jpg



MAIN ENTRANCE TO LAX
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/View%20to%20the%20West-JK_lowresolution.jpg


*INTERIORS*


http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Concourse%20looking%20North_lowresolution.jpg


http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/Great%20Hall%20Retail%20Area_lowresolution.jpg


AERIAL BRIDGE
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/LAX/images/designvision/View%20of%20the%20Bridge%20from%20Midfield%20Concourse_lowresolution.jpg


**VIDEO**
http://lawa.org/uploadedimages/lax/video/PC111708/index.html

Good Lord, that's just insanely massive!!! I like the idea of skybridge.. I think Chicago has a skybridge, just a short one... I can't remember for sure but I know there is an airport I've been into where I had to walk in one of those here in the US.

galing ha....pag na integrate nila yun....biglang mas malaki ulit yan kesa sa red1 ng china....

wow ganda nang LAX airport....huge airport

^^ But isn't it that when you're "in-transit" (on a layover) you don't have to clear immigration since you're not exiting the terminal and are still in the "sterile" part of the terminal awaiting your connecting flight. Maybe this hapless person wandered off and found himself in the immigration area and was thus asked to show a visa to enter Russia.

but there are countries which appear to not have an in-transit visa that may be applied in the airport... speaking for example of the US... you cannot go in-transit in the US unless you have a US visa or a transit visa before you arrive in the US... this is why my colleagues who needed to fly to Brazil had to fly through a 3-day Europe route instead of a 1 day route via US...

I always thought DTW (particularly NW's world gateway) is the best airport in the US. We can check back in 10 years and hopefully that LAX will be the benchmark for what futuristic airports can be like.

My experience in TBIT is that it can be boring despite the architecture but it can very well change with this new masterplan. My only request now is that it avoids the problems of LHR.

here's some more Picture of PALs first 773er (credits to paineairport.com)

it still looks classic.. simple and elegant but in IMO the Title "Philippines" should be a bit closer to the first set of Doors, but thats just me though.

Thank for posting the pictures...simple but classic livery by PAL.

OMFG! :shocked:

The new LAX is gargantuan! Beautiful! :applause:

LAX is need of improvement, this is good. Not sure how they will get this on concrete and steel anytime soon since the state of California is bankrupt. Yes, the great state of California is broke. They also proposed the High Speed Railway, and we actually voted on it in California. I was one of the many who voted yes on Prop.1 to improve California public transportation. But now, it's probably scrapped indefinitely since no one can decide, and the fact that we don't have the budget for it anytime soon or in the near future, it is one of the projects that will be probably end up in the very end of the agenda list, like so many others...like Gay and Lesbian Marriage in California. But I also hope they finally connect the Metro Green line directly to the airport or closer to the actual terminals itself. It's a joke to everyone who would like to take public transportation to the airport in LA, to get on the Blue Line, transfer to the Green Line going to the airport, and because it doesn't take you directly to the airport like it should, you have to take a shuttle. What was the purpose of the Green Line then if it doesn't take you directly to the airport itself?? It's just one of those random waste of public funds projects. Poor planning. Frustrating. But then again, Tom Bradley is currently undergoing refurbishment, so it might be that they actually have the funds to begin their proposed expansion. We'll have to wait and see...

Greener California is the way to be!

Airline promos bring down travel agencies' business
11/10/2009 | 05:01 PM

Local travel agencies may be forced to downsize next year as airlines turn more aggressive in their web fare promos, which tend to undercut travel agencies in the process.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association, which has more than 500 member companies doing business in key cities across the country, also warned that they could face financial difficulties as airlines evolve their business models and cut travel agencies in the process.

“There could be a lot of downsizing as we continue to find some airlines encroaching on our businesses. It is a distressing development when airlines, whom we have considered as our partners, undercut travel agencies," said Ma. Paz Alberto, PTAA president.

An agreement, however, was forged by the group with Philippine Airlines regarding web fare promos.

“We already have a working arrangement with Philippine Airlines where they promised they will no longer have any promo fares that are lower than what travel agencies offer," Alberto said.

In the year’s first half, the PTAA and the national carrier went head to head following PAL’s promo which drastically reduced airfares to destinations that comprised 60 percent of the businesses of travel agencies during the peak season.

The group is also set to hold discussions with budget carrier Cebu Pacific about its web fare promos.

“We will be having talks with some of their officials and try to find a common ground or a working arrangement that will benefit both sides," Alberto said.

Cebu Pacific, the country’s leading airline in terms of market share in domestic destinations, is regularly offering highly discounted rates through its web fare promos both for its international and domestic destinations.

Since January, travel agencies had suffered an average of a 20-percent drop in ticket sales. Web fare promos were identified as a factor for the decline. Sharpest drop in ticket sales was experienced in May and June, when it slid by about 40 percent.

To counter the adverse impact of web fare promos of airlines to their business, PTAA may provide trainings to travel agencies to teach how to position themselves under such environment, Alberto added.

“We will also come out with a united front to show the airlines that they need to include travel agencies in their future business plans," she said. GMANews.TV

^^
This is inevitable, the airline companies will find ways to cut cost and by leveraging IT (Web based application) they can significantly lower down their cost helping their bottom-line. Survival of the Fittest.

I don't like the agreement between PAL and the group of travel agency, the customer will be at the losing end.

^^
This is inevitable, the airline companies will find ways to cut cost and by leveraging IT (Web based application) they can significantly lower down their cost helping their bottom-line. Survival of the Fittest.

I don't like the agreement between PAL and the group of travel agency, the customer will be at the losing end.

Internet bookings for travel is now about 80% in North America (or maybe even Western Europe). Travel Agent as a career option will be a thing of the past by early next decade. Cost of internet bookings for the airline or hotel is so low in comparison to travel agencies.

United Air Pilot Charged in London After Failing Alcohol Test Share Business ExchangeTwitterFacebook| Email | Print | A A A
By Mary Jane Credeur and Mary Schlangenstein

Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- A United Airlines pilot was charged with operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol after failing a breath test at London’s Heathrow airport in the second case there this year involving a U.S. carrier.

UAL Corp.’s United canceled Flight 949 to Chicago and rebooked the 124 passengers after yesterday’s incident, said Megan McCarthy, a spokeswoman. Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, of Lakewood, Colorado, was charged today, U.K. police said in a statement.

“There are no legitimate reasons for airline pilots to show up with alcohol in their systems,” said Louis Smith, a retired Northwest Airlines captain who is president of FltOps.com, a career-advisory company for pilots. “It all boils down to personal ethics” when a pilot chooses otherwise.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration bars pilots from consuming alcohol within eight hours of a flight, or flying with a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more.

The pilot was arrested at 12:30 p.m. local time, said a London Metropolitan Police spokesman, who under department policy can’t be quoted by name. He said he didn’t have details of U.K. aviation rules on alcohol and couldn’t release the breath-test results.

^^ Oh my. Not good at all. It mars his credibility as well as the company's. :ohno:

^^ tsk tsk... Even in if he can fly in autopilot mode en route to his destination.. Alcohol is a no no to aviation..

Airline promos bring down travel agencies' business
11/10/2009 | 05:01 PM


“We will be having talks with some of their officials and try to find a common ground or a working arrangement that will benefit both sides," Alberto said.


How about the consumer's side???

Internet bookings for travel is now about 80% in North America (or maybe even Western Europe). Travel Agent as a career option will be a thing of the past by early next decade. Cost of internet bookings for the airline or hotel is so low in comparison to travel agencies.

Travel agencies should learn how to have promo fares. They don't have any other choice. Airline firms have every right to go as low as they wish.

If they can't, that's too bad for them!!!

Travel agencies should learn how to have promo fares. They don't have any other choice. Airline firms have every right to go as low as they wish.

If they can't, that's too bad for them!!!

They still have the chance... they mostly rely on group tour packages..

Zest Air will launch its regular flights to INCHEON,KOREA via KALIBO (from Manila) on Dec. 04, 2009 utilizing our 168/162 seater Airbus320!

Korea is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of the many fortresses and palaces surrounding this peninsula. You may visit Ganghwa Island for temples while a visit to Yeongjong Island offers beaches, hot springs and fish markets.

Zest Air will launch its regular flights to INCHEON,KOREA via KALIBO (from Manila) on Dec. 04, 2009 utilizing our 168/162 seater Airbus320!

Korea is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of the many fortresses and palaces surrounding this peninsula. You may visit Ganghwa Island for temples while a visit to Yeongjong Island offers beaches, hot springs and fish markets.

pero wala pa sa website nila...

^^ Yes, but that's their message from their official account in Facebook. :D

^^ Just as I thought. I got the same message just today from FB. :D

They still have the chance... they mostly rely on group tour packages..

All I know is that we don't need another "cartel" (like oil and telcos). I don't know of any other time post-2006 when fares to the likes of Singapore or Macau have been so low. It's just frustrating that PAL promised to stop giving promo fares because the travel agencies told them to. What if they nail fares to neighbouring cities at USD300? How will "every juan" fly?

^^ I'm not aware that PAL "promised" to stop selling discount fares. As far as I know, PAL even defended its actions during the Real Deal fiasco, when travel agents were up in arms against PAL as they accused it of undercutting them.

^^ I'm not aware that PAL "promised" to stop selling discount fares. As far as I know, PAL even defended its actions during the Real Deal fiasco, when travel agents were up in arms against PAL as they accused it of undercutting them.

PAL should be making a lot of money out of the presence of middlemen. But it's forgetting something - the passengers are its real customers.

okay, who caught a glimpse of Clinton's plane??:D

yeah.. I wonder where is the C-32(Boeing 757) "Air Force Two" right now.. :)

I sacrifice my break today at office and I patiently wait here in our office(makati)window to capture pics of it, but before the arrival of her 757 aircraft, around 1pm today the runway change, Runway 24 was use for take off planes :( and runway 6 was use for landings :ohno::ohno:

sorry to hear that... pano mo nalaman nag change ang traffic pattern?? mere observation or nakikinig sa ATC??:D

:cheers:

This coming Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will come here in the Philippines. I want to see her Official Boeing 757 aircraft. I wish it land at runway 24 in NAIA

okay, who caught a glimpse of Clinton's plane??:D

Nakita ko kaninang mga 4:30PM, asa meh Villamor Air Base...galing ako Taguig, going to Bicutan, asa meh C5 off ramp ko nakita.

yeah.. I wonder where is the C-32(Boeing 757) "Air Force Two" right now.. :)

^^

speaking of B757,when CEB was still operating this kind of aircraft,i always see to it to catch a ride on it to cebu.i enjoy flying with it.was it expensive to fly that plane that CEB got rid of it?:)

^^ luma na ata yung 757 ng 5J kaya siguro na dispose... mahal sa maintenance tapos LCC lang naman ang 5J.. :)

Pero I like the livery a lot.. napaka iconic yun sa 5J along with those special repaints sa DC-9-32 nila... "City of Manila", "City of Davao"...

I sacrifice my break today at office and I patiently wait here in our office window(makati) to capture pics of it, all are good: weather and the runway 24 was the landing spot perfect spot here in office.......... but before the arrival of her 757 aircraft, around 1pm today the runway change, Runway 24 was use for take off planes :( and runway 6 was use for landings :ohno::ohno:

di ko ma gets..? Should Rwy 24 use for take off.. then runway 24 should also be use for landing...? sudden change of wind..?

^^ luma na ata yung 757 ng 5J kaya siguro na dispose... mahal sa maintenance tapos LCC lang naman ang 5J.. :)

Pero I like the livery a lot.. napaka iconic yun sa 5J along with those special repaints sa DC-9-32 nila... "City of Manila", "City of Davao"...

Correction: at the time 5J disposed of the 757s (and they were leased, by the way), they were already shifting towards the low-cost model.

Too bad though some of their DC-9s are rotting away in MNL. :ohno:

Correction: at the time 5J disposed of the 757s (and they were leased, by the way), they were already shifting towards the low-cost model.

Too bad though some of their DC-9s are rotting away in MNL. :ohno:

thanks.. yeah they were leased.. wet or dry ba yun?
IMO, perhaps maintenance could be a factor also or medyo konti lang load nila that's why they choose Airbus instead...

those 757 are...
RP-C2714 (cn 24370) "City of Manila" as Air Slovakia (OM-ASA)
RP-C2715 (cn 2437) Air Slovakia as (OM-ASB)
RP-C2716 (cn 25597) GirJet as (EC-JTN)

^^

speaking of B757,when CEB was still operating this kind of aircraft,i always see to it to catch a ride on it to cebu.i enjoy flying with it.was it expensive to fly that plane that CEB got rid of it?:)

From my understanding as well, 757s are getting older and more expensive to maintain and the fact that Boeing aircraft pilots has to have this special training for each type of boeing fleets, unlike airbus, the fly-by-wire type and operation is pretty much standard that a pilot can fly any airbus fleet with the exception of A380, so, it is definitely cost effective for 5J because it's crews doesn't have to get trained as often when switching to a different boeing model/type.

Picture? nasaan?? he he

Nuong naandito sa amin ang Airforce one , hindi kami makakuha ng picture dahil sa mga snipper at secret agents na nakabantay 24 hours na naka park sa tarmac... Pag ang sasakyan mo napalapit ng kaunti, mapansin mo na may red beam sa katawan mo naka spot dahil sa snipper, ready mag fire agad yan pag palapit ka ng palapit...

According to philippineairlines.com, the B77W is the aircraft already reflected in PR300/301 and 306/307.

^^ PAL timetable is not updated yet.. :)
EQV parin ang PR 300 at PR 306... mukhang pa suprise naman itong PR.. hehe

According to philippineairlines.com, the B77W is the aircraft already reflected in PR300/301 and 306/307.

It is true, I've seen it on their website. Try booking MNL-HK December and onwards. This is exciting news, can't wait.:)

i noticed on their website that zest airways will commence its flight from kalibo to seoul starting december 4,'09.. :booze:
the downside is it will end on december 18,'09? tama ba?:cheers:
tagay lang...

first commercial flight of PAL's 777-300ER will be on November 24.

delivery and departure for MNL will be nov 18. arrival in mnl is nov 20.

open na daw yung caticlan airport for Air Philippines planes (PALexpress) nakalagay sa website ng Air Philippines starting this Dec. 1, 2009.

^^ PAL timetable is not updated yet.. :)
EQV parin ang PR 300 at PR 306... mukhang pa suprise naman itong PR.. hehe

I suggest you do a mock booking (use the booking function but don't actually book a flight yet if you have no plans to do so).

Also, PR's MNL-SIN vv flights have been changed to EQV but they still say A320 when I tried a mock-booking.

open na daw yung caticlan airport for Air Philippines planes (PALexpress) nakalagay sa website ng Air Philippines starting this Dec. 1, 2009.

http://www.airphils.com/images/450x450.jpg

nagpost sa facebook yung PAL na a BIG surprise is very near

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/883/rpc3432.jpg

i noticed on their website that zest airways will commence its flight from kalibo to seoul starting december 4,'09.. :booze:
the downside is it will end on december 18,'09? tama ba?:cheers:
tagay lang...

so seasonal lang sya?

Airbus Planes @ Legazpi City Airport
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0024-3.jpg
(PAL, 5J)

----

Legazpi Airport (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=765530)
Legazpi City and Albay Province Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=985824)

P1.66-B contract to build int’l airport in Cagayan awardedBy BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
September 9, 2009, 5:58pm
Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) awarded Wednesday the P1.658-billion contract to Cagayan Land Property Development Corp. (CLPDC) for the construction of the international airport in Lallo, Cagayan.

The project is a joint venture between the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the CLPDC as the private sector partner. The joint venture is good for 50 years.

CEZA Administrator and CEO Jose Mari Ponce and CLPDC President Basilio Rodriguez signed the joint venture Tuesday, Sept. 8. Construction of the project is expected to start within the month and be completed in a year.

CEZA is a government-owned and -controlled corporation that develops and manages the 54,000-hectare CSEZFP, an economic and tourism hub in the coastal town of Sta. Ana in Cagayan province.

Under the joint venture agreement, CEZA will invest P691 million or 41.7 percent of the total equity while its private partner CLPDC will contribute the remaining P966 million or 58.3 percent. CLPDC, established in 2008, is composed of CAMJ Construction, Inc., LR Land Developers, Inc., TCGI Engineers, and Spanish firm Asesores y Consultores Aeronauticos S.L. The Spanish firm shall be tapped to manage the operations of the airport, once construction is finished.

The project involves the construction of a 2,200-meter runway, with a width of 45 meters, following the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It will be designed to accommodate large aircraft such as Airbus A319-100, which has a typical seating capacity of 134 passengers.

It will also include a terminal building covering a floor area of 1,000 square meters, paved apron and tarmac that can accommodate two aircraft simultaneously, and a control tower.

“Once completed, the CEZA International Airport will complement the Port Irene Seaport, which is emerging as an international transhipment hub and tourism destination in north-eastern part of Luzon,” Ponce said.

As an investment hub, CSEZFP has become the preferred site of 86 foreign and domestic investors, of which 48 were already operational as of December 2008. These companies have committed to invest more than P13 billion.

“An international airport with international facilities and equipment is necessary to make CSEZFP a viable Freeport and tourism destination in Asia," Ponce said.

Data from the Air Transportation Office (ATO) show that there were 2,359 international visitor arrivals in Cagayan via the Tuguegaro City Airport from Macau and China alone in 2008. Chartered flights bring tourists to CSEZFP via Tuguegarao.

