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Air Philippines Launches New Flights to Puerto Princesa
Naga and Busuanga additional flights
YEAR ROUND PROMO FARE
TICKETING SERVICE CHARGE
AIR PHIL resumes Caticlan flights
CANCELLED FLIGHT DUE TO TYPHOON SANTI
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
MORE FOR LESS PROMO
Keeping the Bayanihan spirit alive
NOTICE TO ALL MANILA AND CEBU PAL EXPRESS PASSENGERS
AIR PHILIPPINES FLIES TO SURIGAO...
OZAMIZ PROMO FARE
ADDITIONAL NAGA FLIGHT!
TO SEAT IS TO BILI
AIR PHILIPPINES HOLY WEEK WORKING SCHEDULE
The HEAT IS ON!!
ADTO TA SA CAGAYAN de ORO
AIR PHILIPPINES IS NOW ONLINE!
ALL-IN NAIA TERMINAL 3
NEW FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR PUERTO PRINCESA
TAYO NA SA DAVAO(11/20/2008)
SPECIAL DAVAO PACKAGE!! (11/07/2008)
DAVAO FEVER IS BACK!!(10/30/2008)
FLYING PAPERLESS: FOCUSING ON A NEW DIMESION (10/09/2006)
AIR PHILIPPINES JOINS CYBERSPACE FRAY (10/09/2006)
AIR PHILIPPINES MOUNTS MAIDEN FLIGHT TO LEGASPI (03/07/2006)
AIR PHILIPPINES EXPANDS CEBU HUB OPERATIONS (11/24/2005)
AIR PHILIPPINES CUTS FARES BY 45% (11/24/2005)
AIR PHILIPPINES RE-FLEETS WITH BOEING (08/04/2005)
AIR PHILIPPINES EXPANDS REGIONAL NETWORK (07/28/2005)
TELEpay
(March 15, 2010)
Convenience at your fingertips! Air Philippines introduces TELEpay, a new service that allows you to purchase tickets using credit card by simply calling (632) 8559000.
GUIDELINES:
- Only VISA and Mastercard credit cards will be, initially, accepted.
- Cut-off time is 24 hours before flight departure.
- Third Party Purchase is allowed.
- Presentation of valid ID and credit card used online are MANDATORY. If the passenger is not the credit card owner, he should be able present a photocopy of the credit card used online and photocopy of the credit card owner’ valid ID.Failure to produce and present the credit card and valid ID or photocopy thereof, will be advised to purchase new tickets or will be refused to board the flight.
- Convenience Fee of PHP 56.00 (VAT inclusive) will be charged per ticket.
(16 February 2010)
(Jan 15, 2010)
Now there are more reasons to fly with Air Philippines as it introduces additional flights from Manila to Naga and Busuanga effective January 22, 2010.
| ROUTE |
DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL |
FREQUENCY |
| MANILA TO NAGA |
6:45 AM | 7:35 AM | Daily |
| 9:20 AM | 10:10 AM | Daily | |
| 1:50 PM | 2:40 PM | Daily | |
| NAGA to MANILA |
8:05 AM | 8:55 AM | Daily |
| 10:35 AM | 11:25 AM | Daily | |
| 3:05 PM | 3:55PM | Daily | |
| MANILA TO BUSUANGA |
7:10 AM | 8:15 AM | Daily |
| 11:55 AM | 1:00 PM | Mo/We/Fr/Sa | |
| BUSUANGA TO MANILA | 8:40 AM | 9:45 AM | Daily |
| 1:25 PM | 2:30 PM | Mo/We/Fr/Sa |
YEAR ROUND PROMO FARE
No need to join the promo rush! Air Philippines is offering YEAR ROUND PROMO FARES. BUY anytime, FLY anytime!
