PALEX DH8 Suffers Runway Incursion Incident

 10 December 2021

 

A Philippine Airlines Express (PALEX) DH-8 Next Generation plane (RP-C5911), carrying 29 passengers and 4 crew members on board flight PR 2369 from Caticlan skidded at Mactan International Airport in Cebu City upon landing around 11:30am.

No one was reported hurt. But the airport was closed due to stalled plane at the main runway, and was reopened only when the DeHavilland plane was towed to the tarmac around 2:38pm.

“The aircraft wheels veered off into the grass at the side edge of the runway. We thank airport authorities and the CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) for spearheading the towing of the aircraft back into the runway surface,” PAL said in a statement.

PAL also apologized for the inconvenience caused due to the partial blockage of the runway.

“We affirm that safety is our top priority and that Philippine Airlines is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities,” the airline said.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) disclosed that its Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) team led by Rainer Baculinao was deployed to Cebu and arrived this afternoon to assess the situation and supervise the extraction of the aircraft.

“We have dispatched our accident investigators to the scene as well and we expect to get more information on the situation,” said CAAP chief Jim Sydiongco''.

According to CAAP,  34 flights were affected by the airport closure, as flights were rerouted to Iloilo International Airport and Panglao Airport. International flights were diverted to Manila.

PAL Ends Darwin Stop, Halts flights from Kalibo to Guangzhou

Flies Brisbane Direct beginning March 24

2 January 2018

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced that it will fly direct to Brisbane beginning March 24, 2018 as it upgrades its Manila-Brisbane-Manila route to new 168 seater A321NEO aircraft with backseat IFEs and wifi services, as it accelerates efforts to join the prestigious circle of 4-star carriers in 2018.

The route is currently served via Darwin as a stopover which run four times each week. Manila-Darwin-Manila services is planned to be axed from March 24, 2018.

Airline President James J. Bautista said Darwin is "economically unsustainable" for the airline's business model.

Bautista stressed however that they are studying possibility of flying low-cost subsidiary PAL Express to Darwin instead of PAL to take-over the route as it addresses passenger demographic types similar to what was employed in Saipan.

Meanwhile, PAL suspended Kalibo-Guangzhou route starting Jan.1, as part of the restructuring of the flight network in the region. Instead, it will mount an additional Manila-Guangzhou flight every Saturday effective Feb. 1.

“In consideration of the current market conditions, this additional Manila-Guangzhou operation will ensure that efficient air transport services are continuously provided between points in the Philippines and Guangzhou,” PAL said in a statement.

Sweeter The Second Time?

PAL Express Returns To Clark Again

16 December 2016

Philippine Airlines subsidiary PAL Express is starting operations in Clark International Airport for the second time around Friday beginning with daily flights to Caticlan.

PAL President Jaime Bautista hopes the Clark hub will work for them as they introduce more flights to the airport beginning January 30 next year.

“Hopefully our operations in Clark become successful” he said.

The flag carrier intends to add more flights to Clark by January 2017, including daily flights from Clark-Cebu and Clark-Davao; four-times-a-week flights from Clark to Busuanga, Palawan, plus three times per week flights to Cagayan de Oro. In addition, PAL will launch daily international flights to Incheon, South Korea beginning February 1.

The airline plans to have a total of 21 flights per week at Clark Airport by March of 2017 using Q400s and A320 planes.

In May 2012, PAL Express operated flights from Clark to Kalibo, Cebu,and Davao as well as international flights to Hong Kong and Singapore. All flights were terminated after one season leaving Cebu Pacific behind which has been operating successfully at said airport and has since grown the route left both by PAL Express and Air Asia Philippines.

PAL Express Drops Interisland Hub Networks

20 February 2014

Philippine Airlines Express (PAL Express) will drop domestic hub network services in Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga and Iloilo beginning 1 March 2014. It will however maintain flights originating from Manila to different points in the Philippines. PAL Express will add Davao and General Santos to its route networks.

Cebu and other domestic hubs are being operated by Bombardier Q400 and Q300 turboprops and few A320's doing major runs at the country's bigger cities.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines and PAL Express flight from Manila to  Kuala Lumpur has been terminated in favor of code-share agreements with the national airline of Malaysia.

