Wednesday, September 28, 2011

CEB marks one year of Beijing operations with seat sale

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) flew 41,615 passengers in its first year of Manila-Beijing-Manila operations.
The airline launched its longest international route on a thrice weekly flight schedule last September 5, 2010.
“CEB is proud to offer its trademark low fares to Beijing, encouraging travel and trade between Manila and China’s capital city. We attribute the good loads for our Beijing flights to increased promotions of Philippine destinations in China, and constant seat sales,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

To further boost travel between Manila and Greater China, CEB offers a seat sale from September 27 to 29, 2011 or until seats last.

Passengers can buy seats from Manila to Beijing at CNY 228, Guangzhou and Shanghai for travel from November 1 to December 31, 2011. They can also buy CNY 138 seats for travel from January 1 to February 29, 2012.

CEB also offers CNY 78.02 or MOP 98 seats from Clark to Macau (for travel from October 1 to December 31, 2011), CNY 133.74 or MOP 168 seats from Manila to Macau (for travel from November 1 to December 31, 2011), and CNY 151.66 or TWD 688 seats from Manila to Taipei (for travel from January 1 to February 29, 2012).

“With the arrival of more brand-new aircraft in the last four months of 2011 until 2021, CEB will continue looking for more opportunities for expansion in Greater China. We believe that tourists from Greater China will continue to be interested in the many Philippine destinations we fly direct to such as Laoag, Cebu, Boracay and Palawan,” she added.

Iyog said passengers may also travel to select domestic destinations which are on sale.

For travel from November 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, CNY 13.24 seats are available from Manila to Laoag, through www.cebupacificair.com or through travel agents on Amadeus.

Passengers can also buy seats as low as CNY 58.39 from Manila to Cagayan de Oro or Zamboanga, for the same travel period.

Meanwhile, for travel November 1-December 31, 2011, those going from Manila to Dumaguete or Roxas can avail of seats as low as CNY 88.49.
 
Source: ITCM

Aviation industry asks gov’t to deal with safety systems to regain ‘category 1’ status


APART from the call of domestic airline companies for a fair open skies policy, the government should also double its efforts in improving the country’s aviation safety system if it wants to get a large number of tourists.

Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for government affairs Jose Perez de Tagle said that it is not only reciprocity in open skies policy that they are actively pushing, industry players are also hoping that the country will regain the “category 1” status of its aviation safety system after it was downgraded by US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to category 2 in 2008.

“A rating upgrade is important if the country wants to boost its tourism industry, apart from the efforts on aggressive marketing promotions, maintaining peace and order as well as product development,” de Tagle said in an interview.

Important

A rating upgrade is important especially for airline companies that have plans to either mount or expand operations in United States.

De Tagle said the government should urgently address the issue as this has already burdened airline companies. 

The FAA downgraded the Philippines’ civil aviation rating to category 2, citing policies and systems that were below standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations, including the lack of qualified safety personnel.

According to FAA, category 2 means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedure.

But de Tagle said the country’s aviation safety system downgrade has nothing to do with the airlines. 

“It is the government that doesn’t have resources and trained safety personnel that operate, audit and regulate,” he said.

Trainings

He said airline companies constantly conduct trainings to improve their workforce as well as enhance airport navigations systems to ensure airline’s safety systems. He said they have been actively doing their share in the promotion of the country’s tourism industry.

In a report, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that the country is preparing for an audit on the country’s commercial aviation system this December to be conducted by a team from the US FAA.

Source: Sun.Star Cebu

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

More flights and tourists seen owing to open skies policy

While a few have dismissed the Aquino government’s pocket open skies policy as a failure, some find such judgment too early because the Philippines has just begun getting more planes fly over its skies and more tourists enjoy its sun, sea and sand.

Last March, the Aquino government adopted a pocket open skies policy through Executive Order 29 (EO 29), which liberalizes the country’s secondary airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by allowing more foreign carriers to fly and bring in more tourists. It also reorganized the Philippine air negotiating panel that deals with bilateral air service agreements through EO 28.

Carmelo Arcilla, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director, said, “The full effect of open skies policy remains to be seen. But its progressive implementation has led to a marked increase in tourist arrivals in the Philippines or flights to and from the country."

He told GMA News Online the open skies policy has also seen the emergence of more Philippine carriers and the expansion of their services. “In recent years, we have seen more and more carriers operating to other gateways such as Clark (Pampanga), Kalibo (Aklan) and Cebu."

Monday, September 26, 2011

Marco Polo to run new hotel in Ortigas opening 2013

MANILA, Philippines — Marco Polo Hotels is managing a new hotel that will open in the Ortigas Business Center while it continues to talk to potential hotel owners the possibility of operating a new hotel in the Manila Bay area.

In an interview, Marco Polo president Steve Kleinschmidt said the new Ortigas hotel will be open in late 2013 or early 2014. Currently, they have completed the foundation and are now building the podium.

He said this contemporary 5-star hotel will feature 313 rooms and suites including Marco Polo’s signature Continental Club Floor, extensive meeting facilities with a Ballroom and 8 function rooms.

Dining options include an all day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a lobby lounge and a Sky Bar. The recreation area will feature an indoor swimming pool, health club and spa.

Kleinschmidt said the hotel is being built by Xin Tian Ti (XTT) which is a development corporation established by First SLP Holdings to manage the hotel and tourism-related businesses.

First SLP Holdings fully owns JS Unitrade Merchandise Inc. which has emerged as one of the top 300 corporations in the country as a prime mover of baby care, feminine hygiene, and geriatric care products with annual revenues of over $100 million.

Kleinschmidt said Marco Polo is looking for a hotel to operate in the Manila Bay area which they see as having the right fit for their brand, after noting that Makati is already too competitive.

While Marco Polo is not going into gaming despite the four major hotel-casino projects being developed in the area, Kleinschmidt said they are open to operating a hotel portion of a mixed-use development.

He noted that recent developments in the tourism sector, including the development of major hotel-casino projects, may revitalize the Manila Bay area and they want to be part of this growth.

Kleinschmidt said the hotel industry in Manila has a very stable market and this makes it very attractive to hotel management companies like Marco Polo.

He said they are already talking to some groups that are planning to open new hotels in the area although none of them can be disclosed yet.

Marco Polo already operates two hotels in the country with the first in Davao City followed recently by the one in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Federal Land Inc., the property development arm of the Metrobank group, is developing a P3.5 billion high-end residential condominium project which will be co-branded with the adjacent Marco Polo Hotel.

In a press briefing, Federal Land president Alfred Ty said the Marco Polo Residences will be a two tower project offering a total of about 400 condominium units as well as seven luxury two-level villas.

Ty said they are investing at least P3 billion to develop the project and expects to generate revenues of about P3.5 billion from it.

According to Ty, market reception has been strong with the first tower’s 170 units already 80 percent sold while they have already sold 40 percent of the second tower’s P230 units.

“Real estate developers are realizing that they can put a big premium on the pricing if they have that branding,” said Marco Polo Hotels president Steve Kleinschmidt.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Feature: Why Filipino seafarers are the most sought after by ship owners worldwide

The Filipino seafarers are the top choice by ship owners all over the world, Atty. Manuel Portus, Regional Director of Marina in Eastern Visayas, informed during the Harampang Ha PIA media forum that launched this year’s National Maritime Week celebration on September 26 to October 1.

It is a fact that one-third of the world’s 1.5 million seafarers are Filipinos, Director Portus said.
Director Portus’ statement was backed up with data, the Philippine Information Agency found out. For one, a report mentioned that the chairman of International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) has stated that Filipino seafarers are the top choice of Japanese ship managers and owners.

Cathay Pacific appoints new executives


MANILA, Philippines — Martin Xu has been named Cathay Pacific Philippines new Country Manager following Ed Higgs’ 3-year stint in the position. The transition coincided with the carrier’s Chicago destination launch at the Manila Polo Club, where Xu was officially welcomed to the team.

