Manila Bulletin
October 26, 2012
Air Seychelles has announced third quarter revenues of US$13.8 million, up 23 percent on the second quarter, as the airline’s restructuring program took effect in the drive towards profitability for 2012.
The growth in revenues was led by a 51 percent quarter-on-quarter increase in passengers, up from 53,066 to 79,887, as seat factors rose from 43 percent to 60 percent.
Air Seychelles’ management team is confident that the airline will achieve its target of profitability in 2012, marking a major turnaround after several years of heavy losses.
Cramer Ball, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, said: “The scale of the task in turning around this company has been significant. There is a fantastic business here based on enthusiastic and committed people, but it needed a more effective commercial focus. Working together, we have been able to bring that new focus to bear. In this quarter, we have started to see the results. We are not just attracting more passengers but we are seeing higher yields on all our routes. Our costs are falling quickly, as new efficiencies come into play, and we are now running ahead of budget in our cost-cutting program.”
Ball said the positive impact of cooperation with shareholders Etihad Airways and the Seychelles Government was really starting to be felt. In January 2012, Etihad Airways took a 40 per cent shareholding in Air Seychelles and has a five-year management contract.
Flights to Abu Dhabi have increased to four per week, with onward destinations rising from 57 to 375 per week, opening up hundreds of new markets for quick and easy connectivity to the Seychelles.
“As we add capacity back into our fleet and build up network connectivity,” said Ball, “We are setting the foundations for long term, sustainable profitability, giving the Seychelles the national airline it deserves.”
The number of domestic passengers carried over the last three months also surged, up 30 percent to 43,949 compared to the previous quarter.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Birdstrike hits another passenger jet at airport
Manila Standard Today
October 24, 2012
By Vito Barcelo
Another birdstrike hit a Philippine Airlines aircraft, with 152 passengers onboard, as it was landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Monday night.
Mechanics of Lufthansa Tehcnik Philippines said they found bloodstains on the wings of Airbus A320 plane that had just come from Bacolod City landed Manila around 8:45 pm. Fortunately, no passenger was injured.
Mechanics found no serious damage to the aircraft's wing or jet engines, but the flagcarrier issued a statement expressing alarm at the increasing incidents of birdstrikes.
"The number of 'birdstrikes' at NAIA has been steadily increasing over the past months as reported by PAL and other airlines operating in Manila's premiere international airport," the airline said.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has recorded 49 bird strikes in NAIA from January to September, compared to 30 bird strikes in 2011, and 25 in 2010.
The CAAP and the Manila International Airport Authority attributed the increase in birdstrikes to the bird sanctuary in the Las Pinas area, which they said is in the direct path of the planes.
Only last September, a birdstrike is believed to have been the cause of the crash of a Nepalese airline that killed 19 passengers.
The Sita Air plane came down minutes after leaving Kathmandu for Lukla before crashing into a river bank and catching fire.
In Scotland, civial aviation authorities also noted an increase in the number of bird strikes at the Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness airport over the past two years.
October 24, 2012
By Vito Barcelo
Another birdstrike hit a Philippine Airlines aircraft, with 152 passengers onboard, as it was landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Monday night.
Mechanics of Lufthansa Tehcnik Philippines said they found bloodstains on the wings of Airbus A320 plane that had just come from Bacolod City landed Manila around 8:45 pm. Fortunately, no passenger was injured.
Mechanics found no serious damage to the aircraft's wing or jet engines, but the flagcarrier issued a statement expressing alarm at the increasing incidents of birdstrikes.
"The number of 'birdstrikes' at NAIA has been steadily increasing over the past months as reported by PAL and other airlines operating in Manila's premiere international airport," the airline said.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has recorded 49 bird strikes in NAIA from January to September, compared to 30 bird strikes in 2011, and 25 in 2010.
The CAAP and the Manila International Airport Authority attributed the increase in birdstrikes to the bird sanctuary in the Las Pinas area, which they said is in the direct path of the planes.
Only last September, a birdstrike is believed to have been the cause of the crash of a Nepalese airline that killed 19 passengers.
The Sita Air plane came down minutes after leaving Kathmandu for Lukla before crashing into a river bank and catching fire.
In Scotland, civial aviation authorities also noted an increase in the number of bird strikes at the Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness airport over the past two years.
