Westjet safety demos really grab your attention:

CRfsdrCVf0w

^^ I've flown with them numerous times, and I think they try too hard to be funny and entertaining. But that's just me.

The future of airline travel. Wish an airline should make this a reality! hehe :lol::lol:

NLpQsrKIA-M

^^ Too bad Hooters Air went out of business. That should've been their business model. :nuts:

a cemetery at the end of Zamboanga International Airport's runway will remind you about why you should live life the fullest :lol:

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/PC231635.jpg

Dec 23, just before landing

Cut hill, Caticlan investor told

The developer of the Caticlan airport in Boracay has been asked by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prioritize the reduction of the hill beside the runway.

CAAP Flight Standard and Inspectorate Service chief Eduardo G. Batac said the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) should look into ways to reduce the height of the hill beside the airport that has been the cause of accidents.

“The private investor in the Caticlan airport should give priority to eliminating the hill or reducing its height,” said Mr. Batac.

He added, however, that the air flow in the airport may be hit if the hill is reduced.

CIADC won the right to expand the Caticlan airport last year. The company could not be immediately reached for a comment.

It had earlier said it plans to extend the runway.

The Caticlan airport has been closed to bigger airplanes due to difficulty in maneuvering and accidents in the airport.

Caticlan airport is also the nearest to the popular tourist spot Boracay.


Source: businessworld (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=3910)

I love PAL's new promo. affordable flights to Macau, Singapore etc. with 2days hotel accomodation.

SM (Spirit of Manila Airlines) plans to obtain 747s.

I find it odd na nilagay na ng SoMA sa fleet list nila ang 747 sa kanilang official website :ohno:

FYI, I moved all posts pertaining to the Airline Manager game to this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=829508) in the Samahan section. Please post there from this point on anything of that nature and leave the "on topic" posts here.

Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter. :colgate:

On topic..:)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4213149979_86a4d0b337.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4213911402_cc31f7333b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4213909254_648e5a4063.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3663142996_444ef3eb5f.jpg

I love PAL's new promo. affordable flights to Macau, Singapore etc. with 2days hotel accomodation.

They only say MNL-HKG. Nothing about MNL-SIN or MNL-MFM.

On topic..:)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4213911402_cc31f7333b.jpg



I think HKG's North Satellite Concourse (NST) had its soft opening a short while back. Do they make the narrow-body PAL flights dock there?

I read the NST was initially intended to cater to LCC flights, then for all narrow-body mainland flights but some have recently said it will accomodate all narrowbody planes. I believe the NST has no shops inside, and getting there requires taking a scheduled bus from the main terminal. But this still beats having to climb stairs in open air.

may promo ang Cebu Pacific ..

50% off daw yung Cebu-Davao..

one way fare for 2 is P3400+

tapos sa PAL naman walang promo pero P2600 lang

:lol: buti chineck ko ang sa PAL..and i thought 5J was cheaper :lol:

^^ around 10% lang na available seat ang may promo. kaya pagnaubos, mataas na talaga. depende talaga yan sa date na pipilian mo. One way fare for 2 is P1500

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4250741336_2905cac727_o.png

Jetstar, AirAsia form 'world first' budget airline alliance - http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/1028813/1/.html

I hope that doesn't mean 3K doesn't transfer to the LCCT in KUL and both airlines won't go to the budget carrier in SIN.

ano ba yung balita nakita ko regarding Cebu Pacific na pinipilit daw pinababa ang anak ng isang pasahero dahil daw "special child". Any links?

^^ yea, I've read a post by hikouki in PEx.

I was watching the news tonight and it seems Cebu Pacific is in some sort of trouble after they asked a mother and her (special) son to deplane on a domestic flight. Apparently, there is a law or regulation that prevents more than one special child aboard a flight [siguro for evactuation purposes, no?].

@sky_harbor, do you have any recent travel report??

The FAA will audit the Philippine air systems once again this year. Do you have any predictions considering the ICAO gave the Philippines high marks compared to the global average?

@sky_harbor, do you have any recent travel report??

Four TRs are backlogged: I'm too busy with school to even continue writing them. But all the details are in my head, so feel free to ask.

@sky, I'll wait for it! :) Thanks! I enjoy reading them though I only read one for your reports, I think that was MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL. Do you have other finished reports??

@hybrid, 60% probability of passing HAHA!!

Four TRs are backlogged: I'm too busy with school to even continue writing them. But all the details are in my head, so feel free to ask.

If Ph 101 and Th 121 get the better of you, you will never get to post those TRs.:tongue2:

^^ I'm not taking Philo and Theo until next year. :lol:

(Wait...you're Atenean?! :tongue2:)

^^ around 10% lang na available seat ang may promo. kaya pagnaubos, mataas na talaga. depende talaga yan sa date na pipilian mo. One way fare for 2 is P1500

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4250741336_2905cac727_o.png

syet di ko nakita yung part na yun ah, pero sa pinili ko may nakalagay ng 50% off, di nga lang ako umabot sa part na i input ang promo code..sayang din ang P1200 lols

@sky, I'll wait for it! :) Thanks! I enjoy reading them though I only read one for your reports, I think that was MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL. Do you have other finished reports??


* MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL on PR
* MNL-SIN-MNL on 5J
* MNL-CEB-MNL on Z2 and PR (the 747 refurb TR)
----
* MNL-CEB-ILO-MNL on PR and 2P (the last day of the 737 TR)
* MNL-CRK-MNL on Z2 (the delayed inaugural flight TR)
* MNL-ILO-MNL on 5J and Z2
* MNL-HKG-MNL on PR (the 77W TR)

Anything below the dashed line has not yet been published.

^^ I'm not taking Philo and Theo until next year. :lol:

(Wait...you're Atenean?! :tongue2:)

Then your "life" (or hell) hasn't even started.:storm:

^^ Bi 7 already is hell. -_-

^^

Oh dear! You haven't reached Ph 102 and Th 131 yet!?! I suggest you get on with memorising those thesis statements first then you can write about TR (don't worry, we'll wait). Since you've mentioned you're taking Ph 101 and Th 121, I hope they won't stop you from taking another flight.

Anyway, is my fear correct that those findings/concerns in the ICAO safety audit are in the areas that matter most to the FAA audit despite the fact that we bested the rest of the world? What will happen if we flunk the EU audit? Will KL have to pull-out? I'm actually a bit concerned about that audit since EU carriers have been very hesitant about setting-up shop here.

* MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL on PR
* MNL-SIN-MNL on 5J
* MNL-CEB-MNL on Z2 and PR (the 747 refurb TR)
----
* MNL-CEB-ILO-MNL on PR and 2P (the last day of the 737 TR)
* MNL-CRK-MNL on Z2 (the delayed inaugural flight TR)
* MNL-ILO-MNL on 5J and Z2
* MNL-HKG-MNL on PR (the 77W TR)

Anything below the dashed line has not yet been published.

where can I find the 2nd and 3rd finished TRs? (There are quite a number of Ateneans here :lol: :D)

^^

Oh dear! You haven't reached 131 yet!?! I suggest you get on with memorising those thesis statements first then you can write about TR (don't worry, we'll wait).

Anyway, is my fear correct that those findings/concerns in the ICAO safety audit are in the areas that matter most to the FAA audit despite the fact that we bested the rest of the world.

Oh yeah, this by far is the deadliest (and most interesting, IMHO). Even more deadly than 141/151 combined.:ohno: Hell hasn't started. Better not let those TRs go down the drain.

-----

I was just reading this post at A.net...it seems it may only take PAL a year to get a new US route (tsk, tsk SAN) up and running from the date they request for a "permit." It was mentioned they already requested for a permit (or whatever you call it) but of course the DOT hasn't acted on it due to the downgrade.

^^

I read about that too, maybe use the 2 other YVR slots they have for that service. But I think they are also keen on resuming service to NYC but where do you think they will station themselves at, EWR or JFK?

A.net is probably for the rich kids because a) a fee is required to post in their forums and b) most of the TRs I read feature first or business class trips rather than coach class. Their topics are interesting but I don't see a point in paying a fee for my inputs to be counted.

^^ Rumor has it that if PAL does return to New York, they will fly to JFK.

A.Net is a forum designed for the ultimate aviation aficionado, so of course you have to pay for the prestige of posting there. A lot of A.netters work in the aviation industry, unlike those on the outside, so you're bound to learn a lot. There are A.netters here however: Kimber and Solblanc (if I remember correctly) post there. :D

where can I find the 2nd and 3rd finished TRs? (There are quite a number of Ateneans here :lol: :D)

I know that. The more important question: who here are freshmen? :D

^^

I read about that too, maybe use the 2 other YVR slots they have for that service. But I think they are also keen on resuming service to NYC but where do you think they will station themselves at, EWR or JFK?

A.net is probably for the rich kids because a) a fee is required to post in their forums and b) most of the TRs I read feature first or business class trips rather than coach class. Their topics are interesting but I don't see a point in paying a fee for my inputs to be counted.

If it's just a hobby then there is no point unless you have a fat bank account. But if you work in the industry...it helps. Some of them have their PMs turned on for paying members only.

If Ph 101 and Th 121 get the better of you, you will never get to post those TRs.:tongue2:

^^ I'm not taking Philo and Theo until next year. :lol:

(Wait...you're Atenean?! :tongue2:)

Then your "life" (or hell) hasn't even started.:storm:

^^

Oh dear! You haven't reached Ph 102 and Th 131 yet!?! I suggest you get on with memorising those thesis statements first then you can write about TR (don't worry, we'll wait). Since you've mentioned you're taking Ph 101 and Th 121, I hope they won't stop you from taking another flight.

Oh yeah, this by far is the deadliest (and most interesting, IMHO). Even more deadly than 141/151 combined.:ohno: Hell hasn't started. Better not let those TRs go down the drain.

I stand corrected: according to my IPS, I'll be taking Th 121 during my second semester in sophomore year (next year), and Ph 101 during my first semester in junior year. I'll be taking Ph 102 and Th 131 together in the second semester of my junior year. I'll be taking Th 141/151 in my senior year.

(We're off-topic, Ateneans! :lol:)

If it's just a hobby then there is no point unless you have a fat bank account. But if you work in the industry...it helps. Some of them have their PMs turned on for paying members only.

The only non-paying A.Net members are aviation photographers. And they do not have rights to post at the forums except for the aviation photography section.

^^ Rumor has it that if PAL does return to New York, they will fly to JFK.


That's great! At least if it's true, it will join most European carriers who fly out there. I understand TG plans to resume non-stop service between NYC and BKK but will station themselves at EWR and join fellow Star-Alliance partner SQ.


A.Net is a forum designed for the ultimate aviation aficionado, so of course you have to pay for the prestige of posting there. A lot of A.netters work in the aviation industry, unlike those on the outside, so you're bound to learn a lot. There are A.netters here however: Kimber and Solblanc (if I remember correctly) post there. :D

Their topics are interesting and compartmentalised so you can easily find your way. It just puzzles me how some of them can even afford an airline suite when it costs more than P800K to ride in 1.

A topic that I've become interested in is the possibility that JL may choose DL over One-world alliance partner AA. As you know, one of my worst fears is that since DL as an airline itself does not mention MNL, especially in terms of route expansions where it has been aggressive in doing even before the merger, it might cut MNL out. Someone suggested that the only way that could happen is if JL gets DL due to the former's financial troubles. I really hope DL will not dismantle the prominence NW gave to MNL by cutting MNL out of its network.

I know that. The more important question: who here are freshmen? :D

I've know before that you were an Atenean, didn't knew hiko and hybrid are Ateneans also :D

Let's get back to the topic before we each receives a warning :D

I'm very eager to be on PAL's 777! I haven't have the chance to even see it :(

I know I shared this video before but what do you think of SQ's A380 suites?

quG96HfZFI0

As I said, I do prefer EK's suites; at least you won't have to call the FA to set-up your bed which takes 2 mins and call him back when you don't need it anymore to restore the seat to the "upright" position.

P2.5-B Aklan airport project to push through
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
01/05/2010

ILOILO CITY—The P2.5-BILlion Caticlan International Airport Project will start this month despite opposition from environmental groups.

Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores said in a telephone interview on Monday that there were no impediments in the implementation of the project despite controversies involving the leveling of a hill beside the airport to extend the runway.

“The proponents and the government have already signed an agreement and the project has also been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority,” Miraflores said.

The Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) is developing the airport under a 25-year build-operate-transfer scheme to accommodate bigger planes mostly catering to tourists bound for Boracay Island.

CIADC president Lino Barte said they have set groundbreaking rites for the project on Jan. 15 in Caticlan.

The Department of Transportation and Communication had issued a notice to proceed with the project in December.

Going back to A.net, someone suggested if Cat1 is restored, having a triangular route involving SAN should be more optimal. That is, MNL-SAN-SEA-MNL. PR also expressed interest in starting service to SEA but I don't see significant yields if it is to be a standalone route. SAN, maybe but it will have to stop somewhere in between returning home. That said, MNL-SAN-SEA-MNL should be a reasonable routing should they use an A343. They say it can free-up YVR to potentially serve ORD or JFK.

^^ An A340 can fly to SEA non-stop year-round, while it can fly to SAN eastbound non-stop year-round. Understand though that SEA's market dynamics are different from SAN: while San Diego residents can go down to Tijuana to catch a flight to Tokyo on AM, more Seattle residents go up to Vancouver to catch Asian flights because there's a wider selection to choose from. The two cities aren't that far apart.

At any rate, if SEA does go non-stop, I'll expect YVR traffic to decrease. As to how much the decrease will be, I do not know. There's just one problem though with MNL-SAN-SEA-MNL: the U.S. does not (and will not) grant cabotage rights.

^^

And even if they did, I expect traffic to be quite weak between these domestic points. But howabout LAX-JFK on QF? I'm sure PR can fly between the SAN-SEA provided they don't transport passengers getting on at SAN only to get-off at SEA.

Let's not forget, almost 20 years ago, PR flew MNL-HNL-SFO-LAX-MNL.

My other concern is that SEA caters more to the Japanese, maybe Korean market. I believe SEA to them is what SFO is to us, where most of their natives of those countries flock to. Hence NW/DL, UA and possibly soon, NH have non-stop services between NRT and SEA. If traffic decreases at YVR, the good thing about that is that PR won't be that pressured anymore to lobby to the Canadian government for more rights and use the freed-up traffic to focus on marketing a continuation of service to ORD and JFK.

If Cat1 is restored, PR should seriously consider a city that other eastern carriers have an increasing footing on, IAH. There should be a sizeable pinoy population in Texas.

International airlines may move to Naia 3
By Paolo Montecillo
01/05/2010

MANILA, Philippines--Four multinational airlines have expressed their interest to set up shop at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminal 3, once all the facility’s legal issues have been sorted out.

As a result, Naia 3’s current occupants, particularly Cebu Pacific Air of the Gokongwei group, may lose the luxury of having their entire Manila operations under one roof.

As more airlines clamor to be transferred from the decades-old Naia terminal 1 to the more modern terminal 3, a compromise will have to be made, the Manila International Airport Authority said.

Tirso G. Serrano, Miaa assistant general manager for airport development, declined to identify the airlines involved.

Serrano said splitting up operations of some of Naia 3’s current occupants would enable other carriers to operate within the facility.

Today, with legal issues concerning the terminal’s ownership still unresolved, Naia 3 is running on 60-percent capacity.

Cebu Pacific is the biggest airline at terminal 3, and is the only one that has international flights from the port. Occupying smaller areas of Naia 3 are Philippine Airlines Express of Lucio Tan and Air Philippines.

Naia 3 lay idle for more than six years, until it was opened in July 2008, with Cebu Pacific as its first tenant.

^^

That is pretty old news. We've been hearing about this for quite some time, it's just a matter of identifying them.

lol...i'd be happy if I see even just one foreign carrier move to T3. I dont see that happening anytime soon.

Some improvements at DGT. Taken during my Christmas vacation...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4253849004_d5ef4292a1.jpg
Baggage Carousel inside the arrival area. Gone are the days when porters will just through your luggage. hehehe

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4253834644_7a113ae309.jpg
Flood lights on the tarmac. There are now three (3) flood lights on the tarmac. There was none before.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4253834444_0bdca3bf8c.jpg
DGT Terminal Building.

I have been to a lot of airports around the country this year a lone and in my observation, it is DGT that has really improved by leaps and bounds in just over a year. Best part about this is that terminal fee is still at Php 30.00. The only thing left to do now, for the terminal that is, is to have the check-in area airconditioned. Great job by the airport management.

By the way, what happened to the DGT airport thread? Mods, can I open a thread for DGT? thanks

lol...i'd be happy if I see even just one foreign carrier move to T3. I dont see that happening anytime soon.

For all we know a significant portion of DMIA's potential new terminal may already be operational before all existing litigation on T3 is done.

Singapore Budget Terminal

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/empoy/DSC_3522_247.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/empoy/DSC_3531_248.jpg

United States will not allow a foreign carrier to go to two different cities within the United States on one trip. So your San Diego to Seattle to Manila will not work.

I would think they will do San Diego-Vancouver-Manila. I live 10 minutes from San Diego airport. I will probably still use LAX. The total trip from my house to a hotel is the same amount of time heading to Manila. But I will save four hours on the return by going thru LAX. Beecause of the direct flight back to LAX.

PAL want to go to San Diego, then Chicago with rumors of Toronto. What would make me happy if they did Toronto-San Diego-Manila. Remember Toronto is right next door to Detroit. Plus there are alot of Filipino in Toronto.

^^ YYZ-SAN-MNL could work, but it may not be effective since it will still involve a stop westbound at GUM. YYZ-SEA-MNL may fare better since no tech stop is required.