A graduate of the prestigious Chinese University of Hong Kong, he joined the premium carrier in 2002 as a management trainee, and gained experience by working in its different departments including marketing, inflight services and commercial sales. He became manager for East Indonesia in 2007, and moved on to become the International Affairs Manager in 2009 — also the last position he held before taking over the reins of Cathay Pacific’s Philippine operations.

Xu, who has been with the airline for 10 years, has conveyed his enthusiasm for his new post and aims to maintain the carrier’s strong performance in the past years.
“I look forward to working with a talented team to continue strengthening Cathay Pacific’s leadership position in the Philippines. The airline has always been known for its high quality and service standards, and consumers can rest assured that we will work tirelessly to provide them with the kind of experience they’ve come to expect from us, and to give them more reasons to fly Cathay Pacific.”

Other movements within the Cathay Pacific Group include newly appointed Cebu Manager Maggie Wong and Dragonair Chief Representative Walter Li. Wong, a Ball State University graduate, first joined the carrier in 2008 as Assistant to Director Cargo, subsequently becoming Assistant to General Manager SE Asia, Acting Manager for Penang, and finally, Executive Assistant to Chief Operating Officer Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. Li, on the other hand, has a graduate degree in accounting from Washington University in St. Louis. He served as a Personnel Officer for the airline prior to being appointed to his latest post.
 
The Cathay Pacific Group offers passenger and cargo services to 145 destinations in Asia, North America, Middle East, Europe and Africa. Operating over 120 wide-body aircraft, the Group flies one of the youngest fleets in the air. The high level of personal service the Cathay Pacific Group offers sets it apart and wins it passenger loyalty and industry awards.
 
Source: Manila Bulletin

PAL cuts selected domestic and int'l flights for time being


MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) is reducing the number of selected domestic and international flights for a limited period as the flag carrier prepares for the transfer of its catering, ground handling and call center reservations units to third party service providers on October 1, 2011.

Boeing's 787 aims to raise bar in comfort


All Nippon Airway (ANA) employee Yong Choi looks at the 
entertainment controller while seated in the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner
 to be delivered to the Japanese airline at Boeing's Everett factory 
August 6, 2011. REUTERS/Robert Sorbo


LONDON (Reuters) - Dressed in specially designed All Nippon Airways (9202.T) livery, with a big, bold, blue "787" splashed at its fore, Boeing Co's (BA.N) Dreamliner will fly from its Seattle birthplace to Tokyo on Tuesday, and, just over a month later, begin active service for the Japanese carrier.


Loyal passengers of other 787-recipient airlines will have months, possibly years to kick their heels before experiencing the high-tech, $185-$218 million craft. Should they wait with bated breath for what Boeing 787 Chief Project Engineer Mike Sinnett has called: "The most technologically advanced commercial airplane in history"?

Marketed as a panacea to passenger discomfort, the Dreamliner's inauguration is, after three years of delivery delays, being closely monitored by the travel industry.

 "Comfort and cost are concerns of the business traveller and the 787 will deliver extreme advancements in fuel efficiency and many traveller features that will improve the journey," said Michael Qualantone, senior vice president & general manager, American Express Global Business Travel.

Indeed, this twin-engine, bendy winged, widebody craft has raised the bar for fuel efficiency. Some 50 percent by weight of the 787 airframe is lightweight carbon-fibre composites that could, Boeing says, help reduce fuel costs by 20 percent.

Emirates Airline says no drop in demand yet




Emirates airplanes are seen at the airport in Dubai October 30, 
2010. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

 (Reuters) - State-owned carrier Emirates Airline EMIRA.UL is not yet seeing a downturn in business and bookings for the next few months are at high levels, even as other airlines warn stuttering economies are affecting sales.

"There are lots of places Lufthansa doesn't fly to," he said, citing places such as many Africa cities, Australia and Indonesia. "We do, and the Germans want to go there.""As yet, fingers crossed, we have not seen any diminution of demand," President Tim Clark told Reuters in an interview at Hamburg airport.
Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) last week warned on profits and said it would offer fewer seats on its planes this winter than previously expected.
In contrast, low-cost rival easyjet (EZJ.L) lifted its guidance for the year, boosted by business passengers.
Clark said booking levels were in the high 70 percent range for November, which he described as strong for the time of year.
Clark, who flew into Hamburg on an Airbus A380 superjumbo as part of the airport's 100th anniversary celebrations, said the UK and Germany were doing well, while its Athens operations were seeing good load factors and yields.
"Our biggest single problem is fuel, but that's coming off now, he said.
"You've got the euro and sterling going through the floor, and that gives us sleepless nights because so much of our income comes out of the euro zone and the UK but on the other hand, the non euro zone currencies are stronger."
PLANES AND SLOTS
Clark said fast-growing Emirates, which is the biggest A380 customer with 90 orders placed, was not interested in taking off any planes from Air Berlin (AB1.DE), which is scaling back its fleet as it strives to return to profitability.
"It's important that they sort themselves out because Air Berlin's a very good partner for us," he added.
Clark also said the carrier was no further with trying to get slots at Berlin's new airport, due to be opened next summer.
There have been reports that flag carrier Lufthansa has asked the government not to award slots to Emirates.
Lufthansa has been openly critical of Emirates, accusing it and other Gulf carriers of having an unfair advantage and distorting the market because they are backed by rich states.
"If we were flying in empty and charging silly prices and wrecking markets etc, then the case of our friends in the various airlines that seem to be opposed to us would rest, but it doesn't," Clark said.

By Victoria Bryan
http://www.reuters.com

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Tiger Airways to launch Davao-Singapore-Davao flights

TIGER Airways will launch its maiden flight from Davao to Singapore and vice-versa on November 1, with a frequency of three times a week. Delza Gochoco, officer-in-charge of commercial affairs of Southeast Asian Airlines, said direct flights from Davao to Singapore is a way to increase the tourism in Davao, making it accessible internationally.
"That is Singapore to Davao and Davao to Singapore. We will do three flights initially and hopefully, we will do like what we did for Cebu, a daily flight," Gochoco said When asked what convinced them to have a Davao to Singapore direct flight, they said that they see a potential and there must be an effort on bringing agents from Singapore to Davao and vice-versa. "Tiger Airways is really a low cost airline. No frills and no fuss," she said. Tiger Airways is located at Door 16 Legaspi Suites P. Pelayo, Davao City.

By: Arianne Caryl N. Casas
Sun.Star Davao

Tsuneishi delivers 2nd biggest ship

SHIPBUILDER Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu) Inc. on (THICI) Tuesday delivered m/v Cape Sampagita, the second largest ship the company built next to m/v Tenshu Maru, a 180,000-deadweight ton (DWT) bulk carrier delivered last year. The m/v Cape Sampagita, which was built for almost one year at THICI, is owned by the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. the world’s 10th largest container transportation and shipping company that owns and controls large cargo ships, container ships, container terminals, gas carriers, roll-on roll-off ships and tankers. M/v Cape Sampagita is a 180,000-DWT bulk carrier and is the 14th vessel delivered this year. It will first sail to Singapore then to Australia, until it reaches the port of Japan. The vessel is manned by 21 Filipino sailors.

Confidence

THICI operates in a 147-hectare compound within the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban. The firm is a joint venture between Japan’s Tsuneishi Group and the Aboitiz Group, which was established in 1994. THICI builds bulk carriers as well as car and truck carriers for international clients. THICI president Hitoshi Kono said the delivery of m/v Cape Sampagita is another testament to the firm’s confidence in the global shipbuilding industry. “We want to be among the best shipyards around the world,” Kono said. THICI is fully booked until October 2014. It targets to build 18 vessels this year, of which 13 are vessels with deadweight of 58,000 MT while five are cape-sized vessels with deadweight of 180,000 MT. During last year’s delivery of m/v Tenshu Maru, the largest ship built in the country, Aboitiz Equity Ventures president Erramon Aboitiz said the Philippines will become the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world with the combined output of the Balamban shipyard and Hanjin in Subic. He said the shipyard, which was built on a quiet beach 16 years ago with under 2,000 workers, now employs 11,000 workers with an annual payroll of about P2 billion. With the reported increase in oil demand, stronger availability of financial support and market recovery, the shipbuilding market is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7 percent (in terms of DWT) during 2011-2013, according to the Global Shipbuilding Market Report 2011 by Research and Markets.

