^^ They looked full-flat to me.

^^ They looked full-flat to me.

Full-flat or not, those seats are still angled in reference to the floor.

SQ's Diamond seats, CX's herringbone and BA's CW seats, in contrast, are all horizontal - full-flat and at the same time parallel to the floor.

^^ They looked full-flat to me.

Looks flat to me also but then again business class isn't a seller with PAL, it's always been the fiesta/economy class since most of those patrons who constantly travel to the Philippines are pinoys usually.

One way to tell easily is that the A330 has winglets. 777s of any type don't.:)

at tsaka isang pares ng 4 na gulong meron sa a-330 sa b-777 naman tigaanim ang gulong nya

Anong balita sa SOMA? as press release their maiden flight for Bahrain is Dec. 5 any update?

^^ They looked full-flat to me.

Full-flat or not, those seats are still angled in reference to the floor.

SQ's Diamond seats, CX's herringbone and BA's CW seats, in contrast, are all horizontal - full-flat and at the same time parallel to the floor.

Looks flat to me also but then again business class isn't a seller with PAL, it's always been the fiesta/economy class since most of those patrons who constantly travel to the Philippines are pinoys usually.

I suggest you be the judge with this photo: http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/eymarquez083/B777ER/IMG_0437.jpg

^^ I'll have an answer to that come next Saturday, since I'll be overnighting in Hong Kong (leaving Friday) and flying back to MNL onboard RP-C7777! :D

^^

Enjoy your trip!

Will the 77W ever make a short appearance on domestic routes?

From airliners.net: DL and NW will consolidate their operating certificates effective 31st December 2009.

RP, Russia sign air services accord
TransAero coming to Manila

By CHARISSA M. LUCI
December 5, 2009

Filipinos who intend to fly to Russia don’t need to take connecting flights to reach that country following the signing of air services agreement (ASA) between the Philippines and the Russian Federation that signals the opening of Cebu-Moscow direct flights, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow reported to its home office that the ASA was signed on December 1 by Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Doroteo A. Reyes II and Deputy Minister for Transport Valeriy Mikhailovich Okulov.

In a statement, the DFA said the air pact is “set to facilitate and intensify two-way tourism, trade and investment, and cultural exchanges through the opening of direct flights between the Philippines and Russia.”

The new agreement will replace the 1992 RP-Russia ASA.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor G. Garcia III, who witnessed the signing, described the recently-signed pact as “important vehicle” that will intensify the 32-year old diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the pre-signing meeting held on Nov. 30, Russian carrier Transaero and the Philippine Airlines discussed the opening of chartered flights between Cebu and Moscow.

“Both sides expressed hope that this exercise will materialize as soon as possible and lead to eventual opening of regular scheduled flights,” the DFA said.

During Mrs. Arroyo’s three-day visit to Russia that ended on June 6, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev assured his government’s nod to the signing of the bilateral air services agreement.

The assurance was made during their 45-minute bilateral meeting last June on the sidelines of the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum right after her South Korea visit.
---------------------------------------------------

So aside from Manila-Moscow service, there will be charter flights coming from CEB? Did I get this right??

O_o They haven't even utilize Manila-Moscow.

Sorry guys, just testing if my photobucket working better now, i reset the setting, this is just a test.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z170/midwestguy1/A-widescreen-LCD-TV-screen-insta-1.jpg


looks like it didnt work. Its PAL's PTV or avod I guess how you guys call it..

O_o They haven't even utilize Manila-Moscow.

And didn't SU cancel MNL-SVO not so long ago?

http://www.ticket.showbiz.com.au/imgs/Brisbane.jpg
Brisbane,Queensland - the third Australian City on PAL's international route network

Philippine Airlines (PAL) officially announced on its website that it will expand its Australia operations with twice weekly service to Brisbane,Queensland via Melbourne beginning in March of 2010. The twice weekly service will be utilizing A330 300 aircraft.

Sydney and Melbourne service continues at 5x weekly with Sydney being served exclusively by PAL's new B777 300ER aircraft.

To read the official PAL press release of resumption of service to Brisbane,Queensland in Australia:

http://www.philippineairlines.com/news/pal_expands_australia_operations.jsp

From the look of it , it seems PAL executives are gung ho optimistic about Brisbane the Australia as a whole.

Hmmm...

PR can't use the 77W to the US because of Cat2. (The irony of it is that why won't they allow the 77W in that case considering it is a newly-acquired aircraft, something that has an unblemished safety record compared to other existing aircraft in the fleet?)

They also can't use the 77W to Canada because of rights restrictions that not even SQ can even get around for its own operations. (Funny that CX has plenty of concessions to operate in Canada; weird also that the Canadian government doesn't realise that their "protectionism" is keeping air tickets there extremely high, so what a way to play politics in favour of AC!)

More importantly, going back to the airliners.net post I found (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4628578/), I can't seem to verify their claim about the consolidation of both operating certificates of NW and DL. For one, neither website mentions it and 2nd, when I tried a mock booking of an MNL-NRT flight on a date past 31 December, it still provides the NW flight number (i.e. not even an indication the said flight will operated by DL).

^^ CX does not have Canadian concessions. They wanted to expand HKG-YVR-JFK at one point but were not granted the authority to do so by the Canadian government.

^^

Maybe not but compared to its competitors, CX has plenty of options to Canada. Maybe 2-3x per day between HKG and YVR and a daily flight between HKG and YYZ (I might have heard they may increase that); 21 entitlements for HKG as opposed to only 5 for us (considering AC owns 2). But why are they so protectionist and don't they care if AC and Westjet will keep prices high because competition isn't big? Or are they protecting AC and Westjet to exactly keep prices high?

^^ The ASA was negotiated differently. Remember, at the time the HKG-CAN ASA was negotiated, Hong Kong was still a British territory. And Canada's head of state is the Queen.

I hope the A380 can prevail soon because of its larger seating capacity, unless PR is a huge fan of a 3-4-3 configuration no matter what, a configuration which Boeing is very good at delivering.

The A380 (and even the A350!) have 3-4-3 seating in Y.

^^


Philippine Airlines (PAL) officially announced on its website that it will expand its Australia operations with twice weekly service to Brisbane,Queensland via Melbourne beginning in March of 2010. The twice weekly service will be utilizing A330 300 aircraft.

Sydney and Melbourne service continues at 5x weekly with Sydney being served exclusively by PAL's new B777 300ER aircraft.

From the look of it , it seems PAL executives are gung ho optimistic about Brisbane the Australia as a whole.

Told ya.



PR can't use the 77W to the US because of Cat2...

They also can't use the 77W to Canada because of rights restrictions that not even SQ can even get around for its own operations. (Funny that CX has plenty of concessions to operate in Canada; weird also that the Canadian government doesn't realise that their "protectionism" is keeping air tickets there extremely high, so what a way to play politics in favour of AC!)


Told ya already. They can.


^^ CX does not have Canadian concessions. They wanted to expand HKG-YVR-JFK at one point but were not granted the authority to do so by the Canadian government.

True.

^^ The ASA was negotiated differently. Remember, at the time the HKG-CAN ASA was negotiated, Hong Kong was still a British territory. And Canada's head of state is the Queen.

True again. Hong-Kong and Canada were still under the crown then.

I have a feeling that PR's plan is to have an all-Airbus narrowbody and an all-Boeing widebody. But then again, someone mentioned that Boeing has stricter financing terms than Airbus as was the case why the 744 deposits had to be converted into 77Ws.

True

I hope the A380 can prevail soon because of its larger seating capacity, unless PR is a huge fan of a 3-4-3 configuration no matter what, a configuration which Boeing is very good at delivering.

Its not about configuration. Its about capacity and congestion at LAX.

RP, Russia sign air services accord
TransAero coming to Manila

By CHARISSA M. LUCI
December 5, 2009

Filipinos who intend to fly to Russia don’t need to take connecting flights to reach that country following the signing of air services agreement (ASA) between the Philippines and the Russian Federation that signals the opening of Cebu-Moscow direct flights, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow reported to its home office that the ASA was signed on December 1 by Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Doroteo A. Reyes II and Deputy Minister for Transport Valeriy Mikhailovich Okulov.

In a statement, the DFA said the air pact is “set to facilitate and intensify two-way tourism, trade and investment, and cultural exchanges through the opening of direct flights between the Philippines and Russia.”

The new agreement will replace the 1992 RP-Russia ASA.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor G. Garcia III, who witnessed the signing, described the recently-signed pact as “important vehicle” that will intensify the 32-year old diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the pre-signing meeting held on Nov. 30, Russian carrier Transaero and the Philippine Airlines discussed the opening of chartered flights between Cebu and Moscow.

“Both sides expressed hope that this exercise will materialize as soon as possible and lead to eventual opening of regular scheduled flights,” the DFA said.

During Mrs. Arroyo’s three-day visit to Russia that ended on June 6, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev assured his government’s nod to the signing of the bilateral air services agreement.

The assurance was made during their 45-minute bilateral meeting last June on the sidelines of the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum right after her South Korea visit.
---------------------------------------------------

So aside from Manila-Moscow service, there will be charter flights coming from CEB? Did I get this right??

And didn't SU cancel MNL-SVO not so long ago?

:lol::lol::lol:

SU could not even fill up the Tu-154 they used to fly here via HKG.:nuts:

I think charters are viable. Russian planes land here in the Phils several times a year carrying sun-hungry russians. I'm not sure about regularly scheduled direct or nonstop flights.:ohno:

The A380 (and even the A350!) have 3-4-3 seating in Y.

But not as if you're taking way shoulder-width/ hip-room from economy seats on the A350 and A380.

:lol::lol::lol:

SU could not even fill up the Tu-154 they used to fly here via HKG.:nuts:

I think charters are viable. Russian planes land here in the Phils several times a year carrying sun-hungry russians. I'm not sure about regularly scheduled direct or nonstop flights.:ohno:

So when will they start SVO-MNL flights? I don't see a carrier not have a CEB flight without another flight going to MNL.

This will be the first non-Asian/Arab carrier to touch an airport in the Philippines outside MNL.

^^ Not quite. CO once served CEB, but then pulled out.

My opinion; I think they (Philippine carriers) should pursue flights to and from the Russian Far East instead of European Russia, especially the industrial cities of Vladivostok (VVO) and Khabarovsk (KHV) where there are significant numbers of Filipino OFWs in the oil and shipping industries working there.

folks,to determine bet. boeing and airbus,look at the tailfins; boeings are more tapered at the tip.Now you can do the process of elimination for the types!

My opinion; I think they (Philippine carriers) should pursue flights to and from the Russian Far East instead of European Russia, especially the industrial cities of Vladivostok (VVO) and Khabarovsk (KHV) where there are significant numbers of Filipino OFWs in the oil and shipping industries working there.

I've heard that even the charters that come here originate mostly from those areas. Not too sure though, but I seem to have heard Vladivostok Avia had charters that landed in MNL and CEB but passengers were all in-transit to Boracay.

^^

Maybe not but compared to its competitors, CX has plenty of options to Canada. Maybe 2-3x per day between HKG and YVR and a daily flight between HKG and YYZ (I might have heard they may increase that); 21 entitlements for HKG as opposed to only 5 for us (considering AC owns 2). But why are they so protectionist and don't they care if AC and Westjet will keep prices high because competition isn't big? Or are they protecting AC and Westjet to exactly keep prices high?
AC and westjet are canada's pride.US airlines and others are just knocking at the door.Open it and there wouldn't be any canadian airliner to speak of! pinoys are famous driving south to Buffalo to catch cheaper US flights!

So when will they start SVO-MNL flights? I don't see a carrier not have a CEB flight without another flight going to MNL.

This will be the first non-Asian/Arab carrier to touch an airport in the Philippines outside MNL.

Why should they land in MNL if they have no business here?:? Like what I said, they are ultimately interested in our beaches. That is why AsianSpirit, etc had those Kalibo-S.Korea flights. There was also another airline operating Zamboanga-Sandakan. And I think there were a couple of Indonesian carriers landing in DVO at different points in time connecting it to various Indonesian ports. Not one of them ever made it to MNL.

I think this is part of why the government has been upgrading airports other than MNL to international standards.

AC and westjet are canada's pride.US airlines and others are just knocking at the door.Open it and there wouldn't be any canadian airliner to speak of! pinoys are famous driving south to Buffalo to catch cheaper US flights!

Canadian pride at the expense of more expensive tickets!?! It is bad enough that there aren't that many cities in Canada and that they are mostly spaced far from each other. For one, a passenger train service in Calgary as far as I recall doesn't exist anymore.

What's worse, AC is quite blind to the fact that there is a significant pinoy population here that wants to visit Canada or if not, a pinoy population there that wants to go visit home from time to time hence the lack of flights and yet they want to tell the government, don't let PR in.

Bottomlime: they have to compete! It only makes them better at doing what they want to do.

^^ Frustrated, much? You're wound up too tightly. Relax....breathe in.....breathe out....chill....ohmm.... :sleepy:

On another note instead, can someone confirm what an airliners.net user posted if indeed NW and DL's operating certificates will be consolidated effective 31 December? As I said, neither website says anything about it and when I tried making a mock booking from either website, it still says the NW flight number without the phrase "operated by DL."

^^ The booking system will not immediately reflect it. Expect a formal merger of the booking systems next year, with DL honoring NW bookings. The flight numbering systems however have been merged.

So what will DL's corresponding MNL-NRT (NW280) and MNL-NGO (NW318) flight number be?

By the way, ISO should be International Organization for Standardization, not International Standardization Organization. It's actually IOS from the Greek word "ios" meaning equal.


A little correction here.

ISO is not an acronym or initialism for the organization's full name in either official language. Rather, the organization adopted ISO based on the Greek word isos (ἴσος), meaning equal.

Source: http://www.iso.org/iso/about/discover-iso_meet-iso/discover-iso_isos-name.htm

So what will DL's corresponding MNL-NRT (NW280) and MNL-NGO (NW318) flight number be?

The same. DL 280 and DL 318.

^^I've heard that even the charters that come here originate mostly from those areas. Not too sure though, but I seem to have heard Vladivostok Avia had charters that landed in MNL and CEB but passengers were all in-transit to Boracay.

True. Because all Russian tourists from Europe either stops at Hong-kong or Bangkok before making connecting flights to Manila. In short, they are using regular scheduled flights while those Russians from Siberia charter flights just to be here. As between the two, the latter is the most expensive and the most easily identified because of the plane they bring. Both however are considered as additional cost which the Russians want to do away with. Meaning, they want direct regular flight either from Europe or the far east.