| ROUTES | FARE |
| Manila - Naga v.v. | 788 |
| Cebu - Bacolod v.v. |
793 |
| Cebu - Cagayan de Oro v.v. | |
| Cebu - Iloilo v.v. | |
| Cebu - Tacloban v.v. | |
| Manila - San Jose (Mindoro) v.v. | 888 |
| Manila - Tuguegarao v.v. | |
| Manila - Busuanga v.v. | |
| Cebu - Zamboanga v.v. | 1150 |
| Manila - Catarman v.v. | 1188 |
| Manila - Caticlan v.v. | |
| Cebu - Caticlan v.v. | |
| Cebu - Dipolog v.v. | 1108 |
| Cebu - Ozamiz v.v. | |
| Davao - Zamboanga v.v. | 1288 |
| Manila - Ormoc v.v. | 1688 |
| Manila - Surigao v.v. | 2488 |
| Manila - Masbate v.v. | 2310 |
| Manila - Bacolod v.v. | 1060 |
| Manila - Cagayan de Oro v.v. | 1864 |
| Manila - Iloilo v.v. | 882 |
| Manila - Puerto Princesa v.v. | 1418 |
MECHANICS:
1) BOOK and BUY
2) Quoted fares above are EXCLUSIVE of VAT and PH Tax
3) FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 15kgs/10kgs for Manila - Caticlan v.v. and Cebu - Caticlan v.v.
4) Promo fares are NON- REFUNDABLE but may be rebooked /upgraded to the next available higher fare within the travel period
TICKETING SERVICE CHARGE
To Our Valued Passenger Please be advised that effective 16 DECEMBER 2009, Air Philippines will be collecting TICKETING SERVICE CHARGE (TSC) in All Air Philippines Ticket Offices.
TICKETING SERVICE CHARGE of PHP 50.00 ( exclusive of VAT ) shall be collected per ticket issued.
Thank you
Air Philippines flies eight times a day to Caticlan from Manila and twice a day from Cebu.
Air Philippines currently utilizes a fleet of three 50-seater Q300 and five 76-seater Q400 turboprop aircraft which fly from –
CANCELLED FLIGHT DUE TO TYPHOON SANTI
Please be advised that the following Air Philippines flights departing October 31, 2009 are cancelled due to Typhoon Santi:
2P 091 / 092 MANILA - CALBAYOG - MANILA
2P 031 / 032 MANILA - BUSUANGA - MANILA
2P 033 MANILA - BUSUANGA
2P 041 / 042 MANILA - SAN JOSE (MINDORO) - MANILA
2P 261 / 262 MANILA - NAGA - MANILA
2P 263 / 264 MANILA - NAGA - MANILA
2P 018 / 019 MANILA - TUGUEGARAO - MANILA
2P 029 / 030 MANILA - CATARMAN - MANILA
2P 065 / 066 MANILA - SURIGAO - MANILA
2P 063 / 064 MANILA - VIRAC - MANILA
NOTE: 2P 034 Busuanga - Manila will be operated as scheduled.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Please be advised that the following flights will be operated by Air Philippines, as code shared with Philippine Airlines, effective 27 October 2009:
Manila Hub: Manila to (i) Busuanga, (ii) Calbayog, (iii) Catarman, (iv) Caticlan, (v) Naga, (vi) Ormoc, (vii) San Jose, (viii) Surigao, (ix) Tuguegarao, (x) Virac, and vice versa
Cebu Hub: Cebu to (i) Bacolod, (ii) Butuan, (iii) Cagayan De Oro, (iv) Caticlan, (v) Dipolog, (vi) General Santos, (vii) Iloilo, (viii) Ozamis,
(ix) Tacloban, (x) Zamboanga, (xi) Davao to Zamboanga and vice versa
MORE reasons to fly with LESS cost
| ROUTE | FARE |
| Manila to Busuanga (v.v.) | PHP 888 |
| Manila to San Jose Mindoro (v.v.) | |
| Cebu to Bacolod (v.v.) | PHP 904 |
| Cebu to Iloilo (v.v.) | |
| Manila to Calbayog (v.v.) | PHP 1188 |
| Mania to Catarman (v.v.) | |
| Manila to Naga (v.v.) | |
| Manila to Tuguegarao (v.v.) | |
| Manila to Virac (v.v.) | |
| Cebu to Kalibo (v.v.) | PHP 1204 |
| Cebu to Ozamiz (v.v.) | |
| Cebu to Tacloban (v.v.) | |
| Cebu to Zamboanga (v.v.) | PHP 1415 |
| Davao to Zamboanga (v.v.) |
MECHANICS:
Keeping the Bayanihan spirit alive
Let's go, mag-BIYAHEnihan tayo! Get PHP400 discount on all domestic tickets purchased today until 08 October!
