Showing posts with label zamboanga international. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zamboanga international. Show all posts

CEB Connects ILO-ZAM


29 October 2024

Low cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) has connected Panay Island to Zamboanga.

The flight will operate 3x weekly — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

5J4871 departs from Iloilo City at 4:55pm arriving to Zamboanga City at 6:05pm CEB's while its return flight departs Zamboanga at 6:40pm arriving Iloilo at 7:50pm. 

The airline inaugural flight landed tonight at approximately 7:26PM. This is the first time the two cities have been connected by a commercial flight.


CEB Reopens Zamboanga-Cotabato Route

Flight Begins November 7


13 October 2022

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is reopening its flights to Awang Airport in Cotabato City from Zamboanga as the airline reintroduces Zamboanga hub to its growing network beginning November 7.

CEB will service the route via its Subsidiary Cebgo using ATR aircraft. Flight DG-6684 is scheduled to depart from Zamboanga International Airport at 10:55 a.m. and will arrive in Cotabato City at 12 noon and its return flight, DG-6685 will leave the Awang Airport at 12:25 p.m. and will arrive at Zamboanga at 1:25 p.m. 

Zamboanga Airport: From disappointment to accomplishment


27 September 2021

By Goddes Hope Libiran

In March 2018, dismay and exasperation dawned on Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Art Tugade when he visited Zamboanga for a surprise inspection of the Zamboanga International Airport. This, as Secretary Tugade was filled with unbelief that one of the country’s international gateways is operating with facilities that are rather unkempt and in a “sorry state.”

He was greeted with a small baggage carousel and the lack of appropriate gang chairs and passenger seats at boarding areas. Moreover, during the inspection, he discovered multiple potholes two inches deep on the airport’s runway.

These frailties of the airport immediately irked the DoTr Secretary as he ordered airport officials to immediately act on the matter. Pointing out the extreme urgency to resolve the issues that have caused inconvenience to air passengers at the Zamboanga Airport for a long time, Secretary Tugade promised to return to the airport and left with a stringent warning to aviation officials.

“When I return and Zamboanga Airport is not rehabilitated yet, I will knock your heads. I will make sure someone will be responsible for it,” Secretary Tugade stressed.

Since then, significant improvements were carried out at the Zamboanga International Airport.

Far from its previous condition, the airport now offers a larger and expanded passenger terminal building (PTB), which can hold at least 750 passengers at any given time from the previous passenger capacity of only 500.

Aside from the expanded PTB, other development projects at the airport include the establishment of the Malasakit Hall and GAD Multipurpose Hall. During the construction phase of these projects, a total of 150 individuals were given job opportunities.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines also continues with the airport’s improvement as other projects are ongoing, such as the repair and asphalt overlay of its runway, and the grading of its runway strip.

Three years since his 2018 visit, Secretary Tugade will return to the Zamboanga Airport to inaugurate these completed projects, not any more dismayed and disappointed, but now full of pride and enthusiasm.

With the important role being played by Zamboanga International Airport in support of the region’s economic progress, the development projects completed are expected to further promote ease of connectivity and mobility, while ensuring equitable and inclusive growth in the areas of employment, trade and investments.

CEB Transport Covid19 Vaccines to Zamboanga, Tuguegarao

 5 March 2021

Cebu Pacific (CEB) has transported 10,200 doses of Sinovac vaccine to Zamboanga International Airport to be distributed in 6 COVID-19 referral hospitals in Region 9. It was carried by ATR-72-500 freighter. Meanwhile, a similar shipment was send to Tuguegarao airport on the same day. The airline delivered a total of 21,000 doses packaged in 35 boxes (17 for Zamboanga and 18 for Tuguegarao), at this time.


Air Asia Confirms Zamboanga, Dadiangas Flight

4 September 2020

After a six month delay brought by covid19 pandemic, AirAsia Philippines (AAP) will continue its plan to expand its network in Mindanao, by adding Zamboanga and General Santos to its route network beginning October 25.

While the earlier flight plan in March calls for Clark-Zamboanga-Clark and Clark-General Santos-Clark, this time around it will be Manila-Zamboanga-Manila and Manila-General Santos Manila, after the airline secured slots in Manila.

AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricardo Isla said the carrier hopes to help stimulate economic activity, allowing businesses to recover and thrive.