The new ASA allows Transaero to legally fly here from Europe. In fact, they have a triple seven prepared to do the job according to the DOT.The problem with the old ASA is that its good only for PAL and AFL, both state airlines then. None of which appear to be interested to servicing the route. The new ASA will allow other carriers to fly between the two agreed destinations.

Its about time too. DOT expects Russians from Moscow to exceed 20,000 this year. For a 10 month period ending October, they registered a whooping 43% arrivals from Europe already despite the recession while the Americans, Japanese and Koreans registered a relatively flat growth as compared to the same figures last year. That figure excludes charters from the far east and CIS states.

According to DOT, with flight restrictions lifted, they expect traffic from both sectors to quadruple next year as calculated by the Moscow and St. Petersburg based tour operators which fed tourists to Manila. We might be having as much as five 777 direct flights a week from Domodedovo next winter season.:)

Most tourists from Siberia and the Russian Far East usually transit via NRT or ICN if they're flying commercial instead of charters to the Philippines.

^^

True. Because all Russian tourists from Europe either stops at Hong-kong or Bangkok before making connecting flights to Manila. In short, they are using regular scheduled flights while those Russians from Siberia charter flights just to be here. As between the two, the latter is the most expensive and the most easily identified because of the plane they bring. Both however are considered as additional cost which the Russians want to do away with. Meaning, they want direct regular flight either from Europe or the far east.

The new ASA allows Transaero to legally fly here from Europe. In fact, they have a triple seven prepared to do the job according to the DOT.The problem with the old ASA is that its good only for PAL and AFL, both state airlines then. None of which appear to be interested to servicing the route. The new ASA will allow other carriers to fly between the two agreed destinations.

Its about time too. DOT expects Russians from Moscow to exceed 20,000 this year. For a 10 month period ending October, they registered a whooping 43% arrivals from Europe already despite the recession while the Americans, Japanese and Koreans registered a relatively flat growth as compared to the same figures last year. That figure excludes charters from the far east and CIS states.

According to DOT, with flight restrictions lifted, they expect traffic from both sectors to quadruple next year as calculated by the Moscow and St. Petersburg based tour operators which fed tourists to Manila. We might be having as much as five 777 direct flights a week from Domodedovo next winter season.:)

Aside from these two, are there other points in Russia that regularly or at least frequently have charters to MNL?

Does anybody know the route PAL will use when they start flights to San Diego. It is currently against the rule for a foreign airlines to fly between two United States city. Which means they cannot do a Chicago to San Diego to Manila flight.

If they were going to have a San Diego to Vancouver to San Diego that would add a lot of extra hours compared to LAX to Manila.

Currently the flight from Las Vegas to Manila is 3 hours and 20 minutes longer than the LAX to Manila. Return flight is 3 hours and thirty minutes longer.

I live ten minutes from San Diego airport. My total travel time would be the same going to Manila weather I drive to LAX or fly out of San Diego thru Vancouver. But I would save a couple of hours travel time with the direct flight to LAX.

Hopefully they might do a Toronto to San Diego to Manila flight.

^^ PR can't mount flights to SAN because of the Cat2 rating the Philippines got from the FAA. So, there are no definitive plans for that right now. But if it were to happen, SAN is on the coast much like LAX and SFO are, it'd be nice to have a direct flight to MNL instead of routing it through via another city.

^^
Aside from these two, are there other points in Russia that regularly or at least frequently have charters to MNL?

The two cities mentioned were the places where those tour operators operate as bulk of its European clients lived there. Charter flights other than the far east side of Vladivostok, exit only in one airport as far as Russia is concerned and that is in Moscow. As for the CIS figures I dont' know.

^^
Most tourists from Siberia and the Russian Far East usually transit via NRT or ICN if they're flying commercial instead of charters to the Philippines.

Yes Kimber, some Russians do use Seoul as transit point to the Philippines but not from Japan. But there are few who do that. Probably the well educated, well to do group who understands English. As for the rest, its all charter flights from that region.

^^
Does anybody know the route PAL will use when they start flights to San Diego. It is currently against the rule for a foreign airlines to fly between two United States city. Which means they cannot do a Chicago to San Diego to Manila flight.


According to Bautista, they plan to do it via Vancouver. The A340 however is capable of reaching San Diego from Manila. The problem is flying back. It would have to make a technical stop in Hawaii to make the trip back home.

From my point of view, there is not much enough traffic from SAN to justify direct flight that is why PAL intend to stop in YVR to booked more passengers. When it becomes sufficient however, I suppose a direct flight would be possible since PAL also intend to use YVR as a jump off point to Chicago as its next stop. Of course we have to be in CAT 1 to do that. :)

Rare sighting of PAL RP-C3336 ain the corporate aviation part of Mascot (Sydney) Airport tonight.
Hope its there in the morning for a photo.
No idea why it is there - perhaps a fault to be repaired.


Cheers
Brad
** At The Sydney PAL Fan Newsdesk**


N164RJ

From my point of view, there is not much enough traffic from SAN to justify direct flight that is why PAL intend to stop in YVR to booked more passengers. When it becomes sufficient however, I suppose a direct flight would be possible since PAL also intend to use YVR as a jump off point to Chicago as its next stop. Of course we have to be in CAT 1 to do that. :)

From the looks of it, PR is positioning YVR as its North American hub, if it happens they pursue destinations to the Midwest and the East.

^^


The two cities mentioned were the places where those tour operators operate as bulk of its European clients lived there. Charter flights other than the far east side of Vladivostok, exit only in one airport as far as Russia is concerned and that is in Moscow. As for the CIS figures I dont' know.



IIRC, there was a chartered Tu-204 that landed at NAIA 1 from Vladivostok, around 2006. It was all over the news, saying Boracay is popular among Russian tourists. I think the article mentioned that there were a total of two or three charters during that month alone. All the while I was under the impression the Phils gets more tourists from this region of Russia.

From the looks of it, PR is positioning YVR as its North American hub of it happens they pursue destinations to the Midwest and the East.

Makes sense. Points in East Asia are already crowded. As for US gateways, it would be impossible for them to get cabotage rights.

Would it be viable/ practical for PAL to ever have some regional jets, say A320s stationed at one of their US gateways, say LAX, for onward journeys?

Of course, as I just mentioned in my previous post, cabotage rights would never be granted, but PAL will be carrying its own passengers only.

Hypothetical case. A PAL A380 leaves MNL with 520 passengers, with three flight numbers assigned to the same flight. On arrival in LAX, all get processed by homeland security. 120 of the passengers board one of the PAL A320s stationed in LAX for their onward journey to say NYC. Say another 120 board another PAL plane to ORD. All the others are just plain LA bound.

I think Iberia did this in the past. They stationed some MD-80s in MIA waiting for some passengers aboard an IB 340-300 from Spain.

NWA does it but in the opposite direction to Japan. They have some 757s stationed at NRT or NGO? These used to be A320s. I read about this NWA flight, back in the days they still had 742s. A 742 flight from HNL departs with four flight numbers assigned to it, and the other three aren't codeshares! On arrival in Japan (I think NRT), the some passengers exit Tokyo, while the remaining ones get sorted out to three 757s. One 757 flies to Korea, one to SEAsia and the last one to Nagoya, I think. Each of these 757s carry one of the flight numbers assigned to the 742 that left HNL.

The only disadvantage in the hypothetical case I narrated is that PAL would not be able to offer nonstop service aboard a widebody. Though it is still "direct" by US standards as the flight number is the same. Then again, they plan to fly to SAN, ORD and wherever else via YVR or somewhere. Advantage is of course is connectivity. As mentioned, by US standards, these flights can still be considered direct.

In the past, PAL has been able to carry its own passengers between US domestic points in the same way triangular flights operate to Oz. I think they had them between HNL and CA and between LAX and SFO at different points in time.

Of course, when the routes become more developed, PAL can mount more direct widebody service.:)

I've always wondered about this scenario, and I only remembered posting it now since there is an active thread about such flights at A.net.

^^
I knew somebody would ask this question soon.

Yes they can. PAL is even seriously entertaining such idea following the Qantas American strategy, which is to feed the the pan American market from LAX or SFO. And its perfectly legal since they will be booking passengers say New York or Orlando to Manila.

The economics of its operation is however a VERY different matter as it require another set of air, ground and technical crews to support its hub operations, which I was told is very expensive to maintain than either flying direct or taking technical stop just to make it to its destination. Unless, Pinoy's are willing to shoulder that overhead cost which is unlikely, it's not gonna work for PR because its not economically feasible for them to do so. There goes your answer.

^^

1. I was suggesting not so long ago PR set-up an American-based entity or enlists someone to be its representative in the US especially with Cat2 (perhaps as Philippine Airlines-USA as the legal name). At least in that scenario, when "PR" flies back to MNL, it can do so as a US Carrier. We'll leave it up to the lawyers to sort out the legal issues and determine the best kind of structure but I'm betting the US entity should pay PR for the use of its brand (needless to say that the entity should be loyal to PR somehow or sponsored by PR to do it if PR can't own the entity).

2. Someone has been harping on the fact that from LAX to other points in the US is where alliance partners step-in and that's why alliances are there in the first place. I understand the airline based in a certain station act as extensions of their alliance members in the former's turf. PR has to find a good alliance partner.

3. As for YVR being PR's de-facto hub/gateway to North America, we are probably forgetting one major barrier - the very limited rights/entitlements to use Canadian ports. I don't think AC has anymore rights to lease to us, or at least rights it wants to lease to us. You have to keep that in mind because even if Cat2 goes, the limits on these entitlements will stay.

PAL will start BNE services on 16 March.:)
http://www.philippineairlines.com/Images/Intl_Winter_Timetable_07Dec2009_tcm61-16914.pdf

All five SYD flights, the three via MEL and the two turnarounds, can all utilize one 77W with some spare time on certain days. With another 77W coming, I wonder which destinations will see the 77W most often...

From the looks of it, PR is positioning YVR as its North American hub of it happens they pursue destinations to the Midwest and the East.

Same sentiments with hybridace, lack of entitlements. How would PR act on this matter??

^^

I have no idea. But consider this: if SQ which is a 5-star airline that belongs to a 1st world country can't argue its way into Canada (CA), what more with PR? Same thing with CX and HKG (HK), where you will probably find some of the most generous ASAs between an Asian point and CA. It's beginning to become clear that their existing entitlements were grandfathered from the time they were a crown colony and that CA has denied additions to this.

PS and a little OT: When someone said that HK and CA were part of the crown, let me clarify that while the Queen is the head of state of CA and had been of HK until 1997, CA became an independent state from the UK in 1931. I just found it a little misleading when someone tried to explain the ASA between the 2 former british settlements. :)

^^

1. I was suggesting not so long ago PR set-up an American-based entity or enlists someone to be its representative in the US especially with Cat2 (perhaps as Philippine Airlines-USA as the legal name). At least in that scenario, when "PR" flies back to MNL, it can do so as a US Carrier. We'll leave it up to the lawyers to sort out the legal issues and determine the best kind of structure but I'm betting the US entity should pay PR for the use of its brand (needless to say that the entity should be loyal to PR somehow or sponsored by PR to do it if PR can't own the entity).

Did it ever occur to you that Virgin America's operation was questioned in the DOT prompting Bronson to relinquish control of the US subsidiary. Well, PAL will have the same fate.

2. Someone has been harping on the fact that from LAX to other points in the US is where alliance partners step-in and that's why alliances are there in the first place. I understand the airline based in a certain station act as extensions of their alliance members in the former's turf. PR has to find a good alliance partner.

Exactly. But don't you know that being in the alliance is costly, and it tends to favor and be more advantageous to bigger airlines? PAL is okay being alone for a million reasons. And that is in dollars. That is why they settle for code-share because the deals are better.

3. As for YVR being PR's de-facto hub/gateway to North America, we are probably forgetting one major barrier - the very limited rights/entitlements to use Canadian ports. I don't think AC has anymore rights to lease to us, or at least rights it wants to lease to us. You have to keep that in mind because even if Cat2 goes, the limits on these entitlements will stay.

Correct. But ACA is still willing to sell its rights to PAL for a price like what PAL did to KLM. And that is 3 more flights. The problem is if PAL can service it now. I guess when the time comes they will take it but not for now.

^^

PS and a little OT: When someone said that HK and CA were part of the crown, let me clarify that while the Queen is the head of state of CA and had been of HK until 1997, CA became an independent state from the UK in 1931. I just found it a little misleading when someone tried to explain the ASA between the 2 former british settlements. :)

So are Australia and New Zealand. What do you think is the difference?

Same sentiments with hybridace, lack of entitlements. How would PR act on this matter??

Maybe PAL is allowed to "shuffle" them around? I mean right now it's YVR-LAS and possibly YVR-SAN. When these two routes have grown enough to merit their own nonstops, perhaps they can substitute NYC and ORD.

NWA does it but in the opposite direction to Japan. They have some 757s stationed at NRT or NGO? These used to be A320s. I read about this NWA flight, back in the days they still had 742s. A 742 flight from HNL departs with four flight numbers assigned to it, and the other three aren't codeshares! On arrival in Japan (I think NRT), the some passengers exit Tokyo, while the remaining ones get sorted out to three 757s. One 757 flies to Korea, one to SEAsia and the last one to Nagoya, I think. Each of these 757s carry one of the flight numbers assigned to the 742 that left HNL.

If can recall correctly, NW had this type of operation when they used to service GUM (Guam) and SPN (Saipan) from their hub in NRT.

Also, didn't PR also use SEL (Seoul's Gimpo Airport) once as their layover destination for flights between the US and the Philippines?

Our visiting RP-C3336 was still sitting in the corporate aviation area at Sydney Airport this morning.
I wonder if it developed a mechanical problem on the Sydney run or if its here for another reason? Will take another looksie this afternoon.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4167426097_9b3969de76_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/4167426085_272d81cb32_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4167426077_e727fa56a2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4167426071_2136083af4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4167426051_2080d91a3f_b.jpg

If can recall correctly, NW had this type of operation when they used to service GUM (Guam) and SPN (Saipan) from their hub in NRT.

Also, didn't PR also use SEL (Seoul's Gimpo Airport) once as their layover destination for flights between the US and the Philippines?

I think so in the late 1990s, MNL-SEL-LAX. Since when did PR start having nonstop flights to the mainland? I think they used to have it both ways when the A342 was still in PR's fleet.

Assuming we return to Cat1, can't PR have flights to ORD or JFK via ICN, NRT or KIX? I just think it's these generous balikbayan box allowances that will keep us from having a competitive edge over our regional competitors as they mount nonstop flights from the US to their respective stations (mind you, TG can use an A346 which is comparative in range to the 77W from LAX to BKK).

Can SEA-MNL be nonstop?

