PR/5J/2P/PQ | Philippine-Based Carriers

[TeslaCoil]

great news

[TeslaCoil]

sad news

[Chrisvenz]

PAL A333 Take-Off Incident at Sydney Out

By Simon Hradecky

The Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) released their final report stating, that after the Airbus began the takeoff roll, the tower controller advised they had no takeoff clearance, so that the crew discontinued the takeoff.

The crew had been planning and prepared a departure from runway 34L. While taxiing to the runway, air traffic control inquired whether the crew could accept a departure from runway 25. The crew recalculated the performance and accepted runway 25, however, underestimated the shortened taxi time and the impact on their briefing. While taxiing on taxiway Golf, the crew reported ready for departure and was cleared to line up runway 25 and hold, fly heading 240. The takeoff clearance however was withheld, as a Boeing 737 was cleared to cross the runway at taxiway Bravo. That reason however was not provided to the Airbus crew. The Boeing was on a different radio frequency, so that the Airbus crew was not aware of the Boeing at all.

A Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration RP-C3333 performing flight RP212 from Sydney,NS to Melbourne,VI (Australia), was cleared to line up departure runway and hold, but the crew commenced takeoff despite another (unspecified) Boeing 737 crossing the runway.

The Australian Transportation Safety Board was investigating the incident and came out with this report.


The Airbus crew read back their clearance, however without the "and hold" portion, the tower controller did not challenge the missing hold.

The aircraft lined up runway 25 and commenced the takeoff without having received the takeoff clearance. A tower controller saw the aircraft moving and instructed the crew to hold position, which was queried by the crew. The controller then instructed the crew to cancel the takeoff, to which the crew reacted and aborted the takeoff. The Sydney ground radar showed, that the airplane had reached a maximum speed of 29 knots. The Airbus subsequently vacated the runway and returned to the holding point, where a takeoff clearance was issued. The aircraft departed without further incident.

The Australian Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) required, that controllers should issue traffic information as appropriate and should advise crew of the "nature of obstructions if it is not apparent", when aircraft are delayed by the traffic situation.

The ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services specified, that a departure instruction may be combined with a takeoff clearance, however did not provide the option to combine a departure instruction with the line up clearance.

The MATS however permitted the combination of a departure instruction with the line up clearance.

The ATSB said, that the combination of the departure instruction with the line up clearance provided an ambiguity to the flight crew, who were not used to hear such a combination. The inclusion of the reason for the delayed takeoff clearance could have reduced the likelihood of a misunderstanding by the crew. The controller did not challenge the missing "and wait" in the readback missing another opportunity to remove any ambiguity. Instead of "stop immediately" the controller issued a "hold position" instruction, which was not understood by the crew so that they questioned what was being said. ATC phraseology should be clear, concise and unambiguous and should reflect international practises and standards where possible, especially with regards to instructions to international aircraft and in safety critical situations.

The flight crew was distracted with departure preparations and provided themselves with little time to brief and comprehend the change to their departure. Had the crew not put themselves under that pressure, they may have been less distracted and may have correctly comprehended the ATC instructions. When the crew was instructed to line up and hold runway 25 combined with the departure instruction to fly heading 240, the crew erroneously took this as a takeoff clearance. The confusion was amplified by the departure instruction, which had only been heard together with a takeoff clearance before.

Air Services Australia, responsible for providing Air Traffic Control, reviewed their procedures to bring them in line with the ICAO standards. The necessary changes to MATS will commence in the August 2009 release. (avherald.com)

[Chrisvenz]

SIA Adds Fourth Daily Flight to MNL
Singapore expands Manila and HongKong as it loses a quarter of its passenger traffic

18 June 2009

Singapore Airlines has announced Wednesday that it will add a fourth triple seven daily flight between Singapore and Manila from 10 July.

Huang Cheng Eng, Executive Vice-President of Marketing for Singapore Airlines, said that "The frequency increase on this route underscores the strong and growing economic, business and tourism links between Singapore and the Philippines. It also improves the connectivity of Manila to the rest of the world."