Market share

The report said China accounts for the largest market share in all major global shipbuilding activities. India, Vietnam, Brazil and the Philippines are the other emerging shipbuilding nations striving to compete for a share in the global market. Of the various vessels manufactured in the global shipbuilding market, bulk carriers, tankers and container ships form the major categories.  The report also said environmental issues are being treated with concern and priority by the shipping industry. Companies all across the globe are focusing on building eco-friendly ships that are more efficient and comply with environmental regulations to reduce carbon emissions.

By: Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu

Airports to tighten security

MANILA -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) directed airport officials in the country to keep a tight watch on those who might sabotage with airport operations and communications.
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) also announced Saturday several contingency measures it is adopting in preparation for the transfer of its catering, ground handling and call center reservations units to third party service providers on October 1, 2011.
Caap Director General Ramon S. Gutierrez, in an advisory circular issued September 23, called on Caap-owned and operated airports, International Airport Authorities, government law enforcement and airport private security agencies to be alert in the light of continuing mass protests by PAL unions against the management.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Palace wants tourists to come to Philippines for ‘right reasons’


Manila, Philippines—While the government wants millions of foreign tourists to come to come to its shores, MalacaƱang on Friday said that it wants travelers to be in the country “for the right reasons.” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the remarks in reaction to US Ambassador Harry Thomas’ disclosure that four out of ten male foreign tourists come to the Philippines for sex. “The Philippines is a beautiful country. Although we would like to see the number of tourist arrivals increase, we would want that our tourists, that our friends come here for the right reasons,” Valte said during a news briefing in MalacaƱang. Valte said the government is aware of the sex tours happening in the country and that it has intensified its efforts against the trafficking of women and children. “Even the US State Department has upgraded our status. From the watch list, we are now just in the Tier Two, (with the US) citing significant efforts of the administration in the past year to combat human trafficking,” Valte said. She said the matter has been brought to the attention of the Department of Tourism and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez is already addressing the situation.

By: Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Plan for zipline in Caluwayan put on hold

THE plan to put up a zipline at the Caluwayan Palm Beach Resort was put on hold after its owners decided to finish the construction of additional facilities, such as rooms and function halls, in the resort instead. Caluwayan Palm Beach Resort is a privately-owned resort located in Barangay Caluwayan, Marabut, Samar. It is the premier tourism facility in the town that has been helping the Municipal Government in the promotion of its tourism programs.
“The Municipal Government had already signed a memorandum of agreement with the operators of Caluwayan, but the management of Caluwayan decided to push said project early or mid-next year once all construction of additional building is done,” Marabut municipal tourism officer Estela Obuyes said. Last May 27, Zeny Cosimino, the manager of the resort, and her brother Engr. Mario Pacuri initiated the MOA with Mayor Ortillo, Jr. The signing was made at the resort and was witnessed by various officials of the municipality. In November 17, a team that includes investors and consultants from Meadowland Development Corporation specializing on extreme sports facilities and water system development assessed the entire municipality of Marabut for a zipline project that will be constructed within its tourism destinations. 

Source: Sunstar Tacloban

Airline company explains flight delays

THE Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) explained Friday why it is experiencing delays in some of its flights, saying the delays can be attributed to some reasons that are beyond the company's control. CEB reservation officer Ellen Dolim said in a phone interview that the company is doing its best to deliver the best service to its customers.
"These are security concern and we cannot do anything about it," Dolim said. Asked to elaborate on the security concerns, Dolim refused to speak further. A concerned reader of Sun.Star Davao complained about CEB's delayed flight on Friday morning. The reader, who requested anonymity, said their flight for Manila was supposed to leave at 8:30 a.m. but they were advised to wait until 8:20 p.m. on the same day.

"Pero ang 9:40 a.m. flight naka-alis na at may 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. pa na flight chance passenger lang daw kami kung kaya unyang hapon (But the 9:40 a.m. flight left and there were 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. flight scheduled. Since we were chance passengers, we have to wait until evening)," the reader said. The reader added that many of them were stranded and even had to be absent from work. "There are valid contributing factors to reckon with when there is flight delay. Our On Time Performance is a big issue to us," said Nikki Paulin of CEB cargo and fuel operations.

Source: Sun.Star Davao
By: Jereco O. Paloma

Tourism buoys Central Visayas's economy

CEBU CITY -- In, not out, is one way to describe how the Central Visayas economy is growing.The latest Central Visayas Regional Economic Situationer shows a continued boost in tourism, but the export industry has suffered a setback.

China Commercial Aircraft Company vice president Luo Ronghuai supplier to Europe to study project


2011幓9꜈18ę—„č‡³30ę—„,äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åøå‰Æꀻē»ē†ē½—č£ę€€ēŽ‡å›¢č®æé—®ę¬§ę“²ä¾›åŗ”商,考åƟ德国、ę³•å›½åŠå„„åœ° 利ē­‰å›½ēš„ē³»ē»Ÿä¾›åŗ”商åœØARJ21ꖰę”Æēŗæ飞ęœŗ锹ē›®äøŠēš„čæ›å±•ęƒ…况,å‘ęœ‰å…³ä¾›åŗ”å•†é€šęŠ„ARJ21ꖰę”Æēŗæ飞ęœŗ锹ē›®ęœ€ę–°čæ›å±•ęƒ…况和äø‹äø€ę­„ēš„ꉓē®—,并就锹ē›®åŽē»­ēš„å·„作 向供åŗ”å•†ęå‡ŗ要걂。 September 18, 2011 to 30, China Commercial Aircraft Company vice president Luo Ronghuai visit to European suppliers, visit Germany, France and Austria and other countries of the new system supplier in the regional aircraft ARJ21 progress on the project to the suppliers informed of new regional aircraft ARJ21 latest project progress and plan the next step and work on the project follow-up request to the supplier.
9꜈20ę—„,ē½—č£ę€€äø€č”Œåˆ°ä½äŗŽå¾·å›½ęž—ē™»ä¼Æę ¼ēš„čµ·č½ęž¶ē³»ē»Ÿä¾›åŗ”å•†å¾·å›½åˆ©å‹ƒęµ·å°”å®‡čˆŖ公åø(仄äø‹ē®€ē§°LLI公 åø)考åƟARJ21锹ē›®ä¾›åŗ”商ēŽ°åœŗēš„å·„作。 September 20, Luo Ronghuai line to Linden in Germany, the landing gear system suppliers Berg Liebherr Aerospace of Germany (hereinafter referred to as LLI's) ARJ21 project vendor on-site inspection work. åˆ©å‹ƒęµ·å°”å…¬åøčµ·č½ęž¶ē³»ē»Ÿå’Œé£žęŽ§ē³»ē»Ÿå…¬åøå·„ēØ‹ę€»č£ę±‰å…‹、å•†åŠ”ę€»č£čˆ’å„ˆéŗ¦ä»‹ē»äŗ†å…¬åøēš„åŸŗęœ¬ęƒ…å†µ,ē„¶åŽå°± ARJ21-700飞ęœŗčµ·č½ē³»ē»Ÿå·„ē؋、č“Ø量、适čˆŖ、å®¢ęˆ·ęœåŠ”å’Œå•†åŠ”ę–¹é¢ēš„å·„作äŗ¤ę¢äŗ†ę„č§。 Liebherr landing gear systems and flight control systems engineering company president Hank, Business President Shu Naimai introduced the basic situation, then ARJ21-700 aircraft landing systems engineering, quality, airworthiness, and business aspects of customer service to exchange views. ē½—č£ę€€äø€č”Œčæ˜ å‚č§‚äŗ†čµ·č½ęž¶åˆ¶é€ č£…é…č½¦é—“、čµ·č½ęž¶åŠŸčƒ½åÆé ę€§å’Œäø»čµ·ē–²åŠ³å®žéŖŒå®¤ē­‰č®¾ę–½,ę·±å…„äŗ†č§£LLI公åøēš„ē ”发、制造及čƕéŖŒčƒ½åŠ›ē­‰ę–¹é¢ęƒ…况。 Luo Ronghuai also visited the assembly plant manufacturing the landing gear, main landing gear functional reliability and fatigue from the laboratory and other facilities, in-depth understanding of LLI's R & D, manufacturing and testing capacity and other aspects.
9꜈22ę—„, ē½—č£ę€€äø€č”Œč€ƒåƟäŗ†ARJ21飞ęœŗ内鄰供åŗ”商FACC公åøēš„å·„作。 September 22, Luo Ronghuai his entourage visited the ARJ21 aircraft interiors supplier FACC's work. FACC公åø ę‰§č”Œę€»č£ę ¼å“ˆå¾·ē­‰čƦē»†ä»‹ē»äŗ†ARJ21锹ē›®å†…é„°å…„åŗ§é«˜åŗ¦ę›“ę”¹čæ›å±•ęƒ…况,åŒę–¹å°±å·„ē؋、č“Ø量、适čˆŖå’Œå®¢ęˆ·ęœåŠ”ę–¹é¢ēš„å·„作做äŗ†čæ›äø€ę­„ę²Ÿé€šå’Œåå•†。 FACC, chief executive Gerhard ARJ21 project and other details on the progress of the interior to change the seat height, both on the engineering, quality, airworthiness and customer service aspects of the work done to further communication and consultation. 代č”Ø团äø€č”Œčæ˜ å‚č§‚äŗ†FACCē»“ęž„ä»¶å’Œå†…é„°ēš„ē”Ÿäŗ§č½¦é—“,äŗ†č§£å…¶ē”Ÿäŗ§å·„č‰ŗꊀęœÆ及ē”Ÿäŗ§ē®”ē†ęƒ…况,čæ›äø€ę­„增加äŗ†ē›øäŗ’é—“合作ēš„äæ”åæƒ,ē½—č£ę€€åøŒęœ›FACC公åø要čæ›äø€ę­„äøŽå›½å†…企äøšåˆ 作,å…±ę±‚å‘å±•。 The delegation also visited the FACC structural components and interior workshop, to understand their production technology and production management, to further increase the confidence of mutual cooperation, Luo Ronghuai hope FACC, to further cooperation with domestic enterprises, and development.
公åøꀻéƒØęœ‰å…³ éƒØé—ØåŠę‰€å±žå•ä½ęœ‰å…³č“Ÿč“£äŗŗ参加äŗ†č€ƒåÆŸę“»åŠØ。 Company headquarters departments and their subordinate units of the responsible persons to participate in the inspection activities.
ē½—č£ę€€å‰Æꀻē» ē†ä¼šč§åˆ©å‹ƒęµ·å°”宇čˆŖ公åø高ē®”。 Luo Ronghuai Liebherr Aerospace Vice President met with company executives.
Source: China Commercial Aircraft Company News 

