Luchtvaartnieuws / binnen en buitenland.

[Kano]

Aquino Sangley International Airport
NAIA's Future





June 16, 2013

By Jerry E. Esplanada


Amid the deflating news of the massive dumping of Philippine stocks by foreign investors last week come bracing words from the foreign partners of a local consortium proposing to build an international airport and seaport on reclaimed land off Cavite City.

"They're (the foreign partners) bullish about the Philippines and its development prospects, particularly the development of the country's newest international gateway, one that will be responsive to the nation's booming economy and thriving tourism industry," said William Tieng, chairman of Solar Group, the lead local partner of All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. (ARRC) consortium.



The ARRC is the local proponent of a proposed project to redevelop Sangley Point, the former United States naval station on the tip of the Cavite peninsula. The base was officially turned over to the government of the Philippines in 1971, ending 73 years as a US facility. It is now operated as a military base by the Philippine Air Force (the Danilo Atienza Air Base) and the Philippine Navy (the Heracleo Alano Naval Base).

"These foreign business entities have expressed in writing their firm commitment to participate in these modern and major job-generating projects," Tieng said.

Tieng's brother Wilson sits as chair of ARRC while Manuel Beriña Jr., former deputy director general of Public Estates Authority (PEA), is the firm's president and CEO.

Tieng said their foreign partners, mostly Europe-based, include: Flugfahen Munich, operator of the Munich airport in Germany; Hamburger Hafen und Logstik, the biggest operator in the Hamburg port, also in Germany; the Italian rail company Ferrovie Circumvesuviana; power firm Isoluc Corsan; Deutsche Bank; COWI, Inros Lackner and GMP Architects; contractors Hochtief and Rizzani de Eccher; and Royal Boskalis Westminster, the lead reclamation contractor.

Sangley Pt. redevelopment

The ARRC submitted last Jan. 10 its letters of intent to undertake the twin projects to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the renamed PEA, the agency that acts as the clearing house for reclamation projects in the country.

The Inquirer has obtained copies of both letters, where Beriña proposed, among other things, naming their airport and seaport projects as ASIA and ASIS, short for Aquino-Sangley International Airport and the Aguinaldo-Sangley International Seaport, respectively.

He said the ARRC proposal was "in response to the need to develop premier international gateways in the country, as well as Executive Order No. 629, Series of 2007, directing the PRA to convert Sangley Point in Cavite City into an international logistics hub with a modern airport and seaport through an enabling reclamation component."

The ARRC concept was "drafted in line with the vision of placing the Philippines in the forefront of international trade development. The concept project proposal will be undertaken in two phases at Danilo Atienza Air Base on Sangley Point," Beriña said.

Proposed airport



Construction of Phase 1 of ASIA, or the airport project, is estimated to run from 2014 to 2018 (or up to 2020).

It calls for the "reclamation of 2,500 hectares on the flight line of the Atienza Air Base, development of a 50-million-a-year airport terminal and the first of two runway systems estimated to cost P56.2 billion and P45 billion, respectively," the letter of intent read.

"The development of a 50-million-a-year passenger terminal is demand-driven based on the current 31 million annual passenger traffic in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the capacity of which is constrained by limited space," it said.

Based on Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) statistics, the four Naia terminals handled a total of 31.6 million airline passengers in 2012, an increase of 6.2 percent from 29.7 million passengers serviced in 2011. The 2012 figure is composed of nearly 14 million passengers who boarded international flights and 17.6 million passengers who took domestic flights.

Naia Terminals 1 and 2 have been operating way above their original designed capacities of 4.5 million and 7.5 million annually.

In 2011, Naia 1 was named the world's worst airport by "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports," an interactive website that gathers reports from various reviewers.

The ranking was based on reviews of travelers who complained, among other things, of safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities and general hassles of being in the airport.

In its letters of intent, the ARRC also proposed the "redevelopment of the Naia complex with the relocation of the Atienza Air Base to Runway 06-24 in the Villamor Air Base. It also called for redevelopment of Naia 1 into a "greenbelt mixed residential area" between 2020 and 2025.

Better than Clark

Touting the advantages of its proposed airport, the ARRC report said "the adjacent areas and approaches to the ASIA are largely over water and would allow airport operation on a 24-hour basis."

It said there is space available for the expansion of the airport for a third runway, which would not be possible anymore in the Clark International Airport at the Clark Freeport Zone, which now serves as a budget airline hub and has been widely touted as a possible main international airport for the country.

"The availability of space for the expansion of the airport for a third runway is possible while this will not be possible in the Clark International Airport anymore. This makes investment in the development of Sangley a long-term strategic outlook that is driven by logic and not politics ... As Sangley becomes integrated into the Greater Metro Manila Area, this will enable the metropolis to retain its bragging rights of being the seat of the premier international airport and capital of the Philippines," ARRC said.