CEB Takes Delivery Of 40th Aircarft, Launches Newest Mindanao Route
Manila Bulletin
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
The Philippines' largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced that its aircraft fleet is now 40-strong, with more coming until 2021.
Its newest Airbus A320 was delivered from Toulouse, France and touched down in Manila last October 18, 2012. CEB is the only airline in the Philippines with its fleet acquired 100% brand-new, making it one of the youngest and most modern aircraft fleets in Asia.
This is CEB's 22nd Airbus A320. CEB's fleet is now also composed of 10 Airbus A319 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. One more Airbus A320 will be delivered in November 2012.
"CEB will end 2012 with 41 aircraft, the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. CEB passengers will continue to benefit from the airline's newest and fuel-efficient aircraft , as we open new domestic and international routes this year," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.
CEB recently launched thrice weekly Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro flights last October 20, 2012, using an Airbus A319 aircraft. "This will make travel more convenient to our passengers in Mindanao, who can now take a 1 hour and 10 minute flight between Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, instead of a 12 to 14 hour bus ride," she added.
It will launched three more domestic routes in October, and four more international routes in November and December. These international routes are : Iloilo-Hong Kong, Iloilo-Singapore, Cebu-Kuala Lumpur and Cebu-Bangkok.
In its 16th year of operations, CEB had flown over 65 million passengers. It provides access to the most extensive network in the Philippines, with 32 domestic and 19 international destinations. The airline also remains a pionner in the Philippine aviation industry by being the first to offer web check-in, self check-in, e-ticketing, and Lite Fares.
Between 2013 and 2021, CEB will take delivery of 19 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the third quarter of 2013, with the arrival of 4 Airbus A330 aircraft from 2013 to 2014.
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
The Philippines' largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced that its aircraft fleet is now 40-strong, with more coming until 2021.
Its newest Airbus A320 was delivered from Toulouse, France and touched down in Manila last October 18, 2012. CEB is the only airline in the Philippines with its fleet acquired 100% brand-new, making it one of the youngest and most modern aircraft fleets in Asia.
This is CEB's 22nd Airbus A320. CEB's fleet is now also composed of 10 Airbus A319 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. One more Airbus A320 will be delivered in November 2012.
"CEB will end 2012 with 41 aircraft, the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. CEB passengers will continue to benefit from the airline's newest and fuel-efficient aircraft , as we open new domestic and international routes this year," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.
CEB recently launched thrice weekly Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro flights last October 20, 2012, using an Airbus A319 aircraft. "This will make travel more convenient to our passengers in Mindanao, who can now take a 1 hour and 10 minute flight between Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, instead of a 12 to 14 hour bus ride," she added.
It will launched three more domestic routes in October, and four more international routes in November and December. These international routes are : Iloilo-Hong Kong, Iloilo-Singapore, Cebu-Kuala Lumpur and Cebu-Bangkok.
In its 16th year of operations, CEB had flown over 65 million passengers. It provides access to the most extensive network in the Philippines, with 32 domestic and 19 international destinations. The airline also remains a pionner in the Philippine aviation industry by being the first to offer web check-in, self check-in, e-ticketing, and Lite Fares.
Between 2013 and 2021, CEB will take delivery of 19 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the third quarter of 2013, with the arrival of 4 Airbus A330 aircraft from 2013 to 2014.
Vietnam Budget Carrier Expands Network
Manila Bulletin
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
VietJet Air is aggressively expanding its major network is a bid to make it Vietnam's largest low-cost carrier, overtaking JetStar Pacific by the end of 2012.
The center for Asia Aviation (CAPA) said that VietJet is also set to overtake rival JetStar Pacific in becoming the first Vietnamese LCC to operate international services.
VietJet, which will expand its domestic network from five to nine destinations in Nov 2012, is looking at launching its first international route- possibly Ho Chin Minh-Bangkok in early 2013.
CAPA noted that JetStar Pacific has been focusing this year on fleet renewal rather than expansion but is planning to resume expansion in 2013, ending a hiatus of four years in which growth was paused due partially to internal uncertainty.
The airline started a more promising new chapter earlier this year after a 70% stake was transfered to Vietnam Airlines which previuosly had been looking at launching its own LCC subsidiary. JetStar owns the remaining 30% stake in JetStar Pacific.