Boeing: New planes designed with China in mind

(AP)  BEIJING — China's fast growing demand for aircraft has become a strong influence on how Boeing Co. designs and markets its newest planes, one of the company's executives said Wednesday.

Ihssane Mounir also said Boeing welcomes future competition from China's state-owned COMAC, which is developing a pair of passenger jets, but warned the commercial aircraft business could be punishing.

"It needs a lot of money, it needs a lot of patience, and the learning curve is tough," Mounir, senior vice president of sales and marketing for greater China and Korea, told The Associated Press.

Mounir's comments at the Aviation Expo China in Beijing follow Boeing raising its estimate for Chinese commercial aircraft purchases over the next 20 years to 5,000 jets, at which time China will be the world's second largest plane market after the United States.

"The number is pretty staggering. It's mind boggling actually," Mounir said.

Boeing aims to capture a least 50 percent of that demand, and is developing its planes with an eye specifically on the Chinese market, he said.

"You would be a fool to ignore the requirements of China. China is one of the drivers" of how Boeing designs and builds its planes, Mounir said, listing size, seating configuration, range, and fuel efficiency as areas in which Boeing takes its customers' requirements into account.

A similar trend has already taken hold in the auto industry, where global car makers including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., and BMW have introduced new models with the Chinese consumer in mind.

Chinese airlines have tripled the size of their fleets over the past decade to a total of 1,593 jets and plane maker AVIC estimates an additional 4,583 passenger planes need to be added over the next 20 years to keep up with passenger growth and to replace aging aircraft.

AVIC helped set up COMAC to build China's entrants into the large commercial airplane industry: the 150-seat C919 that would compete with the Airbus and Boeing models and the 78-90-seat AR-J21 to serve regional routes. While more than 300 of the planes have been ordered, mainly by Chinese carriers, they both remain in development, with a C919 prototype yet to be built. Four ARJ21s have flown and have undergone testing in extreme conditions.

AVIC is also developing a turbofan engine to one day power the C919, although it was shown at the Beijing exhibition only in model form. The ARJ-21 is powered by engines from General Electric Co.

While warning of the high entry costs, Mounir said it entirely understandable that China would want to take advantage of a booming market in an important industry. He said competition will force Boeing and other industry leaders to stay on their toes.

"I worry about it to that extent, but also welcome it because it makes us build better planes," Mounir said.

Courtesy of: http://www.cbsnews.com

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Sinulog Festival in Cebu City


Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Nino. The dance moves to the sound of the drums and this resembles the current (Sinulog) of what was then known as Cebu’s Pahina River. Thus, in Cebuano, they say it’s Sinulog. More than just the meaning of the word is the significance of the dance. Historians now say that Sinulog, which is of pagan origin, is the link between the country’s pagan past and its Christian present. Let’s trace its history.

Cebu Parklane International Hotel

Visit Website
http://www.parklanehotel.com.ph/

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Baby born in PAL plane healthy

CALIFORNIA – A baby boy came into the world in the most unusual way. 
 
Kevin Rayman Francis was born inside a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for San Francisco. 
 
The baby's mother, 41-year-old Aida Alamillo, was supposed to give birth on September 28.   
 
Her doctor, as well as the medical personnel from PAL, gave her the go-signal to take the flight. 
 
But on board, she felt the baby coming. 
 
“Nakaupo ako, parang nag-harden ang tiyan ko. Sumakit ang tiyan ko bigla.  Two hours na lang, magla-land na kami sa San Francisco,” said Alamillo. 
 
The mother of four told her 13-year-old son who was traveling with her to alert flight attendants that she was experiencing stomach pains. 
 
Alamillo was led to a private area near the business class cabin. 
 
“Ang sabi ko, Diyos ko, panginoon, kayo na po bahala sa akin. Kung ano man ito, it's your will na mangyari ito,” she prayed. 
 
A flight attendant and three nurses on board helped her in her delivery, which only took 15 minutes. 
 
Baby Kevin was born at 3:25 in the afternoon, weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. 
 
People clapped and cheered upon baby Kevin's arrival. 
 
“Nawala ang sakit na naramdaman ko. Napaiyak ako,” she said.   
 
Alamillo’s husband and other children are still in the Philippines.   
 
Her eldest child, Kenji, says, he's overwhelmed with the newest addition to the family. 
 
“Napaluha din ako kasi sobrang tuwa nung makita ko yung kapatid ko na lumabas sa tiyan,” he said. 
 
Mother and son were immediately rushed to the hospital upon landing. 
 
Doctors at Mills Peninsula say both are healthy. 
 
Alamillo just received her green card, through a petition by her mother, and this is her first time in America where she plans to raise her children. 
 