Seaport project

Meanwhile, Phase 1 of the ASIS project calls for the reclamation of 50 ha offshore of the Atienza Air Base with a budget of around P8 billion, and the construction of a 200-million-liter capacity bulk liquid port, estimated to cost P10.8 billion.

"The development of the bulk liquid port is demand-driven, resulting from the proposed relocation of the existing 83-million-liter capacity of the Pandacan depot (in Manila), which supplies 70 percent of the shipping industry's needs, 90 percent of lubricant requirements, 75 percent of all aviation fuel needs, and 25 percent of the demand for chemicals," the ARRC explained.

Related infrastructures

The twin projects will also require the "development of the connecting road, rail and water transport infrastructures to enhance accessibility and sustain passenger and cargo traffic growth."

The ARRC proposed the construction of the 17-kilometer Sangley-CavitEx to link the projects to the Naia complex; a 32.5-km Aguinaldo Light Rail Transit, using the alignment of the Sangley-CavitEX link to the Naia complex and Tramo to connect to the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Taft Station; and an 8-km, four-lane, snake-shaped cable-stayed bridge linking the twin projects to Boulevard 2000.

The bridge project alone is estimated to cost at least $2.3 billion, according to ARRC.

DOTC, PRA briefed

On March 19, ARRC executives briefed top DOTC and PRA officials on the "technical and economic justifications for the development of Sangley Point," as well as the "global projects and consultancy services track records" of the firm's foreign partners.

Those who attended the presentation included Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco; PRA General Manager Peter Anthony Abaya; and PRA Chairman Roberto Muldong, among others.

On April 5, the company wrote both the DOTC and PRA, committing to "complete the feasibility studies (of the two projects) within six to eight months from the issuance of a PRA board resolution approving the reservation of the right to reclaim in the designated areas (off Cavite City) and a DOTC comfort letter, acknowledging receipt of the unsolicited conceptual proposal of the ARRC."

http://philippineairspace.blogspot.com/2013/06/aquino-sangley-international-airport.html

[Rich]

Je kan alleen maar hopen dat ze daar niet van de baan af glijden zoals onlangs. 

[callebaut]

Je kan alleen maar hopen dat ze daar niet van de baan af glijden zoals onlangs. 

En allen landen op één landingsbaan ..... 

[Luke]

Weer hardop aan het dromen zekers... 

Misschien eerst eens een rondleiding in TERMINAL 3 organiseren! (was ook een consortium met Duitsers, Japanners etc...)
Na meer dan 10 jaar nog steeds niet in volle operatie.

[Kano]

Caap's challenge: Laguindingan airport woes


Sun.Star Network Online Today, 05:30:55 AM

LOOSE security, "colorum" or illegal transport services, and cleanliness are some of the issues raised by the commuters in the recent opening of the Laguindingan Airport in Barangay San Isidro, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on Saturday.

Fe Judith, a Commission on Audit (COA) officer of El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental, said the airport seemed to lack security measures as travelers and individuals could easily enter the airport building without proper security check.

Judith said she was anxious that the security at the main entrance was not even tight. However, she admired the new airport to be more convenient and comfortable compared with the Lumbia airport.

The P7.8-billion airport opened its commercial opening on Saturday, June 15, with at least 27 flights on the opening day.

Randy Casiño, a river tour guide of Bugsay rafting company based in Cagayan de Oro, also observed the lack of trash bins in the airport terminal, its surrounding areas, and even inside the restrooms.

Casiño said trash bins are indicators that the airport is clean. "It is something that the personnel of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) should also consider," he said.

"They seemingly lack environmental awareness," he said.

Mohammad Naga Rascal, Caap area manager, said the opening is for Caap to assess further the needs and other pertinent equipment necessary for the full operations of the airport.

Rascal said the opening was "almost" perfect and passengers were excited and happy over the new airport.

'Colorum' transportation

Operators of the shuttle vehicles of the new airport expressed concern over the presence of colorum transportations already plying the route from the airport to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and neighboring areas.

Noel, who requested his last name would not be mentioned, said an airport with international standards doesn't guarantee that illegal transport services couldn't freely enter the premises of the airport that could disrupt its transport system.

He said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ( LTFRB) has granted franchises to legitimate operators with a fixed fare matrix. Yet, the illegal or 'colorum' vehicles can overcharge the passengers since they violate the mandated fare matrix.

"The legitimate operators (like us) have been strictly following the process and procedures set by the LTFRB for us to acquire franchises," he said.

Noel said the LTFRB demanded that the operators should provide brand new public utility vehicles to shuttle passengers, and yet illegal transport vehicles are still plying their route.

A passenger, Dr. Paulo Cabreros from Iligan City, said he was charged P150 for a taxi ride from the highway of Laguindingan to the airport, a mere 4.4-kilometer distance.

Cabreros took a passenger bus from Iligan and got off at the national highway in Laguindingan.

LTFRB regional director Mandangan P. Darimbang said the passengers can avail of the services of the airport shuttle that ferry passengers from the highway to the airport that will only cost them P8 to P25 only.

