Airlines In The Philippines II

[Evodesire]

Let me guess, it was Sen. Grace Poe proposing all these?

[Solblanc]

romantic_guy08 wrote

Was listening to the plenary debates on the 2024 budget of DOTR in the Senate, and the numerous complaints against PAL was raised...

Senators are proposing that PR loses its flag-carrier status if it does not shape-up and correct the numerous complaints against it within a specific time... Proposals were also raised to take-back/limit their slots if they cannot correct the complaints.

Instead of grandstanding like this, the lawmakers can legislate actual passenger protection legislation similar to the EU.

[romantic_guy08]

Evodesire wrote

Let me guess, it was Sen. Grace Poe proposing all these?

Allan Peter...

Solblanc wrote

romantic_guy08 wrote

Was listening to the plenary debates on the 2024 budget of DOTR in the Senate, and the numerous complaints against PAL was raised...

Senators are proposing that PR loses its flag-carrier status if it does not shape-up and correct the numerous complaints against it within a specific time... Proposals were also raised to take-back/limit their slots if they cannot correct the complaints.

Instead of grandstanding like this, the lawmakers can legislate actual passenger protection legislation similar to the EU.

As per Grace Poe, CAB is revising their penalties guidelines, and I think the APBR as well.

Discussed was the revised guidelines from CAB which they are forwarding to the airlines for comments on the revised guidelines, including guidelines on overbooking (proposal is it will not be allowed during peak seasons)...

Complaints revolved around the faulty seats, faulty IFEs, maintenance issues, overbooking....

[Evodesire]

romantic_guy08 wrote

Complaints revolved around the faulty seats, faulty IFEs, maintenance issues, overbooking....

Now this is where their stupidity and ignorance falls in. First, there is an aircraft parts supply chain problem worldwide. Second, we also have the PW GTF recall affecting airlines WORLDWIDE. There is nothing our airlines can do. Third, maintenance issues with the engines? Again, they should go back to the global parts problem. Fourth, overbooking is a worldwide practice and not only here in the Philippines.

First, they want Cebu Pacific's license revoked due to overbooking and delays. Then you have this. Are they trying to kill our own aviation industry? Why don't they do something first with our airports before grandstanding again?

[romantic_guy08]

Evodesire wrote

romantic_guy08 wrote

Complaints revolved around the faulty seats, faulty IFEs, maintenance issues, overbooking....

Now this is where their stupidity and ignorance falls in. First, there is an aircraft parts supply chain problem worldwide. Second, we also have the PW GTF recall affecting airlines WORLDWIDE. There is nothing our airlines can do. Third, maintenance issues with the engines? Again, they should go back to the global parts problem. Fourth, overbooking is a worldwide practice and not only here in the Philippines.

First, they want Cebu Pacific's license revoked due to overbooking and delays. Then you have this. Are they trying to kill our own aviation industry? Why don't they do something first with our airports before grandstanding again?

The seat problems were even as far back sa time ni Pnoy pa... and as we've discussed here just in the past pages, you aircraft deployed to NA/AU, that either doesn't have IFE or non-working IFEs, yet PR is still charging the same amount (hence I said, full service fares for LCC service)... or not even compensating passengers...

I can actually relate to the complaints on overbooking... since unlike in other countries where airlines will bid higher compensation for people to give up their seats... here, what the local airlines usually does, is just to offer compensation once, and then if no one takes the offer, they immediately randomly selects passengers to DB... even worse, passengers are denied check-in if they are at the counters on-time... which is in itself a violation of the APBR... but the airlines seems to get away with it easily...

But it would actually really be better if they can just legislate a better APBR similar to EU 261/04...

[Evodesire]

The original direction of PAL during JJB's time was to have a consistent product with seats equipped with IFEs. The A321ceos were supposed to be replaced by NEOs with IFEs too. Then Viv and Carmen Tan stuck their noses in, got JJB out, and placed in GSM as like their puppet. Then came in the pandemic. Deliveries of the NEOs were suspended. Then followed by C11 where GSM admin returned the new planes and left the old ones except for a few. The A321Ns deliveries were pushed back all the way to 2026. Then now we have this PW GTF issue.

As far as I know, Capt. Stan's team wants to have a more consistent product again but it may take time. And I hope no one from the Tan family, especially Viv and Carmen won't stick their noses in again which can once again derail progress.

If things go according to plan, then we can see PAL back on top again with a better product and newer planes 2027 and up. They just have to let go of that "PAL is PAL" mentality and they are all good to go.

[Arianespace]

Evodesire wrote

As far as I know, Capt. Stan's team wants to have a more consistent product again but it may take time. And I hope no one from the Tan family, especially Viv and Carmen won't stick their noses in again which can once again derail progress.

You might have a rude awakening. Both person you mentioned just happen to seat on the board. Between the board and the manager, it is the former that always wins. I can understand Capt. Stan's heart. But then again he is just a yes man.