CONDITIONS:
>Sales and Ticketing : 05-08 October 2009
>For Travel : 05-31 October 2009 only
> Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel
>Open-dated tickets and go-show not allowed.
Book and buy your tickets now at any PAL Express ticket offices or you may call (02)855 9000 for inquiries.
NOTICE TO ALL MANILA AND CEBU PAL EXPRESS PASSENGERS
Kindly check-in at the Caticlan Airport. Free transfers to Caticlan has been arranged.
We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you but your safety is our primary concern.
Please reconfirm your flight at least one (1) day prior to your departure date. Call ( 036 ) 288-7536 to 39.
Thank you
Air Philippines, the low cost airline of the Lucio Tan Group, has announced its plans to turn over its operation in OZC to its sister airline, Philippine Airlines. APC says that traffic between Manila and Ozamiz has grown so much a bigger aircraft is needed to meet this growing demand. This is the airline's acknowledgement of the economic development of the region. With this move, travellers on the route will have the opportunity to enjoy the luxury of PAL's full-service world-class airline.
Fly to OZAMIZ (vice versa) for as low as php1188, ALL-IN one way fare
ADDITIONAL NAGA FLIGHT!
With its world class Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC), Naga is considered one of the top tourist destinations of the Philippines. Come and experience the "Heart of Bicol" ! Air Philippines flies daily and starting May 8 twice every Friday and Sunday.
| ETD | ETA | FREQUENCY | |
| Manila to Naga | 0645 | 0730 | DAILY |
| 1500 | 1545 | FRIDAY/SUNDAY | |
| Naga to Manila | 0800 | 0845 | DAILY |
| 1615 | 1700 | FRIDAY/SUNDAY |
Book and buy now!
TO SEAT IS TO BILIBilis! Mag-book na para mas enjoy ka!
| ROUTE | 3 DAYS ADVANCE Selling Period: 29 Mar - 12 Oct 09 Travel Period: 01 Apr - 15 Oct 09 |
| MANILA to BUSUANGA (v.v.) | P 788 |
| MANILA to SAN JOSE (MINDORO) (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to TUGUEGARAO (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to CALBAYOG (v.v.) | P 1088 |
| MANILA to CATARMAN (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to CATICLAN (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to VIRAC (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to BACOLOD (v.v.) | P 788 |
| CEBU to BUTUAN (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to CAGAYAN de ORO (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to TACLOBAN (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to CATICLAN (v.v.) | P 1088 |
| CEBU to DIPOLOG (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to GENERAL SANTOS (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to OZAMIS (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to PUERTO PRINCESA (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to ZAMBOANGA (v.v.) |
| ROUTE | 10 DAYS ADVANCE Selling Period: 01 Apr - 05 Oct 09 Travel Period: 16 Jun - 15 Oct 09 |
| MANILA to BUSUANGA (v.v.) | P 558 |
| MANILA to SAN JOSE (MINDORO) (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to CALBAYOG (v.v.) | P 788 |
| MANILA to CATARMAN (v.v.) | |
| MANILA to VIRAC (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to BACOLOD (v.v.) | P 588 |
| CEBU to BUTUAN (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to PUERTO PRINCESA (v.v.) | P 688 |
| CEBU to DIPOLOG (v.v.) | P 788 |
| CEBU to GENERAL SANTOS (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to OZAMIS (v.v.) | |
| CEBU to ZAMBOANGA (v.v.) |
|
3-DAY ADVANCE PURCHASE |