PALex Arrives Dubai

Flies its First Long Haul

8 November 2013

By Anjo Perez
Tempo

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – The Arabian Gulf welcomed the resumption of fights of Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines Wednesday evening with the arrival of PAL Express (PALex) flight 2P658 at the Dubai International Airport.

The maiden voyage left Manila at 1 p.m., Wednesday, utilizing Airbus Industrie A330-300 (RP-C3332) wide-body jet which was specially configured to carry 325 passengers on “economy” and “premium economy” seats.

The inaugural flight signals the return of PAL to the UAE after the service was discontinued in 1997 during the Asian financial crisis.

PAL began its regular service to Dubai way back in 1982 with the first commercial flight between Dubai and Manila using thrice a week services of McDonnel Douglas DC-10s. Later on, Dubai became a regular stopover for Europe-bound PAL flights using Boeing 747 jumbo jets and the DC-10 tri-jets.

Initially, the PALex service between Dubai and Manila will be five times a week, progressing to daily flight service in the very near future.

Leading the flight crew on the maiden voyage was Capt. Jesus Garcia aided by First Officer Edward Chan and SO Elbert Celis, who made sure that the flight was smooth as possible from take off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport until its arrival at the Dubai International Airport nine hours later.

However long the flight was, all 237 passengers onboard were pampered by the excellent service provided by the PALex cabin crew headed by flight purser Roberto Rilloraza.

The other crew members who made sure that everyone was comfortable as can be included Mark Pasana, Karlo Samala, Sherlock Santos, Arielle Ong, Kristine Arteza, Edna Engcong, Christine Reyes and Mary Catherine Villanueva. Adding assurance to the safety of the passengers was flight mechanic Custodio Penaranda.

Although the Dubai-Manila service is an all-economy flight, that didn’t stop the PALex cabin crew from pampering the passengers serving them with gourmet cuisine prepared by a team of Filipino and international chefs.

Other amenities that welcomed the passengers onboard the A330 jet includes wi-fi capability that enables internet browsing while in-flight and rentable mini-iPads pre-loaded with entertainment options like movies, music and games.

New Airline?

February 11, 2013

Airphil Express unveils new addition to its Q300 fleet, ex ANA, thus the livery. Thanks to Taishi Tamura

Airphil Flies Basco

Airphil Express has announce flight to Basco, Batanes starting May 1, 2013 and will fly thrice weekly.  APX flights will depart NAIA Terminal 3 every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:05AM, arriving Basco at 6:50AM. Return flights will be on the same days, departing Basco at 8:40AM, arriving Manila at 10:20am. 

5J Slipping fast against 2P Onslaught

As Domestic Traffic grew 13% on First Half

August 28, 2012

The JG Summit controlled airline accounted for a total of 4.99 million people in the first half, up 17 percent over last year. San Miguel Corporation's Airphil Express is shadowing closer at a fast 29 percent surge in domestic passengers to 2.39 million with seat increase at 36 percent to 3.286 million.

Low Cost Carrier Cebu Pacific may be the market leader today but its dominance is being eaten slowly by its fiercest rival Air Philippines as both airlines define the future of Philippine skies.

Cebu Pacific airline CEO Lance Gokongwei is feeling the heat as shares of Cebu Air slid by 2.22% to P61.40 a piece after Philippine Airlines (PAL) up the tempo on domestic supremacy ordering 36 narrow-body jets for its subsidiary Airphil Express. They got delivery schedule as close as January 2013 while Cebu Pacific is withdrawing A319 on its fleet sold to Allegiant Air.

The airline said that it needs to rethink its strategy to secure more narrow body jets, a tactic it believes could be needed to defend its position against a resurgent PAL.

"Cebu Pacific will revisit its fleet plans to determine what additional lift it may need to supplement its existing orders,” CEO-advisor Garry Kingshott said.

Philippine airlines ordered 56 narrow and wide bodies from Airbus aimed to upgrade services amidst slot restrictions at Manila's Ninoy Aquino Airport. 