But JetStar Pacific may struggle to keep up with much newer VietJet, which is likely to continue expanding at a faster pace than JetStar Pacific, said CAPA.
VietJet launched services in late Dec. 2011 but has expanded quickly and by its first year anniversary will operate 22 daily round-trip frequencies on nine domestic routes. It currently operates five domestic routes and an average of 10 daily frequencies.
CAPA said the carrier is adding capacity on four of its routes on 16 Oct. 2012, at which point it will operate 16 daily frequencies.
VietJet earlier announced plans to add another four routes in Nov. 2012 and Dec. 2012 - Ho Chi Minh to Hue, Phu Qouc and Vinh and Hanoi to Dalat- and expand its total number of daily frequencies to 22.
CAPA noted that JetStar Pacific had a big head start, becoming Vietnam's first LCC in 2007, when the carrier formerly know as Pacific Airlines was rebranded and adopted the low-cost model following investment from JetStar.
But JetStar Pacific currently only operates four domestic routes and 15 daily roundtrip frequencies , based on schedules on JetStar's website. The airline for now is only planning to add two frequencies for the remainder of this year, giving the LCC five domestic routes and 17 daily roundtrips.
JetStar Pacific currently accounts for about 14% of capacity in Vietnam's domestic market while VietJet accounts for 9%.(EHL)
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
VietJet Air is aggressively expanding its major network is a bid to make it Vietnam's largest low-cost carrier, overtaking JetStar Pacific by the end of 2012.
The center for Asia Aviation (CAPA) said that VietJet is also set to overtake rival JetStar Pacific in becoming the first Vietnamese LCC to operate international services.
VietJet, which will expand its domestic network from five to nine destinations in Nov 2012, is looking at launching its first international route- possibly Ho Chin Minh-Bangkok in early 2013.
CAPA noted that JetStar Pacific has been focusing this year on fleet renewal rather than expansion but is planning to resume expansion in 2013, ending a hiatus of four years in which growth was paused due partially to internal uncertainty.
The airline started a more promising new chapter earlier this year after a 70% stake was transfered to Vietnam Airlines which previuosly had been looking at launching its own LCC subsidiary. JetStar owns the remaining 30% stake in JetStar Pacific.
But JetStar Pacific may struggle to keep up with much newer VietJet, which is likely to continue expanding at a faster pace than JetStar Pacific, said CAPA.
VietJet launched services in late Dec. 2011 but has expanded quickly and by its first year anniversary will operate 22 daily round-trip frequencies on nine domestic routes. It currently operates five domestic routes and an average of 10 daily frequencies.
CAPA said the carrier is adding capacity on four of its routes on 16 Oct. 2012, at which point it will operate 16 daily frequencies.
VietJet earlier announced plans to add another four routes in Nov. 2012 and Dec. 2012 - Ho Chi Minh to Hue, Phu Qouc and Vinh and Hanoi to Dalat- and expand its total number of daily frequencies to 22.
CAPA noted that JetStar Pacific had a big head start, becoming Vietnam's first LCC in 2007, when the carrier formerly know as Pacific Airlines was rebranded and adopted the low-cost model following investment from JetStar.
But JetStar Pacific currently only operates four domestic routes and 15 daily roundtrip frequencies , based on schedules on JetStar's website. The airline for now is only planning to add two frequencies for the remainder of this year, giving the LCC five domestic routes and 17 daily roundtrips.
JetStar Pacific currently accounts for about 14% of capacity in Vietnam's domestic market while VietJet accounts for 9%.(EHL)
Singapore Airlines Freezes Hiring of Cadet Pilots Due To Slowdown
Manila Bulletin
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
SINGAPORE (AFP)- Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it had temporarily frozen its intake of cadet pilots, as the industry feels the impact of a slowdown in the global economy and high fuel costs.
The move is the second time in three years that the carrier has put a hold on hiring, and comes months after SIA asked some of its pilots to take unpaid leave as profits slumped.
In a statement SIA, which is considered a bellwether for the full-service airline industry said it adjusted its recruitment policy on a regular basis "on operational requirements" adding that it last recruited a group of cadets earlier this year.
"As we have temporary surplus of First Officers, we are not currently recruiting new cadets," it said but added that it would not give specifics "for reasons of commercial confidentiality."
