Luchtvaartnieuws / binnen en buitenland.

[Kano]

Tiger Airways to start Shenzhen-Kalibo flights


Tiger Airways to start Shenzhen-Kalibo flights
by Lenie Lectura, BusinessMirror
Posted at 09/06/2013 7:19 AM | Updated as of 09/06/2013 7:30 AM

MANILA - After launching its maiden flight to Phuket, Tiger Airways Philippines will fly to Shenzhen from Kalibo in November.

The airline's international flights include Clark-Hong Kong; Clark-Bangkok; Clark-Singapore; Clark-Kalibo; Kalibo-Singapore; and Manila-Phuket. Tigerair also flies domestic via Terminal 4 from Manila to Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban.

"After Phuket, we will fly to Shenzhen from Manila sometime in November this year," said Tigerair President Olive Ramos.

The company is also considering launching services to destinations in Japan, South Korea and Macau. "We want to mount daily flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. For South Korea, we want to fly to Incheon and Busan out of Manila and Cebu. In fact, we are going to Japan next week to participate in the air talks there. If possible we want to be granted unlimited seats to Japan," added Ramos.

To address the needed capacity for its additional international routes, Tigerair will purchase via lease agreement three new Airbus A320 next year.

At present, Tigerair operates a fleet of two A319s and three A320s Airbus aircraft.

Tigerair's 13th destination, Manila-Phuket, is seen as "a great contributor to our revenues."

"We want to target the BPOs [business-process outsourcing], the young generation and the senior citizens. The fare for the Manila-Phuket is less than one-third of the regular fare so we are confident that many will choose Tigerair," said Ramos.

Tigerair mounts the Manila-Phuket route every Tuesday and Saturday. Its return flight to Manila is every Wednesday and Sunday.

As the fastest-growing low-cost carrier in the country today, TigerAir offers a gamut of services to complete that memorable travel experience. It earlier launched its Tigerair mobile app that helps the public search for the best flight deals, book tickets and select seats. Tickets can be also be purchased at any 7-Eleven branches nationwide.


Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/09/05/13/tiger-airways-start-shenzhen-kalibo-flights

[Kano]

Cebu Pacific is first PHL carrier to land in Dubai in 15 yrs.



GMA September 12, 2013 4:21pm



Fifteen years after Philippine Airlines (PAL) suspended its flights to Dubai, a Philippine carrier will once again fly to the United Arab Emirates — Cebu Pacific, this time around.

Cebu Pacific will be the first Philippine carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years, starting Oct. 7, to serve over half a million Filipinos working and living in the UAE, president and CEO Lance Gokongwei said Thursday.

Gokongwei was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to meet the budget airline's second brand new Aribus A330-300 which arrived from Toulouse, France

The Manila-Dubai-Manila daily direct flights is the first long haul destination for Cebu Pacific, with fares that are up to 35 percent lower than other carriers, the airline said.

"Since we started international operations, our focus has always been to fly where Filipinos are," Gokongwei said. "With our flights to Dubai, we can bring global Filipinos home faster, not just to Manila but wherever they may be in the Philippines," he added.

The airline claimed its Manila-Dubai-Manila service will be the fastest way to reach the Philippine capital and make same day connections with its local network.

On its maiden Dubai-Manila flight, the airline will bring home "100 Lucky Juans" as part of an initiative to bring home 100 Global Filipinos for free.

PAL is also launching its direct flights to Dubai, starting Nov. 1.

PAL first flew to Dubai on August 4, 1982. The flag carrier was forced to suspended all operations on on Sept. 23, 1998 as the Asian financial crisis deepened — a situation that was aggravated by industrial action by PAL labor unions, which in turn compelled the airliner to pull out of most routes and drastically reduce its fleet. – Danessa Rivera/VS, GMA News



Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/326192/economy/companies/cebu-pacific-is-first-phl-carrier-to-land-in-dubai-in-15-yrs

[Luke]

Prima! Meer plaats op de andere carriers...hopelijk 

[Kano]

AirAsia suspends Clark flights



Philstar By Reynaldo G. Navales
Monday, September 16, 2013

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippines' AirAsia has announced the suspension of its flights to Davao, Kalibo, Taipei and Hong Kong from Clark International Airport effective October 9, 2013.

Clark-Hong Kong flights, however, will resume from December 20, 2013 to January 6, 2014 to cater to the demands of the Christmas holidays.