After they are released from the hospital, Alamillo and her newborn son will fly to Boston to be with the rest of their family and to begin their life as new immigrants in America.

by Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau 

‘Include reciprocity in open skies’

THE country’s two biggest air carriers are asking the government to modify Executive Order (EO) 29, which adopted an “open skies” policy for the country, to include reciprocity in any air rights negotiations.
Airline officials said they need reciprocity to compete fairly with international carriers.
“The initiative of the open skies policy is good as it opens secondary gateways to air carriers but apart from allowing foreign air carriers to enter the Philippines, the government should also increase the air access rights of Philippine carriers, country by country,” said Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for government affairs Jose Perez de Tagle at the sidelines of the Department of Tourism’s Open Skies Policy roadshow last Monday at the Cebu Grand Hotel.
De Tagle said that while EO 29 grants unlimited rights to foreign air carriers to fly in and out of the country, it left Philippine air carriers limited flights specified in existing air agreements with other countries. He said this threatens their existence.
“Let the foreign carriers fly but give us the same opportunity,” he said, adding that a two-way open skies policy will help the country attract a large number of tourists.
Fair rules
“All we want is for the government to set fair rules for all players,” he said.
De Tagle said fair rules should be imposed on air carriers, especially that they have been pouring investments into the country and have remained strong and competitive in the industry.
“In fact, we are building airlines and not asking for government subsidies,” he said.
EO 29 was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in March this year. It authorizes Philippine aviation panels to offer and promote “third, fourth, and fifth freedom rights to the country’s airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) without restriction as to frequency, capacity and type of aircraft, and other
arrangements” that will serve the national interest as may be determined by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
It said that the CAB can grant any foreign air carriers increases in frequencies and capacities in the country’s airports other than NAIA.
It also noted that the CAB cannot grant any foreign air carrier “cabotage” traffic rights or the right to transport passengers and goods between two or more points within the Philippines.
This means, that if foreign carriers fly people to Cebu, it can’t fly passengers from Cebu to anywhere in the country. Domestic aviation will still be primarily handled by local carriers.
But de Tagle said that such a condition is like telling the local airline firms to kill the international business.
EO 29 was signed together with EO 28, which ordered the reorganization of the air negotiating and consultation panels.
Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, said they will continue to push for two-way open skies.
“Since the beginning, we have made it clear that we will never support one-way open skies, which is what EO 29 represents. With one-way skies, the Philippines gives foreign carriers unlimited access to our airports, while our own carriers get nothing in return,” Cebu Pacific in a statement said.
Hong Kong carriers, for example, can now mount as many flights as they like to Cebu, while Philippine carriers are limited to 2,500 seats per week.
The airline added they are confident to compete with any carrier, domestic or foreign, so long as there is a “true open skies policy,” where there is reciprocity and level playing field.
Low fares
“Cebu Pacific is investing billions of dollars in the country and employs thousands of Filipino workers and professionals. We help guarantee increased tourists because whenever we enter a route, we lower air fares in the market. Tourists benefit from the year-round low fares that we provide. But if we can’t compete, we can’t lower air fares,” the airline said.
The DOT is holding an open skies policy roadshow nationwide to inform the public on the benefits and advantages of EO 28 and 29.
Laywer Jose Claro Tesoro, the resource speaker during the roadshow, told industry stakeholders that the recently signed EO 29 is “just the beginning” of an improved tourism industry in the country. He said that opening the secondary gateways would boost tourism in regional destinations.

By: Katlene O. Cacho
http://www.sunstar.com.ph

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Carriers fight over Malaysian allocation

TWO CARRIERS -- Zest Airways, Inc. and Air Philipines Corp. -- have asked regulators to revoke seat entitlements to Malaysia that were allocated to budget carrier Cebu Pacific which they had wanted for themselves, a notice published yesterday showed.
“[The two airlines requested] for the revocation of Cebu Pacific’s allocation of entitlements to Malaysia dated July 15, 2011,” the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) bulletin read.

Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., had been granted 720 seats weekly on the Manila-to-Kuala Lumpur route out of the 2,520 seats which the Philippines bagged in June air talks with the Southeast Asian neighbor. Unlimited traffic rights to Malaysia carriers were granted in return under the Aquino administration’s “pocket-open skies” policy.

“We have granted Cebu Pacific temporary allocations to Malaysia because they applied for it early… However this is only temporary.

There is still no final decision on the allocations for the new entitlements,” CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla said in a telephone interview yesterday.

According to the bulletin, a hearing on the matter has been slated on Sept. 20 for ZestAir’s and Air Philippines’ petitions.

The challenge to the allocations comes as CAB is refusing to undertake another round of air talks to increase the entitlements which four carriers -- South East Asian Airlines (Seair) included -- want amid plans of Malaysian rival Air Asia Bhd. to increase its presence here.

“Four airlines are vying for the new rights… Understandably all of them tend to be competitive and would want to have traffic rights,” Mr. Arcilla said.

“The airlines have yet to submit their position papers and we have yet to make an evaluation. Hopefully by this month, we will come up with a decision,” Mr. Arcilla said.

Currently, only two local carriers fly to Malaysia: Cebu Air and flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

Prior to the air talks, the two airlines both utilize a total of 2,300 seats per week on the Manila-to-Kuala Lumpur route.

“We’ll just have to allocate what we have,” Mr. Arcilla said.

Zest Air has applied for 900 seats per week on the Manila-to-Kuala Lumpur route to be utilized this year. It is then seeking for the number to be increased to 1,260 seats weekly for next year.

Air Philippines previously filed a petition before the CAB to be granted 1,260 seats per week on the Manila-to-Kuala Lumpur route.

Seair, on the other hand, asked the government for 2,520 seats per week on the Clark-Kuala Lumpur route. In addition, the budget carrier has asked for a number of seats for other Malaysia destinations.

By: Kathleen A. Martin
http://www.bworldonline.com 

PH, Vietnam sign air travel agreement

THE airline of the once restricted communist country of Vietnam will soon fly directly to the Mactan Cebu International Airport after the signing of an agreement with the Philippines.
Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is presently in Ho Chi Minh City for air negotiations.
“It’s not just for Mactan. We are increasing frequencies for Ho Chi Minh to Manila and Manila to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi up to 5,000 seats per week,” Batuhan said.
There are also unlimited seats from points in the Philippines, except Manila, to points in Vietnam, except Ho Chi Minh and vice versa. Under this unlimited seats arrangment, direct flights for Cebu- Ho Chi Minh-Cebu or Cebu-Hanoi-Cebu can be arranged.
“I am signing the memorandum of understanding as head of the Philippine panel composed of representatives from DOTC, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines. We’re meeting civil aviation officials from Vietnam,” Batuhan said.
In past decades, travel to and from Vietnam was restricted.
“Vietnam has about 90 million people. Hanoi is the political capital but Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial capital. Their premiere airport is in Ho Chi Minh but they are currently building a new airport facility in Hanoi,” he said.
Batuhan said that during the negotiations, Vietnam asked that the Philippines comply with Asean protocols on open skies, especially in the capital to capital travel or Manila to Hanoi and vice versa. He said, however, that they were forced to limit it to 5,000 seats because of congestion in Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“We are encouraging them to fly directly to secondary airports especially Cebu, Clark and other international airports in the Philippines,” Batuhan said.

