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Cebu Pacific receives fuel-efficient A321 aircraft
Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific continues to ramp up its commitment to advance sustainability and strengthen its operational resiliency amid the rising demand in air travel as it received another Airbus A321neo last Thursday......»»
China’s first homegrown airliner makes international debut in Singapore
SINGAPORE – China’s challenger to Airbus and Boeing’s passenger jets, the narrow-body C919 manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has made its first trip outside Chinese territory, staging a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow on Sunday. China has invested heavily in its attempt to break the hold of the dominant two Western.....»»
Cebu Pacific readies biggest plane order
Cebu Pacific is in talks with plane makers Airbus and Boeing for an order of 150 aircraft worth at least $18 billion—the single biggest plane order in the country’s aviation history......»»
Cebu Pacific widens fleet to 77 in 2023
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific achieved its target of acquiring 19 aircraft in 2023, allowing it to increase its fleet to 77, made up mostly of Airbus jets......»»
Greece blaze is ‘largest wildfire ever recorded in EU’
A forest blaze in Greece is "the largest wildfire ever recorded in the EU" and the bloc is mobilizing nearly half its firefighting air wing to tackle it, a European Commission spokesman said Tuesday. Eleven planes and one helicopter from the EU fleet have been sent to help Greece counter the fire north of the city of Alexandroupoli, along with 407 firefighters, spokesman Balazs Ujvari said. The EU's civil protection service said the fire has burnt over 810 square kilometers (310 square miles) -- an area bigger than New York City. "This wildfire is the largest in the EU since 2000, when the European Forest Fire Information System began recording data," the service said. Greece's fire service told AFP that the blaze was "still out of control" in the northeast region's Dadia National Park, a major sanctuary for birds of prey. Since it began on 19 August, the blaze has claimed the lives of 20 people, 18 of them migrants whose bodies were found in a region that is often used as an entry point from neighboring Turkey. The EU currently calls on a fleet of 28 aircraft -- 24 water-dumping planes and four helicopters -- supplied by member countries to help battle blazes in the bloc and in nearby neighbors. It is working on creating a standalone, EU-funded air wing of 12 aircraft that will be fully in place by 2030. "We do know that fires are getting more severe," Ujvari noted. "If you look at the figures every year in the past years, we are seeing trends which are not necessarily favorable, and that calls for of course more capacities at the member states' level." Greece has been ravaged by numerous fires this summer which the government attributes to climate change. The EU air deployment "underscores our commitment to swift and effective collective action in times of crisis," the EU's commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said. The post Greece blaze is ‘largest wildfire ever recorded in EU’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEB makes headway in its EV program
Cebu Pacific announced on Friday afternoon that the airline will start a demonstration run for an electric baggage tractor and charging station this quarter as part of its ongoing electric vehicle transition program. According to CEB, baggage tractors are essential equipment used by airlines to haul carts and dollies during ramp operations. One of the largest fleets of ground support equipment (GSE) in the airline industry, CEB operates more than 100 luggage tractors. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila will serve as the operating and testing location for the all-electric, zero-emission tractor used for CEB's ground operations. This year, it is intended to import numerous electric baggage tractors for use at NAIA. CEB Chief Operations Officer Javier Massot said that their objectives for this demo run are multi-pronged. Since electric vehicles are a relatively new area for CEB, they want to test the technology and its operational viability and safety. They also intend to test the demo unit for various scenarios in their ground operations, so they are deploying it for both airport operations and cargo operations over the demo period. Massot added that the electric baggage tractor and charging station demo units are provided by TLD Asia Limited (TLD) — a subsidiary of Alvest, a group that designs, manufactures, and distributes technical products for the aviation industry. It uses lithium-ion batteries which have a significantly longer life compared to previous-generation lead-acid batteries. The charging station unit is a fast charger that is also provided by TLD. CEB is expecting one more electric baggage tractor demo unit to arrive from another GSE original equipment manufacturer (OEM), which is also targeted for deployment in the last week of August this year. The learning and experience from the demo runs will be essential components of CEB's long-term plan to replace its ground transport network with electric, zero-emission alternatives. The airline is dedicated to managing and minimizing the environmental effect of