The number of passengers on domestic flights is expected to grow further and with slotting problems, upgrading the fleet is the only option to serve more amidst aggressive airline expansion that resulted to lower ticket prices.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed that there were 11.017 million domestic passengers using NAIA from January-June period of 2012, equivalent to 13.33 percent year on year growth. A total of 14.64 million seats were offered by airlines during the six-month period, up from 12.12 million last year.

Despite fierce competition domestic airlines manage to grow the market giving the industry an average load factor of 75 percent, which means three of every four seats on every flight was occupied.

Garry Kingshott expressed concern that they failed to grow with the market and is now rethinking its strategy as it may try to secure more narrow body jets, to defend its market share against Philippine Airlines low cost subsidiary.

While Cebu Pacific added 25 percent more seats in the first half of 2012 equivalent to 6.37 million their load factor fell from 84 percent to 78 percent. Its average ticket prices also fell 3.7 percent to P2,257 per person due to stiff competition among airlines.

Philippine Airlines meanwhile continued to lose market share as its passenger count fell 3.8 percent to 2.29 million in the six-month period. The company also reduced its number of seats to 3.046 million from 3.101 million. Load factors were also down 2 percentage points to 75 percent.

But PAL’s lower numbers resulted to positive return earning them $1.7 billion in gross revenues last year while Air Philippines hauled in $270 million. PAL passenger deficit was also offsetted by the tremendous growth of passengers served by its low cost subsidiary, Airphil Express in the first half of 2012.

The PAL unit reported a 29-percent surge in domestic passengers to 2.39 million as seats increased by 36 percent to 3.286 million.

On the other hand, Southeast Asian Airlines posted a steep decline in domestic passengers to 17,565 in the first half from 97,326 last year, mainly from turbo prop operations as it abandon non-profitable routes. Its services to trunk line routes in the second half is expected to go up with the arrival of three A320's for domestic run.

Zest Airways meanwhile had 1.26 million domestic passengers in the period, up slightly from 1.14 million last year.

AirAsia Philippines on the other hand carried 60,381 passengers in the first half after starting operations in March at Clark. CAB notes that AGP had the industry’s worst load factor at 45 percent.

Ex 2P Execs jump to Zest ship

May 23, 2012

After San Miguel bought Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its low-cost subsidiary Airphil Express, four of its top executives has been hired by low cost rival Zest Airways holding the same position they previously held in the former airline.

Heading the pack is Alfredo Herrera who was hired as Zest Air's chief marketing and sales officer, the same job he performed with his former airline, while LCC operation adviser Brian Hogan was hired as Chief Executive Adviser. Also hired were Steve Allen as Chief Commercial Adviser and Rick Laig as Chief Financial Officer.

The four were instrumental to the success and rapid growth of the Airphil Express platform of low cost operation besting Cebu Pacific strategy and consequently eating and catching up its market share it held for four years.

Air Philippines was the country's fastest growing Airline in 2011 and perhaps the fastest growing airline in 2012 based on the number of passengers carried in the first half as compared to the previous year.

2P flight to Tawi-Tawi aborted due to engine smoke

 April 23, 2012

 By Julie Alipala

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines— An Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi was aborted on Monday morning as smoke emitted from the right engine of the plane, an official said.

Celso Bayabos, manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Zamboanga, said   the plane was about to take off  when pilots noticed  the  smoke prompting them to park and order   around 50 passengers to disembark  shortly after 7:00 in the morning.

“It’s not really fire, there was smoke. It’s good that pilots noticed it before they take off otherwise (it would be) another disaster,” Bayabos said

Other flights supposedly about to land at Zamboanga City international airport like Cebu Pacific from Davao city and Manila were advised to redirect their flights back.

Fire marshalls and other airport personnel immediately towed the aircraft back to the taxi area to determine the actual cause of engine trouble.

Airphil Overshots Kalibo

February 14, 2011

An Airphil Express Airbus A320-200 carrying more than 140 people overshot Kalibo airport runway yesterday morning, aviation officials said.