Reservations / Ticketing must be made at least 3 days before departure.Confirmed booking is required. Open-dated /Go show/Waitlist not allowed |
Rebooking - PHP400/coupon any change in booking need to comply with 3 days adv purch requirment |
Upgrade-allowed, waive Re-Issuance Fee Downgrade/Reroute-allowed, collect Re-Issuance Fee PHP400/transaction |
valid until 15 October 2009 |
|
|
10-DAY ADVANCE PURCHASE |
Reservations / Ticketing must be made at least 10 days before departure.Confirmed booking is required. Open-dated /Go show/Waitlist not allowed |
Rebooking - PHP400/coupon any change in booking need to comply with 10 days adv purch requirment |
Upgrade-allowed, waive Re-Issuance Fee Downgrade/Reroute-allowed, collect Re-Issuance Fee PHP400/transaction |
valid until 15 October 2009 |
|
*Metro Manila
| TICKET OFFICES | APRIL 9 THURSDAY |
APRIL 10 FRIDAY |
APRIL 11 SATURDAY |
APRIL 12 SUNDAY |
| MAKATI TICKET OFFICE | HALF DAY 0800-1300H |
CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| MANILA TICKET OFFICE | HALF DAY 0800-1300H |
CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| CUBAO TICKET OFFICE | HALF DAY 0800-1300H |
CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| DOMESTIC MAIN TICKET OFFICE | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| CENTENNIAL-T2 TICKET OFFICE | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| NAIA-T3 TICKET OFFICE | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| APC STATION | APRIL 9 THURSDAY |
APRIL 10 FRIDAY |
APRIL 11 SATURDAY |
APRIL 12 SUNDAY |
| NAGA | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| PUERTO PRINCESA | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| CATICLAN | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| CEBU | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| ILOILO | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| CAGAYAN de ORO | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| DAVAO | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| OZAMIS | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
| ZAMBOANGA | NORMAL OPERATION | CLOSED | NORMAL OPERATION | NORMAL OPERATION |
Schedule your vacation as we offer more flights to great leisure destinations.
Effective March 27, 2009, Air Philippines will have more flights for you to choose from.
| Destination | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
| Manila - Cagayan de Oro | 11:30AM | 12:55PM | Daily |
| 2:30PM | 3:55PM | Mon-Wed-Fri-Sun | |
| Cagayan de Oro Manila | 1:35PM | 3:00PM | Daily |
| 4:30PM | 5:55PM | Mon-Wed-Fri-Sun | |
| Manila Iloilo | 6:00AM | 7:05AM | Daily |
| 3:30PM | 4:35PM | Daily | |
| Iloilo Manila | 1:20PM | 2:25PM | Daily |
| 5:05PM | 6:10PM | Daily | |
| Manila - Puerto Princesa | 8:10AM | 9:20AM | Daily |
| 1:10PM | 2:20PM | Tue-Thurs-Sat | |
| Puerto Princesa - Manila | 9:50AM | 11:00AM | Daily |
| 2:50PM | 4:00PM | Tue-Thurs-Sat |
Book early and grab the lowest fare ever!
ADTO TA SA CAGAYAN de OROCagayan de Oro for only Php 1888/one way all-in! Starting 09 March 2009, Air Philippines flies daily Manila-Cagayan de Oro v.v.
Summer can be fun and inexpensive, visit the city of white water rafting and trekking!
Starting 25 January 2009, you can now book and buy with us using your credit cards
ALL-IN NAIA TERMINAL 3Starting 24 July 2008, ALL PAL Express and Air Philippines flights will operate from the new and more spacious NAIA Terminal 3.
NEW FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR PUERTO PRINCESANew Year, New Flight Schedule!
Due to the public demand, starting 10 January 2009 we will have a new schedule for the Manila-Puerto Princesa v.v. flight.