By: Elias O. Baquero
http://www.sunstar.com.ph

3 dead, more than 50 hurt in Nev. air race crash


RENO, Nev. (AP) — As thousands watched in horror, a World War II-era fighter plane competing in a Nevada event described as a car race in the sky suddenly pitched upward, rolled and did a nose-dive toward the crowded grandstand.
The plane, flown by a 74-year-old veteran Hollywood stunt pilot, then slammed into the tarmac in front of VIP box seats and blew to pieces in front the pilot's family and a tight-knit group of friends who attend the annual event in Reno.
"It absolutely disintegrated," said Tim O'Brien of Grass Valley Calif., who attends the races every year. "I've never seen anything like that before."
The pilot and two spectators were killed and more than 50 were injured amid a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris.
Authorities said it appears a mechanical failure with the P-51 Mustang — a class of fighter plane that can fly in excess of 500 mph — was to blame. Some credit the pilot, Jimmy Leeward, with preventing the crash from being far more deadly.
"If he wouldn't have pulled up, he would have taken out the entire bleacher section," said Tim Linville, 48, of Reno, who watched the race with his two daughters.
Left in its wake were bloodied bodies spread across the area as people tended to the victims and ambulances rushed to the scene. Video of the aftermath shows a man with his leg severed at the knee.
Video and photos of the crash were captured by several people in the stands, and the horrific images of the wreckage were transmitted around the world within minutes.
Prior to Friday, 17 people had been killed at the National Championship Air Races since their start 1964, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
Two involved P-51s, the newspaper reported. In 1999, a P-51 disintegrated during a race, scattering debris and damaging a house. In 1994, one of the vintage craft crashed next to the east-west runway after engine failure sprayed the windshield with oil.
Organizers softened two of the curves pilots negotiate after crashes into nearby neighborhoods in 1998 and 1999. In 2007 and 2008, four pilots were killed at the races, prompting local school officials to consider barring student field trips to the event.
Friday's crash was the first time spectators were killed or seriously injured, the Gazette-Journal reported.
Planes at the yearly event fly wingtip-to-wingtip as low as 50 feet off the sagebrush at speeds sometimes surpassing 500 mph. Pilots follow an oval path around pylons, with distances and speeds depending on the class of aircraft.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Mass layoff at PAL to proceed as scheduled

UNLESS stopped by the Court of Appeals, national carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) maintained that it will proceed to lay-off 2,600 workers by October 1.
On Thursday, the PAL Employees Association (Palea) countered that the layoff scheme is facing a giant wall, citing the large number of workers who still refuse to acknowledge the termination notices and accept the severance package.


For confidentiality reasons, PAL vice president for corporate communications Joey de Guzman declined to confirm the allegations of the union, whose members held another protest rally outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 2 on Friday to oppose the MalacaƱang-backed move.
"We don’t want them to know where we are right now and how many we have (convinced to accept the separation package). Besides, the law requires that they (workers) be served separation notices. All I can say is that the spinoff on October 1 will push through," he told Sun.Star.
PAL had said that it would stop the spinoff of its call center reservations, passenger handling, and catering operations if Palea can successfully obtain a restraining order from the appellate court.
Under this scenario, the airline said that workers who have received the P100,000-gratuity pay or part of such cash benefit would not be required to return the amount "in lump sum.”
Instead, the amount would be deducted monthly from their salaries.
"So far, there is no change on the date of payment of separation package which is on or before October 15," De Guzman said.
Palea representatives were unavailable for comment as of this posting Friday.
Last week, the union said the outsourcing plan should be immediately suspended and the notices of termination issued by PAL should be voided too given that the service providers are "illegal, labor-only contractors."
Referring to Sky Kitchen Philippines Inc., Sky Logistics Philippines Inc., and SPi Global Holdings Inc., the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) confirmed that these companies are not registered with the agency.
However, Dole National Capital Region Director Raymundo Agravante said the three service providers can easily go to the department’s office in Manila for their accreditation to avoid legal complications before taking over the operations next month.
Among others, the requirements include a duly accomplished and notarized form, certified true copy of certificates of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local business permits, and other supporting documents.
The registration fee is only P100.
“I'll have to ask them (service providers) first (as to when they will apply for accreditation at Dole),” De Guzman said.  

Source: (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph

Cruise ship in danger of tilting over

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Rescue teams pumped water from the hull of a Norwegian cruise ship that listed dangerously Friday, a day after a fire on board killed two crew and forced the evacuation of 260 other people, officials said.
Police Chief Jon Steven Hasseldal said the ship had been tilting at an angle of 21.7 degrees, which is over what is considered a critical line of 20 degrees.
Despite the list, a Dutch salvage team managed to place three pumps inside the vessel on Friday morning.
"At the moment it looks promising," Hasseldal told reports at the dockside. "It's still a serious situation ... but now there is a bit more stability in the ship."
A fire in the engine room of the MS Nordlys on Thursday morning caused the evacuation of the ship before it was due to arrive at Aalesund, 230 miles (375 kilometers) northwest of the capital of Oslo. All 207 passengers were evacuated safely into lifeboats or after it docked.
Two crew were found dead in the engine room while nine others were admitted to hospital, two of whom had serious injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation. Three rescue workers were treated for mild injuries from inhaling smoke.
Police said they suspected an explosion in the engine room but did not know what caused it.
"Nothing indicates sabotage or points to terror," said Trygve Oedegaard, head of operations at the Aalesund police.
Thick black smoke billowed from the stern of the ship, operated by the Hurtigruten line, when it sailed into Aalesund. Police sealed off parts of the town as smoke engulfed nearby buildings.
Passengers said the evacuation was orderly and calm.
"It was a well-organized evacuation," Danielle Passebois-Paya, a French tourist, said. "The crew did a really good job. Everything was calm and went smoothly. There was no panic."
Hurtigruten said it was organizing emergency passports and providing money for the passengers who had to leave their belongings on board during the evacuation.
The shipping line's CEO Olav Fjell said that finding alternative transport for those who wanted to continue their journey would be difficult.
"Our other ships are fully booked so it has been difficult for us to find alternatives for those who would like to continue their journey," Fjell said.
Salvage teams worked through the night but were forced to leave the ship as it continued to tilt. They resumed pumping operations from outside after holes were drilled into the hull to enable insertion of hoses.
Hasseldal said that a floating crane was also being used to stabilize the tilting vessel.
The MS Nordlys is one of 12 Hurtigruten vessels that ply Norway's craggy coast on the popular 1,500-mile (2,500-kilometer) route to the northern town of Kirkenes, high above the Arctic Circle and near the Russian border.

Source:

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Plane returns to airport for 'malfunction'

CEBU CITY -- The Airphil Express flight 2P247, which departed Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday for Davao City returned because its left engine allegedly conked out while airborne.
However, Freddie Herrera, Airphil Express senior vice president for marketing and sales, denied that it was an emergency landing, but only a "request for priority landing."


Herrera said the aircraft departed Mactan airport for Davao on time at 9:15 a.m., but while airborne, the warning light panel signified engine malfunction.
"When the aircraft finally landed at Mactan, the maintenance crew found out that both engines are running fine and it was the warning light that malfunctioned," Herrera said.
Herrera said there were some disruptions, but nothing of major concern.
Not an emergency
Maryann Dimayabao, public information officer of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), also confirmed that it was not an emergency landing but a normal flight back to Mactan airport.
"It was not really an emergency landing, but still the personnel of the search and rescue department of MCIAA were placed on alert until the plane landed (because it is part of routine)," Dimayabao said.
Dimayabao said that soon after the aircraft landed safely at 9:57 a.m., 106 of the 121 passengers were transferred to another Airphil Express plane, which brought them to their destination.
Cancelled
The other 15 passengers did not push through with their trip out of fear.
Theresa Gonzales-Sederiosa, of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and one of the 121 Airphil passengers, said that about 15 minutes after takeoff, she heard a different sound, then the aircraft started to shake.
Sederiosa said that, at first, she thought the sound came from the food cart pushed by the stewardess. But she noticed that the stewardess went inside the cockpit and the pilot/captain then announced that they will go back to Mactan.
She added that in going back to Mactan airport, the aircraft was flying low, slow and swaying every now and then.