The Airbus A320 plane with  registration RP-C3227 and performing flight 2P-969 from Manila overshot runway 05 by 60 meters (200 feet) while it was attempting to land around 10:30 am," Civil Aviation Authority Kalibo Manager Percy Malonesio said.

The plane was piloted RR Gonzaga.

No weather disturbance was reported in the area. No further details are available as to the cause of the incident, the airline and aviation authorities said. Initial cause of the incident was reported to be pilot error as it landed in the middle of the runway.

Airphil Express is a low cost subsidiary of national flag-carrier Philippine Airlines, offering budget, no-frills flights.

The aircraft was able to stopped safely but was disabled with all gear on soft ground, no injuries and no damage occurred. The runway was closed for about 4 hours until the aircraft was towed off the runway.

The airport was back to regular operations around 2 in the afternoon.

Kalibo is the 4th busiest airport in the country with 12 domestic and 10 international incoming and outgoing flights daily, according to Malonesio. It is a gateway point to international tourists destination point Boracay Island.

Air Philippines Fastest Growing Airline in 2011

SEAIR Biggest Loser!

November 24, 2011

Airphil Express, Philippines fastest growing airline beating Cebu Pacific by a mile.

Low Cost Carrier Airphil Express is heading to become the country's fastest growing Airline for 2011 as it exceeded 100 percent growth rate in the span of one year, data from The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed recently.

Air Philippines, operating as AirPhil Express, more than doubled its domestic passenger to 2.71 million, from 1.122 million it carried last year.

Zest Airways, another low cost carrier, followed Airphils path posting healthy gains of 75%, all in the first nine months as domestic passengers it carried rose from 902,935 in the same period of last year to 1.58 million this year.

Meanwhile,  Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country's biggest LCC, saw leveling of its market share as it registered increase of only 3% or  a rise of 6.17 million passengers from 6 million in the same nine-month period.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) posted a sharp drop in passenger traffic for the nine-month period to 3.44 million, down 16 % year on year, as it saw transition period for its flight operations which still has to normalized.

South East Asian Airlines is the biggest loser as it registered a 27% decrease of its passengers from 159,086 to 115,525 passengers for the same 10 month period, year on year.

To feed its tremendous growth, APX senior vice-president for marketing and sales Alfredo Herrera said that by 2012 additional five A320s will join the fleet and another five A320s will join in 2013 to complete its 20-aircraft, $250-million expansion program approved last year. 

Also, Butch Rordiguez, Zest Airways’ commercial and external affairs senior vice president, said the company will be acquiring 15 additional Airbus A320 up to 2015 as it targets to increase passenger numbers as well as its fleet of Airbus A320's.

Cebu Pacific will take an additional 16 Airbus A320 aircraft between 2012 and 2014.

Passenger numbers on domestic commercial flights increased 14% to 14.03 million in January to September from the 12.28 million recorded in the same period last year, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board showed.

Cargo volume this year dipped 5% to 127.73 million kilograms from 134.24 million kg in the same comparative periods, according to the same set of data released last week. 

Airphil express and Zest Air carried more cargo than the rest, posting hikes of 236% to 16.074 million kg and 11.8% to 9.99 million kg, respectively. All other carriers saw domestic cargo volumes drop.

Airphil Express opens Cebu-Hong Kong flight

August 1, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Airphil Express is on track to dominate the budget air travel category in the Philippines with the launch of the Cebu-Hong Kong route last July 28, 2011. The new flight connection is seen to further boost business and tourism between the two destinations and will strengthen the presence of Airphil Express beyond domestic borders.

Cosmopolitan Cebu province in the Visayas region, which is rich in heritage appeal, attracts domestic and foreign tourists and investments because of good infrastructure and a dynamic export industry, and serves as gateway to some of the world’s most breathtaking shorelines and nature attractions. Hong Kong, host to many thousands of OFWs, remains an important business hub, shoppers’ paradise, and, with the presence of Disneyland and other theme parks, continues to be a favorite destination among Filipinos. The expanded route of Airphil Express redounds to the benefit of passengers who want savings and convenience in their frequent business and pleasure travels.