"The scheduling of the four services to depart and arrive at various times during the day between the two cities gives our customers more options to choose a flight which better suits their travel needs."

The increase from three to four daily flights will expand capacity by more than 20%. The increase in capacity was made possible as a result of recent bilateral air services agreements signed between Singapore and the Philippines recently.

To give customers more flight options to suit their travel needs and to reduce transit times for onward departures from Singapore Changi Airport, the airline decided to re-time one of its present Manila services.

SQ916 will depart Singapore at 14:10 and arrive in Manila at 17:45. The return flight SQ921 will depart Manila at 18:50 and arrive in Singapore at 22:20.

While SQ912 will be re-timed to depart Singapore at 12:10 and arrive in Manila at 15:45, while the return flight, SQ919 will leave Manila at 16:50 and arrive in Singapore at 20:20.
Singapore Airlines has been bullish on the Philippine market despite massive 62.8 % drop of passenger traffic from its route network as it continues to be hit by the global financial crisis with the carrier shedding a quarter of its passenger numbers during the past year.

The airline carried 1.2 million passengers in May, compared with almost 1.6 million for the same month last year, according to figures released on Tuesday. In contrast, Manila and Hongkong traffic has been on the rise lately which prompted them to introduce additional flights.

Singapore Airlines will also launch A380 flights on the Singapore-Hong Kong route on July 9, 2009 replacing an existing daily Boeing 777-300ER service. The operation of the 471-seat Singapore Airlines A380 to Hong Kong represents an increase of ten per cent in seat capacity to the City. The Airlines currently operates five daily non-stop flights between Singapore and Hong Kong, along with daily non-stop services between Hong Kong and San Francisco.

Singapore Airlines currently has eight A380s in service, a further 11 on firm order, and options on six more.

[Chrisvenz]

NEW ALL IN PROMO FARES ON PAL DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
(Exclusive of Aviation Security fee)

Selling Period: 22 to 27 June 2009
Travelling Period: 22 July to 15 December 2009

LUZON
For as low as PHP888 for flights

Flights between MANILA and LAOAG, LEGAZPI and PUERTO PRINCESA

VISAYAS
For as low as PHP888 for flights

Flights between MANILA and BACOLOD, CEBU, DUMAGUETE, ILOILO, KALIBO
ROXAS, TACLOBAN and TAGBILARAN

MINDANAO
For as low as PHP1,888 for flights

Flights between MANILA and BUTUAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO, COTABATO, DAVAO
DIPOLOG, GENERAL SANTOS and ZAMBOANGA

Selling Period: 08 to 27 June 2009
Travelling Period: 16 June to 15 December 2009

For as low as PHP1,288 for flights

Flights between MANILA and OZAMIZ

Because you deserve a better deal!

Promo applies to PAL services only.

For bookings, call PAL Reservations in Manila: (02) 855-8888, Cebu: (032) 340-0191, Davao: (082) 222-0366 or your travel agent.

Conditions for travel:

Valid for one way or roundtrip travel on economy class
Limited seats only on this fare
Go show/Open dated is not allowed
confirmed booking is required
Rebooking-PHP600 per coupon
Tickets are non-refundable
Valid for sale until 27 June 2009 only
Valid for travel until 15 December 2009 only
No Mileage Accruals
Valid only for sale in the Philippines

[Chrisvenz]

Government agency spends P14 million for Bible study
By Rainier Allan Ronda Updated June 23, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines – The newly created Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is currently spending more than P14 million for a “values education” and “purpose driven life” seminar for all its employees.

Employees of the CAAP, who requested anonymity, told The STAR that retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) general Ruben Ciron, CAAP director general, has allotted a budget of P14,819,080 for a supposed “Spiritual Advancement Values Education” (SAVE) program that started in September 2008.

The program reportedly entails an employee attending “multi-level” 25-hour values education and “purpose-driven life” seminars supervised by Ciron’s consultant, Bishop Ernesto Sacro who, like the CAAP chief, is a retired military general or a Philippine Navy commodore.