Manila-General Santos flight is scheduled to be flown thrice a week while Zamboanga will be flown twice a week.

AAP has mounted multiple chartered flights to Zamboanga and General Santos, transporting passengers and cargo to and from the carrier's hubs, according to Isla.

Isla added that having flights in these routes is a timely response to the demand as they are able to acquire landing slots of this routes.

Zamboanga International airport only opens commercial flight every Monday and Thursday, while charter flights are flown everyday.

Pilot Successfully Ditches Plane In Water off Zamboanga Runway

7 July 2020

A Piper PA34-200 Seneca (RP-C834) plane carrying four people crash landed in Zamboanga waters after suffering engine failure upon take-off around 9:35 this morning. All persons on board survived the crash and were brought to Western Command Hospital who finds them in good condition.

The plane owned by Royhle Aviation Academy, Inc of Dumaguete City was piloted by an Indian national together with an Indian national flight instructor, a Nepali student pilot and a Filipino mechanic that had routine training mission to Zamboanga International airport from Dumaguete City hours earlier. It was cleared by tower to take-off back home when two of its engine suddenly died while climbing.

The pilot managed to successfully ditched the plane in the coastal water of Sinunuc few kilometers away from runway 09 saving their lives.

Cause of engine failure are now being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) while the aircraft is brought to CAAP grounds for examination.

Tricycle Driver Yusop Mufri narrates the event below:
YA AUCILIA!
Posted by E105.9 Emedia MO FM on Monday, July 6, 2020


Posted by E105.9 Emedia MO FM on Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Zamboanga Airport Opens International Gateway in December

12 October 2019


Zamboanga Airport is set to open its international gateway first week of December as 45 Million pesos expansion project completes construction of its immigration, customs, and quarantine (ICQ) facilities this year.

Department of Transportation (DOTR) originally set the project for completion in December 2017 but due to delays in the procurement of security equipment, computers, and electronic passport machines pushed the completion of the project for two more years.

The airport is expected to service three international flights.

Meanwhile, the 202 million pesos runway strip grading and asphalt overlay is set for completion and acceptance this month while repair of the east taxiway is set for completion next year.


PAL To Expand Zamboanga Hub

24 September 2018


Flag Carrier Philippine Airlines is expanding its Zamboanga Hub by growing its route network beginning next year.

PAL Express is set to resume flights to Cebu and Tawi-Tawi starting summer of next year and will grow Davao to daily flights. It is also planning to add Zamboanga-Clark flights. 


The low cost subsidiary will also open Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu starting 1 April 2019 four times a week and three times a week, respectively. All routes are to be flown by Q400NG planes.

The airline intends to station one Q400 aircraft in Zamboanga airport to service these destinations.

PAL Express currently flies to Manila twice daily, and Davao four times a week on Turboprop. It will fly Davao daily beginning October 28.

Zamboanga Re-opens with Caution

18 September 2014


CAAP Director General William K. Hotchkiss lll has authorized the re-opening of Zamboanga International Airport at least for flights to Manila enabling the airlines to mount two commercial flights starting Thursday, one each for PAL Express and Cebu Pacific, and two each on Friday.

The flights schedule remains confidential but the airport will open to commercial traffic beginning 1am tomorrow morning. Military flights are not affected with the closure.

On Tuesday, both DG Hotchkiss and DDG John C. Andrews went to Zamboanga City to assess the situation of Zamboanga Airspace.

CAAP Officials chartered a private plane owned by PAL president Ramon Ang to land at Zamboanga airport and consulted with the Crisis Management Committee headed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Mayor Beng Climaco.

The decision to open Zamboanga airport was made after security briefing was presented by the Philippine Air Force regarding the security situation on the ground of the approach path.

As briefed, airlines will need to do the approach, landing and departure procedures on runway 09 which is on the western side of the City.

Deputy Captain John C. Andrews will board the first flight out of NAIA tomorrow to Zamboanga City to oversee the preliminary flight. Regular scheduled and special flights is expected to resume Saturday.

Airline passengers permitted to fly will only be allowed to carry one hand-carried luggage on the flights.

Zamboanga Airspace

 We Figure What GMA7 doesn't Figure

14 September 2013
[Updated]

PAF PZL-W3 Sokol 250 PAW
USAF C130 carrying USAID relief goods from Okinawa.