“The decision to launch the first Hong Kong flight of Airphil Express from Cebu is an acknowledgment of the valuable business that the province brings into the country in terms of trade and tourism,” said Alfredo Herrera, Airphil Express SVP for marketing and sales. The addition of the Cebu-Hong Kong route follows the success of Airphil Express’ launch of its international flight to Singapore in December last year.

Another company milestone by the end of July is the arrival of a new A320 in addition to the current six Airbuses as part of Airphil Express’ re-fleeting program. The A320 is one of the most modern airplanes today and ensures increased comfort and safety for passengers. The budget airline also maintains three reliable Q300s and five high-speed Q400s for inter-island travel.

The new Cebu-Hong Kong route and the company’s investment in new aircraft are in service of a continuously growing air travel market. While traffic growth from all Philippine carriers remains at double digits this year, the rise of Airphil Express’ market share has been described as “staggering.” From cornering 2.9 percent of the market share during the airline’s pre-rebranding period in 2009, the carrier’s slice of the domestic market in 2010 grew to 11 percent, representing some 1.9 million passengers on its first full year of operations.

Only a little more than a year old, Airphil Express is already redefining the budget category not just in terms of low airfare but also other services.

5J beats 2P as Philippines Fastest Growing Airline in 2010

As LCC War Heats Up

June 27, 2011

Singapore - LCC airline Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) remain as the fastest growing low cost carrier in the Philippines after reporting a total of 10.4 million passengers carried in 2010, a 19% growth from the previous year's figure.

Cebu Pacific was followed by Philippine Airlines Low Cost subsidiary Air Philippines growing 11 percent and Zest Airways occupying the third spot.

APX deploys six A320s and eight Q300s/400s and expects to receive six more A320s before the end of the year, while CEB operates 10 Airbus A319, 14 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft with four more frames for delivery in 2011, or a total of 37 planes for its fleet at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Zest Airways have a fleet of five A320s, one Airbus A319 and four MA60s. It has on order for four A320s for 2011. It recently suspended the purchase of two Boeing 767-300 because of the political crisis in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Butch Rordiguez, Zest Airways’ commercial and external affairs senior vice president, said that the company will be acquiring 15 additional Airbus A320 up to 2015 as it targets to increase its Airbus A320 fleet to 25 aircraft.

Between 2012 and 2014, Cebu Pacific will take an additional 16 Airbus A320 aircraft.The company recently forged a deal at the Paris Airshow for 30 A321s and seven A320s to be delivered between 2015 and 2021. Airline CEO Lance Gokongwei ordered 37 new Airbus aircraft worth $3.8 billion for Asia Pacific region expansion.

APX senior vice-president for marketing and sales Alfredo Herrera said that by 2012 additional five A320s will join the fleet and another five A320s will join in 2013 to complete its 20-aircraft, $250-million expansion program approved last year.

Presently however, APX’s market share surged 353 percent to 1.9 million passengers in 2010, cornering 11 percent of the domestic market last year or nearly four times its market share of 2.9 percent in 2009 at the expense of CEB and PAL which have seen their market share decline amid APX's growth.

2 Airbus 320 Aircraft join RP fleet

As both PR and 5J got one each

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

SINGAPORE –The race for low cost supremacy is on as GE Capital Aviation Services Ltd. (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, today announced delivery of a new Airbus A320-200 aircraft to Philippine Airlines, Inc (PAL).

The delivery comes from GECAS’ existing order book with Airbus and is the first of 20 new A320s to be delivered by GECAS to PAL. The new aircraft will be operated by its low cost arm, Airphilippines Express.

Philippine Airlines currently operates a fleet of 50 aircraft, including Airbus A319s and A320s and Boeing 747s and 777s leased from GECAS.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific (CEB) took delivery of its 22nd brand-new Airbus aircraft from Toulouse, France.

This is the first of 22 more brand-new Airbus aircraft to be delivered until 2014. It joins the Philippines’ youngest aircraft fleet, now composed of 10 Airbus A319, 12 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. It has an average fleet age of 3.21 years.