its activities, and the EV project is an important component of that commitment. CEB Chief Strategy Officer Alex Reyes said that CEB’s Scope 1 emissions come from their flights and ground operations. Although emissions from their GSEs, as part of their ground operations, are only a small portion of their total Scope 1, their decarbonization strategy addresses the entire emissions from their value chain. This is necessary as they align with net-zero emission reduction goals by 2050. Reyes said that earlier this year, CEB rolled out its EV service for employees with the deployment of 100 percent electric COMET vehicles from GET Philippines Inc. For its flying operations, CEB continues to receive new Airbus deliveries of fuel-efficient aircraft, with 10 brand-new aircraft expected for 2023 and five additional aircraft via long-term leasing. The post CEB makes headway in its EV program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL first-half gains bankroll fleet boost
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines or PAL reported on Friday that its net income during the first half of the year more than tripled to P13.6 billion from last year’s P4.1 billion. In a stock exchange disclosure, the company said its operating income during the period also swelled to P17.4 billion from P6.6 billion recorded a year ago. Notably, the airline’s stellar growth was driven by an 89-percent increase in the number of passengers it flew during the period, which reached 7 million as of end-June. Likewise, it logged over 50,400 operated flights, translating to a 56-percent growth from last year’s numbers. This, according to PAL, led to an 81.6-percent improvement in the average passenger load factor. Given this trend, PAL said its passenger revenues climbed to P78.2 billion from P33.1 billion last year. However, its cargo revenue dropped by 54 percent to last year due to fewer cargo charter flights to give way to more passenger flights amid a demand surge. To sustain the growth momentum, PAL said it plans to invest P176.6 billion to acquire nine Airbus A350-1000 long-range jetliners to widen its fleet. Along with it, PAL will also increase its customer care and contact center agents by rolling out a new customer relations management system before the end of the year. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in new aircraft, improved cabins, and enhanced travel experience for our valued customers,” PAL president and chief operating officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng said in the report. “The latest positive financial results enable us to build a better, stronger, and more agile Philippine Airlines that creates greater value for our customers, and we are grateful for their continuing support and patronage.” Within the first half, PAL restored flights to several routes in mainland China and launched nonstop services to Perth along with flights from Clark to Caticlan and Boracay. In addition to an extensive network of 32 domestic destinations served from Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao, PAL operated the largest network of nonstop flights between the Philippines and North America, Japan, the Middle East and Australia. The post PAL first-half gains bankroll fleet boost appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sky-high irony
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific, a budget airline that always manages to raise eyebrows, has once again blessed us with a seat sale. Oh, how lucky can we be? The airline has hyped up anew its marketing mantra that “Every Juan flies,” only weeks after being forced during a congressional hearing to confront 3,000 complaints of irate customers over its endearing practice of overbooking flights and offloading passengers. To be obstinately hooked on the jingle of cash registers while ignoring the suffering of your paying customers takes a unique kind of expertise, of being able to remain deadpan and sleep at night through the turmoil of your aggravated passengers. For many of those who attended the hearings, Cebu Pacific only cares about the cold ca-ching of its cash registers. No doubt, the seat sale it resurrected last week would result in more passengers being kicked off flights. Overbooking and the accompanying forced passenger dumping, in Cebu Pacific’s vision of reality, well, there’s just a “slight chance” of that. That’s a joke, right? But no one’s laughing, as the joke is on us, the public. Let the sentence hang there for a while. “Slight chance,” they say in an entry on airlineratings.com, as though they’re talking about the prospect of seeing a rare unicorn galloping around the departure gate. But no, this is not about fantastical creatures; rather, it is about reservations piling up on a shaky table like a house of cards. It involves accepting the idea of reserved seating as merely a suggestion, a fun idea to play around with. That is if your idea of fun is being forced to reprise the role of Tom Hanks in the movie, The Terminal. Speaking of whimsical, have you ever heard of their brilliant response to situations in which appeals to “volunteers not to travel on their booked flights” fall on deaf ears? Cebu Pacific has your inconvenience covered, so do not be alarmed. They’ve cleverly reserved the power to refuse boarding to travelers “involuntarily,” or against their will, if involuntarily is not clear