Airlines In The Philippines III

[Solblanc]

romantic_guy08 wrote

JNC03 wrote

Cebu Pacific to deploy A330neo to ILO starting May 2025

Seems like 5J is running out of destinations to deploy their A333s...

This could also show that there's growth in the route, and at the same time, upgauging the aircraft is a way to not use up precious NAIA slots.

On a different, note, 5J already increased frequency to DXB. In theory, they have the rights to extend that flight to Europe. Or they can start DMM when PAL left. Lots of opportunities.

[Evodesire]

5J has no plans for EU and US. But you will see more expansion in the Middle East, potentially bringing back RUH and DOH. PAL better watch out. Either offer their mediocre product and drop fares or upgrade their product and keep their high fares.

[skudieee]

CTS is doing well. Flew both ways full (well, it's still peak of winter). They've also upgraded the service to A21N since February 1. The route is already loaded on 5J's website throughout the summer schedule.

[Arianespace]

5J is filing regulatory approval to fly KSA. They are also increasing DXB to 3X daily soon. Explains upgrading of some route and saving some slots for medium haul

[romantic_guy08]

PAL is launching CEB - SGN effective May 2...

[Arianespace]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Bases Conversion and Development Authority chief Vince Dizon as the new transportation secretary, replacing Jaime Bautista.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced the new appointment in a message to reporters.

"Vivencio 'Vince' Bringas Dizon is going to be the next Secretary of the Department of Transportation, effective February 21, 2025," Bersamin said.

Bautista, a former CEO of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, has bowed out of the Department of Transportation (DOTR) post due to concerns over his health.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/02/13/2421267/vince-dizon-named-new-dotr-secretary

Seriously, its not about health but policy issues according to some of his men. But just the same, you have to ease someone who does not toe the line. Accordingly, he stand his ground both in MIA and NMIA.

[Solblanc]

Vince Dizon gets things done. I’m surprised they didn’t wait until after the elections for this change.

We can look forward to Clark playing a bigger role with him around.

[romantic_guy08]

JJB's soft demeanor and management style for me, just doesn't suit government work... and I don't think his skill set aligns to that of the requirement for railways which are the focus now...

and does this have something to do with the EDSA bus carousel issue as well?

[filipinoavgeek]

Is Dizon pro-Carousel or anti-Carousel?

[Evodesire]

Cebu Pacific will be deploying their A330Ns on select flights from Manila to Iloilo and Bohol Panglao. I wonder how this will affect PAL flights.

[filipinoavgeek]

Air India officials met with the CAAP regarding the establishment of direct flights. MNL-India flights imminent? They've been rumored for ages now.

[filipinoavgeek]

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1032819168889195&set=a.655136649990784

Cebu-Da Nang flights incoming? Bupak is teasing a new route from Cebu, and apparently the place shown in the picture is near Da Nang. Da Nang must really be doing well for them if they're already planning to launch flights there from Cebu considering the Manila launch wasn't that long ago.

[Evodesire]

Rumors have it that 5J is also studying the possibility of India

[romantic_guy08]

5J is preempting PAL's CEB-SGN...

Will launch earlier...

[JNC03]

Avion Express Philippines has been launched in the country as a new player in the aviation sector.

Its business is to offer aircraft for lease to airlines to address the growing travel demand in the country.

Avion Express is under the Avia Solutions Group which has over 200 aircraft globally.

The Philippine unit plans to own at least two aircraft this year which will be registered in the Philippines. It targets three planes per year and at least 15 aircraft in the next 5 years.

Avion Express Philippines CEO Rene Philip Banzon said they have already talked to various local carriers.

But Banzon said the local airlines previously would lease from foreign carriers, now they can do so with a local company with local crew members. And the process would be quicker and airlines may also decide to repaint or reconfigure the jet or not.

Though they will have only two planes this year, Banzon said if demand grows, they can always get aircraft from the mother company.


https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/2/20/aircraft-lease-firm-opens-unit-in-ph-2310

[filipinoavgeek]

https://www.ttgasia.com/2025/02/21/big-impact-in-the-skies/

Interview with Mike Szucs about how Bupak is doing these days. Some highlights:
>Sapporo is confirmed to be doing well, hence the recent upgrade to the A21N (which is only up until the end of the current season), now planned to be served year-round
>They're considering India flights, they don't care if they're beaten to it by another carrier (most likely Air India)
>They're considering the A321LR for certain markets like India
>They tend to aim for four-hour flights, but will make exceptions if the market demand is there
>They plan to have a significant presence at NMIA once that starts operations

[Gustavo J Oppenheimer]

Kinda sad that 5J won't be having the A321 XLRs soon despite having the P&W Engines certified by FAA and EASA

[Arianespace]

Together with JJBs departure at DOTr was his trusted lieutenant Atty. Robert C. Lim. Vince replaced him with  Capt. Jim Sydiongco as undersecretary for Aviation and Airports.

[Arianespace]

filipinoavgeek wrote

https://www.ttgasia.com/2025/02/21/big-impact-in-the-skies/

Interview with Mike Szucs about how Bupak is doing these days. Some highlights:

>They tend to aim for four-hour flights, but will make exceptions if the market demand is there
>They plan to have a significant presence at NMIA once that starts operations

Well, 4 hours has been CEBs target market range before Mike was there. I remember Lance saying the same thing when they ordered their first Airbus aircraft in 2003/04.

As to NMIA, they will be the airport's first tenant. No secret as far as this forum is concerned. Heard it directly from SMC head honcho in 2018.

[filipinoavgeek]

Most of the information in that article is already old news like the interest in India and the NMIA plans. The only new thing is the confirmation that CTS was doing really well.

If anything, the thing that surprises me a bit is how CTS only has nonstops to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila. Not even Singapore: Scoot's flights are via Taipei. VietJet flies to CTS too but also via Taipei rather than direct from either Bangkok or Vietnam. You'd think it would at least have a Singapore flight.