So-called “organic” CAAP employees, or those that have been absorbed from its forerunner, the Air Transportation Office (ATO), characterized the SAVE program as a highly suspicious and unnecessary undertaking that uses up much of the agency’s funds and even diverts its focus as it tries to regain a Category I status with the United States’ Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) that it lost in December 2007.

“We should be focusing our resources and our energies towards satisfying the US FAA requirements so that we can regain Category I status which is the main reason why the CAAP was created,” a source told The STAR.

“But with this Bible study program of the CAAP leadership, we have wasted our funds as well as the precious time of our employees,” the source added.

The CAAP was formed upon signing into law of Republic Act 9497, otherwise known as the CAAP Law, in March 2008.

The passage of the CAAP Law was rushed as the country scrambled to regain Category I status with the US FAA.

The Philippines’ downgrade to Category II status particularly hit the country’s leading carrier, Philippine Airlines, since it was prevented from opening more routes to and from the United States and from upgrading its aircraft on these routes.

Organic CAAP employees had earlier aired dissatisfaction with Ciron’s appointment of numerous fellow retired military officials to key CAAP positions without the requisite civil aviation technical expertise and training.

To avoid questions on the appointment of these unqualified retired military officers, Ciron hired them as “consultants,” the sources said.

[Chrisvenz]

From burgers to airports: George Yang bags right to run Boracay gateway

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

BY KRISTINE JANE R. LIU, Reporter

A COMPANY headed by businessman George T. Yang — known for growing the McDonald’s hamburger chain in the Philippines — has won a 25-year contract to develop and operate an airport which serves as a gateway to the popular resort island of Boracay.

"We are going to make the existing airport an international one that can accommodate bigger planes," Mr. Yang, Caticlan International Airport and Development Corp. (CIADC) chairman, said in an interview.

CIADC and the Transportation department yesterday signed a concession agreement giving the former the right to upgrade, expand and operate the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan in the neighboring island of Panay.

The group’s plan include expanding the under one-kilometer (.95 km) runway to 2.2 km and in the near term expand the existing terminal before constructing a new facility that can accommodate 1.5 million passengers a year.

"Right now, it can accommodate 40 to 50 flights per day but mostly small local planes that have a seating capacity of 30 to 50 passengers. We hope to introduce Airbuses in the future," Mr. Yang said, adding that he expects the number of foreign tourists to go up when regional flights start coming in.

Mr. Yang said they plan to start redevelopment as soon as they get a permit to start. The entire project, he added, will likely take around three to five years and cost some P2.65 billion.

Mr. Yang said this would be his first venture into the airport industry, having focused on the residential, resorts and hotels, and food businesses.

"We joined the bidding because there is a definite need for the [bigger] airports. This is the only privatization that we are interested in so far," he said.

Details of his firm’s offer were not immediately available. The 25-year concession agreement, officials said, is renewable for another 25 years and will be implemented under the build-operate-transfer law.

Adjacent to the airport is a 10-hectare property development which will be the site of an airport hotel, condotels and other commercial establishments. The company plans to have the entire project area declared by the government as a tourism development zone.

The airport upgrade is deemed critical to the overall positioning of Boracay and Aklan as an international tourism destination, particularly for South Koreans and Chinese.

Mr. Yang, who also owns the local McDonald’s franchise through Golden Arches Development Corp., already has existing hotel and leisure developments in Boracay which include the Fairways and Blue Water golf resort and the Balaihara Newcoast Villatel.

[mhek]

14 million pesos for bible study alone?

[sonnyville]

ano ba yan?? kalokohan na yan!

[Chrisvenz]

PAL CUTTING COSTS, FREEZE HIRING AMID GLOBAL SLUMP
23 June 2009
Manila Standard
(c) 2009 Manila Standard, All Rights Reserved

Flag carrier, Philippine Airlines has implemented several cost cutting measures to survive the global economic crisis that has hurt the airline industry.

