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Shell Pilipinas profit tumbles to P1.2 billion in 2023
The earnings of Shell Pilipinas Corp. plunged by 70.7 percent to P1.2 billion in 2023 from P4.1 billion in 2022 on the back of declining global fuel prices and elevated interest rates......»»
Earth Hour, 5 Reasons to Participate
On March 23, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM, everyone in the world is encouraged to turn off their lights and appliances. Dubbed Earth Hour, this global event started in Australia back in 2007 as a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative. It might be easy to wave off Earth Hour as just 60 minutes of.....»»
PAL stops elderly Fil-Am with COPD from flying sans oxygen tank
MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines stopped an elderly Filipino-American woman from flying back to the United States due to her medical condition, a US media report said. Jovita Domingo, 86, was not allowed to board a PAL flight despite showing a doctor’s certificatioon saying she was “fit to travel by air” and that.....»»
Cloudy year ahead for airlines
As the global demand for air travel surges, it appears safe to assume that airlines are on their way back to cruising altitude in 2024......»»
Michelle Marquez-Dee returns home
After her controversial stint at the recently-concluded Miss Universe pageant, Miss Philippines-Universe Michelle Marquez Dee has flown back home. Dee was met by adoring fans both inside and outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 when she arrived at around 7:02 p.m. on board a Philippine Airlines flight PR113 from Los Angeles, USA […].....»»
AirAsia Phl all set for long Undas weekend
AirAsia Philippines on Friday, 27 October, assured all its guests flying to various provinces for the observance of All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day of a smooth and on-time customer journey at NAIA Terminal 2. AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla and Manila International Airport Authority OIC Bryan Co, along with other airport officials, conducted an inspection of AirAsia check-in counters, kiosks, and boarding gates at NAIA Terminal 2 to demonstrate the airline's readiness for Undas and the long weekend. The airline expects to operate more than 700 domestic flights and carry more than 90,000 guests from 27 October to 1 November. This is 8 percent higher than the figures for the same period in 2022, with all domestic destinations averaging 90 to 93 percent passenger load. In order to effectively handle the influx of guests, four customer happiness counters in addition to the 20 check-in stations were activated. In addition, four self-check-in kiosks are provided to make contactless check-in easier, particularly for passengers who aren't checking bags. "We would like to guarantee our guests a smooth journey this holiday as they travel to their provinces and fly back to Manila. We have activated all and even augmented our ground operations staff to man the check-in counters without breaks. This exercise will also support MIAA's positive on-time performance," Isla said. AirAsia Philippines is closing the month of October with a positive 90 percent on-time performance. "With the commitment of our airline and industry partners, we aim to maintain our strong OTP record from the long weekend rush this year. Our objective is to minimize crowding in passenger and aircraft movement areas through the timely dispatch of flights. We're striving to establish this as a norm at NAIA. Thanks to our partnerships with airlines and government agencies, passengers are starting to notice a positive shift in NAIA operations," shared Co. To avoid being stuck in the traffic rush, AirAsia Philippines is encouraging all its guests to allot extra travel time, at least three to four hours before their flight schedule. Guests are also advised to regularly check their mobile and email accounts or visit the AirAsia Superapp, the AirAsia website (www.airasia.com), and AirAsia social media channels for the latest travel advisories. The post AirAsia Phl all set for long Undas weekend appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pampered passengers
Adult diapers are getting a “bum” rap and not for the use they are intended. In 2017, morning rush hour passengers on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 were inconvenienced when the train’s southbound service was halted for more than an hour. Commuters could only take the MRT 3 between the North Avenue and Buendia stations. Trains could not run through to the Ayala Avenue Station as power there had been cut following the discovery of an adult diaper hanging from the power line. After the diaper was removed, train safety was restored, and service went back to normal at 7:46 a.m., according to news reports. On 13 October, a Copa Airlines flight from Panama to the United States turned back due to a supposed bomb threat. On the tarmac at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, 144 passengers were evacuated from the plane and it was searched by an anti-explosives team. The bomb squad discovered a suspicious package inside the plane’s toilet. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in and special forces officers gingerly handled the package — only to find a harmless adult diaper, recalled José Castro, head of the airport’s security team. Thereafter, the Copa flight resumed, landing in Tampa, Florida at 6:54 p.m. WITH AFP The post Pampered passengers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Caregiver scarred, scared by Hamas attack