It will be two years that the United States put Philippine aviation on Category 2 at the end of January. I still want to know what is really happening. Tan the owner of PAL is one of the wealthist person in the Philippines. He can not solve this problem in two years?? How much money is he losing by buying these new planes with the expectation of flying to the U.S. The second 777 is due within a month.

I am sure they could find retired 747 pilots to become checkers of annual license pilots. I think that was one of the United States big complaints. They didn't like helicopter pilots over seeing the annual checkup of pilots.

The new 777 can make it from San Diego to Manila without stopping for fuel.

Does anyone know what the major findings of the IATA audit were on the CAAP? Do you think that despite our high grade, those findings are actually what matter most to the FAA audit?

The new 777 can make it from San Diego to Manila without stopping for fuel.

There's not enough traffic to warrant the 77W being used for MNL-SAN-MNL.

By Nikko Dizon


MANILA, Philippines—Cebu Pacific Airlines has apologized to a couple who is set to file a lawsuit against it and one of its pursers over the treatment of the couple’s special child.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo, counsel for Gerry and Maritess Alcantara, told the Inquirer on the phone on Thursday that the couple will file a case in court this week against the airline company for allegedly trying to force Mrs. Alcantara and her teenage son who has a disability off a plane—because it was against company policy to have two passengers with “mental illness” on the same flight.

“Cebu Pacific has no policy that discriminates against persons with special needs. The attempt to offload a passenger with a developmental disability was a result of the cabin crew’s misinterpretation of government regulations designed to assure the safety of passengers,” the airline said in a statement.

“Cebu Pacific has apologized to the passenger and sincerely regrets the incident. It has also taken all the necessary measures to make sure similar incidents do not happen again and that passengers with special needs are properly attended to,” the airline said.

The incident occurred on Dec. 23 when Mrs. Alcantara and her 14-year-old son, John Arvin, boarded a Cebu Pacific plane in Hong Kong to fly to Manila.

Panelo said that just before takeoff, a flight purser identified as John Castañeda, in a “rude and arrogant manner,” told the Alcantaras to deplane, saying that airline policy prohibited having more than one person with a “mental illness” on the same flight.

Alcantara “stood her ground,” Panelo said, until the pilot relented and allowed them to remain on the plane.

Panelo said his clients decided to file a case against Cebu Pacific and Castañeda after they learned that the airline’s policy was not intended for special children but for mentally ill passengers.

“The policy is clear that special children are not included in the airline’s prohibition. The manual has an addendum that a special child is not classified as being mentally ill,” Panelo said.

By Nikko Dizon


MANILA, Philippines—A businessman and his wife are set to file a multimillion-peso lawsuit against Cebu Pacific Airlines and one of its pursers for allegedly trying to force the woman and their teenage son who has a disability off a plane—because it was against company policy to have two passengers with a “mental illness” on the same flight.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo, counsel for Gerry and Maritess Alcantara, told the Inquirer on the phone Thursday the couple would file a case in court this week and ask for damages “in the vicinity of P10 million.”

The airline has apologized for the incident, which occurred on Dec. 23 when Maritess Alcantara and her 14-year-old son, John Arvin, boarded a Cebu Pacific plane in Hong Kong to fly to Manila.

Misinterpretation

“Cebu Pacific has no policy that discriminates against persons with special needs. The attempt to offload a passenger with a developmental disability was a result of the cabin crew’s misinterpretation of government regulations designed to assure the safety of passengers,” the airline said in a statement.

Panelo said that just before takeoff, a flight purser identified as John Castañeda, in a “rude and arrogant manner,” told the Alcantaras to deplane, saying that airline policy prohibited having more than one person with a “mental illness” on the same flight.

Alcantara “stood her ground,” Panelo said, until the pilot relented and allowed them to remain on the plane.

Panelo said his clients decided to file a case against Cebu Pacific and Castañeda after they learned that the airline’s policy was not intended for special children but for mentally ill passengers.

“The policy is clear that special children are not included in the airline’s prohibition. The manual has an addendum that a special child is not classified as being mentally ill,” Panelo said.

For its part, Cebu Pacific on Thursday said it had apologized to the Alcantaras.

“Cebu Pacific has apologized to the passenger and sincerely regrets the incident. It has also taken all the necessary measures to make sure similar incidents do not happen again and that passengers with special needs are properly attended to,” the airline said.

While Cebu Pacific has apologized, Panelo said, it only “added insult to injury.”

A little off-topic for a minute, I discovered this website yesterday: liveatc.net. As the name suggests, you can listen to live air traffic conversations from several airports around the world, including CRK.

^^ The CRK feed is normally down, while the HKG feed is hard to get.

I managed to listen to the HKG feed last night. In fact, I was able to hear several flights headed to MNL. I'm now listening to the SFO feed as PR104 is expected to land any minute now.

I missed it by a longshot: in a rare move, it arrived 50 or so minutes earlier than scheduled.

^^ Years ago... LiveATC includes feed from RPHI North Sector Airspace (covering North Arrivals and Departure).. sadly It was replace by CRK Tower feed which has quite low activity.. I wish someone can get a feed on NAIA Tower..

mamang salamangkero, maari po bang bumisita sa inyong tanggapan? diba sa may PIE ang building ng AMD? may free HD5870 din kaya? hehe

It used to fly here but it was replaced by an all 772 once SQ added a 4th frequency to MNL.

@WaWay you got pm.

Philippine 3590....

naririnig ko ngayun sa HK ATC.....

anong eroplano ito ng PAL?

^^ "PHILIPPINE" is the callsign for PR.

^^

yung eroplano po kung 777 po ba???

DATE:08/01/10
SOURCE:http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/08/336894/kals-jin-air-launching-services-to-the-philippines.html

KAL's Jin Air launching services to the Philippines
By Leithen Francis

Korean Air's (KAL) low-cost carrier Jin Air is planning to launch services from Seoul Incheon to Clark in the Philippines, potentially making it Jin Air's second international destination for scheduled services.

Jin Air will be operating seven Seoul Incheon-Clark charter flights from 14 January to early February and sometime in February it hopes to turn it into a scheduled service, says a Jin Air spokesman.

He was unable to say what the frequency will be because this development is in the early stages of planning, he adds.

Jin Air has a fleet of four Boeing 737-800s and in March plans to get a fifth 737-800, he says.

It has capacity to launch services to Clark because it recently stopped operating charter flights from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Haneda.

The spokesman attributed the suspension of Tokyo Haneda services to the passenger loads and too few landing slots at Haneda airport.

Clark is an airport on the outskirts of Manila and Koreans are the largest group of foreign tourists to the Philippines. Bangkok is Jin Air's other international destination for scheduled services.

^^ Which places it in direct competition with OZ at CRK.

(singit lang po)I saw Singapore Airlines B777-300 take-off from Naia, Its a very rare chance to see that flying here Because they used mostly of thier B777-200.

The noontime arrival/departure used to be 773 but became 772/77E(?) when they added a fourth frequency.

On two occasions, I've seen the late afternoon flight operated with 77W. But I think those are subs only.

The new 777 can make it from San Diego to Manila without stopping for fuel.

No, it can't. San Diego's runway is too short for any long-range plane to take off with enough fuel to reach a decent distance, hence the proposed YVR stop.

Hmmm, why can't SFO-MNL go non-stop while YVR-MNL can despite their distances being less than 400 nm apart? Assume an A343 is used.

Here is a nice thread on why MNL can't go nonstop between it and NYC (or Europe and the US East Coast) courtesy of our rich friends at A.net: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4489483/ . I think the bottomline is this: it has to all be rooted on PR's target audience and foundations. Quite frankly, BKK isn't as 1st world as HKG, SIN or even KUL but I believe it is the most served hub in east Asia. That was maybe because the airline/airport planners wanted to position it as an airport city rather than a terminal destination. The airline and airport planners here should have thought long and hard about putting MNL and PR in a similar position decades ago.

This is also what is odd: between HKG and SIN, there are several code-share flights by American and other western carriers which don't involve those carriers' home countries at all. For instance, an HKG-SIN does have AA and UA-coded flights operated by carriers of those Asian cities and don't involve ORD, JFK, etc. Why can't MNL have code-share flights even if they don't involve the western city or on the flipside, why can't PR put its code on flights involving western cities? MNL and PR are the only major airport and airline respectively that I know of that doesn't take advantage of this.

^^
A nice thread that doesn't hit a point. I'm surprised discussions were anchored on speculations. I bet there are better explanations on this ssc thread on why PR is and is not.

And please don't forget that it is private airline now owned by a Filipino citizen. Meaning, no state subsidy or substantial foreign investment direct or indirect. Show me an Asian carrier that has those unique traits? I tell you there is NONE.

If no one can understand that basic operating dynamics of our flag carrier then its very difficult to explain much less compare.

Between them and the figures at PR, I tend to believed the latter. New York was and still is a profitable destination for PR. As to why they can't go there, the issue has already been discussed before other than the Cat 1 downgrade.

So, why does PR NOT into a worry-mode about alliances. Try reading International Airline Alliances by Angela Cheng. Its a good read about manipulation in the airline industry made more advantageous by how big you are. If you know Japan Airlines and why the squabble of the airline alliances to get hold of Japan market then you probably understand what I'm saying. If not, then I suggest you read more about it. ALLIANCES are supposedly geared to prevent that from happening but it ain't. The nut has already been cracked and its no fool-proofed.

The bottom line is, if you are small and want to grow bigger, get yourself out of it and try the best weapon of all, CODE SHARE, to areas you can't served due to capacity constraint and follow the British Airways way of doing business across the atlantic pond in the 90's! That is what PAL is doing across the Pacific. Well except Canada of course.

Happy new year guys!:)

^^
And please don't forget that it is private airline now owned by a Filipino citizen.



This is something peculiar to us and Americans that you won't see anywhere else and not just here, in other industries as well where it is mostly 100% private. I wonder why the government sold-off is stake in our flag carrier in the first place. Then again, unlike other governments, it's hard to see how we can trust the government if they have a stake in the airline. Just look at T3.

Spirit of Manila is 1st RP airline to fly back to Mideast

By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:58:00 01/08/2010


SPIRIT OF MANILA Airlines became the first Philippine carrier to fly back to the Middle East after more than a decade.

In a statement made earlier this week, Spirit of Manila said its aircraft commenced flights to Bahrain last Dec. 18, and that it would hold weekly flights to the gulf state. Later this year, the company also plans to mount flights to Dubai, also from Clark in Pampanga.

Spirit of Manila is a locally owned firm but is being backed by a Qatari government company.

“Direct flights from our gateway in Clark will allow residents of central and northern Luzon, as well as [those] in Manila ... to take advantage of a whole host of new opportunities,” Spirit of Manila president and chief executive officer Basilio P. Reyes said.

The company said it was targeting the large community of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) based in the Middle East.

About 60 percent of the country’s eight-million strong OFWs come from the Northern and Central Luzon areas. With this in mind, the airline said it was confident that its flights to the Middle East would be an attractive proposition for many Filipinos.

The company will be using a 150-seater Boeing 737 jet for the Bahrain service.

While only about 20 to 30 percent of seats per flight have been filled so far, the company is confident that more passengers will come as word gets out, Spirit of Manila external affairs vice-president Johnny Ramos said.

About a decade ago, Philippine Airlines (PAL) of Lucio Tan abandoned flights to the Middle East after incurring massive losses due to competition with state-owned gulf carriers, which get their fuel at a discount.

But PAL has confirmed plans to restore flights to the Middle East this year.

^^ Good for them! I hope they can sustain their momentum.

^^ I saw the SM route map, and it shows that CRK-BAH has fuel stops in BKK and KHI. Hope they actually get to serving those cities as well.

I still find flying to Bahrain on a 737 oddly disturbing, however.

any pics of the newly renovated jolo airport..
?

I saw the SM route map, and it shows that CRK-BAH has fuel stops in BKK and KHI. Hope they actually get to serving those cities as well.

I still find flying to Bahrain on a 737 oddly disturbing, however.

Hence the hopscotching route. :lol:

^^

We are back to 20 years ago when a milk run was the way to go. I would understand if they would be using a 738. Soon however they are expected to acquire a 763 and 744. Are they allowed to transport passengers between BAH or MNL and either KHI or BKK?

^^ I don't think fuel stops warrants the embarking and debarking of passengers.

^^ Good for them! I hope they can sustain their momentum.

Amen to that. Its a long- ardouos battle for them for sure to prove their worth, the only possible arms they can use are all time cheaper airfare of LCC type of service with quality and efficiency.

any pics of the newly renovated jolo airport..
?
go to philippine airspace blog; click the phil airports article and you will see the news and runway photos of Jolo.

Hence the hopscotching route. :lol:

Their B733 is still stored in surabaya, its actually an ex thair airasia

msn number 23234 RP-C7701

Do they ordered another B733?

Cheers

By Nikko Dizon


MANILA, Philippines—A businessman and his wife are set to file a multimillion-peso lawsuit against Cebu Pacific Airlines and one of its pursers for allegedly trying to force the woman and their teenage son who has a disability off a plane—because it was against company policy to have two passengers with a “mental illness” on the same flight..”

Terrible thing to do.

Seems strange though, to see this sort of story and it being about an airline other than Jetstar.

http://travelhouseuk.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/jetstar.jpg

Their B733 is still stored in surabaya, its actually an ex thair airasia

msn number 23234 RP-C7701

Do they ordered another B733?

Cheers

The use of a 733 is most likely going to be temporary. I mean what is the point of their 763 order if it looks like the Middle East will be their farthest destination to reach for the foreseeable future? Besides, it will cost them more to make fuel stopovers.

JAL set to file for bankruptcy on January 19—reports
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 14:04:00 01/09/2010

TOKYO – Japan Airlines (JAL) is set to file for bankruptcy on January 19, the first step in a court-led rehabilitation process for the debt-ridden Japanese carrier, news reports said Saturday.

The decision came as its creditor banks dropped their earlier proposal for an out-of-court reorganization of the troubled airline after ensuring public support, the Nikkei business daily and other media reported.

The state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp., now overseeing JAL's restructuring, will provide 300 billion yen ($3.2 billion) investment so that it can continue operations, the news reports said.

The government body will also ask JAL's creditors to waive a further 350 billion yen in loans to the airline, while speeding up its restructuring, including massive trimming of its international routes, they said.

"We have made an effort to minimize troubles with JAL's operations and will continue to do so in the future," Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said late Friday after meeting transport minister Seiji Maehara.

The government will issue a statement to 35 countries, where JAL has operations, guaranteeing public support in a bid to help avoid a possible credit squeeze on the company overseas, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.

Shares in Asia's biggest airline sank 11.8 percent to close at 67 yen on Friday.

The carrier is seeking its fourth government bailout since 2001 to enable it to keep flying in the face of mounting debts.

The airline, which lost about $1.5 billion in the six months to September, has said it planned thousands of job cuts and a drastic reduction in routes as part of its efforts to return to profitability.

JAL has been offered financial assistance by both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which are competing to take a stake in the Japanese company and increase their share of the lucrative Asian market.

Pilot misinformed on policy for special kids—airline exec
By Paolo Montecillo
First Posted 16:31:00 01/08/2010

MANILA, Philippines – The pilot of a Manila-bound Cebu Pacific Air flight from Hong Kong was involved in the attempt to bump off a child with a learning disability from the plane, an airline executive acknowledged Friday.

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air is mounting a company-wide reorientation of frontliners to avoid a repeat of the incident, which involved the flight's cabin crew and pilot.

"There was a misinterpretation of an aviation safety rule which says there is a limit on the number of mental patients on a flight. This is in place so that in case of an emergency, the flight crew can evacuate passengers quickly," said Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing Candice Iyog.

Under the rule, only one mentally ill person is allowed on each flight. But children with learning disabilities are not considered mental patients, she said.

Iyog said the crew on the same flight had also tried to deplane a child with Downs Syndrome. Children with developmental disabilities are not considered mental patients either.

The families of both children have filed separate complaints with the company and have threatened legal action.

The company said the decision to bump off the two passengers was cleared with the pilot.

"Unfortunately, the pilot had the same wrong interpretation of the rule," Iyog said.

Iyog said all crew members involved in the incident have been "reprimanded," but the spokesman declined to say exactly what disciplinary actions have been taken.

Unruly passengers cause 2 flights to change course
Updated January 09, 2010 04:26 PM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) — Disruptive passengers caused two commercial airplanes to be diverted Friday, with military jets scrambling to escort a San Francisco-bound flight into a Colorado airport, authorities said.

The incidents come amid heightened concern over airline security after a Nigerian man allegedly tried to blow up a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines plane on Christmas Day.

And in London late Friday, police arrested three passengers after removing them from a jetliner bound for Dubai. Officials described it only as a security incident.

Two F-16s were launched at 11:44 a.m. to catch up with AirTran Airways Flight 39 from Atlanta to San Francisco after a report that an intoxicated passenger had locked himself in a bathroom, the Colorado-based North American Aerospace Defense Command said.

The jets arrived over Colorado Springs Airport as the captain — who AirTran said had decided to divert the plane — landed there around noon, NORAD spokeswoman Stacey Knott said.

Colorado Springs police detained the passenger, who allegedly refused to follow flight crew instructions to take his seat before locking himself in a lavatory. Canine teams searched the airplane, and the flight was cleared to continue to San Francisco.

Muhammad Abu Tahir, 46, of Virginia, was being held at the El Paso County jail, the FBI said. Federal charges for interference with a flight crew were expected to be filed Monday. His hometown was not immediately available.

Also Friday, a Hawaii-bound flight had to change course and land in Los Angeles after a man was accused of harassing a woman. The man was removed from the jet that departed Las Vegas early Friday.

