Airlines in the Philippines

[seven13]

romantic_guy08 wrote

seven13 wrote

Same query here. 5J has announced its KWI operations this September. When can/will PR be allowed to fly to DOH, JED and KWI?

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When I wrote 301, I was referring to the 212T version, not the 235T version A330. I think with its current configuration at 42J260Y, it can fly direct to HNL nonstop. Maybe it can be utilized alongside with 8771 (if it'll have a loner configuration among the rest of its sister).

Only RP-C3337 remains as active and will also be stored/retired by September... it can and it has done HNL but it was weight restricted if I'm not mistaken...

Anyways, you can book KWI via the PR website... connects at DXB with Flydubai... and just today, you can also book Ottawa (YOW) connecting in YYZ with Westjet...

Too bad if it has penalties for operating nonstop service. Is that already confirmed that 37 will stay until September? Eventhough the GE A330s are old, the cabin is pretty spacious and for me, quite still clean and ok for flights.

[Evodesire]

Though a more cramped seating arrangement on PAL's new A321s and A330IGWs may look better on financial statements, its not the same for big guys like me. I still prefer flying PAL's old A320s and A330s.

If the LT group will win, do you think they would revert back to the dual branding model?

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

Same query here. 5J has announced its KWI operations this September. When can/will PR be allowed to fly to DOH, JED and KWI?

-----
When I wrote 301, I was referring to the 212T version, not the 235T version A330. I think with its current configuration at 42J260Y, it can fly direct to HNL nonstop. Maybe it can be utilized alongside with 8771 (if it'll have a loner configuration among the rest of its sister).

From what I'm told there is supposed to be some announcement this month. Whether its Australia or Middle East I don't know.

I hope that announcement is shielded by Corporate wars.

Meanwhile, my story last Saturday came out in the papers today.

Biz Buzz: Lowball offer for PAL

Lucio Tan’s eagerly anticipated buyback offer to San Miguel for the latter’s stake in Philippine Airlines was presented to the conglomerate’s head honcho Ramon Ang last Friday, as scheduled.

According to our sources, “Kapitan” offered to pay San Miguel $372 million for the 49-percent stake in the airline (which the conglomerate acquired two years ago for $500 million). The balance of the buyback offer—some $800 million—would be settled over a two-year installment period, the term sheet further stated.

One source with knowledge of the transaction details commented that the payment period was simply too long, and that Tan put nothing on the table by way of guaranteeing that the payments will be made.

“Without any payment guarantee, a two-year installment period is a long time,” the source said. “And the offer is, frankly, a bit low.”

When asked for comment, Ang simply replied: “Still in talks.”

At this point, however, the offer doesn’t look attractive enough for SMC’s boss.

Now I will add something to the twist. Source from grapevine says that they are proposing to raise the rest of the funds from its future partner, whoever that may be, EY if they accept.

The ball is rolling.

Now watch for the SMC counter offer.

[Evodesire]

Whoa! With that offer, I can foresee what the future of PAL would be under the LT group. Or should I say, how many more years or perhaps, months, they would last.

[seven13]

Evodesire wrote

Though a more cramped seating arrangement on PAL's new A321s and A330IGWs may look better on financial statements, its not the same for big guys like me. I still prefer flying PAL's old A320s and A330s.

If the LT group will win, do you think they would revert back to the dual branding model?

If you don't mind, how tall/big are you? I was able to be on the A321 last week (I'm 180cm tall, and medium body built). It indeed felt a bit crowded since it was quite a full flight from HKG, but I fit in just right. CZ's A321 is more cramped if you ask me and MH's B737-8 felt like I was on 5J. Had a very hard time on MAS' B737-8 (both old and new ones).

[swahi]

LT's offer should be laughed at.  SMC wants to be reimbursed at cost, LT's offer is telling SMC/RSA to sell at a loss, when the airline is going to finally make a decent profit? Plus the fact that it seems LT has the greater desire to take over than for RSA's desire to get out.

[Evodesire]

Legroom wise I have no problem with both but shoulder room wise, I quite do find the A321s smaller than the A320s. I'm large. To think both are of 3-3 abreast. But as for the A330s, no questions asked when it comes to the regular Y class when comparing the 301s and 343s.

[romantic_guy08]

Looks like PAL will again mount a rescue/mercy flight for OFWs evacuated from Libya...

They'll be flying to Malta this time... I wonder what aircraft they will use... does the A333s have the legs to do this mission at full load?

[chowpau]

Arianespace wrote

You are correct. Although there is something wrong with the X designation as
the most appropriate extension by Airbus labels them "E" for enhanced
engine. The argument was you cannot extend the range of the engine. The real
reason however was that when the engine supplier developed improvements they
just put a code X as the unknown, like the A3XX. When they were done and
tested, the E was officially adopted.

I would like also to add before anything gets more confusing that the 343X
extension from Airbus refers to the heavier variant aircraft which has
extended range, as distinguished from the E which refers to the engine with
more thrust. The most appropriate extension is the 343E because that refers
to the engine and not the aircraft.

I kinda remember the code on the last number referring to the engine
manufacturer when I was at Farnborough years ago.

While at it this is how Airbus engine codes go:

First Digit      - Aircraft series
A330-2
A330-3

Second Digit  - Engine Manufacturer
0: General Electric
1: CFM
2: Pratt&Whitney
3: IAE
4: Rolls Royce
6: Engine Alliance

Third Digit    - Engine version
1: first prototype
2: second prototype
3: third prototype
4: fourth prototype

Fourth Digit  - Prototype Improvements
E - Enhanced version
X - Experimental version

You can see the version development of Rolls Royce engine here

I have a book about the A330/340 family

Regarding about the E or X, according to the book I have, particularly the A340-300, E or X are the same. Some considered as E for Enhanced.