An overseas Filipino worker, one of 18 who flew home from Israel on Friday, said he remained unsure whether to return to the country should its conflict with Hamas subside or be resolved peacefully. Elmer Puno, a 43-year-old caregiver from Pampanga, said his employer in Israel called him up before he left for the Philippines, urging him to return when things settle down. Puno said his experience during the attack by Hamas militants on Israel on 7 October had left him emotionally scarred and traumatized. “My employer called me and said that when the situation goes back to normal, if I still want to come back, I can. But I said to myself that I cannot decide yet because of what I encountered in Israel,” Puno said. He said he still has two years left of his four-year contract but decided to resign for his safety and his family’s concerns. “My salary is pretty good. In our currency, that is P70,000 a month, tax-free,” he said. “When I heard the sirens, I ran to a bomb shelter. I was talking to my wife, who also heard the sirens and bombing.” “She was so scared. She asked me to urgently go home. My children said that I should go home, so when there was an opportunity for repatriation, I didn’t think twice about asking the government to repatriate us,” he said. Of the 18 repatriates from Israel, one was left behind in Abu Dhabi due to elevated blood pressure. Puno and his fellow OFWs arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Etihad Airlines flight EY 424. The 18 OFWs received P105,000 each in direct financial assistance from various government agencies, and they are entitled to livelihood training to start a business. The post Caregiver scarred, scared by Hamas attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
90 OFWs repatriated from Saudi
A total of 90 Filipinos — 87 overseas workers and three children — arrived from Saudi Arabia past noon on Saturday, disembarking from Philippine Airlines flight PR 655 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The repatriates were among the overseas Filipino workers who had sought the government’s help to return home following issues with their stay in the oil-rich nation. More OFWs will be repatriated from Saudi Arabia once issues with the processing of their papers are resolved, Department of Migrant Workers spokesperson Toby Nebrida said. “Others were not able to join due to delays in the administrative processing of their papers, but they will follow as soon as this is done and be home in the next few days,” Nebrida said. The DMW’s Migrant Office in Riyadh has provided $200 to each of the repatriates, who also stand to receive additional financial assistance and medical checkups, referral services, and psychosocial evaluations. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, or OWWA, will provide hotel accommodations and transportation to the repatriates who will go back to their provinces. The post 90 OFWs repatriated from Saudi appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OFW undecided to return to Israel when war is over
An Overseas Filipino Worker said on Friday during the arrival of the second batch of repatriated OFWs in Israel that he is still uncertain of his return to Israel if the war subsides. Elmer Puno, a caregiver who has resided in Pampanga, said that his employer promised him that he could still work for them anytime he is ready but still undecided because of his traumatic experience during the attack by Hamas Militants in Israel. “To be honest, when I was about to fly yesterday, my employer called me and said when the situation comes back to normal, if I still want to come back, I can. But I said to myself that I cannot decide yet because of what I have encountered inside Israel,” Elmer said. Elmer’s contract has not yet ended as he still has two years and three months to finish but he decided to resign from his job as a caregiver as he worries for his safety and his family. He said he worked in Israel for two years and earned a good salary. “My salary is pretty good. In our currency, that is P70,000 a month, tax-free,” he said. Elmer stated that he did not hesitate to ask for repatriation to the Philippine government because of his family who is worried for his safety. “When I heard the siren, I ran to a bomb shelter, I was also talking to my wife who also heard the sirens and bombings. She was so scared. She is asking me to go home urgently. My children said that I should be home so when there was an opportunity for me to ask for repatriation, I didn’t think twice about asking the government to repatriate us,” he lamented. There are around 18 repatriated OFWs including a Filipino left in Abu Dhabi due to high blood pressure who arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 via Etihad Airlines EY 424. The Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Maria Anthonette C. Velasco, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Honey Quino, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Ada Colicon, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General Vidal Villanueva, received the second batch of repatriated OFWs. According to DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco, the government agencies provided financial assistance to the OFWs. “The 18 OFWs received P105,000 direct financial assistance today. P50,000 from OWWA, P50,000 from DMW, and P5,000 from DSWD. TESDA gave vouchers to the OFWs for them to undergo for training in opening a business and pursuing an entrepreneurship program,” Velasco said. Velasco added that the OFWs will be receiving medical assistance. Psychological first aid is one of the agency’s priorities for OFWs who are still traumatized. The post OFW undecided to return to Israel when war is over appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL back on most punctual list in August
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines returned to the list of most punctual operators in Asia and the Pacific in August, completing at least three in every four flights on time during the month......»»