The man was interviewed and released after the woman declined to press charges, Los Angeles airport police Sgt. Jim Holcomb said. The exact nature of the disruption or whether the passengers knew each other wasn't known, Holcomb said.

The Hawaiian Airlines flight resumed to Honolulu and arrived three hours late.

It was the second time this week a flight to Hawaii had to change course because of an onboard disruption.

On Wednesday, a Maui-bound Hawaiian Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon, was turned around and escorted by two F-15 military fighters because of an uncooperative passenger. The U.S. attorney's office on Friday filed a charge of interfering with a crew member against the passenger, Joseph Hedlund Johnson of Salem, Oregon.

An FBI affidavit said Johnson, traveling with his girlfriend, held his carryon bag closely and was unhappy he couldn't stow it under his seat.

He was in the bulkhead row, so there was no seat ahead to provide storage beneath, the affidavit said. Attendants told him the space beneath his seat was reserved for the feet of the passenger behind.

Then the 56-year-old then filled out a comment card with phrases about death and crashing, and he gave it to an attendant who passed it along to the pilot, the affidavit said.

"The Captain stated that he absolutely felt threatened by the contents of the card, especially when he considered Johnson's earlier suspicious behavior with his bag," the affidavit said.

A search after the plane returned showed Johnson and his girlfriend had no dangerous items, the FBI said.

Johnson was not jailed. He is expected to appear in court Monday.

Their B733 is still stored in surabaya, its actually an ex thair airasia

msn number 23234 RP-C7701

Do they ordered another B733?

Cheers

I think the report was mistaken. I would believe SM used an MD-83 for CRK-BKK-KHI-BAH.

go to philippine airspace blog; click the phil airports article and you will see the news and runway photos of Jolo.

gee thanks

I think the report was mistaken. I would believe SM used an MD-83 for CRK-BKK-KHI-BAH.

Accrding to the website of Spirit of Manila they are using MD 83 to Bahrain.

does anyone have any news about pal restoring its ruh-mnl flights?

^^ No word yet of PAL returning to the Middle East.

Pilot misinformed on policy for special kids—airline exec
By Paolo Montecillo
First Posted 16:31:00 01/08/2010

MANILA, Philippines – The pilot of a Manila-bound Cebu Pacific Air flight from Hong Kong was involved in the attempt to bump off a child with a learning disability from the plane, an airline executive acknowledged Friday.

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air is mounting a company-wide reorientation of frontliners to avoid a repeat of the incident, which involved the flight's cabin crew and pilot.

"There was a misinterpretation of an aviation safety rule which says there is a limit on the number of mental patients on a flight. This is in place so that in case of an emergency, the flight crew can evacuate passengers quickly," said Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing Candice Iyog.

Under the rule, only one mentally ill person is allowed on each flight. But children with learning disabilities are not considered mental patients, she said.

Iyog said the crew on the same flight had also tried to deplane a child with Downs Syndrome. Children with developmental disabilities are not considered mental patients either.

The families of both children have filed separate complaints with the company and have threatened legal action.

The company said the decision to bump off the two passengers was cleared with the pilot.

"Unfortunately, the pilot had the same wrong interpretation of the rule," Iyog said.

Iyog said all crew members involved in the incident have been "reprimanded," but the spokesman declined to say exactly what disciplinary actions have been taken.
quite a story, Philippine carriers should be sensitive to this and make sure they know the definitions,and conditions of situations like this.So what if the passenger is on a "medevac" situation, how will they justify the exiting procedure in an emergency?5j will be in a legal limbo here no matter what! "mentally challenged" and "physically handicapped" are very distinct.

Going back to why PR may have a 3-star rating, some might think that is a little bit generous, especially since it means were at par with most North American carriers. Having said that, I've been reading some interesting stories about customer service on PR.

For instance, here comes someone who booked well in advance his CHC-MNL-CHC trip (via SYD on PR). Of course because of the 77W, there was a reshuffling of that route schedule and it involved the cancellation of the passenger's return flight. He insisted that he should be rebooked on the day he wishes to depart as he can't be late for work. Despite so many calls to the MNL and SYD office, he thought he wasn't served properly by PR and it took him and his travel agent near-drastic measures for PR to refund the cost for the trip and do the rebooking himself (because PR wouldn't do it for him). He said that it would be his last experience with PR and as for the travel agent, it indicated PR won't actively be promoted anymore.

He instead rebooked his flight on SQ which is one of the very few carriers that fly non-stop from a non AU-city to CHC. I just feel sorry that he is just perhaps one of the many cases of poor handling. You can read the full story here: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4664216/ .

The bottomline is that if PR wants to move-up to a 4-star rating, should focus on these pre-flight/ground issues, particularly those on customer service. It has a lot of things to resolve before getting that and in fact has a significant number of 2-star categories. Language skills is surprisingly an issue considering the Philippines, at least in terms of commerce is expected to be really proficient in that language.

And sure they won't rebook a passenger's flight to another airline for business reasons but a passenger would greatly appreciate whatever assistance PR's customer service will give him. Ok the passenger wasn't able to fly PR but by assisting him to get on another airline's flight will leave an image of how much PR cares for their would-be passengers and it may translate into future customers. Remember, especially with the internet, "word-of-mouth" testimonies are powerful and influential.

I am sure i have posted this statement before on a post. I fly PAL four round trip a year between LAX-MAN.

I absolutely think PAL back office is one of the worst I have ever delt with. Also, I have talked with many other people who also have nothing nice to say about dealing with PAL.

Inside the plane. No problems. If they did not have the direct route back to the United States. I would never fly PAL. I would say in the past 9 years of flying them that I have had six problems. Not one was satified to my satisfaction. I have delt with the PAL office in LAX and not had problems. It is the PAL office in Manila that is terrible.

^^ You might want to correct yourself there: PAL flies between LAX and MNL, not LAX and MAN (Manchester, UK). :D

It depends on the people who you interact with. PAL frontline employees are very courteous, even patient with a deluge of travelers as evidenced during the Real Deal fiasco. In the air, they are great. As for the back office, that I really cannot say much, since I never really interacted with them. Their customer service people though respond promptly.

PAL’s on-time rate hits 90 percent in 9 months
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
January 10, 2010, 3:08pm

After deploying one of the world’s youngest fleets, Philippine Airlines (PAL) hit an average departure on-time rate of 90.2% in its system-wide operations during the April-to-December 2009 period, the first nine months of its current financial year, the flag carrier reported Sunday.

The carrier’s operational punctuality averaged 90.9% for its domestic flights and 89.1% for international flights. Both efforts exceeded the International Air Transport Association (IATA) industry standard of 85% as well as PAL’s own internal benchmarks of 90% for domestic and 85% for international operations.

The on-time performance highlights PAL’s renewed efficiency and marks an auspicious start to 2010, when the airline opens several new routes and takes delivery of new aircraft.

The key factor in PAL’s resurgence is its young, modern fleet of single-aisle aircraft with an average age of only 4 years, one of the youngest in the world. The fleet consists of 22 Airbus A320 and A319 jets that fly domestic and short-range international routes.

The bi-class jets also make PAL the only airline to offer business-class service in the domestic market.

“This allows our premium passengers to experience an upgraded level of service not only onboard but also on the ground via access to our exclusive Mabuhay Lounges at five domestic airports,” according to the airline.

The long-range fleet is not too far behind. Bannered by its brand-new flagship, the Boeing 777-300ER delivered just over a month ago, the intercontinental fleet also comprises five newly refurbished Boeing 747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s and eight A330-300s.

Spirit of Manila airlines (SOMA) MD-83 plane departs Costa Rica for her delivery Flight.
It will be registered as RP-C7702.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/SpiritofManilaairline.jpg
The Sarimanok Logo
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/SpiritofManilaairlinelogo.jpg

The Sarimanok Logo of Spirit of Manila Airlines
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/sarimanok.jpg

The Sarimanok is a magical, mythical bird that brings good luck to anyone who are able to catch it. The Sarimanok, known as Magaul, is associated with the legend of Malakas and Maganda. Magaul was the Sarimanok bird that pecked the bamboo from where Malakas and Maganda were born from.

The SPIRIT of Manila Airlines imbibes the concept and definition of the Sarimanok. The airline intends to bring the sarimanok spirit to new “Filipino Heroes,” our overseas workers.

The airline will epitomize the sarimanok's spirit of bringing good luck and abundance by transporting our OFWs on their mission: to reap and share their fortunes to their families and his home country.

Accordingly, it was a sarimanok that catalyze the birth of Malakas (strong) and Maganda (beautiful) which the SPIRIT of Manila Airlines capitalizes on its core of airline operation. A strong and dynamic culture of safety and reliability outlined by the beautiful concepts of affordability and convenience entrenched by customer service focused programs.

The same way SPIRIT of Manila Airlines introduces to every flyer a new definition of a low cost carrier.( From SOMA website)

Akala ko ang sarimanok symbolizes grace and agility :bash: :ohno: :lol:

SM should be able to capitalize on something here: transporting people cheaply to the Middle East. In this case, it would be poaching on the market share of AirAsia X, which flies to AUH. With SM's ambitious plans to expand in the Middle East, I won't be surprised it it will be Southeast Asia's largest Middle East-bound LCC.

Speaking of SOMA, they need more capital expenditures to keep their operations running. The problem there is that they are operating as a charter company. Airlines convinced people to fly them if they operate on a regular basis.

SOMA fly only when they are hired. Business wise, that is good. Service availability wise, they are poor. So if you are a passenger destined to the middle east and back, would you choose a charter airline for your trip at a discount when your departure and return is not expected to be on time? Nevertheless, if its Leisure flight then they would be fine.

I don't think they will not become bigger than what they say they are. I might just be blowing their bubbles but in airline economics, a sitting plane does not earn you anything. That is why you always find them in the air. That is the same principle being applied by PAL, CEB and RIT with regards to their fleet while SOMA's MD baked in the sun.

Lets get real here. Zest Air has more chances succeeding in flying ME route than SOMA. As I was saying before and saying it again, the plane is willing but the spirit is weak. But I would still say GOOD LUCK!

Pictures of Spirit of Manila's MD-83 as Flights SM 522 and SM 523 at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport obtained from PIC.Feeyo.com

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3748/201001020806206135.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6817/201001020814469253.jpg

Pictures of Spirit of Manila's MD-83 as Flights SM 522 and SM 523 at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport obtained from PIC.Feeyo.com

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3748/201001020806206135.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6817/201001020814469253.jpg

^^Woow Nice Color combination di masakit sa mata but hope they will purchased brand new airplane not a 2nd or 3rd hand airplane ung patapon na kukuhanin pa im sure all airlines in the world phase out this type of airplane

PAL’s on-time rate hits 90 percent in 9 months
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
January 10, 2010, 3:08pm

After deploying one of the world’s youngest fleets, Philippine Airlines (PAL) hit an average departure on-time rate of 90.2% in its system-wide operations during the April-to-December 2009 period, the first nine months of its current financial year, the flag carrier reported Sunday.

The carrier’s operational punctuality averaged 90.9% for its domestic flights and 89.1% for international flights. Both efforts exceeded the International Air Transport Association (IATA) industry standard of 85% as well as PAL’s own internal benchmarks of 90% for domestic and 85% for international operations.

The on-time performance highlights PAL’s renewed efficiency and marks an auspicious start to 2010, when the airline opens several new routes and takes delivery of new aircraft.

The key factor in PAL’s resurgence is its young, modern fleet of single-aisle aircraft with an average age of only 4 years, one of the youngest in the world. The fleet consists of 22 Airbus A320 and A319 jets that fly domestic and short-range international routes.

The bi-class jets also make PAL the only airline to offer business-class service in the domestic market.

“This allows our premium passengers to experience an upgraded level of service not only onboard but also on the ground via access to our exclusive Mabuhay Lounges at five domestic airports,” according to the airline.

The long-range fleet is not too far behind. Bannered by its brand-new flagship, the Boeing 777-300ER delivered just over a month ago, the intercontinental fleet also comprises five newly refurbished Boeing 747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s and eight A330-300s.

^^it really on time tlga heheh...i ride PAl from Zambo-Manila and the flight usually took 1hour an 30 minutes but we arrive on time and only fly for more than just 1 hour and 20 minutes

^^Woow Nice Color combination di masakit sa mata but hope they will purchased brand new airplane not a 2nd or 3rd hand airplane ung patapon na kukuhanin pa im sure all airlines in the world phase out this type of airplane

There are nearly 900 MD-80 series planes (MD-80, MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87) still flying. Not very fuel efficient compared to the 737NG, but it gets the job done.

There are nearly 900 MD-80 series planes (MD-80, MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87) still flying. Not very fuel efficient compared to the 737NG, but it gets the job done.

yeah but they should purchased/leased brand new airplane just like wat Cebu Pacific do

^^ SM is a start-up, unlike 5J. In fact, when 5J got started, their fleet was composed of second-hand DC-9s (the predecessor of the MD-80 series) and 757s. Purchasing new aircraft is not only a major financial commitment but a major time commitment as well, as SM would not be able to get aircraft quickly had it waited for new planes than second-hand ones.

Delta returns to Manila
Written by Miguel R. Camus/ Reporter
Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:49

DELTA Air Lines Inc., the world’s largest airline, will reestablish an office in the Philippines as it prepares to fold into its operations Northwest Airlines Corp. The latter is another US-based carrier acquired by Delta in a $3-billion deal two years ago. In line with the merger, the Northwest brand will be phased out and will be replaced by Delta’s name. According to its website, Delta is looking to complete the integration process by mid-2010.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already approved the creation of Delta’s local office, which will take the place of Northwest’s office located in Philamlife Tower in Makati City. Delta’s Philippine branch will have an authorized capital stock of  $200 million, or approximately P9.47 million.

“The purpose of the said corporation which it intends to pursue in the transaction of its business in the Philippines is international air transportation services,” the airline said in its application to the SEC.

On October 29, 2008, Delta merged with Northwest. The deal made Delta the largest airline in the world, servicing over 170 million passengers each year.

Delta, which held its first airline service in 1929, presently offers flights to 355 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. The company also employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a fleet of nearly 800 aircraft.

Including its worldwide partners, Delta offers customers more than 16,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita.

The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

^^ Weird, since NW's office is shared with KL at the Athanaeum Building. That is, unless they moved prior to the merger with DL.

On the other hand, this probably explains why people can't buy tickets from KE and OZ online.

bye bye na talga sa northwest
delta naman sana pabatain mo yung mga flight attendant mo, last time i flew with them, may parang 80 year old na puti na nagseserve sa akin ng juice. nasa isip ko lang, d ba dapat nagreretire nato, pero iba sya ha, naka scarf pa, parang nga lang gangster style.

Delta returns to Manila
Written by Miguel R. Camus/ Reporter
Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:49



The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already approved the creation of Delta’s local office, which will take the place of Northwest’s office located in Philamlife Tower in Makati City. Delta’s Philippine branch will have an authorized capital stock of  $200 million, or approximately P9.47 million.

wow! nag-iba na ba exchange rate? P1 = $21 na ba? :lol::lol::lol:

JAL to cut 15,600 jobs under turnaround plan
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 13:26:00 01/11/2010

TOKYO, Japan—Troubled Japan Airlines is expected to cut 15,600 jobs, or about 30 percent of its group workforce, in three years under a rehabilitation plan, a report said Monday.

The layoffs, coupled with cuts in benefits and wages, will be carried out together with the sale of JAL's subsidiaries including JAL Hotels Co., Kyodo News reported citing unspecified sources.

The carrier's workforce will be trimmed to about 36,000 by the business year to March 2013, the report said.

The state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. (Etic) plans to decide on its bailout package for JAL as early as January 19, the same time the airline is expected to file for bankruptcy protection, Kyodo said.

The Etic estimated the liabilities of Asia's top carrier exceed its assets by more than 860 billion yen ($9.5 billion), Kyodo quoted the sources as saying.

It plans to reduce JAL's liabilities by 730 billion yen through the court-backed bankruptcy, the report said.

It will also invest 300 billion yen in JAL so the carrier's assets would exceed its liabilities by more than 160 billion yen, the report added.

Even after the bankruptcy proceedings, the state-backed body will guarantee more than 470 billion yen for payments of fuel and other commercial transactions necessary to keep JAL flying, the report added.

The company's creditor banks will be required to waive about 350 billion yen, out of an approximate 430 billion yen in unsecured bank loans, Kyodo quoted the sources as saying.

The Etic estimated JAL's consolidated operating loss to expand to about 265 billion yen for the current business year to March 2010, compared with a year-earlier loss of 51 billion yen, due to a drop in passenger numbers.

Through restructuring measures under the Etic’s rehabilitation plan, JAL will aim to achieve 116 billion yen in operating profit by the year to March 2013, the sources said.

^^ Weird, since NW's office is shared with KL at the Athanaeum Building. That is, unless they moved prior to the merger with DL.

On the other hand, this probably explains why people can't buy tickets from KE and OZ online.

Their offices in Makati is not shared anymore since 2008... KL is in RCBC plaza while NW now DL is still in Atheneum Bldg.

^^ I see. Well, I haven't been there in a while, so that's a mea culpa on my part. :tongue2:

So this means I can presume that DL will move from SGV and NW from the Athenaeum to a new office inside Philamlife Tower? Wow. :D

Spirit of Manila airlines (SOMA) MD-83 plane departs Costa Rica for her delivery Flight.
It will be registered as RP-C7702.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/SpiritofManilaairline.jpg
The Sarimanok Logo
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/SpiritofManilaairlinelogo.jpg


SOMA, must expand their market up to Eastern part of Saudi Arabia where they can get the huge number of OFW in entire KSA. Dammam & Al-Khobar is so close to Bahrain just cross the boarder with in 30 minutes minus traffic. If they will concentrate targetting passengers in Bahrain alone for sure hindi nila maranasan ang mapuno ng pasahero. Bus available between KSA & Bahrain to transport passengers like other airlines do.