"These initiatives ranged from limiting staff travel to essential, operational-related trips, to multi-tasking, to replacement of office lights to CFL lamps to cut electricity bills," PAL president Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

Asked to elaborate on the cost cutting measure, the corporate communication division of the airline said "as early as late last year, the PAL management embarked on an internal cost-management program, soliciting the participation of all employees on different cost cutting initiatives."

Bautista said the honest-to goodness cost cutting program was aimed at weeding out unnecessary expenses to enhance business efficiency.

"Staff hiring is also on hold, except for critical line positions," he said. stressing that the airline continued to train flight crew in preparation for the arrival of new Boeing planes to serve the trans-Pacific flights.

Bautista said that being aware of the challenges facing the airline industry, PAL hopes to adapt and cope with the current market volatility by focusing on product improvement, asset and cost management and business efficiency.

Bautista said that to survive the crisis, PAL had undertaken several initiatives that include maintaining the airline's on time performance which, to date , is better than industry standards.

"Improving customer service both ground and in the air, and offering competitive and affordable rates to loyal customers and new passengers will entice them to fly more and patronize Philippine Airlines, " he said.

Bautista said PAL would also optimize its use of capital , aircraft and human resources.

While focusing on cost cutting measure, the airline said it had launched two low fare promos over the last three months, including "Real Deal" in April and "Way to Go" in early June to encourage travel during the lean months, as well as reward loyal customers.

However, both low fare promos - as low as $38 for a round trip ticket to Taipei during the Real Deal promo as $98 to Hong Kong, Macau or Taipei during the Way to Go promo - had limited sale and travel periods.

"PAL maintained full service on all its flights in spite of the special fares,"it said.

The International Air Transport Association earlier predicted that airlines could post combined losses of $9 billion this year with an unprecedented 15 percent revenue drop that will see industry revenues shrink by $80 billion to $448 billion.

Giovanni Bisignani, the director-general and chief executive of the group, said there were no facts to support optimism and that the industry was in survival mode.

-Roderick T. dela Cruz

[Chrisvenz]

Zest Air plane overshoots runway in Caticlan

By Jennifer Garcia, ABS-CBN Iloilo | 06/25/2009 10:15 AM

ILOILO - A Zest Air (formerly Asian Spirit) plane overshot the runway at Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan past 7 a.m. Thursday.

The plane exceeded runway 6 of the airport, but no one was injured, officials said.

As of posting, it was not yet clear why the plane overshot the runway.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the Zest Air plane had 54 passengers, one flight mechanic, and four crew.

Meanwhile, CAAP ordered the cancellation of all flights to Caticlan airport until 6 p.m. Thursday while they are investigating the cause of the incident.

Over thirty flights will be affected by the cancellation.

as of 06/25/2009 12:47 PM

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

Boracay-bound plane overshoots runway in Caticlan, none hurt
Updated June 25, 2009 06:00 PM


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) -- No one was hurt when a small passenger plane overshot the runaway in central Philippines today, carrying tourists to the country's most popular tourist island Boracay, the airline company said.

The 60-seat turboprop aircraft, with flight number Zest Air 863, slipped one of its wheel when it landed at Caticlan airport in Aklan province. It remained stuck in the canal at the end of the runaway, forcing authorities to shut down the airport temporarily, witnesses said.

"Despite what happened, no passengers were injured and there's no need for their families to worry," Alfredo Yao, Chairman of Zest Airways Inc. said. Fifty-five passengers were reportedly on board when the accident occurred.

Flights to Boracay, which lies a stone's throw away from Caticlan, were canceled or transferred to a faraway airport.

It is the second time a Zest Air plane had a landing accident in Caticlan in six months. In January, a similar turboprop aircraft undershot the runaway, wounding at least three.

[Chrisvenz]

RP, UK to amend ASA
Hold talks next month for EU Clause

By Lenie Lectura


THE Philippine air panel will hold bilateral negotiation with its counterpart in the United Kingdom next month to amend the air services agreement (ASA) between the two countries, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Monday said.

“The air talks will be held July 7 to 9. Basically, the main issue in the upcoming air talks is to be able to update the agreement and hopefully include the European Union Community clause in the updated agreement,” said CAB Deputy Executive Director Porvenir Porciuncula in a phone interview on Monday.