Original Post by: EOB of Sun.Star Cebu

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

China Commercial Aircraft Company C919 held onboard systems of large aircraft project summary JDP 2011 Conference and meeting suppliers

2011幓9꜈13ę—„,äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åø召开C919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®ęœŗč½½ē³»ē»ŸJDPꀻē»“大会ęšØ2011幓供åŗ” å•†ä¼šč®®,ę—ØåœØčæ›äø€ę­„ęŽØåŠØC919各锹ē ”制巄作ēš„开展,å…Øé¢å®Œęˆä»Šå¹“ēš„ē ”制任劔。 September 13, 2011, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China held large aircraft project C919 Airborne Systems Conference and JDP summary supplier conference in 2011, aims to further promote the development of C919 carry out the work, complete this research task. å“å…‰č¾‰å‰Æꀻē» ē†å‡ŗåø­ä¼šč®®å¹¶ä½œč®²čƝ。 WU Guang-hui Vice President attended the meeting and speech.
会äøŠ,å“å…‰č¾‰åƹC919大型客ęœŗJDP阶ꮵēš„各锹巄作ē»™äŗˆäŗ†å……分ēš„č‚Æ定,åƹ各ē³»ē»Ÿä¾›åŗ”商ē»™äŗˆäø­ēš„ę”Æꌁč”Ø ē¤ŗę„Ÿč°¢。 At the meeting, WU Guang-hui on large passenger aircraft C919 JDP stage of the work of a full recognition of the system suppliers to give in their support. 针åƹäø‹äø€é˜¶ę®µēš„å·„作,å“å…‰č¾‰ęŒ‡å‡ŗ,åøŒęœ›å„ē³»ē»Ÿä¾›åŗ”商ē»§ē»­äæęŒäø€ē›“ä»„ę„ēš„ē§Æęžé«˜ę•ˆēš„å·„ä½œę€åŗ¦å’Œå·„ä½œę•ˆēŽ‡, ꌉ节ē‚¹å®Œęˆē ”制巄作;要čæ›äø€ę­„äæƒčæ›äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åøäøŽä¾›åŗ”商之闓ēš„åč°ƒ,å¢žåŠ åŒę–¹ēš„ē†č§£å’Œé…åˆ;加å¼ŗäæ”ęÆäŗ¤ę¢,åŠę—¶äŗ†č§£ę²Ÿé€šC919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®å„ē³»ē»Ÿēš„ē ”制 ęƒ…å†µ。 For the next phase of work, WU Guang-hui said he hoped to maintain the system supplier has been positive and efficient working attitude and efficiency, according to the node to complete the development work; to further promote the China Commercial Aircraft Company and the coordination between suppliers increase mutual understanding and cooperation; strengthen information exchange, communication C919 large aircraft to keep abreast of the project the development of the system. å“å…‰č¾‰å¼ŗ调,ē›øäæ”随ē€äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åøäøŽå„ē³»ē»Ÿä¾›åŗ”商ē ”制ē»éŖŒēš„äøę–­ē§Æē“Æ,C919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®åŽē»­ēš„ē ”制 巄作将čæ›č”Œå¾—ꛓäøŗé”ŗē•…。 WU Guang-hui stressed, believe that as China Commercial Aircraft Company and the system supplier development experience is gained, C919 large aircraft project follow-up of the development work will be even more smoothly.
äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åø ꀻéƒØęœ‰å…³éƒØé—ØåŠę‰€å±žå•ä½ē›øå…³č“Ÿč“£äŗŗ分别就C919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®ēš„ē ”制čæ›å±•、å·„ēØ‹č®¾č®”čæ›å±•åŠJDP巄作、供åŗ”商č“Ø量ē®”ē†č¦ę±‚äøŽé€‚čˆŖē®”ē†č¦ę±‚ē­‰å†…容čæ›č”Œäŗ†ę±‡ ꊄ。 China Commercial Aircraft Company headquarters departments and their subordinate units responsible person in respect of large passenger aircraft C919 progress of the project development, engineering design work progress and JDP, supplier quality management requirements and airworthiness regulatory requirements and other content of the report.
会前,C919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®å›½å†…外供åŗ”商代č”Øčæ˜å‚观äŗ†äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åøēš„č®¾č®”ē ”发äø­åæƒå¼ ę±ŸåŸŗåœ°å’Œę€»č£…åˆ¶é€ äø­ åæƒē„ę”„åŸŗ地。 Pre-, C919 large aircraft project on behalf of domestic and foreign suppliers also visited the China Commercial Aircraft Company's design center and assembly manufacturing center in Zhangjiang Ji Zhu Qiaoji land.
C919大型客ęœŗ锹ē›®å›½å†…外供åŗ”商代č”Ø、äø­å›½å•†é£žå…¬åøꀻéƒØęœ‰å…³éƒØé—ØåŠę‰€å±žå•ä½ē›øå…³č“Ÿč“£äŗŗ参加äŗ†ä¼šč®®。 C919 large aircraft project on behalf of domestic and foreign suppliers, China Commercial Aircraft Company headquarters and subordinate units responsible authorities attended the meeting.
å“å…‰č¾‰å‰Æꀻē» ē†åœØ会äøŠč‡“č¾ž。 WU Guang-hui Vice President speech at the meeting.

Monday, September 12, 2011

5 of 7 Weesam vessels suspended

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in Central Visayas suspended five of seven Weesam Express vessels owned by SRN Fast Seacrafts pending inspection and audit on their sea worthiness.
Marina also ordered the investigation of the Cebu Coast Guard Station officials for the delay in the rescue operations of Weesam Express 8 that ran aground off the waters of Talisay City in Lawis Ledge past 6 p.m. Saturday.


Transportation Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan told Sun.Star Cebu that the Coast Guard will be asked why the lighthouse was not functioning that night.

Weesam Express 8 left the Tagbilaran City port at 4 p.m. and was supposed to dock at Cebu City Pier 4 around 6 p.m. It was carrying 208 passengers and 13 crewmembers.
The Coast Guard, for its part, wants the Cebu City Council to pass an ordinance penalizing captains of vessels for failing to immediately report sea accidents.
Rolando Lizor Punzalan, station commander of the Coast Guard Cebu station, said the penalty should be on top the fines imposed by Marina.
The Marina issued the suspension of Weesam 3, Weesam 5, Weesam 6, Weesam 7 and Weessam 8, said Mardon Martin, senior supervisor of Marina-Central Visayas.
The two other vessels, Wessam 1 and Weesam 2, were spared because these are presently on drydock.
Marina-Central Visayas Director Nannette Villamor-Dinopol said she was about to issue an order suspending the operation of Weesam 8 but he was informed by their central office in Manila that Marina Administrator Emerson Lorenzo convened the Maritime Management Crisis Committee to tackle the Weesam incident.
Martin said that Weesam 3 and Weesam 5 are plying the Bacolod City-Iloilo City route. Weesam 6 is sailing the Ormoc City-Cebu City route. Weesam 8 is servicing the Cebu City-Tagbilaran City route, while Weesam 7 is plying the Zamboanga City-Isabela, Basilan.
Weesam 3, Weesam 5, Weesam 6 and Weesam 8 will be re-inspected and audited in Cebu City. Weesam 7 will undergo the same procedure in Zamboanga City.

Source: (EOB/PDF/Sun.Star Cebu)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph
 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

PAL's service providers 'overlooked labor rules'

THREE service providers of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) that are expected to absorb workers the airline company will lay off have overlooked labor rules, the company's union said on Thursday.
Quoting a document from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), legal counsels of the PAL Employees Association (Palea) said Sky Kitchen Philippines Inc., Sky Logistics Philippines Inc., and SPi Global Holdings Inc. are not registered as a contractor or sub-contractor.


The document dated September 7 and signed by National Capital Region director Raymundo Agravante stated that the three firms violated the Department Order 18, Series of 2002.

The order requires companies to register their businesses with the department since failure to do so would mean that the contractor is engaged in labor-only contracting, which, in turn, is prohibited under Section 5 of
the same order.

This finding was confirmed to Sun.Star by PAL vice president for corporate communications Joey de Guzman.

Tiger Airways to offer travelers daily Cebu flights soon: official

WITH a more liberalized aviation policy recently signed in the Philippines, a new player in the low-cost carrier sector will soon be offering daily flights out of Cebu to Singapore.
Tiger Airways will be flying daily to and from Singapore next month, senior manager of the airline’s corporate communications office Sharon Cheong announced.