CEB’s brand-new Airbus A320 is equipped with the latest avionics from Thales and Rockwell Collins, both global leaders in aviation electronics.

Both A320 aircraft will be based in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to support flight increases and network expansion of the respective airlines.

GECAS, the U.S. and Irish commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of GE, has a fleet of over 1,800 owned and managed aircraft with approximately 245 airlines in over 75 countries. GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types and financing options, including operating leases and secured debt financing, and also provides productivity solutions including spare engine leasing, spare parts financing and management. GECAS, a unit of GE Capital, has offices in 23 cities around the world.

Air Philippines Flies to Legaspi and Tagbilaran

Reintroduces Ozamiz and Catarman

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
October 22, 2010

Airphil Express started its Manila-Legazpi-Manila flights Thursday.

The country's fastest growing low-cost carrier adds premier South Luzon destination Legazpi City to its growing roster of routes with fares starting at P850 one way (exclusive of taxes).

“This is in response to the unmet demand for air travel in the Bicol region," according to Maria Java, Airphil Express' Vice President for Marketing and Media.

"Buses to and from South Luzon are packed to the hilt, take a whole day and cost as much as an airline seat. Airphil Express addresses this demand by assigning its most efficient aircraft to the route, the brand new Airbus A320 that allows us to serve Legazpi in world-class comfort, safety and efficiency for as low as your bus fare.”

“With the delivery of the second of four Airbus A320's coming in this year, Airphil Express can now respond to growing low cost air transportation demand," she went on. "Today alone, we launch 4 new destinations simultaneously. Apart from daily flights from Manila to Legazpi, APX now flies out of Manila direct to Tagbilaran, Bohol. Out of our Cebu headquarters, we are launching direct flights to Ozamis. Lastly, we launch Cebu-Catarman as well.”

Airphil Express has started daily flights to Bohol for as low as P1,008 one way, exclusive of taxes, cheaper than the boat fare heading for Manila from Tagbilaran. Vacationers, mostly European tourists, favor Bohol especially at end of the year when the cold hits the west. Most go to Panglao island.

“Bohol is the professional vacationers favorite mini-break destination," according to Maria Java, Airphil Express Vice President for Marketing and Media.

Airphil Express APX flies Manila to Tagbilaran daily at 9:40 a.m. and leaves Tagbilaran back for Manila at 11:25 a.m.

In its efforts to remain consumer-focused and community specific in its approach to its aggressive expansion, the burgeoning low cost player is zeroing in the traditional bus and ship going market, essentially growing its own loyal base of passengers.

“Because we have remained dedicated to the individual passenger and his flight experience with us, Airphil Express is seeing a consistent return of passengers to its rosters. We expect to see Legazpi's bus going public flying with us to and from Legazpi.” Java added.

The choice of a larger aircraft servicing the Legazpi route will allow APX clients to load more baggage or cargo at considerably more reasonable rates. Airphil Express is still the only low cost carrier that gives 15 kilos free baggage. Beyond that, a minimal cost of P100 per kilo is charged.

APX flies to Legazpi, leaving Manila at 12:10 noon daily, arriving in Legazpi at 1:10 p.m. The return flight to Manila leaves Legazpi at 1:40 p.m. and arrives at Manila's NAIA Terminal 3 at 2:40 p.m.

Starting December 1, a second daily flight will ensue, flying out of Manila at 8:20 a.m. and leaving Legazpi at 9:50 a.m.

Air Philippines allots $250m for Capex

Forsees 18 A320's by 2012

October 1, 2010

Airphil Express, Philippine Airlines’ low cost subsidiary, is allotting $250 million for fleet expansion in the next two years as it plans to add 18 Airbus 320 until 2012, The company said Thursday.

Air Philippines CEO Cesar Chiong said the company is adding more planes to open more domestic and international routes to enable it to compete in the country's competitive aviation industry.

“There is an investment of $250 million for fleet expansion. It will be funded partly by internal funds and the rest from the capital market,” Ceasar Chiong, AirPhil’s executive vice-president and chief operating officer said wednesday night following the arrival of its brand new A320, the third on its fleet.