Under the existing air pact between the Philippines and the UK, each country is authorized to field seven flights a week for airlines using bigger aircraft such as the Boeing 747, and maximum of 10 weekly flights for smaller aircraft.

“Even if there is no demand, we are open still to discussions to possibly amend the ASA. If there will be proposals to operate the UK-Manila route, then why not? Right now, there is no Philippine carrier mounting flights to UK and vice versa,” added the CAB official.

The Philippine air panel was supposed to hold similar talks with Cambodia this month. “But we did not get any confirmation from them so it would be postponed,” added Porciuncula.

The CAB is a member of the Philippine air panel. The other members are composed of officials from the Departments of Transportation and Communications, of Foreign Affairs, and of Tourism; Clark International Airport Corp.; and representatives from local airline companies.

They are set to hold bilateral negotiations to amend the existing ASA with China, Italy, Iceland and Korea soon, said Porciuncula.

In May, the Philippines and Spain sealed a new ASA, fielding 28-weekly flights for each country. From Manila to Madrid and Barcelona, there were seven flights per week awarded to the Philippines. To Madrid and Barcelona from Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, 14 weekly flights were allocated.

Other points in the country, except Manila and Clark, were allotted seven flights a week. The same goes for Spain in which daily flights were also made available, except for Mardid and Barcelona.

Also, Manila was granted rights to service 200 tons of cargo per week while Clark got 300 tons per week. “For cargo, seven flights per week were also granted,” said CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla.

This was the eighth air pact sealed by the Philippine air panel since the start of the year. Last month a new deal with Singapore was finalized.

ASAs were sealed with Brunei and Australia last March; Kuwait and Bahrain in February; and Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in January.

[Chrisvenz]

Top Operating Airlines in the Philippines


TOP INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES IN THE PHILIPPINES
As of March 2009

RANK AIRLINE NAME CODE PASSENGERS

1 Philippine Airlines PR 880,642

2 Cathay Pacific CX 355,547

3 Cebu Pacific 5J 352,226

4 Asiana Airlines OZ 129,538

5 Singapore Airlines SQ 128,133

6 Northwest Airlines NW 125,598

7 Japan Airlines JO 105,842

8 Emirates Airlines EK 99,376

9 Thai Airways TG 72,039

10 Gulf Air GF 68,971


TOP DOMESTIC AIRLINES IN THE PHILIPPINES
As of March 2009

RANK AIRLINE NAME CODE PASSENGERS

1 Cebu Pacific 5J 1,609,405

2 Philippine Airlines PR 1,512,614

3 Air Philippines 2P 124,516

4 Zest Airways Z2 114,611

5 Seair DG 42,724

[Chrisvenz]

CAAP No Funds for Safety Upgrade
But Earns 3.3 Billion pesos in Revenues and spends 14 million for faith renewal

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) denied that it had not spent a single centavo on the conduct of “values education” and “purpose-driven life” seminars for its employees but admitted that it had a P14.81 million plan to conduct a “Spiritual Advancement Values Education (SAVE)” program but the project has not yet been implemented.

In a press briefing, Ruben Ciron, CAAP Director General who was a retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) General, said that they were still in the process of having the P14.81-million program approved by the CAAP board, headed by Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza who acts as its chairman before funds would be release.

Ciron defended that CAAP was only pursuing the values education program in compliance with a directive of President Gloria Arroyo to lead moral renewal in their respective institutions.

“What we have started is a continuing values education program pursuant to Administrative Order No. 255 issued by President Arroyo on January 30, 2009 directing the heads of the executive department to lead moral renewal in their agencies,” Ciron said.

The agency already conducted values education seminars at the CAAP central office along MIAA Road in Pasay City and in eight major airports nationwide, but such seminar did not spend CAAP funds.

Ciron said the 2,000 employees that have attended the seminars were given free copies of the Bible donated by benefactors but refused to divulged who the sponsors were and who paid for the food and accommodation bills.