^^ If PR can fly nonstop to YVR, it most definitely can fly direct to SEA (and PDX too!).

I think so in the late 1990s, MNL-SEL-LAX. Since when did PR start having nonstop flights to the mainland? I think they used to have it both ways when the A342 was still in PR's fleet.

Assuming we return to Cat1, can't PR have flights to ORD or JFK via ICN, NRT or KIX? I just think it's these generous balikbayan box allowances that will keep us from having a competitive edge over our regional competitors as they mount nonstop flights from the US to their respective stations (mind you, TG can use an A346 which is comparative in range to the 77W from LAX to BKK).

Can SEA-MNL be nonstop?

Most of these ports already have flights to ORD and NYC. PAL would only face very stiff competition. Also, PAL doesn't have a premium customer base, so it would be competing for the cheap tickets mostly as they are not known for their front cabins.

JAL, KE and OZ already offer flights to the East Coast from MNL via connecting flights through the hubs mentioned. Again, stiff competition.

By the way, TG uses A340-500s to LAX (and JFK previously). The A340-600s fly elsewhere.

The combined Qantas group share of the market is now below 30% on international routes from Australia, where once its share was nearer 50% (admittedly in the much more regulated old days). Its market share continues to shrink in spite of the invention of Jetstar, which was designed to increase it.

On the US route, Qantas is being clobbered by new capacity from V Australia and Delta, although Qantas still has the lion's share.

Between here and Europe, Qantas is being swamped, not only by traditional rivals like Singapore Airlines, which continues methodically and relentlessly to increase its Australia market share (in spite of this year's pause caused by the global slowdown), but also by the new Arabian Gulf carriers, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.


anyone know if PAL + 5J have 50% of the international market?

Maybe PAL is allowed to "shuffle" them around? I mean right now it's YVR-LAS and possibly YVR-SAN. When these two routes have grown enough to merit their own nonstops, perhaps they can substitute NYC and ORD.

oh yea! It did not occur to me, but there is a big "if" in that situation

Most of these ports already have flights to ORD and NYC. PAL would only face very stiff competition. Also, PAL doesn't have a premium customer base, so it would be competing for the cheap tickets mostly as they are not known for their front cabins.

JAL, KE and OZ already offer flights to the East Coast from MNL via connecting flights through the hubs mentioned. Again, stiff competition.

By the way, TG uses A340-500s to LAX (and JFK previously). The A340-600s fly elsewhere.

I think you've said it yourself, PR dosen't have a high-yield customer base. So how will they face stiff competition if let's say they won't go after the ICN-JFK or NRT-JFK crowd? I mean I'm sure it's legally possible for them to just drop off customers at ICN on the way to the US or pick-up passengers from there going back to the Philippines but not transport passengers whose journey involves both North East Asia and the US exclusively.

Oh, the A346 was once used between BKK and LAX as seen in this picture: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Thai-Airways-International/Airbus-A340-642/0967973/L/ . I'm not of course expecting they would use the A346 to JFK.

On a cheesier note, someone once said the feeling is different if the carrier used to transport you between your origin and final destination is based in either country rather than if the carrier used is from a 3rd country.

^^ The Philippines has fifth-freedom rights from South Korea, so they will inevitably get passengers who are solely flying ICN-JFK, for example. Not so sure about Japan.

I think you've said it yourself, PR dosen't have a high-yield customer base. So how will they face stiff competition if let's say they won't go after the ICN-JFK or NRT-JFK crowd? I mean I'm sure it's legally possible for them to just drop off customers at ICN on the way to the US or pick-up passengers from there going back to the Philippines but not transport passengers whose journey involves both North East Asia and the US exclusively.

.

Both ends of the spectrum are covered. Not as if KE, OZ, JL,etc don't carry low-yielding passengers.:nono: And they operate charters filled with economy passengers to N.America too. Incidentally, they also have a loyal following up front. So PAL would have to a) have a good premium product (which they are now shying away from); and b) offer really competitive prices and be able to fill the back of the plane (which they'll have a hard time given the number of carriers on those routes).

PAL didn't last long in SEL when it was their stop to the West Coast.

...
Oh, the A346 was once used between BKK and LAX as seen in this picture: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Thai-Airways-International/Airbus-A340-642/0967973/L/ . I'm not of course expecting they would use the A346 to JFK.

...

Aircraft substitution for the scheduled maintenance of the A340-500s. Keep in mind they still operated the A345s to both LAX and JFK then, so four units could hardly be enough when one or two are down for inspections and repairs.

It also happened to SQ. Their nonstops were operated with a 77E for a limited period. It was able to make SIN-LAX nonstop (I think load-restricted) but had to stop in TPE on the way back. (This is apart from the regular SIN-TPE-LAX flight during those days).

^^ The Philippines has fifth-freedom rights from South Korea, so they will inevitably get passengers who are solely flying ICN-JFK, for example. Not so sure about Japan.

The question is, will their passenger numbers be enough to make the flights profitable? A simple price war can kill that route for PAL. Remember, the Korean carriers are several times larger than PAL.

^^

PR just had several missed opportunities in the past. In the early 1990s for instance, they were the first airline to have a bed on board for first class passengers. As someone here pointed out, it wasn't patented early on so competition copied the concept easily (and even made it better by combining the bed and the seat in 1 space). If they were more street smart about their earlier offerings, competitors would still envy PR in some ways.

PR has to go the way of competitors when it wants to stay profitable. Right now, we can achieve that by cutting costs on PR's side. Oil prices are definitely not coming down anytime soon. If competition manages to charge for extra luggage, all the more balikbayan boxes, PR has to follow suit. As I have mentioned, among our neighbours, we are the only airline that forces a scheduled stop from the mainland US to back to its hub due to refuelling despite having the aircraft capable of going non-stop either way under more optimal conditions. Not only will gradual restrictions on luggage save on fuel costs but it may also save costs of acquiring landing rights merely to refuel. It will also shorten the flight time allowing PR to utilise the aircraft involved a bit more time for other cash-cow routes. It is worth noting that MNL-SFO is only 50+ nm longer than HKG-SFO.

s

^^

PR just had several missed opportunities in the past. In the early 1990s for instance, they were the first airline to have a bed on board for first class passengers. As someone here pointed out, it wasn't patented early on so competition copied the concept easily (and even made it better by combining the bed and the seat in 1 space). If they were more street smart about their earlier offerings, competitors would still envy PR in some ways.

.

:lol::lol::lol:In those days, PAL would cancel some of their flights just so the first family could go on a shopping trip to Europe or the USA. Profit was the last thing on its agenda.

Also, the social situation in the Philippines has deteriorated over the decades. Filipinos today are less affluent as before and this is reflected in the quality of most Pinoy passengers (ie, low-yield).

^^

Here's the irony of it all: considering PR caters more to low-yield, less premium passengers, isn't that supposed to mean less baggage allowance, let alone balikbayan boxes? I can understand the more premium passengers in other airlines taking in more boxes.

You've mentioned less affluent, but still affluent enough to send a tonne of stuff home.

^^

PR has to go the way of competitors when it wants to stay profitable. Right now, we can achieve that by cutting costs on PR's side. Oil prices are definitely not coming down anytime soon. If competition manages to charge for extra luggage, all the more balikbayan boxes, PR has to follow suit. As I have mentioned, among our neighbours, we are the only airline that forces a scheduled stop from the mainland US to back to its hub due to refuelling despite having the aircraft capable of going non-stop either way under more optimal conditions. Not only will gradual restrictions on luggage save on fuel costs but it may also save costs of acquiring landing rights merely to refuel. It will also shorten the flight time allowing PR to utilise the aircraft involved a bit more time for other cash-cow routes. It is worth noting that MNL-SFO is only 50+ nm longer than HKG-SFO.

s

:ohno: The flights go nonstop when the loads are light enough, especially during the lean seasons. My return from SFO was nonstop. Passengers are usually informed upon check-in at LAX or SFO.

Mind you, CX's and SQ's SFO-HKG flights sometimes make refuelling stops when the 744s are full and there are strong headwinds. (Dunno if the SQ 77W can make this nonstop year-round, but it wasn't for the 744).

I wonder what's the reason behind why PR does not cater to both high end passengers (what's the term?? is it high-yield) and low-yield-passengers??

Is it true that KE and OZ's price are not that expensive like of CX?? I can sometimes find SQ's price cheaper than of CX. I was expecting the other way around.

I wonder what's the reason behind why PR does not cater to both high end passengers (what's the term?? is it high-yield) and low-yield-passengers??

Is it true that KE and OZ's price are not that expensive like of CX?? I can sometimes find SQ's price cheaper than of CX. I was expecting the other way around.

I was supposed to fly SQ to the US but an economy MNL-SIN-HKG-SFO and return ticket was quoted at USD1900++. I settled for MNL-BKK-LAX return on TG's premium econ (note, higher booking class) for only USD1500.:nuts: EVA DeLuxe was USD1700.

SQ is VERY expensive!

I was supposed to fly SQ to the US but an economy MNL-SIN-HKG-SFO and return ticket was quoted at USD1900++. I settled for MNL-BKK-LAX return on TG's premium econ (note, higher booking class) for only USD1500.:nuts: EVA DeLuxe was USD1700.

SQ is VERY expensive!

I always do mock booking on MNL-LHR, I always check CX and SQ, there were a couple of times wherein SQ's price was cheaper than CX. I forgot the exact amount each airline quoted.

I just did a mock booking MNL-LHR route: CX= USD1445 while SQ= USD1285 (both earning miles)

^^
It depends on

a) what time of the year
b) what kind of promos are offered
c) where you are booking your tickets from
d) the classes involved in your journey
e) the base currency (e.g. CX is HKD, SQ is SGD hence expect at least some slight fluctuations when it is quoted in USD as is in the Philippines)
f) the fare bucket

I was surprised to find out that CX's MNL-LHR is slightly cheaper if you are looking at the cheapest bucket. However, SQ's MNL-LHR is cheaper if you are looking at the most expensive/flexible bucket.

For example for a MNL-LHR journey from 15-22 May (from their respective websites):
CX's Economy Save is USD 1,103.91 while SQ's Sweet Deals is USD 1,109.51.
CX's Economy Flex is USD 4,546.91 while SQ's Flexi is USD 1,537.51

One important note: I hope you weren't selecting the "first class" on the A380 as it is suites you will be in which is more expensive than a traditional first class seat. For example using the same flight plan, CX's all-in fare is USD 8,644.28 while SQ's fare on a 77W (with traditional first class seats) is USD 8,625.88 and an A380 is USD 17,072.88.

^^ Yup, I'm very much aware in which fare type I'm selecting. The only thing that I do not know is if in their website they initially compute it base on their local currency then convert it to USD as displayed. :D

I wonder what's the reason behind why PR does not cater to both high end passengers (what's the term?? is it high-yield) and low-yield-passengers??


Because very few premium travelers goes to the Philippines to either invest or simply just for leisure travel such as those in HK, Singapore, Japan or Korea. While the Philippines has alot of competitive and luxurious beach resorts especially lately, there is this issue that has something to do with safety which alot of foreign embassies warned their citizens about the travel into the Philippines. And now, the latest incident of massacres and previously, kidnapping of foreign tourists and even servants of God by the insurgents doesn't help any. Also, it's being the end terminal of travel to mosts. PAL doesn't carry passengers for instance any points in asia to europe, middleast or North America where they would transit in Manila or even Cebu. PAL can't simply compete fully with all the international airlines giants just yet. Atleast, this is how I see things.

^^

It goes on to another issue I have that the Philippines is one of the few countries that have USD as the functional currency for international flights. PR and CX used to adopt the PHP on their websites. When it comes to SQ, I'm guessing they use SGD. If you try a mock booking, you will notice a slight difference in the USD prices quoted. The USD272.50 in the main page becomes more than USD20 less when you get to the last step. SQ discloses that discrepancies due to fluctuations may occur.

you do have a point there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for PR's future. I wish everything turns out well, same goes for this country...

^^

It goes on to another issue I have that the Philippines is one of the few countries that have USD as the functional currency for international flights. PR and CX used to adopt the PHP on their websites. When it comes to SQ, I'm guessing they use SGD. If you try a mock booking, you will notice a slight difference in the USD prices quoted. The USD272.50 in the main page becomes more than USD20 less when you get to the last step. SQ discloses that discrepancies due to fluctuations may occur.

I don't reach till the end part so I wouldn't know about the +/- of prices. Thanks for informing though :D

Basco, Batanes Airport

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/1/photos/127/500x500/5/DSC00090.jpg?et=6zaGN2QjuLL61doRA3vN7A&nmid=301346789

Departure

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/3/photos/128/500x500/81/DSC00758.jpg?et=ZPLC%2Cs%2CMmNqxr1YbCG3D%2CA&nmid=301354435

I will find a more complete photo of the terminal. The design is reminiscent of an IVatan stone house. Beautiful!

The Basco Airport Terminal Building


http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/1/photos/128/500x500/95/DSC00091.jpg?et=NS%2CE51v2ZvxMnjJz98w19Q&nmid=301354435

Basco, Batanes Airport

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/1/photos/127/500x500/5/DSC00090.jpg?et=6zaGN2QjuLL61doRA3vN7A&nmid=301346789

Departure

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/3/photos/128/500x500/81/DSC00758.jpg?et=ZPLC%2Cs%2CMmNqxr1YbCG3D%2CA&nmid=301354435

I will find a more complete photo of the terminal. The design is reminiscent of an IVatan stone house. Beautiful!

Simple but nice looking airport

Ang ganda nga e, very exotic ang dating.

There are currently no new developments with this airport, so this should be merged to the main airlines-airports thread.

^^ It's supposed to.

I wonder if that will be MNL-SIN or MNL-CRK-SIN.

^^ Sir, what happened to their other flights from cebu?

^^ Something tells me Z2 ran out of planes to service all their flights. Running eight planes to three times the number of destinations is a remarkable feat, but one that also accelerates wear and tear on the planes themselves.

So when will they start SVO-MNL flights? I don't see a carrier not have a CEB flight without another flight going to MNL.

This will be the first non-Asian/Arab carrier to touch an airport in the Philippines outside MNL.

Manila Bulletin (9 Dec 2009)

"...The [sic] Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Transaero, the Russian carrier are planning to open chartered flights between Cebu and Moscow following the signing of the air services agreement between the Philippines and Russia..."

^^ Something tells me Z2 ran out of planes to service all their flights. Running eight planes to three times the number of destinations is a remarkable feat, but one that also accelerates wear and tear on the planes themselves.

I see. I hope that there would be new planes to arrive. Thanks for the Info.