Going back to why PR may have a 3-star rating, some might think that is a little bit generous, especially since it means were at par with most North American carriers. Having said that, I've been reading some interesting stories about customer service on PR.

For instance, here comes someone who booked well in advance his CHC-MNL-CHC trip (via SYD on PR). Of course because of the 77W, there was a reshuffling of that route schedule and it involved the cancellation of the passenger's return flight. He insisted that he should be rebooked on the day he wishes to depart as he can't be late for work. Despite so many calls to the MNL and SYD office, he thought he wasn't served properly by PR and it took him and his travel agent near-drastic measures for PR to refund the cost for the trip and do the rebooking himself (because PR wouldn't do it for him). He said that it would be his last experience with PR and as for the travel agent, it indicated PR won't actively be promoted anymore.

He instead rebooked his flight on SQ which is one of the very few carriers that fly non-stop from a non AU-city to CHC. I just feel sorry that he is just perhaps one of the many cases of poor handling. You can read the full story here: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4664216/ .

The bottomline is that if PR wants to move-up to a 4-star rating, should focus on these pre-flight/ground issues, particularly those on customer service. It has a lot of things to resolve before getting that and in fact has a significant number of 2-star categories. Language skills is surprisingly an issue considering the Philippines, at least in terms of commerce is expected to be really proficient in that language.

And sure they won't rebook a passenger's flight to another airline for business reasons but a passenger would greatly appreciate whatever assistance PR's customer service will give him. Ok the passenger wasn't able to fly PR but by assisting him to get on another airline's flight will leave an image of how much PR cares for their would-be passengers and it may translate into future customers. Remember, especially with the internet, "word-of-mouth" testimonies are powerful and influential.

I am sure i have posted this statement before on a post. I fly PAL four round trip a year between LAX-MAN.

I absolutely think PAL back office is one of the worst I have ever delt with. Also, I have talked with many other people who also have nothing nice to say about dealing with PAL.

Inside the plane. No problems. If they did not have the direct route back to the United States. I would never fly PAL. I would say in the past 9 years of flying them that I have had six problems. Not one was satified to my satisfaction. I have delt with the PAL office in LAX and not had problems. It is the PAL office in Manila that is terrible.

One more word on this: I had a PR flight to SIN last October. Because of the real deal, I managed to have a booking last April. The thing was that the flight I was originally booked was cancelled. Lucky for me (and more importantly for PR) I checked it out on my own when PR announced that it was reducing some flights. They said SIN wasn't going to be one of those (among those announced were trans-Pacific, Australia and HKG flights) but my flight was a victim. When I found-out about it, I called PR's reservation office immediately and they re-accommodated me on another flight.

What I think they need improvement on is their ability to immediately inform passengers if the flight gets cancelled and if they will be rebooked on another flight. I would have missed the first trip I would do entirely on my own if I hadn't call and I'm sure not everyone would have the luxury of time doing this by themselves.

Spirit of Manila is 1st RP airline to fly back to Mideast
By Paolo Montecillo
First Posted 19:58:00 01/08/2010

SPIRIT OF MANILA Airlines became the first Philippine carrier to fly back to the Middle East after more than a decade.

In a statement made earlier this week, Spirit of Manila said its aircraft commenced flights to Bahrain last Dec. 18, and that it would hold weekly flights to the gulf state. Later this year, the company also plans to mount flights to Dubai, also from Clark in Pampanga.

Spirit of Manila is a locally owned firm but is being backed by a Qatari government company.

“Direct flights from our gateway in Clark will allow residents of central and northern Luzon, as well as [those] in Manila ... to take advantage of a whole host of new opportunities,” Spirit of Manila president and chief executive officer Basilio P. Reyes said.

The company said it was targeting the large community of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) based in the Middle East.

About 60 percent of the country’s eight-million strong OFWs come from the Northern and Central Luzon areas. With this in mind, the airline said it was confident that its flights to the Middle East would be an attractive proposition for many Filipinos.

The company will be using a 150-seater Boeing 737 jet for the Bahrain service.

While only about 20 to 30 percent of seats per flight have been filled so far, the company is confident that more passengers will come as word gets out, Spirit of Manila external affairs vice-president Johnny Ramos said.

About a decade ago, Philippine Airlines (PAL) of Lucio Tan abandoned flights to the Middle East after incurring massive losses due to competition with state-owned gulf carriers, which get their fuel at a discount.

But PAL has confirmed plans to restore flights to the Middle East this year.

I just saw an ad in today's newspapers about PR's 77W. For now, let's not debate on their overstatements of comfort. Having said that, I have 2 things I want to quote from the ad:

- "The USB port allows you to enjoy your personal music selections in style."

- "The Fiesta Class actuating seat pan adds to your comfort when reclining the seat. Laptop charging port is available with crew assistance."

The first quote interestingly came from the bullet associated with Mabuhay class. The good news is they confirmed the USB not there just there to decorate the seat. The ironic thing however was based on the pictures I have seen, it was in the Economy class section where I saw the USB ports and not in the Mabuhay class section. My other question is will it be from iPODs or flash drives that the passenger needs to plug-in? I'm sure you know that if you plug an iPOD to a PC without iTunes (or a similar software), it won't play anything at all as it doesn't work in the same way as an ordinary flash drive unless you turned on that function in iTunes.

On the next bullet, the competition already boasts of individual charging ports that passengers can operate without any assistance at all from the FAs. It pretty much beats out having to call SQ's FAs to set-up your bed in an A380 suite. haha!

^^ You can plug in any music player to the IFE in Y and it will work. Ironically, it did not for my flight, but it was probably more of a fluke in the system that anything else. It does charge music players as well. (I own an iPod Touch)

I didn't know now that you can charge your laptop on the 77W. That's a nice bonus.

On a light note, that is an old livery. It's been more than 5 years that UA has sported a new look but still has a handful that have not been painted well. Oh, and it took DL a little over a year to have more than 80% of the planes it inherited from NW painted.

http://edelalon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/pacificflier.jpg

Pacific Flier will commence flight CRK-ROR starting January 20, 2010 with below flight schedule.

PI306 / We-Fri-Su
PI217 / Su

:cheers:

Air Asia will be having as special flight on January 21, 2010 from Manila to Kuala Lumpur with below schedule and will operate a A340 aircraft

ETD MNL: 1645H
ETA KUL: 2045H

:):)

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/newair.jpg

Oman Air, the flagship company of the Sultanate of Oman’s civil aviation sector, and the Spirit of Manila Airlines Corporation (Spirit of Manila), a Filipino-owned airline company, have applied for operation authorization in Nepal.

With these two new airlines, there will be 27 international airlines flying in Nepal’s skies which is expected to give a big boost to the tourism industry and the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 national campaign, said Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Speaking at the 11th anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), he said that the response of international airlines had added air traffic and space challenges. “There is a need for coordination between the service providers and its regulating body (CAAN) to mitigate the problems,” he said.

He added that there were a number of opportunities to take Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) into commercial use. “The public-private-partnership (PPP) model can be more effective to uplift NAC, but the management should be transparent,” he said.

Keshab Raj Khanal, director general of CAAN, said that aircraft movement had increased by 73 percent. According to him, Tribhuvan International Airport was handling 350 to 400 flight movements daily. He said that CAAN’s financial position was at a satisfactory level. In the fiscal year 2008/09, its net profit stood at Rs. 720 million compared to Rs. 410 million during the previous fiscal year.

He said that the increasing number of international airlines had increased the air seat capacity by 30 percent. With the 25 international airlines, there will be 36,660 seat availability each week.

Rameshwor Thapa, vice president of the Airline Operators Association of Nepal, said that the significant increase in the number of airlines had been posing a serious air traffic and space problem.

He added that failure to capitalise on the existing infrastructure and technology was the reason behind the problem.

He said that the airline business had a bright future in Nepal, and that the country should exploit this potential. On the occasion, CAAN presented a special award to Qatar Airways for its impressive performance during the first 10 months of the current year.

courtesy of www.ktm2day.com

Spirit of Manila Airlines (The van, not the plane :D)

Image taken last 01.08.10 at the main entrance of Hotel Stosenberg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/839/dsc02352hl.jpg

JAL to cut 15,600 jobs under turnaround plan
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 13:26:00 01/11/2010

TOKYO, Japan—Troubled Japan Airlines is expected to cut 15,600 jobs, or about 30 percent of its group workforce, in three years under a rehabilitation plan, a report said Monday.

The layoffs, coupled with cuts in benefits and wages, will be carried out together with the sale of JAL's subsidiaries including JAL Hotels Co., Kyodo News reported citing unspecified sources.

The carrier's workforce will be trimmed to about 36,000 by the business year to March 2013, the report said.

The state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. (Etic) plans to decide on its bailout package for JAL as early as January 19, the same time the airline is expected to file for bankruptcy protection, Kyodo said.

The Etic estimated the liabilities of Asia's top carrier exceed its assets by more than 860 billion yen ($9.5 billion), Kyodo quoted the sources as saying.

It plans to reduce JAL's liabilities by 730 billion yen through the court-backed bankruptcy, the report said.

It will also invest 300 billion yen in JAL so the carrier's assets would exceed its liabilities by more than 160 billion yen, the report added.

Even after the bankruptcy proceedings, the state-backed body will guarantee more than 470 billion yen for payments of fuel and other commercial transactions necessary to keep JAL flying, the report added.

The company's creditor banks will be required to waive about 350 billion yen, out of an approximate 430 billion yen in unsecured bank loans, Kyodo quoted the sources as saying.

The Etic estimated JAL's consolidated operating loss to expand to about 265 billion yen for the current business year to March 2010, compared with a year-earlier loss of 51 billion yen, due to a drop in passenger numbers.

Through restructuring measures under the Etic’s rehabilitation plan, JAL will aim to achieve 116 billion yen in operating profit by the year to March 2013, the sources said.

OMG :ohno::ohno:

Spirit of Manila Airlines (The van, not the plane :D)

Image taken last 01.08.10 at the main entrance of Hotel Stosenberg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/839/dsc02352hl.jpg

where is hotel stosenberg?

LAOAG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAO) - LAOAG

FYI.HONGKONG EXPRESS resumes flight operation from Hongkong to Laoag last December 20, 2009. To date, Laoag International Airport (LIA) have three international flights;
.
.
1. Air Macau - Macau to Laoag 2x/week
2. Mandarin Air - Koashiung,Taiwan toLaoag 2x /week
3. Hongkong Express - Hongkong to Laoag 1x/week
We hope that flights from mainland China(Shanghai and Beijing) and Incheon, South Korea will also resume soon.:banana::banana::banana:

HONGKONG EXPRESS NOW FLIES AGAIN TO LAOAG
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/43600/2945038740055824308S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2945038740055824308sFCKCW)
Photo credit: wintam416 (http://community.webshots.com/user/wintam416/profile)

http://i46.tinypic.com/15q816q.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2u74ozn.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/ehpav.jpg
Photo credit: CHINGWEI (http://picasaweb.google.com/jimmy601214)

http://i45.tinypic.com/317jp90.jpg
Photo credit: yocchi_gogo (http://f.hatena.ne.jp/yocchi_gogo/)

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http://i50.tinypic.com/10oh0tw.jpg

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http://i45.tinypic.com/2pq5r37.jpg
Photo credit: ace (http://picasaweb.google.com/acesilva1977)

operational pa rin pala ang LIA

where is hotel stosenberg?

Its located in Clark near DMIA. :)

Saudi teen poses as pilot; breaches Philippine airport security

Jan 12, 2010, 8:32 GMT

Manila - A Saudi Arabian teenager was arrested at the Philippines' main international airport when he posed as an airline pilot to enter restricted areas, an immigration official said Tuesday.

Hani Abdulelah Buchari, 19, was wearing a Saudi Arabian Airlines pilot uniform when he was arrested Monday in the arrival area of Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to airport immigration chief Ferdinand Sampol.

Sampol said Buchari, a flying school student, admitted that he used the disguise to enter the restricted areas of the airport to fetch his father - a retired Saudi pilot - who was expected to arrive that day.

Buchari was transferred Tuesday to the Bureau of Immigration's detention centre while authorities prepared to file criminal charges against him for breaching airport security and for overstaying in the Philippines with an expired visa.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1524650.php/Saudi-teen-poses-as-pilot-breaches-Philippine-airport-security#ixzz0cO9E9m7n
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1524650.php/Saudi-teen-poses-as-pilot-breaches-Philippine-airport-security

By the way, can the live-map be switched-on again in inbound US flights?

http://edelalon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/pacificflier.jpg

Pacific Flier will commence flight CRK-ROR starting January 20, 2010 with below flight schedule.

PI306 / We-Fri-Su
PI217 / Su

:cheers:


Tanong lang, anong lugar ang may code na ROR?

^^ Roman Tmechtul International Airport, Koror, Palau.

Saudi teen poses as pilot; breaches Philippine airport security

Hindi lang isang Saudi national ang nabalita sa NAIA ngayon. Meron din sawa na napunta sa labas ng departure area, galing daw sa ilalim ng taxi. :nuts:

^^^^

saan ba galing yung taxi? sa gubat? sa zoo? o sa pet shop?:lol:

LAOAG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAO) - LAOAG



HONGKONG EXPRESS NOW FLIES AGAIN TO LAOAG
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/43600/2945038740055824308S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2945038740055824308sFCKCW)
Photo credit: wintam416 (http://community.webshots.com/user/wintam416/profile)


http://i45.tinypic.com/317jp90.jpg
Photo credit: yocchi_gogo (http://f.hatena.ne.jp/yocchi_gogo/)

http://i46.tinypic.com/qx762p.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/10oh0tw.jpg




^^ Anong airline at aircraft yang blue (RP-C8328)?

Kailan kaya matatapos ang ginagawan Airport sa Bulan, Sorsogon. YOn huling update ko d2, still on-going paring ang contruction?


Mas madali na umuwe ng Matnog at Sorsogon pwedi rin some part of Masbati kung Operational na ang Bulan Airport.

It's not under construction. RPUU has existed as an airport for at least ten years.

I would think the Sorsogon airport (RPLZ) though is more viable than the airport in Bulan.

PAL deploys newest Boeing aircraft on prime route
By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) deployed yesterday its newest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER, on its prime Manila-Tokyo Narita daily service.

The state-of-the-art aircraft, delivered less than two months ago, flies to Japan’s premium international gateway in addition to PAL’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft, reflecting the premium profile of the Japanese market.

Tokyo Narita is the second destination served by PAL’s B777-300ER. The jet has been flying the Hong Kong route since Nov. 26, 2009. It will be deployed on the Sydney and Melbourne services by mid-March.

Click to read more (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=540248&publicationSubCategoryId=66)

^^ Anong airline at aircraft yang blue (RP-C8328)?

That's an ex-Midwest Connect Dornier Do 328JET. The aircraft was purchased by SEAIR, though it hasn't been painted yet in SEAIR colors.

That's an ex-Midwest Connect Dornier Do 328JET. The aircraft was purchased by SEAIR, though it hasn't been painted yet in SEAIR colors.

^^ May Dornier Do 328JET pala ang SEAIR? wala pa ako nakikita sa personal at internet puro lang mga Dornier 328 turbo prop baka dahil sa hindi pa napaint hehe. . :D

OMG? i prefer Bulan aiport than Sorsogon because it's most accessible in Matnog.

Anyway, we're also waiting for this development in our town but i have no update about this project.

-----------
Japanese traders to build $100-million Model City

Matnog, Sorsogon – Japanese investors have earmarked $100 million to develop a “model city” in a 20-hectare land to be provided by the municipal government of Matnog.

A memorandum of agreement (MoA) on the project was signed by the parties over the weekend.

Matnog Mayor Guillermo G. So said that Japanese consortium headed by Dr. Hisato Nakamatsu, president of the Chikyusalsei Kikou Ltd. (Earth Rebirth Engineering Ltd.) of Okinawa, Japan, and AIPAC Philippines, Liga ng Magniniyog, and local government unit (LGU) of Matnog signed the MoA that calls for the establishment of an “Ecological Model City” in the Bicol Region.

The project is expected to boost local tourism and generate employment for the Bicolanos.

“This is the chance of my provincemates to have an “Ecological Model City” with the $100-million investments by the Japanese investors,” So said after the signing of MoA.

He said the model city will have an environment-friendly solar dryer, salt-making factory, hydrogen-water processing plant, hotel resort, Japanese retirees village, hospital and clinic, fish port, agro-tourism and marine park.

The mayor said that the modern city will be complemented by an international airport which will be constructed on a 20-hectare land.

The MoA also strengthened the friendly relationship between the Philippines and Japan through the reciprocal programs of HSBC, UBS and JBIC, So added.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/210730/japanese-traders-build-100million-model-city

that would be cool....mapapaunlad ang area na yon....napagiwanan na yun ng hinahangaan ninyo si chez all talk no output escudero....:lol:

bilib din ako sa happenings sa airlines industry natin...para bang ang dami ng gustong pumasok dito....that is a good sign.....ramdam ang kaunlaran...:lol:

http://edelalon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/pacificflier.jpg

Pacific Flier will commence flight CRK-ROR starting January 20, 2010 with below flight schedule.

PI306 / We-Fri-Su
PI217 / Su

:cheers:

Hindi yata matutuloy ito dahil sa balitang....