enough. This translates to passengers gnashing their teeth, pulling their hair, and tearing up their shirts all they want at CebuPac’s check-in counters, without any chance of boarding a flight for which they’d been sold “reserved” seats. However, let’s not limit our discussion to Cebu Pacific’s poetic handling of passenger interactions. Let’s explore the drama that occurred during the probe of the Senate Committee on Tourism. Senators turned their attention to the airline’s fervent devotion to overbooking as the cause of this comedy of errors, becoming unimpressed by the inventive justifications offered by the company for canceled flights and interminable delays. One senator related tales of suffering and annoyance from her own staff as well as from other passengers. Inevitably, as the hours passed, the hearing evolved into a “grief-sharing session.” People stepped up, spilling stories of delayed flights and canceled hopes. If you will, picture a traveler hoping to leave Tokyo but being compelled to crash on the chilly, hard floor of Narita International Airport. Her offense? Having faith in Cebu Pacific to deliver even the most basic amenities. Then there was the dentistry board exam that was almost missed. How about the flight to Cebu from Manila that was diverted to Busuanga and the haggling that followed to force Cebu Pacific to honor its “Passenger Rights” guarantee of free hotel accommodations? The cherry on top? While those who had been put through the wringer were left wondering how the airline’s priorities seemed to be joyously dancing in the skies, the examinee’s lucky aunt, all the way from Australia, managed to score a ticket for a lovely fee. The spokespersons of Cebu Pacific did, however, exhibit some artistic talent. Lightning strikes, bird crashes, and even runway debris were included in the gallery of “freak incidents” they presented as the causes of their errors. During the sleeper hearing, the way Cebu Pacific’s flight operations unfolded resembled an elaborate opera, complete with loud fights and dramatic exits, as if the cosmos had conspired to make it happen. But what was the highlight of Cebu Pacific’s ludicrous theater? Respect for the “Air Passenger Bill of Rights.” To pledge loyalty to rights that seem to exist only in the world of press releases is a truly great gesture. Amid this flying fiasco, passengers may wonder if they are only pawns in a much bigger game when the airline offers its earnest apologies, makes a few promises, and reveals plans for standby aircraft as if they were doing magic. So here we are, seeing the re-erection of Cebu Pacific’s circus tent of antics. Seat sale? Rubbish. The post Sky-high irony appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023
PASAY CITY — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) showcased its emergency response capability and preparedness during the Crash and Rescue Exercise (CREX) 2023 at the airside premises of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday, 4 August. The successful demonstration of this year’s full-scale simulated emergency CREX allows MIAA to ensure that the prescribed plans, guidelines, and organizational setup of the 8th edition of the NAIA Airport Emergency Plan 2023 adequately and effectively address emergencies occurring at or within the immediate vicinity of the country’s main gateway. “A dependable communication and coordination system is essential for a responsive Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). This exercise puts our communication and coordination system to the test, not only among MIAA offices but also with our external partner agencies,” said MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co. “We want to assess primary and secondary responders’ ability to respond to an aircraft crash and the resulting mass casualty event, including rescue and fire suppression, treatment and transport of survivors, and crash site security. The exercise also validates the methods for shifting from an emergency situation to normal airport operations following a potential major incident,” Co added. The scenario for CREX 2023 involved a commercial aircraft bound for Subic, CREX flight #0000, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, that suffered a left engine malfunction during the take-off run after a flock of domestic pigeons crossing the runway was ingested into the aircraft's number one (left) engine, causing the aircraft to crash. The aircraft lost thrust on its number one engine during take-off. The pilot attempted to abort the take-off, but the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the western portion. A fire broke out on the left wing. In this mock incident, there were 80 casualties, with 72 survivors and eight deceased. In addition to the standard fire suppression, medical, emergency response, and search and rescue activities, this year's CREX edition featured the activation of Cebu Pacific's Accident Site Go Team, marking the first time MIAA partnered with an airline. “Cebu Pacific prioritizes safety and has established processes when it comes to emergency response. We thank the MIAA for the opportunity for us to train together to help ensure that communication systems are in place in the event of a multi-agency response,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said as the airline demonstrated its emergency response, particularly