Cheong, who recently visited Sun.Star Cebu’s offices, believes their cheap fares will benefit both Cebu and Singapore’s tourism industries.
The Singapore-based airline was established in 2004 and currently has a fleet size of 26 Airbus A320-family aircraft. Its operations span 30 destinations in 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region.
The airline began offering flights out of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Singapore since Tuesday.
Cheong said that what sets them apart is that they don’t want passengers to pay for things they don’t want like extra luggage and other add-ons.
No compromise
“But we don’t compromise on security, punctuality and passenger saftey,” Cheong said.
She said these qualities make traveling “accessible” for those who want to go on business and leisure trips.
Aside from Cebu, Tiger Airways also flies direct to Singapore from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport and Davao.
To promote the airline, Cheong said they have special rates for those who book flights from Sept. 8 to 14. Clients who book within the period pay P1,404 for a one-way ticket to Singapore, excluding charges, for travel from Oct.1 to Dec.15. While they will be offering daily flights next month, they currently offer flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Cheong said it was best to take advantage of the promo, saying going to Singapore is great way to spend Christmas in the tropics. Cheong said Orchard Road is transformed during Christmas time and that Singaporeans begin decorating for Christmas in October.
While Tiger Airways does not have its own ticketing office yet, Cheong said they are working with multiple travel agents to help clients book their flights.
She also assured that their online booking service is easy to use and that passengers will not have a hard time making their own bookings.
“There are promos almost every week so check the website regularly,” she suggested.
Aside from easy access, Cheong said a customer service

By Mia A. Aznar
http://www.sunstar.com.ph

Sunday, September 4, 2011

PAL pilot makes 'perfect' emergency landing in LA

A PAL jumbo jet with 418 passengers and two blown tires made a dramatic emergency landing at Los Angles International Airport Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila), while a CBS News chopper aired its descent live for millions of tense viewers. "It's a perfect, smooth landing for that pilot there from Philippine Airlines," the CBS reporter said from the news chopper.

The plane had reportedly blown the two tires while in flight. Among the passengers on board was actress Annabelle Rama, according to a tweet by her daughter Ruffa Gutierrez.

A live video report on KCAL 9 News, posted on the website of the CBS Los Angles, showed the final gripping minutes before PAL flight PR102 succeeded in making a safe landing.

"It's a perfect, nice, smooth landing for that pilot there from Philippine Airlines," a CBS News reporter told his studio anchors from CBS News chopper Sky9 that had been following the jet as it descended ominously amid the night time lights of the American West's biggest metropolis.

"That's a sigh of relief for everybody," the reporter said.

"For all of us," echoed one of the anchors.

PAL officially declined to release any of the pilots' names, but PAL sources said the captain on the flight was Efren N. Enverga, who was assisted by co-pilots Mark Baniqued, Mark Victor Misa, and Villamor Feria Jr.

The video clip started with the plane being seen in its final stages of descent into the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the sixth busiest airport in the world with more than 600,000 flight arrivals and departures every year.

"He's very very close... He's doing what he's supposed to do. Low and slow, and he's heavy. You can see the heat coming from all four engines. That's a very positive sign as well," the reporter said shortly before the plane touched ground for the emergency landing.


By: MARK D. MERUEƑAS
 http://www.gmanews.tv 

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Tiger Airways to resume Melbourne-Perth flights

TIGER Airways will resume flights to Perth next week, their first since its six-week safety ban was lifted last month.
The Perth flight will leave Melbourne Airport daily at 7.10am (AEST) with a return flight leaving Western Australia at 9.45am (AWST) from September 7.
It's the fourth route the airline has revived since its flight ban ended on August 12.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority grounded the airline on July 1, citing concerns over pilot training, safety management and its overall safety systems.
The airline is now flying daily Melbourne-Sydney, Melbourne-Brisbane and Melbourne-Gold Coast return services.
Tiger spokeswoman Vanessa Regan said the airline will announce the resumption of more routes in "due course".
She noted the Melbourne-Perth flights will come days ahead of the AFL finals match between Collingwood and West Coast.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce meanwhile will inspect the first works to transform the interior of a Boeing 747 today.
The works to date include the fitting of A380 style seats.
Fledgling domestic carrier Air Australia will also unveil its new crew uniforms today.
The airline operates under the name Strategic Airlines on routes including Melbourne-Phuket and Brisbane-Bali, but will become Air Australia from December 2011 and begin flights between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au

Qantas passenger numbers climb in July on Tiger Airways' grounding woes



QANTAS Group passenger numbers were up 6.2 per cent in July, buoyed by Jetstar's expansion and a bounce in the domestic leisure market from the grounding of rival Tiger Airways. Passenger numbers on Jetstar's domestic operations were up 21.2 per cent and the airline’s domestic load factor rose 3.7 percentage points, to 84.5 per cent, despite a 21.5 per cent rise in capacity.
By contrast, passenger numbers on Qantas domestic operations were up by a more modest 1 per cent and its revenue seat factor fell 1.1 points to 82 per cent.
All segments of the airline recorded growth in July, compared to last year, with Jetstar International (up 7.9 per cent) and QantasLink (up 4.7 per cent) the next best performers after Jetstar domestic.
Growth and seat factors at Qantas international remained flat and a massive 47.8 per cent growth in capacity at Jetstar Asia saw the seat factor fall 5.4 percentage points to 75.9 per cent.
But group yields, excluding foreign exchange, headed in the right direction with international up 7 per cent on the same period last year and total domestic up 9.4 per cent.
The figures come as the airline began a $250 million project, involving 120 jobs, to overhaul its Boeing 747 interiors to bring them into line with its popular A380.
The refit, being undertaken at the carrier's Avalon maintenance base, will see nine aircraft refitted with new seats, galleys, fittings and the Panasonic in-flight entertainment system available in the Airbus aircraft.
The first aircraft is due to start flying between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, with the others due to be introduced by the end of next year.
The refits are part of a restructure of Qantas international operations that will also see it retire four 747s and defer orders for six A380s.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Cebu Pacific adds more Davao flights

AIMED at helping promote Davao tourism, Cebu Pacific, the country's largest airline, will increase its Manila-Davao-Manila flights effective October this year.
Presently, Cebu Pacific flies from Davao to Manila 45 times a week, 24 times a week to Cebu, daily to Iloilo, four times a week to Cagayan de Oro, and daily to Zamboanga.


In a press briefing on August 26, Cebu Pacific corporate communications specialist Michelle Eve de Guzman said flights frequency to and from Davao City will increase by October this year, as follows: effective October 1, Manila-Davao-Manila flights will be up from 45 times to 49 times weekly or 7 times daily; effective October 7, Manila-Davao-Manila flights will increase to 8 times from 7 times daily or 64 times weekly; and effective October 14 Cebu-Davao-Cebu flights will be 28 times from 24 times weekly or four times daily.
 
For Davao specifically, de Guzman said, Cebu Pacific carried the most number of passengers to and from Davao in the 2nd quarter of 2011, with 318,694 passengers -- at least 130,000 more than three other airlines operating to and from Davao.
She added that from April to June 2011, Cebu Pacific operated with an 85 percent load factor, gaining 44.4 percent of the local market share in the country's main southern hub.
Citing August 22-28, 2011 data from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa), Cebu Pacific offers the most number of seats to, from and within the Philippines.
Aside from the most number of seats, she said Cebu Pacific has been flying the most number of domestic and international passengers that is more than any other airline in the country since last year.
From April to June this year, it flew more than 3.1 million passengers, surpassing the 1 million passengers mark for both April and May -- on track with the 12 million target. With more than 683,000 international passengers and around 2,428,000 domestic passengers, the Gokongwe-owned airline posted 15 percent growth.
With its commitment to service more passengers to different local and Asian destinations, Cebu Pacific saw the need to expand its airbus fleet.
The last four months of this year will see the delivery of four more brand new Airbus A3200 aircraft, while two Airbus A320 will arrive in March 2012 as part of new operating lease agreements.
Cebu Pacific's long-term plans include the additional order of Airbus aircraft for expansion in the region such as the following: delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircrafts between 2012 and 2021.
An Airbus A321neo will be a name-changer for Cebu Pacific because the aircraft has 220 seats and lower operating cost. This will allow the airline to reach possible destinations such as Australia, northern Japan and India.

By Gigie Arcilla-Agtay
http://www.sunstar.com.ph

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