Pacific Flier, up and almost away!
Ownership issues defers flight plans!
http://philippineairspace.blogspot.com/2010/01/pacific-flier-up-and-almost-away.html
January 11, 2010

Koror- Newly formed airline Pacific flier suffered a stumbling block in its bid to launch international flight services to the Philippines after the FAA refused to grant it a foreign air carrier's permit.

The FAA decision prompted the Palau-based carrier owned by Aviation Matters to suspend and defer its flight plans from Koror to Brisbane, Manila and Guam scheduled for January 12 launch due to ownership issues as found by the FAA, an airline executive said Monday.

"We are still waiting for the FAA's approval but unfortunately they wont be coming any time soon due to some technical and legal issues with them" says Eckert Seamans, Legal representative for the airline.

Pacific Flier Airline is supposed to start flight on January 12 using an Airbus A310-300 from Hi Fly-Transportes Aereos, S.A, a Portuguese-based leasing firm. But Continental Micronesia protested said application on grounds of ownership as effective control of the airline belongs to HiFly, a charter airline based in Lisbon Portugal.

The FAA said that while Aviation Matters, the holdidng company of Pacific Flier, is incorporated in Palau, majority of its owners are not citizens of the island making it a foreign controlled airline. Due to ownership issues, the operators permit was denied killing the airlines hope of flying the pacific skies under the current corporate regime.

"We already filed a petition to the FAA for an exemption to the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) for a foreign air carrier permit and they are pending resolution" says Seamans.

While the airline waits for its approval, they were prevented from selling airline tickets for the proposed destination until a permit is issued.

The leased aircraft (cn495) with registry CS-TEI is capable of accommodating 18 business and 176 economy passengers says Shane Styles, the airline’s marketing head.

"The Airbus 310 is supposed to arrived from Lisbon to Clark airport in Manila via Dubai tomorrow as it start scheduled flight to Koror" says Styles. One way fare from Clark has been pegged at $230 per person and $459 return, exclusive of government taxes.

Pacific flier scheduled departure every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from Palau to Manila Clark at 7:00 AM with arrivals at 10:35AM for a travel time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Schedule for departures from Clark is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday leaving at 5:40PM arriving Koror at 7:10PM Local time. It was then scheduled to leave for Brisbane in Australia and back to Koror before proceeding to Guam and back to Koror then Manila in that rotation.

Styles said that flyers were already circulated to travel agents in a 16-page brochure offering packages in Guam and Palau but the airline's booking engine was disabled by FAA preventing them to take online bookings.

^^

Why does the FAA need to have a say in it? Isn't Palau an independent state? Besides, as far are they are concerned, it is a foreign airline with respect to the US regardless of who owns it.

^^ Palau has a Compact of Free Association with the United States.

sayang kung hindi matutuloy....

Philippine carrier to launch Singapore-Manila service
A Philippine-based airline said Tuesday it will this month become the latest low-fare carrier to launch services between Manila and Singapore, adding to the competition in the struggling sector.

A Philippine-based airline said Tuesday it will this month become the latest low-fare carrier to launch services between Manila and Singapore, adding to the competition in the struggling sector.

Zest Air will start the service from January 29 using a brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, it said in a statement.

Unlike other low-fare carriers, Zest Air said it will offer free inflight meals and snacks and a baggage allowance of 30 kilos (66 pounds) per passenger. A one-way ticket for the new route will carry an introductory price of 72 US dollars, it said.

The airline, which lists prominent Filipino businessmen on its board of directors, currently flies from Manila to 19 domestic destinations in the Philippines.

It also flies four times weekly to Incheon in South Korea.

Apart from the premium airlines, the Singapore-Manila route is served by budget carriers such as Singapore-based Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia as well as Cebu Pacific of the Philippines.

Around 144,000 Filipinos live in the city-state, from domestic helpers to bankers, architects and engineers, according to the Philippine embassy.

Zest Air enters a market severely battered by the recent global economic crisis which saw cost-conscious travellers and companies curb leisure and business air travel.

^^

Will it land at the BT or main Changi terminal? Their booking system is not working.

^^ Their booking stated just 'Changi' for Singapore and Domestic Terminal for Manila.

Wow, why are they using the domestic terminal on an international flight?

wow galing....with meals and baggage allow...

From what I've read somewhere (I posted this on FT, but I forgot the source): Z2 will be using Terminal 1 in MNL and Terminal 2 in SIN.

CATARMAN AIRPORT

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Just in case anyone is interested, here is a trip report I wrote about my MNL-HKG flight.
http://www.wings900.com/vb/1-1-civil-aviation/46093-trip-report-lucky-triple-seven-mnl-hkg-philippine-airlines.html

^^

Nice TR! I wish you should have brought your iPOD or flash drive to see if it works in Y class. I'm not surprised that's all you can watch. Besides, you probably won't have time to watch all of them. I have a feeling they will be updated for its inaugural flight to SYD.

Anyway, where did you get information about the A380 orders "hanging?" Assuming the economy was going their way and these restrictions (e.g. Cat 1) were gone would they be leaning towards getting that compared to the 748i?

^^

Nice TR! I wish you should have brought your iPOD or flash drive to see if it works in Y class. I'm not surprised that's all you can watch. Besides, you probably won't have time to watch all of them. I have a feeling they will be updated for its inaugural flight to SYD.

Anyway, where did you get information about the A380 orders "hanging?" Assuming the economy was going their way and these restrictions (e.g. Cat 1) were gone would they be leaning towards getting that compared to the 748i?

Thanks!:)

No, I never meant to imply there was/ is an order hanging, but that the issue remains unresolved. I mean, they still haven't announced a replacement for the 744s that will be retired starting 2015. There were plenty of posts on this board about the prospects of the A380 or another VLA entering the PR fleet. Wasn't it that Airbus and PAL were flirting with each other just prior to the oil crisis?

JAL to cut 15,600 jobs under turnaround plan
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 13:26:00 01/11/2010

TOKYO, Japan—Troubled Japan Airlines is expected to cut 15,600 jobs, or about 30 percent of its group workforce, in three years under a rehabilitation plan, a report said Monday.

The layoffs, coupled with cuts in benefits and wages, will be carried out together with the sale of JAL's subsidiaries including JAL Hotels Co., Kyodo News reported citing unspecified sources.

The carrier's workforce will be trimmed to about 36,000 by the business year.

This is not good.

^^ I see. Well, I haven't been there in a while, so that's a mea culpa on my part. :tongue2:

So this means I can presume that DL will move from SGV and NW from the Athenaeum to a new office inside Philamlife Tower? Wow. :D

The DL ofc in SGV is a GSA office. That GSA doesn't hold DL anymore since DL merge with NW. I think DL choose to stick with the NW office in Atheneum bldg bec. I believe that is the direct ofc. It is sad that I heard that GSA in SGV layoff their employees for DL because of the merger.

The NW now DL office is now the sole office for DL.

^^

Nice TR! I wish you should have brought your iPOD or flash drive to see if it works in Y class. I'm not surprised that's all you can watch. Besides, you probably won't have time to watch all of them.

The IFE options surprisingly are still the same from last month. They are the same offerings as rolling IFE on non-AVOD aircraft.

The iPod should work, but it didn't work when I plugged it in. Probably a kink.

Thanks!:)

No, I never meant to imply there was/ is an order hanging, but that the issue remains unresolved. I mean, they still haven't announced a replacement for the 744s that will be retired starting 2015. There were plenty of posts on this board about the prospects of the A380 or another VLA entering the PR fleet. Wasn't it that Airbus and PAL were flirting with each other just prior to the oil crisis?

While I think an A380 will be a good addition, the thing is we don't have an A380-ready airport.

Also, what do the only A380 operators SQ, EK, QF and AF have in common? Their A380s are tri-class. PR just phased their first class out 2 years ago. It's very hard to see them re-introduce first class. Having as many high-yield/premium seats in their large aircraft will be key if they want to get their money back on the A380 quickly. I'm playing an airline simulator game at airwaysim.com and I realise getting my cash back on small aircraft is already arduous so with bigger aircraft, it's going to be a nightmare.

^^ MNL and CRK are A380-ready. You do not need double jet bridges to be an A380-ready airport.

While I think an A380 will be a good addition, the thing is we don't have an A380-ready airport.

Also, what do the only A380 operators SQ, EK, QF and AF have in common? Their A380s are tri-class. PR just phased their first class out 2 years ago. It's very hard to see them re-introduce first class. Having as many high-yield/premium seats in their large aircraft will be key if they want to get their money back on the A380 quickly. I'm playing an airline simulator game at airwaysim.com and I realise getting my cash back on small aircraft is already arduous so with bigger aircraft, it's going to be a nightmare.

SQ and EK have said repeatedly that they will configure some of their A380s with two classes only for very high-density short to medium haul routes.

Many airports have no upper deck boarding facilities but have been taking in A380s, like CDG T1.

^^ If I'm not mistaken, CEB should also be A380-ready. If it can land in CRK, it should be able to land on CEB's longer runway,

^^
A pleasant travel report there Hikouki. Fair and objective report as usual.

And yes. EK has bi-class A380 on order. One of their intended routes in the far east includes Manila. In fact, it was EK that required airbus to visit the country's airport for compatibility issues. Had it not for the oil crisis, they could have landed their A380 this month. Now its moved for a year.

^^

The 77W will do for now. I just think their 10-abreast Y class is minus pogi-points. And I was actually expecting the A380 be served by EK considering MNL is one of its busiest routes.

But because of the oil crisis? It's the arabs that should be happy because of these high oil prices. Also, doesn't the likes of EK get an oil subsidy from their government? That kind of subsidy was one of the things that put PR out of business in the middle east.

Just in case anyone is interested, here is a trip report I wrote about my MNL-HKG flight.
http://www.wings900.com/vb/1-1-civil-aviation/46093-trip-report-lucky-triple-seven-mnl-hkg-philippine-airlines.html

I think this a different version of Power Push Unit (PPU) pushback truck..

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4269292194_14579226ae_o.jpg

Typical PPU..
http://www.simscape.fr/images/PPU_5.jpg

Unlike the standard pushback process that uses a pushback truck and a tow bar attached to the nose wheel, the PPU is a remote controlled truck directly attached to one of the main landing gear. It pushes the aircraft backwards and the aircraft pilot is in charge of steering the aircraft with the nose wheel, which can move freely.

^^
A pleasant travel report there Hikouki. Fair and objective report as usual.

And yes. EK has bi-class A380 on order. One of their intended routes in the far east includes Manila. In fact, it was EK that required airbus to visit the country's airport for compatibility issues. Had it not for the oil crisis, they could have landed their A380 this month. Now its moved for a year.

If SQ orders a bi-class A380, it will kill any chance for passengers to travel the 2nd best first class for less than USD10,000 (SIN-HKG).

from Clarkkent in Pinoy Exchange Forums

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/PAL777Ad.jpg

^^ Are Tokyo-bound flights red-eyes? If it isn't, then that ad is kinda misleading.

Airport restrictions hurting Boracay tourism
By Daxim Lucas
First Posted 20:27:00 01/13/2010

(First of two parts)

FLYING TO THE WORLD-FAMOUS Boracay Island for a weekend getaway in one of its many resorts used to be a fast, convenient and affordable experience for hundreds of thousands of foreign and local tourists each year.

Up until the third quarter of last year, visitors could fly from Manila to nearby Caticlan airport in as little as 35 minutes, take a short ferry ride to the island’s white sand beaches, and check into a hotel room within an hour and a half of leaving the metropolis.

All this changed when aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions on Caticlan airport after a string of aircraft accidents and “near misses.” That left only high-end niche carrier Southeast Asian Airline as the sole operator to the gateway of Boracay.

More affordable flights operated by PAL Express, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air—all of which charged cheaper fare—had to be diverted to Kalibo Airport which is a two-hour land trip away from Caticlan.

“The effects of this flight diversions really hit the local tourism industry badly,” said Ike Guanio, who is the chief operating officer of Boracay’s sprawling Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club.

“At one point, [reservation] cancellations [for local resort hotels] reached as high as 70 percent,” he added. “We were all affected.”

In an interview with the Inquirer, Guanio explained that a large number of tourists who visit Boracay Island do so during weekends, flying in on Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings, and returning to Manila or Cebu on Sunday afternoons.

The limited operations of Caticlan airport—which forced most airlines to fly tourists in via Kalibo—had turned off many potential travelers, putting a dampener on the island’s multimillion-peso tourism industry.

“Time is precious for weekend tourists,” Guanio said. “They don’t want to spend half of Saturday getting to Boracay and half of Sunday getting out of Boracay.

“Right now, it has become really inconvenient for people to come to Boracay, especially if they fly in via Kalibo,” he said, pointing to the approaching peak summer travel season. We need Caticlan to resume operations to restore, or even improve, tourist traffic.”

Over the long term, what is needed is for Caticlan airport’s 900-meter runway to be extended to at least 1,800 meters for it to be able to accommodate the Airbus A320 aircraft.

For the short term, a 50-meter-high hill on one end of the runway has to be reduced in size. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), the hill prevents larger turboprop aircraft from flying in and out of the airport.

The challenge was taken up by the the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC), a consortium majority-owned by businessman George Yang, more famously known for bringing the McDonald’s fastfood chain to the country.

With a P2.5-billion bid, CIADC secured a 25-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) deal to extend the runway and build a new terminal for the airport.

Recently, however, the deal has come under intense attack from critics who claim that the airport expansion will adversely affect the environment on Boracay Island, which is separated form Caticlan by a deep channel.

In particular, critics of the deal have presented to the media one environment official who claimed that the development plan would eventually cause Boracay’s white sand beaches to be eroded.

In several interviews made with local stakeholders, however, another motive has emerged for the opponents of the Caticlan airport expansion: property speculation.

“There’s another group that’s pushing for the development of an international airport on Carabao Island,” said Aklan lawmaker Florencio Miraflores. “It’s just a proposal [at this point], but it’s being aggressively marketed as an alternative project.”

Along with other local officials, Miraflores believes that business—and not the environment—is the root of the opposition to the Caticlan airport expansion. (To be concluded.)

^^ Are Tokyo-bound flights red-eyes? If it isn't, then that ad is kinda misleading.

follow up question din...
gaano ba kahaba ang MNL-NRT flights??

^^ Are Tokyo-bound flights red-eyes? If it isn't, then that ad is kinda misleading.

I don't think so... PR's flight leaves usually at 2:55pm and arrives at 8:10pm... not late evening flight.

follow up question din...
gaano ba kahaba ang MNL-NRT flights??

4 hrs and 15 mins

^^

10 years ago, these flights were announced as 3 hours and 20 minutes, maybe 3 hours and 40 minutes at most. How come they have become 30 minutes longer?

That ad would be more effective if the flight was somehow overnight like one of the MNL-ICN flight.

^^ I don't know how... I think its really 4 hrs base on my last trip to NRT in 2004.

For the ad, I agree the early AM/red flight to ICN is suitable for that and for GUM flight too - that was a very red red eye flight!

BTW, I like the blue wave lines on the AD sna they have it as cheatlines on the livery of the B777 plane.

^^

10 years ago, these flights were announced as 3 hours and 20 minutes, maybe 3 hours and 40 minutes at most. How come they have become 30 minutes longer?

That ad would be more effective if the flight was somehow overnight like one of the MNL-ICN flight.

Airlines add an "allowance" for delays, and flying times may also slightly differ based on equipment. Compare similar flights from different airlines and they usually have different flight times. I think MNL-HKG on CX is only 2:05 but 2:10 on PAL some time back. Flying time is actually only 1:50.

Flights in busy hubs have longer "allowances" - up to 30 or so minutes in some Euro airports even if the flight itself is just 30 minutes!:nuts:

Legazpi City Airport Arrival Section
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0183-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0185.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0186.jpg

Philippine Airlines
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0194-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0198-2.jpg

----------------
Come and Visit: Legazpi City & Albay Province Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1043653)

Airlines add an "allowance" for delays, and flying times may also slightly differ based on equipment. Compare similar flights from different airlines and they usually have different flight times. I think MNL-HKG on CX is only 2:05 but 2:10 on PAL some time back. Flying time is actually only 1:50.

Flights in busy hubs have longer "allowances" - up to 30 or so minutes in some Euro airports even if the flight itself is just 30 minutes!:nuts:

Actually the MNL-HKG leg is 1 hour and 45 mins and the HKG-MNL leg is 1 hour and 35 mins.

Actually the MNL-HKG leg is 1 hour and 45 mins and the HKG-MNL leg is 1 hour and 35 mins.

It also depends on the aircraft. The 744 can do MNL-HKG in 1:40.:)

Extra flight Time allowance is for approach procedure particularly at busy airports because most of the time your arrival will always be on cue and at landing interval with others.

Normal flight time to HK is 2 hours, and yes you can make it as fast as 1:30 on full throttle, still wind and empty airport, but airlines are not always crazy to do that because its not fuel efficient and wears the engine more. Most of the time, airliners travel on average efficient speed depending on altitude and airframe.

Its like running your average car at 90km/hr but its capable of reaching 140kph if you want to. Other than an earlier arrival time, what spells the difference is the fuel burn you made, and assuming you have the same fuel for a particular destination, my best bet is you would not make the finish line on full throttle. Fuel efficiency is key and so are airline operations.

Extra flight Time allowance is for approach procedure particularly at busy airports because most of the time your arrival will always be on cue and at landing interval with others.

Normal flight time to HK is 2 hours, and yes you can make it as fast as 1:30 on full throttle, still wind and empty airport, but airlines are not always crazy to do that because its not fuel efficient and wears the engine more. Most of the time, airliners travel on average efficient speed depending on altitude and airframe.

Its like running your average car at 90km/hr but its capable of reaching 140kph if you want to. Other than an earlier arrival time, what spells the difference is the fuel burn you made, and assuming you have the same fuel for a particular destination, my best bet is you would not make the finish line on full throttle. Fuel efficiency is key and so are airline operations.