Here's the irony of it all: considering PR caters more to low-yield, less premium passengers, isn't that supposed to mean less baggage allowance, let alone balikbayan boxes? I can understand the more premium passengers in other airlines taking in more boxes.

The carriage of balikbayan boxes is PR's "bread and butter," that's one reason why patronage by Pinoys is high, because of the liberal baggage allowances compared to other trans-Pacific carriers.

You've mentioned less affluent, but still affluent enough to send a tonne of stuff home.

Bear in mind that the accumulation of stuff doesn't occur overnight. Most returning nationals prepare for their trip over a period of time and purchase pasalubongs every now and then prior to their departure to the home country. Not everyone can purchase everything in one fell swoop.

There are currently no new developments with this airport, so this should be merged to the main airlines-airports thread.

:yes: I concur.







Done! Link to Thread 21 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=160060&page=809) in the Archives. :okay:

The Basco Airport Terminal Building


http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/1/photos/128/500x500/95/DSC00091.jpg?et=NS%2CE51v2ZvxMnjJz98w19Q&nmid=301354435

^^not only nice looking, classy interior as well:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Former Asian Spirit owner diversifies into tourism, air ambulance
A look at Archibald Po

Written by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan—Archibald Po, former majority shareholder of Asian Spirit (now Zest Airways), is now going full blast in his investments in the tourism industry by opening another boutique hotel.

A pilot by profession, Po also recently set up an air ambulance service in Singapore, bringing in patients as far as Nepal and India to hospitals in the city-state.

In an interview, Po said his new resort, called Hotel Soffia, was built at a cost of P100 million under his property concern, Kifessia Realty Corp. “It’s always been a dream of mine to build a hotel on this island, which I passed so often during my flying days in the 1980s.”

Architect/interior designer/master plumber Chi-chi Victoriano, who also did the Amorita Hotel in Bohol, designed the boutique hotel. Because he is an environmentalist, Po explained that the hotel uses only natural lighting aside from its energy-saving light bulbs, solar heaters, and filters its waste in a leaching field which produces fertilizer, instead of emptying into the island’s sewerage system.

It employs 50 employees in three shifts for its round-the-clock operations, making it a “very lean” hotel, he added. Room rates of the hotel are “affordable”, ranging from P3,500 ++ (standard, twin/triple-share) to P5,000 ++ (superior, twin/triple-share).

Although nestled on a hill in barangay Yapak, the hotel, Po said, will attract Boracay tourists who want quiet and privacy, but still need quick access to the restaurant strip and main white beach. “You just relax here and swim in our infinity pool. Or have your cocktails while taking in the 340-degree view of the island. If you want to go to the beach or the party places, we’ll transport you there. It’s only seven minutes away.”

This is the second boutique hotel to his name after the 48-room Hotel Fleuris in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, built at a cost of P90 million. Said to be a “favorite” among diplomatic embassies, consular offices, Fleuris is now on its 11th year of operation, “but it still looks brand new,” said Po. At least 84 percent of Tripadvisor members who have stayed at Fleuris have dubbed it the “cleanest and friendliest” hotel in Puerto Princesa.

Po said he is considering to build another hotel in Basco, Batanes, and is currently evaluating other possible hotel sites in the country.

“I think the Philippines has no way to go except tourism. That is what will save our economy, not manufacturing, which is already the stronghold of China,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Po recently bought a Hawker jet to beef up his fleet of air ambulances via Executive Jets Asia, a company in partnership with other Asian and American air transport experts.

Po said he invested some $4 million in the company, based in Selatar Airport (East Camp), Singapore, supplying the company’s four-plane fleet. The company also provides cost-effective executive jet transport services to the region’s high-powered businessmen.

“All the jets are convertible to air ambulances,” he explained, adding that the planes, mostly eight-seaters, are chartered by hospitals, insurance firms and individuals needing quick medical evacuations for critical medical conditions.

Po praised the Singapore government for its efficient bureaucracy, allowing businesses to operate with the most minimal permits and signatures required. “An air ambulance, for instance, has to mobilize quickly in less than 45 minutes,” he stressed.

He said he is eyeing to invest another $2 million to expand the operations and maintain four planes in Singapore. He is also eyeing to expand to other countries.

Po also operates LionAir Inc., a charter service with 20 helicopters and two LET aircraft. The company is also the licensed distributor and service center of the Torrance, California-based Robinson Helicopter Co. in the Philippines. A number of well-known politicians and high-profile businessmen in the country are owners of Robinson choppers. LionAir is also the favorite go-to charter service by politicians running in national elections.

In 1995 Po set up Asian Spirit with two other businessmen—Antonio Turralba Jr. and Noel Oñate—capitalizing it a cost of $3 million. In May 2007, he sold his shares in the airline to Antonio Ang, founder of CATS, the distributor of Mercedes-Benz locally. Ang, in turn, along with the airline’s minority shareholders, subsequently sold their shares to juice king Alfredo Yao in March 2008.

232 Million Jolo airport upgrade completed
December 9, 2009

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/svenz_2008/USAID-GEM_Jolo-Runway-Aerial.jpg


Zamboanga City- The 232 million pesos US aided Jolo airport upgrade project was recently completed by Manila based construction firm CS Santiago Construction Company and turned over to the ARMM Provincial government headed by Gov. Abdusakur Tan.

Governor Tan said that "with a bigger airport, more planes can now fly and land safely in Sulu and accommodate more passengers not only from Manila or Zamboanga, but also from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei that make up the East Asia Growth Area as it hasten trade and commerce in the province.” He also thanked the United States government through Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for funding infrastructure projects in his province.

The project funded by the US government USAid program through Growth for Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Regional Impact Project component, has a budget of $3 million dollars supplemented by 90 million pesos counterpart fund from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) with a combined total project cost totalling 232 million pesos says Carlos Tan, program director of GEM Infrastructure Identification and Counterpart Management.

“The runway upgrade covers the rehabilitation of the runway, making it durable for heavy aircraft. The design of the upgrading and improvement is intended to accommodate bigger aircraft such as Boeing737s and Airbus 320's,” Carlos Tan said.

The airport expansion and development project hopes to spur economic and trade investment in the island province long torn by armed conflict says Nonoy Go, President of Jolo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Go said that the expanded runway is expected to be a selling point to major airlines in the country which shunned operating in the airport, and with them future investors, particularly those involved in the Sulu archipelago’s expanding mariculture industry.

Usman Asgari, OIC airport manager, said the airfield was constructed by the US military in 1944. “It used to be a US airfield covering about 1,000 meters of runway. The Americans used this place at the height of the war against the Japanese,” he said. The macadam airfield was turned over to the Philippine government after the war and accommodated the workhorse of that time C-47 or DC-3, Fokker Friendship and Hawker-Siddily 480 aircraft.

In 1965, then President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the paving and asphalting of the entire runway when he visited the province. The runway was again extended by another 200 meters by Marcos then another 500 meters, Asgari said.

The 1,700 runway was 18 meters wide although only 1,200 meters is paved. It has now been expanded to 30 meters and length stretched from 1,700 meters to 1,830 meters. The airport's total all-concrete runway length is now 1,845 meters by 30 meters.

Engr. Manuel Jamonir, Project Specialist of GEM, said that, “the airport is design to be a 1,800 meters concrete runway. We added an eastward extension of 630 meters and widening to 30 meters.”

“The works covered the removal and reconstruction of elevated concrete platform, runway strip clearing, grading and landscaping along the runway up to 75 meters from runway center line at both sides and 60 meters in length from the thresholds”, Eng. Jamonir added.

Jamonir also said that, “the provision of a runway and safety area of 60 meters long at both ends of the runway strip was also included in the runway design. However, the relocation of military and Air force facilities as well as resettlement of residential dwellings affected by the expansion is still to be done as they are also covered in the design of the project”.

On top of that, another 90 million pesos is earmarked for the construction of the new airport terminal next year which in 2008 registered a traffic volume of 18,749 passengers.

Currently, Seair's 18-seater Let 410 commuter plane flies the Zamboanga-Jolo route daily. The airport used to handle as big as PAL Fokker 50 planes and YS-11 of Asian Spirit now Zest Air which service the route years ago until it suspended operations due to corporate takeover.

The airports traffic operation is presently restricted similar to Caticlan airport where it uses only one runway for take-off and landings due to the construction project. Except military use of C-130 for transport of troops, it can only accommodate light commercial aircraft.

“Philippine Airlines [PAL] and Cebu Pacific [CEB] are already studying the viability of opening flights from Zamboanga to Jolo, and possibly direct flights from Manila to Jolo to determine the frequency of their future flights,”Asgari said. Zest Airways [RIT] is also mulling its return to the airport he said.

:yes: I concur.







Done! Link to Thread 21 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=160060&page=809) in the Archives. :okay:


Thanks!! :)

Basco, Batanes Airport

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/1/photos/127/500x500/5/DSC00090.jpg?et=6zaGN2QjuLL61doRA3vN7A&nmid=301346789

Departure

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/3/photos/128/500x500/81/DSC00758.jpg?et=ZPLC%2Cs%2CMmNqxr1YbCG3D%2CA&nmid=301354435

I will find a more complete photo of the terminal. The design is reminiscent of an IVatan stone house. Beautiful!

bagay na bagay sa lugar, very nice!!!

Small but nice looking airport ;-)

Zest Air will be suspending it's MNL-CRK-HKG service from jan 3...........

guys saan pwede bumili nga herpa wings model dito sa pinas?

Zest Air will be suspending it's MNL-CRK-HKG service from jan 3...........

Very poor loads, I reckon.

guys saan pwede bumili nga herpa wings model dito sa pinas?

Lil's Futaba in Park Square 1, Ayala Center Makati.
i also bought one last year at Special Toy Center in Ali Mall, Cubao.

guys saan pwede bumili nga herpa wings model dito sa pinas?

Hobbes and Landes also sells Herpas.

Hobbes and Landes also sells Herpas.

san yun?

Lil's Futaba in Park Square 1, Ayala Center Makati.
i also bought one last year at Special Toy Center in Ali Mall, Cubao.

mura lang naman dun diba? unlike pag bumili ka sa ibang bansa or sa internet?

mura lang naman dun diba? unlike pag bumili ka sa ibang bansa or sa internet?

mura sa net pag bibili ka ng cathay or singapore airlines... not sure kung direct sa herpa...

Kapag sa inflight ka bibili mas mura talaga... naka bili ako dati sa thai nung special color set ng A330 and B744 halos php 1,700 lang yung 2...

san yun?

Their Rockwell branch sells model planes. Second floor, Archeology wing.

^^ ganun ba? gusto ko kasi mag collect ng pal a320's.

mura lang naman dun diba? unlike pag bumili ka sa ibang bansa or sa internet?

The PAL inflight set costs USD28 only, but I heard from someone it cost him P2500 at LIL's! Madami din mura from the internet.

After double checking the schedules between MNL and SYD, PR211/212 are non-stop both ways. That appears to be the first flight between the Philippines and Australia that doesn't have a "triangular" routing (MNL-1st AU city-2nd AU city-MNL). Way to go to step-up to competition! The best part of it: they're using better aircraft than QF.

Question: for let's say PR209/210, I know that MNL-MEL-SYD is PR209 and MEL-SYD-MNL is PR210. Since PR209/210 between MEL-SYD happens simultaneously, what flight number will you do the booking as, 209 or 210?

mura lang naman dun diba? unlike pag bumili ka sa ibang bansa or sa internet?

i dunno if mura na ang 680 for a PR A340 na 1:500. hehe

Hobbes and Landes also sells Herpas.

do all hobbes and landes branches sell herpa?

^^ Not all. Bigger branches (like the Rockwell, BHS and Greenbelt branches) offer model planes for sale, Herpas in particular. Smaller branches (like the MoA and Shangri-La Plaza branches) however do not offer model planes for sale.

After double checking the schedules between MNL and SYD, PR211/212 are non-stop both ways. That appears to be the first flight between the Philippines and Australia that doesn't have a "triangular" routing (MNL-1st AU city-2nd AU city-MNL). Way to go to step-up to competition! The best part of it: they're using better aircraft than QF.

Question: for let's say PR209/210, I know that MNL-MEL-SYD is PR209 and MEL-SYD-MNL is PR210. Since PR209/210 between MEL-SYD happens simultaneously, what flight number will you do the booking as, 209 or 210?

I think PR209 terminates at MEL. The MEL-SYD-MNL legs are both PR210.

i dunno if mura na ang 680 for a PR A340 na 1:500. hehe
php.680.00? ang mura na nun. kaysa pag umabot pa ng 1500 and above ang isang model. :)

^^ Not all. Bigger branches (like the Rockwell, BHS and Greenbelt branches) offer model planes for sale, Herpas in particular. Smaller branches (like the MoA and Shangri-La Plaza branches) however do not offer model planes for sale.

Where is the MOA branch located in SM? It's the nearest to my place. The Greenbelt branch is the Lil's Futuba right? Tnx

sa festival ba mura din ba dun o hindi??? kasi P800 eh A340 na 1:500

BGUDVO-j4FY

BGUDVO-j4FY

Nice vid.

Did they intentionally hide behind those bushes?:lol: I heard the perimeter security is quite strict.:nuts:

Nice vid.

Did they intentionally hide behind those bushes?:lol: I heard the perimeter security is quite strict.:nuts:

did you refer to the plane or the one who took the vid (which is me) :D

...as for security...strict only if you are way too close to the fence...

anong name po ng store sa festival mall? gusto ko bisitahin yan ah. anyway diba ang lils sa park square 1 sa makati, anong name ng store iyong nasa greenbelt? kung meron?

sa festival nakalimutan ko basta somewhere in 3rd floor..... tabi tabi sila

tanung ko lang po Ang A380 ba ay pede magland sa NAIA???

yun mean kahit Ang T-3 ay hindi A380) ready.... eh sa DMIA pede?

kung ako lang ang masusunod :banana: ipapa clear ko yang mga squater sa aproach area and meters away dapat magtayo sila ng mga resto with a good view of the area para maging tourist attraction. :D :banana:

There used to be a cluster of dampa restaurants on the other side of the runway. Andun pa ba yun?

Pede naman kc naka visit na sila dito eh,tingin ko ang problema lang kung (on service na ang a380 dito) ay ang jet bridge.

If you mean triple jetbridges, then it isn't a requirement. Two would do fine. There are plenty of A380-ready airports out there with no third jetway - not even capable of having one service the upper deck. SQ flies to CDG and it gets serviced with the conventional double jetway.

NAIA is A380-ready. That plane docked at T1 (South bay) during its promo tour. Not sure about T2 and T3. I think there are problems with the jetways at T3 - the first "arm" is not very "mobile."