Another USAF C130

SF-260M
Bell 214ST  N787SR

There were four Hueys flying at this time yesterday but only two Hueys together with Pilatus spy plane fit in frame.

USAF Pilatus U-28B planes 80718

The other pair of Hueys
USAF C-130 arrived at the Edwin Andrews Airbase in Zamboanga City bringing relief supplies from US Aid being taken out by members of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force.                                                          .Photo by: JSOTF-P

PAF C-130 4704
PAF C-130 3633
USAF Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Fleet EAAB flying precision reconnaissance for PAF
Special Hajj flight to Cebu on board PAF C130 from Zamboanga

Power Failure shutdowns Airport

Blackouts paralyzed airport

March 24, 2012

Zamboanga International Airport became the latest victim of the power outages that plagued Mindanao as it shut down airport operation Friday night due to power failure.

CAAP managed to restore power to the airport's control tower but the power that run its Instrument Landing System (ILS) equipment was fried by intermittent and changing power, report from the the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.

“We don't have a working ILS and power for our runway lights are busted, so we have to suspend night operations for safety concerns,” said Zamboanga airport manager Celso Bayabos.

Zamboanga City had been experiencing a three-hour rotational brownouts for the past weeks due to the shortage of power in Mindanao.

Two regular daily flights from Manila to Zamboanga City are affected by the closing of the airport after sundown. They are flights operated by Airphil Express and Philippine Airlines.

Zamboanga airport closed

As PAL A320 veered-off runway

March 9, 2011

More than 2,000 incoming and outgoing passengers were stranded at airports in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Tawi-Tawi when a Philippine Airlines A320 plane veered off runway at the turn around pad and stuck on soft grounds Wednesday morning.

Philippine Airlines flight number PR 124 bound for Manila, was supposed to leave at 6:55 am and was turning slowly for take off, when its left wheel fell off the concrete runway towards the mud.

The plane was not able to get off the mud and the passengers were requested to temporarily wait back at the pre-departure area for further announcement until they were told that their flight together with all others were canceled for the day.

The plane was carrying at least 90 passengers. No one was injured in the incident.

Airport Manager Celso Bayabos this was the first incident that an aircraft taking off from the Zamboanga City Airport runway got stranded in the mud. He called the incident a "runway obstruction" after it effectively closes the runway for the entire day.

Capt. Amado Soliman of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said that Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was immediately circulated advising airlines that Zamboanga International Airport is closed to air traffic since 7:05 am.

PAL is still investigating an alleged miscalculation on the part of the pilots while maneuvering the plane, but he said

Soliman said PAL is coordinating with authorities, particularly the US Air Force who are based at Zamboanga airport to lend them towing equipment to remove the plane off the mud.

Meanwhile, another PAL plane also bound for Manila was delayed for at least seven hours in Cebu after its Airbus 330-300 reported an oxygen leak in the cockpit.

No one was reported hurt, but the delay caused inconvenience to more than 200 passengers bound for Manila.

PR Flight 848 was supposed to leave the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City at 9:05 a.m. Wednsday but left at 4:30 p.m. due to the leaking problem.

The plane arrived safely in Manila at 5:15 p.m., while the plane in Zamboanga is expected to fly back tomorrow morning.

Bomb explodes at Zamboanga International Airport

Kills two, injured rises to 22

August 5, 2010

A possible suicide bomber exploded a bomb at the arrival area of Zamboanga International Airport around 6:15pm today killing one person and injuring twelve others, with two person in critical condition.

One of the injured was Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu who believes the bomb might have been targeted at him. The identity of other victims are still being verified as of posting.

As of 9:30 pm, Zamboanga City mayor Celso Lobregat confirmed that one of the seriously injured victim died in the hospital while number of those injured in the blast climbed to 22 as of 10pm last night.

Mayor Lobregat said that initial investigations done by police operatives indicated that the victim who died instantly on the spot was the one who was carrying the explosive device. He added that members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) have recovered from the blast site an identification card believed to be that of the bearer of the explosive devise.

Philippine Airlines passengers were about to leave from the terminal building upon their arrival at 6:10pm when the bomb exploded. Authorities are still investigating what kind of explosives was used in the bombing.