Cagayan Valley ranked as the 7th top regional destination for tourists in the country. In 2008, it generated P1.6 billion in tourism receipts from the arrivals of 670,000 visitors, including 32,000 foreign tourists.

Visitor arrivals in 2008 were up by 7.5 percent from around 623,000 tourists in 2007. In particular, the volume of foreign tourists rose by over 20 percent to 32,000 from only 26,000 a year earlier, as CEZA’s marketing campaign paid off.

A joint venture company will also be created and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to manage the construction and operation of the international airport, which will cater to the locators, visitors and tourists in the bustling Freeport and economic zone.

Ponce cited the need to construct the airport in the vicinity of Barangay San Mariano and Dagupan in Lallo to provide faster connection to the rapidly growing economic hub from the rest of the country and the world.

Cagayan Freeport is at least 12 hours away from Manila by land travel. While it is accessible by air through a domestic flight to Tugueguarao City, the Freeport is still four hours away from the capital of Cagayan province.

Zest has reduced MNL-CRK-HKG v/v to three times weekly. Now my parents are stuck in Hong Kong until tomorrow night. :(

Zest has reduced MNL-CRK-HKG v/v to three times weekly. Now my parents are stuck in Hong Kong until tomorrow night. :(

Di pa pala ganun ka dami ang pax na sumasakay sa kanila for this route. Sayang naman.

^^ It may have something to do with a lack of A320s as they are launching KLO-ICN next month. Loads for MNL-CRK-MNL may be dismal, but MNL-CRK-HKG v/v is doing fairly well.

That is a bad move by Zest Air Management if they reduced their freq like that on a route that is doing well, it will drive their customer away. They shouldn't offer a route if they can't serve it right.

from airliners.net forums:

Philippine Airlines - Australia

Interestingly, I have heard that PR plans to reintroduce services to Brisbane effective MAR10. I understand the plan is as follows:

MNL-MEL-BNE-MNL 2x weekly (THU/SAT) arrival BNE at 10:05L and departure at 11:30L commencing 18MAR. Can anyone confirm that they have heard this also?

I understand that such a move would result in SYD losing a weekly service.

Cheers




Why is it that flights between MNL and points in Australia come in 3 legs (both PR and QF) and why not a separate flight per city? Why not have a separate MNL-SYD-MNL, MNL-MEL-MNL and/or MNL-BNE-MNL considering that most of these markets should be respectably strong for Filipinos if taken separately? On a side note, QF sends its not so spectacular aircraft as they give us a 763 instead of the A330s/B744s that they use on HKG, SIN etc that have more to offer.

Also, I expect that the MNL-HKG-MNL will be the flight for the 77W until the 2nd 77W will arrive. I mean it won't be sufficient for a regular flight going down under until the 2nd one arrives.

^^ There isn't enough demand for all three cities to warrant separate flights. BNE has never been independent of a stop in its history as a PAL destination: at the latest, PAL used to fly MNL-POM-BNE before the Asian financial crisis struck.

As for QF, MNL yields are much lower than those to HKG or SIN. Likewise, SIN would receive the bulk of QF's widebody fleet (including the A380) since it is the stop for QF's kangaroo route service.

Courtesy of Clarkent of PEx.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/777U7.jpg
RP-C7777

PR 300/301 and 306/307 for November 24 now shows a B777-300 on PR online booking.. pa-book na!! :rotflmao:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/PR300.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/PR307-1.jpg

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Aircraft: B777ER
Utility: 773PR
Configuration: 42J / 328Y
Registry:RP-C7777
Flight No: PR008
Service: Bi-class
Origin: PAE / Everett, Washington US
Destination: MNL / Ninoy Aquino International Airport, PH
Terminal: Centennial Terminal 2
Arrival Date: 19 Nov 09
ETA: 2100H
Remarks: Delivery Flight

Fly and Experience Asia's First as we welcome you onboard the First B777ER which now comes with our warm hospitality that is disticntly Filipino.

Confirmed Route: MNL-HKG-MNL
Flight No: PR300/PR301, PR306/307
Service: Bi-class
Configuration: 42J / 328Y
Effectivity: 24 Nov 09 to 30 Nov 09
Frequency: Daily
Remarks: Open for booking

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have any info to share on Philippines airlines plans to return to Brisbane in March 2010. Does anyone have the exact date? I read from airliners.net that the route will be MNL-MEL-BNE-MNL on tue and sat arriving BNE at 10.05 and departing at 11.30.
Thanks in advance

i noticed on their website that zest airways will commence its flight from kalibo to seoul starting december 4,'09.. :booze:
the downside is it will end on december 18,'09? tama ba?:cheers:
tagay lang...

hindi hangang Dec. 18 '09..mag change lang ng schedule after ng Dec. 18 '09 maging 4x a week starting Dec. 20 '09

NEW FLT NO. NEW FLT NO.
Z2 038¹ MO/FR 0100 0630 Z2 039¹ MO/FR 0825 1155 A320 20 Kgs
Z2 038² MO/TH/FR/SU 0100 0630 Z2 039² MO/TH/FR/SU 0825 1155 A320 20 Kgs

¹ Z2 038/039 Will operate 04 DECEMBER up to 18 DECEMBER 2009 Only
² Z2 038/039 Starting 20 DECEMBER 2009 Onwards

So its the 18th March. So Philippines will only still need one A330 for its Australian operations 2 a week MNL-MEL-BNE the other 5 a week a mix of MNL-MEL-SYD and MNL-SYD-MEL.

If they will continue to use A330s in AU through March in all flights there, there goes the whole point of PR's purchase of the 77Ws... first, they are extremely unlikely to leave Cat2 and next, management is reluctant to expand operations to Europe. Plus 7-8 hours inside an A330, especially if you are using their business class is just painful to your back. That's why I'm advocating they use the A343 to Australia, because they have 12 seats with extra comfort.

^^^^ Wow, sosyal ka pala at lagi kang first class passenger papunta at pagbalik sa downunder.

I can't remember if this has been discussed before, but, we already knew that PAL747s interiors or seats has been reconfigured and refurbished. Why is it again that all their A330s and A340s are receiving these reconfigurations and refurbishments?

Well, I'm not actually a regular "first class" passenger although I sat in one of those seats once on a business class ticket. But I heard my dad didn't have as restful a sleep as he wanted to using an A330 to SYD on its business class.

I don't think the A330s are subject to refurbishment. Except for SYD, they are being used mostly for domestic flights such as CEB or DVO and not so often for intra-Asian routes. There isn't much news about the A343 even if they were part of the plan. My guess is because the A343 is one of the few aircrafts PR is allowed to fly on its US routes and taking one of them out will mess up PR's schedule.

Also, I'm wondering why (for international flights at least) do most airlines (including PR) quote flights out of MNL in USD while flights out of other cities in their own local currency by default? We don't want to do the math and be disappointed with forex discrepancies between what we expect the fare to be and what the actual fare is in local currencies.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/883/rpc3432.jpg





Philippine Airlines reported recently that they are losing money...

^^ Not good news at all. :runaway:

What's gonna happen with our national carrier?!

Philippine Airlines reported recently that they are losing money...

^^ Not good news at all. :runaway:

What's gonna happen with our national carrier?!

almost all asian, european, us carriers reported net losses. so its not only limited to pal.

but 5j made a profit.

^^ Not good news at all. :runaway:

What's gonna happen with our national carrier?!

Hopefully, PAL can recover, because there is too much pride at stake here.( Our first and probably one of Asia's First Airlines)

PAL reports half year loss of $18.6M

Malaya Business Insights
November 16, 2009

Philippine Airlines posted a total comprehensive loss of $18.6 million for the first half of the current fiscal year (April-September 2009), a significant reduction from the $113 million comprehensive net loss recorded over the same period last year.

However, PAL’s operating loss for this same six-month period in 2009 amounted to $68.5 million compared with the $30.1 million figure the year before.

Certain one time gains recognized during the same period as well as reductions in fair valuation losses on outstanding fuel deals, helped reduce the overall total comprehensive loss of the company to $18.6 million as of the end of the first half of the current fiscal year.

Lingering effects of the global economic downturn dragged revenues which dropped 17 percent to $716.4 million compared to last year’s $857.7 million. Of this total, operating revenues amounted to $618.7 million, down by 25 percent over the $825.3 million recognized for the same period in 2008. Although domestic traffic grew year-on-year, declining passenger demand as well as lower yields from international operations severely affected revenue generation. PAL’s international operations comprise 70 percent of total revenues.

Total operating expenses at $687.2 million – was 20 percent lower than last year’s $855.5 million. Lower fuel prices accounted primarily for the improvement in operating expenses.

PAL is undertaking various revenue-generating and cost-reduction measures to overcome a sluggish market affecting even the world’s major airlines. PAL’s recent series of low-fare promos, intended to stimulate air travel, is complemented by drastic cost-cutting initiatives without compromising safety and customer service quality.

Traffic is expected to pick up slowly in the coming weeks as the holiday season approaches, but PAL estimates that yields are unlikely to return to normal levels as airlines compete for passengers via promos and low fare deals.

Next week, PAL will take delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER, the most fuel-efficient twin-engine airliner with one of the most spacious passenger cabins ever developed. The B777-300ER is the newest aircraft type to join the PAL fleet in over a decade.

Airlines battered by heavy losses


By AMADO P. MACASAET
November 16, 2009
Malaya Business Insights

The airline industry all over the world has been battered by heavy losses – some in the billions of dollars – caused by the recession and higher prices of aviation gas.

The recession that set in early last year reduced the number of airplane passengers by an average of higher than 15 per cent. Fuel costs, however, have been steady at higher levels.

In some cases, the losses were made heavier by operating non-airline activities like catering, ground-handling, information technology and reservation services.

These operations are manpower intensive but do not produce desired profits.

A reduction in the number of passengers is the main reason for the huge losses. Non-aircraft activities have their own share, according to information obtained by Malaya Business Insight.

The airlines in Asia seem to have incurred the heaviest losses. Garuda Airlines of Indonesia, for example, took a loss of $4.3 billion last year.

Data obtained from various sources show that Garuda has 66 aircraft. It has options to buy 60 more. It employs 9,000 people.

Cathay Pacific with a large fleet of 123 airplanes, not including orders for 36 more, reported a full-year ending March 2009, loss of $1.104 billion. This is the first time that Cathay lost that much money since the 1997 financial crisis.

The airline had to scrap planned dividends. It was locked in higher fuel prices than prevailing in the market. It hedged wrong.

Thai Airways with 88 airplanes which flew almost 20 million passengers last year took a loss of close to $600 million on revenues of $5.68 billion.

Japan Airlines is one of the largest in the world with a fleet of 185 aircraft plus orders for 57 more and options for another 20. It reported losses of one billion dollars.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) posted sales of $1.7 billion from 216 aircraft, but the decline in the number of passengers for the entire industry, resulted in a loss of $306 million.

ANA has 77 destinations.

Among all the airlines in the world flying international, Philippine Airlines has the smallest fleet of 39 aircraft but it has 8,000 workers in its payroll.

PAL has 110 departures for its domestic operations and 45 for international routes. It reported gross revenues of $1.55 billion but posted a loss of $301 million.

The Philippine flag carrier flew 5.4 million domestic passengers and four million passengers for foreign destinations.

PAL has only 24 foreign destinations, most of which are in Southeast Asia, and 18 domestic routes. In fact, PAL’s longest haul is limited to the West Coast and Vancouver in Canada. The Vancouver flight goes as far as Las Vegas.

United Airlines of the United States flies 45 million passengers on its 409 aircraft which have 200 destinations.

It reported revenues of $2.02 billion but incurred a loss of $63 million.

Continental Airlines raked in revenues of $15 billion from its 604 airplanes but like most of the airlines in the world, reported a loss of $18 million although it has 262 scheduled destinations and 2,423 daily departures.

Continental has five hubs in New York, Newark in New Jersey, Houston in Texas; Cleveland in Ohio and Guam.

Lufthansa has a large fleet of 534 aircraft that flies more than 70 million passengers a year. Its revenues last year amounted to $33.86 billion but reported a loss of $300 million.

British Airways has orders for 51 aircraft to add to its existing 234. Like the other airlines, it reported a loss of $554 million.

Qantas, the Australian airline, reported a loss of $341 million on its 239 aircraft

An official of a foreign airline with offices in Makati explained that fuel accounts for the heaviest cost averaging 40 per cent of total.

When prices of aviation gas go up, fuel costs are magnified.

The airlines in the Middle East have a competitive edge over all the airlines in the world. Their fuel costs is only 30 per cent of total operating costs.

Their respective governments give fuel subsidies.

The official said deliveries of new aircraft will either be delayed or cancelled until such time that air travel goes back to normal.

Hopefully, PAL can recover, because there is too much pride at stake here.( Our first and probably one of Asia's First Airlines)

PR isn't Asia's first airline, instead it's the "oldest" airline operating under the same name since inception in 1941. The distinction of Asia's "first" airline belongs to Air India operating since 1932 under the name Tata Airlines.

^^ Tata Airlines originally was founded to carry Indian air mail, so PAL does have a claim to be Asia's first passenger airline.

^^ Ahh....the qualifier there is "passenger;" but when solely referring to the term airline in general, as defined, an airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license.

^^ Well, AI isn't making the claim. Let's just leave it between it and PR to sort it out among themselves. :lol:

^^ True, AI isn't making the claim but PR's claim is done so erroneously, by virtue of a technicality (whether it be by intent or ignorance).

Some news, SQ is offering tickets between MNL and SIN for USD159 (booking possible until 30 November only good for travel between sometime in December and return in January).

Also on another note, SU, is not known for its IFE. I've seen pics of its old soviet aircraft having none at all and it has stayed that way for quite some time. However its acquisition of a new A332 allowed SU to have individual IFE in all classes with AVOD.

CEB gives more chances for Christmas travel with P999 seat sale to any domestic destination

Asia’s third-largest low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) allots more than 50,000 seats in the latest P999 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale to any domestic destination from November 17-19, 2009, for travel from December 1-31, 2009.

With CEB’s extensive domestic network, passengers can choose among any of its 32 destinations in the Philippines. This includes flights from Manila to Kalibo (Boracay), San Jose, Tuguegarao, Legazpi, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Busuanga (Coron), and direct flights from Cebu to Puerto Princesa, Clark, and Legazpi.

Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

“CEB’s seat sales with travel periods in 2010 have been quite successful, but we also received a lot of requests for December travel this year. We are happy we can accommodate this request, and encourage our passengers to book weekday flights or be flexible about flight times to easily avail of the seat sale,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

“Aside from the seat sale, we also offer year-round low fares to 14 international destinations from Manila, Clark and Cebu. This includes flights from Cebu to Hong Kong, Singapore, Incheon and Pusan; and, from Clark to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and Bangkok,” she added.

She encouraged passengers to book and buy through www.cebupacificair.com or reservations hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. Those without credit cards can still book their flights with seat sale fares online and pay via CEB partner banks.

High-quality low-cost carrier CEB is the Philippines’ leading carrier, with one of the youngest aircraft fleets in Asia. It flies to 20 direct domestic destinations from Cebu and five direct domestic destinations from Davao.

PR isn't Asia's first airline, instead it's the "oldest" airline operating under the same name since inception in 1941. The distinction of Asia's "first" airline belongs to Air India operating since 1932 under the name Tata Airlines.

Although Garuda Indonesia doesn't admit it, Garuda basically took over most of the plane and operation of the KNILM (Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij) which was founded in 1928. And its a passenger based airline. But Indonesians are too nationalists to admit such a thing!

On a side note, QF sends its not so spectacular aircraft as they give us a 763 instead of the A330s/B744s that they use on HKG, SIN etc that have more to offer.
.

The sometimes use their A330, maybe 2x in their 4x flight to MNL... I'm also wondering why they are still sticking to a 4x flight to MNL while PR is daily already.

Their are also times that there are 2 QFs parking at NAIA... Both A330 sometimes, sometimes B736 & A330... I search on their website but flight scheds is 1 flight only. It usually occurs on Tue and THu... I wonder what is that flight? Charter?


Also, I'm wondering why (for international flights at least) do most airlines (including PR) quote flights out of MNL in USD while flights out of other cities in their own local currency by default? We don't want to do the math and be disappointed with forex discrepancies between what we expect the fare to be and what the actual fare is in local currencies.
It has been the common practice in the Travel Agencies since the time immemorial plus airlines quote their fare tariffs to travel agents in USD so USD is also quoted to clients, and almost all agencies accepts USD payments.

If that's the case I don't think I will be seeing PALs 773 here in SYD.
SYD has has the largest Filipino population in OZ. Easily twice that of BNE
and still much larger than that of MEL.

There were times in the past PAL would send 744 here if loads permit but that's
a rarity now adays.

I think BNE could do with 2 or even 3x a week for PAL (since QF serves it as well)
while MEL can do 4 a week maybe even 5 but with Christmass period, i expect it
would rise.

SYD did use to have it daily either direct from MNL or via MELB but because of financial
crisis all airlines are facing, I think 5x weekly is enough for SYD for now i hope if becomes
daily again though.

I think among Asian carriers flying here PAL probably have the fewest service in SYD and maybe OZ
carriers like SQ,TG,MH,CX, Chinese carriers etc will have 3 or even 4 times flight daily mostly EQV.

But some of these are justified like SQ which services the Kangaroo route. While they is not
immune to financial losses this is one route that is one of they're main income earners. Thailand
on the other hand is one of the most visited place by Australians and even Jetstar sends theyre A330s
from SYD to PHUKET. there is also a sizebale foreign student coming to study here amoung Asia particularly
from China and Malaysia. So they can be justified.