The best part of it: they're using better aircraft than QF.

?

Don't Qantas always used their clapped out old deros on the Philippine run?
Every time I have used Qantas it has been some thing that was retired not to long after. I won't even begin to go into the endless problems with the old 747SP we had to endure :ohno:

Siguro they could add modifications to an aerobridge probably or something....

@anyways
Wow, may Boeing 777 na pala ang Philippine Airlines. Nice. Sana makasakay sa pinakabagong eroplano nila (to-date) sometime in the future. :)

Don't Qantas always used their clapped out old deros on the Philippine run?
Every time I have used Qantas it has been some thing that was retired not to long after. I won't even begin to go into the endless problems with the old 747SP we had to endure :ohno:

Well, the high-yield routes get the A330s and the 744ER, we get the 763s where IFE is far more miniscule.

Well, the high-yield routes get the A330s and the 744ER, we get the 763s where IFE is far more miniscule.

IFE?
Pardon my ignorance, I'm a railfan just getting interested in aircraft.
The language is as foreign as railway speak is to civilians :lol:

^^ In-Flight Entertainment. :colgate:

^^

IFE - means in-flight entertainment

The A330s and B744s of QF feature personal TV screens to each passenger. The B763s however only have main screen entertainment for economy class passengers. Best part, PR has "lie-flat" seats in business class for SYD-bound passengers, something that QF can't offer to those travelling from/to MNL.

On another note, I know this may be a stupid question but is are flights between MNL and LAX or MNL and SFO considered PR's flagship flights?

On another note, I know this may be a stupid question but is are flights between MNL and LAX or MNL and SFO considered PR's flagship flights?

In terms of profitability, I think they are the most profitable for PR.

Just curious....

What are the jet-capable airports we have in the Philippines? Is there a list that we can use as a resource?

MNL, CEB, DVO, ILO and BCD certainly make that list.

^^

IFE - means in-flight entertainment

The A330s and B744s of QF feature personal TV screens to each passenger. The B763s however only have main screen entertainment for economy class passengers. Best part, PR has "lie-flat" seats in business class for SYD-bound passengers, something that QF can't offer to those travelling from/to MNL.

On another note, I know this may be a stupid question but is are flights between MNL and LAX or MNL and SFO considered PR's flagship flights?

In terms of prestige, then I think so.

Just curious....

What are the jet-capable airports we have in the Philippines? Is there a list that we can use as a resource?

In the CAAP classification of airports, all international and Class 1 principal airports (with some exceptions like CYU and OZC) are jet-capable (or are supposed to be, since airports are now classified by the size of planes that can land there).

(Posting from Hong Kong. Will try to begin writing a TR when I get back.)

Kelan kaya magkaroon ng Personal TV screens ang PAL flights from Manila to Hong Kong (or Singapore or Taiwan or Japan)???

For economy class I mean :)

mura lang naman dun diba? unlike pag bumili ka sa ibang bansa or sa internet?

depends din kasi, once Lils futaba in Park Square had the PAL herpa A340 for Php1500 but hey this was a few years back.

then a Herpa Saudia B772 for Php1000 this version was an old generation.

Better get inflight set..much cheaper and better details i.e print of titles is more bold.

If you want PAL A320 as you mentioned only one manufacturer has released it and its in 1:200 by Gemini Jets, i have it. it cost me AUD$74 and a cebupac Herpa 757 city of manila in 1:200 is AUD$86

I think PR209 terminates at MEL. The MEL-SYD-MNL legs are both PR210.

that is correct as soon as PR209 reaches MEL it becomes PR210 for SYD

Kelan kaya magkaroon ng Personal TV screens ang PAL flights from Manila to Hong Kong (or Singapore or Taiwan or Japan)???

For economy class I mean :)

PR 301/302 and 306/307 (MNL-HKG-MNL) receive the 77W, which has AVOD in all classes. PR 431/432 (MNL-NRT-MNL) receives the 744, which also has AVOD in all classes. Beginning next month, PR 431/432 will receive the 77W six times weekly, with only Mondays receiving the A330, which does not have AVOD in all classes.

(And speaking of the PAL 777, I love it! Arrived from HKG two hours ago. :okay:)

from PEx...

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5175/dsc007878.jpg
See the red rudder!

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/9845/dsc0120120.jpg
Nosegear door says 776, so it's RP-C7776?

the one at the back on the first pics should be CX, on the second pics should be ANA:)

PR 301/302 and 306/307 (MNL-HKG-MNL) receive the 77W, which has AVOD in all classes. PR 431/432 (MNL-NRT-MNL) receives the 744, which also has AVOD in all classes. Beginning next month, PR 431/432 will receive the 77W six times weekly, with only Mondays receiving the A330, which does not have AVOD in all classes.

(And speaking of the PAL 777, I love it! Arrived from HKG two hours ago. :okay:)

Wow nice info I'm hearing there. Lalong-lalo na yung Boeing 777 na eroplano ng PAL. What's exciting is as yung sinabi mo ay ung balita na the Boeing 777 ng PAL is used from flights between Manila and Hong Kong (whilst 777 flights between Japan and Philippines will start next quarter).

Ayus ah (esp. since we are planning to go back to Hong Kong this April) :)

With that said, my perception and impression of PAL has substantially improved because of this. Super job there Philippine Airlines :)

Especially with your program to make sure that all seats on all classes have TV screens. PAL is really stepping up on this aspect indeed

:)

I just want to ask if anybody here knows when will be the next FAA accreditation/evaluation in the Philippines? It's been a while since the downgrade. Thanks!

Wow nice info I'm hearing there. Lalong-lalo na yung Boeing 777 na eroplano ng PAL. What's exciting is as yung sinabi mo ay ung balita na the Boeing 777 ng PAL is used from flights between Manila and Hong Kong (whilst 777 flights between Japan and Philippines will start next quarter).

Ayus ah (esp. since we are planning to go back to Hong Kong this April) :)

With that said, my perception and impression of PAL has substantially improved because of this. Super job there Philippine Airlines :)

Especially with your program to make sure that all seats on all classes have TV screens. PAL is really stepping up on this aspect indeed

:)

In addition, the 744 makes a few appearances at CEB a week or month and in a more seldom manner, BKK.

I just want to ask if anybody here knows when will be the next FAA accreditation/evaluation in the Philippines? It's been a while since the downgrade. Thanks!

I understand that the EU safety audit is up next before the FAA. Besides, it's the Philippine government that has elected to delay inspections time and again.

I understand that the EU safety audit is up next before the FAA. Besides, it's the Philippine government that has elected to delay inspections time and again.

Oh I see. Probably the government is taking time preparing for the FAA audit. Thanks.

Good Afternoon:)

FYI:

A Philippine Airlines A320 service from Dipolog to Manila will operate with a monoclass:)

The catch?

All Mabuhay class. Mabuhay service even on economy section with a 6 crew complement. This will be on the 16th.

^^ I wonder how they will do this. I presume this will entail blocking middle seats in Fiesta Class, like how European carriers do it.

The bigger question here however is why.

^^

I think that's how. Plus to be fair to the "back" passengers, they will probably use business class seats from old aircraft which tend to be the same size as coach class.

For your reference, a sample of how it can be done: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Philippine-Airlines/Airbus-A320-214/0953554/L/&sid=d87aefdcb3aafaa98482fd60d1287586 .

^^

I think that's how. Plus to be fair to the "back" passengers, they will probably use business class seats from old aircraft which tend to be the same size as coach class.

For your reference, a sample of how it can be done: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Philippine-Airlines/Airbus-A320-214/0953554/L/&sid=d87aefdcb3aafaa98482fd60d1287586 .

RP-C3221 and RP-C3223 definitely have those convertible seats you linked above. I'm not sure about the rest of the RP-C32xx sequence.

As for the entire RP-C86xx sequence, they were all delivered with real business seats up front.

Good Afternoon:)

FYI:

A Philippine Airlines A320 service from Dipolog to Manila will operate with a monoclass:)

The catch?

All Mabuhay class. Mabuhay service even on economy section with a 6 crew complement. This will be on the 16th.

The whole plane is all business class? Wow :)

^^
I knew Dipolog always had a booked business class seat but I never heard of them offering such full service there until now. I would like to assume that this is one of those special flights aside from the regular scheduled flights. But then again I may be wrong if they make it regular service.

Arroyo, Kenny to inaugurate Jolo airport

JOLO, Sulu -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney will inaugurate Monday the upgraded airport in this island province.

The upgrading of the Jolo Airport was realized through the joint efforts of the US Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid)-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, and Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The total cost of the Jolo Airport upgrading project is P251 million, with GEM chipping in P156 million and the remaining P95 million by the DOTC.

The upgrading project for Jolo Airport includes the extension of the runway from 1,200 meters to 1,845 meters and widening from 18 meters to 30 meters. It is now an all-concrete runway.

Provincial Government officials and business groups foresee that the upgrading of the Jolo Airport will allow the facility to accommodate larger-bodied aircraft, such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

The largest aircraft that Jolo Airport could accommodate at present is the C-130 "hercules" plane of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP).

Sulu, which comprises of 19 towns and with a population of more than 800,000, is being served at present by an 18-seater commercial plane that now plies the Zamboanga-Jolo route from Monday to Saturday.

Most of the residents, especially businessmen, rely on the ferries that ply from Jolo to Zamboanga City and vice-versa in traveling from and to this province.

Jolo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) President Nonoy Go said the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) are studying the viability of opening flights from Zamboanga City to Jolo and possibly direct flights from Jolo to Manila and vice-versa.

Jolo Airport Officer-in-Charge Usman Asgari said PAL and CEB personnel have already visited and assessed the airport.

Go added that the expanded runway is expected to be a major selling point among investors, particularly those involved in the Sulu Archipelago's expanding mariculture industry.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said the province has an abundance of agricultural and sea products and "the ability to get these products to market quickly would boost the local economy." (Bong Garcia)

Sunstar zamboanga

FAA was ask to delay I think till February or March. But a recent quote from PAL president Bautista told Business Traveler " it should be cleared up in the last quarter of 2010".

Which I would interpet to mean that the inspection will not be done till June- August of 2010.

P2.5-B Caticlan expansion set to break ground

By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:15:00 12/14/2009

Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, Air Transport, Global Expansion, Investments, Tourism

THE expansion of the Caticlan Airport may get underway as early as next month, paving the way for the resumption of full-scale flight operations to the gateway of Boracay Island in time for the peak summer travel season.

In an interview, Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) president Lino Barte said his firm, which won the right to undertake the P2.5-billion project, would start clearing the hill blocking one end of the runway by January 2010.

“We will need about three months to partially reduce its height,” he said, explaining that the first stage calls for CIADC to shave off approximately one-third from the existing 45-meter high hill.

Reducing the hill by this much will allow larger aircraft used by Cebu Pacific and Zest Air—currently servicing only the Kalibo airport, one and a half hours away by land—to ferry tourists directly to Caticlan.

“We expect to receive our ‘notice to proceed’ from the Neda-ICC within the next few weeks,” Barte said, referring to the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority.

The Caticlan airport expansion will be made over a seven-year construction period, after which CIADC will operate it under a 25-year, build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

CIADC is owned by businessman George Yang—the former owner of the local McDonald’s franchise—who also chairs the firm.

Barte said it will take another six months to completely level the hill and move an estimated 1 million cubic feet of earth to an adjoining property to make way for the eventual extension of the runway, from its present length of 890 meters to the 1,900 meters needed to accommodate Airbus A320 passenger jets.

“We will also build a new airport terminal that can accommodate 1.5 million passengers a year,” he said.

At present, an estimated 800,000 passengers pass through the cramped Caticlan airport terminal. Other tourists are forced to take the long and inconvenient land route via Kalibo.

This inefficient system erodes the attractiveness of Boracay as a tourist destination as many international tourists are put off by the inconvenience.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Administration of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Ruben Ciron said the CIADC project will serve as a test case since it will be the first time a Philippine airport will be run by a private corporation—a trend that has long been established in other countries.

P2.5-B Caticlan expansion set to break ground

By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:15:00 12/14/2009

Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, Air Transport, Global Expansion, Investments, Tourism

THE expansion of the Caticlan Airport may get underway as early as next month, paving the way for the resumption of full-scale flight operations to the gateway of Boracay Island in time for the peak summer travel season.

In an interview, Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) president Lino Barte said his firm, which won the right to undertake the P2.5-billion project, would start clearing the hill blocking one end of the runway by January 2010.

“We will need about three months to partially reduce its height,” he said, explaining that the first stage calls for CIADC to shave off approximately one-third from the existing 45-meter high hill.

Reducing the hill by this much will allow larger aircraft used by Cebu Pacific and Zest Air—currently servicing only the Kalibo airport, one and a half hours away by land—to ferry tourists directly to Caticlan.

“We expect to receive our ‘notice to proceed’ from the Neda-ICC within the next few weeks,” Barte said, referring to the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority.

The Caticlan airport expansion will be made over a seven-year construction period, after which CIADC will operate it under a 25-year, build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

CIADC is owned by businessman George Yang—the former owner of the local McDonald’s franchise—who also chairs the firm.

Barte said it will take another six months to completely level the hill and move an estimated 1 million cubic feet of earth to an adjoining property to make way for the eventual extension of the runway, from its present length of 890 meters to the 1,900 meters needed to accommodate Airbus A320 passenger jets.

“We will also build a new airport terminal that can accommodate 1.5 million passengers a year,” he said.

At present, an estimated 800,000 passengers pass through the cramped Caticlan airport terminal. Other tourists are forced to take the long and inconvenient land route via Kalibo.

This inefficient system erodes the attractiveness of Boracay as a tourist destination as many international tourists are put off by the inconvenience.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Administration of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Ruben Ciron said the CIADC project will serve as a test case since it will be the first time a Philippine airport will be run by a private corporation—a trend that has long been established in other countries.


inconvenient land route via Kalibo??

Businessworld

Monday, December 14, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Nation

Jolo airport refurbished

JOLO, SULU -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and United States Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney will inaugurate development projects here today, including the newly widened Jolo airport.

The P251-million facility is a joint project of the two governments in a bid to open up economic opportunities to the conflict-prone and poverty-stricken province.

Carlos Canda Tan, deputy program manager for infrastructure of US-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao, said the airport expansion involves extending the runway to 1,845 meters from 1,200 meters; widening the runway to 30 meters from 18 meters; replacing the existing asphalt pavement sections with concrete pavement; and providing pavement markings for the runway.

Usman I. Asgari, Jolo airport manager, said the rehabilitated airport will also be the entry of other commercial airlines with bigger fleet such as those of Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

Currently, only small planes such as Southeast Asian Airlines’ 19-seater aircraft serve the Jolo-Zamboanga route.

