From low-fare to no-fare: Airlines in new dogfight
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
The Manila Standard Today

DOMESTIC carriers are banking steeply for a new dogfight, offering ultra-low or “zero fares” to passengers to increase their share of the booming travel market.

And that fight is expected to toughen further this year with the formation of PAL Express, Philippine Airlines’ new budget carrier that’s expected to serve 22 inter-island routes initially.

Air Philippines, businessman Lucio Tan’s existing budget carrier, yesterday offered zero fares on flights to Bacolod, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and Davao scheduled from June 16 to Oct. 31 and booked until May 25.

The airline’s new promo followed similar campaigns from Asian Spirit and Cebu Pacific, which introduced “free fares” earlier this year.

Asian Spirit offered zero fares on 12,000 free seats on all its domestic flights from June 1 to Oct. 15 this year. Booking started April 9 and ended April 30.

Cebu Pacific, the Gokongwei group’s budget carrier, said it was offering more than 500,000 domestic and international seats for free from May 15 to 18—or until all allocated seats were taken—for travel from June 9 to Dec. 31 this year.

Air Philippines said tickets would not be entirely free as passengers still must shoulder fuel and insurance surcharges and pay government taxes. Passengers flying between Manila and any destination in the Visayas would still have to pay P1,770 each, and those flying to Davao P2,128 each.

Cebu Pacific said it offered its new promo following the delivery of new aircraft to the carrier.

“We continue to expand and take delivery of brand-new planes, and so we are putting seats that would have been empty on sale,” said Candice Iyog, the carrier’s vice president for marketing.

Its domestic seats with zero fares aside, Cebu Pacific has also allocated more than 100,000 seats on its international routes with zero fares.

“We believe this offering will further stimulate domestic and international travel amid rising fuel costs,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific recently took delivery of its 18th brand-new Airbus aircraft. It also has two turbo-prop ATR 72 aircraft that it uses for short-haul travel to routes including the Manila-Caticlan segment.

Yup, MPH is the airport code of Caticlan, Malay, Aklan Province based on IATA data.

From low-fare to no-fare: Airlines in new dogfight
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
The Manila Standard Today

DOMESTIC carriers are banking steeply for a new dogfight, offering ultra-low or “zero fares” to passengers to increase their share of the booming travel market.

And that fight is expected to toughen further this year with the formation of PAL Express, Philippine Airlines’ new budget carrier that’s expected to serve 22 inter-island routes initially.

Air Philippines, businessman Lucio Tan’s existing budget carrier, yesterday offered zero fares on flights to Bacolod, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and Davao scheduled from June 16 to Oct. 31 and booked until May 25.

The airline’s new promo followed similar campaigns from Asian Spirit and Cebu Pacific, which introduced “free fares” earlier this year.

Asian Spirit offered zero fares on 12,000 free seats on all its domestic flights from June 1 to Oct. 15 this year. Booking started April 9 and ended April 30.

Cebu Pacific, the Gokongwei group’s budget carrier, said it was offering more than 500,000 domestic and international seats for free from May 15 to 18—or until all allocated seats were taken—for travel from June 9 to Dec. 31 this year.

Air Philippines said tickets would not be entirely free as passengers still must shoulder fuel and insurance surcharges and pay government taxes. Passengers flying between Manila and any destination in the Visayas would still have to pay P1,770 each, and those flying to Davao P2,128 each.

Cebu Pacific said it offered its new promo following the delivery of new aircraft to the carrier.

“We continue to expand and take delivery of brand-new planes, and so we are putting seats that would have been empty on sale,” said Candice Iyog, the carrier’s vice president for marketing.

Its domestic seats with zero fares aside, Cebu Pacific has also allocated more than 100,000 seats on its international routes with zero fares.

“We believe this offering will further stimulate domestic and international travel amid rising fuel costs,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific recently took delivery of its 18th brand-new Airbus aircraft. It also has two turbo-prop ATR 72 aircraft that it uses for short-haul travel to routes including the Manila-Caticlan segment.

and the competition begins. and the winners are..... the tourists......

and the competition begins. and the winner is..... the tourists......

^^ and the low to middle income earning people as well :okay:

and the competition begins. and the winner is..... the tourists......

^^ and the low to middle income earning people as well :okay:

korek talaga kayo...even the entry of 5j to davao international scene is good for te travelling public in davao....

kailangan pa ng permission sa tower nito? :lol:

The Future of Flight
Posted by Andrew on May 17th, 2008
Visited 51 times, 51 so far today

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2954/023rocketman1dm800x474vw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Could this be the future of air travel? Yves Rossy definitely thinks so. Rossy, a former fighter pilot, took five years to perfect his flying contraption. All his hard work pays off during his maiden flight on May 15, 2008. He zooms and spins in the sky and over the Swiss-effin-alps like there’s no tomorrow. *Kinda* reminds me of a certain character in Toy Story, but to hell with that. He’s way cooler. What I would give to be in his shoes, or wings, right now.

http://www.alleba.com/blog/2008/05/17/the-future-of-flight/

^^ Saw that on CNN yesterday, and that thing does work! :colgate:

kailangan pa ng permission sa tower nito? :lol:

The Future of Flight
Posted by Andrew on May 17th, 2008
Visited 51 times, 51 so far today

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2954/023rocketman1dm800x474vw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Could this be the future of air travel? Yves Rossy definitely thinks so. Rossy, a former fighter pilot, took five years to perfect his flying contraption. All his hard work pays off during his maiden flight on May 15, 2008. He zooms and spins in the sky and over the Swiss-effin-alps like there’s no tomorrow. *Kinda* reminds me of a certain character in Toy Story, but to hell with that. He’s way cooler. What I would give to be in his shoes, or wings, right now.

http://www.alleba.com/blog/2008/05/17/the-future-of-flight/

if this is the wave of the future in air travel, i wonder if we'll still need airports by that time. looks like you can land straight into your house!:lol:

if that will be the future, ayaw kong lumipad internationally na suot yan:lol:
baka biglang mag landing sa pacific ocean...

i saw that sa CNN...at talagang nakarating siya sa kanyang destinasyon.:)

I'll wait for "transporter" technology to advance, that way I'll just be beamed to my destination. :lol:

^

I won't wear it unless it was made by Tony Stark or better yet let him mass produce his Iron Man suit...:lol:)

^^
stark industries...magkano kaya kung sakali...:lol:

^

It could cost within the vicinity of a quarter of a million Euros or more...:lol:

ngex, unsaon man pang sugat sa mga paryentes ana, kung ang akong sout ana kay murag eroplano. gusto ko airport gihapon ko sugaton, dili ng molanding ug kalit.

wala na bang latest news?
anyway... since 1st time ko na papasok sa bagong Airport...

ano dapat ang gawin? tips pls...

One thing I noticed... Your Customer Service Agents speak better English than MCIA's.

One thing I noticed... Your Customer Service Agents speak better English than MCIA's.

who's CSA's? DIA's? meron pala?

who's CSA's? DIA's? meron pala?

Hmm. Not really sure though. What happened was, there were a couple of times that I've used DIA - both instances were transit MI flights to Cebu. Before the plane takes off, there will be an announcement hoping us all to enjoy the flight and blah blah blahs... It was such a music to my ears especially for a guy like me who's been to countries that doesn't speak really good English. . . And your airport's nice too. :)

Hmm. Not really sure though. What happened was, there were a couple of times that I've used DIA - both instances were transit MI flights to Cebu. Before the plane takes off, there will be an announcement hoping us all to enjoy the flight and blah blah blahs... It was such a music to my ears especially for a guy like me who's been to countries that doesn't speak really good English. . . And your airport's nice too. :)

maybe the voice that you heard were from the employees of mascor(mindanao airports corp).

thanks man. i hope that cebu also gets its new terminal. cebu deserves that.

^^thanks bro:cheers:

I would love to see mini vans as colorful as this here in Davao...

;20857366']
Photos by Yves (http://yves188.multiply.com/)

http://images.yves188.multiply.com/image/3/photos/111/orig/1/IMG_1588.jpg?et=uq688jM8%2BylwMMDYb7fklg&nmid=96623450

http://images.yves188.multiply.com/image/3/photos/111/orig/2/IMG_1589.jpg?et=xQfgDiy0Fa8so8HccUGqEQ&nmid=96623450

http://images.yves188.multiply.com/image/3/photos/111/orig/17/IMG_1618.jpg?et=1MGuslWyXc73mlR62195Fg&nmid=96623450

http://images.yves188.multiply.com/image/4/photos/111/orig/16/IMG_1617.jpg?et=mmdZsuyOg%2B%2BOZj8%2CLclU9A&nmid=96623450

Philippines to open 8 more airports by 2010
Thursday, May 29MANILA, Philippines- The government will be opening eight more international airports by 2010 in anticipation of the growing passenger traffic to the country, the Transportation Department said Thursday.


“By 2010 the Philippines will have [more] airports of international standards to ease traffic and reduce business cost," Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said during the opening of the two-day Expo on International Transportation and Logistics held at the World Trade Center.

Mendoza said that this year alone three airports will be open soon and these are the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the Clark or Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, and the Buswanga airport scheduled to be operational in November.

For 2009, Mendoza said they are looking at opening the Davao-Iloilo terminal, Silay-Bacolod airport, the Laguindingan airport and the the Panglaw airports in Bohol.

Negotiations for the opening of the Zamboanga airport is also ongoing, Mendoza said.

“We expect traffic to double in particular the tourists arrivals" the Transport Secretary said, adding that this will help decongest the country's few airports as passenger traffic continues to grow.

Based on the records of the Civil Aeronautics Board, a total of 11.24 million passengers inbound and outbound were recorded last year, an increase of 11 percent from the 10.13 million posted in 2006.

For 2007, the country’s domestic load factor was placed at 78 percent up from 73 percent in 2006. - GMANews.TV

^

That kind of reporting is very perplexing-the kind of writing that should be chucked into the garbage. :)

^^ Where's their proofreader? Tulog ba?

Nakailang posts na ang articles na ito in different portions of SSC but there are still no corrections whatsoever. They should double-check the content of the article.

and so the confusion extends.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3594/photo537ye2.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4458/photo539eh8.jpg

When will Davao airport have taxiways straight to the ends of the runway? The planes there have to taxi on the runway and turn around at the end on takeoff and landings. This is becoming more and more dangerous in Davao since traffic is steadily increasing.

Laviña commends Cebu Pacific for int’l flights

http://www.dailymirror.ph/business04102008&05.html


Councilor Peter Laviña has urged the City Council to commend Cebu Pacific airline for establishing direct air links between Davao City and Hong Kong and Singapore and other new destinations via Cebu or Manila.

In a proposed resolution co-sponsored by councilors Susan Isabel Reta and Rachel Zozobrado, Laviña said Cebu Pacific’s direct flights from Davao City to Hong Kong and Singapore has made the city “directly accessible to two of the mega tourism and trade hubs in the world.”

He also noted that the airline has linked Davao City to other Asian destinations like Macau, Taipei, Pusan and Incheon, South Korea and Bangkok, Thailand via Cebu.

Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City to Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou, China, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Seoul, South Korea; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam via Manila, Laviña said.

“Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City directly with Iloilo, making it the first airline to have direct flights between Southern Mindanao and Western Visayas, in addition to its direct flights from Davao City to Manila, Cebu and Zamboanga,” Laviña said.

“In promoting and marketing these routes, Cebu Pacific is helping tremendously in selling Davao City to the world as a travel and trade destination,” he added.

When will Davao airport have taxiways straight to the ends of the runway? The planes there have to taxi on the runway and turn around at the end on takeoff and landings. This is becoming more and more dangerous in Davao since traffic is steadily increasing.

good question...

who decides on the matter?

^^
I think it's ATO under DOTC.

^^
I think it's ATO under DOTC.

test! :ohno:

Laviña commends Cebu Pacific for int’l flights

http://www.dailymirror.ph/business04102008&05.html


Councilor Peter Laviña has urged the City Council to commend Cebu Pacific airline for establishing direct air links between Davao City and Hong Kong and Singapore and other new destinations via Cebu or Manila.

In a proposed resolution co-sponsored by councilors Susan Isabel Reta and Rachel Zozobrado, Laviña said Cebu Pacific’s direct flights from Davao City to Hong Kong and Singapore has made the city “directly accessible to two of the mega tourism and trade hubs in the world.”

He also noted that the airline has linked Davao City to other Asian destinations like Macau, Taipei, Pusan and Incheon, South Korea and Bangkok, Thailand via Cebu.

Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City to Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou, China, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Seoul, South Korea; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam via Manila, Laviña said.

“Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City directly with Iloilo, making it the first airline to have direct flights between Southern Mindanao and Western Visayas, in addition to its direct flights from Davao City to Manila, Cebu and Zamboanga,” Laviña said.

“In promoting and marketing these routes, Cebu Pacific is helping tremendously in selling Davao City to the world as a travel and trade destination,” he added.

kudos to Cebu Pacific.... more zero and peso fares.......

Laviña commends Cebu Pacific for int’l flights

http://www.dailymirror.ph/business04102008&05.html


Councilor Peter Laviña has urged the City Council to commend Cebu Pacific airline for establishing direct air links between Davao City and Hong Kong and Singapore and other new destinations via Cebu or Manila.

In a proposed resolution co-sponsored by councilors Susan Isabel Reta and Rachel Zozobrado, Laviña said Cebu Pacific’s direct flights from Davao City to Hong Kong and Singapore has made the city “directly accessible to two of the mega tourism and trade hubs in the world.”

He also noted that the airline has linked Davao City to other Asian destinations like Macau, Taipei, Pusan and Incheon, South Korea and Bangkok, Thailand via Cebu.

Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City to Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou, China, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Seoul, South Korea; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam via Manila, Laviña said.

“Cebu Pacific has also linked Davao City directly with Iloilo, making it the first airline to have direct flights between Southern Mindanao and Western Visayas, in addition to its direct flights from Davao City to Manila, Cebu and Zamboanga,” Laviña said.

“In promoting and marketing these routes, Cebu Pacific is helping tremendously in selling Davao City to the world as a travel and trade destination,” he added.

does cathay pacific flies Hong Kong -Davao?

Di ba may direct flight na ang cebu pacific to hongkong and singapore?

^^ Yes, 5J does fly from DVO to SIN and HKG. No, CX doesn't fly from HKG to DVO.

^^ Yes, 5J does fly from DVO to SIN and HKG. No, CX doesn't fly from HKG to DVO.

ahh, pero Cathay Pacific has its office in davao? Thanks for the info.

^^

Booking office, that is..

ahh, pero Cathay Pacific has its office in davao? Thanks for the info.

Yes. Here you go.

Davao City, Philippines

Address:
RRS Business Services & Company, M Floor, Royal Mandaya Hotel
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City 8000 Philippines

Reservations: 63(82) 2228901
Fax: 63(82) 2228900

I'll quote myself out of convenience on the matter of booking offices (this was taken from the Bacolod thread, so don't be shocked when you see Bacolod references):

The opening of a Cathay Pacific office does not always mean that there is service (or, in this case, there will be service) to Hong Kong from Bacolod. Like many airlines that do not serve Manila (or Cebu or Davao), they may opt to keep offices to enable people to book their flights, but they still have to get alternative options to get to that flight at the alternate destination. This type of arrangement would be good for non-Manila/Cebu/Davao residents if PAL or Cebu Pacific were part of an airline alliance (N.B.: I support PAL's entry into SkyTeam despite rumors that PAL might be invited to join Oneworld and despite the fact that Cebu Pacific has a partnership with Northwest Airlines).

However, the opening of a CX office there means that there is interest in starting international flights out of Bacolod. Hopefully this will also be the same for Iloilo and, in turn, the only remaining international airports without international air service: GES and SFS.

To correct: the CX office is in Iloilo, not in Bacolod. This has been addressed in the Iloilo thread.

davao...must be booming really this time....i have not visited the city for quiet some time....10 years na ata.....ganda na cguro ng davao ngayon....with their new airport terminal...and all.....btw...palihug naman ...cno ba ang sikat na artist nyo dyan....na gumawa ng durian..na sculpture..nakakalimutan ko lang ang name...nya....he is famous though....my memory escapes me....

^^
Kublai Milan :)

DIA/ PAF Davao Airbase

http://i.pbase.com/g1/78/737778/2/97456987.qhSdnLT4.jpg

Cebu Pacific cuts fares by up to 32%
Manila Bulletin
By JAMES A. LOYOLA

Despite skyrocketing fuel prices, leading domestic carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is actually reducing its domestic fares permanently, by as much as 32 percent, to encourage more people to fly amid rising fuel prices.


Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing Candice Iyog said the firm is also implementing an "AllIn" pricing format to make booking simpler for customers who used to have to deal with confusing surcharges.

Iyog said the new lower all-inclusive fares will take effect on June 12, 2008. This includes the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12 percent VAT.

She added that they are considering implementing the same format for their international flights although it will take some time to compute the ideal rates since international charges are more complicated and different destinations have unique charges and taxes involved.

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

‘All-in’ fares for short sectors such as ManilaLegaspi are at P699 oneway while a one-way ManilaCebu flight would cost P999 and a Manila-Davao sector would cost only P1,499 during the seat sale.

At seat sale levels, these reduction represent savings of up to 56 percent over regular rate rates. Promo seats are non-refundable but regular seats are both refundable and rebookable, subject to standard penalties.

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

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

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

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

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

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

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 228
Friday, June 20, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Indonesia’s Wings Air studying revival of Davao-Manado flights

DAVAO CITY — Indonesia’s Wings Air has started servicing the Davao City-Manado, Indonesia route in preparation for a regular flight schedule in the coming months.

Daniel J. Jacob, company district manager for Manado and East Indo-nesia, said the initial flight, which landed at the Davao International Airport yesterday, was chartered after a tour agency, which has offices here and in Manado, asked the company to service the route.

"We would like to see the market," said Mr. Jacob, adding that he is optimistic that the route will be sustained with the increase in economic partnership between the two areas. The company, a subsidiary of Lion Air, is using a jet-propelled 54-seater plane that flies the route at a much slower two hours, compared with about an hour by previous airlines Bouraq and Merpati, which suspended services due to low-passenger traffic.

Mr. Jacob said the company may use a bigger plane when traffic intensifies. Indonesian Consul-General Lalu Malik Partawana, who was among those who persuaded the airline to service the route, said this was the result of the visit of a group of Indonesian traders and government officials to Davao City and General Santos.

In that visit, some of the traders said they were planning to partner with Mindanao-based businessmen on agriculture, trade and tourism.

"I hope that with this flight, this will boost tourism and trade between Mindanao and Indonesia, particularly Manado," Mr. Partawana told BusinessWorld, adding that he is "quite sure that cooperation will take place in the near future.

The new route will also serve as a jump-off point to either Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, or Bali, a major international tourism destination. "Now, travelers from Davao will be able to see our tourist spots," said Mr. Partawana.

Mary Ann M. Montemayor, chairperson of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Tourism Council, welcomed the new air service, saying this will boost the tourism sector of the sub-region.