The explosion occurred the night before the scheduled visit to the city of US Ambassador Harry Thomas which is now canceled due to security concerns.

Zamboanga International Airport is one of the most secured and militarized airport in the country.

Q400 Gears haunts PAL again


Strands Passengers at Zamboanga Airport

December 22 2009

by Monch L. Follosco and Riza Lacbao

Zamboanga City - Hundreds of passengers bound for Cebu City were stranded after their plane encountered mechanical trouble yesterday afternoon at the Zamboanga City International Airport (ZCIA).

Philippine Air Lines Express PR-273, which was scheduled to depart from Zamboanga to Cebu, had to cancel its flight after the plane’s hydraulic front gear exploded.

ZCIA Manager Celso Bayabos told local reporters that PAL airplace encountered mechanical trouble after its hydraulic front gear got leaked and exploded along the runway of the city’s airport.

The plane landed in the airport before 2 o’clock in the afternooon from Davao and was scheduled to depart from Zamboanga City to Cebu City at 2:10 p.m., according to Bayabos.

Airport personnel immediately asked the assistance of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for the use of tow truck and tow bar to clear the runway for other incoming airplanes.

As of this writing, Bayabos said: “The passengers are safe and we still don’t know if they will cancel the flight for Cebu City.” Bayabos, however, said that there is no problem with the runway “this was the first time to happen with no damage to passengers and they are very safe”.

It was learned from local media that hundreds of passengers waited in the departure (terminal area).

PAL Branch Manager Lolito Galarrita has no comment as he was busy attending clients pending the official report of the incident.

MASwings to launch international services

Heads to Zamboanga and Davao

December 14, 2009

Kota Kinabalu - Malaysia Airlines wholly-owned subsidiary MASwings, plans to launch international services next year to neighboring countries Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, Makassar via Balikpapan in Indonesia and Davao via Zamboanga in the Philippines.

The airline plans to fly from Kota Kinabalu to Davao via Zamboanga in the Philippines and Makassar via Balikpapan in Indonesia by the middle of next year, MASwings Managing Director Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani said.

MASwings intend to launch three times a week schedule to the Philippines and four times a week for Indonesia sometime in April next year using ATR 72-500 aircraft. A short hop to Bendar Seri Begawan will also be made during the day.

"This is in line with the government-backed BIMP-EAGA, Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area initiative", says Tabrani. "There is unlikely to be any government subsidies for launching the new services and that the airline will have to ensure these services are economically viable. That is why we are considering a stop in Zamboanga and Balikpapan to increase our chances of success"Tabrani adds.

The airline expects to receive its 10th ATR 72-500 aircraft in April 2010 as part of its re-fleeting program which was started in 2007. It received its first ATR in 2008 and six others followed in 2009.

“Our eight, ninth and 10th ATR 72-500 aircraft will arrive in February, March and April respectively,” Tabrani said after signing an agreement converting its options to firmed orders with ATR sales general manager for South-East Asia and Pacific Christophe Potocki.

Presently MASwings has no further options for more ATR aircraft "but it is something we will look at in the future" particularly "if our expansion into the BIMP-EAGA is working for us".

MASwings started its operations on Oct 1, 2007 and offers more than 950 weekly flights serving 22 destinations in Sarawak and Sabah as well as Labuan. It currently has a fleet of three Fokker 50s, four Twin Otters and seven ATR72s. The ATR 72-500 aircraft has a sitting capacity of 68 people.

Fire hits ZIA

May 10, 2009

Airport firetruck failed to douse blaze

Zamboanga - A Fire of unknown origin hit the employees quarters of Zamboanga International Airport at at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday reducing it to the ground while injuring one of its employees who helped put out the blaze. The terminal was saved from the fire.

The blaze which started at the employees sleeping quarters adjacent the terminal building failed to be controlled by the airports fire department prompting it to call for reinforcement from the City's Fire Department which controlled the fire more than three hours later, Celso Bayabos, airport manager said.

The fire caused slight disruption of airport operations particularly the morning arrival flights as it caused chaos around the terminal's vicinity. Damage to property was initially estimated at 5 million pesos.

BFP fire investigation team together with CAAP operatives are still investigating the cause of the fire, which the spokesman from the BFP said to be due either to faulty electric wirings or leaky LPG tank.

Airport services returned to normal operations around 9am says Bayabos.