The biggest aircraft that could land at Jolo airport is the military’s C-130 cargo plane. -- Darwin T. Wee

inconvenient land route via Kalibo??

People prefer to get to their destinations directly than to travel long distances. At any rate, it is still more convenient for people to fly to MPH and take the boat straight to Boracay, than to endure the one-hour drive from Kalibo then getting on the boat.

Tacloban-Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport Aerial


http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/9379/tac2.jpg

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/9657/tac3.jpg


...

^^ parang aircraft carrier.. :cheers:

nice ang airport sa Tacloban ha!!

The whole plane is all business class? Wow :)

yup yup..

a while ago, a special flight to DPL flew at 5am with flight number PR161. it had 6 crew with all business class passengers.

^^
I knew Dipolog always had a booked business class seat but I never heard of them offering such full service there until now. I would like to assume that this is one of those special flights aside from the regular scheduled flights. But then again I may be wrong if they make it regular service.

This is indeed a special flight:) DPL, whenever i fly always has a light load on business class.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner set for first flightDecember 14, 2009 - 10:51AM
.


Boeing unveiled plans for the first test flight for its 787 Dreamliner as early as tomorrow in a critical milestone for the overdue jetliner seen as the future for the aerospace giant.

Boeing announced late last week that the Dreamliner's maiden flight could come as early as Tuesday, depending on a number of factors, including final taxi testing, weather and clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The highly anticipated flight would come after more than two years of delay due to production problems that have pushed back delivery of the first plane to Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways to late next year.

The Chicago-based company is betting the cutting-edge Dreamliner is the winning vision for global commercial aviation, as it wrestles with European rival Airbus for market dominance.

The mid-size, twin-engine 787 Dreamliner is the company's first new model in more than a decade. About half of the aircraft is made of lightweight composite materials, such as carbon fiber-reinforced resin, the company says, compared with 12 per cent on its 777s, contributing to fuel efficiency.

Boeing says the Dreamliner will use 20 per cent less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size.

Boeing said that the Dreamliner is set to fly in a "window" opening Tuesday at 6pm GMT (5am Wednesday Australian time) at Paine Field near its plant in Everett, Washington state.

"We've already put the fuel into the airplane," Boeing spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said, adding that the operation occurred in recent days.

The first-flight date before year-end confirmed Boeing's latest calendar, as announced in June after a fifth delay in the 787 Dreamliner program to fix a structural problem.

Boeing launched the Dreamliner program in April 2004 and initially had planned to deliver the first airplane to ANA in the first half of 2008, a delivery now set for late 2010.

Boeing said Thursday it had completed the review and analysis of a November 30 static test on a modification to fix a structural problem on the side of the aircraft.

"I am happy to report that the program has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.

Fancher also said that the 787 team has completed final gauntlet testing on the first airplane.

"We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing. With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to first flight."

Boeing is facing stiff competition in the commercial aviation market from Airbus, a unit of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

Airbus is working on a new long-range A350 plane aimed at competing with the Dreamliner and expected to fly in mid-2013.

Boeing says it has 840 orders on its books from 55 customers for the cutting-edge plane, which it claims is the "fastest-selling all-new jetliner in aviation history."

United Airlines announced Tuesday it would buy 25 Dreamliners, as well as 25 A350s, with the option to buy 50 more of each aircraft.

Airline companies that have announced cancelled orders for the delay-plagued 787 include Russian carrier S7, Dubai-based aircraft leasing company LCAL and Australia's Qantas.

Shares in Boeing closed 1.07 per cent higher at $US55.60 in New York.

The Dreamliner first-flight news was "soothing some concerns that the company may delay its latest forecast of executing a test flight by the end of the year," Charles Schwab & Co. analysts said in a note to investors.

AFP

^^:D:D:D...tnx

What happened to NW's prospects for the 787? I recall if the project went on schedule, NW would be the launched customer.

^^ After Delta acquired Northwest, they [Delta] cancelled Northwest's initial order for the 787. Delta therefore still may or may not reconsider ordering it (albeit some time much, much later on) - but by then, another airline will more than likely have beaten (pre-Delta) Northwest into launching the 787.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner set for first flightDecember 14, 2009 - 10:51AM
.


Boeing unveiled plans for the first test flight for its 787 Dreamliner as early as tomorrow in a critical milestone for the overdue jetliner seen as the future for the aerospace giant.

Boeing announced late last week that the Dreamliner's maiden flight could come as early as Tuesday, depending on a number of factors, including final taxi testing, weather and clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The highly anticipated flight would come after more than two years of delay due to production problems that have pushed back delivery of the first plane to Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways to late next year.

The Chicago-based company is betting the cutting-edge Dreamliner is the winning vision for global commercial aviation, as it wrestles with European rival Airbus for market dominance.

The mid-size, twin-engine 787 Dreamliner is the company's first new model in more than a decade. About half of the aircraft is made of lightweight composite materials, such as carbon fiber-reinforced resin, the company says, compared with 12 per cent on its 777s, contributing to fuel efficiency.

Boeing says the Dreamliner will use 20 per cent less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size.

Boeing said that the Dreamliner is set to fly in a "window" opening Tuesday at 6pm GMT (5am Wednesday Australian time) at Paine Field near its plant in Everett, Washington state.

"We've already put the fuel into the airplane," Boeing spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said, adding that the operation occurred in recent days.

The first-flight date before year-end confirmed Boeing's latest calendar, as announced in June after a fifth delay in the 787 Dreamliner program to fix a structural problem.

Boeing launched the Dreamliner program in April 2004 and initially had planned to deliver the first airplane to ANA in the first half of 2008, a delivery now set for late 2010.

Boeing said Thursday it had completed the review and analysis of a November 30 static test on a modification to fix a structural problem on the side of the aircraft.

"I am happy to report that the program has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.

Fancher also said that the 787 team has completed final gauntlet testing on the first airplane.

"We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing. With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to first flight."

Boeing is facing stiff competition in the commercial aviation market from Airbus, a unit of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

Airbus is working on a new long-range A350 plane aimed at competing with the Dreamliner and expected to fly in mid-2013.

Boeing says it has 840 orders on its books from 55 customers for the cutting-edge plane, which it claims is the "fastest-selling all-new jetliner in aviation history."

United Airlines announced Tuesday it would buy 25 Dreamliners, as well as 25 A350s, with the option to buy 50 more of each aircraft.

Airline companies that have announced cancelled orders for the delay-plagued 787 include Russian carrier S7, Dubai-based aircraft leasing company LCAL and Australia's Qantas.

Shares in Boeing closed 1.07 per cent higher at $US55.60 in New York.

The Dreamliner first-flight news was "soothing some concerns that the company may delay its latest forecast of executing a test flight by the end of the year," Charles Schwab & Co. analysts said in a note to investors.

AFP

Waaahooo. I do wish Boeing the best on their 787 test flight. I can't wait to see this plane in service in airports in the near future.

Indeed, show the A350 XWB that you are the better aircraft :D

:)

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner set for first flightDecember 14, 2009 - 10:51AM
.

AFP

Dreamliner - the Dukenukem Forever of the aviation industry :lol:

Nice view...

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/9657/tac3.jpg

Article I read today said if 787 Dreamliner flight passes inspection. First delivery is late 2010. It wasn't an american airline that get the first plane. I think it was a Japanese airline.

what's there to inaugurate Jolo?, aerial photo shows a 30m wide concrete extension but nothing done on the existing asphalt runway,taxiway and apron!

Article I read today said if 787 Dreamliner flight passes inspection. First delivery is late 2010. It wasn't an american airline that get the first plane. I think it was a Japanese airline.

All Nippon Airways (NH) is the launch customer of the B787 Dreamliner.

Article I read today said if 787 Dreamliner flight passes inspection. First delivery is late 2010. It wasn't an american airline that get the first plane. I think it was a Japanese airline.

si its ANA i thought was JAL to get the first plane......

^^ JAL's wholly owned subsidiary JALways (JO) now services that route for JL. It's operations include scheduled and non-scheduled international passenger services to high-density low yield tourist destinations, with a fleet of Boeing only aircraft, wet-leased from Japan Airlines.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/library/787noseboeing-1.jpg

Nose gear leaves the ground during taxi tests.
from seatle pi blogs (http://blog.seattlepi.com/)

Yup, they still service that route, I saw their 767's flying here, some said they used 767 to save the cost of maintenance.

There are still times they use the B744, 2x a week on the morning flights

I'm excited to see the 787 dream liner around, hopefully, delta would consider it as well now that NW merged with them. I think in the future 787 would be good for PAL also on asian regional destinations.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2009/december/15/mainphoto.gif

Gateway to Sulu. President Gloria Arroyo and US Ambassador Kristie Kenny cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the expanded runway of Jolo airport, a joint project of the Philippine and US governments. JERRY CARUAL Manila Standard

Dec.15,2009

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2009/december/15/mainphoto.gif

Gateway to Sulu. President Gloria Arroyo and US Ambassador Kristie Kenny cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the expanded runway of Jolo airport, a joint project of the Philippine and US governments. JERRY CARUAL Manila Standard

Dec.15,2009

I think the Jolo airport will serve rendition flights of CIA quite nicely. (They've been flying Predator flights from Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga too, btw, I saw one a few years back)

I think the Jolo airport will serve rendition flights of CIA quite nicely. (They've been flying Predator flights from Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga too, btw, I saw one a few years back)

Agree.

Covert operations done by the US forces there will intensify. It will also boost security given by US and Philippines forces to the highly lucrative US owned Exxon-Mobil oil drilling activities off SUlu.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2009/december/15/mainphoto.gif

...

Take a close look at the F/O's window...he is taking a pic of the event. Sana i-post niya dito.:lol:

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2009/december/15/mainphoto.gif

Gateway to Sulu. President Gloria Arroyo and US Ambassador Kristie Kenny cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the expanded runway of Jolo airport, a joint project of the Philippine and US governments. JERRY CARUAL Manila Standard

Dec.15,2009

what plane did they used?

^^Fokker F-28 Fellowship for domestic presidential flights

^^ ang cute pala ng aircraft na yan. :lol:

This came from FT (FlyerTalk): someone has finally uploaded "Jazz at 30,000 Feet" (the jazz version of "Love at Thirty Thousand Feet") to YouTube! :D

6We8r59qfEo

For those of you who are interested, you can watch Boeing's newest aircraft take its first flight via live streaming online! Link below. Streaming starts at 1940 GMT.

http://787firstflight.newairplane.com/ffindex.html

Airport city
Taguig patterns Laguna lakeshore dev’t to Dubai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By IRMA ISIP


The city of Taguig is planning a massive P3 billion reclamation project along Laguna Lake to put up a third airport patterned after Jebel Ali Airport City in Dubai.

Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said that Taguig has entered into joint venture with the Laguna Lake Development Authority to reclaim 3,000 hectares along the shorelines of the 90,000 hectare Laguna de Bay.

The center of the development is an airport, the third to be developed after Manila and Clark.

Armando O. Samia, executive vice president of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) which is the financial advisor of the development said a core area of 250 to 300 hectares or about the size of Makati central business district representing the first phase of the mega project has been offered yesterday in an investors’ briefing to the country’s property giants namely the SM Development Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Filinvest Land Inc., Eaton Properties, Megaworld Corp., R-II Builders, Landco, Federal Land, Greenfield Development, Sta. Lucia among others.

Tinga said this core area will be a low-density mixed use non-exclusive commercial development with 15 to 20 percent to be devoted to medium-rise socialized housing. This would be the relocation site for some 20,000 to 25,000 squatter families of Taguig City.

He said this is consistent with the vision for Lakeshore project to have "inclusionary zoning," a type of residential development that requires the inclusion of afford-

able housing units in all urban development.

"This will be different from Fort Bonifacio which would be the last high end development in the Philippines," he said.

Samia said an indicative timetable has set the bidding for the core area to property developers by second quarter of 2009.

Tinga said a masterplan envisions the aerotropolis like Jebel Ali in Dubai where the long-term development is anchored on an airport. It will also have industrial development.


"As we move the airport to Clark, we need an airport that will serve Metro Manila and Calabarzon. No international airline will use the (current) airport as a hub because the runway is short and there is no back up," Tinga said.

To be located on the southern side of the development, the airport is strategic as it is 15 to 20 minutes away from Fort Bonifacio which is on the west side.

Tinga said the airport will take 10 to 15 years to finish and will be the last phase of the development.

"A strategic planning will be done taking into account NAIA and Clark (airport)," he said.

For the commercial development, Samia said the JV can engage the private sector developers in either term leases, or also joint venture activities and outright ownership, depending on the offer.

Tinga said the Laguna Lake, while beset with problems ranging from squatting to pollution has opportunities.

"We have to turn the problem into an opportunity. Until and unless we do something serious to fix it. Metro Manila is rapidly urbanizing as a mega city. There is a dearth of land but people keep coming in," he said.

Tinga said Taguig’s population grows 4.5 percent a year and has a the highest urban migration rate because of Fort Bonifacio. It also has the largest area for development left.

However, informal settlers now begin to trickle on the Laguna Lake shoreline on the side of Taguig after after Pasig and Cainta where some 100,000 squatter families live.

"The best anti-squatting tool is the right development," Tinga said.

LLDA general manager Edgardo Manda said the 3,000 lakeshore project represents just 3 percent of the 90,000-hectare Laguna Lake.

He said developments such as this would not only help create economic activity but would address environment issues as well.

Manda dubbed the lake as the largest septic tank.

"We need to assert the authority of the government to put order in the lake and develop it as a source of potable water which is by 2015. The only way to preserve the shoreland squatting is to put up economically efficient water structure," Manda said.

Laguna Lake has been beset with problems like sedimentation and is a virtual organic wasteland. Pollution from rotting bamboo fishpens put up by illegal fishers contributes to the woes of the lake.

River tributaries have also dried up because of human habitation.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec12/busi1.htm

^^ With what happened during Ondoy, I won't be surprised to see if this project died an early death.

This came from FT (FlyerTalk): someone has finally uploaded "Jazz at 30,000 Feet" (the jazz version of "Love at Thirty Thousand Feet") to YouTube! :D

6We8r59qfEo

great song! dapat gumawa na ang PAL ng 2010 ad featuring its B777 and its bi class service. :)

^^ Matagal na yang news na gusto ni Tinga na magkaron ng airport sa Taguig.

Pwede ba, bago ka managinip ng Taguig International Airport, bigyan pansin mo ang Taguig sa kabilang side ng C5. Hindi puro Global City lang inaatupag mo.