Fly to Davao for as low as Php1,888 ALL-IN one way fare.
| ROUTE | ETD | ETA | FREQUENCY |
| Manila - Davao | 5:00 Pm | 6:40 Pm | Daily |
| Davao - Manila | 7:20 Pm | 9:00 Pm | Daily |
or
Avail our Island Holiday package for as low as Php6, 145 ALL-IN, Air Philippines, Crown Regency and Marco Polo Hotel are offering 3 days/2 nights package to Davao.
| CROWN REGENCY RESIDENCE | Twin bedroom |
| Standard Room | 6145 |
| 2 Bedroom Villas (max. of 4 person) *** 3rd to 4th person, extra bed rate shall apply per person |
6738 |
| MARCO POLO HOTEL (Superior Room) **Rates shall apply per person |
7686 |
Package includes: Roundtrip Airfare, 3 days/2nights accommodation, daily breakfast and airport-hotel-airport transfer.
Selling period: Effective immediately – 30 November 2008
Travel period: Effective immediately – 15 December 2008
Grab this package now! For best deals and other Island Holidays packages, just dial (02) 855 9000.
SPECIAL DAVAO PACKAGE!! (11/07/2008)Tired? Need to unwind but on a tight budget? We have the perfect answer to that!
For as low as Php 6,145 ALL-IN, Air Philippines, Crown Regency and Marco Polo Hotel are offering 3days/2nights package to Davao.
Choose from the following:
| CROWN REGENCY RESIDENCE | Twin bedroom |
| Standard Room | 6145 |
| 2 Bedroom Villas (max. of 4 person) *** 3rd to 4th person, extra bed rate shall apply per person |
6738 |
| MARCO POLO HOTEL (Superior Room) **Rates shall apply per person |
7686 |
Package includes: Roundtrip Airfare, 3 days/2nights accommodation, daily breakfast and airport-hotel-airport transfer.
Selling period: Effective immediately - 30 November 2008 Travel period: Effective immediately - 15 December 2008
Grab this package now! For best deals and other Island Holidays packages, just dial (02) 855 9000.
DAVAO FEVER IS BACK!!(10/30/2008)Fly to Davao for only Php1,888!
| ROUTE | ETD | ETA |
| Manila – Davao | 1615H | 1755H |
| Davao – Manila | 1830H | 2010H |
Selling Period: Effective immediately – 15 December 2008
Travel Period: 26 October – 15 December 2008
Except on the following dates: 29-31 October 2008 (Manila-Davao)
02-03 November 2008 (Davao-Manila)
ALL-IN promo.
Limited offer, so rush now to the nearest PALExpress/Air Philippines ticket office near you.
FLYING PAPERLESS: FOCUSING ON A NEW DIMESION (10/09/2006)Air Philippines will do away with paper tickets in an ongoing effort to drive efficiency and cut overheads that will result in extra convenience to passengers and lower airline distribution costs.
Similar to paper ticketing, e ticketing is a way of documenting a sale, both for the passenger and the airline. But rather than paper, the process uses a database to track the sale and use of tickets with the data base stored and updated by the validating airline. All subsequent transactions including refunds, exchanges, check-in, void and settlement are included in this holding database.
The bar coded boarding passes, common use of self-service kiosks for check-in, radio frequency identification for baggage management and paperless cargo will all be part of Air Philippines’ vision for a low cost carrier through the utilization of this technology.
According to Mr. Reuben N. Pecson, SVP- Marketing & Sales, E-ticketing initiative will be the accelerated implementation of direct distribution of the company’s products. This will provide the airline with greater flexibility to distribute through more channels at lower cost. In the past, the added complexity and cost of the fulfillment of paper tickets has presented a significant barrier to the streamlining of distribution of solutions for the business. In addition to the reduction of document distribution costs, other benefits of e-tickets include the eradication of ticket fraud and revenue leakage through automation of check in and ticket change control while enhancing passenger check in options and the purging of lost and stolen tickets.