Air transport flying to recovery
Global air transport traffic has recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, with airlines operating at 94.2 percent, data from the International Air Transport Association showed. In the Asian region, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said the airline is fully reactivating its 204 aircraft after “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” Fernandes announced after renewing AirAsia’s long-term agreement with CFM International. CFM’s focus on improving fleet stability on site and 24/7 virtual monitoring of AirAsia’s LEAP-1A engine operation provides a crucial catalyst for AirAsia to reinstate its full fleet across the group. The company boasts of making enormous strides in bringing back their planes and restarting their operations, balancing a mismatch between the cost of 204 airplanes and the revenue of flying 143 planes on average this year. On Thursday, they brought back the 175 planes. The CFM’s fleet stability support is a vital catalyst for them to return to full activation. He is proud of Asia Digital Engineering, their engineering facility. He wants to thank every one of their engineers for doing the day-to-day work and focusing on the group’s aircraft reactivation work. They also look forward to fourth-quarter results, when they will see the actual performance of AirAsia with the full fleet. AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam said they are delighted with the latest developments with their engine supplier and service provider. This will accelerate their plan to bring capacity back. This will allow for higher utilization of planes with less downtime, more consistent flight schedules with better on-time performance, and more efficient use of spares with our engineering arm, ADE. This bodes well for their commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence. With CFM’s strong focus on fleet stability and services, support is a catalyst for enabling AirAsia to operate its LEAP engine fleet longer and helping the airline reduce maintenance costs and operational expenses. CMF International president and CEO Gaël Méheust said that AirAsia has been a valuable CFM customer for nearly two decades, and they are delighted to support them and their plans to reactivate their fleet fully. They take AirAsia’s trust as a great responsibility to support their fleet with high-level CFM standards. Méheust added that AirAsia looks forward to capitalizing on this achievement as the airline reinstates its 204 aircraft fleet and expands to more than 300 aircraft in the next five years as it continues to connect people across ASEAN and beyond with affordable and best-value travel options. The post Air transport flying to recovery appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BPI travel fair is back
The Bank of the Philippine Islands is bringing back the BPI Awesome Travel Fair a second time this year to offer exclusive and affordable travel deals for BPI banking clients and cardholders. “With the BPI Awesome Travel Fair, we are offering our clients and cardholders a chance to do more and experience more, especially with the amazing deals they can avail during the event,” said Jenny Lacerna, head of BPI’s Unsecured Lending. The BPI Awesome Travel Fair, happening for three days from 8 to 10 September at the Glorietta Main Activity Center, is open to all BPI Credit, Debit and Prepaid cardholders. Over 20 travel exhibitors composed of both local and international airlines and travel agencies are participating in the upcoming travel fair. Enjoy discounts and other deals offered exclusively for BPI clients and cardholders. For the fourth edition of the BPI Awesome Travel Fair, BPI will be offering free travel insurance for select BPI Credit Cards and 0-percent installment for six months for airfare charged to the BPI Platinum Rewards Mastercard. “BPI has always been committed to understanding the needs of our clients and delivering better value for them. With the BPI Awesome Travel Fair, we hope to build a better Philippines by giving our clients an opportunity to go on fantastic and affordable vacations that can enrich their lives, give them new perspectives, and motivate them to do more,” Lacerna said. The post BPI travel fair is back appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A flying fiasco
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific Air has proven time and again that it is more interested in counting its profits than upholding its duty to the public. As irate passengers lined up to air their grievances during congressional investigations, it has become evident that Cebu Pacific’s approach to customer service is nothing short of a disaster. The tales of woe begin with the grim reality of overbooking, a practice that seems to have become the signature move of the budget behemoth. Countless passengers have found themselves heartlessly cast aside, denied the right to board their flights, while Cebu Pacific’s rapacity for more revenue reached obscene heights. As these passengers shared their nightmarish experiences, Cebu Pacific’s customer service had been exposed as a mere façade, masking the truth of their disdain for the people they are meant to serve. “Everyone should fly,” Cebu Pacific says. Yes, everyone should fly away from an airline that is a