The decision comes as the global economy suffers a slowdown fuelled by the eurozone debt crisis, a softer growth in China and a patchy US recovery.
SIA encourage its pilot in March to go on voluntary leave without pay and work for other companies. That call came as it saw net profit in the year to March slump 69 percent to Sg$336 million ($275 million) owing to high oil prices and rising competition.
Year-on-year net profit rebounded 73 percent in the first fiscal quarter to June, but SIA painted a gloomy outlook for the rest of the year.
"The global economy remains uncertain as Europe struggles to contain its debt crisis, while the Unites States faces a sluggish recovery," SIA said in July.
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
SINGAPORE (AFP)- Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it had temporarily frozen its intake of cadet pilots, as the industry feels the impact of a slowdown in the global economy and high fuel costs.
The move is the second time in three years that the carrier has put a hold on hiring, and comes months after SIA asked some of its pilots to take unpaid leave as profits slumped.
In a statement SIA, which is considered a bellwether for the full-service airline industry said it adjusted its recruitment policy on a regular basis "on operational requirements" adding that it last recruited a group of cadets earlier this year.
"As we have temporary surplus of First Officers, we are not currently recruiting new cadets," it said but added that it would not give specifics "for reasons of commercial confidentiality."
The decision comes as the global economy suffers a slowdown fuelled by the eurozone debt crisis, a softer growth in China and a patchy US recovery.
SIA encourage its pilot in March to go on voluntary leave without pay and work for other companies. That call came as it saw net profit in the year to March slump 69 percent to Sg$336 million ($275 million) owing to high oil prices and rising competition.
Year-on-year net profit rebounded 73 percent in the first fiscal quarter to June, but SIA painted a gloomy outlook for the rest of the year.
"The global economy remains uncertain as Europe struggles to contain its debt crisis, while the Unites States faces a sluggish recovery," SIA said in July.
Passenger Capacity Between Manila And China Remains Subdued, CAPA Says
by Edu Lopez
Manila Bulletin
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
Passenger capacity between China and the Philippines has been reduced as a result of China issuing a travel warning to Manila and travel agencies subsequently not selling the Philippines.
The centerfor Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said that the dispute between the two nations over the Scarborough Shoal, and the situation has gone largely unnoticed with each nation's general public, let alone the international community.
CAPA noted that the Philippines like Japan, is starting to meet Chinese to ssek to reconcile the disagreement.
While in the China-Japan situation this warming of relations will see the start of a rebound -JAL believes the market has already seen the worst- the China-Philippines market will see little change until China lifts the travel warning, likely to be done once negotiations are concluded, said CAPA.
That longer time-frame is apparent from the planned capacity levels between China and the Phlippines being down 18% year-over-year in Dec. 2012, CAPA said.
"Although the China-Philippines market is a fraction of the China-Japan market. China-Philippines capacity in Oct. 2012 was down 17% and is scheduled to be down 11% in Nov. 2012."
CAPA believes that that more substantial effect of the China-Philippines dispute compared to the dispute between China and Japan is a reminder that the more prominent expressions of public sentiment and attention do not always correspond to the deeper situation.
Traffic flows remain inhibited by low frequencies, legacy airline pricing and limited city-pair links. As the market grows, the improved social and economic links should progressively help to soften the sort of political differences witnessed recently, CAPA added.
Manila Bulletin
October 24, 2012 Wednesday
Passenger capacity between China and the Philippines has been reduced as a result of China issuing a travel warning to Manila and travel agencies subsequently not selling the Philippines.
The centerfor Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said that the dispute between the two nations over the Scarborough Shoal, and the situation has gone largely unnoticed with each nation's general public, let alone the international community.
CAPA noted that the Philippines like Japan, is starting to meet Chinese to ssek to reconcile the disagreement.
While in the China-Japan situation this warming of relations will see the start of a rebound -JAL believes the market has already seen the worst- the China-Philippines market will see little change until China lifts the travel warning, likely to be done once negotiations are concluded, said CAPA.
That longer time-frame is apparent from the planned capacity levels between China and the Phlippines being down 18% year-over-year in Dec. 2012, CAPA said.
"Although the China-Philippines market is a fraction of the China-Japan market. China-Philippines capacity in Oct. 2012 was down 17% and is scheduled to be down 11% in Nov. 2012."