in providing support to victims as well as processing and cross-matching victims and family members. The CREX is held to continuously meet security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In compliance with ICAO’s Suggested and Recommended Practices, the CREX is held every two years, but the full-scale exercise may not be conducted if the airport’s emergency plan was activated. The last full-scale CREX was on 19 October 2017. Several actual aircraft incidents in the succeeding years then brought to the fore MIAA’s emergency response capabilities. In August 2018, a Plan 1 emergency under its Airport Emergency Plan was activated when a Xiamen Air aircraft veered off the main runway while attempting to land during a heavy downpour. Barely two years after, another Plan 1 emergency occurred in March 2020, when a Lion Air medivac flight caught fire while it was rolling for take-off. The most recent involved a Saudia Airlines flight that went off the taxiway onto the grassy portion when its six right landing gears malfunctioned in June 2022. All passengers and crew were immediately evacuated and brought to NAIA Terminal 1. No one was hurt as a result of the incident. NAIA is rated as a Category IX airport, while MIAA’s current rescue and firefighting capability is Category X compliant, making it ready to respond to an airport emergency involving an Airbus A380. With the support of highly skilled fire and rescue personnel, a medical team well trained and experienced in aviation medicine, a fleet of modern firefighting and medical vehicles, pneumatic aircraft lifting systems, and various other rescue equipment, the MIAA Emergency Services department is on par with its counterparts in the region. “As this is a multi-agency response to a simulated emergency, assessment activities will be done after the exercise, where stakeholders are welcome to share their observations and raise comments and suggestions to improve our airport emergency plan and coordination system. The response is a community effort, and we appreciate everyone’s contribution in our quest to maintain the global standards of safety and security in NAIA,” Co said. “We would also like to thank our secondary responders for their support: Pasay City General Hospital, Ospital ng Parañaque, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Philippine Airforce, Las Piñas General Hospital, Philippine Coast Guard, Taguig City Fire Station, Manila Medical Center, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Makati, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Las Piñas City Fire Station, BFP Parañaque, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Red Cross – Pasay City Chapter, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” Co added. See more photos here: The post MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA holding aircraft emergency exercise
The Manila International Airport Authority is set to test its readiness to respond to an aircraft crash incident during the Crash Rescue Exercise 2023 to be held today, 4 August within the airside premises of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Airport authorities from ICAO member countries are expected to undertake a full-scale airport emergency drill every two years, followed by a smaller tabletop drill the following year. These are carried out to make sure that airport administrations are aware of the most recent suggestions made in the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices manuals. This year’s crash rescue exercise will also gauge how well the current policies and practices outlined in the 8th edition of the MIAA Airport Emergency Plan adhere to the standards of the ICAO-SARPS. Both the ICAO-SARPS and the MIAA-AEP specify organizational relationships and lines of authority between first and secondary responders as well as support groups, and they also outline how all operations should be coordinated in the event of an airport emergency. These two documents also outline who is responsible for what in terms of carrying out particular responses to emergency situations at airports, for both organizations and individuals. The MIAA Rescue, Firefighting and Medical Units are the first to arrive at an emergency on the airport at NAIA. MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said that this year’s exercise is another first in the history of the MIAA because they will also simulate the management and handling of relatives of victims of the aircraft accident, something that has never been done before. While rated as a Category IX airport, MIAA’s current rescue and firefighting capability is Category X compliant, making it ready to respond to an airport emergency involving an Airbus A380. The acting airport chief added that with the support of highly skilled fire and rescue personnel, a medical team that is well-trained and experienced in aviation medicine, a fleet of modern firefighting and medical vehicles, pneumatic aircraft lifting systems, and various other rescue equipment, the MIAA Emergency Services department is at par with its counterparts in the region. Co assured the public that during the CREX event there will be no flight disruptions and normal operations will continue smoothly during the conduct of the exercise. The post MIAA holding aircraft emergency exercise 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......»»
Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition
Cebu Pacific, the Gokongwei-led budget airline, said Friday it will be receiving more aircraft deliveries this year to ramp up its operations to cater to the growing travel demand. The company welcomed its ninth aircraft delivery, a brand-new Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option), at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. The new aircraft operated using a blended sustainable aviation fuel or SAF on its flight. “This aircraft delivery allows us to increase our operational resilience while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and affordable air travel to our passengers,” said Alex Reyes, CEB chief strategy officer. New-generation fuel-efficient aircraft “Our ongoing re-fleeting with new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft and our continued use of sustainable aviation fuel will also help our decarbonization efforts in making the aviation industry more sustainable,” Reyes added. CEB is scheduled to receive 21 aircraft deliveries this year — of these, 17 are New Engine Options or NEOs, while four are Current Engine Options or CEOs on short-term leases. The airline aims to shift to a more fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028. It also aims to utilize SAF by launching green routes by 2025 and using SAF for its entire network by 2030. SAF cuts 80% carbon emission SAF is a drop-in fuel with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance. The use of SAF results in up to 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle. Last month, CEB also received a brand new A320neo aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin, China, powered by SAF with a blend of 41 percent. CEB became the first low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate SAF into its operations when it took delivery of its third A330NEO in May last year. The post Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL to add new aircraft this week
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) is slated to receive a second aircraft, Airbus A321CEO, this week as part of its fleet expansion and network dependability improvement. In a statement, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the A321 aircraft, which can accommodate 199 passengers in a dual-class configuration, will be used for PAL's domestic and regional routes. This single-aisle jet is the first of several aircraft that PAL is working to acquire or reactivate in the coming months. Villaluna added that additional aircraft are anticipated to join the fleet soon, including one Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft with a capacity of 363 seats to be used on medium-haul routes and one De Havilland Dash 8-400NG aircraft with a capacity of 86 seats to be used for PAL's inter-island operations. Negotiations are also underway to secure additional aircraft. As a result of supply chain delays that affect the whole airline sector, PAL is also actively working to coordinate with its suppliers and service partners to re-activate more aircraft that have been idle for a long time while awaiting new engines and parts. PAL Vice President for Network Planning Christoph Gaertner said that they are taking various actions to boost their fleet count and enable them to meet the continuing surge in travel demand while minimizing delays and cancellations. Gaertner added that they have also proactively reduced some frequencies on a number of routes as part of a rationalization of their schedules so that they can ensure high reliability going forward. They are working with their suppliers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers on initiatives to increase efficiency without compromising safety, which is their absolute top priority, and this is their obligation to their passengers, who expect a pleasant flying experience when traveling on our global network. For its popular operations in North America and maybe Europe, PAL recently announced that it had finalized the purchase of nine brand-new Airbus A350-1000 long-haul aircraft. These 380-seater new-generation jets will be the most cutting-edge aircraft to fly over the Philippine skies when they begin to be delivered in 2025. The post PAL to add new aircraft this week 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......»»