The airline did not provide details of the capex allotment this year but Chiong said $50 million of the $250-million amount has been set aside as prepayment for the six A320s that the airline is taking delivery this year.

Three of the six A320s are already delivered while the other three is scheduled for delivery within the next 60 days. The airline is expected to have six Airbus aircraft by the end of the year.

Chiong said the budget carrier had already committed to lease nine A320s, but that it was still discussing the terms for the other nine.

“We are still in discussions with the supplier for the other nine" says Chiong.

“We can either do [acquire] it by procurement or by leasing,” Chiong added.

He said the carrier was waiting for three more A320s in the last quarter, to add to its fleet of eight turboprops and three A320s. Six more Airbuses would be added in 2011 and another six in 2012, he said.

"We're looking at destinations like the Republic of Korea from Cebu, Bangkok and maybe Hong Kong," Chiong adds to its future international routes.

As for its domestic destination, the company said that it will add to its network Baguio, Vigan, Marinduque, Tacloban, Dipolog, Pagadian, and Ozamiz.

Air Philippines now operates 3 Airbus 320's, and 8 Bombardier Q400 propeller planes used to fly on domestic routes. The new plane will be utilized for its first international flight to Singapore later this month.

Airphil Express flies Jolo and Bongao

Makes Zamboanga hub anew


September 10, 2010

Low Cost carrier Airphi Express, a subsidiary of flag carrier Philippine Airlines flew to Bongao Friday cementing Zamboanga as its regional hub it once enjoyed before pulling out in 1998. It will start operations to Jolo tomorrow.

The airline replaced Seair as current operator for the route which is plagued by re-fleeting problem after five of its Let-410 aircraft was declared unfit by the Civil Aviation Authority to fly for safety concerns.

But Maria Java, AirPhil Express vice president for marketing and media, stressed that flights were made possible by the recent upgrading of the airports in the two areas and not because of the current vacuum for air services in the islands whose majority passengers are US servicemen, government and banking employees.

Airphil Express is expected to utilize the 77-seater Bombardier Q400 in the Zamboanga-Jolo route with three times weekly schedule beginning September 11, and in the Zamboanga-Bongao route four times weekly from September 10, with connecting flights to Manila Cebu and Davao.

The airport runway upgrades were funded by the US government under the growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program and implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) with the support of the provincial governments of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

The Tawi-Tawi runway boast a length of 1,920 meters from 1,608 meters with strips widened from 18 to 30 meters.

The Jolo airport runway on the other hand was extended 600 meters to 1,845 meters from 1,200 meters, and was also widened from 18 to 30 meters.

The improvements allow both airports to accommodate larger-bodied aircraft, such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s according to the data provided by the US government.

Roa had flown the evaluation flights in July to test and calibrate approach procedures.

“It felt like landing on runways in the US, built to the highest standards,” Captain Patrick Roa, Airphil Express’ chief pilot for safety and security, was quoted as saying.

Air Philippines is the 5th airline company to serve the area since PAL left in 1998.

2P to fly Cebu- Surigao

Flight starts Nov.1

July 22, 2010

Airphilippines Express is flying to Surigao by November. The Cebu-Surigao-Cebu flight begins on November 1, 2010. Meanwhile, a second daily Q400 flight for Manila will also commence operation on the same date.

It will leave Cebu for Surigao at 9:20 a.m. and arrive at 10:20 a.m. with a return flight expected at 10:40 and arrival at 11:40 a.m. The second daily Manila flight will fly in the afternoon for Surigao at 1:30 p.m. and arrive at 3:10 p.m. Its return flight to Manila is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. with arrivals at 5:10 p.m.

Airphil Express intend to double its market share with the arrival of five more airbus A320 to their fleet, with one joining in September and two others in October and November.

The merged airline, formerly Air Philippines and PAL Express, added new flights by re-introducing Cebu, and Davao yesterday July 21 in an effort to consolidate its market position.

“Cebu and Davao is vital to our development if we are to grow as a respected budget airline" says Maria Rodriguez Java, the airline's head for Marketing, Product and Media.