I experienced an extra fast flight to HKG when PR 300 was an hour delayed and the flight had about 20 people connecting on United then another 20 or so to three different Chinese airlines. We made it to HKG only 30 mins behind schedule and I guess the crew decided to go full throttle to avoid having to spend for the delayed passengers' hotel, etc. I think all were able to connect, on their intended flights.

from Clarkkent in Pinoy Exchange Forums

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/extra_kurt/PAL777Ad.jpg


ilang oras ba flight from tokyo to manila? parang 3 hours lang yata. so di na masyado importante kung nakahilata ka o nakaupo. pag long-haul baka pede pa.

Let's give it around 3 hours and 45 mins. PR should consider moving their MNL-NRT flight to around midnight, at least while the 77W will serve it. Besides, it can also save in terms of parking fees / ground fees as they don't have to wait overnight for their 77W to return. Furthermore, since it arrives first thing in the morning, it will also save passengers (tourists and business travellers at least) 1 night worth of hotel costs because under the current schedule, the airline will arrive close to 20.00 local time where I estimate they would be released from customs 40 mins at best. They won't be able to do sightseeing on the first night anyway.

^^ One of the reasons why PAL flights arrive mid-afternoon is to allow for connecting flights to the U.S. and Canada. Most flights bound for North America departing NRT leave in the morning to mid-afternoon. Late night flights do not allow for easy connections at NRT.

^^

Kaya nga to clarify, what I meant is a flight leaving MNL at around midnight. Computing the travel time, assuming it leaves around midnight from MNL, it should arrive in NRT around 5-6 in the morning local time. Then there's plenty of time to choose a connecting flight. There the passenger won't have to shell-out for hotel and visa costs (since I think isn't any airside hotel at NRT).

^^

Kaya nga to clarify, what I meant is a flight leaving MNL at around midnight. Computing the travel time, assuming it leaves around midnight from MNL, it should arrive in NRT around 5-6 in the morning local time. Then there's plenty of time to choose a connecting flight. There the passenger won't have to shell-out for hotel and visa costs (since I think isn't any airside hotel at NRT).

Not to metnion, they will also save on crew costs as the crew also overnight and turnaround in the morning with the same aircraft.

But I think there is a reason why PAL has not only kept their MNL-NRT scheds the same since the 80s, but have more or less copied it on the KIX and NGO runs. Further, JAL's original daily flight from NRT and NGO also had the 'same' scheds. Perhaps this is the sched that the Japanese (O&D?) passengers prefer. The second JAL flight (the one that overnights here), I think is the one geared towards connecting flights.

^^

That was what I was trying to say. I understand that late-nights/early morning flights have lower landing/parking costs in NRT.

Don't forget it's not just the Japanese flights that follow this scheme. Before PR launched a 2nd daily flight to ICN 2 years ago (I believe), the incumbent ICN flight also followed a similar schedule.

The question now is who flies PR more between MNL and NRT, the Japan-bound Pinoys or the Philippine-bound Japanese or mere transit passengers onward to North America?

I'd also prefer the "overnight" schedule as my daytime schedule in MNL (i.e. work) won't have to be disrupted as I would be expected at the airport at 22.00 at the latest.

By the way, as MNL-NRT is one of PR's chief routes, why can't they start an A320 service for the mid-morning/lunch hour and have the 77W overnight? I understand there was an ASA forged between RP and JP less than 5 years ago.

By the way, as MNL-NRT is one of PR's chief routes, why can't they start an A320 service for the mid-morning/lunch hour and have the 77W overnight? I understand there was an ASA forged between RP and JP less than 5 years ago.

If I'm not mistaken, Japan will not accept any plane smaller than a 757 at NRT. Before, it used to be no narrowbodies at all, hence why Cebu Pacific had a hard time obtaining slots at KIX.

^^

So where are JL's 738s and MD/DC aircraft based out of? Why don't they allow narrowbodies?

So that's why NRT is the only international Asian destination of PR with a flight of over 2 hours that has scheduled widebody service.

^^ I forgot to clarify: the restriction is for international flights, not domestic ones.

^^

Well someone said before that JL may use a 738 from NRT-CGK more than using it within JP.

Seair offers anniversary promos

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/14/2010 10:09 PM

MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of its 15th anniversary, Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair) is offering special promos for Boracay flights.

Travelers can avail of Seair's special "morning" rates of as low as P1,999.20 per way when they book as early as February for travel starting March onwards. The special rates are available for limited seats for flights to and from Boracay before 7 a.m.

Seair is also giving away online booking discounts. A P1,500 discount per way for all seats, flights and routes will be awarded to travelers booking via www.FlySeair.com.

"This is Seair's way of thanking travelers for their continued support. The airline has been serving key tourist destinations since 1995, most notably Boracay, and has the longest history of uninterrupted service to Boracay direct via Caticlan," the carrier said.

Seair now offers up to 27 flights per day to Boracay (Caticlan) and is now flying daily to the island paradise of Batanes. It also flies to El Nido every Wednesday and Sunday, as well as Marinduque every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Seair, the nation's second-oldest airline, has flown almost 3 million passengers to local destinations including Tablas (Romblon), Cebu, Clark, Zamboanga, Jolo, and Tawi-tawi.

as of 01/14/2010 10:10 PM

I wonder if Narita still restrict flights. Didn't they open another runway a few years ago??? Not sure.

As to airplanes having different times on the same route. I was flying to Manila from LAX. I saw Tan the owner in the vip lounge in LAX. We were 30 minutes late leaving and we arrived 30 minutes early in Manila. I wonder if Tan notice the plane got in early because they were burning fuel. The guy had a couple of assitents, all wearing suits. Tan definitely doesn't go to my tailor. He had on a really nice suit. This was about 3-4 years ago.

Zest Air to expand fleet
before resuming Clark-HK flights
BY GENIVI FACTAO

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.

President Arroyo to launch P2-B Caticlan airport dev't project

Kalibo, Aklan (14 January) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the launching of the P2.507-billion Caticlan Airport Development Project in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan during her visit to the province today, January 15.

President Arroyo will lay in the capsule to break the ground for the project assisted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza at the airport site.

The Chief Executive will also lead in the distribution of gift bags to 1,500 indigents during the Common Tao Day activity led by the PCSO to be held also in Caticlan.

The Caticlan airport serves mainly as gateway for tourists and cargoes to and from the adjacent world-famous Boracay Island.

DOTC said the airport development project is a commitment of the Department to upgrade various facilities of the Caticlan airport to enhance the safety of aircraft operations and to make it compliant with international civil aviation standards and recommended practices.

Further, the rapid growth of Boracay Island not only as a domestic tourist attraction but also as an international tourist destination requires the improvement and expansion of the current airport facilities and services to cater to the needs of a foreseen increase in passenger and cargo traffic and to maximize its economic benefits.

The Caticlan Airport Development Project involves the phased development and expansion of the existing airport more particularly the improvement of existing terminal building, construction of runway extension and the widening and development of land site facilities including the construction of new passenger terminal building, vehicular parking area and other ancillary facilities.

The project will be implemented by its original proponent, the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation through the Build-Operation-Transfer (BOT) scheme, Contract-Add-Operate-And-Transfer.

Its financing source will be100 percent Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. with an estimated cost of P2.507B. Project duration is for 7 years. :eek:

Once this project is completed, Aklan will serve as a revitalized gateway to Boracay Island and the rest of the country.

Transport and Communications Secretary Mendoza said: "We will develop the Caticlan airport to better serve the growing number of air travel passengers to and from Aklan."

"Further," he said, "we will have an additional gateway to the beautiful places adjacent to this province such as Boracay Island."

"This facility will serve as a testimony of the unwavering resolve of the government under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to bring progress and development throughout the nation," added Mendoza.

He said that with the completion of the development project, tourism as well as business and livelihood activities in Aklan and adjacent Boracay Island are expected to increase.

Secretary Mendoza further said that this newly modernized airport which carries the amenities to provide better air services will be a landmark of progress and a catalyst of growth for this province.

Another activity that will be held during President Arroyo's visit here is a medical, dental and optometric mission that will also benefit the recipients of Common Tao Day gift bags.

Source:pia.gov.ph (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100114.htm&no=60)

Airline passengers mad over diverted flight
SS-CDO January 15, 2010

ANGRY passengers of Cebu Pacific's Manila-Cagayan de Oro flight recounted Thursday hours of ordeal with the airline after inclement weather condition forced their plane to divert to Cebu's Mactan airport.

Wednesday's flight 389 expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro at 4:25 p.m. carried 160 passengers, who complained of shabby treatment from the airline after being told to deplane in Mactan airport without being given accommodation for the night whatsoever.

"They just unceremoniously want us to get out of the plane and take it from there," said American David Kent, who was with his Filipina wife, Eva, on the flight. "We refused unless they book us to some hotel, and it all went downhill from there."

Prior to being told to deplane, the passengers were assured that the flight would head back to Manila, Kent said.

It all changed minutes later, he said, this time with the airline management telling passengers they would be booked on the earliest flight the day after and their tickets honored for 30 days.

Eva, Kent's wife, said this did not sit well with most passengers, who reminded the airline staff that not all of them can afford to sleep in hotels.

"Where do we sleep then? In the airport lounge?" she answered.

The airline, she said, would not foot the bill for the accommodation since the flight's diversion was "an act of God."

"We can't control the weather," Mrs. Kent quoted one airline crew as saying.

"It was all harrowing--an experience I'd rather not have again," she said.

The irate passengers and the airline staff traded arguments for hours, she said, while some passengers opted to get out of the plane.

Agnes Roa, a columnist of this paper who was on the flight, complained of the crew's "rudeness".

"They're (airline crew) all bastos, and you could see and hear how disrespectful they were to the passengers. Instead of resolving our complaints, they added a great deal to our troubles," she said.

Already fuming, some passengers, she said, brandished their videocameras and threaten to have the whole scene uploaded on Youtube.

The airline only relented to bring them back to Manila past 10 p.m., she said, "after the shouting and all."

Throughout the ordeal, the airline crew only managed to give them a pair of doughnuts and water for dinner, Roa said.

"But I'm thankful I've survived it all," she said. "I'd never be on that plane again!"

This paper contacted several Cebu Pacific spokespersons but their phones run unanswered.

Last week, Cebu Pacific was in hot water for refusing to board a special child.

According to Marites Alcantara, the Gokongwei-led carrier's purser and cabin crew pressured her and her son, John Arvin, to get off the plane bound for Manila from Hong Kong.

Alcantara said the crew members flatly told her that John Arvin is a special child and is banned from boarding Cebu Pacific planes, citing company rules.

Days after the incident, Cebu Pacific said it would train crews on handling special children.

"We are in the process of creating a training program for our people to avoid similar incidents from happening again," Cebu Pacific spokesperson Candice Iyog said in a statement.

^^

So where are JL's 738s and MD/DC aircraft based out of? Why don't they allow narrowbodies?

So that's why NRT is the only international Asian destination of PR with a flight of over 2 hours that has scheduled widebody service.

I'm not sure if the MD-90s are still used on flights to China, but JAS used them on those. I know that JAL mostly prefers a 738 over any MD plane on thin routes to China. But I think these are mostly based outside of NRT.

edit: Many 738s do Japan - China and Japan - Korea routes. Looking at the timetables, they are mostly based out of Narita and Kansai.

I wonder if Narita still restrict flights. Didn't they open another runway a few years ago??? Not sure.

As to airplanes having different times on the same route. I was flying to Manila from LAX. I saw Tan the owner in the vip lounge in LAX. We were 30 minutes late leaving and we arrived 30 minutes early in Manila. I wonder if Tan notice the plane got in early because they were burning fuel. The guy had a couple of assitents, all wearing suits. Tan definitely doesn't go to my tailor. He had on a really nice suit. This was about 3-4 years ago.

Flight times are always "padded" with plenty of "allowance for delay time." You would have arrived more than 30 minutes early if it left on time even at normal cruise. I noticed that the allowance for delay is larger for longer flights.

Extra flight Time allowance is for approach procedure particularly at busy airports because most of the time your arrival will always be on cue and at landing interval with others.

Normal flight time to HK is 2 hours, and yes you can make it as fast as 1:30 on full throttle, still wind and empty airport, but airlines are not always crazy to do that because its not fuel efficient and wears the engine more. Most of the time, airliners travel on average efficient speed depending on altitude and airframe.

Its like running your average car at 90km/hr but its capable of reaching 140kph if you want to. Other than an earlier arrival time, what spells the difference is the fuel burn you made, and assuming you have the same fuel for a particular destination, my best bet is you would not make the finish line on full throttle. Fuel efficiency is key and so are airline operations.

I don't think it is only for approach, but for departure as well (ie., queuing up on the runway). A check-in staff at MUC told me this. True enough, we spent more than 20 minutes after pushback waiting for our turn to take-off.

Airline passengers mad over diverted flight
SS-CDO January 15, 2010

ANGRY passengers of Cebu Pacific's Manila-Cagayan de Oro flight recounted Thursday hours of ordeal with the airline after inclement weather condition forced their plane to divert to Cebu's Mactan airport.

Wednesday's flight 389 expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro at 4:25 p.m. carried 160 passengers, who complained of shabby treatment from the airline after being told to deplane in Mactan airport without being given accommodation for the night whatsoever.

"They just unceremoniously want us to get out of the plane and take it from there," said American David Kent, who was with his Filipina wife, Eva, on the flight. "We refused unless they book us to some hotel, and it all went downhill from there."

Prior to being told to deplane, the passengers were assured that the flight would head back to Manila, Kent said.

It all changed minutes later, he said, this time with the airline management telling passengers they would be booked on the earliest flight the day after and their tickets honored for 30 days.

Eva, Kent's wife, said this did not sit well with most passengers, who reminded the airline staff that not all of them can afford to sleep in hotels.

"Where do we sleep then? In the airport lounge?" she answered.

The airline, she said, would not foot the bill for the accommodation since the flight's diversion was "an act of God."

"We can't control the weather," Mrs. Kent quoted one airline crew as saying.

"It was all harrowing--an experience I'd rather not have again," she said.

The irate passengers and the airline staff traded arguments for hours, she said, while some passengers opted to get out of the plane.

Agnes Roa, a columnist of this paper who was on the flight, complained of the crew's "rudeness".

"They're (airline crew) all bastos, and you could see and hear how disrespectful they were to the passengers. Instead of resolving our complaints, they added a great deal to our troubles," she said.

Already fuming, some passengers, she said, brandished their videocameras and threaten to have the whole scene uploaded on Youtube.

The airline only relented to bring them back to Manila past 10 p.m., she said, "after the shouting and all."

Throughout the ordeal, the airline crew only managed to give them a pair of doughnuts and water for dinner, Roa said.

"But I'm thankful I've survived it all," she said. "I'd never be on that plane again!"

This paper contacted several Cebu Pacific spokespersons but their phones run unanswered.

Last week, Cebu Pacific was in hot water for refusing to board a special child.

According to Marites Alcantara, the Gokongwei-led carrier's purser and cabin crew pressured her and her son, John Arvin, to get off the plane bound for Manila from Hong Kong.

Alcantara said the crew members flatly told her that John Arvin is a special child and is banned from boarding Cebu Pacific planes, citing company rules.

Days after the incident, Cebu Pacific said it would train crews on handling special children.

"We are in the process of creating a training program for our people to avoid similar incidents from happening again," Cebu Pacific spokesperson Candice Iyog said in a statement.

It would be a good move if 5j divert this flight to another Mindanao city close to CDO like Dipolog or Butuan.

Legazpi City Airport Arrival Section
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0183-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0185.jpg


Okay na sana kaya lang pinuno ng sticker yuong conveyor belt/caroussel tapos masyadong open ang baggage claim area. Bakit pa nilagyan ng caroussel maliit lang naman ang arrival section. but atleast mukhang malinis at makintab ang sahig.

Airline passengers mad over diverted flight
SS-CDO January 15, 2010

ANGRY passengers of Cebu Pacific's Manila-Cagayan de Oro flight recounted Thursday hours of ordeal with the airline after inclement weather condition forced their plane to divert to Cebu's Mactan airport.

Wednesday's flight 389 expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro at 4:25 p.m. carried 160 passengers, who complained of shabby treatment from the airline after being told to deplane in Mactan airport without being given accommodation for the night whatsoever.

"They just unceremoniously want us to get out of the plane and take it from there," said American David Kent, who was with his Filipina wife, Eva, on the flight. "We refused unless they book us to some hotel, and it all went downhill from there."

Prior to being told to deplane, the passengers were assured that the flight would head back to Manila, Kent said.

It all changed minutes later, he said, this time with the airline management telling passengers they would be booked on the earliest flight the day after and their tickets honored for 30 days.

Eva, Kent's wife, said this did not sit well with most passengers, who reminded the airline staff that not all of them can afford to sleep in hotels.

"Where do we sleep then? In the airport lounge?" she answered.

The airline, she said, would not foot the bill for the accommodation since the flight's diversion was "an act of God."

"We can't control the weather," Mrs. Kent quoted one airline crew as saying.

"It was all harrowing--an experience I'd rather not have again," she said.

The irate passengers and the airline staff traded arguments for hours, she said, while some passengers opted to get out of the plane.

Agnes Roa, a columnist of this paper who was on the flight, complained of the crew's "rudeness".

"They're (airline crew) all bastos, and you could see and hear how disrespectful they were to the passengers. Instead of resolving our complaints, they added a great deal to our troubles," she said.

Already fuming, some passengers, she said, brandished their videocameras and threaten to have the whole scene uploaded on Youtube.