Budget airline but with better services
Passengers of AirAsia Philippines can expect better services from low-cost air carrier sets to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft following its recent transfer to a bigger terminal. AirAsia Philippines started welcoming passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last week. It will operate all its domestic flights to and from the Centennial terminal — offering guests bigger space, better amenities, and a more comfortable travel experience. “We keep saying that this is a winning move for our guests because they deserve only the best from us. Moving to Terminal 2 will allow us to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft soon to improve connectivity and enhance customer experience,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said. Isla also pointed out that AirAsia Philippines’ On-Time Performance, or OTP the past months reached an average of around 80 to 85 percent. 100% on some days “We even reach a high of 100 percent on some days when there are no factors causing disruptions such as weather or lightning red alerts, air traffic congestion, and non-scheduled maintenance,” he added. For Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla, “industry stakeholders and government to continue to engage to ensure that passengers ultimately win.” “We shall work closely with the industry towards full and strict adherence to the Air Passenger Bill of Rights as we endeavor to go above and beyond in the service of the Filipino people,” Arcilla said. AirAsia Philippines has been allocated 20 check-in counters for guests entering the south wing of the terminal. At Terminal 2, AirAsia Philippines passengers can utilize the seven operational aero bridges in the south wing and four remote parking bays during high traffic or peak hours. AirAsia operates more than 100 domestic flights daily and aims to increase routes and frequency during winter to provide guests with affordable flights. The post Budget airline but with better services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu Pacific takes in 1st Airbus A320neo from Tianjin facility
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has accepted delivery of its first A320neo (new engine option) aircraft assembled from Airbus’ facility here, which is the plane maker’s closest facility to the Philippines. From this facility, Cebu Pacific is expecting at least three more aircraft deliveries......»»
PAL closes deal for 9 A350-1000s
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines has signed a deal for the purchase of nine Airbus aircraft that it plans to deploy for long-haul flights......»»
Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show
European aircraft maker Airbus got the Paris Air Show off to a soaring start on Monday with the announcement of the biggest-ever order for civil aircraft, as the French president joined a big crowd for the event's return after a four-year Covid hiatus. The 500-plane deal with low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo kicked off what organizers have billed as the "recovery airshow" after the coronavirus ravaged the sector and the biennial trade fair was canceled in 2021. Fighter jets and civilian aircraft streaked across the sky while suited and uniformed delegations, including Ukrainian military officials and President Emmanuel Macron, toured the stands. This year's airshow has a new focus on defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, with French President Emmanuel Macron arriving in a helicopter partly using sustainable aviation fuel. Macron called for "restraint" to protect the environment but said measures for aviation should be "reasonable" rather than "punitive", adding that the world shouldn't "give up on growth". Huge traffic jams around Le Bourget airport outside Paris were a testament to the interest in this year's show, as aircraft makers field hundreds of orders and airlines brace for a near-record number of passengers this year. The Ukraine conflict has also prompted countries to boost military spending, which could benefit aerospace defense firms. While Russia has been excluded from the event, Ukrainian military officials toured the huge exhibition space at Paris-Le Bourget airport, some taking photos of missiles on display. Passion for air hasn't disappeared Macron announced that Belgium is to be admitted as an observer to the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System program, which is seeking to develop the next generation of air combat technology. Macron, closing a ministerial conference on European air defense, called it a " major development". The FCAS is due to come into service by 2040 but has already suffered numerous delays. Also on the military front, Macron said that France, Estonia, Hungary, Belgium, and Cyprus are to jointly purchase Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles. "This is a very fine example of sovereign cooperation between Europeans on a range that is entirely relevant and that was not sufficiently covered", the French leader said. There was star turns for the Rafale fighter made by France's Dassault and the American F-35 jet, with hundreds of visitors turning their phone cameras skyward and some plugging their ears against the deafening flypasts. Le Bourget offers a forum to announce deals with some 2,500 firms lining up to show off their latest planes, drones, helicopters and prototypes such as flying taxis. With 125,000 square meters (1,350,000 square feet) of exhibition space -- the equivalent of nearly 18 football pitches -- around 320,000 visitors are expected during the week-long event. "Passion for the air hasn't disappeared, that's good news," said Bertrand Godinot, easyJet's Netherlands and France director. Big deals Along with the Farnborough airshow in England, which takes