"We will increase the number of frequencies for Cebu and Davao later on as we are expecting more aircraft to join our fleet this year,” adds Java.

Airphil Express will fly daily from Manila to Cebu at 9 p.m. and Cebu to Manila at 10:40 p.m. An additional two flights will be opened on Oct. 1 and another one starting Oct. 28.

The airline will also start flying to Legaspi and Tagbilaran in October and Zamboanga by November. Meanwhile, new domestic flights are being planned for General Santos, Tacloban and Dipolog. Flights to Dumaguete, Pagadian, and Butuan are also being considered.

"The new routes are being evaluated right now. There are just too many unserved markets like Pagadian for example. We need to be where the people need us,” she added.

International flight from Manila to Singapore will start operating this year and Cebu to Singapore by next year. Also on the planning stages for next year are flights for Manila to Hong Kong, Seoul, and Japan, while Kalibo-Incheon is also being considered.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 2 airbus A320's, 5 Bombardier Q400' and 3 Q300's planes that flies to 24 domestic destinations from its Manila and Cebu hubs. They are currently on the fourth spot after Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Zest Airways.

With its re-branding in March and aggressive no-frills campaign, Philippine Airlines’ low-cost unit intends to at least double its market share at present 8 percent by the end of the year.

LCC Wars has Began

Air Philippines joins fruit bandwagon
for LCC Supremacy

March 22, 2010

In a counter-offensive mode to regain market dominance, Philippine Airlines low cost subsidiary, Air Philippines is expected to relaunch jet service this month branding a new orange look and a newer airbus jet to seriously compete with top budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air and fast growing Zest Airways in the low cost market.

“We shall give our competitor a hard time” says David Lim, Air Philippines newly appointed President who replaced Capt. Edilberto Medina for the post.

Air Philippines earlier announced a new management team appointed to implement the airline’s new business model using a leaner workforce.

The airline's jet incorporates an orange livery, a marketing strategy indicating its no-frills service, from a color choice made famous by Europe's first Low Cost Carrier, Easyjet.

The first to incorporate orange underlinings is Cebu Pacific, with its distinct yellow smile introduced in 2005. Next is Zest Air, the erstwhile Asian Spirit airline that changed its color in 2008 to be more representative of its new owner, also famous for marketing the orange drink. Now, Air Philippines wants a piece of the 18 million domestic and growing market now ruled by Cebu Pacific with more than 9 million passengers carried.

Air Philippines "Express" brand will start operating on March 28 using Airbus A320 jets leased from Philippine Airlines which the latter ordered in 1992.

“Air Philippines would have its own brand called Air Philippines Express just like Philippine Airlines have PAL Express,” says Lim.

“The Express extension denotes a service being offered by the airline” added the official.

Air Philippines and Philippine Airlines are two separate company owned by the Lucio Tan Group with 99% ownership to the former and 95% to the latter.

Both airlines simplified its LCC flight operations for seamless connection of its passengers, and they are looking to further solidify its market share in the low cost market by launching aggressive pricing and encirclement strategy that could potentially put the minor airlines out of business.

“We are relaunching the airline so it will give a serious competition to Cebu Pacific, Zest Air and Seair,” says PAL Chief Finance Officer and Air Philippines Chief Operating Officer Cesar Chiong.

The airline will fly to Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro on its initial run using two A320's, and progressing to more domestic destinations as it take delivery of four more A320s in the coming months.

“We will start operating the Airbus A320 by the end of March because its the start of the summer season where traditionally we have plenty of passengers.” says Chiong.

“Our plan is to add one A320 in November, and one in December in time for the holiday rush, and two more is expected to be added next year,” the airline executive said.

Another four A320 will also be added to the fleet in the next two years with planes leased from PAL after it retires the old ones on its fleet replacing it with new aircraft ordered from Airbus. PAL is expecting delivery of two more A320s in 2010, and three more planes for delivery in 2011.

“All aircraft will be purchased from PAL on a lease-to-own basis” adds Chiong.

Air Philippines intends to fly back to Hong Kong, Singapore and other regional destinations in the next two year when its domestic network is firmly establish.