"I hope that with this route being served, more people will get interested in visiting both areas," she said, pointing out that this will complement the plan of the tourism sector to sell the destinations within the sub-region as one.

Early this year, Merpati Airlines tried to revive the route, but eventually suspended its flights because of low traffic. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

hello guys. i would like to share some photos i took during our Davao trip last weekend.

First Flight to MNL via PR 810 (A330-300)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2588783491_6e9f4bb160.jpg?v=0

Control Tower and PAL cargo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2589613686_544bf952fe.jpg?v=0

Departure/Check-in counter lobby
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2588767451_bda91db838.jpg?v=0

Waiting Area
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2588773217_0eca14766c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2587289671_f6211206dd_m.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2588120150_d06be68c2b_m.jpg

Thanks bro for sharing with us your pix...:cheers:

no problem bro. Davao is now one of my fave places. :okay: very clean , orderly and adventure-filled.

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 228
Friday, June 20, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Indonesia’s Wings Air studying revival of Davao-Manado flights


I hope they will be successful in that sector. Two airlines failed because of inadequate traffic and fielding a wrong equipment. Nevertheless, there is a traffic on that route, only that it cannot be sustained by a 732. When you develop a sector, you begin small, and when it grows, you grow its service. That was the airlines mistake because usually they begin it with 2 flights per week to be cost effective. That is equivalent to 200 seats and they need to carry 55% of that to break even. five years ago that was not possible because Merpati only have a load factor of 30% in a months time. With turbo-prop, assuming the same capacity, it will be equivalent to 4 flights per week, but the advantage of turbo prop is that they only need to fill 40% of the planes capacity to break even. That translates to about 15-20 passengers per flight which is quite manageable. The disadvantage however is the long flight.But that is much better than going around.

I hope they will be successful in that sector. Two airlines failed because of inadequate traffic and fielding a wrong equipment. Nevertheless, there is a traffic on that route, only that it cannot be sustained by a 732. When you develop a sector, you begin small, and when it grows, you grow its service. That was the airlines mistake because usually they begin it with 2 flights per week to be cost effective. That is equivalent to 200 seats and they need to carry 55% of that to break even. five years ago that was not possible because Merpati only have a load factor of 30% in a months time. With turbo-prop, assuming the same capacity, it will be equivalent to 4 flights per week, but the advantage of turbo prop is that they only need to fill 40% of the planes capacity to break even. That translates to about 15-20 passengers per flight which is quite manageable. The disadvantage however is the long flight.But that is much better than going around.

yup you are correct man....my thoughts exactly....:)

no problem bro. Davao is now one of my fave places. :okay: very clean , orderly and adventure-filled.

Thanks for the wonderful words and photos of Davao PhMan! :cheers:

And thanks to the generosity ng mga taga Davao. ;) Pwede ba magrelocate diyan? hehe...

tanong lang.....anybody....do you know the name of davao's famous artist....the one that did the durian sculpture.....just can't remember his name...

tanong lang.....anybody....do you know the name of davao's famous artist....the one that did the durian sculpture.....just can't remember his name...

Kublai Millan , he also did the sculptures in People's Park :)

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3784/article22149707252007tu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://forzamillan.blogspot.com/2007/07/kublai-in-his-element.html

Kublai Millan , he also did the sculptures in People's Park :)

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3784/article22149707252007tu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://forzamillan.blogspot.com/2007/07/kublai-in-his-element.html

thanks.....dapat...sumama siya sa pag gawa ng sculpture for the rotundas approaching naia t3....bilib ako sa works nya....maganda at unique...

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 228
Friday, June 20, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Indonesia’s Wings Air studying revival of Davao-Manado flights

Sriwijaya air actually also flies to Manado by 732 and now Wings Air is even trying to join. I wonder if the market is actually giving them high yield ? I know many manadonese and davao'ers visiting Manado and Davao respectively.

FYI, Wings is a subsdiary of Lion air, they're operating MD-83 and MD-90 while his brother operating 739ER, 734, 733. MD-80 MD 83 MD-90.


cheers

^^ i thought sriwijaya air stopped their manado-davao operations?

Flying the EAGA skies
Mindanao Times
Joji lagan-Bian
June 25, 2008


TODAY, tourism is one of the key sectors that the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) is given much emphasis. Not only because it increases people and business mobility but it is one of the fastest means of ensuring that intra regional cooperation and linkages will actually happen on the ground.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) reported during the 14th anniversary of the sub-regional group that several air linkages were being opened or on the discussion tables.

Among these linkages are the flights between Zamboanga and Sandakan which is being served by the Asian Spirit ; and Malaysia’s Air Asia which flies from Kuching, Malaysia to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Several other airlines are also looking into possibly servicing other viable routes.

The attempt to establish air and sea linkages fits well into the desire of the four countries to intensify travel and tourism between and among them and encourage more business exchanges. But more importantly , the cost of travel must be reasonable and affordable for both business and tourism so that activities within the region will flourish.

There is a need for all the airlines to study their fare structure very carefully and to ensure competitiveness or else people from the regions will not be motivated to travel either for business or tourism. Budget fares can easily result to greater number of cultural and student exchanges ; businessmen visiting the areas to explore what they can do together; more tourists shopping, eating and spending their money.

New Air Route

Just last week, Indonesia’s Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, has started its chartered flight between Davao City and Manado, a route that has been abandoned so many times because of very thin traffic.

This time the Indonesian government will exert efforts to help sustain the service by bringing in greater volume of goods from Manado, Indonesia. Indonesian Consul Gen. Lalu Malik Partawana who is based in Davao City informed us that his office will exert all efforts to support the new air route.
I am now in Bali, Indonesia enjoying the week with my family. I could have flown directly from Davao; if there was a much easier air routes and cheaper fares. But since there was none; we decided to fly from Singapore.

This is what I had discussed with the Consul when I visited him in his office in Davao City; that we should make the air linkages work this time; and this can be done by creating activities that would bring about movement of people from the Davao to Manado and other Indonesian cities and provinces. And rates of travel are a critical issue – it can be a deterrent if priced wrongly and a strong motivator if the cost is just right.

Fifth Freedom Rights

Load cargo has always been the problem in traveling in the sub-regional destinations. This is the factor that prompted the four countries to declare the implementation of the fifth freedom rights so that airline companies can service destinations within the sub-region outside of their assigned destination.

The four countries even approved the “multiple designation of airlines with no restriction on frequency and capacity” and the “adoption of sub-regional multilateral agreement on common airport tariffs,” hoping that this will trigger the travel intensity among the peoples of the sub-region and those that are visiting its beautiful tourist spots.

What Needs to be Done

Having been actively involved in the promotion of this sub-regional group in the past, I believe that air linkages are very much necessary if the four countries, or their designated areas in the sub-region. They can push budget airlines to look into servicing the routes between and among them. This will not only heighten the trade relations among the participants, but would even pave the way for them as a group to look for a bigger trading partner like China or Japan.

This is also very important to the tourism sector, especially now that the industry is looking into promoting itself as one big destination to tourists particularly Europeans who love to travel for days to several destinations. The linkages will serve as a come-on for these travelers to consider the BIMP countries as single destinations within the sub-region.

There is a need to massively promote successful partnerships or business ventures; initiatives and exchanges, cultural and educational linkages that are worth talking about. All of these must be brought up in the open so that the EAGA excitement will again be in everyone’s heart!

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com); president, Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao representative, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)


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Cebu Pacific announces P888 fare to Bangkok, HK, Vietnam
Mindanao Daily Mirror
June 25, 2008

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s leading carrier to the ASEAN region is offering an P888 one-way fare from Manila, Cebu or Davao to Bangkok and Hong Kong; and from Manila to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

The seat sale is from June 23 to 30, 2008 and valid for travel from July 15 to September 30, 2008. Fare is non refundable and is exclusive of government taxes and applicable surcharges.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said, “We hope to encourage more travelers to visit these select international des-tinations with this low fare offering. This will also be a great opportunity for the public to either visit relatives or friends in these places.”

CEB will operate four daily flights from Manila to Hong Kong starting June 30, 2008. It also offers five direct weekly flights to Hong Kong from Cebu and three direct weekly flights to Hong Kong from Davao.

The airline operates daily to Bangkok from Manila. It also offers two direct flights weekly from Cebu to Bangkok with a connecting service from Davao.

She added, “More importantly, this should improve foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines.”

Iyog concluded, “We hope that the public will take advantage of this limited offer. Passengers may book via www.cebupacificair.com or call its reservations hotline (02) 7020888 or (032) 2308888 .”

Now in its 13th year, CEB operates flights to 22, soon to be 24 domestic cities with the addition of Naga tomorrow and San Jose (Mindoro) next week. It also flies to 15, soon to be 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu on July 18, 2008.

;22027987']^^ i thought sriwijaya air stopped their manado-davao operations?

yes they did..mga april ata yun

i was just browsing through the net and i found out that The Davao International Airport is servicing 140 commercial flights a week or 560 commercial flights per month.

not bad for a katkat airport......:lol:

DOTC reclassifies RP's airports
Butuan Airport Now A Principal Class 1 Category Facility

By Lynda B. Valencia

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

MANILA,(PNA) -- Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza ordered recently the reclassification of airports to improve the management of the nautical airport system as well as upgrade, modernize and enhance the civil aviation safety in the Philippines.

Mendoza said the new classification of airports is pursuant to the Philippine Transport Strategic Study and the Civil Aviation Master Plan developed in 1992, identifying the need to revise the country’s airport classification.

The need for classification was also reiterated in the recent Master Plan Study on the Strategy for the Improvement of National Airports in the Philippines conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under the issued Department Order No. 2008-06, the criteria that shall be considered in the reclassification of airports are: simplicity, transparency, degree of rigidity, ease of up-date, linkage with facility planning, linkage with policy formulation, and linkage with regulatory requirements.

The Air Transportation Office (ATO), which was renamed Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) by virtue of Republic Act No. 9497, otherwise known as CAAP Act of 2008, will initiate the up-dating of classification of national airports in the Philippines.

Updating of the reclassification will be done every three years or as the need arises.

Based on the criteria, the new classification are as follows:

International airports – These are airports with border control facility used for international flights such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Davao International Airport (DIA), Zamboanga, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Laoag, Clark, Subic and Kalibo.

Principal airports – These are airports used for domestic scheduled flights. These are classified into Class 1 which are used for jet services (jet aircraft including B737, A320, DC9 or greater, which has equal to or more than 100-seats capacity) and Class 2 which are used for prop services (prop aircraft of jet aircraft smaller than those indicated in Class 1, which has equal to more than 19-seat capacity).

Fifteen airports under Principal Class 1 classification are the Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Butuan, Legazpi, Cotabato, Roxas, Dipolog, Naga, San Jose, Tuguegarao, and Pagadian.

For Principal Class 2 classification, there are 19 airports and these are the Caticlan, Busuanga, Basco, Masbate, Baguio, Virac, Catarman, Surigao, Calbayog, Jolo, Tandag, Camiguin, Sanga-Sanga, Siargao, Cuyo, Romblon, Marinduque, Antique and Ormoc.

Community airports – Used for general aviation that includes 40 airports such as Plaridel, Cauayan, Palanan, Lubang, Vigan, San Fernando, Iba, Bagabag, Lingayen, Jomalig, Guiuan, Maburao, Baler, Iligan, Hilonogs, Allah Valley, Siquijor, Daet, Ipil, Bulan, Sorsogon, Liloy, Cagayan de Sulu, Rosales, Alabat, Bantayan, Biliran, Bislig, Borongan, Calapan, Catbalogan, Itbayat, Maasin, Malabang, Mati, Ozamis, Pinamalayan, Siocon, Ubay and Wasig. (PNA)

Davao-Manado trade traffic is back
Mindanao Times


THE REVIVAL of the Davao-Manado route brings back business traffic between the two neighboring cities which have been closely linked through the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Wings Air, the newest Indonesian airline serving the Davao-Manado route, noted a bustling passenger traffic since its first chartered flight started last week. A subsidiary of Lion Air based in Indonesia, Wings Air has recently resumed the Davao-Manado flights after Sriwijaya Air, which used to ply the route, suspended air operations in December last year.

“Our flights so far are fully booked,” said Daniel Jacob, Wings Air district engineer for Manado and East Indonesia, adding they are optimistic on the market viability of their Davao-Manado flights.

Using a 52-seater aircraft, Wings Air is scheduled to shift on a once a week regular flight soon after the chartered flights are served this month. He said that while the aircraft they’re using is smaller, it can accommodate more cargoes whenever there are fewer passengers.

Baby Montemayor, Chairperson of the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council, strongly welcomes the resumption of air service between Davao and Manado.
“We are also hopeful that joint tourism promotions between the two cities can now be put in active implementation by tour operators with the support of the consortium of travel and tour operators in BIMP-EAGA,” she added.
Montemayor also looks forward to more participation from Mindanao in the forthcoming Ecotourism Conference in Manado this October using the air connection.

While Manado can be a strategic destination for local tourists because of its world-class diving sites, the traders will benefit more with this new development according to Alex Divinagracia, President of Davao Travel and Tours Association.

His travel agency, Global Wings Travel and Tours, has been ticketing traders from Davao to Manado and noted that there has been a sustained traffic of passengers along the route.

“Traders usually stay from two to four days in Manado,” he said, adding that his clients are usually stall owners of Aldevinco complex, Davao’s most popular one-stop pasalubong center.

Dreamworld Travel and Tours, the official ticketing and booking office of Wings Air, also added that most of their passengers are crew of some Indonesian fishing vessels in General Santos and Davao City who opted to fly back home whenever ships are not available.

“Some are also Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) going back and forth to Indonesia,” said Jove Flores, the agency’s officer-in-charge.
According to Flores, a round trip ticket for Davao-Manado costs $ 305 while a one way ticket costs $ 205. Passengers can also avail connecting flights to Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia via Davao-Manado route. Flying time is about an hour and ten minutes.

Davao and Manado are two of EAGA’s developed urban centers which have sustained trade and tourism activities over the years.

These two proximate EAGA areas situated along the southern part of Mindanao and North Sulawesi, Indonesia have for years established twinning ties through a Sister-city relationship that has helped enhance the ongoing free exchange of tourism, socio-cultural and economic benefits in both cities.

Traveling from Mindanao and Palawan to any area in BIMP-EAGA now has been encouraging especially since that the Philippine government has revived in 2006 the granting of BIMP-EAGA Travel tax exemption running through September 2008. MEDCo

Mindanao - holiday in rebel country
By CHRIS PRITCHARD (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4602642a2181.html) - AAP | Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Perception is the problem. Or so I'm told. It's a claim I hear again and again in Davao.

"People believe wrongly that this is a violent destination but it isn't," sighs city administrator Wendel Avisado. "We happen to be on the island of Mindanao - and people are warned `don't go to Mindanao - it's dangerous'."

Of Davao's 1.5 million people, 95 percent are Christian (mostly Catholic). It is reputedly the Philippines' cleanest city. Streets are swept regularly. Footpaths are dotted with garbage bins. Smoking is outlawed except in designated areas. Taxis are modern and metered, with rip-offs rare.

Crime levels are low. Mayors are powerful in the Philippines and Davao's, Harley-Davidson-riding Rodrigo Duterte, runs a tough-guy administration that keeps the streets safe.

Davao is one of Asia's most fascinating holiday destinations. Direct flights bring in tourists from Singapore and Hong Kong (including many expatriates resident there). Other visitors, including package tourists from South Korea - the Philippines' number-one market - transit through Manila.

But few Australians are to be seen, because of travel warnings to keep out of Mindanao.

The Philippines government is fighting a long-running war against Muslim separatist guerillas, some belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and others supporting a more radical breakaway called Abu Sayyaf.

Kidnap and murder are real risks in some parts of the big island - closer to Zamboanga and Basilan, for instance. Sadly, this unpleasant fact has impeded tourism growth in tranquil Davao.

The national picture doesn't help. Criticism inside the country cites poor transport links and below-standard airports as reasons tourism isn't surging.

Tourism secretary Joseph Durano recently acknowledged a target of five million tourists a year by 2010 is unlikely to be met.

So, the Philippines remains a bit player on the Asian tourism stage. Australians and others throng Thailand and Bali but a comparative trickle reaches the Philippines.

Bali is a sore point in Davao. Officials contend that, while violence in some parts of Indonesia doesn't stop foreigners streaming to Bali, incidents elsewhere in Mindanao succeed in derailing Davao's tourism growth.

This seems a pity because Davao is a splendid and easily reached destination. A modern city, it boasts malls and markets (with cheap shopping), tropical parkland, diverse cultural attractions, good golf courses, white-sand beaches, white-water rafting, hiking, memorable restaurants and superb resorts.

For instance, I check out the Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Tourists snorkel in clear water, some go wreck-diving, a few laze in hammocks on over-water balconies. Dining is five-star and accommodation is as good as at the best Thai or Maldivian resorts.

It's often full and staff tell me Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany are key sources of custom.

Food in this port city is very seafood-oriented. This is no surprise because tuna-fishing is one of Davao's main industries.

Local delicacies include panga (grilled tuna jaw) and kinilaw (marinated raw tuna). Among many fine seafood restaurants, the no-frills Luz Kinilaw excels.

However, the main attraction bringing tourists here is the Philippine Eagle Centre, an hour's drive from the city. Its aim is to save sorely endangered Philippine eagles, of which only 500 pairs are believed to survive in the wild. Logging and encroaching farming are destroying their habitat.

The centre welcomes visitors as a means to fund its work. Thirty-two eagles live at the centre, half of them captive-born.

The Philippine eagle is awesome - and among the world's largest birds. It weighs up to 7kg, with a two two-metre wingspan.

While some birds are captive-bred, others are retrieved by farmers who find them injured on the ground. Others were pets kept illegally and confiscated by authorities.

The centre frees some birds in remote forests.

Captive breeding involves a bizarre artificial insemination programme. Human surrogates live with the birds in their nests - enormous structures allowing the birds to fly and build high platform-like nests.

Birds in the breeding programme are shielded from seeing other eagles and so regard the surrogate, who spends many hours with them, as an eagle. Surrogates wear protective leather clothing but nevertheless bear scars from being affectionately clawed and pecked.

When the time is deemed right, semen is collected manually from a male bird and spirited to another cage where a surrogate has earned the trust of a female - which permits fertilisation.

Staff resorted to this method of captive breeding after finding easily-stressed eagles failed to breed if anaesthetised for fertilisation.

A local contact points me to Davao's oddest lodgings: Ponce Suites Gallery Hotel. A 30-roomer, its exterior is encrusted by giant sculptures. Internal corridors are filled with hundreds of paintings and sculptures - some using junk such as discarded typewriters or electronics.

All are the work of a famous Philippine artist named Kublai (real name: Rey Mudjahid Ponce Millan but he uses his nickname).

"It's only 10 percent of my work," the prolific artist tells me in his hotel's rooftop bar-restaurant.