Maan Hontiveros, chief executive officer of Philippines' AirAsia, said the temporary suspension will be implemented to manage costs following the recent grounding of Zest Air by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).

This has affected many factors and forced the airline to allocate necessary resources such as aircraft and crew that is critical to ensure its recovery, said Hontiveros.

"Right now, we need to focus our resources to support Zest Air where we have significant economic interest, and we believe in Zest Air's potential with their Manila-based operations," she said.

Philippines' AirAsia holds a 49 percent in Zest Air, a low-cost carrier operating in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Zest Air will be carrying the AirAsia brand once it is approved by the Caap, Hontiveros said.

Affected passengers will be notified of the route suspension via their registered member email and text accounts.

An AirAsia customer service representative will also call each affected guest on the options.

AirAsia urged all guests to keep their email addresses and mobile numbers with their country code prefix updated in their AirAsia member profiles to ensure that the airline can reach them for assistance.

Affected guests going to Kalibo and Davao will be able to choose among the following options:

1) One-time transfer, at no extra cost and subject to availability, to an earlier flight of the same route

2) One-time transfer, at no extra cost and subject to availability, to Zest Air flights of the same destination from Manila (NAIA Terminal 4)

3) Conversion of the value of the total fare to an online credit shell with a validity period of 180 days

4) Full refund

Meanwhile, affected guests bound for Taipei and Hong Kong will be offered the following:

1) One-time transfer, at no extra cost and subject to availability, to an earlier flight of the same route

2) Conversion of the value of the total fare to an online credit shell with a validity period of 180 days

3) Full refund

Affected guests who did not receive any notifications are advised to call +632.7422742, and access an eForm through http://www.airasia.com/my/en/e-form.page with their booking reference numbers and contact details at hand.


Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2013/09/16/airasia-suspends-clark-flights-303422

[Kano]

PAL has new Mabuhay Lounge


Businessmirro  Published on Monday, 16 September 2013 21:25
Written by Recto Mercene

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday unveiled its latest major improvement in world-class in-flight service on the ground for Mabuhay Class passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (Naia 2).

The award-winning interior design by Warren Foster-Brown from FBEYE International, a Singapore-based company, is a 520-square-meter lounge, with all the amenities, such as a buffet table, library, mini-theater, minibar and dining area meant to give passengers "exceptional rest and dining experience."

The company that Foster-Brown founded is focused on hospitality interior design that includes luxurious hotels, unique destination resorts, celebrity restaurants, spas, private residences, mega yachts and commercial offices. Foster-Brown won the prestigious award "Wave of the Future 2009" in Miami, Florida.

The Mabuhay Lounge was inaugurated by Iñigo Zobel, president, PalExpress; and Ismael Augusto Gozon, PAL senior vice president for operations.

Gozon, who delivered the speech in place of Pal President Ramon S. Ang, said the new ultramodern International Mabuhay Lounge "reflects the new vision and new identity of the PAL Group" and is the latest of many service enhancements PAL has made over the past year

The PAL Group, he said, envisions "a full-service global carrier, with a fast expanding international network, utilizing the youngest and most modern fleet, with a focus on providing customers the best value, service and choices."

The new lounge design features a combination of different lounges around the world, has the look and feel of the lounge that coincides with PAL's growth strategy, warm and contemporary, rich and inviting.

LED lights provide the illumination, with less power consumption and most of all, give passengers that "exclusive" feeling that they have paid for.

Walking through toward the lounge, an illuminated sunbeam reminiscent of PAL's logo on the ceiling welcomes visitors to the reception area. Similar to a hotel's front desk, the new reception area gives a warm and inviting vibe. A storage area at the left side of the room is big enough for both coat and bags.

The dining area that could seat 80 has been revamped and made more spacious to diners to move around, even with their carry-on luggage. Leather-covered seats in beige give a touch of elegance, while the long table is great for passenger interaction. It has been dubbed the most popular place for tête-à-tête.

The focal point is a marble buffet table offering a wide selection of food that has been especially designed by PAL in partnership with San Miguel Purefoods Corp. 


Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/top-news/19504-pal-has-new-mabuhay-lounge












pictures: http://philippineairspace.blogspot.com/2013/09/pal-unveils-new-mabuhay-lounge.html

[daf105paccar]

Al die luxe hoeft niet voor mij.
Ik zou al blij zijn als de aankomsthal van NAIA1 een beetje deftig zou worden. 