Inside source who does not want to be named however disclosed that the unnecessary and overpriced program was already in effect and has disbursed closed to 4 million pesos for the associated expenses which would have been spent for the training of aircraft check pilots and to satisfy the other requirements of the US FAA.

Contrary to CAAP's argument, there may not be available local talents for the vacant job but there are qualified and eligible foreign consultants who are applying but are not considered for unknown reasons. They are supposed to served as instructors and trainers to meet the agency's safety and security requirements but the office opted instead to appoint ex-Air Force Officers as consultant who haven't flown even an Airbus 320 yet has something to say how the pilots fly their plane. How wrong can that be says the insider.

The insider further said that 14 million pesos is enough to hire foreign consultants that applied for the job but not considered and would have expedited FAA deficiency. Even Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific hire expatriates to do the job not locally available.

Meanwhile, CAAP employees said the program only used up much of the agency’s funds as well as employees’ time when the agency was supposed to be focusing on the effort for the country to regain its Category I status with the United States’ Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

[sonnyville]

wow KE is not among in there??

[Chrisvenz]

yup

[Chrisvenz]

Zest Air blames bad weather
as plane overshoots runway

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...90626pro4.html

NEW player and budget airline Zest Airways Inc. blamed bad weather after flight Z2-863 overshot the runway at Caticlan Thursday morning, which prompted the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to close the airport until Friday.

Zest Air owner Alfredo Yao said the MA60 plane with tail number RPC 8992 exceeded the runway of Godofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan because of the abnormal weather.

Just in April this year, another Zest Air plane, formerly Asian Spirit, also experienced the same incident at the Caticlan airport.

Yao said Zest Air’s five MA60 planes were brand-new and the company never used the aircrafts of the old Asian Spirit.

Yao assured that other domestic flights of Zest Air are in normal operation.

Because of the incident, other airline companies canceled their flights to Caticlan on Thursday, while some diverted their passengers to the Kalibo Airport, which is a two-hour drive to Boracay island.

Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific Air Inc., meanwhile, canceled some of its Caticlan flights because of the Zest Air incident.

As of press time, RG Orense, Cebu Pacific corporate communications manager said the company is still waiting for the advisory from CAAP if they can resume their Caticlan flights Friday.

He said because of what happened, Cebu Pacific had mounted extra flights to Kalibo, Aklan to accommodate affected passengers.

The South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR), meanwhile, diverted some of its 12 Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights after CAAP closed the airport.

Budget airline unit of Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, also canceled its six Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights while mounting extra flights to Kalibo to accommodate their affected passengers.
--Chino S. Leyco, Francis Earl Cueto And Allen Antalan

[Chrisvenz]

Philippines' Zest MA60 overshoots runway at Caticlan
By Siva Govindasamy

A Xian Aircraft MA60 turboprop operated by Philippine carrier Zest Airways has overshot the runway while trying to land at Caticlan airport.

The China-made aircraft is stuck in a canal at the end of the runway and the airport will be closed until it has been removed, says Jose Saplan, chief of the aircraft accidents investigations board at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The incident took place around 08:00 and nobody was hurt in the accident, he added. Officials from Zest Airways were unavailable for comment. The aircraft has a local registration RP-C8992.

This is the second incident involving the airline and aircraft type. In January, a MA60 operated by Zest also crashed at Caticlan airport, which is near the resort island of Boracay, while trying to land. The aircraft caught fire and suffered extensive damage to its wing, landing gear, undercarriage and one engines. Several passengers were injured in that accident.

Zest Airways last year ordered five MA60s in 2008 and started operating the 50-60 seat aircraft in late 2008. Just last week, the airline signed an agreement for another six MA60s that will be delivered in October and December this year.

[Chrisvenz]

New airline Spirit of Manila to serve Middle East
By Leithen Francis

A planned new Philippine carrier called Spirit of Manila aims to launch passenger services from Clark in the Philippines to destinations in the Middle East.

An official at the company, who wishes to remain anonymous, confirms the planned carrier has received approval from the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board to launch services to the Middle East.

“Within six months we will be flying and in the next two to three months” hope to get an air operator’s certificate, he says.