This what I have summarized from the book (Airlife's Airliners: 16 A330 and A340 up to year 2003):

A340-200 (early version)
- max range 7450 nm
- MTOW 257,010 kg then increased to 260,000 in 1994
- engine CFM56-5C

A340-200E a.k.a A340-8000
- max range 8000 nm
- MTOW 275,000 kg*
- engine: CFM56-5C4*
* same with the A340-300E/X

A340-300 (initial standard)
- max range 7300 nm
- MTOW 257,000 kg
- engine: CFM56-5C
* Kuwait Airways is the first to use A340-300 initial standard with uprated engines- CFM56-5C4

A340-300E(or A340-300X)
- max range 7450 nm
- MTOW 271,000kg (1992) then to 275,000kg (1995)
- engine: CFM56-5C4
*Singapore Airlines is the first airline to operate the A340-300E

A340-300 Enhanced (batch 2003 onwards)
- max range 7450 nm
- MTOW 275,000kg
- engine: CFM56-5C4/P
- cockpit systems and cabin the same with A340-500/600 series (ISIS, LCD displays etc)

[Evodesire]

I think the mono-class A330s would be the best equipment for mercy flights. Unless they decide to use a 777 or 747 in order to do a direct flight. Not sure if an A330 can fly straight on full load. I guess the next best bet would be a 747.

[Eurest]

Greetings, apologies if this is off-topic, but I am delighted to have been invited to a discussion boards where reasonable people seem to reside.
It's refreshing to read sensible comments and not those by people with an obvious axe to grind or have a irrational sense of reality.

MNL-MAL flight time should probably take the same time as MNL-YVR, if they do decide on the mono class A330s, an AUH fuel stop may make the MAL-MNL flight doable especially if the OFWs repatriated have a bit of cargo with them.
MAL-MNL non stop would need around a 45,000lb weight penalty

Since there are over 800 OFWs to be repatriated, it will be interesting to see if PR will allot 2 ac for a one time mission or have 2 or more flights over a number of days

[Evodesire]

Would they be able to use 747s for the mercy flights? I guess PAL needs the 777s more, and at the same time, there are still under utilized mono-class A330s.

[Eurest]

The 747's would be able to make MAL-MNL non stop if they can sub the 744's on SFO rotation with A343's.
They could even fill the J class with media and gov't officials as the repatriation would make for some great "heroic effort" advertising for PR

[airboy007]

I doubt that they will do so much PR with these flights. They did it with minimal fanfare when they did the Greece flight last 2011. The A330 might just be the best aircraft for this as it can accommodate as much passengers, with the least disruptions.

[chowpau]

Welcome sir

You got that right. Somebody posted demolish T1 and Duty Free and also move LTP to Nayong Pilipino to construct another runway. I replied, include T2 to have it demolished. Kung pwede murahin ko sya sa katangahan gagawin ko

[seven13]

airboy007 wrote

I doubt that they will do so much PR with these flights. They did it with minimal fanfare when they did the Greece flight last 2011. The A330 might just be the best aircraft for this as it can accommodate as much passengers, with the least disruptions.

How does PR choose the roster/group of cabin crew who'll fly this "rescue" flights? Is it chosen or is it volunteered? I'm quite curious since these kind of flights are usually tiresome and quite emotionally draining.

Numbers are in the 800+ so let's say a mono A330, it'll need 2-3 flights to bring all of them home.

[Eurest]

PR seems to have gotten a bit more media savvy under SMC, so hopefully they'll take this chance to "save the Filipino heroes" in Malta with some press.

On to other things, I've read a local daily citing a 9 hour flight to Malta with iether an 343 or 333, I wonder how this is feasible.
The B77W Middle East flights take around 7+hrs ex-MNL and around 9 hrs back.
I don't think any Airbii aside from the A350 has a cruise speed that comes close to any of the Boeing widebodies.
If it takes 5J and PR around 9 hrs to DXB/AUH, wouldn't MAL take longer than that considering its around 2000+ miles further at the tip of Italy at the Mediterranean sea?

[Evodesire]

From what I know, the choose the more senior cabin crew and just a very few juniors.

[romantic_guy08]

Eurest wrote

Greetings, apologies if this is off-topic, but I am delighted to have been invited to a discussion boards where reasonable people seem to reside.
It's refreshing to read sensible comments and not those by people with an obvious axe to grind or have a irrational sense of reality.

MNL-MAL flight time should probably take the same time as MNL-YVR, if they do decide on the mono class A330s, an AUH fuel stop may make the MAL-MNL flight doable especially if the OFWs repatriated have a bit of cargo with them.
MAL-MNL non stop would need around a 45,000lb weight penalty

Since there are over 800 OFWs to be repatriated, it will be interesting to see if PR will allot 2 ac for a one time mission or have 2 or more flights over a number of days

great to you have here Eurest...

based on news stories, there will be two flights with seats each... so I guess it'll be the high density A333s... or the 744s that will be deployed...

[Arianespace]

Eurest wrote

Greetings, apologies if this is off-topic, but I am delighted to have been invited to a discussion boards where reasonable people seem to reside.
It's refreshing to read sensible comments and not those by people with an obvious axe to grind or have a irrational sense of reality.

You're very much welcome here. I'm sure you will add further insightful ideas on this forum.