Put it this way, If it takes MEL and SYD to fill up An A333 and SYD and BRIS to fill up a B763 !??? then,
I dont think B773 will come here when it could do better in HK or maybe even Japan.

I do hope of seing it here once or twice though. If PAL does send it here, its more likely gonna be in MLS-SYD or MNL-SYD via MEL
as load is there.

If that's the case I don't think I will be seeing PALs 773 here in SYD.
SYD has has the largest Filipino population in OZ. Easily twice that of BNE
and still much larger than that of MEL.

There were times in the past PAL would send 744 here if loads permit but that's
a rarity now adays.

I think BNE could do with 2 or even 3x a week for PAL (since QF serves it as well)
while MEL can do 4 a week maybe even 5 but with Christmass period, i expect it
would rise.

SYD did use to have it daily either direct from MNL or via MELB but because of financial
crisis all airlines are facing, I think 5x weekly is enough for SYD for now i hope if becomes
daily again though.

I think among Asian carriers flying here PAL probably have the fewest service in SYD and maybe OZ
carriers like SQ,TG,MH,CX, Chinese carriers etc will have 3 or even 4 times flight daily mostly EQV.

But some of these are justified like SQ which services the Kangaroo route. While they is not
immune to financial losses this is one route that is one of they're main income earners. Thailand
on the other hand is one of the most visited place by Australians and even Jetstar sends theyre A330s
from SYD to PHUKET. there is also a sizebale foreign student coming to study here amoung Asia particularly
from China and Malaysia. So they can be justified.

Put it this way, If it takes MEL and SYD to fill up An A333 and SYD and BRIS to fill up a B763 !??? then,
I dont think B773 will come here when it could do better in HK or maybe even Japan.

I do hope of seing it here once or twice though. If PAL does send it here, its more likely gonna be in MLS-SYD or MNL-SYD via MEL
as load is there.

A post from PEx mentioned that as the lone 77W takes over the MNL-HKG runs from the 744s this Christmas season, the jumbos will be able to do some Oz runs on select dates.

I think among Asian carriers flying here PAL probably have the fewest service in SYD and maybe OZ
carriers like SQ,TG,MH,CX, Chinese carriers etc will have 3 or even 4 times flight daily mostly EQV.

But some of these are justified like SQ which services the Kangaroo route. While they is not
immune to financial losses this is one route that is one of they're main income earners. Thailand
on the other hand is one of the most visited place by Australians and even Jetstar sends theyre A330s
from SYD to PHUKET. there is also a sizebale foreign student coming to study here amoung Asia particularly
from China and Malaysia. So they can be justified.

TG, SQ, CX and MH are all kangaroo route carriers.

^^

When it comes to the 744, it's not just PR that rarely flies it. CX for instance has largely used the A330 since 2005/6 and SQ already deploys B77Ws. QF also has 1 flight between HKG and SYD that uses the A330.

It just seems hard to figure out why PR can't do a stand-alone MNL-SYD flight considering the large Filipino population there. Nevermind MEL and BNE. If the 77W isn't optimal, then they should try the A343 since as I said they have 12 "preferred" business class seats not present in the A330 to make one's journey more restful.

^^

... If the 77W isn't optimal, then they should try the A343 since as I said they have 12 "preferred" business class seats not present in the A330 to make one's journey more restful.

Using the A343s to Oz would steal away longhaulers from their trans-Pacs. There are only four A340s doing MNL-HNL, LAX (extra freqs) and YVR-LAS. I don't think there are enough A340s to service MEL/SYD on a daily basis given the present scheds. The A330s can do Oz without any restrictions but they take a payload hit when flying to HNL.

^^^

well lets see PR may just surprize us sometimes...whith he Christmass season load may go up and aircraft utilasation may just get a little shake up.

I mean lately Garuda has been sending 744 more often than in past instead of the regular A330 TG has been sending A346 more often as well.

ow and yes thats the thing,..not enough A340s.

PALs A333 have been coming here for yrs now during the early 2000s A340 was frequent here so is 744 then it suddenly just became A333 almost 100% tghough i can see similar patterns on most Chinese carriers(and thats excluding CX which is almost solely A333 each flight)

^^

Yes there are a few A343s but they aren't used frequently on US routes at the moment since LAX isn't using it, PR112/113 isn't flying yet and PR114/115 won't be returning for the winter.

They can better utilise the A343s in MNL-SYD rather than MNL-CEB or MNL-DVO where most of the widebodies have been deployed to.

^^

Yes there are a few A343s but they aren't used frequently on US routes at the moment since LAX isn't using it, PR112/113 isn't flying yet and PR114/115 won't be returning for the winter.

They can better utilise the A343s in MNL-SYD rather than MNL-CEB or MNL-DVO where most of the widebodies have been deployed to.

A343 is now flying daily to GenSan as indicated from the new winter timetable of PAL

You see, it just goes to show how mismatched the routes and aircrafts are! Those with longer distances within the region get smaller aircraft while widebodies are used for flights within the country. And the 77W can't be fully utilised.

^^ GES only gets one flight a day in the morning. The A343 used on that route will certainly see more long-distance routes later in the day.

A343 is now flying daily to GenSan as indicated from the new winter timetable of PAL

yeah. but that is only 1 flight daily. dvo and ceb have multiple flights. just today all five daytime flights used the a343. the only a320/319 flight is the last flight which departs dvo at around 10 pm.

You see, it just goes to show how mismatched the routes and aircrafts are! Those with longer distances within the region get smaller aircraft while widebodies are used for flights within the country. And the 77W can't be fully utilised.

i think there is no aircraft mismatch on the mnl-ceb and mnl-dvo route. these two destinations have the numbers to support multiple widebody flights per day (pax and cargo).

I suppose that A343 is needed in Gensan more because of cargo (tuna?) than passenger load?

^^PR isn't Asia's first airline, instead it's the "oldest" airline operating under the same name since inception in 1941. The distinction of Asia's "first" airline belongs to Air India operating since 1932 under the name Tata Airlines.

This is a very interesting discussion. Mataram said it right. KNILM was the first airline established in Asia predating Air India's predecessor by 4 years all for the name of Dutch and British empire prestige.

PR's association with it is not also erroneous as Kimber would like to point out. If you take a closer look about Philippine Airline's history, the claim of asia's first airline was actually a short cut version of the "asia's first airline to cross the pacific" tag line which existed as early as 1946 and later defined the airline's tag in the future only this time without the word Pacific crossing. It was accurate at that time until they cut the last words for a reason.

Since 1948, PR officially become the oldest asian airline according to ICAO rules when other airlines predating it ceased to exist one by one whatever the reasons were. In fact, Andres Soriano did one good decision that carries PAL legacy to this day, and that is retaining its name. Old airlines operating under a new name is a new airline making the old one officially dead, which to cut the story short leads to PAL's conquest of the name "asia's first".

Its the same reason why KLM doesn't want to do away with its name after its merger with Air France because of its legacy and prestige stature as the world's first, predating AF by 14 long years having been established in October 7, 1919 is good enough reason to keep it. It is so far the oldest airline still in operation even if AT&T holds the history. It can even call itself "world's first airline" based on ICAO convention if it wants to.

On the same note, having established such fact, its not also logically right for British Airways, founded 1972, to claim association with the "worlds first airline" because it was never associated with it in its history of merger and consolidation. As such first airline status will always belong to Britain's Air Transport and Travel Ltd (AT&T) which made its first commercial flight in August 25, 1919 as an airline with Paris as its first destination from London.

If you want to know the first airliner, its the De Havilland DH-16. :)

OT:
What's the first airplane to land in the Philippines anyway..? :)

well nov 18...can anyone confirm PALs 773 will be there at NAIA today ..lol :D

^^ According to a post on PEx, it should be in NAIA at 9:00 pm later.

credits to skylinephotopae & carlosmelendez09

PAL773 touch down After tests
wPpnoLOct00

^^

This is a very interesting discussion. Mataram said it right. KNILM was the first airline established in Asia predating Air India's predecessor by 4 years all for the name of Dutch and British empire prestige.

PR's association with it is not also erroneous as Kimber would like to point out. If you take a closer look about Philippine Airline's history, the claim of asia's first airline was actually a short cut version of the "asia's first airline to cross the pacific" tag line which existed as early as 1946 and later defined the airline's tag in the future only this time without the word Pacific crossing. It was accurate at that time until they cut the last words for a reason.

Since 1948, PR officially become the oldest asian airline according to ICAO rules when other airlines predating it ceased to exist one by one whatever the reasons were. In fact, Andres Soriano did one good decision that carries PAL legacy to this day, and that is retaining its name. Old airlines operating under a new name is a new airline making the old one officially dead, which to cut the story short leads to PAL's conquest of the name "asia's first".

Its the same reason why KLM doesn't want to do away with its name after its merger with Air France because of its legacy and prestige stature as the world's first, predating AF by 14 long years having been established in October 7, 1919 is good enough reason to keep it. It is so far the oldest airline still in operation even if AT&T holds the history. It can even call itself "world's first airline" based on ICAO convention if it wants to.

On the same note, having established such fact, its not also logically right for British Airways, founded 1972, to claim association with the "worlds first airline" because it was never associated with it in its history of merger and consolidation. As such first airline status will always belong to Britain's Air Transport and Travel Ltd (AT&T) which made its first commercial flight in August 25, 1919 as an airline with Paris as its first destination from London.

If you want to know the first airliner, its the De Havilland DH-16. :)

Interesting! Do you know that the first regular transcontinental route in the world was between Amsterdam and Jakarta (Batavia). I think it started in 1924. Of course, its of no consequence to Indonesians anyway. The Dutch were waaay too apartheid. Plus, the cost was probably out of reach to practically everyone but the very few. It was used by people like the Governor General or big businessmen. It took something like 5 days! And some layover to sleep in hotels along the way, transiting something like 10-15 cities or something. Hehe.

;46347523']I suppose that A343 is needed in Gensan more because of cargo (tuna?) than passenger load?

Yup, and besides Cebu Pacific offers 2 daily service between GenSan and Manila. However, PAL's pax load on the MNL-GES service is also high...

Interesting that on the eve (or morning) of the arrival, there is no announcement from PR's website. The fleet information does not say anything much about it. The video on the 77W also says that it is also expected to serve SIN on its initial run but I can't find anything in the schedule for that despite an EQV listing (still all A320s).

It would have been nice to see Pacman to be coming home on this flight. That looks not to be the case now.

^^ Manny and his entourage can't come home on that flight as revenue passengers because of Cat II restrictions.

Yup, and besides Cebu Pacific offers 2 daily service between GenSan and Manila. However, PAL's pax load on the MNL-GES service is also high...

Totoo yan. Ive been to Gen San at talagang puno ang flights nila. Mapa holiday o hindi. ^^

^^

Yes there are a few A343s but they aren't used frequently on US routes at the moment since LAX isn't using it, PR112/113 isn't flying yet and PR114/115 won't be returning for the winter.

They can better utilise the A343s in MNL-SYD rather than MNL-CEB or MNL-DVO where most of the widebodies have been deployed to.

The most recent timetable (Nov17) on their website shows that come Dec, YVR will be daily (= 2x A340s), HNL will be 3x weekly (1x A340) and the extra LAX will be 2x weekly (1x A340). The HNL and LAX A340s will be free on some days but if you plot out the scheds, they still won't fit daily Oz ops.

GenSan has been A340 for a very long time because of cargo. Just because they are using heavies on domestic points doesn't mean they are wasting resources. Planes also have bellies to fill.

The CEB-DVO A340/A330 I believe has been quietly downgraded to A319/A320 to match passenger numbers.

well nov 18...can anyone confirm PALs 773 will be there at NAIA today ..lol :D

base of posting, Nov 18 ETD in PAE is 1500 I think, and ETA in MNL tomorrow is 9pm, but there will be slight adjustment

Lost in transit in Los Angeles November 18, 2009 Comments 10




I offset my Olympian load and collapse into a cab. "You need airport? I take you," the driver urges but, this being Los Angeles, a trip to faraway LAX is out of the question. It's only a $US8 ($8.80) cab fare to Union Station, plus another $US7 for the FlyAway bus shuttle. Miffed, the driver leaves me some distance from the shuttle stop, claiming the police will ticket him if he parks any closer.

The shuttle is a surreal experience. The city's freeways spiral into the sky and we are tossed over the city by our cackling madwoman driver like spaghetti in a strainer. I disembark at the Air New Zealand terminal (I'm flying to Sydney via Auckland), decide against a $US4 trolley and stagger inside.

LAX – a nine-terminal city within a city – has a familiar, if not always fond, place in the heart of Australians. It is our main gateway in and out of the US and there is a moment every morning (as the trans-Pacific flights arrive) and every night (as they leave) when Australian business people, backpackers and families on holiday fill its tattered halls, the way Britons overrun Malaga in summer.

For Qantas passengers, this means an unavoidable tangle with Tom Bradley International Terminal, named after the former African-American mayor of Los Angeles. In politics, the "Bradley effect" is the phenomenon where voters, not wanting to appear racist, exaggerate their support for a black candidate when talking to pollsters. In aviation, the "Bradley effect" is more prosaic: planeloads of grumpy transit passengers who vow never to return after their introduction to the world's superpower. This usually involves being led to a basement for fingerprint and passport checks in queues swelled by five jumbos arriving at once, then dragging one's bags through a parking lot for rechecking, with no signage and little explanation and only a smattering of greasy-spoon food options.

Tom Bradley is the focus of a $1.3 billion airport renovation due for completion by 2013. Hopefully they don't forget Terminal 2, the site of my vigil today. It's depressingly sparse at 11am: no food, no shops, no seats, virtually no people – just a bleak row of check-in desks that won't open for hours. It's time to settle in, somehow. But first I really need to use the bathroom, lugging my five bags along because it's unsafe to leave them unattended. With no other choice, I barricade myself in the big disabled toilet. Another traveller gives me a pitying glance as I shave over the wash basin, as if to ask: "Surely you don't live here?"

Over the next few hours I perch uncomfortably on a window sill, nibbling my last muesli bar and reading a dog-eared copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road. There are three of us sitting on this sill – and the other two are kissing. A cleaner zooms by on his trolley every few hours. The couple, eventually exhausting themselves, huddle over an iPhone to watch a movie.

When the Air New Zealand desk opens, I make a break for it as if it's the Boxing Day sales. In exchange for a boarding pass I offload two bags and retain three – an outrageous breach of the airline's single hand-luggage policy. Then I settle outside Gate 23 for the final three-hour slog. It's not exactly Fifth Avenue but at least there's a bookshop and a Starbucks.

There is a certain poignancy about a departure lounge – surrounded by people we don't know, each preoccupied with their thoughts and preparing for whatever lies ahead somewhere far away. How many times in life are we truly placeless? Not just in the literal sense – forbidden from entering the aircraft yet also from going back through the security check – but in the purgatory between past and future. We've left a known world and are yet to enter the next.

At Singapore's Changi Airport or Amsterdam's Schiphol, there are masses of distractions – sumptuous shopping, free internet, pedicures and chair massages. At LAX, by contrast, there is nothing to do except avert one's eyes and reflect.

Finally, we prepare to board – one Australian surrounded by the reassuring chirp of Kiwi accents. As we rise above this chaotic city and its shambolic airport, a galaxy of lights fading from view, I recall Kerouac's description of LA as the "end of the continent" – a strange jungle of people with postponed dreams who have nowhere further west to go. Unless they're flying home.

Lockers have been banished from LAX for security reasons but an off-site option is LAX Luggage Storage; see laxluggagestorage.com. A representative will meet you kerbside to receive and return your luggage ($US7 a day for a suitcase). Nearby accommodation includes the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Century Boulevard and Travelodge. Free shuttles operate between the hotels and the airport.

How to enjoy a stopover

Heathrow Airport, London

I have 10 hours to kill between flights and an ambitious idea to visit the British Museum. Sure. I find I have neither the energy to take a train into London nor the budget for a room in an airport hotel. That's when I stumble on Yotel, a supremely well-designed version of a capsule hotel, right in Terminal 4. Within an hour of arrival I've showered, eaten a room-service snack and I'm tucked up in a large single bed with good linen and the alarm clock set. And it's well-priced: a minimum four-hour booking costs from £25 ($45) and £6.50 an hour thereafter. Also at Gatwick and Amsterdam's Schiphol. See yotel.com.

- Helen Anderson

Changi Airport, Singapore

Children will love the roof-top swimming pool at Terminal 1; $S13.91 ($10.80) entry includes towels and drinks. With at least five hours in transit you can join a free tour of Singapore without clearing customs. Two choices: a colonial history tour or a cultural tour of the city's ethnic districts. Register at one of two desks in terminals 2 and 3, open 7am-3.30pm. See changiairport.com.

Narita Airport, Tokyo

Hands up for a manicure (Nail Quick) or breathe deep at Oxygen Lounge JUKO, both in Terminal 1. Passengers can inhale flavoured oxygen, said to reduce jet lag. A 10-minute session is ¥600 ($7.20), 20 minutes is ¥1200.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

Bangkok's $US3 billion airport was opened in 2006 and the ultra-modern terminal building (one of the biggest in the world) is packed with shops, restaurants and bars. City tours are available for transit passengers (go to ATTA desk in transit area). But to really relax, the four-star Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is a few minutes' drive by free shuttle bus from the airport. Rooms are available on an hourly basis — a two-hour minimum stay costs 2000 baht ($66) and 500 baht an hour thereafter. The hotel has massage (including a jet lag treatment) and a pool in a jungle-garden setting with waiter service. See novotelsuvarnabhumi.com.