place in even-numbered years, Le Bourget is a key sales event for the civil and defence industries. Airbus and rival Boeing compete fiercely in announcing orders for aircraft running into the billions of dollars. Monday's IndiGo-Airbus deal covers A320 family planes at a list price of $55 billion. Although closely held actual sale prices are usually lower, it marks the largest ever civil aviation order by volume, hailed by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury as "an enormous milestone". Airbus and Boeing are also battling to solidify supply chains as they increase production to meet growing demand. The United States has a strong presence with 425 exhibitors, while firms from 46 other nations are present. China, which lifted Covid restrictions only at the beginning of this year, is also represented. However, Beijing is not displaying its first homegrown medium-haul passenger jet, the C919, built to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. Flying taxis The airshow also hopes to open a window into the future as projects for flying taxis and other vertical take-off aircraft abound. Several prototypes will be on display as part of a "Paris Air Mobility" exhibition to showcase the latest innovations that developers hope will change how people travel. Macron arrived aboard Airbus' latest helicopter, the H160, in a flight fuelled with 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel before visiting the European group's stand where it laid out its net-zero-by-2050 plan. Macron had on Friday announced $2.2 billion to help develop technologies to reduce aircraft emissions. Air travel accounts for nearly three percent of global CO2 emissions but serves only a small minority of the world's population. With the industry targeting net zero emissions by mid-century, firms are turbocharging efforts to achieve it. The initial focus is on SAF, made from sources such as municipal waste and agricultural waste. But companies are also working to develop battery- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The post Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
At its 787 Dreamliner factory, Boeing prepares for takeoff
As airlines seek to fulfill customers' growing post-pandemic appetites for long-haul travel, Boeing is aiming to speed up production of its 787 Dreamliners after a period plagued by repeated delivery interruptions due to manufacturing defects. At a hangar in the US East Coast state of South Carolina, the plane begins to take shape on its first assembly line -- here, the wings, cockpit, cabin and tail are still in separate pieces. It will take about a month for the entire aircraft to come together, with the final touches added later, in the parking lot. The US aerospace giant has already managed to up its manufacturing rate from fewer than two 787s per month in 2021 to four, and is hoping to get up to five by the end of the year. On the second assembly line in the hangar, located in the city of North Charleston, three completed airplanes are inspected. They had to be returned for adjustments, after the discovery of several production flaws beginning in 2020. There are still several dozen other planes under inspection, but Boeing plans to move that review process to its factory in Everett, in Washington state, by the end of the year. That will allow them to devote the second assembly line in South Carolina solely to plane construction, meaning they can ramp up to 10 787s per month by 2025 or 2026. That would bring the factory close to Boeing's pre-pandemic production rate of 14 jets per month, which was achieved by splitting 787 construction between South Carolina and Washington state, before it was all consolidated to the East Coast in 2021. Boeing says it's not worried about potential cancelations from airline clients unhappy with the delays. "Our problem right now is more to just getting these planes in the hands of the customers," Lane Ballard, the 787 program's general manager said during a press visit to Boeing's South Carolina locations Tuesday and Wednesday, ahead of the Paris Air Show later this month. Despite the rebound in sales of its flagship medium-haul 737 MAX last year -- giving the company its best delivery numbers since 2018 -- Boeing is pinning its financial hopes on the 787, after four consecutive years in the red. Recent months have finally seen an uptick in orders for large planes, the market for which was already suffering before the drop in long-haul air traffic during Covid lockdowns. Boeing has historically dominated the high-margin long-haul manufacturing scene with its 787 and 777 configurations, competing with Airbus's A350 and A330. Now, with Boeing no longer producing its 747 jumbo jet, the lag on its 777 passenger model and the five-year delay in certification for its 777X, set for 2025, the company is counting on the 787. It took a gamble on the 787 line -- which launched in 2004 and began flying in 2011 -- by increasing its use of carbon fiber composites for the fuselage and wings. As a result, the plane is lighter and requires less fuel. Many of the aircraft's major parts are shipped in from Italy, Japan and Kansas in one of Boeing's so-called Dreamlifters -- modified 747s specially designed for carrying cumbersome equipment. And back in South Carolina, the back of the aircraft is built in an adjacent hangar next door. Betting on the 787 seems to have paid off so far: Boeing has received 250 orders for the plane just in the last six months. "By the end of this year, it's almost guaranteed the 787 will be the most popular passenger wide-body in history," with even more total purchases than the 777 or Airbus A330, Boeing vice president of commercial marketing Darren Hulst predicted. The post At its 787 Dreamliner factory, Boeing prepares for takeoff appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»