The airline only relented to bring them back to Manila past 10 p.m., she said, "after the shouting and all."

Throughout the ordeal, the airline crew only managed to give them a pair of doughnuts and water for dinner, Roa said.

"But I'm thankful I've survived it all," she said. "I'd never be on that plane again!"

This paper contacted several Cebu Pacific spokespersons but their phones run unanswered.

Last week, Cebu Pacific was in hot water for refusing to board a special child.

According to Marites Alcantara, the Gokongwei-led carrier's purser and cabin crew pressured her and her son, John Arvin, to get off the plane bound for Manila from Hong Kong.

Alcantara said the crew members flatly told her that John Arvin is a special child and is banned from boarding Cebu Pacific planes, citing company rules.

Days after the incident, Cebu Pacific said it would train crews on handling special children.

"We are in the process of creating a training program for our people to avoid similar incidents from happening again," Cebu Pacific spokesperson Candice Iyog said in a statement.

^^but experience with the airlines and its crew..baka nman ung mga crew wer not trained well....naku Cebu Pacific must train and be in good service young fleet pa pero dami ng receive reclamos....

Proposed rival airport blamed for Caticlan woes
By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE MAN accused of being behind the smear campaign against the expansion of the busy but undersized Caticlan airport is Boracay businessman and resort owner Steve Tajanlangit.

He is one of the pioneer locators in the world-famous holiday destination and owns large properties on the island, having recently sold one such prime piece of real estate to the Shangri-La Hotel group on which a posh resort now stands.

According to Boracay locals and government officials interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer – many of whom know Tajanlangit personally, and thus spoke anonymously – the businessman has been at the forefront of efforts to stop the P2.5-billion expansion of the Caticlan airport.

Apart from trying to rally public opinion against the project, they also pointed to Tajanlangit as the instigator of a campaign in the local and national media, which revolves around environmental issues.

More importantly, Tajanlangit is being accused of opposing the Caticlan airport expansion because of his own plans to put up an international airport on nearby Carabao Island – on a large tract of land which he owns.

It is a charge Tajanlangit denies.

“They all say we’re against Caticlan airport,” the businessman said in an interview with the Inquirer. “Yes, we’re against it, but we’re not talking against it.”

Tajanlangit claims that leveling a 50-meter hill in Caticlan to make way for an extended runway will result in a “wind channel” that could potentially blow black sand from the mainland over to Boracay across the narrow strait, contaminating the island’s world-famous white sand.

He distanced himself, however, from the opinion issued by a local official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which put forward this theory.

“I don’t even know that person,” he said.

To counter this argument, the George Yang-led Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) – backed by the Aklan provincial government – released copies of official DENR approvals certifying to the environmental soundness of the project.

“The channel is so deep and wide that there is no way the sand from Caticlan can reach Boracay,” said Aklan Representative Florencio Miraflores.

Tajanlangit did admit, however, that he wanted the alternative airport located on his Carabao Island property, which he said was a more ideal location than Caticlan.

“It’s not [land] speculation,” the businessman said. “That’s not true. We bought the land for the airport, yes. But we don’t have beachfront property. But we might, in the future.”

In fact, the area that Tanjanlangit wants to develop into an international airport has already been fenced in. He said he was just now waiting to seal funding deals with potential partners.

With the right partner, he said the new airport would be ready for operations by as soon as 2012.

Under aviation regulations, however, no two commercial airports are allowed to operate within 25 nautical miles of each other. This is to maintain minimum aircraft separation distances.

This was confirmed by Civil Aviation Administration of the Philippines director general Ruben Ciron, who said that Tajanlangit’s planned Carabao Island airport cannot coexist with Caticlan.

“It’s one or the other,” he said.

While the fight plays out, tourism in Boracay continues to suffer.

In fact, resort operators interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer said that the bulk of their foreign clients have been turned off by the poor transportation infrastructure chain.

“They all love Boracay,” said one manager, requesting anonymity because of personal ties with Tajanlangit. “But 70 percent of them tell me they will never come back here. It’s simply too much trouble.”

As far as CIADC is concerned, it recently received the approval from Malacañang to break ground on the Caticlan airport expansion, and is set to start reducing the height of the controversial hill today with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leading groundbreaking rites.

But Tajanlangit remained defiant.

“We don’t even have to attack [the Caticlan project],” he said. “I’m willing to bet they can’t convert that into an international airport.”

Instead, the businessman – accused of trying to block the deal despite a potential conflict of interest situation – offered CIADC an alternative solution: “If they want, they can go into a joint venture deal with us.”

Meanwhile, the tourists and the local economy wait.

It would be a good move if 5j divert this flight to another Mindanao city close to CDO like Dipolog or Butuan.

In cases like this, not unless aircraft is low on fuel, diversion will be to nearest airport where airline and terminal has major facilities to cater needs of stranded passengers.Unfortunately,5j didn't do its part!

President Arroyo to launch P2-B Caticlan airport dev't project



Source:pia.gov.ph (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100114.htm&no=60)

7 years? Hopefully, they'll change their mind. There's another option without levelling the hill in Caticlan. It's only 60 km between Kalibo and Caticlan, all they need is an proper airport between Kalibo and Caticlan, and a proper highway connecting them. It will also serve a bigger population base not only Boracay bound pax.

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

:banana: :banana: :banana:


16 January 2010
PAL returns to Saudi March 28
MANILA – Philippine Airlines resumes a long-awaited service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28, 2010, heeding the clamor of the large Filipino community in the Middle East and marking a return to the region after an absence of four years.

The non-stop service will operate four times weekly, with flight PR 658 departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:20 p.m. It arrives in the Saudi capital at 11:00 p.m. (Riyadh time)

The return service, PR 659, departs Riyadh at 12:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, and arrives back in Manila at 3:00 p.m. (Manila time)

Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which seat 50 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 383 in Fiesta Class (economy), will be deployed on the service.

PAL last served Riyadh, its final destination in the Middle East, on March 2, 2006. The service was suspended for commercial reasons.

The flag carrier’s return to the region has been welcomed by Filipino expatriates, who number about 2 million – one of the largest foreign communities working there.

PAL has been traditionally favored by Filipinos in the Middle East because its direct service to Manila means that they get home faster compared to other carriers, whose flights can involve up to two stops in intermediate cities before proceeding to Manila.

PAL first flew to Riyadh on March 1, 1987 and over the decades the Saudi capital became one of its most important points.

From March 28, with the addition of Riyadh, the PAL network will count 25 international destinations as well as 29 points in the Philippines.

For booking requirements, passengers are advised to visit www.philippineairlines.com or call (02) 855-8888.

Good news.

It's really a good news.....no more transferring from T1 to T2...as well tugging your baggage.

Hooraaaayyy!!!! :banana: :banana:

THANK YOU PAL!!!....

with the New Refurbished B747 whooaaa!!!!!....It's a Great Experience....and wishing B777 for their next trip.

It's really a good news.....no more transferring from T1 to T2...as well tugging your baggage.

Hooraaaayyy!!!! :banana: :banana:

THANK YOU PAL!!!....

with the New Refurbished B747 whooaaa!!!!!....It's a Great Experience....and wishing B777 for their next trip.

Someone at PEx pointed out that this may be a dedicated route for RP-C8168. 50C+383Y = 433. Honga naman, isa na lang may config na ganito - the non-reconfigured leased 744. Maybe this route isn't as high-yielding as the trans-Pacs...

I wonder if Narita still restrict flights. Didn't they open another runway a few years ago??? Not sure.

As to airplanes having different times on the same route. I was flying to Manila from LAX. I saw Tan the owner in the vip lounge in LAX. We were 30 minutes late leaving and we arrived 30 minutes early in Manila. I wonder if Tan notice the plane got in early because they were burning fuel. The guy had a couple of assitents, all wearing suits. Tan definitely doesn't go to my tailor. He had on a really nice suit. This was about 3-4 years ago.

Have you to taken a flight with Imelda Marcos on an international flight while the Marcos family were in power? :ohno: :nuts: :soapbox: :mad2:

^^

That was what I was trying to say. I understand that late-nights/early morning flights have lower landing/parking costs in NRT.

Don't forget it's not just the Japanese flights that follow this scheme. Before PR launched a 2nd daily flight to ICN 2 years ago (I believe), the incumbent ICN flight also followed a similar schedule.

By the way, as MNL-NRT is one of PR's chief routes, why can't they start an A320 service for the mid-morning/lunch hour and have the 77W overnight? I understand there was an ASA forged between RP and JP less than 5 years ago.

I think NRT airport has an early airport closure to rest that's why PR can't mount an arrival at around 11pm. At 8pm there are only few arrivals at NRT. I'm not sure at departures as I just base this during my visit in NRT.



Legazpi City Airport Arrival Section
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0183-1.jpg

----------------
Come and Visit: Legazpi City & Albay Province Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1043653)

Wow this is a great improvement... Sna iexpand pa yung arrival area, it seems small,,,

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100116-247665/PAL-to-resume-flights-to-Middle-East

MANILA, Philippines—Flag carrier Philippine Airlines will restore flights to the Middle East by late March to take advantage of the more than two million overseas Filipino workers in the region.

In a statement over the weekend, the Lucio Tan-led airline said it will start flying four times a week to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28, some four years after scrapping flights to the Middle East amid stiff competition from Gulf carriers.

The non-stop service will operate four times weekly with flight PR 658 departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to the Saudi capital. Return flights will be on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday.

The company said it will use its 430-seat Boeing 747 jet for the Manila to Riyadh route.

"The flag carrier's return to the region has been welcomed by Filipino expatriates, who number at about two million in the region," PAL said in a statement.

PAL last served Riyadh in 2006, as the company struggled to compete with Middle Eastern carriers who got their fuel at a discount.

The decision to leave the otherwise lucrative market also came as the company worked on returning to profitability and exiting corporate rehabilitation.

"PAL has been traditionally favored by Filipinos in the Middle East because its direct service to Manila means that they get home faster compared to other carriers, whose flights involve up to two stops in intermediate cities before proceeding to Manila," the airline said.

The new Riyadh route adds to the company's list of 24 international destinations.

The only other local airline with flights to the Middle East is little-known Spirit of Manila Airlines, a company partly owned by a Qatari company. Spirit of Manila started flights to Bahrain from Clark Freeport Pampanga last December.

I think NRT airport has an early airport closure to rest that's why PR can't mount an arrival at around 11pm. At 8pm there are only few arrivals at NRT. I'm not sure at departures as I just base this during my visit in NRT.

I forgot about that. Flights leaving or entering NRT are restricted between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. That's why the Japanese government opened HND to international flights during that period when NRT is closed.

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

:banana: :banana: :banana:


16 January 2010
PAL returns to Saudi March 28
MANILA – Philippine Airlines resumes a long-awaited service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28, 2010, heeding the clamor of the large Filipino community in the Middle East and marking a return to the region after an absence of four years.

The non-stop service will operate four times weekly, with flight PR 658 departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:20 p.m. It arrives in the Saudi capital at 11:00 p.m. (Riyadh time)

The return service, PR 659, departs Riyadh at 12:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, and arrives back in Manila at 3:00 p.m. (Manila time)

Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which seat 50 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 383 in Fiesta Class (economy), will be deployed on the service.

PAL last served Riyadh, its final destination in the Middle East, on March 2, 2006. The service was suspended for commercial reasons.

The flag carrier’s return to the region has been welcomed by Filipino expatriates, who number about 2 million – one of the largest foreign communities working there.

PAL has been traditionally favored by Filipinos in the Middle East because its direct service to Manila means that they get home faster compared to other carriers, whose flights can involve up to two stops in intermediate cities before proceeding to Manila.

PAL first flew to Riyadh on March 1, 1987 and over the decades the Saudi capital became one of its most important points.

From March 28, with the addition of Riyadh, the PAL network will count 25 international destinations as well as 29 points in the Philippines.

For booking requirements, passengers are advised to visit www.philippineairlines.com (http://www.philippineairlines.com) or call (02) 855-8888.


good news ito para sa mga katulad kong pinoy na nasa riyadh.

I forgot about that. Flights leaving or entering NRT are restricted between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. That's why the Japanese government opened HND to international flights during that period when NRT is closed.

So there is really a cutting off hours. I heard it before. And that's the reason of only few arrivals during my last visit... At that time arrivals were only from PR, JL from MNL as well and a JL flight from HKG... After that T2 of NRT is deserted.

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

16 January 2010
PAL returns to Saudi March 28
MANILA – Philippine Airlines resumes a long-awaited service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28, 2010, heeding the clamor of the large Filipino community in the Middle East and marking a return to the region after an absence of four years.

The non-stop service will operate four times weekly, with flight PR 658 departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:20 p.m. It arrives in the Saudi capital at 11:00 p.m. (Riyadh time)

The return service, PR 659, departs Riyadh at 12:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, and arrives back in Manila at 3:00 p.m. (Manila time)

Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which seat 50 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 383 in Fiesta Class (economy), will be deployed on the service.


This is a good good news! I hope PAL will deploy the upgraded B744. Itwil definitely give SV a stiff competition on amenities and services...

^^^^


ikakalat ko kaagad sa mga pinoy dito about the good news. matagal na nila hinihintay na magresume ang ruh-mnl... yehey!!!:banana:

^^ that is good good news as I've said... humanda na ang CX, QR, SV, KU, SQ at TG! Stiff competition nman yan sa Middle East!

BTW, does SV have PTVs on the B744 or B743 planes to MNL?

^^^^

last time na sumakay ako ng saudia was 2007, walang in-flight entertainment (walang music, movies, tv shows, etc) although may mga ptv units. pag in-on mo e lalabas lang yung map na nagpapakita ng actual location ng plane, etc. tamang-tulog lang ginawa ko for almost 9 hours. ang init pa sa loob ng plane. ngayon, di ko lang alam kung iba na.

^^^^


tama ba ako sa ptv = personal tv? :lol:

The news is already circulating around the Eastern province of KSA...

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Goooo goooo gooo PAL......

once again....

"The Beauty of the Philippine SHINING THROUGH!!!!"
^^^^


ikakalat ko kaagad sa mga pinoy dito about the good news. matagal na nila hinihintay na magresume ang ruh-mnl... yehey!!!:banana:

^^^^

last time na sumakay ako ng saudia was 2007, walang in-flight entertainment (walang music, movies, tv shows, etc) although may mga ptv units. pag in-on mo e lalabas lang yung map na nagpapakita ng actual location ng plane, etc. tamang-tulog lang ginawa ko for almost 9 hours. ang init pa sa loob ng plane. ngayon, di ko lang alam kung iba na.

Does SV serve alcohol aboard? I know some ME carriers do, some don't. Also, does SV still have Pinay FAs?

SV doesn't served alcoholic drinks only Juice, Soda, Cola amd Moya (water) :)

Yupe!....merong mga pinay na FA sa SV

Does SV serve alcohol aboard? I know some ME carriers do, some don't. Also, does SV still have Pinay FAs?

I think NRT airport has an early airport closure to rest that's why PR can't mount an arrival at around 11pm. At 8pm there are only few arrivals at NRT. I'm not sure at departures as I just base this during my visit in NRT.


I hope you can scroll back to my post as I meant PR departing MNL at 23.00 to midnight, about the same time as the late night flight to ICN. Besides, with NRT being 1 hour ahead of MNL, it should be sunrise when they land at NRT.

It would be better for them to depart in the morning traffic wise. Remember Narita is off-limits to narrow bodies and red eye flights has fewer passengers so most probably A320 is the only option.

ASEAN ‘open skies’ accord expected in April—Durano (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100116-247688/ASEAN-open-skies-accord-expected-in-AprilDurano)
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 19:21:00 01/16/2010 Filed Under: Air Transport, Tourism, ASEAN

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is to sign an "open skies" agreement with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in April, a pact that the Department of Tourism said would dramatically increase tourist arrivals in the country.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said the ASEAN member countries and the Philippines could sign the policy around April. The agreement, he noted in a statement, would liberalize air space among ASEAN member countries.

The open skies agreement, Durano explained, would encourage more airlines to land in the country by removing certain tariffs and add-on expenses, increasing flights and providing more options for passengers.

“We are taking positive steps towards the signing of the agreement, as the benefits of air space liberalization for the country signal a region-wide increase in cooperation and tourism activity,” he said.

Durano also noted that the open skies deal would mean greater trade between the Philippines and its ASEAN neighbors and innovations in the aviation industry.

“The sealing of this deal strengthens not only tourism but more so, economic relations between the country and our ASEAN counterparts. We see this as a welcome development, contributing to the growth of the airline industry through increased availability for more passengers.”

DoT officials said the Philippines was late in liberalizing its airline sector, compared to other ASEAN countries.

“Our neighbors in the region have seen the benefits of the open skies agreement, and we hope to replicate the same success here in the country, ” Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Jr. said.

He noted that Singapore and Malaysia, which were among the first to restructure their airline industry, have been reaping rewards. The two countries, Jarque said, have enjoyed robust tourism growth in the past years.

The DoT said it is prepared to host steady influx of domestic and foreign tourists in the coming years.

Rolando Cañizal, Director of Tourism Development Planning, said there has been an increase in interest and investments in the local tourism sector.

“Investments in hotels, resorts, and tourism-related establishments have continually progressed from the past years, which added to the country’s capacity to host more guests,” Cañizal he said.

In 2009, at least P36 billion poured into investments in tourism facilities and projects from the private sector, the DoT said. The projects, which will open between 2010 and 2014, are expected to generate 15,000 jobs and will provide 4,000 additional rooms.

So there is really a cutting off hours. I heard it before. And that's the reason of only few arrivals during my last visit... At that time arrivals were only from PR, JL from MNL as well and a JL flight from HKG... After that T2 of NRT is deserted.