[Evodesire]

Viv is no longer a part of the board. Carmen still is.

[romantic_guy08]

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AND SINGAPORE AIRLINES TO EMBARK ON NEW CODESHARE PARTNERSHIP

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a new codeshare partnership agreement, which will allow the airlines to enhance flight options for their customers travelling between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as to other domestic and international destinations via their respective hubs.

The codeshare agreement will start on SIA’s and PAL’s flights between Singapore and Manila, the Philippines, by the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals. SIA will also codeshare on PAL’s flights from Manila to 27 destinations within the Philippines[1], while PAL will codeshare on SIA’s flights to six destinations in Europe – Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.

Both airlines will also explore an expansion of the codeshare agreement to include SIA’s flights to additional points in Europe, as well as destinations in Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.

[chowpau]

Arianespace wrote

Evodesire wrote

As far as I know, Capt. Stan's team wants to have a more consistent product again but it may take time. And I hope no one from the Tan family, especially Viv and Carmen won't stick their noses in again which can once again derail progress.

You might have a rude awakening. Both person you mentioned just happen to seat on the board. Between the board and the manager, it is the former that always wins. I can understand Capt. Stan's heart. But then again he is just a yes man.

balita ko close si Stanley and si Carmen...although his mother-in-law is the 3rd wife of kapitan

[Evodesire]

Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich. Also a test bed for PAL's potential EU routes in the future?

[Arianespace]

 

Evodesire wrote

Viv is no longer a part of the board. Carmen still is.

While she may not sit on PAL Holdings, she sits in PAL itself. That is a big thing.
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/27/pal-confirms-appointment-of-president-elects-4-directors/

With LTs declining health, the children are taking over, and whatever they vote follows PAL direction.

At least during LT days JJB is answerable to only one guy, and even some of his business decisions were contrary to that of the old man. Nowadays its no longer the case. Sta. Maria tried to manned up and was shown the door.

[Evodesire]

I watched the Senate budget hearing and well, I think Cayetano does have a point too. PAL cannot always rely on the cabin crew, they have to definitely improve their hard product because no matter what, they have a name and branding to protect too. It is also a wake up call for those traditional-thinking people to end that "PAL is PAL" mentality. The entry of UA is the first blow, then now we have this.

And I do think PAL does really have to put in orders soon as more airlines are updating their fleet. Hard to be conservative in a time when the rest are aggressive.

[romantic_guy08]

Cebu Pacific to ground 20 A320neo for PW issues: Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) is planning to park ten A320neo Family aircraft in January 2024 when it begins mandatory inspections of its Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines. The low-cost carrier expects the number of grounded aircraft to grow to as many as 20 throughout the course of 2024.

The Filipino airline is currently in talks with Bulgaria Air (FB, Sofia) about a wet-lease contract to mitigate the impact of the unavoidable groundings but did not provide any details

[JNC03]

In a bid to facilitate further growth in a greener aviation sector, country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced it will invest in the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to power its aircraft in the future.

PAL President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Capt. Stanley K. Ng said in a meeting with business delegates during the Asian Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California, that the airline will invest in sustainable aviation.  

"We’re investing in a fleet of new-generation, more eco-friendly aircraft that give us the range we need to fly very long routes across the Pacific and polar regions. Nonstop flights are more convenient, and also kinder to our environment"

https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/16/pal-to-invest-in-saf-for-green-fleet#google_vignette

[Evodesire]

Hoping they make an announcement next year. I think Singapore Air Show is next this Feb? Keeping my fingers crossed on more A350-900s and 787s.

Another question. If PALex were to replace their A320ceos with most likely A320neos, will the order come from Philippine Airlines Inc. or Air Philippines Corp?

[Arianespace]

PAL will codeshare on SIA’s flights to six destinations in Europe: Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome and Zurich.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/11/17/2311988/pal-links-flights-copenhagen-milan

Obviously, LHR is out of the deal. They are coming back. But for the three other destinations in the EU which they proposes to fly, that settles their intent. 35Ks are not gonna fly there.

[Evodesire]

So all in all, are we looking at 4 Europe destinations including London? Or London plus 2 more from the SIA codeshare list?

Also, I'm hearing two stories about the A359s now with LH. People from PAL say they will no longer return, but here, its a different story. And if they are to return after 4 years from LH, that would be 2025, same year the A35Ks will start arriving. Any updates on this?

[Arianespace]

It is still their story up to this date because that is the reality. Of course they would not discuss or admit the real ownership issue of it because they are happy LH is paying for its amortization instead of them. That arrangement is similar to a car rental. If you are paying for the car rent for a certain period, then the car is yours for the meantime. But it doesn't change the fact who the real owners are after you used the car.

[Evodesire]

So wait, are these 4 A350s on a PAL financial lease? Also, will the lease of these 4 A350s expire 2025 or 2026 before returning to PAL?