^^ With what happened during Ondoy, I won't be surprised to see if this project died an early death.

For what i concluded, this plan is good as long as they will modify it by building with some anti-flood infrastrustures, and proceeding it without the planned airport.

Read on.



Rendering of Airport City (photo courtesy of 3c)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3417332212_540c0a0424_o.jpg

Take a look at that rendering, see how impractical its gonna be, there's just too much residential areas that will be affected by the aircraft routes, so guess what for those who planned this...? Risk of Air Noise, residential and commercial values should go down if this plan be implemented.

I say, just take out that airport thing and proceed witht he rest of the plans without renaming it as an Airport City since its still close proximity with NAIA, and instead develop that Sangley Point Int'l Airport while building more efficent freeways heading to cavite and bataan by building that highway loop around manila bay including the shelved planned bridge across the mouth of the bay throught he corrigidor islands. Because its just rediculous to build another airpot down there without any plans of shutting down the NAIA and insted replaced it with that one in sangley....... tsktsktsk first plan was to put ap and airport by the Talim Island by the early 1990's to replace NAIA, together with the development of Sangley Point for a mixed use airport for military and commercial, now this? Not mentioning yet about the air pollution it might create once finished. Just one huge airport around manila and that's it, either they replace NAIA with a new bigger one or scrap that idea. Crappy.

They should also build a marina there and fishing port.

They should build marina, residential et al but no to airport. We have NAIA and Clark. That is more than enough. Or just make Laguna de bay the main source of our water use for house hold et al.

trying hard masyado ang taguig.....ok lang....wala namang bayad mangarap...

I think in the future 787 would be good for PAL also on asian regional destinations.

But I think the A350 will even look better. haha!

Well A350 is also delayed with it's development as well so 787 for now. I'm not really a big fan of airbuses' fly by wire type mechanism but somehow I know airbus is developing its aircrafts for the better so it's doable for me IMO.

We've discussed before the differences between first and business class and for the most part some have said there is practically none in terms of service although one user has hinted out that first class is taken by those who would otherwise be using private jets.

My question this time: some airlines, most notably the 4- or 5-star asian/middle eastern carriers (e.g. EK, CX, SQ) have separate lounges for first and business class so what specific amenities are usually found in first class lounges that are not found in those allocated for business class?

Sakit sa ulo talaga itong mga politico and urban planners diyan sa pinas. May Clark na, may Sangley duon, tapos may taguig pa??? Saan kaya graduate ang mga yan, sa mental hospital??LMAO

787 Dreamliner is currently flying over Washington on a three to four hour flight. There will be another flight this weekend. Also, it will take about a year for FAA to certify. Pictures were shown live for the takeoff on CNBC, Fox news and CNN in the United States.

ANA is expected to be first plane delivered in fourth quarter of 2010. There are 865 orders about 80 have cancelled because of delays. Planes are ordered thru 2016. Planes cost $150 to $200 million per plane. It can carry 200 to 315 passengers. Most planes will be 250 to 275 passengers.

Production by 2013 will be 10 planes per month. Fuel savings are 20%.

Plane production has been delayed two years. The lastest one year delay was connection of the wing to the body.

Edifice complex? That was the joke about Imelda during her heyday.

We've discussed before the differences between first and business class and for the most part some have said there is practically none in terms of service although one user has hinted out that first class is taken by those who would otherwise be using private jets.

My question this time: some airlines, most notably the 4- or 5-star asian/middle eastern carriers (e.g. EK, CX, SQ) have separate lounges for first and business class so what specific amenities are usually found in first class lounges that are not found in those allocated for business class?

First class: limousine pickup and private concierge service.

Clark should be the priority. Develop the airport there. Build that rail system to connect it to NCR. Another airport in Taguig just doesn't make sense.

Pardon me, but another airport malapit sa NAIA would be redundant. Yung NAIA 3 kasi hindi pa naman fully functional. Sana i-major overhaul na lang ang tatlong NAIA terminals at i-modernize kesa ganito ang gawin. Parang lalong liliit yung space ng Laguna Lake. Dapat nga watershed yung andito. How about the Pque spillway na gagawin din DAW? Bakit hindi na lang sa Sangley point ung airport na malaki tapos siguro for domestic flights na lang ung NAIA.

No offense meant, pero hindi kelngang mag-reclaim kasi ung buong Taguig andaming squatters dun. I mean sobrang daming bahay tapos mga nagtatayugan na hallow blocks na kita mong hindi naman tapos kasi kinulang sa pera. Ewan, hindi ko alam kung sa gobyerno ba yung mga lupa na yun.

Fucq5BoEfEI
from Reuters Video

4mf7ARGdyTc

She's finally airborne :)

^^ I love how the wings are angled like that. Lookin' fierce! Eat your heart out, Airbus! :lol:

Whee. Go 787! :D

^^ naunahan ako ahh...
boeing 787 test flight...
9oMUotOjgMU

^^ I love how the wings are angled like that. Lookin' fierce! Eat your heart out, Airbus! :lol:

i wonder how the 7478 would look like during take off..... she would look even sexier than the A380 :lol:

^^ Think of it this way, a B747 is like a sexy Victoria's Secret supermodel. An A380 is also a supermodel; a 'plus-sized" supermodel. :lol:

Fucq5BoEfEI
from Reuters Video

4mf7ARGdyTc

She's finally airborne :)


Pansin ko lang, nasa top altitude na s'ya pero nasa labas parin ang gulong baka nakalimutan ng pilot :)

^^actually their doing some checks kaya the gears are still down. kaya may chase planes to check the aircraft from all angles :)

ganda ng 787 ibang-iba yung pakpak at iba na rin yung nose nya....

mabalita nga ito sa school namin at sa mga flight instructor.....

magkakaroon din kaya ang PAL nian?

pahabol...
PAL in HK

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/PC010795.jpg

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/PC010811.jpg

HKIA Terminal 2

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/PC010814.jpg

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/PC010806.jpg

before touchdown

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/PC010820.jpg

and I want this toy set for Christmas

Rsr1ronOL7o

I'm sure you've heard of the BA strike. It's probably turning Heathrow into "Deathrow." I just hope the crew would be a bit more considerate as there are travellers who need to get to their destinations ASAP.

Pardon me, but another airport malapit sa NAIA would be redundant. Yung NAIA 3 kasi hindi pa naman fully functional. Sana i-major overhaul na lang ang tatlong NAIA terminals at i-modernize kesa ganito ang gawin.

agree. how 'bout connecting all 3 terminals with a train? just like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).
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I'm sure you've heard of the BA strike. It's probably turning Heathrow into "Deathrow." I just hope the crew would be a bit more considerate as there are travellers who need to get to their destinations ASAP.

Nice one, pretty original. As it is, Heathrow is almost deathrow for people with weak hearts and legs who have to transfer from one terminal to terminal.

This came from FT (FlyerTalk): someone has finally uploaded "Jazz at 30,000 Feet" (the jazz version of "Love at Thirty Thousand Feet") to YouTube! :D

6We8r59qfEo

Hay sna nman an updated "The Beauty of the Philippines" theme! It's one of their best ads of all time. I think Sara Geronimo, Lea Salonga or Gary V. singing it in their own versions wouldn't be a problem.

hello everyone! i hope may makatulong. gusto ko na sana gamitin ko ung miles ko sa northwest. plano ko mnl-lax-mnl siguro for march or april. i currently have 100k plus miles. sa nwa.com, pasok ako kasi lumalabas sa avail fligts ang korean air. 60k miles lang meron nko roundtrip. pero since hindi pa ako sure kung kelan lakad ko talaga, di ko muna binook. concerned lang ako kasi diba by feb nxt yr, nw will cease to exist na and delta will takeover everythng nw. i guess that includes the discontinuation of the bw website. problema lang kasi sa delta.com, hindi nila nililista ang korean air. puro nw and delta fligt lang dun. e pag nw or delta, pag april or march 120k miles ang required so di ako pasok. ano kaya gagawin ko? mag book na agad or wait to see if afrer the merger mag appear si korean air sa delta website? kasi ang hirap mag book ng dates kasi di ko pa din masabi eh masyado pa maaga. bakit kaya wala ag korean air sa avail flights ng delta website e pareho naman sila skyteam? tsaka i read the skymiles info sa site ang sabi pwede daw magredeem sa any skyteam airline. so bakit wala? heheheheh. pano kaya to?

Hay sna nman an updated "The Beauty of the Philippines" theme! It's one of their best ads of all time. I think Sara Geronimo, Lea Salonga or Gary V. singing it in their own versions wouldn't be a problem.

Or all three!:D With one version each!:okay: I believe that commercial came out with several different versions featuring different places in the Philippines each time.

hello everyone! i hope may makatulong. gusto ko na sana gamitin ko ung miles ko sa northwest. plano ko mnl-lax-mnl siguro for march or april. i currently have 100k plus miles. sa nwa.com, pasok ako kasi lumalabas sa avail fligts ang korean air. 60k miles lang meron nko roundtrip. pero since hindi pa ako sure kung kelan lakad ko talaga, di ko muna binook. concerned lang ako kasi diba by feb nxt yr, nw will cease to exist na and delta will takeover everythng nw. i guess that includes the discontinuation of the bw website. problema lang kasi sa delta.com, hindi nila nililista ang korean air. puro nw and delta fligt lang dun. e pag nw or delta, pag april or march 120k miles ang required so di ako pasok. ano kaya gagawin ko? mag book na agad or wait to see if afrer the merger mag appear si korean air sa delta website? kasi ang hirap mag book ng dates kasi di ko pa din masabi eh masyado pa maaga. bakit kaya wala ag korean air sa avail flights ng delta website e pareho naman sila skyteam? tsaka i read the skymiles info sa site ang sabi pwede daw magredeem sa any skyteam airline. so bakit wala? heheheheh. pano kaya to?

Is there a local hotline for NWA WorldPerks from where you are based? Maybe you can call them? Usually some special award tickets need to be booked manually through an admin terminal/ computer. I'm not a member of WorldPerks but for PAL and TG, it is usually much easier to call them and have my award ticket issued over the phone than online (well, PAL doesn't have an online option). Hindi updated ang web sites nila.

Have you compared the award requirements for worldperks and skymiles? Baka pareho or hindi naman magkalayo. I heard that all worldperks members are automatically skymiles members as the latter will takeover the function of the former.

^^ I love how the wings are angled like that. Lookin' fierce! Eat your heart out, Airbus! :lol:

Hear Hear.

Magnificent looking plane........

hello everyone! i hope may makatulong. gusto ko na sana gamitin ko ung miles ko sa northwest. plano ko mnl-lax-mnl siguro for march or april. i currently have 100k plus miles. sa nwa.com, pasok ako kasi lumalabas sa avail fligts ang korean air. 60k miles lang meron nko roundtrip. pero since hindi pa ako sure kung kelan lakad ko talaga, di ko muna binook. concerned lang ako kasi diba by feb nxt yr, nw will cease to exist na and delta will takeover everythng nw. i guess that includes the discontinuation of the bw website. problema lang kasi sa delta.com, hindi nila nililista ang korean air. puro nw and delta fligt lang dun. e pag nw or delta, pag april or march 120k miles ang required so di ako pasok. ano kaya gagawin ko? mag book na agad or wait to see if afrer the merger mag appear si korean air sa delta website? kasi ang hirap mag book ng dates kasi di ko pa din masabi eh masyado pa maaga. bakit kaya wala ag korean air sa avail flights ng delta website e pareho naman sila skyteam? tsaka i read the skymiles info sa site ang sabi pwede daw magredeem sa any skyteam airline. so bakit wala? heheheheh. pano kaya to?

It's best to call Northwest Airlines and they will instruct you and may possibly do the work for you.

Is there a local hotline for NWA WorldPerks from where you are based? Maybe you can call them? Usually some special award tickets need to be booked manually through an admin terminal/ computer. I'm not a member of WorldPerks but for PAL and TG, it is usually much easier to call them and have my award ticket issued over the phone than online (well, PAL doesn't have an online option). Hindi updated ang web sites nila.

Have you compared the award requirements for worldperks and skymiles? Baka pareho or hindi naman magkalayo. I heard that all worldperks members are automatically skymiles members as the latter will takeover the function of the former.

Nag merge na po ang Worldperks and Skymiles. Natanggap na namin yung skymiles card namin. Yung points din na transfer na sa skymiles. Panget nga eh kasi sa Skymiles nag eexpire and points kung walang activity ng 2 years. Sige po ill try to book nalang through the nwa hotline. :)

Nice one, pretty original. As it is, Heathrow is almost deathrow for people with weak hearts and legs who have to transfer from one terminal to terminal.

Actually, I just read the term "deathrow" somewhere, in an article where T5 was featured.

Anyway, if the strike at BA continues, it will be a very miserable Christmas for passengers passing through "deathrow."

Nag merge na po ang Worldperks and Skymiles. Natanggap na namin yung skymiles card namin. Yung points din na transfer na sa skymiles. Panget nga eh kasi sa Skymiles nag eexpire and points kung walang activity ng 2 years. Sige po ill try to book nalang through the nwa hotline. :)

If Korean air is not in their list of skyteam, chances are, you won't get it. You can usually claim your mileage with NW now NW/DL during off season, if you book during season, the probably won't be able to honor it, such as my case in the past. With the new merger, it's best to really call them directly. It would also be best if you call NW/DL hotline in the US as the hotline in the Philippines are usually useless and to be brutally frank about it, WORTHLESS. I usually call their main number and not the 800 toll free number. You would be able to find out more from their representatives here.

^^ Think of it this way, a B747 is like a sexy Victoria's Secret supermodel. An A380 is also a supermodel; a 'plus-sized" supermodel. :lol:

That was a good one dude!

Awesome vid you guys showed about 787. I think that's the best looking commercial aircraft ever. I'm more tickled seing this one comparing to A380 but that is probably because of my biases on them...

Nag merge na po ang Worldperks and Skymiles. Natanggap na namin yung skymiles card namin. Yung points din na transfer na sa skymiles. Panget nga eh kasi sa Skymiles nag eexpire and points kung walang activity ng 2 years. Sige po ill try to book nalang through the nwa hotline. :)

Actually, WorldPerks miles also expire after two years of no mileage-earning activity.

Are you sure? Mine never expire so far, it even carried over with DL merger.

^^ If you had no mile-earning activity within two years, your miles will expire (for WorldPerks; I never had to go through this since I flew NW once a year). My miles were carried over when I merged my account with Skymiles; now I have to worry about them expiring since I will not be flying DL until 2011. :cry:

^^^ Its been nothing the past 3 years, i still have my mileage as well as my wife and child since they both have separate skymiles account. Unlike my American Airlines miles, it went pffffftttt already, I get zero in my statements....