Ads by Google

^^ Manny and his entourage can't come home on that flight as revenue passengers because of Cat II restrictions.

But are there flights where the passengers in it are "non-revenue?" What about President Ramos when he brought home PR's first B744 in 1993?

The most recent timetable (Nov17) on their website shows that come Dec, YVR will be daily (= 2x A340s), HNL will be 3x weekly (1x A340) and the extra LAX will be 2x weekly (1x A340). The HNL and LAX A340s will be free on some days but if you plot out the scheds, they still won't fit daily Oz ops.

GenSan has been A340 for a very long time because of cargo. Just because they are using heavies on domestic points doesn't mean they are wasting resources. Planes also have bellies to fill.

The CEB-DVO A340/A330 I believe has been quietly downgraded to A319/A320 to match passenger numbers.

The thing is that there are more things to do in widebodies than narrowbodies with more amenities. There are some who want to "exercise" (move around) on relatively long haul flights or even use the IFE. The medium-haul Asian destinations are guess what, using narrow-bodies. How boring can that be? For all we know a MNL-SYD flight may be served by an A319/A320 just like the LCY-JFK flight offered by BA.

Within the region, we are the only carrier that reverses the role of widebodies and narrowbodies where they are used for shorter distances and medium distances respectively for regiona routes.

Kindly keep us updated if the 77W will be coming to another regional city, preferably BKK or SIN.

But are there flights where the passengers in it are "non-revenue?" What about President Ramos when he brought home PR's first B744 in 1993?

...

Delivery flights. Government charters (official delegation/ diplomatic missions, etc.). I'm not sure if cargo escorts are considered "passengers," though a cargo flight definitely is commercial.

...
The thing is that there are more things to do in widebodies than narrowbodies with more amenities. There are some who want to "exercise" (move around) on relatively long haul flights or even use the IFE. The medium-haul Asian destinations are guess what, using narrow-bodies. How boring can that be? For all we know a MNL-SYD flight may be served by an A319/A320 just like the LCY-JFK flight offered by BA.

...

True. But they are making money with those flights as they are. And money is tight at PAL - they don't even have enough to pay for all ordered planes, let alone refurbish the A340s. And as some have pointed out, not as if the PAL A330s are so much worse (and I would even think they are better) than the QF 763s.

SQ used to send (if not still the case) its regionally-configured 777s on some routes longer than those which regularly receive the nicer ones. I know Moscow used to get the regional 772s on days that the flights stop at DXB and turn around in Moscow. Only the onward Houston flights get the 77Ws. And what about Japan and Oz? They get all the nice planes (tsk, tsk A380) in SQ network even if they are under 10 hours. Compare that with the regional recliner business seats on some of the 10+ hour Middle East routes.

...

Within the region, we are the only carrier that reverses the role of widebodies and narrowbodies where they are used for shorter distances and medium distances respectively for regiona routes.

...

Hmm...ANA and JAL send their 737s to certain points in Indo-China and India while their 747s and 773s regularly ply the domestic trunk routes. KA sends its A320s to India and the Maldives, while the A330s go to BKK and TPE (prior to the CX takeover). And what about the TG 744s and 777s swarming over Phuket and ChiangMai while Hanoi and Saigon get the humble A300-600s. Worse, I think even JKT or DPS get 734s.

Not sure how accurate this is, regarding the 773

here's a link to a youtube video, posted Nov. 16, 2009

wPpnoLOct00

^^But are there flights where the passengers in it are "non-revenue?" What about President Ramos when he brought home PR's first B744 in 1993?

Yes there are. Miles redemption is one. Its practically a free flight. And there is technical flights and another called Delivery flights. Both of them are always non-revenue. That is why they are called so because they are yet to be accepted by the client in Manila. And yes they are filled with people aside from the airline itself for some legal reasons. Some of them I personally know and they just booked a trip for the first triple seven home. I envy them but hey they are just doing their work. I heard the airline also invited some people in the press but doesn't exactly know who they are.

The Ramos flight was actually a revenue flight as the aircraft was officially accepted by the President in the US even if Lucio Tan purchased PR earlier because he hasn't settled payment to the government until a year later, so technically the airline still belongs to the State that time. And even if the Philippines is in category III status, the plane can still fly in the US airspace with the President on board. Its what we call "sovereign flight". Of course its still a revenue flight for PAL because its being paid for by taxpayers like us.

Imagine, where would PR's finances be had there been no frequent flights of GMA abroad? That's a whooping P700 million of taxpayers money for 9 years and counting but that would be OT.


The thing is that there are more things to do in widebodies than narrowbodies with more amenities. There are some who want to "exercise" (move around) on relatively long haul flights or even use the IFE. The medium-haul Asian destinations are guess what, using narrow-bodies. How boring can that be? For all we know a MNL-SYD flight may be served by an A319/A320 just like the LCY-JFK flight offered by BA.

Within the region, we are the only carrier that reverses the role of widebodies and narrowbodies where they are used for shorter distances and medium distances respectively for regional routes.

Its not only us doing the same thing. Forget about Singapore because they have no domestic to speak off, look at Malaysia and Thailand. They are doing practically the same thing as pointed out by Hikouki.

Also in Japan, 744 reigns supreme in the domestic market. go figure why is it so!:)

have anybody noticed PAL Express under AirPhil have lots of sched adjustments.those routes having a daily service have been downgraded with 3x a week sched.it must be lack of aircraft?i hope they have plans to reinvent themselves so they can compete toe-to-toe following their reincarnation.how about the former PAL Express livery,they will re-paint it with AirPhil?new aircraft coming to boost their fleet?:)

Relax ka lang. There is more to see. Its not final yet. My suggestion, don't even bother.

The most recent timetable (Nov17) on their website shows that come Dec, YVR will be daily (= 2x A340s), HNL will be 3x weekly (1x A340) and the extra LAX will be 2x weekly (1x A340). The HNL and LAX A340s will be free on some days but if you plot out the scheds, they still won't fit daily Oz ops.

GenSan has been A340 for a very long time because of cargo. Just because they are using heavies on domestic points doesn't mean they are wasting resources. Planes also have bellies to fill.

The CEB-DVO A340/A330 I believe has been quietly downgraded to A319/A320 to match passenger numbers.

Just a thought: to ease the A343's schedule and give it a chance to fly to SYD a little more often, why not deploy the 77W to the YVR flight that doesn't continue to LAS 2x/week (I believe it flies on a M and W)? I don't think it faces that many restrictions flying to Canada than to the US. At least PR can somehow maximise its potential and I'm sure the lone 77W will be enough to cover both days. Unless there is a restriction the public isn't aware of...

just hot off the press...

pal's new 777-300ER will fly the following routes:

Hong Kong
Tokyo
Sydney
Melbourne

^^

What site is that? The timetable and mock bookings say that the A330 is still for SYD/MEL and the A330/B744 for NRT.

Why can't they fly to YVR? Aren't there 2 flights to YVR that don't continue on to LAS? Are there restrictions that prevent the 77W from being used there?

Oh, and as for the A343s to SYD, CX has begun to use them again from HKG, albeit on a sporadic basis every week.

^^

What site is that? The timetable and mock bookings say that the A330 is still for SYD/MEL and the A330/B744 for NRT.

Why can't they fly to YVR? Aren't there 2 flights to YVR that don't continue on to LAS? Are there restrictions that prevent the 77W from being used there?

Oh, and as for the A343s to SYD, CX has begun to use them again from HKG, albeit on a sporadic basis every week.

nasa philippine daily inquirer and sun star davao ang ad ng pal.

Here's a challenge: why not have a P7,770 round-trip fare to HKG or a USD777 round-trip fare to SYD?

Cebu Pacific to start Tuguegarao – Guangzhou

http://airlineroute.net/2009/11/18/5j-tugcan/

Cebu Pacific appears to start 2 weekly Tuguegarao – Guangzhou service from 18NOV09 with Airbus A319. However, the airlines’ booking system is showing the flight, but no seats available. If the flight is a go-ahead, this would be Tuguegarao’s First international service.

5J290 TUG1015 – 1225CAN 319 36
5J291 CAN1315 – 1525TUG 319 36

^^ Hmm....interesting....what's in TUG that would interest people from CAN to start services between the two cities?

PAL set for Brisbane after 10-year hiatus

Philippines Airlines (PAL) is considering a restructure of its Australia network that would see the carrier operate to Brisbane for the first time in a decade, Travel Today understands.

The airline is looking at twice-weekly flights to the Queensland capital in a triangular service with Melbourne and Manila, the Philippine capital.

PAL last operated to Brisbane in the late 1990s shortly before the Asian financial crisis brought the airline to its knees.

Currently, PAL operates a five times weekly service linking Manila, Melbourne and Sydney. That will revert to a daily service by the end of the November following an improvement in economic conditions. Two of the services were suspended in September following the downturn.

Sources said the Manila-Melbourne-Brisbane-Manila services will start on March 10 if management goes ahead with the plan. Further route network talks are expected to take place soon with a decision likely before the end of the month.

“The Brisbane plans have been on the table for a while but it may now become reality,” one source said. “Market conditions have improved.”

But any return to Queensland will likely be at the expense of Sydney which is thought likely to lose two of the seven weekly services. However, it is believed the carrier will introduce a larger A330-300 on the route, with a 777 utilised on Brisbane.

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/articles/57/0C065957.asp

19 November 2009

^^

"a larger A330-300 on the route"

First, they've got their facts mismatched. How can an A330 be larger with it only having 302 seats while there are 370 on the 77W? Next, their aircraft routes are also mismatched for the nth time. Doesn't SYD which is a more premier global hub than Brisbane deserve a larger, more luxurious and more entertaining aircraft?

Can't PR put the 77Ws instead on the YVR flight that doesn't go on to LAS?

^^

"a larger A330-300 on the route"

First, they've got their facts mismatched. How can an A330 be larger with it only having 302 seats while there are 370 on the 77W? Next, their aircraft routes are also mismatched for the nth time. Doesn't SYD which is a more premier global hub than Brisbane deserve a larger, more luxurious and more entertaining aircraft?

Can't PR put the 77Ws instead on the YVR flight that doesn't go on to LAS?

There were rumors that the Canadians won't allow PAL to use the 777s to YVR because of capacity issues, or something like that. I don't know how true this is. At any rate, I don't see the 77Ws flying to YVR until after PAL has conducted enough crew familiarization flights. As I've mentioned before, many airlines toy around with their new planes for weeks or months prior to the routes they were purchased for.

Someone already mentioned that Australia is one of the routes that will be served by B777 along with other asian routes....

I think even if the Canadian Gov allows PAL to use B777, PAL can still not do so since they usually use that same aircraft into their YVR-Vegas leg.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2381/promo777tcm612928.jpg

Someone already mentioned that Australia is one of the routes that will be served by B777 along with other asian routes....

I think even if the Canadian Gov allows PAL to use B777, PAL can still not do so since they usually use that same aircraft into their YVR-Vegas leg.

I believe there are 2 flights to YVR: the one that continues on to LAS 5x a week (PR106) and there is another one that does not continue on to LAS 2x a week (PR116). What I'm talking about is the use of the 77W in the latter flight.

Gotcha, I thought all of them has this ongoing flight to vegas. Thanks.

official news from BOEING's website (http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=945)


Boeing Delivers First 777 to Philippine Airlines
Milestone delivery carries humanitarian relief supplies for Filipino flood victims

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to U.S.-based leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and its customer, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The new airplane is the first 777 to join PAL's fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will deploy on its international routes. In addition the airline has four more 777-300ERs on order directly from Boeing from 2007.

Boeing, PAL and three non-profits leveraged this delivery to bring relief to residents who were recently devastated by the massive floods from Typhoon Ketsana. With the help of AmeriCares, Humanitarian International Services Group (HISG) and Kids Against Hunger, Boeing and PAL loaded nearly 18,000 pounds of medical supplies and packaged meals into the cargo hold of the 777-300ER.

"It is our great hope that this collaborative effort will bring some comfort to the flood victims during this very challenging time," said Fred Kiga, vice president, State and Local Government Relations and Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest Region.

Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president, who led a small PAL delegation that joined the delivery flight to Manila, said he was glad to be able to personally deliver the relief donations to the Philippines. "The airlift of relief goods is inherent to our mandate as the Philippines flag carrier. Earlier, we conducted a similar airlift of relief from local donors. I am sure these donations will go a long way in alleviating the plight of the victims and help in rebuilding their lives," Bautista said.

The addition of the 777-300ER to the PAL fleet brings new twin-engine efficiency to the airline's long-haul fleet. The airplanes are powered by General Electric GE90-115BLs, the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine. The 777-300ER is well known for its cargo capacity -- up to 7,120 cubic feet (201.6 cubic meters).

"The Boeing 777-300ER is a great choice for PAL, giving Asia's first commercial airline the most efficient airplane in the 300-to-400 seat segment," said Rob Laird, vice president of Sales for East and Southeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It provides the airline the flexibility to serve key markets worldwide while offering its passengers the highest levels of comfort and reliability."

Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier, conducted its first flight March 15, 1941, and has been operating longer than any other airline in Asia. PAL is a long-time Boeing customer and currently operates five Boeing 747-400s.

The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-seven customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.

For more information concerning AmeriCares, log onto www.AmeriCares.org.

For more information about HISG, go to http://hisg.org.

To learn more about Kids Against Hunger, go to www.kidsagainsthunger.org.


SOURCE: Boeing

Web site: http://www.boeing.com/

My bottomline is simple: if PR wants to have optimal utilisation of its aircrafts, the 77W should be deployed to YVR 2x a week on PR116 hence the A343 can be used in shorter routes such as SYD where we don't have to sacrifice comfort of passengers willing to pay extra. Mind you, the A343 is the only aircraft in PR's fleet where the former first class goes completely lie-flat. If they take my plan, all long-haul sectors by PR's standards can soon experience a greater level of comfort on-board.

Hi do we have Pictures of our new Boing 777-300ER? Any photos or Video`s Please?

caticlan airport (net find)

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz189/dyollnarud/CaticlanAirport.jpg


^^maganda naman pala ang facade ng airport ng caticlan...malayo sa mga contemporay airport sa bansa :cheers::cheers:

Hi do we have Pictures of our new Boing 777-300ER? Any photos or Video`s Please?


there's that photo from the boeing website, but I'm assuming that's a shot taken during a test flight...there's no official photos of the 773 on philippine soil....

;46444065']http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2381/promo777tcm612928.jpg

The irony is that the special P777 fare does not include any flight that will use the B77W.

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=961fwqv-B8Q

Check this out:


awesome! i can't wait til it arrives

Fave PAL Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1AtH7cMIUI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka3H_8IvQGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ss-d8Hf498

PAL has posted their seat map for the B777-300ER. It only has 370 seats. 42 in Mabuhay Class and 328 in Fiesta Class. My only gripe is yung sa Fiesta. Bakit 3-4-3 yung seating configuration nya? Bakit sardinas mode? I'm a big person kaya i'm affected by this. Haaaayy... pwede naman nila sana gawing 3-3-3 nalang like other asian carriers to give their passengers more space kasi they only have 370 seats. pero hindi. Bakit di pa nila nilubos lubos? sana ginaya nila yung sa KLM na 425 seats ang laman at ang Emirates na 427 seats.

Disappointing! They followed EK's lead and the lead of AF-KL. I think PR's competitive strategy is to compete on volume of passengers.

http://philippineairspace.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Cambodia opens Philippine Route
Cebu Pacific allowed fly next year !

November 20, 2009

By May Kunmakara
Phnom Penh Post

Phnom Penh- Cebu Pacific Air, a Philippines-based airline, plans to begin direct flights between the Philippines and Cambodia in the spring of 2010, but the airline have yet to determine a specific launch date for the service, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said Tuesday.

“Cebu Air is authorised to start flying to our country in March or April next year,” he said, citing a memorandum of understanding signed by Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on September 16 to open the airways between the two countries.

The agreement is the fourth Cambodia has made this year allowing direct flights. The SSCA has also inked deals with Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Under the terms of the agreement, up to seven flights a week originating from Cambodia are authorised to land at Manila, 14 in the Clark Freeport Zone and another 14 for any point in the Philippines outside the two aviation centres.

The Philippines is a major tourism hub in Southeast Asia, Thong Khon said, adding that the deal would draw more tourists directly from the Philippines as well as offer another transfer point for tourists travelling from other locations.

“I hope that tourism from the Philippines will increase further,” he said. “Moreover, with the new flights, we plan not only to attract Filipino tourists, but we also aim to draw tourists from other countries,” he said.

Filipinos do not require a visa to visit Cambodia; nor do Cambodians require a Philippine visa to travel there, Thong Khon said.

Air traffic at the two main Cambodian international airports, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, fell 12.96 percent in the first nine months of 2009 year-on-year, according to Tourism Ministry figures, but the number of tourists arriving from the Philippines bucked the trend. According to ministry’s numbers, 36,608 tourists arrived from the Philippines in the first nine months of 2009, 29.36 percent up from the same period a year earlier.

The Philippines ambassador in Phnom Penh could not be reached for comment, Tuesday.

SSCA Cabinet Chief Long Chheng said the two sides were currently working on ironing out the details of the flights. “I am not sure of the exact date the flights will commence because I have received no confirmation,” he said, adding that an Air Service Agreement (ASA) still must to be signed by both parties.