CAPA believes that that more substantial effect of the China-Philippines dispute compared to the dispute between China and Japan is a reminder that the more prominent expressions of public sentiment and attention do not always correspond to the deeper situation.
Traffic flows remain inhibited by low frequencies, legacy airline pricing and limited city-pair links. As the market grows, the improved social and economic links should progressively help to soften the sort of political differences witnessed recently, CAPA added.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pan Pacific Says Staff Shortage Threat To Hotels In SEA
Manila Bulletin
October 23, 2012
By Sharon Chen
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Patrick Imbardelli said retaining employees in markets including Bali, Myanmar and Manila is the Asian hospitality industry’s greatest challenge.
Competition among hotel operators, workers choosing to seek jobs overseas and a lack of suitably trained employees have contributed to the shortage, Imbardelli said. The industry also loses workers to banks, insurance companies and airlines, which are focusing more on service and presentation, he said.
“The single biggest challenge we have is the talent crunch,” Imbardelli said in an interview in Singapore on Oct. 19. The shortage is across the board, from front-office managers to top management, he said.
Pan Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Marriott International Inc. are among chains building more hotels in Asia as travel to the region increases. More hotels and a lack of experienced workers for the industry is “a big squeeze on profitability,” said Robert Hecker, Singapore-based managing director of Horwath HTL Asia Pacific.
Hotels in Asia will have to spend more money on marketing to attract new workers and take on the costs of training them, Hecker said.
“There is a huge pipeline of new hotels,” Hecker said. “It probably means that market occupancies are going to be coming down because supply is increasing faster than demand, so that puts a crunch on the revenue side, combined with increasing costs to staff.”
Pan Pacific, controlled by Singapore billionaire Wee Cho Yaw’s UOL Group Ltd., was unchanged at S$2.26 at the close in Singapore on Oct. 19. The stock has advanced 22 percent this year and the parent company has gained 45 percent, surpassing the 15 percent increase in Singapore’s Straits Times Index.
Manila sees a “huge outflux of people” for jobs overseas, Imbardelli said. In Bali, independent hotels and villas compete with established chains for workers, while Myanmar’s nascent travel market lacks experienced employees, he said.
Pan Pacific owns about 30 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments globally.
In Singapore, where the group has eight properties including those under its Park Royal brand, the government’s tightening of rules on foreign workers has hurt the industry’s ability to hire more workers, Imbardelli said.
October 23, 2012
By Sharon Chen
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Patrick Imbardelli said retaining employees in markets including Bali, Myanmar and Manila is the Asian hospitality industry’s greatest challenge.
Competition among hotel operators, workers choosing to seek jobs overseas and a lack of suitably trained employees have contributed to the shortage, Imbardelli said. The industry also loses workers to banks, insurance companies and airlines, which are focusing more on service and presentation, he said.
“The single biggest challenge we have is the talent crunch,” Imbardelli said in an interview in Singapore on Oct. 19. The shortage is across the board, from front-office managers to top management, he said.
Pan Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Marriott International Inc. are among chains building more hotels in Asia as travel to the region increases. More hotels and a lack of experienced workers for the industry is “a big squeeze on profitability,” said Robert Hecker, Singapore-based managing director of Horwath HTL Asia Pacific.
Hotels in Asia will have to spend more money on marketing to attract new workers and take on the costs of training them, Hecker said.
“There is a huge pipeline of new hotels,” Hecker said. “It probably means that market occupancies are going to be coming down because supply is increasing faster than demand, so that puts a crunch on the revenue side, combined with increasing costs to staff.”
Pan Pacific, controlled by Singapore billionaire Wee Cho Yaw’s UOL Group Ltd., was unchanged at S$2.26 at the close in Singapore on Oct. 19. The stock has advanced 22 percent this year and the parent company has gained 45 percent, surpassing the 15 percent increase in Singapore’s Straits Times Index.
Manila sees a “huge outflux of people” for jobs overseas, Imbardelli said. In Bali, independent hotels and villas compete with established chains for workers, while Myanmar’s nascent travel market lacks experienced employees, he said.
Pan Pacific owns about 30 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments globally.
In Singapore, where the group has eight properties including those under its Park Royal brand, the government’s tightening of rules on foreign workers has hurt the industry’s ability to hire more workers, Imbardelli said.
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