Kublai drives me to the neighbouring province of Davao del Sur. We cross plains of rice, climb through mountainous farmland and small villages for nearly two hours - and, finally, park beneath Agung House, a giant modernist sculpture that contains a two-bedroom house with a view of Mt Apo, tallest peak in the Philippines.

Next day I venture north to another neighbouring province, Davao del Norte, to visit members of two of Mindanao's 13 tribes. Traditional weaving is demonstrated and tribal music performances draw crowds of village kids.

In the province's Tagum City, I stop to admire the world's largest Rosary (85.5 metres long and made of balls of wood) before visiting Muslim members of the Kalagan tribe.

Tribe members tell me they earn their money collecting mud crabs from the mangroves. (Some Muslims don't eat seafood but this community does.)

Modernity has had its impact. Members of the tribe tote mobile telephones, wear designer sunglasses and live in relatively affluent circumstances.

At a park outside Davao called Eden Resort, I see full-size replicas of traditional-style dwellings of Mindanao tribes. Customs of different tribes are explained.

"Elsewhere in the Philippines, less of the age-old tribal culture endures," says Professor Jowel Canuday, a Davao-based authority on the area's indigenous culture.

"It's a pity more people don't see it - before it's gone."

IF YOU GO

Philippine Airlines flies between Australia and Manila, the Philippines capital, with frequent 90-minute jet connections to Davao.

Alternatively, Davao is served by other carriers' non-stop services from Hong Kong and Singapore.

Australian and most other passport holders do not need visas for holiday visits.

$A1 buys about P41 (Philippine pesos) ($NZ1.30).

Pearl Farm Beach Resort is an opulent resort reached by short launch transfer, Waterfront Insular Hotel is an upscale resort-setting property only 10 minutes by metered taxi from downtown and Ponce Suites Gallery Hotel is a delightfully quirky art-filled hotel with rooftop restaurant-bar surprisingly modestly-priced in the mid-market niche.

The Australian government's travel advice website currently advises against visiting Mindanao. However, aside from Australians, tourists are plentiful: direct flights bring visitors from Hong Kong and Singapore (including many resident expatriates) to resorts such as the Pearl Farm. Korean package tourists are also numerous.

Vol. XXI, No. 236
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate News
Davao-Manado trade traffic is back as air connection resumes

DAVAO CITY — The revival of the Davao-Manado route brings back business traffic between the two neighboring cities, which have been closely linked through the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Wings Air, the newest Indonesian airline serving the Davao-Manado route, cited a bustling passenger traffic since its first chartered flight started last week. A subsidiary of Lion Air based in Indonesia, Wings Air recently resumed the Davao-Manado flights after Sriwijaya Air, which used to ply the route, suspended air operations in December.

"Our flights so far are fully booked," said Daniel Jacob, Wings Air district engineer for Manado and East Indonesia, adding that they are optimistic on the market viability of their Davao-Manado flights.

Using a 52-seater aircraft, Wings Air is scheduled to shift on a once-a-week regular flight soon after the chartered flights are served this month.

He noted that while the aircraft they’re using is smaller, it can accommodate more cargos whenever there are fewer passengers.

"We are also hopeful that joint tourism promotions between the two cities can now be put in active implementation by tour operators with the support of the consortium of travel and tour operators in BIMP-EAGA," said Mary Ann Montemayor, chairman of the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council.

Ms. Montemayor also looked forward to more participation from Mindanao in the forthcoming eco-tourism conference in Manado this October using the air connection.

While Manado can be a strategic destination for local tourists because of its world-class diving sites, the traders will benefit more with this new development, said Alex Divinagracia, president of the Davao Travel and Tours Association.

Mr. Divinagracia, whose travel agency Global Wings Travel and Tours has been ticketing traders from Davao to Manado, said there has been sustained traffic of passengers along the route. "Traders usually stay from two to four days in Manado," he said.

Dreamworld Travel and Tours, the official ticketing and booking office of Wings Air, said most of their passengers are the crew of some Indonesian fishing vessels in General Santos City and Davao City who opt to fly back home when ships are unavailable.

Some are Filipinos who work in Indonesia, said Jove Flores, the agency’s officer-in-charge.

He said a roundtrip ticket for Davao to Manado costs $305, while a one-way ticket costs $205. Passengers can also avail themselves of connecting flights to Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia via the Davao-Manado route. Flying time is about an hour and 10 minutes.

Davao and Manado are two of the East Asian Growth Area’s developed urban centers that have sustained trade and tourism activities over the years.

These areas situated along the southern part of Mindanao and North Sulawesi, Indonesia have for years established twinning ties through a sister city relationship that has helped enhance ongoing exchange of tourism, sociocultural and economic benefits in both cities.

Traveling from Mindanao and Palawan to any area in the BIMP-EAGA has been encouraging especially following the Philippine government’s revival in 2006 of BIMP-EAGA travel tax exemptions running through Sept. 2008. — Mindanao Economic Development Council

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW070208/content.php?id=045

CEB slashes domestic fares
Mindanao Daily Mirror
July 10, 2008

Low fare leader Cebu Pacific (CEB), is offering a P388++ one-way fare from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

The airline is also offering a P888++ one-way fare from Manila to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta , Kaohsiung, Macau, Shanghai, Singa-pore, Taipei and Xiamen.

The P888++ fare is also extended to CEB’s direct international services to Singapore and Hong Kong from both Cebu and Davao.

On its domestic network, CEB offers ‘all-inclusive’ fares of P699 for services from Manila to Luzon, P999 for flights from Manila to Visayas, and P1,499 for Manila to Mindanao services. Intra-Visayas and Mindanao flights would range from P699 to P999.

The system-wide seat sale will run from July 10 to 15 and is good for travel from July 22 to October 15, 2008. More than half a million seats are allocated for this seat sale. The promo is non-refundable.

Candice Iyog, CEB spokesman said, “While all modes of public transport are increasing their fares, we would like to assure the public that flying with CEB will continue to stay affordable.”

“This should also encourage more tourist arrivals during the traditional lean months of July, August, and September,” she explained.

Iyog added, “We hope that many will act fast and book their flights through cebupacifcair.com or call its reservations hotline (02) 7020888 or (032) 2308888.”

Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest fleet in the Philippines . It has a fleet of ten A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR72-500 aircraft. The airline expects to increase its fleet to 25 by the end of 2008.

News Article
Convert old airport to cargo, trade center: biz urges gov’t
By Rizalene P. Acac

THE DAVAO City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) has pushed for the conversion of the old Davao International Airport compound into a cargo and trade center and the full utilization of the Sasa Wharf.
In the 8th Davao City Business Conference last Friday, Simeon Marfori II, president of the business group, said it is such a waste that the two facilities are not being maximized for the fast transportation of goods in and out of the city.
He said the port only has one crane which results in a very slow turnaround of ships. He said the complete turnaround in the port will take three days.
Marfori said Cagayan de Oro City port, which load is five times less than the Sasa wharf, has improved cranes.
He said the sophisticated cranes allow a one-day turnaround of vessels. He said the longer unloading of cargoes would translate to more expense on the part of the businessman.
In the resolution passed during the conference, the business community said the port should not only add facilities but should also expand its structure in anticipation of “perceived” increase in the volume of cargo.
“The pier should be reinforced and redesigned to be expanded to support the increasing volume of cargo,” it added.
The Mindanao Economic Development Council has included the development of the port as one of government’s priority projects in the island. The port is currently undergoing rehabilitation of its quay which will be completed next year.
A separate resolution was also passed for the development of the old airport. Marfori said the facility will remain as an unused asset unless the government sets aside budget to make it as an air cargo terminal.
“If we have this the refrigeration facility need not be established anymore,” he said.
The resolution cited that the cargo volume has been increasing in the last three years and the new airport could no longer accommodate it due to lack of space and facilities.
Marfori said the upper floor of the old airport building could be used as a trade center.
Vice Mayor Sara Duterte said the city council will immediately study the proposals and if found feasible, would pass resolutions.h

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=20799

its nice to convert the old DIA terminal.

I travelled up north last July 09 and i was definitely impressed with our new International Airport..It may not be one of the largest..but surely it is a beautiful one. Its very clean..i especially like the cafe's situated near the waiting area(i dont know how is that coined or termed) and it just felt so overwhelming that Davao has improved greatly..Ill be travelling again this august/september so ill be seeing more of our Airport!

I have a question..is there a direct flight from Davao-Caticlan? Thank you

^^
I believe there is none, although there is a direct flight to Iloilo courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air.

existent pa ba ang DVO-SIN Flight?

of course naman

both via SilkAir and CebuPacific :)

Davao-Bangkok airlink
July 29, 2008 — Peter

The timing is bad given the dim prospects of the travel industry due to rising cost of fuel.

However, I believe local tourism industry players should strike the iron while it is hot.

The recent air agreements signed by the country has finally included Davao as a new gateway. I have been batting for this during the past five years and finally the Civil Aviation Board has acceded.

Short of our desired “open skies” policy for Davao, these new air agreements gave flight entitlements for the city from Thailand, Netherlands and Hong Kong.

My particular interest is Bangkok. As one of Asia’s main regional hubs, I have been proposing for air links between Davao and the Thai capital since 2003. Bangkok receives more than 1 million tourists a month. If we can lure even just 1 percent of that throng, Davao could easily double its foreign tourist arrivals annually! And that is not counting Thai tourists yet just to show how huge this market is.

Amsterdam is too far to make any plans for now. While flights to Hong Kong are now available.

So, local tourism industry players should not let this opportunity pass by. They should immediately work with either local air carriers or Thai airlines to mount direct air links between the city and Bangkok. This would give Davao a foothold in the booming Mekong Delta region that includes rising tourist destinations such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

I am confident we can develop a good market for the Davao-Bangkok sector not only for tourism but for trade and the overseas Filipino market as well.

http://ptlavina.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/davao-bangkok/

....

Home > Business > Top Stories

More seats alloted on Philippine-Thailand flights
07/28/2008 | 06:30 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - Air negotiations between the Philippines and Thailand succeeded with the approval of additional seat entitlements between the two southeast Asian countries.

The air panels also agreed to open international airports in Clark, Pampanga, and Davao City to handle flights to and from Thailand.

“For Clark, everything is new. That is for both passenger and cargo. We do not have an agreement in place before. The same in Davao, which is also a new point outside of Manila," Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Deputy Executive Director Porvenir Porciuncula said.

Carriers using the Clark International Airport were awarded a total of 17,400 seat entitlements per week for Thailand flights(8,700 seats have been allocated for Clark for each country (http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080728%5cACQDJON200807280649DOWJONESDJONLINE000226.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Philippines,%20Thailand%20Complete%20Amendments%20On%20Air%20Deal))

Airlines can also carry cargo of up to 700 tons per week for the Clark-Thailand route.

Meanwhile, flights between Davao and Thailand have 2,110 seats per week.

Based on an amended air services agreement, airlines can now seat additional 1,700 seats, or a total of 5,400 passengers weekly between Manila and Thailand.

CAB is a member of the Philippine air panel. Other members of the negotiating team are from the departments of Transportation and Communication, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Trade and Industry, and local airlines. - GMANews.TV

Good news, now will 5J serve this? Sana pero wag naman wierd time ha.

If it can connect properly with BKK then that would make it easier for tourists to hub through BKK to get to davao!

Good news, now will 5J serve this? Sana pero wag naman wierd time ha.

If it can connect properly with BKK then that would make it easier for tourists to hub through BKK to get to davao!

i guess 5J will pioneer this flight. sadly it will still be wierd times...i suspect it to be 2 flights a week... currently 5J operates a DVO-HK on Mondays and Fridays, DVO-SING on Thurs and Sun. So baka ang DVO-BKK will be Wed and Sat.

kailan kaya ito ano? sana malapit na...

after this sana seoul or japan na naman...:)

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Councilor: City gets more flight 'entitlements'

THE recent air agreements signed by the Philippine government have finally included Davao as a new gateway.

"Short of our desired 'open skies' policy for Davao, these new air agreements gave flight entitlements for the city from Thailand, Netherlands and Hong Kong," Councilor Peter Laviña said Wednesday.


The councilor, who has been campaigning for an "open skies" policy for Davao for the past five years, said the Civil Aviation Board has acceded and granted Davao more air-links with foreign destinations.

"The timing is bad given the dim prospects of the travel industry due to rising cost of fuel. However, I believe local tourism industry players should strike the iron while it is hot," Laviña said.

He said one area of the particular interests is Bangkok as this is one of Asia's main regional hubs.

"I have been proposing for air links between Davao and the Thai capital since 2003. Bangkok receives more than one million tourists a month. If we can lure even just one percent of that throng, Davao could easily double its foreign tourist arrivals annually. And that is not counting Thai tourists yet just to show how huge this market is," Laviña said.

The councilor said having direct links with Bangkok would give Davao a foothold in the booming Mekong Delta region.

"I am confident we can develop a good market for the Davao-Bangkok sector not only for tourism but for trade and the overseas Filipino market as well," he said.

Davao has existing air agreements with Indonesia (Manado), Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu), Palau, South Korea and Singapore. (GLP)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/31/news/councilor.city.gets.more.flight.entitlements..html

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Councilor: City gets more flight 'entitlements'

THE recent air agreements signed by the Philippine government have finally included Davao as a new gateway.

"Short of our desired 'open skies' policy for Davao, these new air agreements gave flight entitlements for the city from Thailand, Netherlands and Hong Kong," Councilor Peter Laviña said Wednesday.


The councilor, who has been campaigning for an "open skies" policy for Davao for the past five years, said the Civil Aviation Board has acceded and granted Davao more air-links with foreign destinations.

"The timing is bad given the dim prospects of the travel industry due to rising cost of fuel. However, I believe local tourism industry players should strike the iron while it is hot," Laviña said.

He said one area of the particular interests is Bangkok as this is one of Asia's main regional hubs.

"I have been proposing for air links between Davao and the Thai capital since 2003. Bangkok receives more than one million tourists a month. If we can lure even just one percent of that throng, Davao could easily double its foreign tourist arrivals annually. And that is not counting Thai tourists yet just to show how huge this market is," Laviña said.

The councilor said having direct links with Bangkok would give Davao a foothold in the booming Mekong Delta region.

"I am confident we can develop a good market for the Davao-Bangkok sector not only for tourism but for trade and the overseas Filipino market as well," he said.

Davao has existing air agreements with Indonesia (Manado), Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu), Palau, South Korea and Singapore. (GLP)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/31/news/councilor.city.gets.more.flight.entitlements..html




THIS IS GOOD NEWS!!!!:banana::banana:
Sana maimplement na to as early as next year...making Davao a new gateway sounds really good!!

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Councilor: City gets more flight 'entitlements'

THE recent air agreements signed by the Philippine government have finally included Davao as a new gateway.

"Short of our desired 'open skies' policy for Davao, these new air agreements gave flight entitlements for the city from Thailand, Netherlands and Hong Kong," Councilor Peter Laviña said Wednesday.


The councilor, who has been campaigning for an "open skies" policy for Davao for the past five years, said the Civil Aviation Board has acceded and granted Davao more air-links with foreign destinations.

"The timing is bad given the dim prospects of the travel industry due to rising cost of fuel. However, I believe local tourism industry players should strike the iron while it is hot," Laviña said.

He said one area of the particular interests is Bangkok as this is one of Asia's main regional hubs.

"I have been proposing for air links between Davao and the Thai capital since 2003. Bangkok receives more than one million tourists a month. If we can lure even just one percent of that throng, Davao could easily double its foreign tourist arrivals annually. And that is not counting Thai tourists yet just to show how huge this market is," Laviña said.

The councilor said having direct links with Bangkok would give Davao a foothold in the booming Mekong Delta region.

"I am confident we can develop a good market for the Davao-Bangkok sector not only for tourism but for trade and the overseas Filipino market as well," he said.

Davao has existing air agreements with Indonesia (Manado), Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu), Palau, South Korea and Singapore. (GLP)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/31/news/councilor.city.gets.more.flight.entitlements..html
I have a question sa Davao to South Korea...

direct flight ba siya or connecting?

Didn't know there was a regular direct flight to Korea. Maybe it still is only a paper flight.

For entitlements the one really good one to have is Davao Japan or ME as malaking market iyan but for now let's work on this one.

Anyway now that the right to fly is there, the next step is getting more actual flights!

dunno about regular direct flights from davao to south korea, possibly chartered flights lang for tourists.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

"Short of our desired 'open skies' policy for Davao, these new air agreements gave flight entitlements for the city from Thailand, Netherlands and Hong Kong," Councilor Peter Laviña said Wednesday.



interesado ko sa netherlands na flights. kanus-a ni sila mag take effect?

interesado ko sa netherlands na flights. kanus-a ni sila mag take effect?

starting today. twice a day ang flight. :lol:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1346/dscn0515rb1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

interesado ko sa netherlands na flights. kanus-a ni sila mag take effect?

mga tag Davao na mga drug addicts interesado pud mo bal.hin sa Netherlands lol

^^ingat kayo baka nagbabasa si mayor:lol:

mga tag Davao na mga drug addicts interesado pud mo bal.hin sa Netherlands lol


susyala pud sa mga drug addict ana uy...

kung ako adik ingon ko sa akong repapips...

Tara pabugnaw sa Netherlands kay initan ta sa DDS dire.. mau didto kay daghang maryja*ne. tara pre....

kung naay maminaw.. mangha jud...

^^ingat kayo baka nagbabasa si mayor:lol:

duda nga ako diyan wala naman tayong connection sa Netherlands ang alam ko lang na Hollander dito yung may restaurant sa Rizal lol , baka ang airline dyan eh tulad ng Air Canada logo instead of maple it MJ leaf :jk: :lol:

mga tag Davao na mga drug addicts interesado pud mo bal.hin sa Netherlands lol

lol from UK ko. dira ko stop over sa netherlands instead sa usual singapore o middle east kung uli ko dabaw. la pa man gud ko katamak dira. (DILI ko adik noh)

unsa mga carrier ani?

dunno about regular direct flights from davao to south korea, possibly chartered flights lang for tourists.

Asian spirit flies the charter to Seoul regularly. Its better this way than regular flights as they are guaranteed load factor than embarking on an scheduled flights with variable fluctuations of traffic. After establishing frequency, mounting regular flights would follow. Cebu Pacific introduced international flights this way even before they flew regularly to HKG. Air Philippines even flew regularly to China and Macao on chartered flights. Thomsonfly of Europe started as a charter airline before making regular flights to frequented holiday destinations. Thats why you never see Asian Spirit MD-11 flying the domestic front.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/8/5/7/1366758.jpg
http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/1/7/1/5/84839_1173678517.jpg

^^ I think you mean the MD-80 (one MD-82 and one MD-83), right? If I'm right, 6K doesn't even have MD-11s in its fleet.

^^
yeap, MD-83 to be exact. sorry for the typo. It was originally 81 series but they have problems with fuel capacity so it was replaced by the aircraft lessor 3 months after they started using it. Its the plane now flying to DVO. It has a bigger print unlike the ones posted above.