The SSCA is actively pursuing additional open-skies agreements to boost the tourism sector, Long Chheng said. “We welcome the direct flights from the Philippines and hope they start as soon as possible,” he said. “That will be very good for our tourism sector.”

The SSCA and the CAAP had been working on the agreement since 2007.
0 comments Links to this post

according to flight tracker PAL 777-300ER is at FL360 right now.

Only 1hr and 30 mins away from RPLL.

PAL has posted their seat map for the B777-300ER. It only has 370 seats. 42 in Mabuhay Class and 328 in Fiesta Class. My only gripe is yung sa Fiesta. Bakit 3-4-3 yung seating configuration nya? Bakit sardinas mode? I'm a big person kaya i'm affected by this. Haaaayy... pwede naman nila sana gawing 3-3-3 nalang like other asian carriers to give their passengers more space kasi they only have 370 seats. pero hindi. Bakit di pa nila nilubos lubos? sana ginaya nila yung sa KLM na 425 seats ang laman at ang Emirates na 427 seats.

Two thumbs down for PAL!!!:ohno: I would not want to be on this plane on a longhaul flight.:ohno:

If you compare the seat layout of PAL's 77W with KLM's and QR's, you would notice that PAL spread out only (!) four rows of mabuhay seats from door 1 to door 2. Other carriers have five, six or more. I think mabuhay will be really spacious on this aircraft, perhaps allowing what some people have said as a full-flat configuration. However, business has extended all the way beyond door 2 at the expense of economy.:ohno: No doubt this is in line with their image of being a "cheap legacy carrier.":bash:

According to this guy on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65WBdRoor_Q&feature=related

...it's scheduled to fly initially to HK, then eventually to Singapore, Vancouver, Sydney and Melbourne pending the FAA cat downgrade.

Sayang, di ko nabalitaan na ngayon darating. I could have taken photos and vids.

Philippine Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Delivery Flight
961fwqv-B8Q
by skylinephotopae

PAL set for Brisbane after 10-year hiatus

Philippines Airlines (PAL) is considering a restructure of its Australia network that would see the carrier operate to Brisbane for the first time in a decade, Travel Today understands.

The airline is looking at twice-weekly flights to the Queensland capital in a triangular service with Melbourne and Manila, the Philippine capital.

PAL last operated to Brisbane in the late 1990s shortly before the Asian financial crisis brought the airline to its knees.

Currently, PAL operates a five times weekly service linking Manila, Melbourne and Sydney. That will revert to a daily service by the end of the November following an improvement in economic conditions. Two of the services were suspended in September following the downturn.

Sources said the Manila-Melbourne-Brisbane-Manila services will start on March 10 if management goes ahead with the plan. Further route network talks are expected to take place soon with a decision likely before the end of the month.

“The Brisbane plans have been on the table for a while but it may now become reality,” one source said. “Market conditions have improved.”

But any return to Queensland will likely be at the expense of Sydney which is thought likely to lose two of the seven weekly services. However, it is believed the carrier will introduce a larger A330-300 on the route, with a 777 utilised on Brisbane.

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/articles/57/0C065957.asp

19 November 2009



Aha...as I was saying BRIS would do ok with atleast 2-3x service per week by PAL but the aircraft utilasation should be other way around. SYD gets B777 and A333 for BRIS ( if were talking load here)

yup....sabi ko na nga ba it was gonna be 3 4 3 configuration not 3 3 3....PAL hasnt got the same market as SQ.

Actually this aircraft would be good for MEL-SYD. I think two cities can fill if up.

B777-300ER arrives/touch down NAIA exactly 7:43pm. It has 2-3-2 seats on its business, 3-4-3 on its economy. it has 42 business class seats and 328 economy. source: my friend who is working at PAL. :)

^^ They already released the seat plan online. :sleepy::lol:

But anyway, I'm now on the hunt for 77W flights to CEB! :D

It's on HKG flights 300/301 and 306/307...:)

^^ I know that. :tongue2:

Maiden flight will be on the 24th of this month. Economy fare is now at $516.50 roundtrip.

Will it be flying anywhere in between those flights?

B777-300ER arrives/touch down NAIA exactly 7:43pm. It has 2-3-2 seats on its business, 3-4-3 on its economy. it has 42 business class seats and 328 economy. source: my friend who is working at PAL. :)

cramp ang 3-4-3 sa Y class.
Anyway, did it arrive today as in this evening?


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the official release from PAL...

PAL takes delivery of RP’s 1st Boeing 777

Philippine Airlines (PAL) took delivery late last night (19 November 2009) of its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft following its delivery flight from Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA.

The extended range jet is the first 777 to join PAL's fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will use for major international routes like Hong Kong (starting November 24), Tokyo (February 2010) and Sydney and Melbourne (by mid-March 2010).

To celebrate the arrival of PAL's newest and most technologically-advanced aircraft, the airline is offering a new low-fare promo on selected domestic destinations. These domestic routes will be flown using PAL’s current fleet of Boeing 747s, Airbus A340s, A330s, A320s and A319s.

Fares as low as P777 are available for a limited period between Manila and 11 domestic destinations – Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Roxas.

Eight Mindanao destinations, meanwhile, have fares as low as P1,777 – Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Dipolog, General Santos, Zamboanga, Ozamiz and Butuan.

The all-in (inclusive of VAT), one-way fares are on sale from November 19 to 25. Travel period is between December 1 to 25, 2009 and February 1 to March 25, 2010.

The promo tickets are non-refundable and not eligible to earn miles with PAL Mabuhay Miles.

Tickets may be bought at any PAL ticket office, accredited travel agents or through the PAL website using Mastercard or Visa credit cards or BancNet ATM cards.

Source: http://www.philippineairlines.com/news/1stb777.jsp

I saw this thing on my way home from school.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/StarkillerHermesthe37th/GJT_7281.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/StarkillerHermesthe37th/GJT_7285.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/StarkillerHermesthe37th/GJT_7287.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/StarkillerHermesthe37th/GJT_7310.jpg

It seems PAL has a Triple Seven now. RP-C7777

The Minister of Tourism form Cambodia revealed in an interview that Philippine budget air carrier Cebu Pacific is planning to launch direct air service between Manila and Phnom Penh starting in the spring of 2010.

To read the whole news article :

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009111829597/Business/philippine-flights-given-go-ahead.html

The following images are brought to you by flight_083 at PEx. Finally, here's interior cabin shots of RP-C7777, the newest bird in PAL's fleet! :D

The overhead Bins...

I love the design.. made the cabin look spacious and less cramped.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0448.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0449.jpg

SEE!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0454.jpg

Mabuhay Class.

I would love to be seated on this Cabin.

Look at all those space!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0457.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0458.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0459.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0445.jpg

More of the Mabuhay Cabin.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0438.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0456.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0462.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0440.jpg

There is an adjustment on the buttons that can make it lie-flat.


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0437.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0441.jpg

MABUHAY Cabin..

AVOD

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0439.jpg
This is where the screen is hidden on the bulk head seat.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0442.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0443.jpg

Fiesta Class.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0452.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0453.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0446.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0447.jpg

When the seat reclines.. the back-rest moves backward and the seat-cushion moves forward, a foot-rest is provided.

The seat is incredibly spacious for economy class against the B747s. Its like I was seated on an exit row on the A319/A320.

Having a 3-4-3 configuration on this aircraft turned out to be simply amazing.. I could still walk pass the aisle with no hassle. Even if the passenger infront of me reclines his seat.. My legs are still well placed, relaxed and rested.

Fiesta Class

Having problem where to place your cup of coffee?... or water glass or bottle?..

This might just fit in...

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0455.jpg

Fiesta Class...

AVOD

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0451.jpg

EXIT ROW

773PR only has 1 exit row.. and that's row 41.
Also, the bulkhead seats in economy have bigger leg space than the ones on the B747.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0460.jpg

LAVATORY

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0461.jpg

WOW! i know its the same product as the 744 but it somehow looks better on this B777 and the 3-4-3 config doesnt look to bad.

and to think another one of this will come by end of JAN10 :)


-------------------
lol one of those picture made me think its was 2-4-2 :D i though I was looking at a refurbished A340 for a second

Well, it's funny the place the "fiesta class" signs on business class seats!

Looking at those business class seats though, they are I think in the same league as CX's pre-2007 seats hence we are still 1 step behind. Others are doing flat beds and can in fact accommodate guests. http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6356948&nseq=42


Given the 3-4-3 disappointment, I wonder how they can claim their economy class here can be wider than their economy class on the A343s. This is unless the 3-3-3 configuration pertains to the aircraft purchased directly from Boeing as this one is just leased. The monitors may be wider than KL's though (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6540928&nseq=5).

Also, do let me know if PR will fly this to SIN as I might consider this over SQ where if PR will actually fly this to SIN, at least we can have AVOD unlike SQ's regional flights.

^^ The Mabuhay Class seats on the 77W, while the same Recaros as that on the 744s, are full-flat instead of angled lie-flat.

I'm not sure about the 3-4-3 arrangement, but the people down at PEx are positive about it.

Well, it's funny the place the "fiesta class" signs on business class seats!

Looking at those business class seats though, they are I think in the same league as CX's pre-2007 seats hence we are still 1 step behind. Others are doing flat beds and can in fact accommodate guests. http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6356948&nseq=42


Given the 3-4-3 disappointment, I wonder how they can claim their economy class here can be wider than their economy class on the A343s. This is unless the 3-3-3 configuration pertains to the aircraft purchased directly from Boeing as this one is just leased. The monitors may be wider than KL's though (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6540928&nseq=5).


Very nice photos and PAL's new 777's interior never the less. Thanks for sharing Sky_harbor.

Also, do let me know if PR will fly this to SIN as I might consider this over SQ where if PR will actually fly this to SIN, at least we can have AVOD unlike SQ's regional flights.

PAL probably figured that first class cabins are not a big seller with their pinoy patrons even on the transpacific routes. This is why they reconfigured all their B747 seats and do away with no first class but just business class since PAL profits more with bulk on economy class.

I guess PAL can do better than these when it comes to first class amenities but I understand them doing it how they ordered any especifications on it's interior that is based on cost effectiveness and address the needs without losing out profits on their least seller seats.


As far as the seat configuration, since B777 is newer than B747, with the new and less bulkier seats, better paneling system and good interior engineering, I'm pretty sure the manufacturer managed to iron out the kinks in its interior based on the flaws with older aircrafts and other fleets so airline companies can offer more comfort and better physical maneuverabilities to their passengers/patrons.

Also, do let me know if PR will fly this to SIN as I might consider this over SQ where if PR will actually fly this to SIN, at least we can have AVOD unlike SQ's regional flights.

I'm doubtful, but if ever PAL will send the 77W to SIN, it will be during the Christmas season.

from PEx grapevine again:

Supplementary Informations..

HONG KONG (HKG)
24-29 Nov 2009, Tuesday-Sunday PR300/01 & PR306/07 B777PR
30 Nov 2009, Monday PR300/01 & PR306/07 B777PR
01 Dec 2009 - 10 Jan 2010, Daily PR300/01 & PR306/07 B777PR

TOKYO (NRT)
18-19 Dec 2009, Friday-Saturday PR432 B777PR

Note: On the dates for NRT, HKG will be assigned another aircraft instead of the B777.

Rumors have it.. RP-C7777 might fly to Australia.

flight! *okay*
you did it again! :lol:

additional info lang: FYI to those concerned..
on those dates that B777 will fly NRT;
B747s will fly MEL/SYD. (Dec 18-19)
HKG will get B744/A330

Well, it's funny the place the "fiesta class" signs on business class seats!

Looking at those business class seats though, they are I think in the same league as CX's pre-2007 seats hence we are still 1 step behind. Others are doing flat beds and can in fact accommodate guests. http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6356948&nseq=42


...

Not only one, but maybe two generations behind!!!:ohno:

Many premier carriers today recognize that it is not only important to provide a flat surface for sleeping to premium passengers but provide a semi-private space as well. CX did this by providing a herringbone layout, as did Virgin, NZ, AC and 9W. SQ made Diamond seats. But carriers like Emirates (on their A380s), Etihad, Continental, Swiss and now ANA will be having the staggered layout. I think PAL could have consumed less space for the same amount of business passengers if only they had invested in the right type of business seat. But no, they really had to feature the prehistoric ones.:lol:

Well, it's funny the place the "fiesta class" signs on business class seats!

Given the 3-4-3 disappointment, I wonder how they can claim their economy class here can be wider than their economy class on the A343s. This is unless the 3-3-3 configuration pertains to the aircraft purchased directly from Boeing as this one is just leased. The monitors may be wider than KL's though (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6540928&nseq=5).

.

Some airlines have a way around this. EK have the tight 3-4-3 config but also provides 34 inches of legroom - much more than the usual kangaroo-route operators. Tall Europeans just love them for that. 34 inches on the new seats may feel extra comfy because seats are thinner and hence there is even more legroom. Of course the seats are still tight on the hips.:nuts:

PAL probably figured that first class cabins are not a big seller with their pinoy patrons even on the transpacific routes. This is why they reconfigured all their B747 seats and do away with no first class but just business class since PAL profits more with bulk on economy class.

I guess PAL can do better than these when it comes to first class amenities but I understand them doing it how they ordered any especifications on it's interior that is based on cost effectiveness and address the needs without losing out profits on their least seller seats.


As far as the seat configuration, since B777 is newer than B747, with the new and less bulkier seats, better paneling system and good interior engineering, I'm pretty sure the manufacturer managed to iron out the kinks in its interior based on the flaws with older aircrafts and other fleets so airline companies can offer more comfort and better physical maneuverabilities to their passengers/patrons.

Etihad joins ten-across club
Published: 17/11/2009 - Filed under: News »

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Abu Dhabi airline Etihad is set to lose its economy-class comfort advantage over Emirates. It has decided to follow its Dubai rival’s lead and install ten-across seating on its fleet of B777s.

The move, reported by respected industry publication Flight International, was revealed at this week’s Dubai air show.

No details are yet available as to when the conversion from nine to ten-abreast seating will take place but it is being undertaken by local firm Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies. The alterations will also include new seating and an upgrade of these planes’ IFE systems.

Knowledgeable passengers grumble about ten-across seating on the B777 because it is an especially dense layout. That is because the B777 has a slightly narrower cabin than the B747 (which already features a ten-across layout).

Most major carriers continue to operate their B777s with nine-across layouts although Air France and KLM have also begun installing ten-across configurations.

So far Etihad is not using its B777s on routes between Abu Dhabi and Europe but matters could change in future.

Right now the carrier’s B777s mainly serve Asian destinations like Bangkok, Manila and Jakarta. So Etihad’s comfort advantage over Emirates’ B777s on these routes will disappear at some stage.

Better news from Etihad at the Dubai Show concerns the carrier’s premium product. Etihad says it has decided to extend the fitting of its first class suites to all of its A340s. The work is being understaken by Lufthansa Technik.

The suites are currently offered on just a few of Etihad’s flagship A340-600s which operate out of Abu Dhabi to Europe and Australia.

Says CEO James Hogan, “Our first class suite is a stunning product that is helping us stand out in the premium travel market. It has been incredibly well-received and we are delighted to be able to roll it out across the A340 fleet so quickly.”

For more information visit etihadairways.com.

Report by Alex McWhirter

I see your point there, PAL changed it's seat configuration on their 747 to just bi-class instead of tri-class to pave way for more economy class sitting so it's basically the same principle with the new B777ER.

I think Ethiad and Emirates or even KLM started following the 10seat across layout in their economy because they needed extra rooms for their first class and business class section and with the new design on seats for the economy, they can still hold the same or even more economy passengers without hurting too much the comfort they already offer in their economy call.

Yay! I've been waiting for the T7 since PAL ordered them back in '06 (or was '05?).
I'm quite a big guy too (for a Filipino) but I can understand why PAL went for 10 across. As long as it has more legroom than their A340s, I'll be satisfied with it.

Philippine aviation needs to be upgraded to Cat 1 soon, so that these can fly the trans-pacific route. I heard somewhere that even the MNL-YVR (non LAS) route won't be able to utilize the T7. Something about Canadian-US airspace, maybe someone here knows more about this. But here's to hoping the T7 flies to YVR.:D

^^

That's what I've been trying to say. I mean why isn't PR keen on using the 77Ws to the standalone YVR route unlike its SYD/HKG/NRT trips? What restrictions exist that prevent them from considering YVR?

ETOPS maybe

^^ PAL should be ETOPS-certified especially since they use A330s to HNL a few times.

awww, thanks... Teka, mukhang Cebu Pacific airlines yan at hindi Airforce 2...lol

^^

That's what I've been trying to say. I mean why isn't PR keen on using the 77Ws to the standalone YVR route unlike its SYD/HKG/NRT trips? What restrictions exist that prevent them from considering YVR?

I think it has to do with our Catagory 2 FAA rating. Maybe if the 77W has to make an emergency or detoured landing to a nearby airport to YVR, it would be one in the US, so that means it cannot be certified to fly even to YVR. I dunno, that is just my guess.

damn.When will i Experience Business Class?having not to share either of My arm rest and not being able to feel Clausterphobic and being squeezed in the Middle!!and being able to lay down..like in the bed.LOL..i wonder what are the foods being offered in business class?is it like 100x better than the economy?LOL.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY AND ITS AIRPORT(with the new terminal)
November 2009


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/384.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/385.jpg

Well even if it isn't the A343, at least those who wish to go to SYD will have 2 chances to ride on an aircraft with extra comfort.