^^ I forgot to mention that NW does not strictly enforce their mileage expiration policy. In contrast, AA and UA do strictly enforce their mileage expiration policies.

Yeah, and since I have always been flying mostly with Allegiant air lately, the mileage activities in NW/DL stalled.

^^ If you had no mile-earning activity within two years, your miles will expire (for WorldPerks; I never had to go through this since I flew NW once a year). My miles were carried over when I merged my account with Skymiles; now I have to worry about them expiring since I will not be flying DL until 2011. :cry:

My last northwest flight was 10 years ago. MNL-KIX-HNL-NRT-MNL and my miles are still there til now. :)

Zest Air to expand fleet
before resuming Clark-HK flights

BY GENIVI FACTAO
Malaya Business Insights
Dec.17, 2009

Philippine carrier Zest Air has committed to expand its fleet before resuming its Clark-Hong Kong flights, said Victor Jose Luciano, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO.

Luciano confirmed that Zest Air need to cease operations since it has to undergo capacity building to properly serve its passengers.

"Its two aircrafts are fully utilized for Manila, so they need to stop operating Clark. They really need more aircrafts," Luciano said at the sidelines of yesterday’s Tourism Congress.

He added that Zest Air has committed to acquire six to seven aircrafts, targeting to deliver at least 2 to 3 planes beginning next year.

The low cost carrier started servicing Clark-Hong Kong on October 24, flying three times weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using its Airbus 320, with a seat capacity of 168.

Zest Air attributes lower than average sales out of Clark airport barely two months after it started flying out to Hong Kong

The firm’s marketing department official said they launched the Hong Kong destination to service the Overseas Filipino Workers from Hong Kong who usually go home during Christmas and New Year.

The firm’s marketing manager claimed it has offered $60 holiday round trip promo to its faithful clients. But its load capacity only reached 30 percent, lower than the projected load factor of 80 percent.

Besides Hong Kong, it flies to Malaysia and Singapore. The airline will extend its network to international destinations in Southeast Asia and plans to fly to Shanghai, Japan and Singapore.

Zest Air’s first brand new single aisle Airbus 320 arrived only last July, joining an existing fleet of two A320s that the airline purchased in the open market in 2008.

"With our plans to expand our operation to the Southeast Asian region, it becomes necessary to grow our fleet size," said Alfredo M. Yao, president and CEO of Zest Air in previous interview.

A320 provides added space and comfort to its passengers, aside from being a reliable and cost efficient aircraft.

John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer – customers, said " With the lowest operating costs in its class and the highest levels of passenger comfort, the A320 will position Zest Air well to offer competitive and profitable service on its growing route network."

Zest Air flies to 21 destinations from both its Manila and Cebu hubs.

Its domestic destinations include Bacolod , Boracay, Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Clark, Davao , Iloilo , Kalibo, Legazpi, Manila , Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Mindoro Tablas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Virac and Zamboanga.

Do you guys think the 787 will visit MNL during its world tour?

^^ I certainly hope so. Boeing would definitely want to court PR and 5J.

PAL Will be flying some charter flights to Haneda this December....

More PAL flights for the holidays
Philippine Airlines (PAL) adjusted its schedule, flights and frequencies to accommodate the traditional influx of holiday travelers.

Weekly frequencies on certain trans-Pacific and two domestic routes were increased while flights to Australia, Guam and several regional destinations were upgraded to bigger aircraft.

A total of eight charter and two extra flights are also scheduled on various dates.

The frequencies to Vancouver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Sydney and Melbourne have been increased by one to two more flights per week, while two to three weekly flights were added to Singapore and Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Boracay-bound passengers will find the thrice-a-day flights to Kalibo increased to 29 flights a week. PAL also hiked the daily service to Butuan to 11 times a week.

Due to heavy passenger demand, PAL is launching special charter flights on the following routes and dates:Taipei-Kalibo-Taipei : Dec. 16, 2009 to March 27, 2010Cebu-Incheon (South Korea) – Cebu : Dec. 24, 2009 onwardsManila-Kansai (Japan) – Cebu-Manila : Dec. 30, 2009Manila-Cebu-Kansai-Manila : Jan. 3, 2010Manila-Haneda (Japan) – Cebu : Dec. 30, 2009-12-16Cebu-Haneda-Manila : Dec. Jan 2, 2010Cebu-Narita-Cebu : Jan. 4, 2010Cebu-Narita-Manila : Jan. 8, 2010.

To accommodate more passengers, PAL will use bigger aircraft on the following flights:Melbourne-Sydney on Dec. 18-19 (B747-400)Guam on Dec. 18-19, Jan. 2-3 (A330)Singapore on Jan. 2 & 3 (A330)Hong Kong on Dec. 20, 26, Jan. 2 & 3 (B747, A330 & B777-300ER)Macau on Dec. 20 & Jan. 3 (A330)Bangkok on Dec 26, 29, 30 & Jan. 3 (B747-400).

From PAL's Website...

^^ I certainly hope so. Boeing would definitely want to court PR and 5J.

I'm really curious which new airplane is most palatable to 5J. I mean if ever they decide to expand, would they pick the 787 over the A350? I'm really thinking they would go the way of mid-sized longhaul jets. After all, they entertained the idea of getting MD-11s or A340s (to which the 787 is a replacement) for their longhauls flights. Then again, they are also cozy with Airbus after the A320/ATR deal.

^^ Most likely it'll be the A330 for now..

BA's union strike was ruled illegal. What a relief for flyers!

http://i50.tinypic.com/24fl7hv.jpg
Muscat, Oman - PAL's next international destination?

- Eyes flights to Muscat, Oman
- Reveals Had Earlier Plans to Mount Flights to Abu Dhabi This December

Here is the link to the Philippine Daily Inquirer article mentioning the possible return of Philippines Airlines to the Middle East.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20091217-242571/PAL-to-return-to-Middle-East

I certainly hope this piece of news is true. The people who will be on the advantage if this comes to frution would be the hundreds of thousands of OFWs in the region.

^^ Awesome news! Hope it pans out. :okay:

http://i50.tinypic.com/24fl7hv.jpg
Muscat, Oman - PAL's next international destination?

- Eyes flights to Muscat, Oman
- Reveals Had Earlier Plans to Mount Flights to Abu Dhabi This December

Here is the link to the Philippine Daily Inquirer article mentioning the possible return of Philippines Airlines to the Middle East.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20091217-242571/PAL-to-return-to-Middle-East

I certainly hope this piece of news is true. The people who will be on the advantage if this comes to frution would be the hundreds of thousands of OFWs in the region.

sana europe din soon...
wala silang flights to europe at the moment...

so its now no longer pilot error while flying that causes accidents...its pilot error while inputting data into the computer that causes accidents...




Computer typo caused Emirates jet's tail-strike ANDREW HEASLEY AND ARI SHARP
December 18, 2009 - 1:15PM


A simple keystroke error by a pilot on a laptop computer put the lives of 275 people at risk by causing an Emirates jet to scrape its tail along a runway at Melbourne Airport during take-off.

The Airbus A340's first officer mistakenly entered the plane's take-off weight as 262.9 tonnes, when in fact it weighed 362.9 tonnes, the latest report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found.

The plane's captain, who cross-checked the first officer's figures, did not detect the error in the data entered. The mistake meant the jet's engines were programmed with insufficient thrust to achieve take-off.

That fact became apparent as the plane started to run out of runway without having left the ground.

When the captain realised the plane was not lifting off, he ordered maximum engine thrust and extra elevation, exceeding the maximum take off angle of 13.5 degrees by 0.2 degrees, scraping the tail along the runway and clouting antennas and a light fixture at the end of the runway as tried to climb into the air.

When flight attendants alerted the pilots that there was smoke in the cabin shortly after take-off, the pilots requested an emergency landing, dumped excess fuel over Port Philip Bay and touched down.

Transport safety investigators say they do not believe fatigue was a factor in the mistake.

The captain and first officer both had a 30 hour break since their previous flight, but an earlier report said the captain had only slept for 3 1/2 out of the previous 24 hours.

"We have not at this stage seen anything that would lead us to the view that fatigue is a significant contributor to this," Mr Dolan told reporters in Canberra this morning.

Mr Dolan said the regulator had not found any broader explanation for the incident, agreeing with the description of it as "an unfortunate error".

"Based on what we know, (that's) a reasonable summary of where we stand, but it's the sort of error we want to avoid a repetition of."

The regulator said the captain and first officer were no longer employed by the Emirates, but it did not know if they were working elsewhere as pilots.

The safety bureau will now look at 17 similar incidents around the world since 1982, but the regulator's Director of Aviation Safety Investigations Ian Sangston said there was no apparent patten to the incidents.

"It's not type-specific, it's not airline-specific, it's not operator- or location-specific," he said.

In a statement released after the interim report was made public, Emirates said the safety bureau's investigation was in line with its own internal investigation into the incident.

"Safety is of paramount importance to Emirates," the statement said. "Since this incident nine months ago we have established working groups to examine aircraft procedure across out fleet, and have introduced a number of additional safety measures that exceed standard international airline practice."

Procedures have been developed for better cross-checking, with both pilots required to independently enter the data on separate laptops to spot anomalies.

But what is still under development is a real-time runway length calculator that tells pilots how much tarmac is left, where the plane is on the length of the runway, and systems that check take-off speed and engine power settings.

Do you guys think the 787 will visit MNL during its world tour?

^^ I certainly hope so. Boeing would definitely want to court PR and 5J.

I'm sure it will... If A380 visited MNL and CLK, I don't see why B787 wouldn't. I think i remember there was an article even that the old concorde went to MNL back in the days. So definitely, there would be a bg chance.

so its now no longer pilot error while flying that causes accidents...its pilot error while inputting data into the computer that causes accidents...




Computer typo caused Emirates jet's tail-strike ANDREW HEASLEY AND ARI SHARP
December 18, 2009 - 1:15PM


A simple keystroke error by a pilot on a laptop computer put the lives of 275 people at risk by causing an Emirates jet to scrape its tail along a runway at Melbourne Airport during take-off.

The Airbus A340's first officer mistakenly entered the plane's take-off weight as 262.9 tonnes, when in fact it weighed 362.9 tonnes, the latest report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found.

The plane's captain, who cross-checked the first officer's figures, did not detect the error in the data entered. The mistake meant the jet's engines were programmed with insufficient thrust to achieve take-off.

That fact became apparent as the plane started to run out of runway without having left the ground.

When the captain realised the plane was not lifting off, he ordered maximum engine thrust and extra elevation, exceeding the maximum take off angle of 13.5 degrees by 0.2 degrees, scraping the tail along the runway and clouting antennas and a light fixture at the end of the runway as tried to climb into the air.

When flight attendants alerted the pilots that there was smoke in the cabin shortly after take-off, the pilots requested an emergency landing, dumped excess fuel over Port Philip Bay and touched down.

Transport safety investigators say they do not believe fatigue was a factor in the mistake.

The captain and first officer both had a 30 hour break since their previous flight, but an earlier report said the captain had only slept for 3 1/2 out of the previous 24 hours.

"We have not at this stage seen anything that would lead us to the view that fatigue is a significant contributor to this," Mr Dolan told reporters in Canberra this morning.

Mr Dolan said the regulator had not found any broader explanation for the incident, agreeing with the description of it as "an unfortunate error".

"Based on what we know, (that's) a reasonable summary of where we stand, but it's the sort of error we want to avoid a repetition of."

The regulator said the captain and first officer were no longer employed by the Emirates, but it did not know if they were working elsewhere as pilots.

The safety bureau will now look at 17 similar incidents around the world since 1982, but the regulator's Director of Aviation Safety Investigations Ian Sangston said there was no apparent patten to the incidents.

"It's not type-specific, it's not airline-specific, it's not operator- or location-specific," he said.

In a statement released after the interim report was made public, Emirates said the safety bureau's investigation was in line with its own internal investigation into the incident.

"Safety is of paramount importance to Emirates," the statement said. "Since this incident nine months ago we have established working groups to examine aircraft procedure across out fleet, and have introduced a number of additional safety measures that exceed standard international airline practice."

Procedures have been developed for better cross-checking, with both pilots required to independently enter the data on separate laptops to spot anomalies.

But what is still under development is a real-time runway length calculator that tells pilots how much tarmac is left, where the plane is on the length of the runway, and systems that check take-off speed and engine power settings.

Wasn't this the A340-500 that had a tailstrike months ago? That aircraft has been repaired.

^^ yup, its the incident where the A340-500 makes a takeoff rotation much earlier...

lol..yeh i though so too..it was an A345 heading to AUK i believe.

^^ yup, its the incident where the A340-500 makes a takeoff rotation much earlier...

correct..the official report was just released

Looks like a PAL 747 is going to make a rare visit to Sydney tomorrow morning. :-)

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

MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced Thursday that it has added flight frequencies, new routes, and bigger aircraft to accommodate the expected rise in travelers during the holiday season.

In a statement, the Lucio Tan-owned airline said it has launched special charter flights on the following routes and dates:

•Taipei-Kalibo-Taipei: December 16, 2009 to March 27, 2010
•Cebu-Incheon (South Korea)-Cebu: December 24, 2009 onwards
•Manila-Kansai (Japan)-Cebu-Manila: December 30, 2009
•Manila-Cebu-Kansai-Manila: January 3, 2010
•Manila-Haneda (Japan)-Cebu: December 30, 2009
•Cebu-Haneda-Manila: January 2, 2010
•Cebu-Narita-Cebu: January 4, 2010
•Cebu-Narita-Manila: January 8, 2010
PAL said it will also use bigger aircraft on the following destinations:

•Melbourne-Sydney: December 18 to 19, 2009 (B747-400)
•Guam: December 18 to 19, 2009 and January 2 to 3, 2010 (A330)
•Singapore: January 2 and 3, 2010 (A330)
•Hong Kong: December 20 and 26, 2009 and January 2 and 3, 2010 (B747, A330, and B777-300ER)
•Macau: December 20, 2009 and January 3, 2010 (A330)
•Bangkok: December 26, 29, and 30, 2009, and January 3, 2010 (B747-400)
Meanwhile, PAL said frequencies to Vancouver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Sydney, and Melbourne have been increased by one or 2 flights per week, while 2 to 3 weekly flights were added to Singapore and Bangkok.

On the other hand, the airline said thrice-a-day flights to Kalibo were increased to 29 flights a week, while the daily service to Butuan was increased to 11 times a week.

Is there anywhere on the net that lists planes leaving Manila and what type pof jet was used?
I know Sydney has one somewhere, or at least it did, is there something similar there?

Brad