Realizing the numerous benefits of this program, Air Philippines has targeted its implementation by November 8th. Training of all personnel who will be involved in this program is in progress. The company, in moving to a paperless process would neither require the hosting of a separate system nor a change of its current reservations system.
In a bid to improve its competitive stance in the industry even while pursuing its thirst thrust towards a low cost carrier, Air Philippines has started implementing programs geared towards modern and updated technology.
With operations now based at the modern Centennial Terminal 2, passenger departure, and arrival facilities are fully automated. Even baggage and cargo handling are now modernized.
In the area of ticket sales, the Domestic Airfare System (DAS) is now in place. This is seen to prevent erroneous fare computation in manual transactions as the system has now the facility of automatic fare quote. A new ticket office was recently inaugurated after being accommodated inside the PAL Ticket Office itself.
By November 8th, e-ticketing will be implemented in all the sales offices system wide. In preparation for this implementation, all personnel in the ticket offices and station operations were required to undergo training in e-ticketing as well as the Departure Control System ( DAS).
Air Philippines, in its bid to be the leading low cost carrier in the country, expands its domestic network, this time to the Bicol region with the addition of Legaspi City to its destinations.
Effective March 7th, the carrier starts its thrice-weekly flight to this Bicol capital. Designated as 2P255, the flight will depart Manila every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1240H to arrive Legaspi at 1335H. The return flight, 2P256 will leave Legaspi at 1405 H arriving Manila at 1500H. The flight will utilize the 118seater B737 aircraft, one of the latest in the airline’s fleet.
The entry of Air Philippines to Legaspi City signals a more aggressive expansion program of the airline and is in answer to the popular clamor from the region for a more convenient and affordable transport schedule for its travelers.
Air Philippines will add two more destinations to its Cebu hub network, further enhancing the airline’s foothold in the area. Effective November 16, 2005, Air Philippines will start operating the routes Cebu to Puerto Princesa and Cebu to Zamboanga. Designated as 2P013/2P014 the Cebu-Puerto Princesa flight will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while the Cebu-Zamboanga operation designated as 2P040/2P041 is scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
The operation of these additional routes is in answer to the mounting clamor from the riding public for the provision of better connectivity between the different regions of the country. The hub makes travel all over the archipelago easier and convenient and is a big boost to national tourism
Air Philippines as its corporate commitment is poised to open more routes where it finds operation to be viable.
Puerto Princesa - Fares between shipping and air travel have become cutthroat competitive after Air Philippines reduced fare by almost half inclusive of additional taxes and fuel surcharges.
Air Philippines has slashed airfare by an average of 45 percent for all its destinations nationwide less than two weeks after the expanded value added tax took effect on Nov. 1. Called “ Super Tipid,” one-way base fare for the Cebu-Manila route is at P888 but with fuel and insurance surcharges at P720 plus VAT at P160.80, total cost for one-way is P1, 768.80 Regular one-way Cebu-Manila fare is at P3, 979.80 inclusive of taxes and surcharges.
Tour operators, air travelers and aviation authorities have been pessimistic that increasing fuel costs and heavy tax burdens will discourage people from traveling and slacken the industry. But Air Philippines has instead stimulated people to travel by reducing fare to almost half, quelling fears that the EVAT will wreak industry slowdown.
Year round but limited
Super Tipid fares are sold year round and applicable even during peak passenger season, but these are available on limited seats. Air Philippines vice president for sales Erlinda T. Santiago said Super Tipid tickets have certain restrictions including issuance of confirmed bookings only and thus prohibits open dated tickets.
Reservations can be upgraded to the next level when changing bookings upon payment of fare difference and rebooking fees.
Tipid rates however have been so structured that it can resist pressure from erratic fuel prices. Said Santiago, “once we lower the fare, we do not lower fuel surcharges” and added that fuel surcharges are dictated by world oil market prices.
Santiago also said restrictions vary depending on booking levels. For instance, flight specific fare bookings have endorsement restrictions while outright purchase and budget fare bookings can be upgraded to higher fare and allow open dated tickets.