This is the one I'm talking about
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1087/1307728683_fc70484d80_b.jpg

^^
yeap, MD-83 to be exact. sorry for the typo. It was originally 81 series but they have problems with fuel capacity so it was replaced by the aircraft lessor 3 months after they started using it. Its the plane now flying to DVO. It has a bigger print unlike the ones posted above.

hi there arianespace...i have been reading most of your posts lately and it intrigues me that you know alot of things with regards to the philippine aerospace industry..... are you working for any philippine airline?

Asian spirit flies the charter to Seoul regularly. Its better this way than regular flights as they are guaranteed load factor than embarking on an scheduled flights with variable fluctuations of traffic. After establishing frequency, mounting regular flights would follow. Cebu Pacific introduced international flights this way even before they flew regularly to HKG. Air Philippines even flew regularly to China and Macao on chartered flights. Thomsonfly of Europe started as a charter airline before making regular flights to frequented holiday destinations. Thats why you never see Asian Spirit MD-11 flying the domestic front.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/8/5/7/1366758.jpg
http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/1/7/1/5/84839_1173678517.jpg

salamat for elaborating. di ko alam yun. :)

your right, i think it does work out better that way. parang trial run nila to see if the route is feasible. makes sense.

Iran, RP ink first air agreement

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:25:00 08/06/2008


MANILA, Philippines--The Philippine air panel has sealed the country's first ever air services agreement with Iran in anticipation of an increase in demand for Mideast-bound flights.

Under the basic agreement signed Tuesday evening in Pasay City, Manila-based airports were allocated four flights a week to Iran.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark was allowed seven flights and 700 tons of cargo a week.

Airports outside Manila and Clark--particularly those in Iloilo, Subic, Zamboanga and Davao City--will share five flights a week.
The main beneficiaries of Mideast-bound flights are overseas workers, although air travel authorities acknowledge that the new route will only make a small impact initially since no Philippine carrier has plans to fly to Iran.

But Mahan Air of Iran has expressed interest to operate immediately through Manila and, eventually, via Clark.

"The market at this stage is small, but having the agreement is the first step in developing a growing market between the two countries," Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla said.

According to the Center for Strategic Initiatives, a nongovernment organization, there are around 1.5 million overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and 960,000 in Asia. But until recently, there were only 30 weekly flights between the Middle East and the Philippines, and 324 weekly flights between Asia and the Philippines.

Recent air services agreements between the Philippines and the rest of Asia are expected to address the service gap.
__________________

wala na palang cebu pacific direct na davao-singapore and singapore hongkong? wala na kasi sa route map nila na direct eh, connecting flight na lang meron. wala na rin sa schedules ng hongkong airport and singapore airport ang cebu pacific flights to davao

wala na palang cebu pacific direct na davao-singapore and singapore hongkong? wala na kasi sa route map nila na direct eh, connecting flight na lang meron. wala na rin sa schedules ng hongkong airport and singapore airport ang cebu pacific flights to davao

mao ni akong giquestion few days ago. kung naa pa ba ang dvo-sing & dvo-hk flights?

any insider info regarding this flight?

AFAIK they will be resuming the flights this August, kulang daw ng aircrafts :ohno:

^^
Yes, the only reason why nagka leche leche ang operations ng Cebu Pacific ngayon is because kulang ang aircrafts nila to accommodate their flights.

AFAIK they will be resuming the flights this August, kulang daw ng aircrafts :ohno:

not august but december.....

hala, sayang pud na ba kung maundang kadali. pero dili man kaha hinay ang bookings? mao ba ni nga girepair pa ang 2 nila ka aircraft?

hala, sayang pud na ba kung maundang kadali. pero dili man kaha hinay ang bookings? mao ba ni nga girepair pa ang 2 nila ka aircraft?

this is my theory....they cut their davao flights because of low sales in cebu and manila. the only way to sustain their operations is to cut new flights that are operating well so that they can transfer passengers on thes new routes to beef up their flights out of manila and cebu. why do i say that? because i have been trying to book the manila-sing and cebu-sing flights for over a month now. they still give me the same rate maski 20 pax pa ibook ko.....

bad timing, we are going to sing in 2 months time...grrrrrrrr!!!!

as per 2007 the number of domestic arrivals at the DIA is pegged at around 1.4M++. international arrivals is pegged at 68K++....

terminal fees alone, domestic got around 294M++ and international around 51M++....

how much kaya ang nakukuha nila from the rental space inside the terminal, rental of the parking area, rental from outside the terminal, ad spaces inside the terminal, etc. malaki pa siguro noh.....

wala na bang flights and CEB papuntang hong kong and singapore currently sa davao??nabasa ko kasi sa wikipedia na operations will still start by decEmber this year. natigil ba flights nila???

yup natigil....kulang daw ang planes....

this is my theory....they cut their davao flights because of low sales in cebu and manila. the only way to sustain their operations is to cut new flights that are operating well so that they can transfer passengers on thes new routes to beef up their flights out of manila and cebu. why do i say that? because i have been trying to book the manila-sing and cebu-sing flights for over a month now. they still give me the same rate maski 20 pax pa ibook ko.....

The Davao - Hong Kong flight may somehow do well, but the Hong Kong - Davao sector is the problem... sometimes with only 20 to 40 pax per flight

yun, ang problema di balance ang demand between DVO & HK.

The Davao - Hong Kong flight may somehow do well, but the Hong Kong - Davao sector is the problem... sometimes with only 20 to 40 pax per flight

yun, ang problema di balance ang demand between DVO & HK.

this is easy to solve. follow what silk air is doing. there are some flights that are passing through cebu and some flights that are direct to davao. its that simple.

but 5j problem is far from simple. their problem is lack of planes and over expansion of routes. this is borne out of greed...:ohno:

Cebu Pacific is set to expand its operations in Davao by making it the third hub after Manila and Cebu by May 8, 2008. The airline will base an A-319 aircraft at the Davao International Airport to service direct flights from Davao City to Singapore, Hong Kong and Iloilo.


-----------------
Ricky

Missouri Drug Addiction (http://www.drugaddiction.net/missouri)

^^ Old news; tell us what we don't know.

^^^ yUp, that was months ago! davao already is a hub of CEB...

i was just informed by a PAL insider that PAL is making the davao airport as its next hub. they will introduce the dvo-cdo, dvo-pps, dvo-cot, dvo-bohol, flights by next year. they will be utilizing their q300 and q400 planes. they alreayd operate the dvo-zam flights using their q400's.

i was just informed by a PAL insider that PAL is making the davao airport as its next hub. they will introduce the dvo-cdo, dvo-pps, dvo-cot, dvo-bohol, flights by next year. they will be utilizing their q300 and q400 planes. they alreayd operate the dvo-zam flights using their q400's.

Dvo-PPS (Puerto Princesa) and Dvo-Bohol would be the most crucial in terms of trade and tourism. Dvo-Cot would be more for convenience, considering the risk of travelling by land to that area. These three routes, IMO, would be the most economically feasible. :)

@PengHok, is it true that AFP is blaming DVO's insufficient instruments was one of the causes of the plane crash of the C130? Wala daw kuno radar ang DVO which I don't believe it.

Hala no idea jud bai unsa ang mga write ups karon regarding the crash of the C130. Pero I doubt it if DVO lacks the necessary equipment... Otherwise, daghan na unta na crash na planes diri. Simbako!

Giingon nila ato last Wed or Thur night sa balita sa ABSCBN, the military blames indirectly to the lack of infra of DVO...morag wala jud ko katu-o nga DVO lacks radar. Nausna man na nga statement wui?

@PengHok, is it true that AFP is blaming DVO's insufficient instruments was one of the causes of the plane crash of the C130? Wala daw kuno radar ang DVO which I don't believe it.

Hala no idea jud bai unsa ang mga write ups karon regarding the crash of the C130. Pero I doubt it if DVO lacks the necessary equipment... Otherwise, daghan na unta na crash na planes diri. Simbako!

Giingon nila ato last Wed or Thur night sa balita sa ABSCBN, the military blames indirectly to the lack of infra of DVO...morag wala jud ko katu-o nga DVO lacks radar. Nausna man na nga statement wui?

Hala, I was not able to watch the news, pero that would be a very unfair statement. Maybe military is trying to hide something that they attribute the blame to the equipment of DVO instead.

Teka, anong oras nga nung Monday nangyari yung accident? Kasi last Monday I was waiting for my 7:30AM flight to Manila. May nakita akong C130 nag takeoff around 6:30AM. Baka yun yung nag crash? Oh my.

^^ Around 9PM.

@PengHok, is it true that AFP is blaming DVO's insufficient instruments was one of the causes of the plane crash of the C130? Wala daw kuno radar ang DVO which I don't believe it.

the AFP is full of shit!:ohno: they are the ones that have insufficient equipments.:ohno:. why do they go around blaming this and blaming that. they should blame themselves for all the shitty equipments that they have.

the reason why davao has no radar is because there is still no need for it. the volume of flights that come and go from the DIA still does not warrant a need for a radar. but if the CAAP wants to put one they are welcome to do so.

^^if its true.. why should they blame the DVO airports equipment nga hapsay man ang paglupad sa HERCULES pagabot sa ere.

yeah why blame the tower ? it's not in a landing mode at wala namang natamaan na object like a hill diba?

stupid media hype nanaman yan:bash:

putting the blame on davao airport!... kulang ng gamit!... dapat pala araw araw meron crash:ohno:

araw-araw ang flights ng domestic & international:nuts:

idiots!

why blame the lack of radar? ang C130 safe ang departure before nagcrash sa Davao gulf...

...if we list the number of airports w/out radar eh baka umagahin tayo..and before, I've landed on airports before na airstrip lang ang cementado (via Asian Spirit), definitely walang radar dun, safe naman.

also, bakit merong crash incidents sa Manila bay before despite of NAIA's radar?

^^ Siguro galit lang sila sa mga tao na nagsasabi sa kanila na ang Air Force ay "Widow Maker" at "Flying Coffin" at nakipaghamunan pa ng suntukan ang chief nila...Hmmmm.... Reminds me that tonight is ACI on NGC (Air Crash Investigation on NatGeo), at least investigations there have sense... :D

^^ Siguro galit lang sila sa mga tao na nagsasabi sa kanila na ang Air Force ay "Widow Maker" at "Flying Coffin" at nakipaghamunan pa ng suntukan ang chief nila...Hmmmm.... Reminds me that tonight is ACI on NGC (Air Crash Investigation on NatGeo), at least investigations there have sense... :D

mahihirapan silang maginvestigate sa c130, kse walang black box. the sad state of our national defenses

why doesnt the PAF accept the fact that indeed all their planes are flying coffins.....:ohno:

yan ang mahirap jan eh....denial denial pa sila.....tapos they blame others for their folly....:ohno:

^^
Corrections if I may. Perhaps its about time to correct the impressions brought by idiotic philippine media hype about old military planes. I don't know why these people classified it as such when the U.S., Russia and most EU states operates same old unit as well. Of course we don't see them because our prying eyes looks to the new model anyway. People who call old planes flying coffins are bunch of morons who never knew any better. Or maybe yet because they haven't seen new one in the course of their lifetime, much less have talked to their pilots or even cared to have a chit-chat with their mechanics. I bet they haven't managed to ride one. I should say those who believe otherwise should start reading aviation related materials to prove me wrong.

No wonder aviation enthusiasts, from the civilian to the military sector feel sorry for these guys. Because they simply don't know what they are talking about. In aviation parlance, there is no such thing as old planes. If an aircraft happens to operate well beyond its projected lifetime, it simply means one thing. Its a great aircraft. Period.

We should be glad seeing them because some of my caucasian friends who are more enthusiastic than I thought I was go to great extent to see and ride those classics in a backpack while I scamper for the new one. I Thought maybe because its too common for me to see them everyday and I want to taste what its like to be in a new one. And really there is not much difference other than avionics and fly by wire system. Its the same plane with updated technology whose flight safety is no better than the ones made in the early 60's. Here is one interesting fact which I should not be disclosing in too much detail. A USAF pilot doing a shuttle between Okinawa Cebu and Zamboanga run managed to get hold on one of our C's and the other filipino got one of their J's and believed me they got one comment in common. The old one is better. Its just under the sea now.


Not all production aircraft will rise to that prominence. In the Philippine skies, we have plenty of them. The YS-11 of Asian Spirit is even much older than the C-130 of the PAF. What I'm saying is, the chances of your flight depend not on the status of your plane, new or old one, but on the state on how pilots fly them and how their mechanics prepares them to fly. Any assumption to the contrary is a nut. Like a saying for an old soldier, they don't die. They just fade away...

^^

i get your point bro. but it just pisses me off that they blame the lack equipments of the DIA and was the cause of the crash. kasi wala daw radar. oh come on.....how low can you get....why dont the just shut up and continue with their investigation.

mahihirapan silang maginvestigate sa c130, kse walang black box. the sad state of our national defenses

That I am also surprised. I thought all aircraft are equipped with black boxes but according to PAF, they have none.

Educate me on what I don't know about aviation to those who know the industry for I be delighted to be enlightened on these matters.

Well, at least the pilot was buried with hero's rites earlier this afternoon, and so are the others.

^^

i get your point bro. but it just pisses me off that they blame the lack equipments of the DIA and was the cause of the crash. kasi wala daw radar. oh come on.....how low can you get....why dont the just shut up and continue with their investigation.

Ganyan talaga.someone should be blamed.(a typical filipino attitude) pero i think its not DIAs fault,since the new airport was erected all planes wether taking off or landing were alright so far.
Regarding the retrieval and investigation, a US navy is on its way na daw to davao gulf..:)

I think...
parang wala yatang black box ang mga military planes... even in the US air force.

I heard from a friend (US Navy)... yong planes na gamit nila... walang black box

^^ Or are they simply stating that they have no black boxes in the public so that the public couldn't obtain confidential information or state/military secrets?

^^you have a point there:)

^^
Corrections if I may. Perhaps its about time to correct the impressions brought by idiotic philippine media hype about old military planes. I don't know why these people classified it as such when the U.S., Russia and most EU states operates same old unit as well. Of course we don't see them because our prying eyes looks to the new model anyway. People who call old planes flying coffins are bunch of morons who never knew any better. Or maybe yet because they haven't seen new one in the course of their lifetime, much less have talked to their pilots or even cared to have a chit-chat with their mechanics. I bet they haven't managed to ride one. I should say those who believe otherwise should start reading aviation related materials to prove me wrong.

I think the media has a point though...ok, maybe the US, Russia, EU, whatnot, operates the same old units...for all we know, we may even have better mechanics...but then again, do we have the same logistics as them? do we have the same monetary funding? that every genuine part (and not refurbished) is available at our PAF's disposal when they need them? that would be the critical question.


No wonder aviation enthusiasts, from the civilian to the military sector feel sorry for these guys. Because they simply don't know what they are talking about. In aviation parlance, there is no such thing as old planes. If an aircraft happens to operate well beyond its projected lifetime, it simply means one thing. Its a great aircraft. Period.

IMO an engine is an engine...everything goes through wear and tear, the older the plane, the more mileage under its belt, then the higher it tendency to malfunction. therefore, I think the older ones would require more attention, and better maintenance.


We should be glad seeing them because some of my caucasian friends who are more enthusiastic than I thought I was go to great extent to see and ride those classics in a backpack while I scamper for the new one.I Thought maybe because its too common for me to see them everyday and I want to taste what its like to be in a new one. And really there is not much difference other than avionics and fly by wire system.

if I see a Ford Model T, I would also go to great extents to ride one. maybe the excitement would be something similar to, say, seeing a dinosaur grazing our fields today.


Its the same plane with updated technology whose flight safety is no better than the ones made in the early 60's. Here is one interesting fact which I should not be disclosing in too much detail. A USAF pilot doing a shuttle between Okinawa Cebu and Zamboanga run managed to get hold on one of our C's and the other filipino got one of their J's and believed me they got one comment in common. The old one is better. Its just under the sea now.

well, that's very ironic. for sure the C130 is a serviceable plane, designed to last for several years. but the fact the its under the sea, with several dead only means one thing: there is something wrong with our air defense system. well, maybe not the C130 per se, but maybe when we look at the entire picture, there are holes that make the aircraft unsafe.


Not all production aircraft will rise to that prominence. In the Philippine skies, we have plenty of them. The YS-11 of Asian Spirit is even much older than the C-130 of the PAF. What I'm saying is, the chances of your flight depend not on the status of your plane, new or old one, but on the state on how pilots fly them and how their mechanics prepares them to fly. Any assumption to the contrary is a nut. Like a saying for an old soldier, they don't die. They just fade away...

if your point was that our planes are serviceable, but we only just have to do good maintenance...now I would probably agree with that...but the sad state of our air force is, it's not just they don't have new planes, they also can't keep the old ones in good shape.
for example...
state of pilot: check.
mechanic ability: check.
C130 plane model/designed capability: check.
Spare parts: budget, under deliberation. :ohno:

:)

^^
Very well said. In fairness to the Airforce though, its not their fault to fly an antiquated plane flying barely on the skills of our talented mechanics much more degrade it as such when instead people should be barking at their government for not doing anything about it. It wouldn't be nice isn't it?

If our government can't buy new one, we might as well invest in maintenance. Thats my point and you got it right. The problem with maintenance is that its cost grew bigger the longer it stays on the air beyond its lifetime. Although cost of the engine is a given already considering that none would fly without one. Even PAL's brand new 320 have spares in the inventory, what more the old ones. The problem lies with the funds to maintain everyone in flying conditions. And thats what our government don't have. Thats why PAF is cannibalizing others so that one or two would fly doing mercy missions while they wait for the ordered parts to arrive.

It wouldn't be fair to categorically brand it as such when its the only thing we have. Its like dreaming and arguing for a brand new car when the family can afford only a decrepit second hand vehicle maintained by a seasoned next door neighbor mechanic and laughing at its faith in the hands of your brother who happen to drive it when it stopped in the middle of a busy road for good and you proclaimed it to your friends that it was junk for a start. Tell me what would your brother feel when you do it? You might also not want to think whose laughing at you now, pinning on your family misfortune to others. Branding our military hardware that way does not do us any good whether we like it or not. Thats why we Filipinos try to be ingenious and make most out of things we have against those we cant afford. While hoping for the best is good, It simply won't help being critical about it.

It wouldn't be right either to suggest though that the plane was unsafe merely because it was old. At least thats the notion. And I would like to dispel such impression. A plane is safe to fly not because its brand new but because it is maintained well.

From the look of things, assuming there was nothing wrong with the pilot more so on its errors, maintenance failed its job. Thats it. Classifying it as flying what have you is uncalled for. :)

^^
Very well said. In fairness to the Airforce though, its not their fault to fly an antiquated plane flying barely on the skills of our talented mechanics much more degrade it as such when instead people should be barking at their government for not doing anything about it. It wouldn't be nice isn't it?