veritable circus of excuses for delays and cancellations. The airline’s explanations for rebooked flights are nothing short of outrageous insults to the intelligence of their customers, each excuse more pathetic than the last. Lightning strikes and bird collisions may be acts of nature, but Cebu Pacific’s callous disregard for its passengers’ well-being is an act of corporate mischief. And the airline’s people at its check-in counters have apparently been coached to lie. A group of journalists hustling back to Manila from a provincial coverage to catch and cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address discovered this for themselves. All were supposed to board a 5:30 p.m. flight, but one photographer was rebooked for the next day, while another was told to board the 10:30 p.m. flight. Explaining at the airline’s check-in counter that they could not afford to be offloaded, the journalists were told that a smaller plane than the one they were booked on was dispatched. Allegedly, the bigger plane encountered mechanical problems and did not leave Manila. Then the check-in staff started playing the guilt-laying game, saying: “We cannot sacrifice the safety of the other passengers by accommodating more people than the smaller plane’s carrying capacity.” “But who told you to sacrifice anyone?” one of the journalists retorted. “What we want to know is how on earth Cebu Pacific chose us to be the ones to be off-loaded. And why are we being told only now, just a couple of hours away from our scheduled flight?” Cebu Pacific’s check-in staffer then mouthed what we presume to be the routine argument-ender they’d been given as a tired script — that they could do nothing about the problem except to find other flights for the off-loaded who may then file a complaint with their customer care department. To the chagrin of the photographer and reporter, they were told by their colleagues who were lucky enough not to be taken off the 5:30 p.m. flight that, yes, the original plane that was supposed to fly them back to Manila was the very same plane they boarded. What happened to the smaller plane? Lies, lies, lies. The question that looms larger than an Airbus A380 is this: How can an airline that rakes in billions in revenue conveniently blame external factors for its failures? “Freak incidents” do not occur with such alarming regularity, and when they do, a responsible and reputable airline has contingencies in place to mitigate their impact on passengers. Cebu Pacific booked a net income of P1.08 billion in the first quarter of this year, tripling its revenue to P20.88 billion from P6.71 billion in the same period last year, during which it recorded a net loss of P7.6 billion. But the carrier’s return to profitability, alas, has been at the expense of customers forced to book hotel rooms at their own expense or sleep on airport floors. To add insult to injury, the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have failed miserably in their oversight of Cebu Pacific and other erring airlines. Their inaction amounts to a dereliction of duty, leaving passengers vulnerable to the whims and caprices of a budget carrier that cares only for its bottom line. It is high time for Congress to wield its power and act decisively to protect the rights of the flying public. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez’s call for the suspension of Cebu Pacific’s legislative franchise echoes the sentiments of millions who have suffered at the hands of this budget airline. A suspension will send a clear message that reckless indifference and incompetence will not be tolerated, and the privilege of serving the public will be revoked if the airline fails to meet its obligations. We will not be saddled with Cebu Pacific’s flying fiasco. The post A flying fiasco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Honest cab driver returned P30,000 in cash to GenSan passenger
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines General Santos International Airport (CAAP-GSIA) Manager Joel Gavina commended Mr. Anselmo Dutaro Rodemio, an airport-accredited taxi driver, for returning a lost wallet containing cash totaling Php 30,000 and bank cards belonging to Mr. Robert Cutamora Laurel, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). According to CAAP-GSIA, Laurel arrived at General Santos Airport via Philippine Airlines flight PR453 from Manila to General Santos on July 10, 2023, at around 11:30 AM and boarded a taxi driven by Mr. Rodemio going home. Upon discovery of the wallet, Rodemio immediately drove back to where he transported Mr. Laurel in order to return the lost valuables. Mr. Laurel paid a courtesy visit to the airport manager, where he expressed his gratitude to Mr. Rodemio and rewarded him with cash for his display of honesty. CAAP-GSIA Manager Gavina shared that the value of honesty is still indeed surfacing among airport workers, which includes accredited airport taxi drivers. The honest airport taxi driver is set to be recognized during CAAP-General Santos Airport’s upcoming Monday flag-raising ceremony. The post Honest cab driver returned P30,000 in cash to GenSan passenger appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL expects 14.5-M passengers this year