About the 2-3-2 business class configuration, are they kidding us!?! As I said, that is eerily similar to CX' pre-2007 business class seat. Do they have the same designer? The coach class design however, as much as we hate the 3-4-3 configuration, at least it is similar to what we see in CX and SQ so that is a big step forward.

Well even if it isn't the A343, at least those who wish to go to SYD will have 2 chances to ride on an aircraft with extra comfort.

About the 2-3-2 business class configuration, are they kidding us!?! As I said, that is eerily similar to CX' pre-2007 business class seat. Do they have the same designer? The coach class design however, as much as we hate the 3-4-3 configuration, at least it is similar to what we see in CX and SQ so that is a big step forward.

Not sure what brand the first gen CX lie-flats were, but the current Mabuhay seats are almost the same Recaro model as those on Lufthansa's business class:
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/9/6/1556694.jpg

Well even if it isn't the A343, at least those who wish to go to SYD will have 2 chances to ride on an aircraft with extra comfort.

About the 2-3-2 business class configuration, are they kidding us!?! As I said, that is eerily similar to CX' pre-2007 business class seat. Do they have the same designer? The coach class design however, as much as we hate the 3-4-3 configuration, at least it is similar to what we see in CX and SQ so that is a big step forward.

Both CX and SQ have 3-3-3 on their new economy classes. The SQ seats are special as the reading light is under the PTV monitor. The new CX econ however has a fixed seatback/ shell making recline impossible - only slouching forward with the seat cushion. It is being installed on almost all aircraft, but their 77Ws were delivered with it:
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/8/3/3/1594338.jpg
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/9/5/1463595.jpg

How big are the monitors in PR's economy class? They appear to be the same as the monitors in the A320 business class although I see the lack of data interface (e.g. word-processing and USB drive/iPOD access) and that PR's monitor is slightly smaller than SQ but apparently a tad larger than CX. It would be nice if those monitors would identify our seat for us. If the 77W will by any chance go to SIN, I'm definitely taking that over SQ.

Here's a look into CX' reconfigured A330: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cathay-Pacific-Airways/Airbus-A330-343X/1611645/M/. You can once again take a look at CX' pre-2007 business class here: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cathay-Pacific-Airways/Airbus-A340-313X/1292006/L/&sid=a739b2596ab5f08bd645fd961f02b367 .

I recall the ad that ran through 2003 where Airbus aircraft was advertising that there is "no middle seat" on the A330/A340. But EK managed to get around that as their A332s use a 2-3-2 configuration. EK's A380 coach class seat is also similar-looking to PR (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Emirates/Airbus-A380-861/1473140/L/&sid=7ce4d31b97ec5af08fbb4803fdc592fe ).

Come to think of it, by 2012 or 2013, PAL will be installing these same Mabuhay seats on the balance of its 77W order, and by that time, other carriers with similar seats would have been phasing these out.:lol::lol::lol:

does the 777 of PAL have the same Weber seats as SQ's new Economy? If so kahit ba 10 abreast yung sa pal, hindi affected ang seat width nya? I believe SQ's new economy seats have 19 inch seat width. Ganun din kaya yung sa pal?

Come to think of it, by 2012 or 2013, PAL will be installing these same Mabuhay seats on the balance of its 77W order, and by that time, other carriers with similar seats would have been phasing these out.:lol::lol::lol:

If PR wants to be at par with its competitors, it should find a way to diversify its market. The problem with PR is that it is too focused on the local, not global market. That's why we have very few connections to the western world as evidenced by the lack of flights to begin with to Europe and the East Coast of the US. Sure there's a lack of demand for that. Why? It appears that PR wants to make MNL (as well as the rest of the Philippines) an end destination, not a mean. Can PR for 1 moment stop thinking of itself as a transporter of the balikbayan Filipino and start thinking as a serious player as a transporter of a global traveller? Quite frankly, it is even losing at its own game, especially in the middle east.

How can MIAA or DMIA see the need to make the airports hub-like if PR does not want to invest in seeing itself transport foreign passengers between 2 points? I'm sure it would make good business sense from the beginning if PR thought about a having flights like the "kanraroo route" and not just the balikbayan transpacific routes. Those kangaroo routes are the lifeblood of these premier asian carriers and their attempt to invest in these routes is what keeps them competitive and in-check in terms of quality.

Let's take an example. Thailand, particularly Bangkok, isn't as developed as Kuala Lumpur or Singapore yet the airport manages to attract a lot of passengers coming from and going to international points. How is that possible? TG and BKK don't just think of themselves as carriers and airports respectively of the Thai people but a carrier of passengers who want to go between 2 points in the world far away from each other.

This is where the saying of others comes in where they say they don't mind the long journey (e.g. stopover at HKG on the way to LAX from MNL) as long as they feel pampered and refreshed. Besides, businessmen have ways to stay in touch both in their hubs and on the air.

Besides, if we look at the rules of economics, more competition is in the long run expected to keep prices low as well.

^^ Rumors have it that PR will be mounting comeback flights to Europe and the Middle East using the 77Ws. I just hope they will beat GA to the cut (GA will be resuming CGK-DXB-AMS next year).

By the way, PAL did serve as a kangaroo route carrier. That is, until they were sued by BA for "siphoning" their passengers. Looks like there's a convincing reason why PAL shouldn't (and definitely should not) join Oneworld.

And guess what, BA does not even want to return to MNL. If BA is so worried about its passengers being siphoned off, why not sue fellow oneworld carrier CX? It has upto 4 flights a day between HKG and SYD and 3 flights a day between HKG and LHR. Or why not sue SQ? Right now those are bigger threats to BA's business than PR was back in the day BA had operations in MNL. Moreover, they didn't have a flight that goes via MNL on the way to SYD unlike SIN or BKK. It doesn't make sense!

I hope those EU flights will not be via BKK or DXB/AUH/RUH, etc. A reason why European carriers and PR pulled-out of the RP-EU market is because of Arab carriers. Lucky on top of being where the oil is they get subsidies by their governments for fuel especially since a good number of them are at least partially state-owned. But I think the clincher is that the quality the Arab carriers is just hard to find anywhere else.

^^ Actually, PR pulled out of Europe because of the Asian financial crisis. This was well before carriers like GF, EK and EY had established themselves as the major airlines that they are today.

Well, then the arab carriers are one of the reasons why they are hesitant to reopen their EU flights. Back in the mid-1990s, PR was at a major expansion. It was what I thought it I wanted it to be - to go beyond serving the OFW and balikbayan and serve the east coast of the US and the EU, to be a kangaroo route carrier.

You're right: the problem was that the peak of their expansion happened at the heels of the asian crisis.

As we are talking about how PR should be upto par with its regional counterparts, especially on business class, take a look at what SQ has done with its regional business class on its new A330: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore-Airlines/Airbus-A330-343E/1486037/L/&sid=568afea0838e233a1ff2a5d29b77571d . This is also why I want to at least send the A343 to SYD. Even if it is generations away from what can be offered, it at least still has more levels of comfort than the present A330, especially if you pay extra and fortunately passengers going there can have something better for 2 days.

Post-2002, 1st gen of business class seats appear to focus on the lie-flat aspect, 2nd gen focuses more on semi-privacy and perhaps flat bed. 3rd gen, who knows: maybe a suite-like atmosphere?

Those A333 seats are old it whats used here almost exclusively but stil its much better than QFs offering QF19 (domestically configured B763, even Jetstar's A332 are better)

yet QANTAS fares are higher than PAL sometime $400 or even $600 more depending on the season..just ask flightcentre, or Travelworld.

For that reason i would take PALs A333 any day I dont see any reason to Catch QF to Manila, Aprt from the fact that im not really a fan of T1. But really even an upgrade to A343 woul be better for the 7 1/2 to 8 hour flight plus the one that will go to MELB will be a 9 Hour flight (This is the one I take usually). It can certainly be filled up easily (MEL-SYD)...If they fly to BRIS at all they can deploy A333 there.

A330 is a popular Equipment for Asian Carriers here given the distance. but without including SQ and CX almost all of them are EQV specially between A330 and B772

CZ, CA , KE, MH and TG does it alot.

PR will have 1 more chance to redeem itself albeit in the relatively far future. They are considering whether to get a 747-8, A380, 787 or A350. They are expected to get any 1 of them. When they do I hope they can consider having a business class configuration like NZ's: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-New-Zealand/Boeing-747-419/1308832/L/&sid=ccfc3320ef8759afc6701c3359f6d494 . It's not because it's luxurious but because it is a more optimal/efficient use of space that's why I'm choosing it but you have to admit it's a notch up. Moreover, it is set-up in such a way that the space between each business class seat is just contains 1 window.

And when they get the funds to refurbish their A330s, can they make theirs look like SQ's new A330 regional business class seat? It's not as wide as the long haul but it's a flat bed with AVOD.

Just wondering: since some airlines, most notably PR have apparently minimal differences between 1st and business class, what technically is needed say that you are in a 1st class seat as opposed to a business class seat besides the width?

Clark posts 6,000% hike in international flights (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=525206&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=525206&publicationSubCategoryId=66)) Updated November 21, 2009 12:00 AM

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here is facing 2010 with a record of 6,000-percent increase in its number of international flights since 2003, a period its officials have labeled as First Wind.

“In the Second Wind starting 2010, we expect DMIA to hit a million passengers per year or more than double the 600,000 passengers expected this year,” Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) executive vice president Alexander Cauguiran said. He said that CIAC’s operations of the DMIA from 2003 up to 2008 has been labeled as First Wind. He noted that in 2003, DMIA hosted only 44 international flights but that three years later, the airport had already recorded 7,880 international passengers.

“Next year, the operations will enter the Second Wind and we see a surge in the number of international airlines serving the DMIA,” he said. Cauguiran said that because of this, “there is an urgent need to expand DMIA’s Terminal 1 to increase its present capacity for only two million passengers to at least five million per year.”

Boarding bridges

He noted that CIA bid out over a week ago the bidding for the upgrading of the present terminal which is projected to cost some P300 million. “We now badly need to have at least two or three passenger boarding bridges to accommodate the long-haul carriers we expect at the DMIA soon,” he said. At present, passengers use stairs on the open tarmac to board or alight an aircraft. He noted that Araja Corp. won in the bidding after its only rival owned by the Ramos Group was disqualified allegedly on technical grounds. Cauguiran said, however, that the Ramos Group has a pending motion for reconsideration in its bid to open the bidding anew.

This, even as he belied allegations of Pampanga 1st district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin that the bidding was rigged in favor of Araja after CIAC allegedly acted in its behalf in negotiating beforehand with equipment suppliers from the United States to make sure the bidder would be able to comply with the project completion time frame. Lazatin said he would call for a congressional inquiry into the bidding.

But Cauguiran said “we categorically deny favoring any bidder”. He admitted that arising from plans to finish the project soonest, the CIAC had indeed conducted inquiries “to fast track procurement
and delivery of necessary equipment, especially the passenger boarding bridges.”

Just wondering: since some airlines, most notably PR have apparently minimal differences between 1st and business class, what technically is needed say that you are in a 1st class seat as opposed to a business class seat besides the width?

The difference between First Class and Business Class? Apparently, not much, or none at all! That according to this article....read on. :colgate:

=====================================================================================================

Difference Between Business and First Class (http://www.differencebetween.net/business/difference-between-business-and-first-class/)

As international business travel becomes more prevalent, airlines are competing to attract travelers by narrowing the gap between business and first class flights.

You’ve just decided to fly from JFK to Heathrow or from Heathrow to Hong Kong. Cramped economy class is out of the question. So what does the savvy traveller choose: business class or first class?

Just thirty years ago, that wasn’t even a choice. Flyers could either pack themselves into economy class or stretch out in first class. However, as more businesses are globalizing, business class has come to occupy an important niche in the market. At first, business class was closer to economy class, only offering more leg room and a better entree at dinner. Now, the difference between business and economy class is widening while the difference between business and first class is shrinking to the point where some airlines are eliminating first class altogether.

Comparing the Quality of Business and First Class International Flights

Only a very discerning traveller is able to recognize the difference between business and first class amenities.

Nowadays, there is very little difference between the amenities in business and first class. In first class there is a little more space, the food and liquor is a little better, your check-in time is a little faster, and you have a little larger luggage allowance. If you take a look a sample of the amenities for both classes on American Airlines, you’ll see there is very little difference. They both offer a premium cabin duvet, amenity kit, personal laptop powerports, and individual satellite telephones.

Most people would say that on a long flight seat comfort is the most important factor. There is a difference between the seats in business in first class. On American Airlines the seats in first class swivel so one is able to have a conference with the people nearest to them. The first class seats also lay flat, but so do the business class seats on the newer planes. Passengers traveling first class on Cathay Pacific are asked to think of their space as a suite rather than a seat. They too fold down to a bed, but so do the business class seats. Here, the difference is privacy.

Comparing the Cost of Business and First Class on International Flights

The small difference in comfort between business and first class cannot account for the enormous difference in price. While it may be difficult to discern the difference in quality between business and first class travel, it is easy to see the difference in cost. For example, an American Airlines flight from JFK to Heathrow on a given day will cost $2472 in business class and $7246 in first class. A Cathay Pacific flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong will cost $3434 in business class and $11,068 in first class. The difference in price is out of proportion with the difference in comfort. The savvy traveller should always opt for business class.

On a related note; here's some information about the differences/distinctions between the travel classes. :okay:

=====================================================================================================

Fare classes

Within each travel class there are often different fare classes, relating to ticket or reservation restrictions and used to enhance opportunities for price discrimination. Passengers within the same travel class receive the same quality of accommodation and may indeed sit next to each other; however, the price or restrictions they face for that accommodation will vary depending on the fare class. Fare classes may also vary by how far ahead the ticket must be purchased, or how long the length of stay is. For example, full fare economy class passengers are usually able to make changes to their reservation, while discount economy class passengers in the lowest booking code usually have tickets that are non-refundable, non-upgradeable, non-transferable, or non-changeable without a fee.

Airline fare classes are commonly indicated by letter codes, but the exact hierarchy and terms of these booking codes vary greatly from carrier to carrier.

First class codes

On USA domestic flights, F commonly indicates first class on a two-cabin plane. If a three-cabin aircraft is used, P (for "premium") may be used to distinguish the higher level of service in first class. The R code indicated supersonic transport and was no longer used after the retirement of the Concorde, however with the introduction of the new Airbus A380, Singapore Airlines and Qantas have re-introduced the R class to distinguish a higher class than regular First Class. The A and P codes may indicate a first class ticket whose fare is reduced due to restrictions on refunds, advance reservation requirements, or other terms.

The codes in short:

F = Full-Fare First Class
P = First Class
A = First Class Discounted
R = First Class Suites (currently only Airbus A380), and formerly Supersonic (Concorde)

(a lowercase "n" after any class code indicates Night Service)

Business class codes

On many airlines, C or J indicate full fare business class, whereas discounted and thus restricted and typically non-upgradeable fares are represented by D, I or Z.

The codes in short:

C, J = Full-fare Business Class,
D, I, Z = Business Class Discounted

(a lowercase "n" after any class code indicates Night Service)

Economy class codes

On most airlines, unrestricted economy ticket is booked as a Y fare. Full fare tickets with restrictions on travel dates, refunds, or advance reservations are commonly classed as B, H, or M, although some airlines may use S, W, or others. Heavily discounted fares, commonly O, T, Q or W, will not permit cabin upgrades, refunds, or reservation changes, may restrict frequent flyer program eligibility, and/or impose other restrictions. Other fare codes such as X are restricted for use by consolidators, group charters, or travel industry professionals. However on some airlines W or X is used for frequent flier program award redemptions.

Airlines that offer premium economy cabins have also specified certain codes for fares in the upgraded economy cabin.

Premium economy codes: E, H, K, O, U, W, T

Most low-cost carriers have greatly simplified the fare classes they use to a handful of cases, unlike the dozens employed by a traditional airline. While some traditional carriers have followed, others continue to utilize price discrimination over commoditization.

The codes in short:

B/Q = Economy/Coach Discounted

^^

Well, thanks for the article. My thinking is that you can go first over business under the following circumstances:
a. you are overweight
b. you have a strange fascination for the front of the aircraft that you value sitting there than anywhere else
c. you have extra (and I mean really extra) miles to spare that badly need to be used up for fear that they will expire after a certain amount of time

When PR still had an existing first class product, it's best to sit there in regional flights where it is actually marketed as business class. Using my miles, I actually got the chance to sit in one of the "first class" seats.

Plus I understand in the Philippines there are tax incentives for travelling business class while none for first class travel, especially in reporting your travel expense report.

^^ About the your "overweight" criterion, some airlines will not allow you to get on the plane if you can't fit within the seat dimensions, regardless of what travel class you're in. Which leaves the poor hefty passenger no other options but to purchase the adjacent seat so that they can occupy two seats instead of one.

does the 777 of PAL have the same Weber seats as SQ's new Economy? If so kahit ba 10 abreast yung sa pal, hindi affected ang seat width nya? I believe SQ's new economy seats have 19 inch seat width. Ganun din kaya yung sa pal?

If the seats are that wide at 10-abreast, then the aisles would have been extremely narrow.:ohno:

...

Just wondering: since some airlines, most notably PR have apparently minimal differences between 1st and business class, what technically is needed say that you are in a 1st class seat as opposed to a business class seat besides the width?

The trend today seems to be that First class is a "semi-private" space, as opposed to just full-flat in business. (Many carriers today are converting to full-flat in business from the previous lie-flat).