Spirit of Manila has been negotiating with an undisclosed leasing company for dry-leases on Boeing 767-300ERs and hopes to conclude a deal soon and receive the first aircraft “in the next few weeks”, says the official.

It is looking to dry-lease two or three 767-300ERs and later add Boeing 747-400s on dry-lease, he says, adding that the day after tomorrow it will begin advertising for pilots and hopes to recruit Filipino pilots working overseas who wish to return home.

Some reports in the Philippines, quoting unnamed sources, say the airline has a minority shareholder from the Middle East but the official ATI spoke to says the carrier is 100% Philippine-owned and that the owners are mostly individual Filipino investors.

He also says: “We will not be competing against Philippine Airlines (PAL) or Cebu Pacific because we will operate out of Clark and not Manila.”

The airline will focus on operating on routes to the Middle East, a region where PAL has refrained from serving in its own right, he says.

These flights will primarily cater to Filipinos working in the Middle East, he says, referring to the thousands of Filipinos who work in the Middle East largely in the household services, hospitality, construction and petrochemical industries.

PAL sells airfares for flights from Manila to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai but these are codeshare flights operated by Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Emirates.

The official was responding to reports in the Philippines quoting the Civil Aeronautics Board deputy executive director, Carmelo Arcilla, as saying the board has just granted approval to Spirit of Manila and TransGlobal Airways to operate to the Middle East.

TransGlobal executives were unavailable for comment today. It is based at Clark - an airport outside Manila – and already operates Boeing 737-200 freighter flights to China and Taiwan.

In January the airline’s director of international marketing, Real Carpio, told ATI the carrier planned to add a Boeing MD-82 and MD-83 for passenger flights to South Korea.

OLD news

[Chrisvenz]

Kabankalan City Airport Construction Making Headway

Construction of the Kabankalan City Airport has already made a lot of headway as Mayor Pedro Zayco is determined that the facility will be operational by 2014.

The airport, situated in Barangay Hilamonan, some four kilometers from the urban center will make it conveniently accessible for the airplane-riding public of the city and the outlying towns and cities in Southern Negros Occidental to avail of modern air transportation to many parts of the country.

According to Mayor Zay-co, the airport will cost approximately P600 million when totally completed.

Messrs. Gino Garaygay, City Administrator and Engr. Rogelio M. Diaz stated that the design of the airport was completed in 2008. The land area of the airport covers 110 hectares of prime lands where 90% has already been paid for. That the CLOA holders have already over P40 million who were paid on the average of P220,000 per hectare.

Later acquisitions cost the city some P290,000 per hectare. NAPOCOR has also acquired several hectares for its office and transmission lines which were sold to them at P1 million per hectare. This price was set by the SP of Kabankalan City during their regular session on December 16, 1998 per Resolution No. 98-2077, when the zoning of the City was finalized.

Construction of the airport, according to Garaygay and Engineer Diaz, the construction will be further accelerated by mid 2009 and 2010 in order to meet the deadline set by Mayor Zayco. By then, access roads from Negros Oriental and in Kabankalan will also be constructed through a loan of P308 million from the Development Bank of the Philippines. These road will be connecting with the towns of Bayawan, Mabinay and Ayungon in Negros Oriental.

Mayor Zayco also affirmed that their projects will be made possible this year and the coming years with the projected increase in the City’s Internal Revenue Allotment which will be up to P569,312, 908.00 as some 16 cities have already been invalidated.

Queried as to what types of planes could be accommodated in this airport, Mayor Zayco said that the ATR 72-500 with a passenger capacity of 62-74 and the DASH 8-400 which has a capacity of 68-78 passengers will be initially accommodated in this facility.

Mayor Zayco paid tribute to the late Gov. Joseph Marañon for having encouraged them to embark on this project.

According to Mayor Zayco, this airport will give impetus to his vision of the continuing socio-economic development of Southern Negros Occidental as well as become the “gateway for eco-tourism projects in this area.”*

(Arman Toga, Butch Gasper, W. Henry O. Streegan)