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, or PAL, anticipates 14.5-million passengers this year from 9.3 million passengers in 2022. According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, PAL is expanding its fleet by commencing to receive brand-new Airbus A350-11000s in 2025. Villaluna added that PAL maintains a fleet of 75 aircraft (46 for PR and 29 for 2P). Of the 75, they have a total of 5 parked aircraft: 3 PAL A321 NEOs and 2 PALex A320 CEOs. The NEOs are parked awaiting delivery of Pratt and Whitney engines, while the CEOs are awaiting engines and parts as well. The parked aircraft represent only 7 percent of the PAL Group fleet. Dependability improved PAL improved schedule dependability despite ongoing supply chain problems by taking proactive measures to cut back on flights and improve operational efficiency. Villaluna also said that to address this, they have pro-actively reduced their schedules since the beginning of the year and improved their spares provisioning. They also started sourcing additional engines for lease, and they are adding aircraft to their fleet network. Within a 24-hour period, around 2.4 percent of the 8,485 flights that were scheduled for June were canceled. During the month of April in Saudi Arabia, 97.6 percent of their flights were in service. 438 delays were brought on by lightning, while 139 were caused by other weather-related problems. Technical difficulties accounted for about 12 percent of flight delays. She added that fuel prices have a direct correlation to total trip costs. The fuel surcharge level, pegged anew at level 4 and relatively lower than past periods, is a welcome development for airlines. But PAL still offers a variety of fares, enabling travelers to avail of lowered fares if they book early. PAL has appreciated its customers’ support and loyalty over the years. The post PAL expects 14.5-M passengers this year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL expects to carry 14.5 million passengers in 2023
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines anticipates carrying 14.5 million passengers in 2023. In 2022, the airline carried 9.3 million passengers. According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, PAL is further expanding its fleet with brand-new Airbus A350-11000s coming in 2025. PAL maintains a fleet of 75 aircraft (46 for PR and 29 for 2P). Of the 75, they have a total of 5 parked aircraft: 3 PAL A321 NEOs and 2 PALex A320 CEOs. The NEOs are parked while awaiting delivery of Pratt and Whitney engines; the CEOs are awaiting engines and parts as well. The parked aircraft represent only 7 percent of the PAL Group fleet, according to Villaluna. The airline said it has improved schedule dependability despite ongoing supply chain problems by taking proactive measures to cut back on flights and improve operational efficiency. Villaluna also said that to address this, they have reduced their schedules since the beginning of the year and improved their spares provisioning. They also started sourcing additional engines for lease and adding aircraft to their fleet network. Within a 24-hour period, around 2.4 percent of the 8,485 flights that were scheduled for June were cancelled. During the month of April in Saudi Arabia, 97.6 percent of their flights were in service; 438 delays were brought on by lightning, while 139 were caused by other weather-related problems. Technical difficulties accounted for about 12 percent of flight delays. Fuel prices have a direct correlation to total trip costs, pointed out Villaluna. Thus, the fuel surcharge level, pegged anew at level 4 and relatively lower than past periods, is a welcome development for airlines, but PAL still offers a variety of fares, enabling travelers to avail of lowered fares if they book early, said the spokesperson. The post PAL expects to carry 14.5 million passengers in 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Flight freak
Airlines incentivize flying by giving points to frequent flyers. Accumulated points can be used to get discounts on their next plane ticket purchases. Under such frequent flyer programs, the more a traveler flies, the more affordable her or his flights become as points are converted to fare discounts or even free flights. In a recent report by 3AW, an Australian news outlet and complaint hotline, a man had earned at least 500,000 frequent flyer points. One day, the guy identified as Mike received an online message instructing him to claim 150,000 points by clicking a link. After doing so, his 500,000 points vanished in what could have been an online scam, according to 3AW. A safe way to get FFP points and enjoy free flights was demonstrated by Tom Stuker, from New Jersey, USA. Stuker, 69, simply bought a United Airlines pass in 1990 which allowed him to fly as much as he wanted to. A consultant on running auto dealerships and an avid traveler, Stuker racked up so many FFP points that not only allowed him to fly free but also to get no-charge hotel accommodations, cruise ship trips, and even Walmart gift certificates as prizes. In 2019, Stuker took a dizzying 373 flights covering 1.46 million miles, according to WP. The total fare came to $2.44 million but he didn’t have to pay for it as he used the UA pass. By that year, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and grounded airlines, Stuker had logged a total of 10 million miles since 1990. The jet setter passed the 5-million mile mark much earlier, in 2009, according to The Guardian, citing Simple Flying data. Stuker’s investment of $290,000 for the United pass proved to be the best one he made in his life with the 33 years of free flights he had enjoyed ever since. The flight pass brought him to more than 100 countries, including “more than 120 honeymoons,” according to WP. His travels covered over 23 million miles, or 37 million kilometers, to date, which was many times over the 953,000 miles the Apollo 11 astronauts covered in their trip to the moon and back in 1969. The post Flight freak appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Superapp democratizes travel