I think first class is designed to cater to passengers who could have otherwise just taken a private jet.

^^
Well, the likes of CX and NZ have that semi-private space in their business class seats already.

Here's something why I urge PR to refurbish its A343s: I want a 2-4-2 coach class configuration. This is why I prefer Airbus over Boeing, it is much more comfortable and a lot easier for passengers to get across the cabins.

Here's 1 advantage of having 4 instead of 3 seats at the centre of the cabin: it makes it quicker for passengers to determine which aisle to exit out of and makes it easier for cabin attendants to evenly allocate which passengers to serve. If with a 3-3-3, it becomes messy to assign which seats a particular FA will serve or some will cry foul that one gets to serve 4 passengers/row while the others are relieved to serve only 3/row.

^^
Well, the likes of CX and NZ have that semi-private space in their business class seats already.

The semi-private trend in business started when some airlines did away with their first cabins, then later, even those still with first cabins went the way of semi-private business seats in order to compete. At any rate, first class still has that "exclusivity" factor. Many are picked up at home with private limousines and brought curbside with check-in attendants. I think TG's first passengers get pampered with a free spa treatment, etc. There are all of these perks that ensure the first passengers are treated like "royalty," not just any other VIP.

Here's something why I urge PR to refurbish its A343s: I want a 2-4-2 coach class configuration. This is why I prefer Airbus over Boeing, it is much more comfortable and a lot easier for passengers to get across the cabins.

Here's 1 advantage of having 4 instead of 3 seats at the centre of the cabin: it makes it quicker for passengers to determine which aisle to exit out of and makes it easier for cabin attendants to evenly allocate which passengers to serve. If with a 3-3-3, it becomes messy to assign which seats a particular FA will serve or some will cry foul that one gets to serve 4 passengers/row while the others are relieved to serve only 3/row.

I would prefer 2-4-2, too over 3-3-3 as I do not wish to be on my favorite window seat with two people to climb over.

OTOH, it is also quite understandable why some airlines (especially their respective maintenance departments) would prefer 3-3-3 over say 2-5-2, 3-4-3, etc on the 777. First, the inventory of seats. 3-3-3 airlines would only have to stock up on 3-seater rows that could be installed throughout the aircraft (except at select areas that are only two-seaters, like at the back). Recently, you would notice that airbus operators have seats installed as 2-2/2-2 instead of just 2-4-2. This makes seat inventories simpler.

Further, an inflight entertainment box can only service 3 adjacent seats at most. So a 3-3-3 aircraft would more or less only have three IFE boxes per row. 2-5-2 and 3-4-3 would necessitate at least 4 per row and would make the aircraft heavier. Same for 2-4-2, or even 2-2/2-2.

You're right about the ground treatment with a highly dedicated check-in area away from the crowds and a limo. Quite frankly though, even if I had the money, it's not worth it to spend more than half a million pesos for an experience that lasts for just half a day.

I read in the mabuhay magazine PR had limo service for first class passengers. Too bad PR didn't have first dibs on having a skybed by patenting it.

Somebody asked if it is still practically possible for PR to do a westbound nonstop flight between California and the Philippines given the 3-4-3 configuration. My answer has to be yes because on top of the range being greater for the 77W, it has 55 less seats than PR's refurbished 744s. I just think that it's high time PR starts doing what its US counterparts do especially for "balikbayan" boxes: charge piecewise although I would do this more for the boxes than the actual luggage. This is again another instance where PR is so self-absorbed at thinking of the pinoy market rather than the global market which the likes of SQ and CX have positioned themselves to seek.

Also, I read that there are more pinoys in the GTA than at the Vancouver area. With the Cat II unlikely to be lifted anytime soon, PR should consider using its 77W to YYZ. I'm sure "balikbayan" boxes won't be an issue for Canadian flights than for flights out of California (otherwise the return flight from YVR would be forced to make a stopover). What do you think?

Here's something why I urge PR to refurbish its A343s: I want a 2-4-2 coach class configuration.

I read somewhere on A.Net that A330s built for 2-4-2 configurations can't be converted to 3-3-3 because of an issue with the aircraft doors. Since the A330 and the A340 share the same fuselage, I presume the same limitation applies.

What I was trying to say was that the 2-4-2 is what makes me prefer the Airbus aircrafts over boeing aircrafts, hence PR should refurbish them. AirAsia X does the 3-3-3 on their A330s: http://www.airliners.net/photo/AirAsia-X/Airbus-A330-343E/1577465/M/ and it's not getting good reviews.

^^ And they will remain 2-4-2 regardless of what seats are installed.


Also, I read that there are more pinoys in the GTA than at the Vancouver area. With the Cat II unlikely to be lifted anytime soon, PR should consider using its 77W to YYZ. I'm sure "balikbayan" boxes won't be an issue for Canadian flights than for flights out of California (otherwise the return flight from YVR would be forced to make a stopover). What do you think?

There are no available slots. All slot allocations under the RP-Canada ASA are currently being used for PR flights to YVR (AC is leasing its slots to PR).

You're right about the ground treatment with a highly dedicated check-in area away from the crowds and a limo. Quite frankly though, even if I had the money, it's not worth it to spend more than half a million pesos for an experience that lasts for just half a day.



I think most people up front don't pay for their tickets anyway. Their companies/ sponsors do. I agree, I'd rather spend it on the rest of my trip than up in the air.

Those who can afford to buy their own first class tickets would rather fly on their own private jets.:)

----------

There are some charter operators out there having 3-3-3 aboard their airbus (A310, A330, etc.)

^^ And they will remain 2-4-2 regardless of what seats are installed.



There are no available slots. All slot allocations under the RP-Canada ASA are currently being used for PR flights to YVR (AC is leasing its slots to PR).

For the US: it's Cat2, for Canada: it's the landing rights left. Why not reallocate those 2 YVR flights to YYZ since I'm guessing a significant number of pinoys who take the YVR flight would go on to eastern Canada anyway? Better yet, as hard as PR is lobbying for Cat2 to be lifted, it shouldn't rely on that since the US will unlikely do that. Why not lobby to renegotiate other slots especially since AC is very hesitant to fly to MNL? If protectionism is an issue, it's moot because AC isn't using its rights to fly here.

Off the record, I think one one the reasons why PR is in the red is because of Cat 2. Rather than whine that they can't fly to the US, they should be open to other opportunities. A possible re-opening of its BNE route is a good step. But there are also other ways to maximise their new investment even if they want to stick to their target market because it's not just the US where the pinoys are. Between a Cat1 upgrade and opening up of new rights to Canada, I think PR will have a better shot at the latter.

For the US: it's Cat2, for Canada: it's the landing rights left. Why not reallocate those 2 YVR flights to YYZ since I'm guessing a significant number of pinoys who take the YVR flight would go on to eastern Canada anyway? Better yet, as hard as PR is lobbying for Cat2 to be lifted, it shouldn't rely on that since the US will unlikely do that. Why not lobby to renegotiate other slots especially since AC is very hesitant to fly to MNL? If protectionism is an issue, it's moot because AC isn't using its rights to fly here.

I've read this many times. AC is well-protected. I'm not sure if all the frequencies PAL is using now are owned. I think some of them are borrowed from AC, and the Canadians refuse a renegotiation, using the argument "why should PAL (or any other foreign carrier) get more if AC hasn't even fully used its own?"

Why are the likes of CX, KE and JL awarded more rights? Again, it doesn't make sense. These carriers are bigger threats to AC than PR is. If I were AC, I would go after those 3 I mentioned and not PR. Moreover, is this a ploy to simply say, no RP-Canada flights because AC doesn't want PR to get more flights but at the same time wouldn't want to fly to the Philippines?

At the end of the day, the passenger shall be at the losing end if this is the mentality because there are no direct and faster options to where the pinoys can be.

Why are the likes of CX, KE and JL awarded more rights? Again, it doesn't make sense. These carriers are bigger threats to AC than PR is. If I were AC, I would go after those 3 I mentioned and not PR. Moreover, is this a ploy to simply say, no RP-Canada flights because AC doesn't want PR to get more flights but at the same time wouldn't want to fly to the Philippines?

At the end of the day, the passenger shall be at the losing end if this is the mentality because there are no direct and faster options to where the pinoys can be.

I'm not sure about Korea and HongKong, but just some years ago, the Canadians flat out turned away the Singaporean and Japanese negotiators. And mind you, SQ and AC are in the same alliance. I think the Japan-Canada bilateral is decades old(?). :ohno:

^^

A little off-topic, if AC continues with this "bully mode" of protectionism, expect air travel involving Canada to stay expensive. This is where a monopoly or oligopoly can be bad. And with fewer competition, AC can slack-off all it wants in terms of quality. I'm guessing air travel between YYZ and YVR is more expensive than flights between JFK and LAX. I just got fares off AA.com and aircanada.com with a LAX-JFK flight can be as low as USD169.60 while a YVR-YYZ flight where the 2 cities are closer to each other and the cost of the ticket is USD306.65!

^^ Consider that in Canada, the aviation market is a duopoly between full-service carrier Air Canada and low-cost carrier Westjet (the third major Canadian airline, Air Transat, is not a major domestic player). Of course you'd expect travel between YVR and YYZ to be more expensive than, let's say, LAX-NYC, where there's plenty of competition from DL (JFK), AA (JFK), UA (JFK), CO (EWR), US (LGA), B6 (JFK) and a bunch of other airlines.

^^

And I think the duopoly in the Canadian market is the problem. The plane is the only rational way of travelling transcontinental routes but very few players. That's why if save for the NW-DL merger, I'm generally against consolidation.

Is AC a state-owned carrier that's why it has plenty of lobbying power from keeping foreign carriers out?

^^ Air Canada was state-owned (aka, a Crown Corporation). It has since then been privatized.

I think there was a post not too long ago at A.net about OZ increasing frequencies to Canada despite SQ being denied by the authorities. It turns out, AC has some extensive codesharing with the Koreans (and I think also with NH) and AC was trying to "protect" its existing agreements.:ohno:

My wild guess for HKG's situation is that CX inherited former oneworld member CP's rights.

Going back to Cat2, some may have suggested that it is more of a political move rather than a genuine aviation concern as US carriers may be threatened by PR's expansion plans. Considering that PR is the only Philippine-based carrier that passed an international safety audit, who agrees?

My wild guess for HKG's situation is that CX inherited former oneworld member CP's rights.

Going back to Cat2, some may have suggested that it is more of a political move rather than a genuine aviation concern as US carriers may be threatened by PR's expansion plans. Considering that PR is the only Philippine-based carrier that passed an international safety audit, who agrees?

CX cannot inherit those CP rights because CP was gobbled up by AirCanada.

I'm not sure about the politics of the CatII downgrade - their guidelines, I believe were published long before and not as if they drafted new rules that would specifically throw us out. IIRC, the Philippines was warned a few months prior to the downgrade and our lawmakers did not pass the necessary legislation until after the downgrade, pointing fingers at each other. Two years since, they say that the CAAP is still floundering in its efforts to hire competent staff.:ohno:

^^

That scares me. It's only the CAAP in form but the substance may appear to be worse than its predecessor. What happens if we are downgraded to Cat3 and how likely is that given what we have today?

Here's some news about AF's new A380: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/1019658/1/.html . Finally, AF is patronising its nations own products with the A380!

^^ that would also mean they will slowly throw their Boeing 777's and 744's... ??

^^

For the 772s and 77Ws, probably not but I always thought the 744s have to go not just because of the 3-4-3 configuration but also since IFE isn't always guaranteed on board there.

My wild guess for HKG's situation is that CX inherited former oneworld member CP's rights.

Going back to Cat2, some may have suggested that it is more of a political move rather than a genuine aviation concern as US carriers may be threatened by PR's expansion plans. Considering that PR is the only Philippine-based carrier that passed an international safety audit, who agrees?

I don't think I agree especially on tht part that US carriers may threatened by PR's expansion. But I would love to see other forummers reaction on these especially from Tony , arianspace and perhaps sky_blade. I think there is something more to it.

But given the disarray at CAAP, what are the chances that we can be downgraded to Cat3 and what are the implications if a country's rating is that?

^^
But given the disarray at CAAP, what are the chances that we can be downgraded to Cat3 and what are the implications if a country's rating is that?

Very remote. If it happens no foreign airline is allowed to fly on our shores and we can't buy new planes and there can be no flight school either because they won't be recognize overseas.

For the US: it's Cat2, for Canada: it's the landing rights left. Why not reallocate those 2 YVR flights to YYZ since I'm guessing a significant number of pinoys who take the YVR flight would go on to eastern Canada anyway? Better yet, as hard as PR is lobbying for Cat2 to be lifted, it shouldn't rely on that since the US will unlikely do that. Why not lobby to renegotiate other slots especially since AC is very hesitant to fly to MNL? If protectionism is an issue, it's moot because AC isn't using its rights to fly here.

Because no PR plane can reach Toronto.

Probably your next question would be why not via YVR? Because they are not allowed to do that like doing LAX for JFK. The ASA provision for that is CLOSED.

AC doesn't also fly to Manila because its already being taken cared of by its alliance partner in Seoul. That is how alliance worked!

Are you not surprise why Manila has plenty of wide-bodies from different airlines particularly Hong-Kong and Korea?

Off the record, I think one one the reasons why PR is in the red is because of Cat 2. Rather than whine that they can't fly to the US, they should be open to other opportunities. A possible re-opening of its BNE route is a good step. But there are also other ways to maximise their new investment even if they want to stick to their target market because it's not just the US where the pinoys are. Between a Cat1 upgrade and opening up of new rights to Canada, I think PR will have a better shot at the latter.


Going back to Cat2, some may have suggested that it is more of a political move rather than a genuine aviation concern as US carriers may be threatened by PR's expansion plans. Considering that PR is the only Philippine-based carrier that passed an international safety audit, who agrees?

No its not. We had been warned not once, not twice but three times. If you were the FAA in charged of flight safety what would you do when all recommendations fell on deaf ears?

Category II has nothing to do with it. Its actually a blessing in disguise for them according to one of its officials because they can't even fill the A343 to YVR even with a massive discounting. How much more the triple seven flight.

And yes, all their rights to Canada are routed to YVR. So if ever they decide to service Toronto, say twice a week, PR can either do direct flight which they cant or via LAX or SFO which they can't also. Either way, they can't do both.

That is why they are focusing to the land down under, and of course plans to BNE is confirmed. :)

^^

Because no PR plane can reach Toronto.



Category II has nothing to do with it. Its actually a blessing in disguise for them according to one of its officials because they can't even fill the A343 to YVR even with a massive discounting. How much more the triple seven flight.

And yes, all their rights to Canada are routed to YVR. So if ever they decide to service Toronto, say twice a week, PR can either do direct flight which they cant or via LAX or SFO which they can't also. Either way, they can't do both.

That is why they are focusing to the land down under, and of course plans to BNE is confirmed. :)

What I'm trying to suggest is how to maximise PR's new investment because with routes to HKG and NRT, it won't be too utilised.

Can you please explain you meant by no PR plane is capable of reaching YYZ? I think the 77W is designed for routes like the "mid-west" from MNL under normal load. Plus I don't think balikbayan boxes will bombard the cargo hold unlike US flights so refuelling should usually be out of the question.

You've mentioned something about PR not being able to fill-up its A343s to YVR. I think the reason for that is because the pinoys aren't concentrated in YVR and are more plentiful in the eastern part of the country unlike in the US.

So you're telling me the rights are specific to YVR only and can't reallocate their existing rights out of YVR into YYZ? If so why do you think Canada is so protective of its airspace from smaller players like PR while major players like JL and CX have a free hand at flying anywhere in Canada? Aren't they getting the message that their brand of protectionism is keeping the cost of air travel to Canada and between Canadian cities insanely high? What's not helping is that Canadian cities are not just the types where you can drive between one of them going to the other unlike US cities.

Assuming expansion to Canada is out of the question as well, let's focus on prospects to NZ. Not too long ago, RP and NZ have announced intentions to liberalise air links between each other so why can't PR consider travelling there even 1-2 times a week? I'm sure the pinoy market there is pretty lucrative.

^^ PAL has considered starting service to AKL. I wonder what happened to that.

^^
The 77w is not capable of reaching YYZ. Yes it can reach Toronto without loads but whose stupid enough to do that? Don't be misled by the range because in the real world you fly with the wind and not still air, and they don't fly also in straight line. On top of that they need reserves to make it to an alternate airport in case of emergency. At most, they can fly 6400 to 6600nm without penalty and that is going eastward. That was the easy part. Now, how much more can they go if they travel back going west? Tricky isn't it? The truth is they can't reached PI without refueling somewhere, maybe GUM or TPE at that range. Then you can add balikbayan boxes to the equation which adds more weight and diminished their range further. You see its not that simple as counting 1-2-3.

Its not only YVR that has the problem. LAX and SFO also suffered the blow. In fact, all US and Canada traffic figures are down. Have you even heard of the world recession?

Canada is not protecting its airspace. Its rationalizing it. There is a difference between the two. Its the same reason why Emirates can't have their way at Pearson's.

If PR intend to fly to Kiwi land they have to route in somewhere in the land of OZ to make the route more viable. You must have forgotten that most of Kiwi traffic are connecting only in Asia. In projected O&D estimates, it got a low score on sustainability due to seasonal travel outflows. It might even have a hard time filling the twice weekly A340 service which has fewer seats than A330. Frankly, OFW in Auckland is non-factor. If you know the Pinoy population in New Zealand, divide it by 10 and that is the most conservative computation of the number of passengers you would carry home on the average if you were an airline. I might say direct flight is probable in the next 10 years.