If our government can't buy new one, we might as well invest in maintenance. Thats my point and you got it right. The problem with maintenance is that its cost grew bigger the longer it stays on the air beyond its lifetime. Although cost of the engine is a given already considering that none would fly without one. Even PAL's brand new 320 have spares in the inventory, what more the old ones. The problem lies with the funds to maintain everyone in flying conditions. And thats what our government don't have. Thats why PAF is cannibalizing others so that one or two would fly doing mercy missions while they wait for the ordered parts to arrive.

It wouldn't be fair to categorically brand it as such when its the only thing we have. Its like dreaming and arguing for a brand new car when the family can afford only a decrepit second hand vehicle maintained by a seasoned next door neighbor mechanic and laughing at its faith in the hands of your brother who happen to drive it when it stopped in the middle of a busy road for good and you proclaimed it to your friends that it was junk for a start. Tell me what would your brother feel when you do it? You might also not want to think whose laughing at you now, pinning on your family misfortune to others. Branding our military hardware that way does not do us any good whether we like it or not. Thats why we Filipinos try to be ingenious and make most out of things we have against those we cant afford. While hoping for the best is good, It simply won't help being critical about it.

It wouldn't be right either to suggest though that the plane was unsafe merely because it was old. At least thats the notion. And I would like to dispel such impression. A plane is safe to fly not because its brand new but because it is maintained well.

From the look of things, assuming there was nothing wrong with the pilot more so on its errors, maintenance failed its job. Thats it. Classifying it as flying what have you is uncalled for. :)

I agree with most of what you posted. And I hope, the gov't won't rely on Filipino ingenuity too much (sometimes Pinoys usually rely on this, even I experience the same thing working for companies, "gawan ng paraan"). The gov't should give more support to our entire armed forces, not just the air force, because they are the ones guarding our democracy. :D

"R L Graham said:

When most people comment about NO RADAR they are likely referring to local radar. Local radar operates in a smaller area and at lower altitudes.

I am an ex Air Traffic Controller and am sure from the brief research I’ve done that the country has an enroute type of radar system that wouldn’t likely be able to track any planes at the lower altitudes of a departing aircraft.

With modern landing systems it is quite safe to manually control traffic in a safe and expeditious manner. I did it at an airport that had traffic volumes that exceeded the volumes you indicated go on in Davao.

Manual control goes on in the U.S., and around the world every day at many places. Even from places designated as an International Airport.

There is a misconception about what constitutes an “International Airport”. That does not speak to the size or scope of the field or the traffic but merely denotes an airport that has customs and immigration capability.

Lightening, in and of itself, is of no particular safety concern to an airborne aircraft with the possible exception of a fuel leak being ignited which is quite rare.

For the record, a news article that I read said this aircraft had JUST had an engine changed. In my personal opinion that is as, or more, likely to have contributed to the cause of the accident as any of the things mentioned so far.

It is unfortunate that the country is not able to muster the resources to maintain the other three C130’s, as you mentioned.

Hope that adds some clarity to the discussion and reduces some of the unnecessary alarm."

Sorry goys, i'm just quoting from someone i've read on another site regarding this and about radar. I have no idea really about those things and the guy i've quoted was an air traffic controller before...

Sorry goys, i'm just quoting from someone i've read on another site regarding this and about radar. I have no idea really about those things and the guy i've quoted was an air traffic controller before...

thanks Yre, do you have a link? it would be interesting to read more... :D

(nevermind Yre, found it po. :D)

^^
There is a misconception about what constitutes an “International Airport”. That does not speak to the size or scope of the field or the traffic but merely denotes an airport that has customs and immigration capability.

Graham is correct. I think I've discussed his points in Iloilo airport thread way back, and why the insistence of international classification when it is different from an international standard point of view. Care to browse its previous page. You will find it there.

i would like to comment on what councilor braga said about the DIA and its lack of radar...

she said that its an integral part of airport operations. yes i do agree with this. but with an airport like DIA, we still do not need this type of equipment as the volume of flight that are using the DIA is not that many. commercial flights only manage about 25 flights per day. privately owned aircraft are no that many. military flights are also not that many.

the DIA has ils on 05 and 23, vor, ndb and a host of other navigational equipments that are suitable for our kind of airport. the airport is categorized by the ICAO as a category 1 airport. ( name me any other airport in the phil aside from NAIA, MCIA, Clark, SUBIC that has ils on both ends of the runway...yung iba meron pero on one end of the runway lang meron)

what the DIA urgently needs are parallel taxiways to suppliment the dual access taxiways that the DIA has. just like this pics.
Took these shots in October 2007.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/bagani_photos/DIA/DIA_Model3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/bagani_photos/DIA/DIA_Model2.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/bagani_photos/DIA/DIA_Model1.jpg

could this be the same scenario before the C-130 crashed at Davao Gulf?

4bDNCac2N1o

^^

could be....but some others suspect that the newly installed engines might be at fault.

Airline that Zesto (re)built

ASIAN SPIRIT is joining the Airbus bandwagon with its decision to acquire two A320s for its flights between Manila, Cebu and Davao.

According to its president and Zesto magnate Alfredo Yao, the new jets will replace the Bae-146 aircraft, which it had earlier returned to their lessor. He explains that the decision to change aircraft type was not because of their rumored inability to meet lease payments but because the two planes were already old and fuel-inefficient.

Asian Spirit will also acquire 10 Xian MA60s from China for its local routes. Never mind that they’re not certified by US and UK flight regulators because they’ll only be used for domestic routes. Besides, all planes will have US-made engines and components, Yao says.

The total cost of the new investments? A cool $200 million.

And last but not the least, the airline will also be renamed to ... what else? ... Zest Air. Daxim L. Lucas

http://business.inquirer.net/money/f...02/Coffee-coup

i would like to comment on what councilor braga said about the DIA and its lack of radar...

she said that its an integral part of airport operations. yes i do agree with this. but with an airport like DIA, we still do not need this type of equipment as the volume of flight that are using the DIA is not that many. commercial flights only manage about 25 flights per day. privately owned aircraft are no that many. military flights are also not that many.

the DIA has ils on 05 and 23, vor, ndb and a host of other navigational equipments that are suitable for our kind of airport. the airport is categorized by the ICAO as a category 1 airport. ( name me any other airport in the phil aside from NAIA, MCIA, Clark, SUBIC that has ils on both ends of the runway...yung iba meron pero on one end of the runway lang meron)

what the DIA urgently needs are parallel taxiways to suppliment the dual access taxiways that the DIA has. just like this pics.

^^
What I think she might be referring to is the radar system similar to what is installed in Mt. Majic in Cebu and Manila Center in Tagaytay. In aviation parlance, its called Remote Center Air Ground Communication (RCAG) radar.

Well, the answer to that query is because Davao or more particularly Mindanao airspace has not reached a saturation of flying aircraft traffic yet. Radar system is essential for flight navigation particularly in high density airport. DIA airspace has not reached that critical stage to warrant installation of radar control. If you wonder how many aircraft do they require? At least 20 moving aircraft per hour with an altitude of at least 15,000 feet, including those merely crossing Philippine airspace or for a technical savvy, the Philippine Flight Information Region (FIR), such as Qantas overflight going to China, Taiwan or Korea.

That's why you have airspace control, approach control, tower control, ground control, and stand control. I bet nobody knew that. In Atlanta, the worlds biggest airport,they have all of those while Manila don't have the stand control. They would eventually after terminal 3 will be in full operation. Stand control exist because of too many planes wanting too few gates. Davao only had approach and tower control while other major domestic airport only had tower control. Minor airports such as Ozamiz and Surigao don't have a control tower, and basically, planes in those places land in their own will without time restrictions and approach procedures. Caticlan used to be a minor airport but because of the volume of aircraft traffic, a control tower was installed. It is the only minor airport in the Philippines with control tower.

Contrary to your claim, Bacolod and Iloilo has two ILS systems installed even if it was not an international airport. Thats why they are called often as international airports because of its associated facilities like having navigational aids of international standards.

On the need of a parallel taxiway, you answered the reason yourself. Flights to Davao are not that too many to warrant construction as of this time. The runway can accommodate 8-10 aircraft landings per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft. When airlines complain already that they suffer frequent delays as a result of holding short because of incoming aircraft, then you may know its about time. Remember, airport operations is a revenue source for the government as well other than a showcase to the region. What I'm saying is, economic viability to justify the expenditure. Right now DIA doesn't have at the moment. Passenger Traffic figures even fall short than what was originally projected by ADB when it was proposed to be constructed in 1994.

Out of the active 33 foreign airlines with rights to Manila, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos or Cagayan de Oro, only two currently have been operating in Mindanao. Despite bilateral air agreements, other than Silk Air nobody from the big league is coming due to one factor, economic reasons, load factor that is. Bouraq and Singapore even failed to develop the market despite monopoly of the route. And these services, including that of MAS was factored in during the project study of the airport in 1998.

ADB Report (http://209.85.135.104/custom?q=cache:zRwQ9ANnL5gJ:www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/PHI/tar-phi-37233.pdf+davao+international+airport+passenger+traffic&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&client=google-coop-np) prepared in 2004 showed that the air traffic in the Mindanao area in 2002 was about 2.3 million, or approximately 11% of the total air traffic in the country. The economic crisis in 1997 resulted in the decrease in the total passenger traffic from about 22.5 million in 1997 to 19.4 million in 1998. The traffic level in 2002 (20 million) was still below the level in 1997. Air traffic in southern Philippines has also declined sharply due to the economic crisis and safety issues for travel in the area. Only a few airports, like those in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga, have recorded a slight increase in air traffic during 1998–2002 periods.

It is only in 2008, or roughly 10 years later that the airport began to realized its full potential. It took the airport 5 years to gain the traffic it supposed to have when it opened in 2003. Today, the airport sees an average of 4,200 passengers per day, the bulk of them during the early morning hours when most flights operate. Thanks to the Korean tourist anyway.

As Jeremy Berkoff, a British economist, and reviewer of a World Bank study of 340 Bank-funded projects in the Philippines put it, “There is a systemic and optimistic bias in the economic evaluation of infrastructure projects that can be explained primarily in terms of the incentives facing project analysts.

The reason, project returns and benefits of DIA construction are often overestimated during planning and appraisal. After completion, expected economic returns fell by a median of 26 percent.

For another, economic returns are not only lower after completion, but have fallen below the minimum 15-percent threshold set by NEDA. About one-third of the sub projects yielded EIRRs (that would be economic internal rate of return) below 15 percent after completion.

In fact it went further. The ADB economic evaluation of Davao International Airport in 2005 produced an overall project economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 1.8%, which is far lower than that at appraisal (17.8%) and does not fulfill ADB’s 12% criterion for economic viability. These are the reasons why the delay of Bacolod, Iloilo and Laguindingan airports projects.

The decline in estimated economic returns after completion could be a sign of over-optimism in project evaluation. The result, according to economists, is unnecessary public spending on infrastructures. These are the words of Ruperto Alonzo, former NEDA deputy director general and now the country’s foremost expert on project evaluation.

According to ADB completion report of DIA project in 2005, The Project has been completed at a total cost of $121.41 million, shared by the GOP (58.47 million), ADB (39.75 million) and EIB (23.19 million). The total cost was $16.41 million above the appraisal estimates.

These are its project components:
The runway has been extended to a length of 3,000 meters and
a new 17,500-square meter passenger terminal,
a new 5,580-square meter cargo terminal, and
a new 74,250-square meter aircraft apron have
been constructed along with
further ancillary buildings and
new landside access to the terminal area, including relevant
car parking facilities.

These outputs are expected to be sufficient to accommodate the demand up to year 2018. These are the cold facts whether you like it or not.

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Periodicals/Impact/PHI-Impact-Stories/img/PHI-Impact-Stories-03-01.jpg

The original design include:
(i) changes in the location and layout of the passenger terminal
designed at appraisal, which required additional land acquisition and resettlement, and new
alignment of the access road;
(ii) expansion of the design capacity of the cargo terminal;
(iii)increase in the floor area of the crash, fire, and rescue building;
(iv) construction of an isolated aircraft parking position;
(v) widening of the access road;
(vi) construction of an apron for the parking of ground handling equipment; (vii) construction of a potable water supply tank;
(viii)construction of a reinforced concrete utility tunnel;
(ix) improvement of the cross-drainage and rehabilitation of Sasa creek, a creek bordering the runway;
(x) procurement of passenger lounge seats.
(xi) installation of a new ILS I system; and
(xii) upgrading of the communications system.

Notice there was no mention of a parallel taxiway. So wait until 2018. :)

^^
What I think she might be referring to is the radar system similar to what is installed in Mt. Majic in Cebu and Manila Center in Tagaytay. In aviation parlance, its called Remote Center Air Ground Communication (RCAG) radar.

Well, the answer to that query is because Davao or more particularly Mindanao airspace has not reached a saturation of flying aircraft traffic yet. Radar system is essential for flight navigation particularly in high density airport. DIA airspace has not reached that critical stage to warrant installation of radar control. If you wonder how many aircraft do they require? At least 20 moving aircraft per hour with an altitude of at least 15,000 feet, including those merely crossing Philippine airspace or for a technical savvy, the Philippine Flight Information Region (FIR), such as Qantas overflight going to China, Taiwan or Korea.

That's why you have airspace control, approach control, tower control, ground control, and stand control. I bet nobody knew that. In Atlanta, the worlds biggest airport,they have all of those while Manila don't have the stand control. They would eventually after terminal 3 will be in full operation. Stand control exist because of too many planes wanting too few gates. Davao only had approach and tower control while other major domestic airport only had tower control. Minor airports such as Ozamiz and Surigao don't have a control tower, and basically, planes in those places land in their own will without time restrictions and approach procedures. Caticlan used to be a minor airport but because of the volume of aircraft traffic, a control tower was installed. It is the only minor airport in the Philippines with control tower.

Contrary to your claim, Bacolod and Iloilo has two ILS systems installed even if it was not an international airport. Thats why they are called often as international airports because of its associated facilities like having navigational aids of international standards.

On the need of a parallel taxiway, you answered the reason yourself. Flights to Davao are not that too many to warrant construction as of this time. The runway can accommodate 8-10 aircraft landings per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft. When airlines complain already that they suffer frequent delays as a result of holding short because of incoming aircraft, then you may know its about time. Remember, airport operations is a revenue source for the government as well other than a showcase to the region. What I'm saying is, economic viability to justify the expenditure. Right now DIA doesn't have at the moment. Passenger Traffic figures even fall short than what was originally projected by ADB when it was proposed to be constructed in 1994.

Out of the active 33 foreign airlines with rights to Manila, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos or Cagayan de Oro, only two currently have been operating in Mindanao. Despite bilateral air agreements, other than Silk Air nobody from the big league is coming due to one factor, economic reasons, load factor that is. Bouraq and Singapore even failed to develop the market despite monopoly of the route. And these services, including that of MAS was factored in during the project study of the airport in 1998.

ADB Report (http://209.85.135.104/custom?q=cache:zRwQ9ANnL5gJ:www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/PHI/tar-phi-37233.pdf+davao+international+airport+passenger+traffic&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&client=google-coop-np) prepared in 2004 showed that the air traffic in the Mindanao area in 2002 was about 2.3 million, or approximately 11% of the total air traffic in the country. The economic crisis in 1997 resulted in the decrease in the total passenger traffic from about 22.5 million in 1997 to 19.4 million in 1998. The traffic level in 2002 (20 million) was still below the level in 1997. Air traffic in southern Philippines has also declined sharply due to the economic crisis and safety issues for travel in the area. Only a few airports, like those in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga, have recorded a slight increase in air traffic during 1998–2002 periods.

It is only in 2008, or roughly 10 years later that the airport began to realized its full potential. It took the airport 5 years to gain the traffic it supposed to have when it opened in 2003. Today, the airport sees an average of 4,200 passengers per day, the bulk of them during the early morning hours when most flights operate. Thanks to the Korean tourist anyway.

As Jeremy Berkoff, a British economist, and reviewer of a World Bank study of 340 Bank-funded projects in the Philippines put it, “There is a systemic and optimistic bias in the economic evaluation of infrastructure projects that can be explained primarily in terms of the incentives facing project analysts.

The reason, project returns and benefits of DIA construction are often overestimated during planning and appraisal. After completion, expected economic returns fell by a median of 26 percent.

For another, economic returns are not only lower after completion, but have fallen below the minimum 15-percent threshold set by NEDA. About one-third of the sub projects yielded EIRRs (that would be economic internal rate of return) below 15 percent after completion.

In fact it went further. The ADB economic evaluation of Davao International Airport in 2005 produced an overall project economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 1.8%, which is far lower than that at appraisal (17.8%) and does not fulfill ADB’s 12% criterion for economic viability. These are the reasons why the delay of Bacolod, Iloilo and Laguindingan airports projects.

The decline in estimated economic returns after completion could be a sign of over-optimism in project evaluation. The result, according to economists, is unnecessary public spending on infrastructures. These are the words of Ruperto Alonzo, former NEDA deputy director general and now the country’s foremost expert on project evaluation.

According to ADB completion report of DIA project in 2005, The Project has been completed at a total cost of $121.41 million, shared by the GOP (58.47 million), ADB (39.75 million) and EIB (23.19 million). The total cost was $16.41 million above the appraisal estimates.

These are its project components:
The runway has been extended to a length of 3,000 meters and
a new 17,500-square meter passenger terminal,
a new 5,580-square meter cargo terminal, and
a new 74,250-square meter aircraft apron have
been constructed along with
further ancillary buildings and
new landside access to the terminal area, including relevant
car parking facilities.

These outputs are expected to be sufficient to accommodate the demand up to year 2018. These are the cold facts whether you like it or not.

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Periodicals/Impact/PHI-Impact-Stories/img/PHI-Impact-Stories-03-01.jpg

The original design include:
(i) changes in the location and layout of the passenger terminal
designed at appraisal, which required additional land acquisition and resettlement, and new
alignment of the access road;
(ii) expansion of the design capacity of the cargo terminal;
(iii)increase in the floor area of the crash, fire, and rescue building;
(iv) construction of an isolated aircraft parking position;
(v) widening of the access road;
(vi) construction of an apron for the parking of ground handling equipment; (vii) construction of a potable water supply tank;
(viii)construction of a reinforced concrete utility tunnel;
(ix) improvement of the cross-drainage and rehabilitation of Sasa creek, a creek bordering the runway;
(x) procurement of passenger lounge seats.
(xi) installation of a new ILS I system; and
(xii) upgrading of the communications system.

Notice there was no mention of a parallel taxiway. So wait until 2018. :)

thanks for enlightening me on that matter. but i read an official report on the construction of the airport some year ago. i dont remember what site it was. but i read there that the parallel taxi way was scrapped because then president estrada wanted to move the terminal to its present location. the old location was supposedly directly in front of the old terminal. so with that, the funds for the taxiway was diverted to additional procurement of land for the terminal.

i know this for a fact kasi i saw the blue prints of the DIA while it was being prepared by the consultants and it clearly shows that based on the original plan there was a parallel taxiway and the terminal was directly infront of the old terminal.

last sept 3 i went to singapore.i went home on sept 8.

i was impressed with 5J schedule wise.. dvo-cbu, 15 mins ahead of scedule. cbu-sing, 35 mins ahead of schedule. sing-mnl, 15 mins ahead of schedule. mnl-dvo, 10 mins ahead of schedule.

all-in-all we were 75 mins ahead of schedule.

i wasnt impressed with the 319 though. very cramped space. ok for a person with filipino buit. but my built is spanish. so it was a tight squeeze. plus my knees were touching the seat in front of me. ang sakit talaga.

the 320 was much better. my knees did not touch the seat in front of me.

i might not take 5J again.:)

^^
thanks for enlightening me on that matter. but i read an official report on the construction of the airport some year ago. i dont remember what site it was. but i read there that the parallel taxi way was scrapped because then president estrada wanted to move the terminal to its present location. the old location was supposedly directly in front of the old terminal. so with that, the funds for the taxiway was diverted to additional procurement of land for the terminal.

i know this for a fact kasi i saw the blue prints of the DIA while it was being prepared by the consultants and it clearly shows that based on the original plan there was a parallel taxiway and the terminal was directly infront of the old terminal.

True. The plan indeed include provisions for taxiway but was not an essential component of the project. Meaning, the airport can operate even without it. In fact, all airport designs incorporate it, from Iloilo, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. But you won't see them being constructed because these are expansion elements of the airport in anticipation of future traffic needs.

The original plan was where the terminal now stands. It was not and never were modified by any order of the President, like all ADB projects do. If you think blueprints are inexpensive think again. It took almost 2 million dollars just to design an airport with international standards. Its no easy money to change that merely because the President don't like what it is. Remember its different from building an ordinary airport.

Parallel taxiway was never scrapped. It is still there. It was just not funded because it was not necessary at the moment. As I've said, if the airport handles more than 8 aircraft every hour, then it would be time for its construction.

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

If you want to travel 5J comfortably on international destinations, choose the seat row at the wing exit. :cheers:

^^


True. The plan indeed include provisions for taxiway but was not an essential component of the project. Meaning, the airport can operate even without it. In fact, all airport designs incorporate it, from Iloilo, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. But you won't see them being constructed because these are expansion elements of the airport in anticipation of future traffic needs.

The original plan was where the terminal now stands. It was not and never were modified by any order of the President, like all ADB projects do. If you think blueprints are inexpensive think again. It took almost 2 million dollars just to design an airport with international standards. Its no easy money to change that merely because the President don't like what it is. Remember its different from building an ordinary airport.

Parallel taxiway was never scrapped. It is still there. It was just not funded because it was not necessary at the moment. As I've said, if the airport handles more than 8 aircraft every hour, then it would be time for its construction.

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

If you want to travel 5J comfortably on international destinations, choose the seat row at the wing exit. :cheers:

ah ok..but i still think that a parallel taxiway should be built asap, for saftey reasons.

anyway, what do u think about the new adb report? it says that airports should be privately managed and not managed by the government. is this good or bad?

^^



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

If you want to travel 5J comfortably on international destinations, choose the seat row at the wing exit. :cheers:

^^

yeah, next time i would request a seat at the wing exit or a seat up front...like 1A to 1F....:)

ah ok..but i still think that a parallel taxiway should be built asap, for saftey reasons.

anyway, what do u think about the new adb report? it says that airports should be privately managed and not managed by the government. is this good or bad?
^^
But then again it would be a WANT item and not NEED. A runway is safe even if it does not have a taxiway. The purpose of the taxiway is to expedite exit and increase utilization of runways at airports.

I already knew the outcome of ADB Report 3 years before it was published, and the reason why government does what they are doing now. I think I made a previous post with regard to that matter in the airlines thread.

Going back to your question, private management of airport was brought up as early as 1996 but it was formally proposed by ADB in 1998 as a requirement for the release of the grant for the Third Airport Development Project. But government was not too receptive of it especially our elected legislators in Congress.

You know why? CONTRACTS. Anything that is associated with construction. Its worth hundreds of millions not just millions. As they say there are million reasons to defer it when it does not give anything to their pockets. CAAP could have been created 10 years ago but they are worried other than what the politicians claim to be, that they no longer have the exclusive control of 10 billion funds from airport operations alone. That proposal gives more money to the President no matter how you put it. In fact, ADB proposes two things, Independent Aviation Authority and Privatization of airport operation. NONE came to existence other than CAAP 10 years later. Thanks to category 2 classification.

On the privatization side, Congress made a valid point not to grant it following the EDSA MRT debacle. It was compounded by PIATCO which moved heaven and earth just for the government to approve its terminal operation which they did only to be scrapped by the courts later in the end. Its not good for business either as government keeps on interfering in private enterprise like toll and LRT fare. Had it been approved, we might end up paying probably at least 500 pesos for terminal fee alone as what was proposed by PIATCO. Bottom line is, contracts are always entered that are grossly disadvantageous to the government and those responsible for it always wear a happy smile even after office because they enjoy what lawyers called Presidential immunity.

With a kind of government we have, its not a good suggestion. Although in principle the idea is good but right now our country is not prepared for it. ADB might probably be worried now had their proposal not turned to deaf ears. I would rather say its a saving grace for them.:)

^^
But then again it would be a WANT item and not NEED. A runway is safe even if it does not have a taxiway. The purpose of the taxiway is to expedite exit and increase utilization of runways at airports.

I already knew the outcome of ADB Report 3 years before it was published, and the reason why government does what they are doing now. I think I made a previous post with regard to that matter in the airlines thread.

Going back to your question, private management of airport was brought up as early as 1996 but it was formally proposed by ADB in 1998 as a requirement for the release of the grant for the Third Airport Development Project. But government was not too receptive of it especially our elected legislators in Congress.

You know why? CONTRACTS. Anything that is associated with construction. Its worth hundreds of millions not just millions. As they say there are million reasons to defer it when it does not give anything to their pockets. CAAP could have been created 10 years ago but they are worried other than what the politicians claim to be, that they no longer have the exclusive control of 10 billion funds from airport operations alone. That proposal gives more money to the President no matter how you put it. In fact, ADB proposes two things, Independent Aviation Authority and Privatization of airport operation. NONE came to existence other than CAAP 10 years later. Thanks to category 2 classification.

On the privatization side, Congress made a valid point not to grant it following the EDSA MRT debacle. It was compounded by PIATCO which moved heaven and earth just for the government to approve its terminal operation which they did only to be scrapped by the courts later in the end. Its not good for business either as government keeps on interfering in private enterprise like toll and LRT fare. Had it been approved, we might end up paying probably at least 500 pesos for terminal fee alone as what was proposed by PIATCO. Bottom line is, contracts are always entered that are grossly disadvantageous to the government and those responsible for it always wear a happy smile even after office because they enjoy what lawyers called Presidential immunity.

With a kind of government we have, its not a good suggestion. Although in principle the idea is good but right now our country is not prepared for it. ADB might probably be worried now had their proposal not turned to deaf ears. I would rather say its a saving grace for them.:)

yup i do agree with you on the CONTRACTS thing...hay nako....philippine governance at its best.

i had a talk with one of my friends who is working for the CAAP at the DIA. he told me that DIA is grossing almost 300 million per year on terminal fees alone. this does not include the rental concessions inside the terminal, rental of the airlines in the terminal, rental of the parking space to a private firm, rental of MASCOR, landing fees, etc. but the budget that the CAAP is giving to the DIA is barely enough for the operating expenses. grabe naman. i think the CAAP should give the DIA its proper budget for it to operate smoothly.

^^

You know why? CONTRACTS. Anything that is associated with construction. Its worth hundreds of millions not just millions. As they say there are million reasons to defer it when it does not give anything to their pockets. CAAP could have been created 10 years ago but they are worried other than what the politicians claim to be, that they no longer have the exclusive control of 10 billion funds from airport operations alone. That proposal gives more money to the President no matter how you put it. In fact, ADB proposes two things, Independent Aviation Authority and Privatization of airport operation. NONE came to existence other than CAAP 10 years later. Thanks to category 2 classification.


@arianespace, i like the way you write your comments... all are plain facts, no sugar coating, and no politics.

^^
i think arianspace works in aviation or something like that...he knows well about aviation...:)

^^
i think arianspace works in aviation or something like that...he knows well about aviation...:)

yes he does. he explained his job to me thru pm...:)

nakaka enlighten yung mga comments ni arianespace :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2863123796_f735cc1dac_o.jpg

old DIA

are those military jets on the old terminal?? cool!!!

last sept 3 i went to singapore.i went home on sept 8.

i was impressed with 5J schedule wise.. dvo-cbu, 15 mins ahead of scedule. cbu-sing, 35 mins ahead of schedule. sing-mnl, 15 mins ahead of schedule. mnl-dvo, 10 mins ahead of schedule.

all-in-all we were 75 mins ahead of schedule.

i wasnt impressed with the 319 though. very cramped space. ok for a person with filipino buit. but my built is spanish. so it was a tight squeeze. plus my knees were touching the seat in front of me. ang sakit talaga.

the 320 was much better. my knees did not touch the seat in front of me.

i might not take 5J again.:)

you should have complained. on my way back to toronto, i saw one caucasian complaining to a oasis hongkong stewardess of cramped seating. he was moved to first class, good for him. hehehe.

you should have complained. on my way back to toronto, i saw one caucasian complaining to a oasis hongkong stewardess of cramped seating. he was moved to first class, good for him. hehehe.

i should have complained. but 5j has only one class, and that is economy!..hahahahaha...plus the flight was kinda full. so there was no way i could have transferred seats.:lol:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2863123796_f735cc1dac_o.jpg

old DIA

are those military jets on the old terminal?? cool!!!

yup those are s211's. two of those type are assigned at the dia together with two ov-10 broncos, three mg520 attack helicopters and a number of hueys transport helis...:)

excuse me sir xzibit...are they going to convert the old airport into a military airbase????

sana gawin nilang useful ang old DIA...sayang din.

i should have complained. but 5j has only one class, and that is economy!..hahahahaha...plus the flight was kinda full. so there was no way i could have transferred seats.:lol:

haha, ako usually nagapabutang ko sa may emergency exit. but my problem is when talking to a ground nga lisod makasabot og ingles.:lol:

hahahaha..mao jud...well...next time i would really request for seat reservations upon purchase of tickets....:lol:

Hi goys...

anong status ng DVO-SING flights nga CEBu-PACific? is it still viable? will it be on December?

CEB offers 200,000 domestic seats for as low as P288 all-in; International seat sale starting from ZERO fares


After the sold-out absolute zero all-in seat sale last week, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering another seat sale for all its domestic routes and some of its international services.

CEB offers ‘all-inclusive’ Go Lite fares of P288 for services from Manila to Busuanga, Kalibo, Laoag, Legaspi, Naga, San Jose and Tuguegarao and for flights from Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, GenSan, Iloilo, Ozamiz, Surigao, and Tacloban.

In addition, services from Luzon to other Visayas and Mindanao destinations have a Go Lite all-in fare of P688 one-way. The same fare applies to its intra-Visayas and Mindanao flights.

The domestic seat sale will run from September 26 to October 3, 2008 and is valid for travel from November 1 to December 17, 2008. More than 200,000 domestic seats are allocated for this seat sale. The promo is non-refundable.

On its international network, CEB is offering a one-way ZERO fare for its direct services from Clark to Bangkok and from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.

The airline is also offering a P688 one-way Go Lite fare from Manila to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, and Taipei and from Cebu and Davao to Singapore and Hong Kong. Moreover, the one-way Go Lite fare for its new service from Manila to Osaka is P1,799.

The international seat sale will run from September 26 to October 3, 2008 and is valid for travel from November 15, 2008 to January 14, 2009. International fares quoted are exclusive of applicable fees, taxes and surcharges.

Go Lite fares quoted are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution said, “We are providing the public with very low fares to stimulate travel in the last quarter of the year. We also hope that this will allow more Filipinos to be with their families during the holidays.”

“This should also encourage tourist arrivals during the most festive time of the year,” she added.

Iyog concluded, “We encourage the public to act fast and book their flights through cebupacifcair.com, call the reservations hotline (632) 70-20-888, or visit their the travel agents.”

Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It will fly to 27 domestic destinations with the addition of Busuanga, Ozamiz, and Surigao in the coming months and 15 international destinations with the addition of Osaka, Japan in November.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/aboutus/press/2008/09252008.html

Monday, October 13, 2008
Big global event to draw world leaders to Manado
sunstar.com/davao

DIRECT flights to Manado from Davao City are expected to balloon many times over in May next year during the 2009 World Ocean Conference to be held in that northeastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Considered the world's biggest event to take place next year in Indonesia, the global conference is expected to draw some 10,000 international delegates from all over the world, accompanied by over 2,000 journalists, according to Peter Lavina, chair of the committee on trade, commerce, and industry of the City Council.

Lavina revealed that presidents of the world's most powerful nations like the US, China, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, Australia; heads of states; kings; queens; as well as top scientists and environmentalists will tackle wide-ranging topics on saving the world's oceans, protecting coral reefs, climate change, pollution, disappearing forests, and global warming.

Lavina, one of the most active advocates of the direct Davao-Manado flight, urged the government and various industry groups here to prepare for this big global event in Manado which is only an hour's flying time from this southern city.

"Let's take full advantage of this rare global event -- it's going to attract thousands of international delegates and many of them will use this shorter, direct route from Davao to Manado instead of the longer route from Jakarta," Lavina said.

Direct flights from Davao to Manado was revived three months ago after the Indonesian airline Sriwijaya Air, which used to ply the route, gave up its operations late last year due to lack of air passengers. A new Indonesian airline, Wings Air, took over the suspended route and revived the air traffic between the two neighboring cities. The route was established some years ago by the economic grouping of BIMP-Eaga (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines- East Asean Growth Area).

Trade Undersecretary Merly Cruz said this is exactly what the BIMP-Eaga group anticipated when the four countries agreed to establish direct air and sea linkages with each other to promote trade, tourism, and investments in this part of the world.

"With these direct air and sea links, we're now seeing the growth of more trade deals, more tour packages, more investments, and more venture partnerships between the four Asean countries," said Cruz, who also chairs the BIMP-EAGA Senior Ministers Meetings in the region.

Daniel Jacobs, Wings Air district engineer for Manado, said more and more passengers from Davao are filling up the seats of their 52-seater jetprop aircraft which flies weekly to Manado.

"Our flights are mostly fully booked -- if we can't fill up the seats, we can always take in more cargo," Jacobs told reporters.
--------------------------------------:):):)

bravo davao-manado route!:cheers:

Took these shots in October 2007.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/bagani_photos/DIA/DIA_Model3.jpg



Anung gagawin doon sa old terminal?

I HAVE BEEN TO DAVAO LAST OCTOBER 19-25, 2008, I OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPORT IS DETERIORATING.THE CRs ARE NOT THAT CLEAN, THE AIRPORT IS GLOOMY. HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BY THE MANAGEMENT, SAYANG ANG AIRPORT.:ohno::ohno:

hindi ka naman galit kaya niyan? ;)

I HAVE BEEN TO DAVAO LAST OCTOBER 19-25, 2008, I OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPORT IS DETERIORATING.THE CRs ARE NOT THAT CLEAN, THE AIRPORT IS GLOOMY. HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BY THE MANAGEMENT, SAYANG ANG AIRPORT.:ohno::ohno:

tell that to the CAAP (formerly ato) they are the ones managing the airport.

Meron ba online or email add na pwede mapadalhan natin ng reklamo tungkol diyan sa airport.

Kung pwede nga lang na ang City Government mag manage ng DIA, siguro hindi magkakaganyan. Nuon una ko pa napapansin yan kawalang bahala nang management sa DIA.

Security ei okay nga pero yung sa loob parang pinabayaan at ewan ko lang kung may tubig na dahil palagi nilang sinasabi nuon wala daw silang water connection from DCWD. I don't know how true is it or were the concessionaires just trying to force people to buy bottled water in cahoots with the airport management.

Sino ba Manager diyan?

PAL adds more Davao-Manila flights
By Carlo P. Mallo

THE country's premier airline, Philippine Airlines, has rolled out two additional flights that will serve the Davao-Manila route in time for the peak season.

PAL vice president for Mindanao, lawyer Domingo Duerme, said there is an increased demand for seats due to the number of passengers that are heading home during this weekend.

"This will continue until the end of the year, during the Christmas season, this is just the start," Duerme said in an interview at the PAL office in Davao City.

Flight number PR 819 which leaves the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal 2 at 6:30 a.m. arrives at the Davao International Airport at 8:30 a.m., it then leaves Davao City en route to Manila at 9:20 a.m. and arrives there at around 11:15 a.m.

The second additional flight is PR 815 which leaves Manila at around 6:15 p.m. and arrives in Davao City at an estimated time of 8:15 p.m. The same flight leaves Davao City at 8:55 p.m., arriving in Metro Manila at an estimated time of 10:45 p.m.

This is in addition to the five daily flights of Philippine Airlines to and from Davao City.

"November and December are our peak season. We do not want to give our passengers any problem with the number of seats available," Duerme said. "We have enough number of seats."

Of the seven flights, four are wide-bodied aircraft, while three are A320 and A319 aircraft.

Also, PAL announced this week that it will be slashing at least P300 to P400 off its fuel surcharges on a roundtrip flight due to the sharp decrease in the prices of fuel in the international trading markets.



^^
wow 7 flights...this will be upto the end of march 2009. damo jud cguro pasajero..:)

very good news for DVO. aside from A330, what are the four wide-body aircrafts used by PAL in DVO route? if this is done for DVO, it might also be necessary for some other key cities down south.

very good news for DVO. aside from A330, what are the four wide-body aircrafts used by PAL in DVO route? if this is done for DVO, it might also be necessary for some other key cities down south.

they use the a330, a340, and b747 on the wide body flights. single aisle flights are handled by the a320 and a319, and q400(dvo-zam-dvo)

its four flights that use the wide body aircraft and the three flights operated by the single aisle aircraft.

what flight numbers specifically use the B747 and A340? i booked a flight before to CEB hoping for an A340. it was changed to B744, then another for a B744 to HKG. i had an A330. :cry:

what flight numbers specifically use the B747 and A340? i booked a flight before to CEB hoping for an A340. it was changed to B744, then another for a B744 to HKG. i had an A330. :cry:

usually bro the a340, a330, and the b747 flights are used i the 430, 1025, 100(not sure of the time), and 625 flights. but as u know aircrafts suddenly gets changed. d talaga sure kung ano talaga ang aircraft until u board it. if you have time to check the schedules of PAL in the mnl-dvo-mnl flights you acn see that the aircraft used in always EQV.

^^ depende ata sa trip ng PAL :lol:
nung kami kasi dapat A330, then nasira ata ang A330 papuntang palawan so yung A330 for davao in-assign sa palawan then ang davao pinalitan ng B747

I think (i could be wrong though) A330 lang talaga ang official na assigned plane sa widebody kaso minsan depende sa load and availability ng planes, pinapalitan ng either A340 or B747

;27432966']^^ depende ata sa trip ng PAL :lol:
nung kami kasi dapat A330, then nasira ata ang A330 papuntang palawan so yung A330 for davao in-assign sa palawan then ang davao pinalitan ng B747

I think (i could be wrong though) A330 lang talaga ang official na assigned plane sa widebody kaso minsan depende sa load and availability ng planes, pinapalitan ng either A340 or B747

i guess its mostly sa availability sa planes.

i also would agree. only the A330 is officially assigned for DVO. B744 flies locally only to CEB. i might be wrong. A330 for DVO during a Saturday morning flight is more than half filled. at least during my flight. so a B744 might be too much.

PAL 747s are already used on a regular basis to Davao maybe at least every other week if not every week. I remember when I went home to Davao last February, I booked a flight through their website 2 weeks in advance and I already knew then that we will be flying on a 747 aircraft as they post in advance the planes that will be utilized on the scheduled flights.

And the plane was actually full on that flight. :)

maybe the regularity of B744 became warranted. :okay: they have changed HKG PR300 (08h00) to A330 and now the jumbo jet flies to DVO. speculation lang.

^^
i just finished speaking to my uncle who is a PAL pilot. he said that actually only the a330, a340, a319, a320 are officially assigned to the mnl-dvo-mnl route, unless the b747 is scheduled beforehand or warrants its use to this route.

he also said that the b747 is officially assigned to the mnl-dvo-mnl when it is high traffic season like the oct 30 nov 2 season, the dec 15 to jan 2 season, etc. he said that we may see all four widebody flights to dvo operated by b747 this coming dec peak travel period.

very good news for DVO. aside from A330, what are the four wide-body aircrafts used by PAL in DVO route? if this is done for DVO, it might also be necessary for some other key cities down south.

PAL uses wide-bodied planes for DVO and GES only. Passenger and cargo traffic for these destinations justify the use of bigger planes. Maybe for other destinations, the smaller A320 / B737 would suffice, as passenger and cargo traffic might not be that high. :)

PAL's wide bodied aircraft are not exclusively used for Davao and General Santos, it is also used in CEBU (A330,A340 AND 747) AND PUERTO PRINCESA. In Cebu 747 is used in their 9:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M flights. Out of their nine flights a day, 6 are wide bodied and three are either A320 or A319. In Puerto Princesa A330 is used for their morning flights and the other flight they use A320/A319.

maybe he meant sa MIndanao :) he was referring to PH Man's post saying the widebodies may also be necessary for other cities down south (center siguro kasi ang VIsayas lols)

:lols: oo nga naman. the thing is...we're glad to see wide bodied ones flying more frequently to domestic routes.

PAL's wide bodied aircraft are not exclusively used for Davao and General Santos, it is also used in CEBU (A330,A340 AND 747) AND PUERTO PRINCESA. In Cebu 747 is used in their 9:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M flights. Out of their nine flights a day, 6 are wide bodied and three are either A320 or A319. In Puerto Princesa A330 is used for their morning flights and the other flight they use A320/A319.

Of course my dear, I also frequent CEB and PPS and I know that PAL likewise uses wide bodied planes in those destinations.

While everything south of Manila could technically be included in PH Man's description of "key cities down south," I construed it as only limited to Mindanao in making my reply because the description was preceded and qualified by DVO.

Ok then.

^^
On daily rotation, one 330 is deployed on Davao route, but sometimes the plane is needed somewhere either to serve a route or to cover another. If those happen expect to see the transpac planes, which usually sit all day long at their maintenance hangar before their next night flight overseas. The planes are pulled out easily for service down south, which of course include Cebu during times like this one. Its an easy route for their triple 7 as well. For Cebu and Davao, PAL has a habit of overbooking more than the 330 capacity because they have 2 744 or 343 at their disposal for the day. Financially, its the most efficient way of aircraft utilization. I still wonder though how will they deploy the 380 on daytime if its order comes through?

I HAVE BEEN TO DAVAO LAST OCTOBER 19-25, 2008, I OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPORT IS DETERIORATING.THE CRs ARE NOT THAT CLEAN, THE AIRPORT IS GLOOMY. HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BY THE MANAGEMENT, SAYANG ANG AIRPORT.:ohno::ohno:

hindi ka naman galit kaya niyan? ;)

endi naman...nagpapaliwanag lang siguro sya...hehehe

Business
Philippine Star
Cebu Pacific cuts year-round fare for fourth time
Thursday, November 13, 2008


Gokongwei-owned airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) has reduced its year-round fares for the fourth time this year despite the global economic uncertainties.

The permanent year-round fare reduction includes all of the airline’s domestic services and most of its international routes. CEB last had a fare reduction on Oct. 15, 2008.

CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said they want to assure the public that despite the slowdown in the global economy, CEB will continue to make air travel a viable option for every Filipino. These new fares also aim to further boost domestic and international tourism and trade, she added.

The one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare from Manila: to Mindanao, P1,888 all-in; to Laoag, P288 all-in; to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Kalibo, Dumaguete, Puerto Prin-cesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, P888 all-in; to Busuanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Legaspi, Naga, San Jose (Mindoro), Tuguegarao, P588 all-in.

Moreover, intra-Visayas and intra-Mindanao ‘Go Lite’ fares are sold at P888 all-in and P588 all-in.

For international services, wherein fares are exclusive of government taxes and applicable surcharges, CEB’s one-way ‘Go Lite’ fares for flights from Manila: to Macau - P299; to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore - P799; to Shanghai ‑ P1,799.

Meanwhile, Clark to Hong Kong, Macau , Singapore and Bangkok are available at P299 and ‘Go Lite’ fares to Hong Kong and Singapore from both Cebu and Davao are also sold at P799.

CEB explained that the ‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers with no check-in luggage. Passengers with check-in bags will just add P200 upon booking.

These new year-round fares are non-reroutable, non-refundable and available on a book and buy basis. Government taxes for international flights may still be refunded. – Mary Ann Ll. Reyes

Vol. XXII, No. 80
BY PAOLO LUIS G. MONTECILLO, Reporter

More airports for open skies
THE NEXT ROUND of talks among transport ministers in Southeast Asia will focus on the inclusion of all international airports in the region’s push for an open skies regime, which will involve full liberalization of the aviation industry.

The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last week approved several deals that lifted restrictions on air passenger and cargo transport between the capital cities of each country in the region.

In the Philippines, only Manila’s airport system, composed of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), are covered by the deal.

The new points in the country which will be included in the new proposal are Clark Freeport Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, Gen. Santos City, and Laoag, Civil Aeronautics Board Deputy Executive Director Porvenir P. Porciuncula said in an interview last Wednesday.

"The next [round of] negotiations next year will include all international airports in the ASEAN," Mr. Porciuncula said.

He said that, during the last round of talks, aviation officials from Singapore tried to push for "Protocol 7," which proposed to include all international airports in the region under the open skies agreement.

However, this was shot down by other ministers, saying that the group would focus first on opening up the capital cities.

"Singapore’s proposal will be taken up at the next meeting," Mr. Porciuncula said.

The next ASEAN transport ministers meeting will be held before the end of the first half next year.

"That will be good for us," Clark International Airport Corp. Chief Executive Officer Victor Jose I. Luciano said in a separate phone interview yesterday.

"[However], even without the new deal, Clark will still be ok," he said in Filipino.

He said Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in the former United States airbase already has enough flight entitlements at the moment.

The government plans to build a new P6.5-billion terminal in Clark, which will be designed to handle seven million passengers a year. This will complement Clark’s existing terminal, capable of two million passengers a year. The new terminal is targeted to open by the first half of 2010.

"What’s happening now is that the government has been very aggressive in getting flight entitlements for Clark," said Mr. Luciano.

Negotiating for more flights to Clark is part of the government’s efforts to promote the area as the next premier international gateway to the Philippines.

Early this month, Clark airport received a total of 9,000 weekly seat entitlements to Malaysia — more than any other terminal in the country, including the Manila airports.

"As long as [the deals] are not unilateral, as long as those are fair, we can support it," Cebu Pacific Vice-President for Marketing Candice A. Iyog said in a phone interview.

She said the Gokongwei-owned carrier would be taking delivery of six 115-seater Airbus 319 aircraft by next year, which will be used for regional international flights.

"That drives our expansion for next year," she said.

At the same time, Mr. Porciuncula said he does not expect airlines in the region to immediately take advantage of the new deal once it is approved.

"Unfortunately, the industry is besieged by the current economic crisis," he said.

"[But] if the framework is there, the airlines have the flexibility to use them once traffic picks up," he added.

The International Air Transport Authority (IATA) late last month reported that passenger traffic for Asia Pacific carriers dropped 6.8% in the month of September from the same period last year. This was the biggest drop among all the regions in the world and higher than the average 2.9% drop in worldwide passenger traffic for the same period.

Ex SAS Q400 does it again the Second Time!

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/photos/rp-c3018.jpg

PAL EXPRESS Plane takes emergency landing following glitch in landing gear
By JOSE G. DALUMPINES AND RIZALENE P. ACAC (http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=22664)
Published : 2008-11-14

A passenger plane coming from Zamboanga performed an emergency landing at the Davao International Airport past 2 p.m. yesterday following a glitch in its landing gear.


Domingo Duerme, executive vice president on sales of the Philippine Airlines, said the pilot of Flight 272 performed an emergency procedure after the plane’s landing gear light blinked, indicating a problem in the system.
The plane, however, landed safely and all passengers and crew were unhurt.
“Nevertheless, the plane is undergoing a thorough check by our mechanics to ensure safety of the landing gear and its signal light,” Duerme said.
There was false alarm on the landing light indicator. Mechanics are coming to ensure (its) safety,” he added.
A report reaching the Davao Region Police Office based in Camp Catitipan showed that PAL Express RPC 3030, Flight 272 with 47 passengers on board coming from Zamboanga City landed safely at 2:37 p.m.
Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, outgoing director of the Police Regional Office-XI, said the instrument panel indicated that the left landing gear was “unlocked,” which prompted the pilot to immediately perform the usual procedure under the circumstances.
Observers saw the airport firefighters spraying fire extinguishing foam on the left side of the plane after it taxied safely on the tarmac.
A Times source who asked not to be identified said the plane known as Dash 8 hovered for more than 30 minutes.
In this case, the situation was “not alarming” although the pilot requested for an emergency landing for the tower controllers to give priority to the plane.
Upon landing, a tow truck was dispatched to pull the plane. The source explained that the smoke that observers saw came out of the truck and not from the plane. (with reports from Guy Lorenzo Lao)

Caap expresses openness to utilize old Sasa airport
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/caap-expresses-openness-utilize-old-sasa-airport

By Joy Romares-Sevilla

THE chair of the City Council committee on trade, commerce and industry, revealed Monday that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has expressed openness to receive proposals for the utilization of the old Sasa airport.

In an interview, City Councilor Peter Laviña said that the Caap has not yet decided as to what proposal will be pushed through for the utilization of the airport.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

"Caap has not mentioned what is the most viable proposal for them, but I understand that for as long as they will earn profit from whatever proposal, then the authority will definitely support it," Laviña said.

He added that for him, the most viable proposal would be the establishment of a business process outsourcing (BPO) site in the three-hectare property.

"Of the proposals presented, I think a BPO site will be okay considering that now, it is a shell building, whoever will invest in the area will be the one to improve it," he said.

He further agreed with the statement of Bert Barriga, the vice-president of the ICT Davao Inc., who said that with the conversion of the old Sasa airport to a BPO site, it will enable to generate at least P70 million for the city for the next five years.

"Yes, that would be possible because the spaces would definitely for lease," he said, adding that the three-hectare property can accommodate three buildings.

Laviña, on the other hand, failed to name how many proposals were presented before the Caap. He said the proposals also include a convention center, a tribal village, a tourism school, a civil aviation school, a cargo logistics hub and others.

there has been some talk of a start-up airline operating out of the Davao International Airport. Any truth to this?:)

Number of Flights out of DIA per week (by dec 20, 2008)

PAL - dvo-mnl 49 flights per week

PALex - dvo-zam 07 flights per week

AirPHIL - dvo-mnl 07 flights per week
dvo-ceb 14 flights per week

CebuPac-dvo-mnl 35 flights per week
dvo-ceb 21 flights per week
dvo-ilo 03 flights per week
dvo-zam 03 flights per week
dvo-sing 03 flights per week
dvo-hk 03 flights per week

ZestAir - dvo-ceb 07 flights per week

SilkAir - dvo-sing 06 flights per week

total outbound flights 158 flights
total inbound 158 fligts

total 316 flights (inbound and out bound per week)

wow, an average of 22.5 departures and 22.5 arrivals per day? tama ba ako? or may flights dyan na counted dapat as 1 (connecting)?

;28329824']wow, an average of 22.5 departures and 22.5 arrivals per day? tama ba ako? or may flights dyan na counted dapat as 1 (connecting)?

you are right yet. walang conecting dyan kasi its either an arrival or departure.:)

na busy na lagi ang atong gamay na airport.

45, combined, arrivals and departures per day.

unya naa pa jud new flights next year na dili sa nako idivulge kay basi masulot(international and domestic).hehehehehe...

Is it SOP that terminals with passenger tubes will allow airlines the option to use the tubes or not? And to use the tubes means extra payment?

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/airlines-should-use-passenger-tube-pb

Airlines should use passenger tube: PB

THE Provincial Board (PB) committee on tourism asked the Davao International Airport Authorities to make it mandatory for airlines to utilize the passenger tube.

This suggestion was made during the committee hearing Friday on the complaints that a certain airline makes its passengers walk on the tarmac instead of using the tube.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Councilor Diosdado Mahipus raised this concern in his privilege speech last August.

"International airport ta unya pabaktasun ang mga passengers (We are an international airport and yet we allow our passengers walk in the tarmac). It doesn't look good and will be a blow to our tourism industry. Wala'y poise," Mahipus said Friday.

During the hearing, airline representatives said they are saving from the $15 per hour payment by using the tube, which the airport authorities are asking as a form of "fund-raising".

"Actually, dapat dili na sila maningil ani kay (they are not supposed to collect anymore because) this is part of the airport service. But if they have to do this, they might as well make it mandatory kay ulaw kaayo sa part sa city nga kita ray ing-ani. Sa ubang cities, dili man (Because its very shameful that we are the only city doing it while the other cities are not)," Mahipus said.

The airline representatives, however, said they will bring the matter up within the company so that it can be an in-house policy.

you are right yet. walang conecting dyan kasi its either an arrival or departure.:)

na busy na lagi ang atong gamay na airport.

45, combined, arrivals and departures per day.

unya naa pa jud new flights next year na dili sa nako idivulge kay basi masulot(international and domestic).hehehehehe...

feeling pud bitaw nako na murag gamay ra ang atong airport considering na gadaghan na ang mga flights.

ala baktas na lang diay ang mga pasahero dire sa Davao? ulaw jud tinood. mahal pud diay ng pagamit ang tube?

Is it SOP that terminals with passenger tubes will allow airlines the option to use the tubes or not? And to use the tubes means extra payment?

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/airlines-should-use-passenger-tube-pb

Airlines should use passenger tube: PB

THE Provincial Board (PB) committee on tourism asked the Davao International Airport Authorities to make it mandatory for airlines to utilize the passenger tube.

This suggestion was made during the committee hearing Friday on the complaints that a certain airline makes its passengers walk on the tarmac instead of using the tube.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Councilor Diosdado Mahipus raised this concern in his privilege speech last August.

"International airport ta unya pabaktasun ang mga passengers (We are an international airport and yet we allow our passengers walk in the tarmac). It doesn't look good and will be a blow to our tourism industry. Wala'y poise," Mahipus said Friday.

During the hearing, airline representatives said they are saving from the $15 per hour payment by using the tube, which the airport authorities are asking as a form of "fund-raising".

"Actually, dapat dili na sila maningil ani kay (they are not supposed to collect anymore because) this is part of the airport service. But if they have to do this, they might as well make it mandatory kay ulaw kaayo sa part sa city nga kita ray ing-ani. Sa ubang cities, dili man (Because its very shameful that we are the only city doing it while the other cities are not)," Mahipus said.

The airline representatives, however, said they will bring the matter up within the company so that it can be an in-house policy.

^^
i agree to this. dapat jud mandatory ang use sa tubes sa airport. kwanggol jud ning cebu pacific. nakakabadtrip pa naman maglakad sa tarmac.

ala baktas na lang diay ang mga pasahero dire sa Davao? ulaw jud tinood. mahal pud diay ng pagamit ang tube?

all the airlines use the tubes. except for cebu pacific. i will never ride cebu pacific unless i really need to.

^^cebu pac is minimizing their cost of operation (in what ever way they can)... para maka offer ug lower price na airfare..

tiring kaayo if dili palakwon sa tube ang mga pasahero...


nway, SEAIR will fly internationally na and will be seen in the davao sky soon...:cheers:
Congressional franchise makes Seair optimistic
Top News
Written by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
Sunday, 23 November 2008 22:20
BusinessMirror


LEISURE carrier Southeast Asian Airlines Inc. (Seair) has just been granted a franchise to operate domestic and international routes by the Philippine Congress.

The franchise is expected to boost Seair’s value, making it more attractive to potential buyers, according to an airline official and a legislator who coauthored a bill granting the franchise.

Seair owners, led by the foreign partnership of Iren Dornier and Nikos Gitsis and the Filipino group of Tomas Lopez Jr., have been trying to negotiate for a buyout of their shares with prospective investors, after their talks with Filipino-Chinese businessman Alfredo Yao fell through in May. Dornier and Gitsis own 40 percent of Seair while the rest of the shares are owned by Lopez’s group. Yao wanted to merge the operations of Seair with that of Zest Airways, formerly Asian Spirit, which he acquired in March 2008.

As this developed, a Seair official said the airline is still on an expansion mode and unaffected by the current global economic crisis which is seen dampening tourism worldwide. In its October 2008 report, the World Tourism Organization projected global tourism growth slowing down to a range of zero percent to 2 percent for 2009, from a revised growth of 2 percent to 3 percent in 2008. Average tourism growth from 2004 to 2007 was 7 percent.

Interviewed over the weekend, Seair president Avelino Zapanta said the law granting the carrier’s congressional franchise was recently signed by Sen. Manuel Villar, “among his last acts as Senate President,” and is now in Malacañang “awaiting the signature of President Arroyo.”

He said the Senate virtually adopted House Bill (HB) 3788, coauthored by Reps. Eleajandro Jesus Madrona, Ferjenel Biron, Teodoro Locsin Jr., et al.—who comprise the House Committee on Legislative Franchises—which is “more complete than that of the Senate’s bill.”

Through Committee Report 97, HB 3788 was endorsed for approval by the Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, on August 28, “without amendment, taking into consideration Senate Bill (SB) 2376.” The latter was coauthored by Senators Ponce Enrile and Juan Miguel Zubiri. SB 2376 is likewise a proposed legislation granting Seair the “franchise to establish, operate and maintain domestic and international air transport services, with Clarkfield, Pampanga as its base.”

Seair’s congressional franchise has a term of 25 years upon the law’s effectivity.

Meanwhile, in a text message from London, Locsin said the congressional franchise “gives Seair permanency,” such that its operations cannot just be indiscriminately cancelled by any government agency without due cause.

This was echoed by Zapanta, who said the franchise gives the airline “a sense of legitimacy; that we’re not operating like a colorum anymore.” Colorum is a Filipino term usually applied to jeepneys and buses which do not have the license to ply certain routes. While it flies without a congressional franchise, Seair has a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), allowing the carrier to operate scheduled flight services.

Locsin added that with the franchise, the airline “can also borrow [loans], as well as sell its equity at a premium.”

Asked about the advantage of having a congressional franchise, considering that Seair has been operating and expanding since 1995, Zapanta explained that while “some banks will probably consider that [an airline’s franchise] before extending a loan, until you sell that airline, that value [of having a congressional franchise] is not actually manifested. It strengthens your value.”

The airline executive agreed that now that Seair has acquired its franchise, its owners could demand a higher price from potential buyers. When Yao group’s offered to buy out Seair’s owners, the latter were only offered $2 million (worth P84.63 million in May) in cash. With the congressional franchise, industry analysts estimate that Seair owners can now command even “three times that amount.”

Zapanta said the congressional franchise also gives the airline tax incentives such as duty-free importation of capital equipment and income tax holidays.

Locsin, meanwhile, said the franchise would enable Seair to continue flying, fostering competition among the airlines. “I believe that when you have more competition in the industry, it can only result in better service for the airline travelers.”

Meanwhile, Zapanta said Seair remains optimistic about the local and regional tourism market despite projections that the global financial crisis will slow down international travel beginning next year. “We’re bullish and even expanding our routes. We recently were allowed to operate in Singapore, for instance.”

On November 28, the airline will commence flights to Kota Kinabalu; in April 2009, Singapore and Macau; August 2009, Bangkok and Hong Kong, as well as Cebu and Davao; and in September 2009, “we’re looking at Inchon, Kuala Lumpur and Kaohsiung,” he added. All new flights will be out of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga, which has more liberal aviation policies.

He stressed that the regional flights are “basically a Seair operation,” but using two aircraft, Airbus 320s, leased from Tiger Airways, a budget carrier based in Singapore. On July 31, the CAB approved the lease agreement between Seair and Tiger Air, two years after both carriers signed it. Local airlines had been opposing the agreement, saying it was a prelude to granting fifth freedom rights to Tiger Air, which they claimed would fly local destinations using Seair.

Fifth freedom rights allow an airline to pick up passengers from one country, transport them to another country, pick up passengers there, and fly to yet another country, like Philippine Airlines’s Manila-Vancouver-Las Vegas-Manila route.

Under the terms of its congressional franchise and in accordance with provisions in the Philippine Constitution on public utilities, Seair is also mandated to offer at least 30 percent of its outstanding capital stock to the public, “within five years from commencement of its operations.” But under the rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange, a company may list its shares in the market after three years of continued profitability. However, in certain instances, this requirement has been waived, as in the case of mining companies and small and medium enterprises.

In May this year, Seair owners rejected the offer of Yao to purchase 60 percent of the airline, because they felt it was a very low price for their shares. While the agreement between both groups was for Yao to purchase Seair for $3.75 million (P158 million then), the actual cash involved would only be $2 million.


----------------------:)

^^cebu pac is minimizing their cost of operation (in what ever way they can)... para maka offer ug lower price na airfare..

that is alot of bull....the cost is only $15 per hour. dapat they should look for other ways to cut cost. wag naman nila ipasuffer ang mga pasajero.

this is my observation..at least for the davao-manila leg....alot more passengers are flying PAL now as compared to CebuPac. 7 flights a day for PAL and 5 flights a day for CebuPac. Almost all flights of PAL is fully booked. Sa Cebu Pacific, hindi.

^^I also had one bad experience with Cebu Pac papuntang Singapore...Nakaka-bad trip talaga...since then Silk Air or PAL via Manila na ako palagi...

^^
talking about ripping passengers up front!

Can four pesos really make that huge difference?

That's what you pay for using all aerobridges in the Philippines not just in Davao.

Remember, its always the passengers that pays, not the airline as they would like you to believed.

Good thing I'm not there to demonstrate to them the breakdown to each service passenger pays! What a gull. :ohno:

that is alot of bull....the cost is only $15 per hour. dapat they should look for other ways to cut cost. wag naman nila ipasuffer ang mga pasajero.

this is my observation..at least for the davao-manila leg....alot more passengers are flying PAL now as compared to CebuPac. 7 flights a day for PAL and 5 flights a day for CebuPac. Almost all flights of PAL is fully booked. Sa Cebu Pacific, hindi.

theyre taking the "no-frills" concept to a higher level :lol:

^^I also had one bad experience with Cebu Pac papuntang Singapore...Nakaka-bad trip talaga...since then Silk Air or PAL via Manila na ako palagi...

me too. but this was in cebu last sept 3. last week i went to cebu tarmac pa rin kami.

;28451482']theyre taking the "no-frills" concept to a higher level :lol:

^^

baka in the future, there will be no seats na. all standing room.:lol: that is to maximize passenger loads....hahahahahaha

^^ Therefore, its really an AirBUS, hehe!! :nuts: :D Standing with railings...:D

^^ Therefore, its really an AirBUS, hehe!! :nuts: :D Standing with railings...:D

yeah.. the one that plies the edsa route...hahahahahaha...

but i think its not just in davao airport...

i remembered before when we were in manila domestic, there are no aerobridges there, we fly with cebu pacific though...
or cebpac lang ang nag gaganito?
maybe when they transfered there inbound and outbound flights to the new terminal building they will use tubes na...

if their reason is to cut their spending, hindi naman ata tama, pa baba ng pa baba ang oil ngayon sa world market.

^^
i agree to this. dapat jud mandatory ang use sa tubes sa airport. kwanggol jud ning cebu pacific. nakakabadtrip pa naman maglakad sa tarmac.

Dali lang...this scenario applies to ALL aircraft of CebuPacific or does it only apply to ATR flights (if there are any ATR turboprop flights) only? Because I would understand if you are required to walk at the tarmac if you are riding the turboprop because the tubes cannot reach the craft because its too low...but if this would be Airbus, then that's another story...

I would understand if the airport's tubes are so used by other aircraft and no vacancy like the scenario of Mactan Cebu Int'l when all tubes have been used.

But if they really refuse to use it so....nakuw!!!:bash:

LCCs usually don't use aerobridge just like that LCC airport in Singapore....

What's big deal about walking a few feet? it's a good exercise... I think Doha Qatar airports from what I've seen in the pictures, they don't have aerobridges and their terminal looks world class inside..

LCCs usually don't use aerobridge just like that LCC airport in Singapore....

What's big deal about walking a few feet? it's a good exercise... I think Doha Qatar airports from what I've seen in the pictures, they don't have aerobridges and their terminal looks world class inside..

its a big deal for me. i cant go on walking from a very cold environment to the hot tarmac then back into a very cold environment. my sinuses are very sensitive to the changes in temperature.

what makes it worse is when you see empty tubes and you are walking on the tarmac next to the tubes.

Dali lang...this scenario applies to ALL aircraft of CebuPacific or does it only apply to ATR flights (if there are any ATR turboprop flights) only? Because I would understand if you are required to walk at the tarmac if you are riding the turboprop because the tubes cannot reach the craft because its too low...but if this would be Airbus, then that's another story...

I would understand if the airport's tubes are so used by other aircraft and no vacancy like the scenario of Mactan Cebu Int'l when all tubes have been used.

But if they really refuse to use it so....nakuw!!!:bash:

here in davao they only use it when its raining very hard. if its just raining, you use umbrellas. bad trip talaga.

LCCs usually don't use aerobridge just like that LCC airport in Singapore....

What's big deal about walking a few feet? it's a good exercise... I think Doha Qatar airports from what I've seen in the pictures, they don't have aerobridges and their terminal looks world class inside..

at least in singapore its a separate terminal. you dont feel deprived.

its a big deal for me. i cant go on walking from a very cold environment to the hot tarmac then back into a very cold environment. my sinuses are very sensitive to the changes in temperature.

what makes it worse is when you see empty tubes and you are walking on the tarmac next to the tubes.


I see, I've got bad sinus allergies as well.. but then again, from the outside you will have to go through the same because after you got out of the terminal you would get in a vehicle that is a/c powered also...

I see, I've got bad sinus allergies as well.. but then again, from the outside you will have to go through the same because after you got out of the terminal you would get in a vehicle that is a/c powered also...

well. its ok if you do it once. but more that once is not good. that is why i ride philippine airlines only. i ride cebu pacific if i really need to.

LCCs usually don't use aerobridge just like that LCC airport in Singapore....

What's big deal about walking a few feet? it's a good exercise... I think Doha Qatar airports from what I've seen in the pictures, they don't have aerobridges and their terminal looks world class inside..

naiintindihan ko yung di pag gamit ng aerobridge if the terminal has no aerobridge in the first place..gaya ng sa budget terminal sa changi na no frills din ang terminal na parang warehouse..but since meron namang aerobridge ang DIA, bat di na lang gamitin kung $15 lang naman pala per hour ang bayad?..mas maiintindihan ko if say Davao had (yeah impossible sa ngayon) a separate budget terminal then yun ang gagamitin ng CebuPacific..

but kung totoong $15 per hour lang?!?! ikalulugi ba nila ang pag gastos ng extra $15? sa naririnig ko (lousy service lalo na pag delayed and this issue sa aerotube) i think cebupacific has overused the no frills concept to the point na basura service na ang labas

oh and yung one way ticket ko na Singapore-Davao na kinuha ko nung June na pinacancel ko, di ko pa nakukuha ang refund ko :bash: S$97 din nalugi sa akin dun :bash:

no frills does not mean lousy and unreliabe service diba?

Yeah, but every cents counts in any businesses. Business owners see a "cent" equates to a million if you sum it all up. It sounds ridiculous but somehow it is really true to a businessman and the business owner.

Definitely, there is no excuse for bad services but then, yes, you really have to look carefully what a cheap service has to offer and what are their limits. So, we can bitch much on the services rendered to you by the crew while on board. As far as being "ontime", yes, we do have the right to complain about as well as refunds that are refundable and is in their contract or whatever you signed with them that is a management issue. Otherwise, the little the offer in a no frills service is, it's what we get.

perteng pagdaginut uy.... mobyahe ra ba ka karong January via Cebupac.

Yeah, but every cents counts in any businesses. Business owners see a "cent" equates to a million if you sum it all up. It sounds ridiculous but somehow it is really true to a businessman and the business owner.

Definitely, there is no excuse for bad services but then, yes, you really have to look carefully what a cheap service has to offer and what are their limits. So, we can bitch much on the services rendered to you by the crew while on board. As far as being "ontime", yes, we do have the right to complain about as well as refunds that are refundable and is in their contract or whatever you signed with them that is a management issue. Otherwise, the little the offer in a no frills service is, it's what we get.

yeah. but they should not take it out on the passengers. if using the aero bridge is the only comfort they can give to the passengers, then why not use it. by the way, i dont like the recaro seats that 5j is using. sumasakit likod ko even if it is just a 45 min flight.

That's what you get for going cheap. Alot of LCC companies doesn't use any aerobridge, infact with Allegiant Air I use to fly with, you can't even recline the back rest, no inflight entertainments. You have to buy snacks and drinks. The flight are usually 2 1/2 even. I am always aware of their non-refundable policy being an LCC, that you have to pay extra for insurance incase you are unable to use the ticket. My point is, don't expect for the heaven and the earth if you want to go cheap, full service airlnes are always a better option.

That's what you get for going cheap. Alot of LCC companies doesn't use any aerobridge, infact with Allegiant Air I use to fly with, you can't even recline the back rest, no inflight entertainments. You have to buy snacks and drinks. The flight are usually 2 1/2 even. I am always aware of their non-refundable policy being an LCC, that you have to pay extra for insurance incase you are unable to use the ticket. My point is, don't expect for the heaven and the earth if you want to go cheap, full service airlnes are always a better option.

no inflight entertainment, seats not at par with regular airlines, no meals etc are acceptable...no frills nga eh

siguro pwede na rin yung di nila gamitin ang aerobridge kahit meron naman (but thats IMO reflects na walang pakialam ang airline sa passengers nila since di naman pala ganun kamahal ang aerobridge c'mon, per flight if $15 per hour eh mga 30 minutes lang naman ang stay ng airplane sa airport at enough na yun for arrival and departure meaning $15 per flight?! tapos sabihin na nating 50 passengers lang, so 30c per or Php 15 per passenger? it shows nga na wala silang pakialam sa pasahero nila at tinatrato lang ang pasahero as source of income lang)

but yung di ko pa nakukuha ang refund ko when sabi dun may S$97 refund pa ako (mind you S$100++ ang binayaran ko so mga kalahati lang ata ang expected refund ko)..thats just being unreliable! kalokohan na yun

Cebu Pacific is a POS airline.they took the concept of being an LCC to the extreme as an excuse for being lousy :bash:

;28549774']no inflight entertainment, seats not at par with regular airlines, no meals etc are acceptable...no frills nga eh

siguro pwede na rin yung di nila gamitin ang aerobridge kahit meron naman (but thats IMO reflects na walang pakialam ang airline sa passengers nila since di naman pala ganun kamahal ang aerobridge c'mon, per flight if $15 per hour eh mga 30 minutes lang naman ang stay ng airplane sa airport at enough na yun for arrival and departure meaning $15 per flight?! tapos sabihin na nating 50 passengers lang, so 30c per or Php 15 per passenger? it shows nga na wala silang pakialam sa pasahero nila at tinatrato lang ang pasahero as source of income lang)

but yung di ko pa nakukuha ang refund ko when sabi dun may S$97 refund pa ako (mind you S$100++ ang binayaran ko so mga kalahati lang ata ang expected refund ko)..thats just being unreliable! kalokohan na yun

Cebu Pacific is a POS airline.they took the concept of being an LCC to the extreme as an excuse for being lousy :bash:

hi @waway..

i understand your frustration in regards to LCC's particularly 5J. We have to deal with the fact that ganun talaga ang operations ng LCC. 5J is similar to Ryanair, it is an LCC within Europe but despite the "no fuss/ no frills" concept, successful sya in Europe. Refunds for international flights usually take around 6 months, lalo na in your case, you are in SG. Unlike domestic flights in PH that refunds sometimes are outright.

That's what you get for going cheap. Alot of LCC companies doesn't use any aerobridge, infact with Allegiant Air I use to fly with, you can't even recline the back rest, no inflight entertainments. You have to buy snacks and drinks. The flight are usually 2 1/2 even. I am always aware of their non-refundable policy being an LCC, that you have to pay extra for insurance incase you are unable to use the ticket. My point is, don't expect for the heaven and the earth if you want to go cheap, full service airlnes are always a better option.

but on the davao cebu route you have no choice but to use 5j. so natural na madali ma badtrip ang mga tao.

^ kelan ba nagsimulang hindi gumamit ng aerobridge ang 5J? Last July kasi nong nagpunta ako sa DVO via 5J ay gumamit pa sila ng aerobridge and this week lang HKG to MNL and MNL to CDO 5J ang sinakyan ko gumamit namin sila ng aerobridge, pwera lang sa CDO airport kasi wala namang available na aerobridge doon.:) At last month during my CBU to CDO flight gumamit din sila ng aerobridge.

^ kelan ba nagsimulang hindi gumamit ng aerobridge ang 5J? Last July kasi nong nagpunta ako sa DVO via 5J ay gumamit pa sila ng aerobridge and this week lang HKG to MNL and MNL to CDO 5J ang sinakyan ko gumamit namin sila ng aerobridge, pwera lang sa CDO airport kasi wala namang available na aerobridge doon.:) At last month during my CBU to CDO flight gumamit din sila ng aerobridge.

I think most of the time 5J uses the aerobridges but may 5J flights yata kasi minsan ang di gumagamit nun.

^ kelan ba nagsimulang hindi gumamit ng aerobridge ang 5J? Last July kasi nong nagpunta ako sa DVO via 5J ay gumamit pa sila ng aerobridge and this week lang HKG to MNL and MNL to CDO 5J ang sinakyan ko gumamit namin sila ng aerobridge, pwera lang sa CDO airport kasi wala namang available na aerobridge doon.:) At last month during my CBU to CDO flight gumamit din sila ng aerobridge.

its only here in davao that 5j does not use the aerobridges. they use it in cebu, bacolod, iloilo, and manila. they only use the aerobridges in extreme weather conditions. pero if its only ordinary rain, still no aerobridges. kaya nagrereklamo na ang mga pasahero ng 5j dito sa davao.

but on the davao cebu route you have no choice but to use 5j. so natural na madali ma badtrip ang mga tao.

I thought air philippines serves that route also and I guess one other I can't remember which one, Asian spirit was it???

I thought air philippines serves that route also and I guess one other I can't remember which one, Asian spirit was it???

yup air phils serves the route. infact parati fully booked. they have "stolen" alot of passengers from cebu pacific. ang pangit lang kasi ng scheduling ng 2P. so i have no choice but to take 5J instead.

why aren't they using the bridge?!? :ohno: is this an incoming flight from the provinces :lol:

http://images.jeffsj.multiply.com/image/6/photos/150/1200x1200/1/1.jpg?et=eLgEpnx8q8P%2BVlV6rhbWtw&nmid=129107168

^^ What carrier is that? Doesn't look like PR, 2P, or 5J.

^^ 5J manong :)

^^ cebu pac i guess

why not davao has an international airport like the one in makassar, south celebes? :D

http://images.randyvitales.multiply.com/image/4/photos/52/1200x1200/122/davao3.JPG?et=YDX1tFq%2Ce90BU8hB2k31YQ&nmid=107720835

why not davao has an international airport like the one in makassar, south celebes? :D

?? what do you mean?

if your referring to international flights... we do have a few international flights daily...
if your referring to the building design... what does it take to be an international airport?

by the way... you have a beautiful new airport...
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport | 2 Runways |

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/acen_keren/New_Si5.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/acen_keren/New_Si6.jpg

why not davao has an international airport like the one in makassar, south celebes? :D


FYI Davao has an International Airport.... DAVAO CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...

^^ Officially, it's called Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

^^ Officially, it's called Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

correct...i was just thinking if we can change the thread's name into "Franciso Bangoy International Airport (Davao-DVO)".:)

^^ We could.

^^
Please do change the thread name sir. :)

^^ We could.

thank you mod...:)

Done. :okay:

^^
Thanks a bunch!