[Rich]

Engine of PAL plane flying from Davao to Cebu burst into flames while on air, no one reported hurt though

The right engine of a turbo-propped aircraft of the Philippine Airlines  (PAL) flight 366 bound for Cebu burst into flames about 20 minutes after the plane has took off from Davao International Airport.

Executive director of the Dilaab Foundation, Father Carmelo Diola, who was one of the passengers, said that they were supposed to take off at 7:20 p.m. but because of the traffic on the runway, they were only able to leave by 8 p.m.

Father Diola said that he never heard any explosion but noticed that after 20 minutes on air, the plane was shuddering.

He said he never even saw anything outside, but a boy, who was maybe seven or six years old, keep standing up on his seat saying "Mommy, there is fire outside."

After a few minutes, the flight attendants then hurriedly went to the front of the plane where the cockpit is and five minutes after that, the pilot made an announcement that "If you notice the right engine is not working.  Please remain in your seat, everything is under control."

The pilot also announced that they were going back to Davao, Father Diola said.

"It was the longest 20 minutes of our lives because what if the other engine will stop working too," Father Diola said.

According to Father Diola, the atmosphere inside the plane got quite but no one panicked because the situation was handled well with the flight attendants returning to the back of the plane and started playing with the kids on board.

For his part, Father Diola said that he reflected on the unique experience.

"Kung mao na jud to, akong gitugyan akong kaugalingon sa Ginoo. Nagpasalamat ko nga daghan kung nahimo nga maayo ug daghang maayo nga nahitabo nako (If that was it, I gave myself up to the Lord. I thanked Him that I was able to do many good things and that many good things also happened to me)."

Father Diola also said that if the worst had come, he was preparing himself to stand up and give absolution to anyone who wanted it, despite being in danger himself.

Fortunately, the plane landed back at the Davao International Airport safely and all passengers were billeted at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites.

He added that when they arrived most passengers looked pale and had tight smiles on their faces.

Source: http://tenminutes.ph/engine-pal-plane-flying-davao-cebu-burst-flames-air-one-reported-hurt-though/

[Kano]

PAL flies to London Nov. 4



INQUIRER.net | Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

MANILA—Philippine Airlines will fly to London starting November 4, 2013, fulfilling the flag carrier's promise to return to Europe four months after the lifting of the European Union ban.

The announcement was made Tuesday by PAL president and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang, together with visiting British Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint, during a press briefing at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

"We're very happy that London is PAL's first Europe destination since flights to that continent were discontinued in 1998," said Ang.

Lord Green responded, saying: "I'm delighted to celebrate a very concrete example of the growing ties between our two countries, that being the reestablishment by Philippine Airlines of direct flights between Manila and London for the first time in over a decade. I am confident that these flights will greatly enhance the relationship between the UK and the Philippines."

PAL will fly five times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), departing Manila in the morning and arriving at Terminal 4 of Heathrow airport in London, the premier gateway to the United Kingdom and the world's busiest international airport.

"That we have been given permission to fly to Heathrow makes our return much more meaningful ... We take this as a strong vote of confidence by UK authorities in PAL's ability to bring in the passenger traffic volume worthy of the world's top airlines," Mr. Ang added.

PAL will operate direct, non-stop flights, providing the fastest travel to London (average 13 hours) as well as convenient connections from the UK capital to top Philippine tourist spots and other destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia. British business travelers can also make Manila a gateway to PAL's extensive international network.

"With the new direct air links, our country is looking at a potential windfall in tourism, trade and investment from Europe," said PAL's chief operating officer.

In 2012, one third of the estimated 349,000 European visitors to the Philippines came from Britain. In the first half of 2013, arrivals from UK reached 60,234. "With PAL's new non-stop flights, we are sure these numbers will rise even further," said Ang.

PAL also aims at providing the more than 664,000 Filipinos in Europe with the most convenient travel to return home "via the airline that knows them best. We are proud to serve these modern-day Filipino heroes," he added.

The PAL President also said, "Throughout our 72-year-history, PAL has always been a catalyst to our country's growth and development. This is part of our mandate as the national flag carrier."

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/143273/pal-flies-to-london-nov-4

[Kano]

Wie kan iets zeggen over de voordelen van de PAL verbinding?

[Mike]

PAL:Plane Always Late 
Voordelen weet ik niet, je weet bijna zeker dat je aansluitende vluchten mist