Born out of a simple aspiration of democratizing travel came AirAsia’s Superapp, the latest online travel agency platform that features flights, hotels, transport and rewards services. [caption id="attachment_158159" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Chureito Pagoda in Japan.Photograph courtesyof Unsplash/tian shu Liu[/caption] “It was very hard for airlines during the pandemic. While everyone was very quiet, our leader Tony Fernandes was able to finish conceptualizing the Superapp. He started it even before the pandemic,” airasia Superapp managing director Ray Berja told Daily Tribune. The AirAsia Superapp takes the hassle out of booking the best value travel deals and is very useful not only for domestic trips but also international travel. From flights on over 700 airlines, the best accommodation packages, to ride hailing, food, deliveries and more, the app aims to be every traveler’s one-stop shop for all of their preferred travel needs. The app is partner to over 900,000 hotels across the globe. In the Philippines, it is tied with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Hotel 101 Manila, Red Planet Hotels, Berjaya Makati Hotel, Sunlight Hotel Coron and more. Currently, the Superapp has around 50 million active users. The number continues to grow exponentially in an annual periodical basis. “It’s for everyone. When we flew our first aircraft in 2001 with our founders, it was to really let everyone fly. Continuing that is a vision and aspiration for everyone to actually travel and go wherever they want to go,” Berja said. Japan remains the top choice for Filipino travelers, followed by Korea, Bangkok in Thailand, Bali in Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Hong Kong. “Our number of flights are almost on the 100 percent frequency, equivalent to when we were flying before the pandemic. Internationally, we already saw the opening of Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. China is going down, but we expect to see an increase in the next months or so. We are almost at par with our pre-pandemic level. We are hoping to get back on a strong growth year on year,” Berja said. The Superapp is nominated as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App at the World Travel Awards. Vote at worldtraveltechawards.com/award/asia-best-travel-booking-app/2023. “To be vetted across the world’s best is overwhelming, given that we are only on our first year. This nomination is something really close to our hearts,” Berja concluded. Download the Superapp via App Store for ios, Play Store for android or App Gallery for Huawei. The post Superapp democratizes travel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay lauds CebuPac’s ditching expiration of travel funds, extended vouchers validity
While recognizing Cebu Pacific’s decision to remove expiration in its customers’ travel funds and extended the validity of travel vouchers, Senator Nancy Binay hopes that the airline company would also resolve the issues on its hotlines and customer service operations. "We thank Cebu Pacific for heeding the call of airline passengers. One of the discussed topics during the Senate hearing was travel funds and travel vouchers. This is just the first step,” Binay said Saturday. The senator acknowledged the airline’s clear compensation guidelines on flight disruptions. "I believe this is a step in the right direction to earn back the trust of the public and solve the problems experienced by our passengers," she said. The latest airline policy allows passengers who have experienced disruptions in flight operations to avail of two-way travel vouchers for flights canceled within 72 hours, and one-way travel vouchers for flights delayed for four to six hours. "The safety and convenience of passengers should always be our top priority. Good thing that the airline addressed the matter regarding the flight disruptions. I hope na they can also resolve their hotlines and customer service,” Binay said. The airline’s new policy on travel funds and travel vouchers stemmed after Binay led the joint investigation of the Senate Committee on Tourism and the Senate Committee on public services on passenger complaints against airlines last month. The hearing was prompted by a resolution filed by Binay on complaints against Cebu Pacific about overbooking, offloading, and glitches in booking flights. During the hearing, the airlines admitted lapses in their operations and vowed to work with all stakeholders to improve their services. The post Binay lauds CebuPac’s ditching expiration of travel funds, extended vouchers validity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»