Or if the route is to be ever successful now PR either has to connect London or stop somewhere say Brisbane or Darwin for another triangular flight. Of course the latter is the best option for now. I think so that they will do the former when the rest of the new fleet arrives in 2012. That is if we are still in CAT 2. That is their plan and that is where they gonna be if nothing happens until then. :)

^^

What do you mean by rationalising its airspace? It's a sparsely populated country and there aren't that many plans using those routes.

Going to the prospects for NZ, PR is going to face some roadbumps if the wants to involve an Aussie city as an intermediate stopover. We can expect Australia and possibly NZ to be very overprotective about flights between those 2 countries especially since flights involving the same are plentiful. Mind you, SQ expressed interest in using SYD as an intermediate point for its nth flight between SIN and LAX considering how lucrative SIN-SYD and SYD-LAX are as standalone segments. The problem: you guessed it, the Australian government denied their application.

Let's assume that Cat1 is restored and PR is law and behold allowed to use the 77W to the US. Are you telling me that the best hope for a true nonstop flight between both cities is to get a 77L or A345? Because I think we can assume that because YVR-MNL is almost always nonstop, there aren't that many balikbayan boxes. Also, the 77W is 50+ seats less than the 744.

As I have been wishing PR and MNL should transform themselves into a hub carrier and airport respectively, I realised there is another intrinsic problem: geography. If we are going to market MNL (or in the future CRK) as a "connecting city," especially to the Europeans the challenge will be the fact that there aren't that many cities south and/or east of Manila. With BKK and HKG, you can still go to TPE, MNL, PEK, PVG, SYD, AKL. With MNL, you're only rational hope is to aggressively compete for passengers on the kangaroo route as most Asian cities are north, northwest or west of MNL.

In its simplest term, rationalization means you don't have to poach other airline's passenger, meaning, dependent on our country's demand on such flight and not the demand of others.

Well its allowed in our ASA with them. Probably its not gonna happen if we intend to go SYD-LAX because that already constitute poaching which Singapore is trying to do.

Yes, if PR wants to do it. But they are not crazy are they? Imagine buying or leasing one or two aircraft for that route. That is following Thailand or Singapore's track!

They were a hub before. Lets just put it this way, our government which owned the airline then was not as rich as our neighbors when they went into expansion mode. Its not the 60's anymore that we lord supreme over Asia.

As I have been wishing PR and MNL should transform themselves into a hub carrier and airport respectively, I realised there is another intrinsic problem: geography.

Not quite. In the 1980s and early 1990s, PAL actively touted geography as one of the reasons why MNL was a great hub. Major cities happened to be within 2-3 hours flying time from one another.

I saw this thing on my way home from school.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/StarkillerHermesthe37th/GJT_7281.jpg
It seems PAL has a Triple Seven now. RP-C7777

Welcome home!

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

^^ The Mabuhay Class seats on the 77W, while the same Recaros as that on the 744s, are full-flat instead of angled lie-flat.

I'm not sure about the 3-4-3 arrangement, but the people down at PEx are positive about it.

So those on B773 J class are angled lie-flat comapre to B744 w/c are full-lie flat... I also notice that both upholsteries are sligly different... On Y class, the terracotta color were absent in "reflection of light in water" theme, only shades of blue were retain but in J class, lines of those color were present as there are also light green colors shaded.

The 3-4-3 arrangement in Y class looks spacious. It thought it would look like EK's cramped arrangement. I say it looks spacious than SQ's B777s


Those A333 seats are old it whats used here almost exclusively but stil its much better than QFs offering QF19 (domestically configured B763, even Jetstar's A332 are better)

yet QANTAS fares are higher than PAL sometime $400 or even $600 more depending on the season..just ask flightcentre, or Travelworld.

For that reason i would take PALs A333 any day I dont see any reason to Catch QF to Manila, Aprt from the fact that im not really a fan of T1. But really even an upgrade to A343 woul be better for the 7 1/2 to 8 hour flight plus the one that will go to MELB will be a 9 Hour flight (This is the one I take usually). It can certainly be filled up easily (MEL-SYD)...If they fly to BRIS at all they can deploy A333 there.

A330 is a popular Equipment for Asian Carriers here given the distance. but without including SQ and CX almost all of them are EQV specially between A330 and B772

CZ, CA , KE, MH and TG does it alot.

QF uses its A330 in its 4x weekly flight to MNL, i think 2 of the 4 weekly flights...

Tx_H_n1yRY0

^^^

yes realistically speaking AKL and even NZ filipino population is quite small the best I believe they can do is twice weekly from Manila but not direct. It would have to go via MEL, SYD OR BRIS (to better the chance of filling up an A330/A340.

I believe MNL-BRIS-AKL

as SYD has enough

As for looking at not just picking up Filipino passengers between Auckland-Manila...I do not think its viable (well atlest right now) specialy at Times Airlines are facing now, and The Philippines do not really get a High yeild of NZ tourist/visitors. They tend to go to Europe or if in Asia in Thailand, Japan Singapore.

Lots of Carriers Do it... not just Qantas And AirNewZealand.

Infact Air China A330 doesn't come to Sydney from Beijing. It Comes form Auckland that but most of the load comes from Sydney. It Arrives Early in the morning then Get Towed near the Qantas Hangar then depart in the Afternoon for Beijing. The main load of that A330 comes from SYD not AKL.

LAN A343 stops at AKL on the wat to Santiago de Chile
Aerolineas Argentinas Stops at AKL on the way to Buenos Aires using A340-200

In fact one of UA's 2x 747 stops at MEL before going to SYD.

One of MHs flight also goes to BRIS from SYD

New Zealand is a Country roughly the size of The Philippines but population wise its whoooopingly different (well below 5million people) even manila will outnumber the country 2:1 or more.

Is anyone here joining the maiden commercial flight of the 77W? If so, kindly try to snag some extra pics in terms of the flying experience.

When it comes to hubs, the only cities cities south and east of Manila that I can think of are GUM, SYD, MEL, AKL and CHC. Hence, I'm not sure if it makes sense to see flights like HKG-MNL-TPE, BKK-MNL-PVG, KUL-MNL-HKG, LHR-MNL-HKG etc.

PAL's website is advertising a sale dahil sa bagong 777. it states in their website,
"the first 777 to join PAL's fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will use for major international routes like Hong Kong (starting November 24), Tokyo (February 2010) and Sydney and Melbourne (by mid-March 2010)." (PAL Webiste)

sa fortunate and lucky person who will have the privilege of traveling on the maiden flight, detailed trip report naman oh? paki post sa Airliners.net or here. salamat :)

The French Airline has its first own A380...may article na ba dito nun?

^^ Not that I know of, but you can be the first one to post it if you want. ;)

^^

Here's some news about AF's new A380: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/1019658/1/.html . Finally, AF is patronising its nations own products with the A380!

I think you're looking for this. I always had an issue with the French where most of their widebodies are Boeing-made than Airbus-made, especially since Airbus is a French company hence it is in their backyard. Also ironic considering how nationalistic the French are known to be. So my impression would be is how can Airbus generate plenty of global customers if they can't sell as much to customers in their own backyard?

^^



I think you're looking for this. I always had an issue with the French where most of their widebodies are Boeing-made than Airbus-made, especially since Airbus is a French company hence it is in their backyard. Also ironic considering how nationalistic the French are known to be. So my impression would be is how can Airbus generate plenty of global customers if they can't sell as much to customers in their own backyard?

No, the French did not really pick the Boeing widebodies over Airbus. They had both. They started out with both 747s, 777s on the one hand and A330s and A340s on the other. However, the 777-200ERs somewhat outperformed the A340s and the 777-300ERs were selected as 744 replacements. They went the way of twins rather than quads. The A330-200s continue to be AF's leading widebody for shorter and thinner routes. AF is a hardcore Airbus loyalist on the narrowbody segment.

The real issue with AF was not how Boeing dominated their fleet, but that they chose GE over Rolls Royce (777-200ER and A330-200). It turns out that GE has some French components (CFM is SNECMA + GE). Or soemthing like that.

I just like to return to 1 concern I have with quoting prices. Sure it was common practice for airlines/travel agencies to quote fares here in USD at least for international flights. But my issue is why do most other airlines quote the fare in local currency for other places like HKG, SIN, KUL, etc whereas we are left to compute the equivalent in local currency (while most have a currency converter, they are only estimates; others will give you what you must pay the local currency) ? At least there, the respective locals won't have to do the math.

Sure travel agencies can convert the rates for you but not everyone nowadays gets their tickets through them. Do you think most locals who travel intrinsically have USD? I doubt it.

CX and PR used to quote their online fares in PHP but have followed everyone else in giving them in USD.

^^ i think it depents on the demand of customers who are willing to pay in the local currency in a particular place for example... in HKG, CX quotes fares in HKG USD bec there much demand from the clients who are willing to pay in that currency.

So much so for the development of Sangley...

Does anybody know who the other developer of Sangley?

http://www.malaya.com.ph/11232009/ship1.html

COSCO downscales RP project

BY IRMA ISIP
Beijing-based COSCO Group is abandoning its plan to build a $5-billion integrated logistics and shipping hub in the Philippines although it will pursue some investments in the country in a smaller scale.

Capt. Wei Jiafu, COSCO’s president and chief executive officer, who was in Manila last week at the World Chinese Entrepreneur Convention (WCEC), said COSCO remains interested in the Philippines in other areas like logistics and containership.

Wei said COSCO might also increase the number of its ships calling on Philippine ports to assist exporters.

"We gave up (our) original plan," Wei said at the sidelines of the convention.

Wei said COSCO was invited two years ago by President Arroyo for a collaboration project but for some reason, the project did not materialize.

Initial site of the project was Sangley Point and Wei said COSCO needed a certain area for port development.

He said the area was given to other developers.

He said COSCO’s reasons for giving up on its original plan were not related to the national broadband deal controversy involving Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

Wei also assured that China and the Philippines continue to enjoy very good bilateral relations.

COSCO also has a local presence in the Philippines.

COSCO officials led by Wei made the investment commitment in June 2007 to President Arroyo but the project was yet to be officially launched. That mission was followed by another site inspection visit later that year.

COSCO was choosing between Subic and Sangley Point in Cavite as site of the ambitious project.

Sangley Point has a deep harbor but it would require some reclamation to accommodate the land requirement.

In the country, COSCO operates through an appointed agent, COSCO Philippines Shipping Inc. (CPSI), formed by a joint venture between COSCO Freight Agency Investment Ltd. under COSCO (Hong Kong) Group Ltd. and Bantayog Ocean Shipping, Inc. CPSI act as port and freight agent of owners, operators and or charterers of vessels calling on Philippine ports.

Possibly because of the exchange rate of Peso-dollar change everyday depending on stock-market in the Philippines? There are days that are cheaper, there are days that are higher... Since Local Philippine carriers offer sales on their tickets which is a fixed rate, it's hard to set it on autoconverter online? Just my two cents on these...

Possibly because of the exchange rate of Peso-dollar change everyday depending on stock-market in the Philippines? There are days that are cheaper, there are days that are higher... Since Local Philippine carriers offer sales on their tickets which is a fixed rate, it's hard to set it on autoconverter online? Just my two cents on these...
that may be true but in the Philippines the Peso is the legal tender, not $USD or any other currency..of course travel agents will accept Peso but at very advantageous rates to the agent.

^^
A little OT but it appears that the USD is the only recognised currency in the country. You don't hear much about GBP, EUR, JPY or even HKD, MYR or SGD. I know in the UK they may accept EUR. When it comes to fluctuating currencies, SQ does it with the USD fluctuating. For instance, the published rate may be USD272.50 but when you do a mock booking, the rate chances slightly.

Going back, I just want to clear up what someone was talking about when I brought-up the issue of SQ wanting to fly SIN-SYD-LAX where the Australian government turned them down. If that is the case, I would want to think that they will turn others down when it comes to AKL since it will be inevitable that we will be poaching even a few passengers away from NZ and QF. I wonder how a 3rd country's airline can't be allowed to fly SYD-LAX but allowed to fly SYD-AKL considering that in either case you will be poaching (all the more for SYD-AKL since frequencies of NZ and QF are almost hourly or bi-hourly).

read in their website that they already commence their first flight MNL-MFM parang wala atang press release man lang....hehehehe
http://www.spiritofmanilaairlines.com/news15.aspx

and i didn't know that they have B747 on the list for their fleet...wow ha astig

http://www.spiritofmanilaairlines.com/images/b744.jpg

^^ totoo ba yang meron silang B747? weh? drawing lang yan e..bumili muna sila bago ilagay yung totoong picture sa website.

is PR306 to HK using the new 777 already?

read in their website that they already commence their first flight MNL-MFM parang wala atang press release man lang....hehehehe
http://www.spiritofmanilaairlines.com/news15.aspx

and i didn't know that they have B747 on the list for their fleet...wow ha astig

http://www.spiritofmanilaairlines.com/images/b744.jpg



I doubt 'tong Spirit of Manila parang scam yata to...puro kasi kasinungalingan ang press releases nila noon pa.:bash:

is PR306 to HK using the new 777 already?

77W service begins on November 24 (tomorrow).

77W service begins on November 24 (tomorrow).

cool! im flying there friday on 306

^^ Pictures! :D

^^ Pictures! :D

yup yup :lol:

RP inches closer to regaining Category 1 tag


Written by Recto Mercene (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/18820-rp-inches-closer-to-regaining-category-1-tag.html) / Reporter
SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2009 21:07

THE Philippines comes closer to regaining its aviation Category 1 status with the inauguration on Friday of a communications facility that automatically connects the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines worldwide, providing all airlines and countries the latest aeronautical and weather information.

Called the Automated Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), the system that took 10 years to be realized nows linked the country to the European AIS database. This computer databank contains all other relevant information about the country’s aviation that is critical to flight safety and could be downloaded by subscribers for a fee.

Next year, when the United States is linked to Eurocontrol, as the system is known, the Philippines will be finally connected to the two main aviation centers of the globe.

Three years ago, the then Air Transportation Office (Ato), struggling with an ageing Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN), was temporarily severed with the world when its antiquated equipment broke down.

The AFTN then, using typewriters and the outmoded teletype, was the main conduit of the ATO in sending Notice-to-Airmen and other entities of the contents of aer nautical publications sent to all members of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Without the AFTN, flight plans and streams of significant information that are sent way ahead of flights leaving the Philippines could not be processed in advance, thus delaying the departure of aircraft from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On the other hand, the same kind of information coming from flights emanating from other countries and destined to the Philippines could not be processed on time.

The resulting chaos delayed international flights coming and going into the country, creating howls of protest from the Airline Operators Council.

I doubt 'tong Spirit of Manila parang scam yata to...puro kasi kasinungalingan ang press releases nila noon pa.:bash:

Andiyan lang yuon mga yan, hindi lang nagpapakita, spiritu nga , Kayo naman kase, tanungin ninyo si madam auring nakikita siguro niya ... he he

3 daw ang 747, 3- 767, 2-737, sa ngayon, MD-83 pa lang ang nagpakita sa Clark... pag na sprayan yan ng holy water, makikita ninyo rin yuong iba....:lol::lol::lol::nuts::nuts:

tnx hybridace101...sana bumili na din PAL para sikat ..hehehe

RP inches closer to regaining Category 1 tag


Written by Recto Mercene (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/18820-rp-inches-closer-to-regaining-category-1-tag.html) / Reporter
SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2009 21:07

THE Philippines comes closer to regaining its aviation Category 1 status with the inauguration on Friday of a communications facility that automatically connects the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines worldwide, providing all airlines and countries the latest aeronautical and weather information.

Called the Automated Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), the system that took 10 years to be realized nows linked the country to the European AIS database. This computer databank contains all other relevant information about the country’s aviation that is critical to flight safety and could be downloaded by subscribers for a fee.

Next year, when the United States is linked to Eurocontrol, as the system is known, the Philippines will be finally connected to the two main aviation centers of the globe.

Three years ago, the then Air Transportation Office (Ato), struggling with an ageing Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN), was temporarily severed with the world when its antiquated equipment broke down.

The AFTN then, using typewriters and the outmoded teletype, was the main conduit of the ATO in sending Notice-to-Airmen and other entities of the contents of aer nautical publications sent to all members of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Without the AFTN, flight plans and streams of significant information that are sent way ahead of flights leaving the Philippines could not be processed in advance, thus delaying the departure of aircraft from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On the other hand, the same kind of information coming from flights emanating from other countries and destined to the Philippines could not be processed on time.

The resulting chaos delayed international flights coming and going into the country, creating howls of protest from the Airline Operators Council.

This certainly brings us close. The real question though is does this bring us close enough? The most fundamental issue based on my understanding is the disarray at the newly formed CAAP where it appears that in substance it is worse than its predecessor.

http://www.philippineairlines.com/Images/B777%20Seat%20Map_tcm61-16797.pdf

3-4-3 configuration

http://www.philippineairlines.com/Images/B777%20Seat%20Map_tcm61-16797.pdf

3-4-3 configuration

So much love lost right there.:ohno:

wow may stairs going under the galley? are those leading to crew quarters?

edit....overhead crew rest pala

http://www.seattlepi.com/dayart/20040206/crew-cabins-0106.gif

Sobra akong pinaasa ni Nardong Putik sa project niya. Wala naman palang mangyayari. :ohno: