[GES] General Santos International Airport

[LordCarnal]

Here are some pics of the General Santos City Airport. I got these from another forum. Nothing "modern" here but it looks very, very promising.

Judging from the pics, it seems that it has a very big land area. So more space for potential cargo facilities especially for import/export, courier, etc..etc..

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/kjesarang/40070ca7.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/kjesarang/30c59a10.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/kjesarang/50f49819.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/kjesarang/8645ae6a.jpg

[Skyblade]

Great, a thread dedicated to updates on GES. Would love to hear some more news on General Santos Airport. :D

[MarkiiBoi]

^^ nice pics bai. it sure has a big land area and has more room for expansion. however, with only 2 flights per day, i should say that there is no need for expansion..

[lochinvar]

The determining factor for expansion is, of course, the market. GenSan is a small city and the suburban towns around it are not that mature either.

[paulkrps]

visited gensan airport so many years back and had the opportunity to be even step on those forbidden areas. yep, the facilities are very good and underutilized. i wonder what the plans are of the gensan government in the so and so years. sayang masyado ang airport.

[kiretoce]

Aside from DVO, GES is the only other airport on Mindanao that can handle wide-bodied aircrafts right?

[chevy_boy]

A taxiway is included in the original design of the airport, however it was not constructed and maybe part of the future expansion (if ever there will be)... One big airbus (A330 or A343) or B744 of PAL and one B737 service of Air phil are the only two flights operating in the GenSan Airport everyday..considering that the size of the GenSan Airport is far bigger than the Davao Airport.... Sayang ang lugar, sayang ang pera... sana inexpand nalang Buayan Airport and for the airport to have siguro mga 3 to 4 B737 daily....

[lex_99]

Gen. San is a domestic airport of International standards right? It is also one of the airports whre PALs frequent travellers can enjoy Mabuhay Lounge not available in other major trunklines in the country...

[paulkrps]

A taxiway is included in the original design of the airport, however it was not constructed and maybe part of the future expansion (if ever there will be)... One big airbus (A330 or A343) or B744 of PAL and one B737 service of Air phil are the only two flights operating in the GenSan Airport everyday..considering that the size of the GenSan Airport is far bigger than the Davao Airport.... Sayang ang lugar, sayang ang pera... sana inexpand nalang Buayan Airport and for the airport to have siguro mga 3 to 4 B737 daily....

the cotabato airport would have been the ideal choice for an expansion. gensan was trumpeted as another boomtown 7 years back, i don't know what happened after that. if it's just based on tuna and pineapples (pardon my ignorance here), then it needs a much bigger push for an economy to really take off and then pal and other airlines can expand the number of flights. i really wish gensan can takeoff as complementing economy to davao city.

[richard fischer]

as far as i know the reason why gensan is so big is that it was actually built for military purposes. the us military wanted to build a base here to fight the muslim abu sayaf. somehow though they were not allowed to after all. any further infos ?

[lochinvar]

Richard, isn't that an overkill? Besides I think the plan for GenSan airport was done even before the abu sayaf became an international notoriety.

[paulkrps]

^^ i heard about it as being built for military purposes richard, but here's the twist, it was not for abu sayaf. the first time i heard about it was 1996 (abu sayaf was a much smaller force then), the version i had was it was as an alternative base from subic and clark. now i'm just realizing this, the u.s. was thinking of probably 10-20 years ahead. so now they have this balikatan exercises somewhere in mindano. this i don't want push as a fact, just what i heard a decade ago.

[ryanr]

not bad...the terminal looks decent from the outside. Does PAL A340s regularly serve the GenSan route?

[chevy_boy]

not bad...the terminal looks decent from the outside. Does PAL A340s regularly serve the GenSan route?

PAL's A343 flies to GenSan about 2 to 3 timess weekly and the rest are operated by the A330....

The title of the thread is "General Santos City Airport", can anybody show pictures of the other airport in GenSan??? The Buayan Airport......

[bustero]

^^that's really small, looks like a landing strip

gensan is doing ok as a city, it really just a working class town though and too close to davao to develop certain kinds of service industries at it's present state of development, perhaps in a few years it will look better

[chevy_boy]

Hope to see a Davao like air terminal in GenSan soon...

[lochinvar]

I think Buayan Airport is now the home of the Philippine Air Force school for future pilots. Fernando Air Base in Lipa, Batangas I understand is currently being phased out.

GenSan's future, however, is too tied up with Indo-RP Agreement on tuna fishing. Most of Celebes Sea belongs to Indonesia, actually Sulawesi is a big island in Indonesia.

[WANCH]

I hope they don't change it to Emmanuel Pacquiao City Airport :D

[Sinjin P.]

Or worse, Emmanuel Pacquiao International Airport (EPIA) like NAIA. :D

[chevy_boy]

A better name would be General Paulino Santos International Airport...hehehhe

[LordCarnal]

The determining factor for expansion is, of course, the market. GenSan is a small city and the suburban towns around it are not that mature either.


Remember that the same applied too to Subic and Clark before the government developed it.

I guess GenSan has all the opportunities and I say that this area should be developed and promoted. I haven't heard of any "special economic zone" in Mindanao yet. Anyhow, the airport really has a big area.

[LordCarnal]

Hope to see a Davao like air terminal in GenSan soon...

I suggest that the government develop this airport as a "cargo airport". :)

[lochinvar]

"Remember that the same applied too to Subic and Clark before the government developed it."

The initial reluctance to make improvements to Clark at that time was because the national government was preoccupied with the contract it signed with a consortium to build NAIA III. GenSan had no NAIA III equivalency. But once the government had the leeway, it proceeded to develop Subic Clark because it REALLY has a huge market, the very mature economy of the whole Central Luzon, whereas GenSan is located on the periphery. On one side it is facing the Celebes Sea, on its back is the hinterland with a small population. There is no comparison.

[chevy_boy]

I hope that Merpati would resume its flights from Manado to GenSan...

[LordCarnal]

^^

So meron pala international flights sa GenSan noon?

[chevy_boy]

yupyup...to Manado..operated by Merpati Nustrana Airlines, Fokker 70 yung plane...

[huistenmark]

it was a short-lived route. i think the problem with gensan airport is that it doesn't have refueling capabilities. couple that with a not very rosy security situation and slow economic drive then you have a good recipe for a white elephant. what happened to the planned GES-ILO route by 5J?

[chevy_boy]

it was a short-lived route. i think the problem with gensan airport is that it doesn't have refueling capabilities. couple that with a not very rosy security situation and slow economic drive then you have a good recipe for a white elephant. what happened to the planned GES-ILO route by 5J?

Air Philippines usually refuels in GenSan before returning to Cebu....

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A320
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1611.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1615.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1605.jpg

First B747-400 Landing in Mindanao (as PR 454 to Manila), January 2002
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/palb7442.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/Pal744.jpg

First B747-200 Landing in Mindanao (as PR 454 to Manila), May 2000
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/b7422.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/pal742.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/7423.jpg

Please ignore the date on the picture

[chevy_boy]

AIRPORT PARTICULARS
I. Runway Physical Characteristics

Runway Designation: 17 / 35
Strength and Surface of Runway: 363,000kgs
RWY: Concrete;
SWY: Macadam
Dimension of Runway: 3,221m x 45m
Stopway Dimensions: RWY17-300m

RWY35-300m
Slope of Runway-Stopway: 0.315% CWY Dimensions: RWY17-300m

RWY35-300m
Apron Surface: 70 RBXU Taxiway Surface and Width: Concrete; 23m


II. Airways Navigation Service Equipment


1. Doppler Very High Frequency Omni-Range Beacon (DVOR)

2. Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

3. Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)

4. Instrument Landing System (ILS) on Runway 17

5. Tower / FSS / APP Communications

6. Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) & Simple Approach Lighting System (SALS)

7. Meteorological Equipment (MET)

8. Airfield Lighting System (ALS)

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A319, Early evening departure to Manila
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/21-10-06_1727.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/21-10-06_1745.jpg

[oboi]

Any pics of the airport terminal and its other components? :)

[kiretoce]

Yeah, more photos of the terminal please, since we are talking about the airport itself and not the airlines that fly there. :okay:

[chevy_boy]

Aerial View of the Airport
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/airport.jpg

This is where you can Buy fresh tuna in the Airport
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1450.jpg

The Airport Terminal, no aerobridges but the pre-dep area is airconditioned
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1449.jpg

The Control Tower
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/21-10-06_1622.jpg

Terminal
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1452.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1453.jpg

B747-400 on PR 454 to Manila
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/palb7442.jpg

[chevy_boy]

The Runway (3,221 meters long)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/ges-r.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/340-runway-1.jpg

Arrival Area
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/arri.jpg

Before Touch Down with PAL A343
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/340-td.jpg

Terminal from the Runway
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/340-term.jpg

PAL A330-300
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/330-2.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/330-1.jpg

A340-300 Wings (PArked at GenSan Airport)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/340-park.jpg

[Sinjin P.]

Is it an international airport or just an airport of international standards?

[chevy_boy]

http://www.ato.gov.ph/web/airports.htm

An International Airport with International Standards.... The official name of this airport according to ATO is General Santos International Airport... Classified as an Alternate International Airport and one of the 8 (eight) International Airports in the Philippines.

[IMPRESARIO]

wow, very long runway, nice! hope they can improve the terminal.

[Askal82]

Is it an international airport or just an airport of international standards?

I like that: Airport of International Standards. :lol:

[zhock2001]

more pics of the airport please... looks nice... and what a runway! does it have international flights as of now?? it should have, like it could be a gateway to SEA countries and australia...

[chevy_boy]

There are no international flights yet at the moment. Merpati opened a GenSan - Manado flight 2 years ago but was suspended due to low traffic.

More infor about the airport:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Santos_International_Airport

[FrancisXavier]

pansin ko lang, walang asphalt overlay ang runway? di kaya masyadong shakey yan para sa taking off/landing plane?

[FrancisXavier]

now, i already know the difference between B747-400 and B747-200.. Thanks to this thread.. lols


http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/7423.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/palb7442.jpg

[Raven83]

pansin ko lang, walang asphalt overlay ang runway? di kaya masyadong shakey yan para sa taking off/landing plane?

Ang alam ko walang effect yun kasi iba ang standards ng construction for runways. If you're an architect you can get a copy from ATO. I'm not really good at describing runway construction but I guess may certain Psi na sinusunod sa cement runways. Pero ang alam ko sa malalamig na bansa they prefer Asphalt daw kasi mas madali yate yun de-icing process. Where as sa mga tropical country cement runways ang mas preferred...

[FrancisXavier]

eh halos lahat ng major airports sa pinas asphalt.. maliban nalang dito sa GES. ah yeah, sa Laokan Airport din pala sa Baguio.

[WawaY[625]]

di naman, if you look ive seen a site about philippine airports and marami ding concrete ang runway

[FrancisXavier]

i mean major airports.. such as

Manila
Cebu
Davao
Zambo
GES
Clark
ILO
BCD
CGY.

[Raven83]

eh halos lahat ng major airports sa pinas asphalt.. maliban nalang dito sa GES. ah yeah, sa Laokan Airport din pala sa Baguio.


Yu nga nga yung pinagtataka ko eh,I guess we needed a real expert on this one. For one I read in the magazine during the mid 90's.(I was middle school)
That it was the american who build that airport with extra long runway at gen san. Ang alam ko it actually stirred quite a controversy kasi the runway was specifically made to handle a fully loaded C-5 Galaxy daw(for what purpose will the C-5's do in there?,that I dont know:hm: ) Pero kung yun nga talaga ang purpose nila it means na mas matibay nga ang cement runways. Pero the Japanese's choice of asphalt in the new airport of Bacolod and Ilo ilo seems to puzzle me except for the fact na baka mas madaling ma prevent ang runway flooding pag asphalt. Kasi ang alam ko during the planning inemphasize yata nila yung flood control systems. But I'm not pretty much sure of this though..Dapat talaga may source...

[chevy_boy]

Air Philippines B737-200 to Cebu and Manila 7/1/2007
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/01-07-07_1109.jpg

PAL A330-300 as PR 454 to Manila 7/1/2007
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/01-07-07_0901.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/01-07-07_0859.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/01-07-07_0858.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

Yu nga nga yung pinagtataka ko eh,I guess we needed a real expert on this one. For one I read in the magazine during the mid 90's.(I was middle school)
That it was the american who build that airport with extra long runway at gen san. Ang alam ko it actually stirred quite a controversy kasi the runway was specifically made to handle a fully loaded C-5 Galaxy daw(for what purpose will the C-5's do in there?,that I dont know:hm: ) Pero kung yun nga talaga ang purpose nila it means na mas matibay nga ang cement runways. Pero the Japanese's choice of asphalt in the new airport of Bacolod and Ilo ilo seems to puzzle me except for the fact na baka mas madaling ma prevent ang runway flooding pag asphalt. Kasi ang alam ko during the planning inemphasize yata nila yung flood control systems. But I'm not pretty much sure of this though..Dapat talaga may source...

Because according to rumors that was circulating Gensan, it will be the next Clark Air Base and Glan Sarangani be the next Subic after loosing these 2 vital bases in the early 90's. Majority of the infrastructure projects were done with the assistance of the United States.

[ianers_ianized]

Wow GEN is has a lot of space... this also needs of modern udgrading and a whole new airport building to keep up with the modernization of all airports in our country.

[Rajah_Soliman]

simple lang oy... ang 200 pisot and 400 tuli :lol: :cheers:

now, i already know the difference between B747-400 and B747-200.. Thanks to this thread.. lols


http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/7423.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/palb7442.jpg

[amras]

pansin ko lang, walang asphalt overlay ang runway? di kaya masyadong shakey yan para sa taking off/landing plane?

got this from this website: http://www.rinkermaterials.com/ProdsServices/Concrete/AirportsHighways.shtml

Benefits of Concrete Pavement Highways & Airports


Strength & Durability: Concrete pavements withstand heavier loads with minimal deformation. Unlike asphalt pavements, concrete pavements do not react or deteriorate with petroleum products, and their strength is not reduced by heat and moisture. Concrete pavements are more durable even under extreme element conditions such as flooding, hurricanes and fires.

Cooler Environment: Concrete pavements are a key element of the "Cool Communities Movement"; concrete surfaces can be 30°F to 70°F cooler than asphalt surfaces. Use of concrete pavements reduces ground level ozone, VOC emissions and the Urban Heat Island Effect.

Life Cycle Cost: Long-term costs to maintain concrete pavements are typically lower than the costs associated wiht periodical resurfacing required to maintain asphalt pavements.

[chevy_boy]

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Santos_International_Airport

General Santos has a single 3,227-meter (10,587-foot) runway running at 17°/35°. The airport's runway is the second-longest runway of any airport in the Philippines, second to Runway 06/24 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.



:banana: :banana: :banana:

[kiretoce]

Elephants at war (http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view_article.php?article_id=95345)

MANILA, Philippines -- The international airport in General Santos City, completed in 1998, was built with US aid -- altogether, about $50 million worth of official, forward-looking charity. The airport is designed to accommodate the world’s biggest and heaviest airplanes, and much more traffic than it actually bears. In the decade since it opened for business, the massive but underused facility has prompted many to ask: Is the airport, in fact, a white elephant?

Wrong image. As a recent report by Focus on the Global South serialized in the Inquirer reminds us, the question all this time should have been: Is the airport a sign that the elephant is back in the room?

Often, the uses and advantages of the General Santos airport are discussed through the prism of business, such as the prospects of tourism or the requirements of domestic travel. The report, however, details the new US policy on maintaining a global military presence -- thus restoring the proper context for discussing the airport’s true uses and advantages: American military presence in the Philippines.

The facility has the look and heft of a military base because, in a crisis, the US military can turn it into one. (The airport is connected to a deep-water port by a robust road system, both built, like the airport itself, through official development assistance.)

By redefining the meaning of a military base, and by rethinking its requirements for maintaining a global military posture, the United States has employed a new strategy that is not only cost-effective but also host-friendly. In countries like the Philippines, where resistance to foreign military presence or new military bases begins with provisions in the fundamental law, the new US strategy allows the Pentagon, in cooperation with a willing host government, to avoid constitutional stumbling blocks.

The report quotes a US Navy admiral as saying: “We don’t want to be stepping all over our host nations. We want to exist in a very non-intrusive way.”

The report details how the US military inserts itself into a host nation in a very non-intrusive way. “First, the United States has stepped up deploying troops, ships, and equipment to the country ostensibly for training exercises, humanitarian and engineering projects, and other missions.”

In 2006, under the aegis of the Visiting Forces Agreement, some 37 exercises were scheduled. This is up at least threefold from the average of 10 to 12 that the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on its website.

The “repeated and regular” schedule of exercises allows the United States to gain what the chief of the US Pacific Command described as the prize as far back as 2003: “Access over time can develop into habitual use of certain facilities by deployed US forces with the eventual goal of being guaranteed use in a crisis, or permission to pre-position logistics stocks and other critical material in strategic forward locations.”

To be sure, no one in the US military would identify the Philippines as a strategic forward location, at least not officially and not to Philippine media. But as another report by Focus on the Global South reveals, internal documents or studies and journals circulated within the US military candidly and explicitly characterize the mission of US forces visiting the Philippines as “conducting unconventional warfare.”

The second mode of non-intrusive insertion is obliging the host nation “to provide it with a broad range of services that would enable it to launch and sustain operations from the Philippines when necessary.”

The third way is establishing a new kind of facility called Cooperative Security Locations (CSLs). “In August 2005 the official commission tasked with reviewing US basing, categorically identified the Philippines as one of the countries where CSLs were being developed by the United States in the region,” the report said.

Lastly: stationing a US military unit in the country indefinitely -- exactly like the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, based these last six years in Zamboanga City.

These four modes may be non-intrusive, but together they undermine the Constitution itself. Constitutional resistance to foreign military presence, however, is not an outright ban; allowing foreign troops into the country is politically difficult, but not impossible. If the Arroyo administration believes a semi-permanent presence of US forces is in the nation’s best interests, why not bring everything out into the open?

[tough]

http://www.ato.gov.ph/web/airports.htm

An International Airport with International Standards.... The official name of this airport according to ATO is General Santos International Airport... Classified as an Alternate International Airport and one of the 8 (eight) International Airports in the Philippines.


Just like the u/c Laguindingan Airport?

[WawaY[625]]

Just like the u/c Laguindingan Airport?

as LADP_infodesk said, laguindingan is a domestic airport :)

[tough]

^^ Domestic Airport with International Standards right?

[WawaY[625]]

yeah, international standards :) but an airport of international standards doesnt mean international airport na siya, maybe pasado sa international standard for domestic flights? or nasa international standards yung mga navigational equipment nya

And the terminal isnt designed to accomodate international flights (yung layout kumbaga)

if you look at NBSA and NIA walang separate areas like check in, arrival and mga support areas for international flight like customs etc :)

[tough]

^^ Thanks for clarifying @WawaY[625] :)

[franz235]

totoo ba na comparing with the land area, gensan airport is much bigger than davao international airport?

[xzibit31]

totoo ba na comparing with the land area, gensan airport is much bigger than davao international airport?

yup..GES is much bigger than DVO..remember that GES was designed to be an airbase...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Was USAID part of its construction?

[CarloPlyr440]

Are They Going extend GenSan International Airport? So the terminal will International Airlines Will Make flights There.

[chevy_boy]

totoo ba na comparing with the land area, gensan airport is much bigger than davao international airport?

yupyup... GenSan's aiport has a land area of 600 hec. There's still enough room for a second runway and a second terminal... :banana:

[chevy_boy]

Thieves prevent night landings at General Santos airport


By Aquiles Zonio
Mindanao Bureau
Last updated 11:32pm (Mla time) 11/22/2007


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- Pilots encountering trouble in their aircraft during night flights should skip the General Santos International Airport here and look for other airports for emergency landings.

The local Air Transportation Office (ATO) announced that there will be no more emergency landings at night for all types of aircraft at the local airport as a result of the pilferage of its lights and electric wires, which for some reason airport officials have been unable to prevent.

Nathaniel Nazareno, airport manager, said emergency landings at the local airport at night could be disastrous as the runway has no lights.

Nazareno said the lighting facilities on the runway have been disabled by thieves, who have been stealing the electrical wires and the light bulbs.

The first of such thefts, which immediately rendered the lights useless, was on October 31.

Nazareno said earlier this week, police authorities finally caught up with some of the suspected thieves -- four minors -- who tried to steal the runway’s light bulbs and wires.

He said during follow-up operations, the police also recovered some of the stolen electrical wires from the suspects’ houses.

Nazareno said the damage wrought by the pilferage of the airport’s lighting system was valued at P1 million.

"It would take a long time before passenger, private and military aircraft could use the GenSan airport during night time,” Nazareno said.

[Raven83]

^^ those people when caught should be given warning shots!...............

...in their head! :mad:

[chevy_boy]

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/ges744.jpg

PAL B747-400 flies again to GenSan... Hmmm it's been three years since may last B744 flight from GenSan to Manila... :)

[chevy_boy]

Any new updates about this airport?

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific adds morning flights to GenSan, Butuan

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s leading domestic airline, will expand its existing daily mid-day service from Manila to General Santos and Butuan on July 11 and 12, 2008, respectively.

CEB will add a morning flight to its Manila-General Santos service every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, expanding the service to ten times weekly. This translates to a 42% increase in capacity for the Manila-General Santos route.

The additional flight will depart from Manila at 7:05am and will arrive in General Santos at 8:55am using CEB’s A320 aircraft. The return flight takes off at 9:25am and lands in Manila at 11:15am.

The budget airline will also increase its daily flights from Manila to Butuan to 11 times weekly, increasing the capacity by 57% for the service. The additional morning flight will depart every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday also using the A320 aircraft.

The flight leaves Manila at 7:35am and arrives in Butuan at 9:00am. The return flight departs at 9:30am and arrives in Manila at 10:55am.

Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and product, said, “We hope that by adding morning flights to the existing daily mid-day schedule for these routes, we will be able to provide ease and convenience for both business and leisure travelers both to General Santos and Butuan. This will also mean that more low fare seats are going to be available for these routes.”

Now in its 13th year, CEB operates flights to 23, soon to be 24 domestic cities with the addition of San Jose (Mindoro) on July 1. It also flies to 15, soon to be 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu on July 18, 2008.

[romantic_guy08]

On our way to GES PR 453 an A330 service when Typhoon Frank hit souther Phils...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1812-1.jpg

PR 453 that left MNL on the height of Typhoon Frank in Luzon/MNL, my officemate was in this flight

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1843.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1847.jpg

Our return flight, an PR 454, A340 service...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1852.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/jkmanzano/IMG_1851.jpg

GES really needs improvement though, the terminal that is....

[arianespace]

^^
Definitely, but it won't come in unless you have more flights to pay for it. GES is an under achieving international gateway with underutilized terminal, a product of Gensan boom in the 90's which it failed to sustain. Even DVO suffered similar faith but at least they are growing back now. While SFS falters, it was compensated by Cargo ops. But GES got stuck. It was designed to handle 2 million passengers by now and the actual figures for 2007 does not even come close. The government is losing on this one, revenue wise. So unless it is serving at least 1,200 ppd forget the expansion for now.

[chevy_boy]

Low-fare leader Cebu Pacific is adding frequencies to its services from Manila to Bacolod, Tacloban, Cotabato, and Dipolog.

The airline will also expand its route network from Cebu with the launch of its direct Cebu-General Santos (GenSan) service starting August 15, 2008.

CEB introduces the additional frequencies and announces its Cebu-GenSan operations with a seat sale which will run from July 24 to 29, 2008. This is valid for travel from August 15 to November 30, 2008.

One-way fares to Bacolod, Tacloban and Cebu-GenSan is at P999 ‘all-in’ while fares to Cotabato and Dipolog is at P1,499 ‘all-in’.

Candice Iyog, CEB spokesman said, “We will continue to expand our operations and offer the lowest ‘all-inclusive’ fares especially to new CEB routes that have not been previously exposed to our low fares.”

The three-times weekly Cebu-GenSan service will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The flight departs from Cebu at 10:30am and arrives in GenSan at 11:30am. It leaves GenSan at 12:00nn and arrives back in Cebu at 1:10pm.

CEB’s Manila-Bacolod service will grow from 21 to 24 flights weekly while its Manila-Tacloban service will increase from 21 to 25 flights weekly. The carrier will also increase its operations to Cotabato from five-times weekly to daily while Manila-Dipolog will grow from four times to five times weekly.

Iyog added, “We encourage the public to book their flights via www.cebupacificair.com or call its reservations hotline (02) 7020888 or (032) 2308888 or contact their travel agent. Fares are so low and are even comparable to other modes of transport such as ferries and buses.”

Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It has a fleet of ten A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR72-500 aircraft.

:banana::banana:

[kiretoce]

I think this thread needs revisiting. :okay: Any news or updates? :dunno:

[Pao_hotiee_20]

;15997700']yeah, international standards :) but an airport of international standards doesnt mean international airport na siya, maybe pasado sa international standard for domestic flights? or nasa international standards yung mga navigational equipment nya

And the terminal isnt designed to accomodate international flights (yung layout kumbaga)

if you look at NBSA and NIA walang separate areas like check in, arrival and mga support areas for international flight like customs etc :)

WawaY... i think they have alloted a space for the check in, arrival and mga support areas for international flight like customs etc ... i think malapad naman ang arrival area ng iloilo airport eh.. diba..... and biside ang ngaplano nga airport ay inisip na sa future magkakaroon ng international flight sa iloilo... diba and bisde"s Iloilo is the regional capital ng western visayas......:)

right now according sa customs kung mayroon ng international flight diyan next year daw... ay baka gawing sub airport of entry ang iloilo airport for passenger and cargo kung mangyari iyon .... :)

[WawaY[625]]

WawaY... i think they have alloted a space for the check in, arrival and mga support areas for international flight like customs etc ... i think malapad naman ang arrival area ng iloilo airport eh.. diba..... and biside ang ngaplano nga airport ay inisip na sa future magkakaroon ng international flight sa iloilo... diba and bisde"s Iloilo is the regional capital ng western visayas......:)

right now according sa customs kung mayroon ng international flight diyan next year daw... ay baka gawing sub airport of entry ang iloilo airport for passenger and cargo kung mangyari iyon .... :)

but for now wala pa :) diba?

[chuck23]

^^ Buti p sa gensan nglaland ng B747, A330 at A340.....

[FlashCollider]

^^ those people when caught should be given warning shots!...............

...in their head! :mad:

hahaha pwedeng sila nalang ang pahawakin ng poste ng ilaw.

[metrosuburban]

So this airport has no airbridges?? but it's fairly new...

[m1k3]

the runway is huge but the terminal building is just small...

[chevy_boy]

Sana ma expand na rin yung terminal at lagyan ng tube. Kahit 2 pwede na....

[WawaY[625]]

ilang flights per day ba meron sa GenSan?

[earlat]

Sana ma expand na rin yung terminal at lagyan ng tube. Kahit 2 pwede na....

^^When I arrived last Wednesday the airport was a bedlam, almost a nightmare. Passengers were so rowdy because of the slow pace not to mention the heat exhaustion... Sana lagyan ng decent airconditioning system ang airport.. :ohno:

[chevy_boy]

;29811082']ilang flights per day ba meron sa GenSan?

3 Daily flights
Philippine Airlines to Manila (A330, A340 or B747)
PAL Express to Cebu (Q400)
Cebu Pacific to Manila (A320)

MWF
Cebu Pacific to Manila (A320)
Cebu Pacific to Cebu (A319)

[metrosuburban]

^^When I arrived last Wednesday the airport was a bedlam, almost a nightmare. Passengers were so rowdy because of the slow pace not to mention the heat exhaustion... Sana lagyan ng decent airconditioning system ang airport.. :ohno:

Ano ba yan, so 3rd world ang expeience.. :lol:

[chuck23]

Ano ba yan, so 3rd world ang expeience.. :lol:

^^Grabe naman if ganito....

[chevy_boy]

QfXiL5aWc-c

Get to see the aerial view of the whole General Santos International Airport.... You can see how huge this Airport is...

[earlat]

Ano ba yan, so 3rd world ang expeience.. :lol:

^^Ah, on second thought unique siya in a way coz it's somewhat a tropical delight pala. Maybe appealing cya sa mga foreigners :lol::lol:

Nagkataon lang na nagkasabay yung mga passengers, not to mention it's the 24th of December. It's not really a 3rd world experience, more of an inconvenience lang talaga coupled with a hot morning. :)

[chevy_boy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCm4D_erWxs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCm4D_erWxs

Night Flight from GenSan.. Video of a delayed Cebu Pacific flight to Manila... hehehe di ako marunong mag lagay ng youtube video dito kaya link nalang...

Ayos na pala yung runway lights ng GenSan at open na ulit for night flights... good thing.. hehe

[earlat]

^^ so may night flight na pala ang Gensan? :)

[chevy_boy]

^^ so may night flight na pala ang Gensan? :)

delayed flight lang po...

[earlat]

delayed flight lang po...

^^ ah ok. The fact na nakalipad successfully & safely ang plane amidst the news about the night flight capabilities ng airport, it's news worthy. :banana:

[chevy_boy]

aCm4D_erWxs
GenSan Airport at Night Video...heheh

[chevy_boy]

DUX9aSTPpKw

PR 453, Airbus A330-300 approaching GenSan International Airport

[chevy_boy]

JYYmH-rBAWI

A320 of PAL Approaching GenSan

[chevy_boy]

-TCKZ_qGwHo

PAL A330 and Cebu Pacific A319 at GenSan Airport

[chevy_boy]

CO0FUmlSmV4

PAL Express Q400 at GenSan Airport

[chevy_boy]

IFmBmOlCGVE

A320 of Cebu Pacific approaching GenSan

[chevy_boy]

GJLnv_JiU_E

PAL A340-300 take off at gensan airport

[chevy_boy]

JfHiGwfjTcc

Cebu Pacific Air 5J 250 for Mactan Cebu Taking off with PAL A330 at the ramp

[chevy_boy]

YCxZUVb1jpA

PAL Airbus A340 from Manila to General Santos

[jasontt]

hello guys... meron bang thread ang gensan about naman sa mga buildings and malls ninyo?:ohno:

[kiretoce]

^^ Check this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=619208) out. :colgate:

[chevy_boy]

GenSan Airport Tower

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/105621755aQyQ1wox.jpg

Terminal

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/105901016z6sa0wtm.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Airbus A340-300 from Manila approaching GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/1056223620KdFgeik.jpg

[chevy_boy]

PAL A340-300 just approached GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/105901762FKTMR4AU.jpg

Air Philippines Flight For Cebu

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/6e46f9ee.jpg

Cebu Pacific Air Late Afternoon flight for Manila

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/cebges.jpg

[chevy_boy]

GenSan Airport Aerial View

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/GenSanAirport.jpg

Full View

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/ges.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Airport Terminal

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1449.jpg

[chevy_boy]

View from the Tuna/Specialty Shops

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1452.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Terminal Building from the Side

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/18-10-06_1453.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific Evening departure to Manila (Delayed flight last Oct 2006)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/21-10-06_1745.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Arrived GenSan International Airport

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1605.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1604.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific Airbus A320 in GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1611.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific flying over the Visayas en route to GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1453.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific in GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/21-10-06_1727.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1615.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1613-1.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/28-06-07_1613.jpg

[earlat]

nice pictures of Gensan's airport.

[kiretoce]

Airbus A340-300 from Manila approaching GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/1056223620KdFgeik.jpg

I love angled shots like this. Makes landings look very grand and regal.

[the-pseudoneuro]

malaki talaga ang GES kesa DIA :)

[kalbongdad]

i have to disagree... ang dia is an international airport....ang gensan...international standard pa lang....that is why wla pang direct flights from outside the country....

[habagatcentral1]

i have to disagree... ang dia is an international airport....ang gensan...international standard pa lang....that is why wla pang direct flights from outside the country....

@Kalbongdad and the rest, please do refer to this link for the official classification of General Santos Airport based on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (formerly Air Transporation Office) for clarrification:

http://www.caap.gov.ph/Downloads/ncaapcoa.pdf

and this link also

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=29009966&postcount=11002

Thanks! :)

[Sky Harbor]

i have to disagree... ang dia is an international airport....ang gensan...international standard pa lang....that is why wla pang direct flights from outside the country....

Merpati Nusantara Airlines once flew to GenSan from Manado but discontinued the flights after one month due to poor demand. PAL was supposed to bring GenSan international but was unable to do so due to the Asian financial crisis.

[chevy_boy]

i have to disagree... ang dia is an international airport....ang gensan...international standard pa lang....that is why wla pang direct flights from outside the country....

An Airport can be an International airport though it's not of international standard just like how Davao airport was before the expansion... Right now, bot airport are of international standard just that GenSan Airport is much bigger when it comes to the area and the GenSan Airport runway is longer than the Davao Airport....

[xzibit31]

An Airport can be an International airport though it's not of international standard just like how Davao airport was before the expansion... Right now, bot airport are of international standard just that GenSan Airport is much bigger when it comes to the area and the GenSan Airport runway is longer than the Davao Airport....


but that does not mean that ges is an international airport already. its just an alternate international airport. meaning there are no direct international flights operating from that airport. davao is now classified as an international airport because it has direct international flights.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Why don't we make things simpler? GES is categorized International as per CAAP, no more no less...no wonder FAA downgraded us.

[chevy_boy]

but that does not mean that ges is an international airport already. its just an alternate international airport. meaning there are no direct international flights operating from that airport. davao is now classified as an international airport because it has direct international flights.

Alternate International Airport or International Airport, GES is still much bigger than Davao... The traffic may not be there yet, but when it comes, GenSan Airport can easily embrace it with the space available for massive expansion...

[xzibit31]

Alternate International Airport or International Airport, GES is still much bigger than Davao... The traffic may not be there yet, but when it comes, GenSan Airport can easily embrace it with the space available for massive expansion...

^^

am i refuting that fact? i guess not....:ohno:...

and yes when the traffic does come to GES(to the level that davao has today), in i guess 20 years,the present DIA would have been saturated already and would have been transferred already to the 2500 hectare government land intended for the future DIA.

[xzibit31]

^^ Why don't we make things simpler? GES is categorized International as per CAAP, no more no less...no wonder FAA downgraded us.

:lol:

i am wondering why i am agreeing with this....:nuts:

[chevy_boy]

^^

am i refuting that fact? i guess not....:ohno:...

and yes when the traffic does come to GES(to the level that davao has today), in i guess 20 years,the present DIA would have been saturated already and would have been transferred already to the 2500 hectare government land intended for the future DIA.

May be after 20 years, but as of now, General Santos holds the title of having Mindanao's largest airport, the first Airport in Mindanao to welcome the B747-200 and B747-400...

Maybe after 20years, GenSan Airport may already have acquired the surrounding lands and may have a land area of more than 2,500... though how saturated the airport may be in the future, GenSan Airport still has a lot of room for expansion... The Buayan Airportcan also be expanded and be used for domestic flights... :)

[chevy_boy]

GenSan Airport

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/airport.jpg

[chevy_boy]

B747-400 in GenSan

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/palb7442.jpg

[xzibit31]

May be after 20 years, but as of now, General Santos holds the title of having Mindanao's largest airport, the first Airport in Mindanao to welcome the B747-200 and B747-400...

Maybe after 20years, GenSan Airport may already have acquired the surrounding lands and may have a land area of more than 2,500... though how saturated the airport may be in the future, GenSan Airport still has a lot of room for expansion... The Buayan Airportcan also be expanded and be used for domestic flights... :)

i told you kanina that i am not refuting that GES is larger the DIA. i agree with you on that.

i also agree with you that GES was the first to welcome the 742 and 744.

but GES getting the surrounding lands? i don't think so. passenger statistics dictates that my good friend, and as of now its not looking good.

how many flights does GES have in a given day and compare it to what DIA also have in a given day. did GES already surpass its saturation point? i dont think so. i also think it wont surpass its saturation point in the next 20 years. think about it. i mean its not a sin or wrong to be optimistic about things. but we have to see what is happening now.

DIA is has surpassed its saturation point of 1.2 million passengers per year in its 3rd year of operation. Now this dictates the construction of 4 additional jetways, 2 on the international side and 2 on the domestic side. also the expansion of the present terminal. this construction is going to be online soon and with an addition of a radar system which will become online in 2 years. with the additional jetways the saturation point will be pegged at around 5 million passengers per year.

now back to GES. GES was finished way before DIA was finished. it had a head start( GES opened 1996 and DIA opened 2003; that is a good 7 years head start). yet it has not preformed well.

right now DIA handles almost 30 flights from 3:00 am to 10:00 pm. this is just the scheduled flights. there are countless of special flights that use the DIA in a 24 hr period. how many flights does GES handle in a given day? i guess it doesnt come close to what DIA is presently handling.

even ZIA which, is a smaller airport than GES, handles more flights than GES.

and yes buayan airport cannot be expanded anymore. unless you extend the runway to the sea and demolish the exisitng communities around that airbase.

[Peng Hok]

Bigger in terms of what? We have to be careful in making generalizations so as not to mislead innocent readers.

In terms of total land area, GES could be bigger.

In terms of length of runway, GES could be bigger.

In terms of floor area of the terminal building, DVO could be bigger.

In terms of passenger and cargo volume, DVO could be bigger.

My point is we have to clearly define the criteria we are using in making generalizations.

:)

[xzibit31]

Bigger in terms of what? We have to be careful in making generalizations so as not to mislead innocent readers.

In terms of total land area, GES could be bigger.

In terms of length of runway, GES could be bigger.

In terms of floor area of the terminal building, DVO could be bigger.

In terms of passenger and cargo volume, DVO could be bigger.

My point is we have to clearly define the criteria we are using in making generalizations.

:)

korekek!!:)

[earlat]

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

[chevy_boy]

DIA is has surpassed its saturation point of 1.2 million passengers per year in its 3rd year of operation. Now this dictates the construction of 4 additional jetways, 2 on the international side and 2 on the domestic side. also the expansion of the present terminal. this construction is going to be online soon and with an addition of a radar system which will become online in 2 years. with the additional jetways the saturation point will be pegged at around 5 million passengers per year.



Then with the current traffic at Mactan, this means that Mactan needs way more than the proposed 2 additional jetways to support the growing traffic in the airport... let's get real, Davao Airport doesn't need an expansion right now.. Mactan needs it, badly...

[kiretoce]

^^ I find it amusing (and mildly annoying) that you folks are debating CEB and DVO here in the GES thread. :colgate:

[xzibit31]

Then with the current traffic at Mactan, this means that Mactan needs way more than the proposed 2 additional jetways to support the growing traffic in the airport... let's get real, Davao Airport doesn't need an expansion right now.. Mactan needs it, badly...

i know about that mactan. and i know that it already has surpassed its saturation point and it needs the expansion asap.

i guess that you should get real about things. i have never refuted any facts about GES. the only thing i have refuted is GES buying its surrounding lands in 20 years. it may take more than that. with only a handful of flights per day, GES will never expand until GES will equal DIA in the number of flights serviced and the number of passengers arriving and departing.

statisitcs show that in the 3rd quarter, the DIA has services over 1.2 million passengers ( saturation point of davao is 1.2m passengers per year). that is only the 3rd quarter. the fourth will add some more to the number count. let me tell you that in certain times of the day,( and i have experinced this), the international part of the terminal was being used for domestic because sobrang dami na talaga ang passengers and flights that is servicing DIA. DIA also needs the expansion, but mactan needs it also. try to see the statistics, magkalapit lang ang passenger count ng MCIA and DIA.


wake up and get real. this is the last i will post on this subject. why dont you just accept the fact that ganyan talaga ang nagyayari.

[chevy_boy]

DIA also needs the expansion, but mactan needs it also. try to see the statistics, magkalapit lang ang passenger count ng MCIA and DIA.

I don't think so... Cebu serves way more passengers as compared to Davao... Davao have only cebu pacific and Silk Air operating international flights.

:bash:

[xzibit31]

I don't think so... Cebu serves way more passengers as compared to Davao... Davao have only cebu pacific and Silk Air operating international flights.

:bash:

just ask the caap for the statistics. i have seen the 2008 stats. so i know what i am talking about.:ohno:

and we are discussing domestic and international.

and you are moving out of topic. topic here is GES and not DIA and MCIA.

[dabert]

just ask the caap for the statistics. i have seen the 2008 stats. so i know what i am talking about.:ohno:

and we are discussing domestic and international.

and you are moving out of topic. topic here is GES and not DIA and MCIA.

OT: (just for statistics' sake)
2007 Statistics from the Air Transportation Office.
(link to the file is already non-existent, must have probably been deleted)

Francisco Bangoy International Airport
Passengers 1,534,264
Aircraft movements 9,316

Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Passengers 3,731,500
Aircraft movements 18,138

[chevy_boy]

OT: (just for statistics' sake)
2007 Statistics from the Air Transportation Office.
(link to the file is already non-existent, must have probably been deleted)

Francisco Bangoy International Airport
Passengers 1,534,264
Aircraft movements 9,316

Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Passengers 3,731,500
Aircraft movements 18,138

Ang laki ng difference....

[Peng Hok]

^^
Chevy boy, I honestly believe that the quoted post below could resolve your argument with xzibit as to which airport is what in Mindanao. :okay:

Let's do away with comparing DVO with CEB because, as the name of the thread suggests, this thread is dedicated to GES. :)

Bigger in terms of what? We have to be careful in making generalizations so as not to mislead innocent readers.

In terms of total land area, GES could be bigger.

In terms of length of runway, GES could be bigger.

In terms of floor area of the terminal building, DVO could be bigger.

In terms of passenger and cargo volume, DVO could be bigger.

My point is we have to clearly define the criteria we are using in making generalizations.

:)

[xzibit31]

Ang laki ng difference....

maliit lang yan brad considering MCIA is a hub of 4 different airlines namely PAL, CebuPac, AirPhil, SeaAir. while Davao in only a hub of CebuPac.

lets stop comparing MCIA with DIA. its like comparing MCIA and NAIA.

remember we were talking about GES and DIA.

[chevy_boy]

Maliit LNG ang 50% na difference?????

[chevy_boy]

maliit lang yan brad considering MCIA is a hub of 4 different airlines namely PAL, CebuPac, AirPhil, SeaAir. while Davao in only a hub of CebuPac.

lets stop comparing MCIA with DIA. its like comparing MCIA and NAIA.

remember we were talking about GES and DIA.

MCIA is not a hub of seair but only Cebu PAC and palEx

[Peng Hok]

This is really getting ugly. DVO and GES are BOTH in Mindanao, and are designed to complement each other considering na magkalapit lang ang dalawa.

By the way, since nagcocompare na rin lang kayo, mas maganda siguro i-compare ang statistics ng DVO and GES. Mas apprpriate pa yan na comparison than comparing one Mindanao airport with another one located in the Visayas.

Game?

[xzibit31]

MCIA is not a hub of seair but only Cebu PAC and palEx

nope. its also the hub of PAL, palex, 5j, and sea air.

can i ask you a question? do you know when to stop?

[xzibit31]

Maliit LNG ang 50% na difference?????

yup maliit lang yan.

[xzibit31]

This is really getting ugly. DVO and GES are BOTH in Mindanao, and are designed to complement each other considering na magkalapit lang ang dalawa.

By the way, since nagcocompare na rin lang kayo, mas maganda siguro i-compare ang statistics ng DVO and GES. Mas apprpriate pa yan na comparison than comparing one Mindanao airport with another one located in the Visayas.

Game?

i know en may isa dito na on the war path. pati cebu dinamay pa. eh dvo lang at ges pinaguusapan namin.

[bcanieso]

^^Take into account the peace situation in the area, since the 70's with the insurgency problem there, foreign airlines don't want to get shot at... The USAID was the one responsible for the very nice airport in GenSan, even for what reason they had in the first place for building it there.This is one of the reason why traffic is only 50% when you compare it to the airport in Cebu. If it were not for the flow of businessmen and visitor/tourists in Mindanao despite of the peace situation the number of passengers would probably be lower. Mindanao was often referred to as the land of promise even in our social studies book. My cousins there were all able to finish college due to bananas being exported to Japan grown there. I think you should look at the true situation before making the comparison, just thinking out loud.:)

[Peng Hok]

So can somebody show the statistics for GES and DVO?

Let's do an apples to apples comparison kasi pareho naman nasa Mindanao. Tutal sinimulan lang din ang pag compare, eh di tapusin na natin.

Game?

[davaob4now]

maliit lang yan brad considering MCIA is a hub of 4 different airlines namely PAL, CebuPac, AirPhil, SeaAir. while Davao in only a hub of CebuPac.

lets stop comparing MCIA with DIA. its like comparing MCIA and NAIA.


true...tama...tumpak...:cheers:

[xzibit31]

So can somebody show the statistics for GES and DVO?

Let's do an apples to apples comparison kasi pareho naman nasa Mindanao. Tutal sinimulan lang din ang pag compare, eh di tapusin na natin.

Game?

game. hehehehehe...:lol:

[Peng Hok]

How about chevy boy? Di pa kasi sya sumasagot. :)

[jogavilz]

ask niyo na lang rin si arianespace, tutal, marami naman siyang alam about the aviation industry in the philippines... para sa future hindi na basta-basta magcompare ng mga airports and whatnot

[GearX]

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9433/airzt8.jpg

[xzibit31]

ask niyo na lang rin si arianespace, tutal, marami naman siyang alam about the aviation industry in the philippines... para sa future hindi na basta-basta magcompare ng mga airports and whatnot

^^

i took this statement from arianspace from his post in the DIA thread. Please read below:

"As I was saying before in the other threads, Subic paid its dues courtesy of Fedex while Gensan failed altogether. It still is a white elephant if we are talking economic sense."

[GearX]

IMO, GES was constructed not of economics but as military strategic point (by USA) after the closure of Clark and Subic

[hakhaimo]

I remembered that I made an Illustration of Mindanao airports with their information and here it is:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/AirportsinMindanao.jpg

I think I made this 2007... But statistics information was from 2005

Information specified here comes from the website of ATO or was it Wikipedia..

bago na ngayon.. http://www.caap.gov.ph/

[hakhaimo]

Which airport passenger terminal is bigger? ZIA or GES.

[jogavilz]

see? the stats show that the amount of passengers in GES is less than 15% of DVO as of 2005, ewan ko lang kung mas marami na ngayon... so bakit pang mag argue about which city has a bigger airport... reading statistics already answers some of our questions :)

[mwg12a]

Dunno why you guys are soooo obsessed on which airport in mindanao is bigger and has more passenger activities when all are just secondary airports. It's hard to get passengers and tourists to get attracted in Mindanao area, thanks to the muslim extremists, Mindanao is a place to be avoided. I mean DVO has some tourist resorts to go to, GenSan and Zambo doesn't. While there are insurgents in Mindanao area its hard to see progress in this region even if the federalization of the government takes place.

[lochinvar]

"I mean DVO has some tourist resorts to go to, GenSan and Zambo doesn't. While there are insurgents in Mindanao area its hard to see progress in this region even if the federalization of the government takes place."

Uh, oh. This sure is going to start a flurry of rebuttal. :lol:

[xzibit31]

IMO, GES was constructed not of economics but as military strategic point (by USA) after the closure of Clark and Subic

we all know that. but what we are talking about here is economics and not military purposes.

[xzibit31]

Dunno why you guys are soooo obsessed on which airport in mindanao is bigger and has more passenger activities when all are just secondary airports. It's hard to get passengers and tourists to get attracted in Mindanao area, thanks to the muslim extremists, Mindanao is a place to be avoided. I mean DVO has some tourist resorts to go to, GenSan and Zambo doesn't. While there are insurgents in Mindanao area its hard to see progress in this region even if the federalization of the government takes place.

^^
i beg to differ. davao is not a secondary airport anymore since it was completed last 2003.

[xzibit31]

Dunno why you guys are soooo obsessed on which airport in mindanao is bigger and has more passenger activities when all are just secondary airports. It's hard to get passengers and tourists to get attracted in Mindanao area, thanks to the muslim extremists, Mindanao is a place to be avoided. I mean DVO has some tourist resorts to go to, GenSan and Zambo doesn't. While there are insurgents in Mindanao area its hard to see progress in this region even if the federalization of the government takes place.

^^

sweeping generalizations. there are only parts of mindanao that are full of insurgents. hell its even more safe to walk the streets here in davao than in metro manila. and its not difficult to see progress in the davao region. i dont know about the oher regions though.

[davaoeagle]

Dunno why you guys are soooo obsessed on which airport in mindanao is bigger and has more passenger activities when all are just secondary airports. It's hard to get passengers and tourists to get attracted in Mindanao area, thanks to the muslim extremists, Mindanao is a place to be avoided. I mean DVO has some tourist resorts to go to, GenSan and Zambo doesn't. While there are insurgents in Mindanao area its hard to see progress in this region even if the federalization of the government takes place.


For some ill-informed people, Mindanao could be a place to stay away from.

[mwg12a]

Well, only you guys would see that because you live there but as far a foreign affairs is concerned, that redflag by embassies like the US hasn't really lifted that warning to it's citizen. We can thank our muslim brothers for these. Don't blame me or even crucify me. I didn't do that to my parent's former homeland. That bombing of the airport way back still hasn't been erased in alot of people's mind. We know not too long ago, there was this encounter between the Philippines troops and the muslim rebels. I know it's hard for you guys to accept this but Basilan is in Mindanao... There is this old saying in the Philippines " sakit sa kasukasuan damay ang buong katawan" I am not trying to put Mindanao down but it's just the facts of life. That's why I keep on saying. Thanks to the muslim rebels foreigners are scared to try visiting certain places in the Philippines. Luckily, DVO still enjoy the influx of foreign tourists who are mainly from Korea but that's probably because there are alot of Koreans now living in the Philippines so they see what you guys see in DVO or Mindanao so they won't have second thoughts in visiting parts of Mindanao.

[davaoeagle]

Davao gets a fair share of tourists not only from Korea and elsewhere in Asia but also from North America and Europe. This inspite of the fact that it sits on a red shaded part of the Philippine map. It's just sad that some Filipinos who have been away from their country not so long ago now think the same way as their adopted country does when all they have changed was their abode. To be fair there are some who by reason of early uproot from their home country and being totally devoid of the knowledge of the actual living condition in it that all they know is based on what the media feeds on them and I don't blame them.

[Govinda]

Well, only you guys would see that because you live there but as far a foreign affairs is concerned, that redflag by embassies like the US hasn't really lifted that warning to it's citizen. We can thank our muslim brothers for these. Don't blame me or even crucify me. I didn't do that to my parent's former homeland. That bombing of the airport way back still hasn't been erased in alot of people's mind. We know not too long ago, there was this encounter between the Philippines troops and the muslim rebels. I know it's hard for you guys to accept this but Basilan is in Mindanao... There is this old saying in the Philippines " sakit sa kasukasuan damay ang buong katawan" I am not trying to put Mindanao down but it's just the facts of life. That's why I keep on saying. Thanks to the muslim rebels foreigners are scared to try visiting certain places in the Philippines. Luckily, DVO still enjoy the influx of foreign tourists who are mainly from Korea but that's probably because there are alot of Koreans now living in the Philippines so they see what you guys see in DVO or Mindanao so they won't have second thoughts in visiting parts of Mindanao.

^^ i beg to differ..Koreans are not the number 1 tourists in DVO !!! Though this segment is growing...

Mostly from Europe, Japan, the Americas and Oceania...

[davaob4now]

Well, only you guys would see that because you live there but as far a foreign affairs is concerned, that redflag by embassies like the US hasn't really lifted that warning to it's citizen. We can thank our muslim brothers for these. Don't blame me or even crucify me. I didn't do that to my parent's former homeland. That bombing of the airport way back still hasn't been erased in alot of people's mind. We know not too long ago, there was this encounter between the Philippines troops and the muslim rebels. I know it's hard for you guys to accept this but Basilan is in Mindanao... There is this old saying in the Philippines " sakit sa kasukasuan damay ang buong katawan" I am not trying to put Mindanao down but it's just the facts of life. That's why I keep on saying. Thanks to the muslim rebels foreigners are scared to try visiting certain places in the Philippines. Luckily, DVO still enjoy the influx of foreign tourists who are mainly from Korea but that's probably because there are alot of Koreans now living in the Philippines so they see what you guys see in DVO or Mindanao so they won't have second thoughts in visiting parts of Mindanao.

yes youre right only us mindanaons can tell people how safe our place is becuase as what youve said this is our place and we know our place very well, more than anyone else who really dont know the true situation.

i bet, youre one of the people who are fond of generalization, people used the word "Mindanao", when theres something bad that happened...i tell you, davao is the safest place to live in the philippines after all howcome davao has been awareded the title as the "Most Livable city in the philippines", visit davao and experience it for yourself...

davao is even safer compared to manila...(a lot of people saying that)...

[arianespace]

The Missing Link that is General Santos Airport

The Philippines has been under the control of the United States of America since 1899 and under its colonial rule for 46 years, from 1899-1946. From the time of Commonwealth, the Filipino people was offered to be a part of the United States of America with voting right similar to the State of Hawaii.

Manuel L. Quezon who was its President at that time argued that its better for the Philippines to be independent and following his famous quote argued that he would rather see the country ran like hell by Filipinos than managed heavenly by the Americans.

Yet its defense and economic needs was anchored on the shelter provided by the United States. Even after gaining its independence, the Philippines was saddled with military and economic treaties which make you wonder whether the country is really free.

The best known treaty we got is the 1947 Military Bases Agreement, which allowed the U.S. to keep about 35 military bases and installations throughout the country. The largest of these bases were Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Zambales. They happen to be the biggest US bases outside of its territory. In 1983 and 1988, the United States
and the Philippines completed successful reviews and extensions of the
Military Bases Agreement.These bases were used extensively as staging grounds during the Korean War up to the Iraq war in 1991. The unfinished war made by President George Bush Sr. led to its war on terror after the September 11 attacks of 2001, only this time finished by his son Dubya Jr.

Meanwhile, In August 1991, negotiators from the two countries reached agreement on a draft treaty providing for the use of Subic Bay Naval Base by U.S. forces for 10 more years. It excluded Clark Airbase due to extensive damage made by Mount Pinatubo volcano eruptions. At the same time, efforts were made to establish a new airbase down south. Only one area qualified the specifications of the US government DOD. General Santos.

However, the Nationalist Philippine Senate headed by Jovito Salonga voted not to renew the agreement even if President Corazon Aquino wanted them to stay. Had they been successful efforts for General Santos US Airbase would have been easier since its far away from the prying eyes of Manila media. Despite further efforts to salvage the situation, the two negotiating sides could not reach an agreement. The Philippine Government later informed the U.S. on December 6, 1991, that it would have one year to make a complete withdrawal. By November 22, 1992, all American servicemen were out of the country and relocated to Okinawa and Guam.

Other than Japan, Korea and Singapore, Asian countries in the region did not allow the U.S. to use their countries as a service point of its military planes and ships. In fact, it currently have no forward base in Southeast Asia after it withdrew in the Philippines. While Singapore willingly like to invite them there, the island State's land territory would not be enough to hold them together. It left them no choice but to consider the Philippines again but in a different perspective. The agreement is still highly classified document until now.

The Philippines has always played a critical role in US strategy. George Kennan, the architect of the US’ containment strategy, singled it out as “cornerstones of the Pacific security system.”

While its forward base seems to be irrelevant after the end of the cold war, the logic on its need on Philippine soil baffles analysts. Numerous studies like the Focus report (http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/dmdocuments/sectors/security/foreignallies/at-the-door-of-all-the-east.pdf) on the global south published in 2007 point the cause to the rise of China as a superpower. The main architect is then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney.

The sights on Mindanao has been more or less historical. Were it not for the security concerns of the American colonial forces in the 1900's, Clark and Subic would have been built in Sarangani Bay. But since the Spanish have build a fort and a ready defense of a friendly community in Zamboanga, John Pershing settled office there and direct war efforts to quell the moro resistance. The downside is that its not a perfect harbor for their ships against the elements and moro attacks. It took them longer to succeed than originally planned. They eventually abandoned the idea in favor of the bases in Zambales.

http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/maps/sealanes.gif

http://photos4.flickr.com/5140137_ee5343c06d.jpg

The reason of choice is the trade routes. The nation that controls the route controls the region. The aim and objectives might change centuries later but it proved strategic to the U.S interest in the region. Sarangani hovers within 3 hours flying time to the busiest sea lane strait in Singapore and other major Asian markets and the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA), as well as a short retreat distance to Australia's Northern Territory. Its the same route Gen. Mac Arthur used as he escapes the Japanese Juggernaut towards Australia in World War II.

Presently, Makar Sea Port in Sarangani Bay has a depth greater than Subic and it can accommodate more huge ships than Subic can fill in its waters.

Since the US is prohibited from establishing a new base, it entered a secret deal during President Ramos term sometime in 1995 which Malacanang neither confirm nor denies until now. They simply say it doesn't exist.

Then In 1996, the U.S. Aid for International Development (USAID) began pouring a lot of money into Mindanao, supposedly to engender economic growth. For a very unusual reason, aside from the Makar Wharf, It funded the construction of a $ 50 million dollar charity airport in General Santos City which is far better and superior than the best airport infrastructure in the Philippines. Its concrete runway is twice thick than the average commercial airport of the same standards.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/jjc1384/ges-r.jpg

Its the first international standards airport build in the Philippines. It is also the only airport in the Philippines with FAA approved airport specification standards. Unlike all other new airports constructed in the Philippines, It is also the only airport built without passenger and cargo traffic projections other than as a replacement of Buayan Airport. The idea was to make it a cargo hub for EAGA as what the government proclaims. The airport is designed to accommodate the world’s biggest and heaviest airplanes, that includes the AN-225 and the Airbus 380, and with much more traffic than it actually needs. In fact, GES is far bigger than what our eyes can presently see. Its plan calls for a 2 runway system with a possible expansion for 2 more if the need arises. The entire reservation is far bigger than Clark Airbase yet we see nothing other than cattle ranches and pineapple plantations.

General Santos International Airport was completed in 1998 and by 1999, at the time of Joseph Estrada's presidency, a more friendly Senate approved the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA, which allowed U.S. troops to conduct military exercises in the Philippines. Its got a funny name too. COOPERATIVE SECURITY LOCATIONS (CSL) facility with a classified purpose. And it was never used even once by the US military.

Kimber posted an article about it being a white elephant. But is it really? In economic sense, it was, because basically its an over-sized and underutilized airport.

However we must remember that its a USAID funded project. Meaning, a donated airport free from Filipino taxpayers money. In essence, US taxpayers finance the project. Therefore it cost us nothing to build it.

But why do the US built it for free when they could have finance Davao, Cagayan de Oro or Zamboanga airport instead, but never bothered to even consider one of them? Weird? And the government is not even surprise. Well, I am.

The answer to that question is because the US military need access whenever they needed it. To overcome restrictions imposed by its hosts on its actions, the US is aiming for “assured access” which is defined as “the guaranteed ability for the United States to do what it wants when it wants, where it wants, from and via a foreign territory.” Focus pointed that the US has therefore been working to secure agreements that lock-in this assurance. Hence, the USAID magic formula. Clark was envisioned to be not viable anymore because of its increasing need as a commercial airport.

Lessons learned in the gulf war showed that despite technological advances which project overseas bases to be obsolete and unnecessary, the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan proved that the US could still not do without them. It is these bases after all which allow the US to “take the battle to the enemy” as argued by Focus in its analysis, to which I agree.

Bernie might have the answer to that question only that its true. Sadly,its always denied as it is highly classified. But in the Philippines, there is always a security breach. Its not a question of possibility anymore but a question of when. Sooner or later they will have access to it, as agreed.

Come to think of it! Freebies always have strings attached, one way or the other.

[mwg12a]

yes youre right only us mindanaons can tell people how safe our place is becuase as what youve said this is our place and we know our place very well, more than anyone else who really dont know the true situation.

i bet, youre one of the people who are fond of generalization, people used the word "Mindanao", when theres something bad that happened...i tell you, davao is the safest place to live in the philippines after all howcome davao has been awareded the title as the "Most Livable city in the philippines", visit davao and experience it for yourself...

davao is even safer compared to manila...(a lot of people saying that)...

No, i was just telling you the truth that whenever I would travel outside the country, the Philippines specifically the southern part and Mindanao would be one of those places being discouraged to go to, ofcourse I would visit davao given a chance since I know and is aware what part of mindanao can be considered "unsafe". I'm also aware that Manila has histories in terroristic targets for bombing but it never stopped me from visiting the Philippines.

[davaob4now]

No, i was just telling you the truth that whenever I would travel outside the country, the Philippines specifically the southern part and Mindanao would be one of those places being discouraged to go to, ofcourse I would visit davao given a chance since I know and is aware what part of mindanao can be considered "unsafe". I'm also aware that Manila has histories in terroristic targets for bombing but it never stopped me from visiting the Philippines.

and thats because of generalizations...

[xzibit31]

Well, only you guys would see that because you live there but as far a foreign affairs is concerned, that redflag by embassies like the US hasn't really lifted that warning to it's citizen. We can thank our muslim brothers for these. Don't blame me or even crucify me. I didn't do that to my parent's former homeland. That bombing of the airport way back still hasn't been erased in alot of people's mind. We know not too long ago, there was this encounter between the Philippines troops and the muslim rebels. I know it's hard for you guys to accept this but Basilan is in Mindanao... There is this old saying in the Philippines " sakit sa kasukasuan damay ang buong katawan" I am not trying to put Mindanao down but it's just the facts of life. That's why I keep on saying. Thanks to the muslim rebels foreigners are scared to try visiting certain places in the Philippines. Luckily, DVO still enjoy the influx of foreign tourists who are mainly from Korea but that's probably because there are alot of Koreans now living in the Philippines so they see what you guys see in DVO or Mindanao so they won't have second thoughts in visiting parts of Mindanao.

i beg to differ on this. davao has been declared safe by many embassies. i have no idea about other places.

[mwg12a]

And how would you know what is being adviced in each countries internal affairs as far as what their government's advice to it's own citizens? I know for sure that the US foreign affairs office has advices to its citizen to be "cautious" in traveling to certain countries or in the Philippines as far as areas to go to which especifically refers to the southern Philippines. I mean, right now, there is no total ban in traveling in the southern Philippines but the US citizens are always adviced for their own safety.

[xzibit31]

And how would you know what is being adviced in each countries internal affairs as far as what their government's advice to it's own citizens? I know for sure that the US foreign affairs office has advices to its citizen to be "cautious" in traveling to certain countries or in the Philippines as far as areas to go to which especifically refers to the southern Philippines. I mean, right now, there is no total ban in traveling in the southern Philippines but the US citizens are always adviced for their own safety.

cautious is the word. i would know because i have a brother who is an australian citizen, i have a sister who is an american citizen, i have cousins who are citizens of spain, england, france, germany, and norway. they have been travelling to davao with their respective spouses and upo asking their respective foreign affairs in their countries, they were cleared to go to davao as there was no travel advisories for davao that was advised. they war instructed however not to go to the cites of gensan, zamboanga, cdo, and any cities in mindanao except for davao. that is why i know and i wont post anything here that is contrary to my knowledge.

[mwg12a]

Yeah, if they are married to a pinay or a filipino, they would surely attempt because their pinoy/pinay spouses knows better. I'm refering to those ones with no real affinity to any pinoys. The US religious missionaries can be considered as an exception because they go anywhere regardless, they are very aware of the situations in the Philippines so they know how to position themselves strategically.

[davaoeagle]

It's funny that much (and I'm not saying all of them) of the converted US or even Canadian citizens are the ones showing white feathers in travelling to their country of origin. I mean look around and you'll see a lot of caucasians who can be easy preys of kidnappers and terrorists. They are the ones braving this ultra monolithic advisories. Look at the divers of Samal Island or Tawi-Tawi or the surfers at Siargao. These are caucasians not married to any locals but they're there and they are having fun. Mindanao has always been classified as dangerous place to go for US and Canada (and I'm speaking of Canada because I am a citizen) but Davao has always been rated as safe- and this can be attributed to it's well-looked peace and order situation which is in fact much better than anywhere else in the country. Lumping Davao with the whole of Mindanao has always been its achilles' heel and we blame the irresponsible media for that and of course those of us who are rather callous in believing what is real and what is concocted by the hungry media personalities.

[xzibit31]

Yeah, if they are married to a pinay or a filipino, they would surely attempt because their pinoy/pinay spouses knows better. I'm refering to those ones with no real affinity to any pinoys. The US religious missionaries can be considered as an exception because they go anywhere regardless, they are very aware of the situations in the Philippines so they know how to position themselves strategically.

d ha. there you go again generalizing. dont over generalize. how come i get to see alot of caucasians here in davao. mag asawa pa at walang kasamang mga pinoy. how come i get to see alot of them in the marco polo hotel, apo view hotel, roayl mandaya hotel..

as i said, dont give sweeping generalizations.

[Govinda]

Yeah, if they are married to a pinay or a filipino, they would surely attempt because their pinoy/pinay spouses knows better. I'm refering to those ones with no real affinity to any pinoys. The US religious missionaries can be considered as an exception because they go anywhere regardless, they are very aware of the situations in the Philippines so they know how to position themselves strategically.

huh ? here you go again with your generalisations and yet you haven't seen the real situation...Just for your necessary info, there are foreigners, OTHER THAN THOSE WHO ARE MARRIED TO FILIPINO WOMEN, in DVO because of :

1.) Multinational companies. In fact, my next door neighbours in our office building are a Dutch company and an Arab company.
2.) Business. There are foreigners here who are engaged in business like restaurants, bars etc...of course with Filipino business partners.
3.) Yes you are correct - foreign missions..
4.) International Organisations - USAid, AUSaid, United Nations, German Doctors etc...
5.) Tourists...

[mwg12a]

d ha. there you go again generalizing. dont over generalize. how come i get to see alot of caucasians here in davao. mag asawa pa at walang kasamang mga pinoy. how come i get to see alot of them in the marco polo hotel, apo view hotel, roayl mandaya hotel..

as i said, dont give sweeping generalizations.

huh ? here you go again with your generalisations and yet you haven't seen the real situation...Just for your necessary info, there are foreigners, OTHER THAN THOSE WHO ARE MARRIED TO FILIPINO WOMEN, in DVO because of :

1.) Multinational companies. In fact, my next door neighbours in our office building are a Dutch company and an Arab company.
2.) Business. There are foreigners here who are engaged in business like restaurants, bars etc...of course with Filipino business partners.
3.) Yes you are correct - foreign missions..
4.) International Organisations - USAid, AUSaid, United Nations, German Doctors etc...
5.) Tourists...

Did I even say there was no foreigners visiting DVO, but comparing to Cebu and further north there are lesser in your area this is why there are less foreign airlines servicing DVO and non in GenSan then some in Zambo area..

USAid and such would definitely go there because they know they would be protected one way or another, by US troops and by the Philippine troops. That is not what I am saying... That is why I said those who have affiliations and contacts with the filipinos and has been in the Philippines or atleast informed by their filipino contacts go there. So what the hell are you talking about??? If I have not really been in your area and even Cebu, I wouldn't be able to tell truely, but I have..

[Yre]

Did I even say there was no foreigners visiting DVO, but comparing to Cebu and further north there are lesser in your area this is why there are less foreign airlines servicing DVO and non in GenSan then some in Zambo area..

USAid and such would definitely go there because they know they would be protected one way or another, by US troops and by the Philippine troops. That is not what I am saying... That is why I said those who have affiliations and contacts with the filipinos and has been in the Philippines or atleast informed by their filipino contacts go there. So what the hell are you talking about??? If I have not really been in your area and even Cebu, I wouldn't be able to tell truely, but I have..


It's already pointed out to you that you're generalizing and being condescending will not help with your argument.

The discussion also has deviated away from the thread's main topic, so why not just drop it.

[arianespace]

^^
Government information like the one posted by ZukiChiro in the Zamboanga City thread could be the reason of mwg12a's generalization. Can't blame him though. If I remember correctly, that's the same reason why Cebu doesn't want to be associated with the Philippines in the Ceboom era in the late 80's and early 90's. Cebu instead marketed itself as the "island in the Pacific".

Although I must agree that it was indeed a sweeping statement. Even the US embassy and its State Department sweep it just the same. Anyhow, I'm not surprise. The tourists are still coming in droves, not necessarily those coming from the US of A.

US issues travel warning vs parts of Mindanao
01/28/2009 | 11:38 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Citing threats from kidnap gangs, terrorists and "lawless groups," the United States on Wednesday (Manila time) issued a travel warning against the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.

In its travel warning, the US State Department particularly warned US citizens on the risks of travel to Mindanao and the Sulu area.

"The State Department warns US citizens of the risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling there," it said.

Last Jan. 15, armed men abducted three staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Sulu. Armed men abducted three schoolteachers in Zamboanga last Friday.

In its travel warning, the US State Department also advised travelers to "exercise extreme caution" in the central and western portions of Mindanao, as well as in the Sulu Archipelago.

"Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008, there have been sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del
Norte, as well as the Sulu Archipelago. Kidnap for ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners," it said.

Also, it said US government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago.

"Travelers to these areas should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security," it said.

On the other hand, the State Department said it remains concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world.

:ohno::ohno:

[mwg12a]

It's already pointed out to you that you're generalizing and being condescending will not help with your argument.

The discussion also has deviated away from the thread's main topic, so why not just drop it.

What's condescending on the fact that is true?? Besides, my main point here was that why are you guys arguing and comparing which one is bigger, gensan, DVO and such??? As if the two airports needs this enormous space when the passenger activities in that area doesn't even exceed more than 3 million passengers a year. Besides, just like what arianspace posted on the reason why GenSan were built the way it is... it's not necessarily because of the increasing amount of passenger activities in GenSantos. It was funded and built by the US government so that in the event the US military needs a facility for it's military operations, they can use it, first of, it's far from Manila and the prying eyes of the media.. I just don't get why you guys are so hyped in comparing which one has the bigger facilities and airport to the point you guys are comparing the passenger activities of DVO, GenSan and Zamboanga airport. GenSantos is under utililized... but it was built that way not because of the need but for the US troops when the need for it arise.

Oh, I just noticed arianspace's new post. Thank you kind sir for clarifying it for us. They think I am putting them down in Mindanao when in fact, I was just stating the reality because I don't live in a lala land or a wonderland, I see the reality. Who doesn't want Mindanao to be progressive? I'm not a bisaya but I am proud for the Cebu's accomplishments and progress...

[xzibit31]

^^

this will get us nowhere. i will just not reply anymore to this so that this will stop.:lol:

[Yre]

^^

this will get us nowhere. i will just not reply anymore to this so that this will stop.:lol:

:lol: :bash:

[mwg12a]

^^

this will get us nowhere. i will just not reply anymore to this so that this will stop.:lol:

yeah you both could refer to what arianspace's post and the articles he posted, it's very credible and sensible. he highlighted the points i was trying to say either. And No, i am not really putting you guys down, just don't get why you guys argue about which airport is big as if it's a big big competition.

[Yre]

yeah you both could refer to what arianspace's post and the articles he posted, it's very credible and sensible. he highlighted the points i was trying to say either. And No, i am not really putting you guys down, just don't get why you guys argue about which airport is big as if it's a big big competition.

Look, GES runway and its space for future expansion is literally bigger than that of Davao or any airport in the country (correct me if i'm wrong). No one was contesting that.

You suddenly butted in on something that you have no business in and made some sweeping generalization to the people of Mindanao and cited several other issues not even related to the topic they were discussing. What do you think would the reaction of the people in Mindanao then?

Let's drop it now, okay?

[mwg12a]

Like I said, the point I was making is legit, it was even be supported by arianspace posts and articles especially when it comes to "warning" given by US foreign affairs intended for all it's citizens traveling to the Philippines. You guys just interpret my comments differently and are too sensitive .

I am not sure if Gen Santos is really the biggest in the country, I was thinking Clark is the biggest and the biggest in asia but, we can research this for sure. Now before you reacted on this again, I am not from Clark, I am not from Cebu I am not from Davao so those places I've mention has no footing on my part. None of them benefits me and I can careless if one is bigger than the other, most important thing to me is if I visit those places, there is an airport I can land in.


But you are right, there is no need to even argue about all these, if you guys feel you are right, so be it... I have my idea or opinion about it I'm sure there are others have their own either.

[earlat]

^^:ohno: OMG. This is becoming a warzone..

[GearX]

http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb26/images/index.jpg
Stuck in asphalt. Workers try to free a Cebu Pacific A320 aircraft that got stuck on the freshly asphalted taxiway as it prepared to take off at the domestic airport yesterday. Several flights were delayed as it took five hours to move the plane with the help of airbag lifted and giant hydraulic jacks. No one was hurt among the 161 passengers and four crewmembers in the early morning flight to General Santos. – Jay Chua

[earlat]

^^I heard this news. Waah, this must be very scary. :ohno::ohno:

[chevy_boy]

E6wZakbSM5s

[chevy_boy]

^^ video with 2 Cebu Pacific Planes (1 A320 for Manila and 1 A319 for Cebu) and 1 PAL Plane (Airbus A330-300 for Manila)

[njdhodz]

In her Independence Day speech at Koronadal City last Friday, June 12, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bared her administration’s moves to modernize and improve the General Santos International Airport to the tune of P121 million.

Citing the need to push South Central Mindanao’s tourism destinations, the president remarked that part of her plans to improve on the economy of the country is to invest more on infrastructure, and this is where GenSan International Airport’s rehab comes in.

She further explained that the Department of Transportation and Communications has budgeted P40 million, including the P10 million last year for the rehab of the terminal building facilities of the GenSan International Airport and the construction of its perimeter fence.

For 2010, DOTC officials added P81 million for the provision and rehabilitation of air navigation and air traffic control facilities, improvement of the control tower and fire station buildings, and the construction of an administrative building for the airport which has been classified as a Secondary International Airport.

The GenSan International Airport which was constructed mostly from US Aid Funds amounting to$50 million formally opened on July 6, 1996, making it officially 13 years old next month.

For years, it has been rumored to be used by the United States military to increase their presence in the ASEAN region since it boasts of the 3rd longest runway and the biggest land area in the Philippines today.
Fahdingding no está en línea Report Post Reply With Quote

[earlat]

^^ The airport needs much needed repair and renovation.. :(

[earlat]

and not to mention, ayusin nila ang palikuran sa Airport coz it's dirty. :ohno:

[mwg12a]

Anong ibig sabihin ng "palikuran"? parang rotunda sa mga sasakyan?

[WawaY[625]]

^^ TOILET

[mwg12a]

Aba, may mga tagalog pala akong hindi alam... Ngayon ko lang narinig (nabasa) ang salitang "palikuran".... grrrrrrrrrr talaga itong engalog/taglish Oo, sumisira sa linguahe lol


Salamas po Manong Waway.

[Sky Harbor]

^^ Actually, in aviation terms, palikuran means "lavatory".

[njdhodz]

^^ alam mo na man basta mag bisaya... hahai.. atlest mpaganda na un airport ng gensan...

[carl_vilches21]

Meron bang international flights ang GenSan airport?

[Sky Harbor]

^^ PAL mulled commencing international flights out of GES, but this was scrapped when the Asian financial crisis hit. Merpati Nusantara Airlines started MDO-GES (Manado-General Santos) back in the 1990s, but cut the service after one month due to poor loads. Currently there are no international services out of GES.

[earlat]

^^ PAL mulled commencing international flights out of GES, but this was scrapped when the Asian financial crisis hit. Merpati Nusantara Airlines started MDO-GES (Manado-General Santos) back in the 1990s, but cut the service after one month due to poor loads. Currently there are no international services out of GES.

:ohno:^^ It's just so sad.. And honestly, there's no demand for such flights as of the moment.. But we'll hope for better things to come. :)

[njdhodz]

:ohno:^^ It's just so sad.. And honestly, there's no demand for such flights as of the moment.. But we'll hope for better things to come. :)

^^dadami rin yan flights ng air port ng gensan pag mapaganda na...hehehe :cheers::cheers:

[mwg12a]

^^^^ Hindi naman sa ganda ng airport ang ikadadami ng services ng mga airliners. Dahil yan sa demand. Kung ang demand ay naanduon, kahit pangit ang airport, dadami at dadami rin yon.

[njdhodz]

^^ganon bah..!!?

[WawaY[625]]

^^ syempre naman, subukan mong magtayo ng napakagandang airport sa digos, sa tingin mo biglang magiging busy international airport yun?

sa tingin mo pag dinoble natin ang size ng GES ngayon eh dodoble din ang traffic?

[marlowe_cano]

i agree with WaWaY! GenSan's present airport needs much rehabilitation/renovation NO more...

What an airport really needs is the ability to serve planes that are not hazardous and critical for landing/takeoff... As for now, GENSAN has its abilities... No need for major improvement... RENOVATION for that matter... Just have its regular maintenance of its terminal, runway capabilities and navigational controls such as the tower control facility....

Moreover, DEMAND is the ultimate factor if any great rehab/renovation is needed... As of now, the airport doesn't need it.. GENSAN AIRPORT possesses one of the longest RUNWAY LENGTH in the country to date... No need for major overhaul... Congrats GenSan... :okay:

[earlat]

^^ Totoo yan. Demand is very important. Kung walang demand, walang Airline ang mag-ooperate.. :(

[earlat]

Mingaw cya nga thread.... :(

[Fraulein]

May family made comment once we land in Gen San airport:

My nanay said "Ang liit naman ng airport. At medyo malayo iparada ang airplance sa arrival area." We use Aibus 330 (Philippine Airlines)

My tita said "Ang lawak ng paligid pero ang airport, ang liit." Before we land, she saw how beautiful and greenery the place surrounded the airport.

My cousin said "Sobrang plain ng airport. Wala namang ka-design design. Unlike sa Davao." After we made check-in before we depart for Manila.


Yun lang po. :)

[kiretoce]

^^ No offense to your family, but, what a bunch of whiners. :ohno:

[julzandrew]

haha.. nice comment kiretoce

[Noize_320]

^^ sadly, we can't do anything about that for now...GES is still far from ZAM, CGY and DVO's passenger stats...pero it could be good if theres a little bit of renovation just to freshen it up a bit ;)

[julzandrew]

yes,, DOTC please improve our airports!!

[Fahdingding]

^^ sadly, we can't do anything about that for now...GES is still far from ZAM, CGY and DVO's passenger stats...pero it could be good if theres a little bit of renovation just to freshen it up a bit ;)

Why GENSAN has low passenger traffic?

Because wala masyado pumupunta sa GENSAN at SOCSKSARGEN Region...

Solution: Develop the tourism industry to attract people to come to our region especially foreigner and those from visayas and luzon!

pati strengthen the business climate of our city...

Kahit gawin pa nilang palasyo ang airport kung wala sila pupuntahan dito sa GENSAN... WALA...

[Fahdingding]

i agree with WaWaY! GenSan's present airport needs much rehabilitation/renovation NO more...

What an airport really needs is the ability to serve planes that are not hazardous and critical for landing/takeoff... As for now, GENSAN has its abilities... No need for major improvement... RENOVATION for that matter... Just have its regular maintenance of its terminal, runway capabilities and navigational controls such as the tower control facility....

Moreover, DEMAND is the ultimate factor if any great rehab/renovation is needed... As of now, the airport doesn't need it.. GENSAN AIRPORT possesses one of the longest RUNWAY LENGTH in the country to date... No need for major overhaul... Congrats GenSan... :okay:

SAKTO ka PRE...

[marlowe_cano]

Why GENSAN has low passenger traffic?

Because wala masyado pumupunta sa GENSAN at SOCSKSARGEN Region...

Solution: Develop the tourism industry to attract people to come to our region especially foreigner and those from visayas and luzon!

pati strengthen the business climate of our city...

Kahit gawin pa nilang palasyo ang airport kung wala sila pupuntahan dito sa GENSAN... WALA...

correct! GENSAN has really the potentials when it comes to tourism industry... mindanao na mindanao ang dating.. can't wait to convert Sarangani Island into so-called "Boracay of the South..." It's a matter of implementation na lng, GENSAN needs the work, coz it has what it takes 2 be! :)

[patlite_boy]

I think Gen San Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao as seen on google earth. Government can even construct 4 parallel runways up to 7 kilometers in length.


Is this airport build by Americans or DOTC?

[Yre]

I think Gen San Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao as seen on google earth. Government can even construct 4 parallel runways up to 7 kilometers in length.


Is this airport build by Americans or DOTC?

By the americans and until now the populace doesn't know the official reason why it was built for free, or is it?. :)

[patlite_boy]

By the americans and until now the populace doesn't know the official reason why it was built for free, or is it?. :)

^^They also want to use the airport for free in landing and take-off for their military aircraft:ohno:

[arianespace]

^^By the americans and until now the populace doesn't know the official reason why it was built for free, or is it?. :)

back-read my post on this thread to find out.:)

[kiretoce]

^^ Or, you can just post a link to your post. ;)

[patlite_boy]

eh halos lahat ng major airports sa pinas asphalt.. maliban nalang dito sa GES. ah yeah, sa Laokan Airport din pala sa Baguio.

^^Clark's primary runway is also pure concrete without asphalt overlay same as Gen San. Halos parehas ang standard nila coz both were build by the Americans. Parehas pa silang may Chevron on both ends of runways which is made up of asphalt

[njdhodz]

^^ babalik na bah ang pal?

[Fraulein]

^^ babalik na bah ang pal?

What do you mean? ^^

[chevy_boy]

Rajah Buayan Air Base

Rajah Buayan Air Base was one of the Philippine Air Force's newest facilities in 2009. It was also one of its most southerly bases. The base has a single 5,577 foot by 98 foot runway. (Coordinates: 6o6'20.002 N, 121o14'2.000 E)

Rajah Buayan Air Base occupies what once was the region's only major airport, General Santos Airport. In 1996, the Philippines finished construction of a second, larger civilian airport, approximately 9 miles to the west. It was financed with $50 million in US aid and was known both as General Santos International Airport and Tambler Airport. After it opened, the old General Santos Airport was shut down and shifted to military use, being renamed Rajah Buayan Air Base.

[chevy_boy]

GenSan's PAL Mabuhay Lounge
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1847.jpg

GenSan International Airport's Pre-Departure Area
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1850.jpg

Cebu Pacific Flight 250 for Mactan-Cebu
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1854.jpg

Soon to be expanded Terminal Building
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1857.jpg

[chevy_boy]

GenSan Airport Gate 2
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1852.jpg

[chevy_boy]

PAL Airbus A340 parked at Bay 2, General Santos International Aiport
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1803.jpg

Cebu Pacific (A320) and PAL (A340) at GenSan
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1806.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Pictures of Cebu Pacific flight 993 from Manila

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1806.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1817.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1824.jpg

[chevy_boy]

PAL PR 453 from Manila (Airbus A340-300)

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1809.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1816.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1818.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1830.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1835.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Arrival Area

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1833.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific flight 994 departing GenSan

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/CIMG1834.jpg

[chevy_boy]

GSIA ramp during PGMA's visit last June

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/DSC00288.jpg

[chevy_boy]

The Presidential jet in GenSan

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/DSC00299.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/DSC00289.jpg

[chevy_boy]

Cebu Pacific flight 5J 996 for Manila at Bay 1

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/DSC00301.jpg

[njdhodz]

^^ maganda un pic. salamat sa pag upload... magandang gensan

[mwg12a]

Gen Santos Airports needs an overhaul bad it seems like. The exterior doesn't look too bad but the interior is definitely in it's sorry state.

I didn't know that there is an Philippine presidential plane already? was that a B727? I'm glad they have atleast one like that.

[Sky Harbor]

^^ That's the presidential F28 used for the President's domestic trips.

[blue++]

^^
nice pictures!!! like it!! the airport seems sooo big...big space or expansion...sa inyo po dyan, ano mas matingbang, CEB or PAL?? hope to see soon, BCD-GES flights.....:)

[lochinvar]

"Gen Santos Airports needs an overhaul bad it seems like."

I thought the runway is first class. Maybe you are referring to the terminal.

[arianespace]

^^ That's the presidential F28 used for the President's domestic trips.

The President doesn't even ride that one. Look further right. That is Air Force One.

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/johnjamesli/DSC00299.jpg

[chevy_boy]

^^
nice pictures!!! like it!! the airport seems sooo big...big space or expansion...sa inyo po dyan, ano mas matingbang, CEB or PAL?? hope to see soon, BCD-GES flights.....:)

Cebu Pacific.... hehehe especially the Cebu- GenSan flight.... :banana:

[Sky Harbor]

The President doesn't even ride that one. Look further right. That is Air Force One.

If the President doesn't use the F28, then who does?

[pi_malejana]

If the President doesn't use the F28, then who does?

maybe it serves as a decoy... or maybe PGMA is just scared to ride her aging plane...:D
hmm, now that arianespace has said it, the security details of the president (when flying) has been compromised...:lol::nuts:

:cheers:

[earlat]

^^
nice pictures!!! like it!! the airport seems sooo big...big space or expansion...sa inyo po dyan, ano mas matingbang, CEB or PAL?? hope to see soon, BCD-GES flights.....:)

^^ Cebu Pacific coz they serve the Cebu-GES and vv.. Although may PAL Express but I haven't tried pa.. :D (biased ako) :D