Darimbang, admitted his office has to look into these "colorum" vehicles.

"I also urge passengers or victims of overcharging by these "colorum" operators to file complaints at the LTFRB help desk in the airport so that we can act on them immediately," he added.

Darimbang reminded the passengers to avoid patronizing or availing the services of these "colorum" vehicles or taxis.

Road construction

Meanwhile, passengers from Cagayan de Oro City have been greatly affected by the traffic congestion along the national highway in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, due to the ongoing road construction and rehabilitation.

Unfinished tiles of road asphalt and cement caused long traffic jams to and from the airport despite the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) continuous road construction and maintenance.

The project is part of the road widening that leads to the airport which decongests the traffic and it is expected to last until June 24, 2013.

Source: Sunstar

[Rich]

Cathay Pacific 2013 Skytrax best cabin crew award.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8chpOI59VA

[Kano]

Foreign airlines eyed to invest in Philippine Airlines

Asia News Network Sunday 7th July, 2013


San Miguel Corp. is in talks to bring in a major foreign firm as a strategic partner in flag carrier Philippine Airlines and the prospective partners include Tokyo-based All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Dubai-based Emirates Airline.



- See more at: http://www.manilanews.net/index.php/sid/215684111/scat/3e5bbccc730d258c#sthash.QjsvRyNW.dpuf

[Kano]

EU lifts ban on PAL flights starting July 12


By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA NewsJuly 10, 2013

(Updated 7:48 p.m.) Flag carrier Philippine Airlines may again stage direct flights to European Union countries, three years after the EU cited Philippine carriers for failing to comply with international safety standards, a ranking official revealed Wednesday night.

"The European Air Safety Committee on Brussels lifted the air ban on Philippine Airlines, effective on 12th of July 2013," Guy Ledoux, delegation head of the European Union in the Philippines, said a press briefing.

"Today we confirmed our willingness to remove countries and airlines from the list if they show real commitment and capacity to implement international safety standards in a sustainable manner," EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said in a statement.

In June, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Gen. William Hotchkiss flew to Brussels to meet with EU's Air Safety Committee (ASC), bringing credentials for PAL and its application to fly to three European destinations under the European Community Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (EC SAFA) Program.

Under the EC SAFA program, the CAAP is required to perform Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) Ramp Checks on PAL aircraft flying into the EU, and relay the results to EU member states and the EC.

A press release from the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines added, "For all other carriers registered in the Philippines the ban remains, as further progress is still needed to reach effective compliance with relevant aviation safety regulations."

In 2010, the EU blocked direct flights from Philippines and Sudan based on "safety assessments by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)."

In a statement, PAL president and COO Ramon S. Ang said that the lifting of the ban "signals the westward expansion of our international route network as we prepare for the much-awaited return of PAL to such popular European destinations as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome and Madrid."

PAL's last commercial flight to the EU was in 1999. – with Reuters/VS/BM, GMA News


Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316895/economy/business/eu-lifts-ban-on-pal-flights-starting-july-12

[Rich]

Ben eens benieuwd op welke landen ze gaan vliegen.

[Mawibata]

Ben eens benieuwd op welke landen ze gaan vliegen.

PAL TO RESUME FLIGHTS TO LONDON, PARIS  


Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of PAL, welcomed the EC's decision.

"The lifting by the European Union of the ban on PAL to fly to Europe is another testimony to PAL's reputation as a safe airline," he said in a statement.

Ang said this was the result of the Philippine government's efforts in addressing aviation industry safety concerns.

He said PAL plans to expand its international route network in Europe as the flag carrier returns to popular destinations as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome and Madrid.

"When we fly back to Europe after an absence of 15 years, we can boast of a newer fleet of aircraft and top quality customer service. More than providing Filipinos living and working in Europe with the most direct link to Manila, we hope to bring the best of the Philippines to Europe and the best of Europe to the Philippines," he added.

Ang said PAL can provide better service to passengers in the face of stiff competition with other carriers.

"PAL has entitlement of 7 flights a week to London, 6 to 7 flights a week to Paris. We have to review our agreement with other countries," he said in a press conference Wednesday.

Hotchkiss, meanwhile, expects US aviation authorities to follow the EU's lead and possibly upgrade the Philippines' aviation category before the end of the year.

The Palace said the EU's decision to lift its ban on PAL is "a sign of improvement in Philippine aviation standards."

It commended CAAP and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

"This is good news for PAL, and is a sign of the improvement in Philippine aviation standards," said Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).

Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, said it plans to take part in an EU Air Safety Commission meeting later this year.

According to the EC, all air carriers from the Philippines were banned from the EU in March 2010 following very poor results from an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit in 2009.

Two more ICAO audits were held in October 2012 and February 2013 before the commission held an on-site inspection in June this year. - with reports from Henry Atuelan, dzMM; ANC


Bron  :  http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/10/13/eu-lifts-ban-pal-flights