This is a good good news! I hope PAL will deploy the upgraded B744. Itwil definitely give SV a stiff competition on amenities and services...

It is great news that PR can gradually restore service to cities further "westbound" of MNL. The ME carriers not only knocked out PR from the ME, but they also knocked PR and other European carriers out of the RP-EU market.

And yes I believe that SV has PTVs on its 747s.

I hope you can scroll back to my post as I meant PR departing MNL at 23.00 to midnight, about the same time as the late night flight to ICN. Besides, with NRT being 1 hour ahead of MNL, it should be sunrise when they land at NRT.

NRT will still be closed when it lands there. The only way that flight would ever be viable is if it lands at HND. With limited international service departing HND, I doubt the flight can avail of any connecting traffic. At best, it would be O-D.

ZEST AIR's NEW ROUTES:

Manila (MNL) to
* Masbate (MBT) begins January 18, 2010.
* Singapore (SIN) begins January 29, 2010.
* Shanghai (PVG) begins February 6, 2010.

If they want to increase tourist to stay longer. Make the visa for 30 days not 21 days. I would stay 22-24 days. But I need to get an extension for 2600p plus go thru the paper work to stay past 21 days. That is free additonal money for the Philippine economy that I will spend in my own country because it not worth the hassles.

NRT will still be closed when it lands there. The only way that flight would ever be viable is if it lands at HND. With limited international service departing HND, I doubt the flight can avail of any connecting traffic. At best, it would be O-D.

Then let it leave at around 1.00 in the morning.

^^ NAIA is closed at that time, if I'm not mistaken.

^^

The bottomline is that this should a cost-saving move for both passengers and PR. Japan is already expensive as it is and I'm certain a lot don't want to spend their first night there just sleeping. It will also bring-out the maximum potential of their new "bed" as a lot would like to sleep.

Furthermore if that's the case, PR can slow-down to 5 hours to NRT hence burning less fuel.

NRT will still be closed when it lands there. The only way that flight would ever be viable is if it lands at HND. With limited international service departing HND, I doubt the flight can avail of any connecting traffic. At best, it would be O-D.

Do most PAL passengers make connections at Tokyo? I always thought PR has the lion's share of O&D Tokyo passengers, hence the current timings. It arrives NRT in the evening when most Euro and N.Am flights have already left. For connections, there are two flights from MNL: DL and the AM of JL. That's why I mentioned some posts ago that PAL could make more money flying to HND than NRT, because the O&D passengers at HND are willing to pay more rather than travel all the way to NRT.

In the first place, the Japanese authorities have no intention of making HND a connecting point. For example, SQ can only operate turnarounds at HND, but the NRT-LAX flight will remain at NRT. So I don't think anyone can avail of connections at HND, the same way they can at NRT. [And even at HND, the slots handed out for October 2010 are "timed." Daytime slots are mostly for Korea and China traffic. Intercontinental ones are assigned evening slots.]

^^ CEB-NRT is perfectly timed for onward connections from NRT. NRT-MNL is perfectly timed for Southeast Asian connections. The reverses of those flights (NRT-CEB and MNL-NRT), not so much.

^^

Plus HND is closer to the city so passengers can spend less time and money going between the city centre and airport. But if I am a tourist from MNL, I would prefer the late night flight because it saves me in terms of hotel costs and will allow me more time to finish pending items at home before leaving for the airport, useful if it's a working day. If I were PR, it would also help me save costs because a) landing rights are cheaper AM and b) it will cost less in terms of ground time since the return flight can depart within another 2 hours.

Logistically, NW/DL and JL are more reasonable options to make connections because they have check-throughs will be more seamless (such as access to systems of particular flights). Plus, there is talk of DL and JL having a potential partnership which will inevitably create a more seamless network among the 2 carriers.

^^ CEB-NRT is perfectly timed for onward connections from NRT. NRT-MNL is perfectly timed for Southeast Asian connections. The reverses of those flights (NRT-CEB and MNL-NRT), not so much.

The CEB-NRT flights are aimed toward tourists/ O&D, not so much for connections. It doesn't fly daily anyway, and on some seasons, is downgraded to 5x weekly.

^^ It's always 5x weekly, sometimes 6x during high season.

~~ PAL RP-C3335 arriving Sydney yesterday ~~

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4281067078_3bea7d1d02_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4280324285_2f8fc46aa4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4281068042_5f2b183515_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4281068512_92fd8927ab_b.jpg

Merci Pasalubong Center at New Bacolod-Silay Airport 2010
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8814/dscf1055m.jpg

PAL to resume Saudi flights in 2 months after 4-year absence
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
January 17, 2010, 12:14pm

After four years of absence, flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is resuming its service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 28, 2010 in response to the clamor of some two million Filipino Overseas Worker (OFW) communities in the Middle East.

The non-stop service will operate four times weekly, with flight PR 658 departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:20 p.m. It arrives in the Saudi capital at 11:00 p.m. (Riyadh time), PAL announced.

The return service, PR 659, departs Riyadh at 12:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, and arrives back in Manila at 3:00 p.m. (Manila time).

Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which seat 50 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 383 in Fiesta Class (economy), will be deployed on the service.

PAL last served Riyadh, its final destination in the Middle East, on March 2, 2006. The service was suspended for commercial reasons. Now, OFWs, who account for one of the largest foreign communities living in the Middle East, lauded the flag carrier’s return to the region.

PAL has been traditionally favored by Filipinos in the Middle East because its direct service to Manila means that they get home faster compared to other carriers, whose flights can involve up to two stops in intermediate cities before proceeding to Manila.

PAL first flew to Riyadh on March 1, 1987 and over the decades the Saudi capital became one of its most important points.

From March 28, with the addition of Riyadh, the PAL network will count 25 international destinations as well as 29 points in the Philippines.

Major Brazilian jetmaker appoints Philippine agent
January 17, 2010, 12:25pm
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/Embraerjets.jpg
Embraer’s Phenon 100 executive jet

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.’s (Embraer) has announced the appointment of Raco Trading Phils., Inc. as the exclusive Philippine agent for its line of executive jets covering the Lineage 1000, Legacy 650, Legacy 600, Legacy 500, Legacy 450, Phenom 300 and Phenom 100 aircraft.

Established in Brazil in 1969 as a direct outcome of the government’s strategic aircraft manufacturing project, Embraer was eventually privatized in 1994. Today, the company is a publicly traded company manufacturing aircraft catering to the corporate, commercial and defense aviation industry.

Embraer employs over 17,000 employees with manufacturing and service centers in Brazil, France, USA, Singapore and China. In 2008, the company generated sales of over US$6.3 billion delivering 204 aircraft to satisfied clients around the world.

In order to promote its products, Embraer will bring the Phenom 100 executive jet to the Philippines next week.

The jet is scheduled to be in Cebu on January 19 and in Manila from January 20-22. Premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating costs are key design drivers of the Phenom 100 best-in-class jet.

The aircraft offers unprecedented comfort and style in its category.

Developed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the innovative interior design and relaxing ambience are enhanced by large windows and the most ample cabin in its class.

The Phenom 100 was introduced by Embraer in 2005, and is the most comfortable business jet in the entry level category, accommodating four passengers in the club seat configuration.

The aircraft is capable of flying at 41,000 feet, attained by a direct climb, even when fully loaded. In addition, the Phenom 100 is designed to perform short-field takeoffs or landings and to fly at a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.70, or 390 knots. It can fly nonstop from New York to Miami, in the US; from London to Rome, in Europe; from Brisbane to Melbourne, in Australia; from from Cebu to Taipei or Hong Kong, or from Manila to Shanghai or Hanoi in Asia. With a 2010 delivered price of US$3,830,000.00, the Phenom 100 is one of the most cost effective planes in the market today.

JAL offers service with smile despite looming bankruptcy
January 16, 2010, 1:49pm

TOKYO, Jan. 16 (AFP) – As debt-crippled Japan Airlines heads towards an expected bankruptcy filing, its pilots and cabin crews have taken their legendary courtesy to new heights.

Passengers flying with the carrier have been greeted by JAL personnel, both working and retired, who have expressed their gratitude to them, one-by-one, for sticking with the troubled airline.

''Thank you very much for choosing JAL,'' uniformed airline officials told customers, bowing politely and handing them hand-written cards that thanked them for their continued loyalty to the once-iconic carrier.

JAL is in deep trouble, and some of the passengers jetting off for overseas holidays may have been excused for wondering whether their return tickets would still be valid.

Shareholders this week strapped on their parachutes and jumped.
As the airline prepared for court-supervised restructuring and delisting, the share price -- which soared to 366 yen in 2003 -- plunged more than 80 percent in a day to just seven yen (eight cents) on Wednesday.

The share price rebounded somewhat on Thursday, but nobody doubts that JAL faces the end of an era and a radical remake under a new CEO and the guidance of a state-backed turnaround body.

JAL is widely expected to file for bankruptcy next Tuesday and later shed more than 15,000 jobs, about a third of its workforce. Its retirees and staff have already agreed to sharp cuts in their pension benefits.

The state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp., now overseeing the restructuring, will provide 300 billion yen (3.2 billion dollars) so that it can continue operations, news reports have said.

JAL, which lost about 1.5 billion dollars in the six months to September, also plans a drastic cut in routes and a sell-off of non-core assets, and reportedly may turn part of its operations into a low-cost carrier.

''I wonder if they can keep up their great hospitality in future,'' said Motoe Kurasawa, 40, who was leaving from Tokyo's Haneda airport for a holiday in South Korea this week.

''I often use JAL because their politeness and passenger service are incomparably better than that of the foreign airlines. I hope they'll succeed in their corporate restructuring,'' she said.

Others were less complimentary about the airline, which was once a symbol of Japan's post-war rise to prosperity but has kept flying only with the help of three large government bailouts since 2001.

Bird-plane collisions may top 10,000
January 15, 2010, 4:20pm

WASHINGTON (AP) – Reports of airplanes hitting birds and other wildlife have soared since a stricken US Airways jet ditched last year in New York's Hudson River, and the government's tally for the year could reach or even exceed 10,000 for the first time. Serious accidents are climbing at an even faster rate than minor incidents.

There were at least 57 cases in the first seven months of 2009 that caused serious damage and three in which planes and a corporate helicopter were destroyed by birds, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of the latest government's figures available. At least eight people died, and six more were hurt.

The destroyed planes include the Airbus A320 with 155 passengers and crew that went into the Hudson a year ago this week after hitting a flock of Canada geese. No lives were lost in that dramatic river landing. But when a Sikorsky helicopter crashed en route to an oil platform last January after hitting a red-tailed hawk near Morgan City, Louisiana, the two pilots and six of seven passengers were killed. The lone survivor was critically injured.

And there is no shortage of frightening reports of engines knocked out and emergency landings.

Why the increase in bird-strike reports?

Airports and airlines have become more diligent about reporting, said Mike Beiger, national coordinator for the airport wildlife hazards program at the Agriculture Department. But experts also say populations of large birds like Canada geese that can knock out engines on passenger jets have increased.

"Birds and planes are fighting for airspace, and it's getting increasingly crowded,'' said Richard Dolbeer, an expert on bird-plane collisions who is advising the Federal Aviation Administration and the Agriculture Department.

The surge in reports for 2009 _ expected to be as much as 40 percent higher once the final accounting is in – comes in spite of government concerns that disclosing details about such strikes would discourage reports by airports and airlines out of worries about lost business. The previous high was 7,507 strikes in 2007.

The government's estimate of as many as 10,000 for 2009 would represent about 27 strikes every day.

After US Airways Flight 1549 landed in the Hudson on Jan. 15, the AP asked the government for its data including details about more than 93,000 strikes since 1990. Even after the FAA agreed to turn over the records to the AP, it quietly proposed a new federal rule to keep the information secret until Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood intervened and ordered the release. LaHood recently included the disclosure in a list of the department's leading safety accomplishments for last year.

Major Brazilian jetmaker appoints Philippine agent
January 17, 2010, 12:25pm
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/blueleo101/Embraerjets.jpg
Embraer’s Phenon 100 executive jet

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.’s (Embraer) has announced the appointment of Raco Trading Phils., Inc. as the exclusive Philippine agent for its line of executive jets covering the Lineage 1000, Legacy 650, Legacy 600, Legacy 500, Legacy 450, Phenom 300 and Phenom 100 aircraft.

Established in Brazil in 1969 as a direct outcome of the government’s strategic aircraft manufacturing project, Embraer was eventually privatized in 1994. Today, the company is a publicly traded company manufacturing aircraft catering to the corporate, commercial and defense aviation industry.

Embraer employs over 17,000 employees with manufacturing and service centers in Brazil, France, USA, Singapore and China. In 2008, the company generated sales of over US$6.3 billion delivering 204 aircraft to satisfied clients around the world.

In order to promote its products, Embraer will bring the Phenom 100 executive jet to the Philippines next week.

The jet is scheduled to be in Cebu on January 19 and in Manila from January 20-22. Premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating costs are key design drivers of the Phenom 100 best-in-class jet.

The aircraft offers unprecedented comfort and style in its category.

Developed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the innovative interior design and relaxing ambience are enhanced by large windows and the most ample cabin in its class.

The Phenom 100 was introduced by Embraer in 2005, and is the most comfortable business jet in the entry level category, accommodating four passengers in the club seat configuration.


^^

it would be more interesting if EMBRAER can grab a share in the market by having their E-Jets in one of the local airline players.i think it won't take long for it to happen.:banana:

i talked with a VP of PAL. That person told me this:

1. almost all a320/319 will be transferred to air phil. only 3 to 5 of these planes will be retained by pal.

2. almost all domestic routes that is served by pal will be transferred to air phil. only the mnl-ceb, mnl-dvo, ceb-dvo , mnl-ilo, and mnl-bcd will be retained using the retained a320/a319.

3. there is a looming strike being organized by the affected pilots of the a320/319 with regards to that decision to transfer.

4. only 2 777 will be used by pal. the other 4 will still be accepted by pal but will be leased to other airlines.

5. all pal ground personnel will be outsourced. the only employees that pal will have are the pilots, fa's, and the management team.

6. pal(including air phil) will operate 3 hubs. mnl, ceb, and dvo.

meron pa daw iba. but we did not speak for long because they had a meeting with LT. i hope that these are all rumors(with regards to the strike and transfer).

but i guess the transfer is being thought about so that air phil can directly compete with cebu pacific.

PAL's Valentine Special Promo for Domestic Routes

To celebrate the arrival of our second B777 aircraft during the Valentine season we are pleased to introduce our triple seven promo Valentine Special.

Travelling Period: 01 February to 15 March 2010
Selling and Ticketing Period: 18 to 25 January 2010

Please refer to details below for the ALL-IN One-way fares on Economy Class INCLUSIVE of V.A.T. but Exclusive of Aviation Security Fee (ASF):

•For as low as PHP 777 (Base Fare: PHP 693)
Between MANILA and BACOLOD, CEBU, DUMAGUETE, ILOILO, KALIBO, LAOAG, LEGASPI, PUERTO PRINCESA, TACLOBAN, TAGBILARAN and ROXAS

•For as low as PHP 777 (Base Fare: PHP 693)
Between CEBU and DAVAO

•For as low as PHP 1,777 (Base Fare: PHP 1586)
Between MANILA and BUTUAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO, COTABATO, DAVAO, DIPOLOG, GENERAL SANTOS, OZAMIZ and ZAMBOANGA

Hurry Book now! Limited seats only!

Book and buy your tickets now!!

You may also call PAL Reservations at (02) 855-8888, Cebu: (032) 340-0191; Davao (082) 222-0366 or purchase tickets at PAL Ticket Offices or your travel agent.

Conditions of Travel:

Application

•Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on economy class
•Restricted for sale/ticketing in the Philippines
•Tickets must be issued within 24 hours after booking. Last day of ticket issuance is on 25 January 2010
Reservation/Payment/Ticketing

•Open-dated and Go Show not allowed
•Tickets are non-refundable and non-reroutable. Upgrading to higher fare is permitted; however, the original fare paid remains non-refundable
•Re-issuance is allowed at PHP 600 per ticket
•No Show Surcharge is PHP 600 per sector
•Rebooking penalty is PHP 600 per sector
Other Discounts

•No other discounts apply except for Senior Citizen and Infant w/o seat
Note: Senior Citizen discounts are not available through our online booking facility. Only purchases made at the Philippine-based ticket offices may avail of the discount.
Miscellaneous Provisions

•Not eligible to earn Miles with PAL Mabuhay Miles
•15 kilos baggage allowance

http://www.philippineairlines.com/special_offers/valentine_special_domestic/valentine.jsp

i talked with somebody form a VP of PAL. That person told me this:

1. almost all a320/319 will be transferred to air phil. only 3 to 5 of these planes will be retained by pal.

2. almost all domestic routes that is served by pal will be transferred to air phil. only the mnl-ceb, mnl-dvo, ceb-dvo , mnl-ilo, and mnl-bcd will be retained using the retained a320/a319.

3. there is a looming strike being organized by the affected pilots of the a320/319 with regards to that decision to transfer.

4. only 2 777 will be used by pal. the other 4 will still be accepted by pal but will be leased to other airlines.

5. all pal ground personnel will be outsourced. the only employees that pal will have are the pilots, fa's, and the management team.

6. pal(including air phil) will operate 3 hubs. mnl, ceb, and dvo.

meron pa daw iba. but we did not speak for long because they had a meeting with LT. i hope that these are all rumors(with regards to the strike and transfer).

but i guess the transfer is being thought about so that air phil can directly compete with cebu pacific.

Looks like we're in for some rough skies ahead with PR/PRX/2P soon.