Stunning revelations have turned up in comparing ship and airfare structures. Air Philippines’ Super Tipid fare of P 1, 768.80 is now a mere P20 difference to deregulated ship fare for economy class that sums up to P1,749 with surcharge inclusions.
To date, Air Philippines serves 11 domestic destinations with the addition of Puerto Princesa. It has been servicing routes to Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.
Air Philippines launched its inaugural Cebu-Puerto Princesa flight last Nov.16 where it will serve the route four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Vying to be the preferred low cost carrier in Asia, Air Philippines is re-fleeting with new generation Boeing 737s boldly challenging industry forecasts that Asia's emerging budget airline industry is thinning out and headed for a shakeout with intense competition.
To date, the airline is aggressively responding to a strong demand for chartered flights and aims to complete its fleet of 10 B737 stage 3-category planes. Air Philippines has been operating with Boeing fleet, but maintains the B737 even in its re-fleeting program where aircraft commonality is seen as cost-efficient in spare parts, training and operations.
Stage categories of aircraft are based on noise-level standards. The International Civil Aviation Organization distinguishes stage 1 aircraft as the loudest and most polluting aircraft and has been phased out. Stage 2 aircraft are fitted with silencing apparatus called hush kits. Aircraft flying with less noise are of the Stage 3 category.
Even with hush kits, analysis shows that air pollution increases because hush kits burn 50 percent more fuel in take-offs and landings. In comparison, Stage 3 aircraft burns cleanly producing less noise naturally. Plane shortage.
The 118-seater Boeing 737-200 that Air Philippines is operating are installed with hush kits in complying with international noise level standards. With its modernization program, the procurement of Stage 3 aircraft has become expedient to cut fuel costs and ensure quite flights.
"The company is adding more B737-200 aircraft to improve operating efficiency and allow it to compete aggressively with other carriers," said Air Philippines president and chief executive officer Captain Edilberto R. Medina.
In airport configuration, Stage 3 aircraft are most compatible to majority of domestic airports in the country with small terminals and short runways.
Leah Sison, corporate communications assistant vice president said that purchase of Stage 3-Boeings have long been in order but that "there is a shortage of planes" apparently because other low cost carriers worldwide placed similar orders. There is reportedly a frenzy in the global aircraft industry to buy before it's "too late." Bright spot. Where the whole point of low cost carriers is to stimulate business, travel and tourism in the region, Air Philippines serves chartered flights to Korea in Daegu, Kwangju and Cheongju and flies to Canton and Shenzen in China.
Competition has become intense among low cost carriers in Asia where as many as 16 low cost carriers have taken to the skies in the last two years. Governments in countries like Singapore and India were prompted to urge mergers among low cost carriers to survive.
A Standard and Poor aviation analyst said that with costs predicted to increase due to rising labor costs and aircraft maintenance, "the outlook for low cost carriers isn't bright."
Even by these grim forecasts, Air Philippines has always believed that lean operations are its might. Devoid of bureaucratic hassles that often entangle complex organizations of legacy carriers, it steers clear and pulls out of a crisis-prone industry through controlled and efficiently distributed resources.
With a vision to be the preferred low cost airline in Asia by 2009, Air Philippines may be more realistic than Standard and Poor forecasts.
Air Philippines competitive staunch in the low cost market is further strengthened with the addition of another destination to its regional network.
Effective July 25th, the airline started operations to Cheongju, South Korea in addition to the twice weekly operations also to Daegu and Kwangju. Operating on Mondays and Fridays, 2P4700 departs from the Centennial Terminal 2 at 1400H arriving Cheongju at 1855H. The return flight, 2P4710 departs Cheongju at 2000H arriving Manila at 2310H.
The Korean flights complement the airline’s operations to Canton and Shenzhen in China and is one of its programs in support of the tourism agenda of the government.
Operations to other destinations in the region are currently being looked into as Air Philippines remains bullish in its bid for the premium position in the market.