Xiamen Airlines 'fully cooperating' in Philippine probe

MANILA - Xiamen Airlines on Monday said it was fully cooperating with Filipino authorities' investigation on why one of its jets overshot the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway and paralyzed operations there for nearly 2 days.

The Boeing 737-800 was removed from the runway Saturday after it forced the cancellation of some 200 flights.

"We are fully cooperating with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to investigate the cause of the incident," Xiamen Airlines said in a statement.

"Manila International Airport made a lot of efforts to help us settle the passengers and move the aircraft from the runway," it said.

Statement issued by Che Shanglun, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines, to the public @MIAAGovPH pic.twitter.com/wscHmPDBva — Xiamen Airlines (@XiamenAirlines) August 20, 2018

Local authorities assumed responsibility of removing the stalled aircraft instead of waiting for Xiamen Airlines representatives to speed up the process, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said. 

Philippine aviation authorities lifted the plane using a 200-ton telescopic crane, placed it on a flatbed, then towed it to a nearby hangar. 

Airline operators still expect "consequential" delays before operations normalize within the week.

"Xiamen Airlines apologizes to all the passengers affected by the incident and will do its utmost to assist," the airline said. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Plane stranded at Naia to be lifted by crane - aviation officials

MANILA – Philippine aviation authorities on Friday said the stranded Xiamen Air plane that crash-landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before midnight Thursday will be lifted by crane. 

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said in a press briefing that pulling the plane out of NAIA's runway 06/24 is no longer viable since its nose wheel and a part of its landing gear had collapsed. 

"Nag-collapse 'yung nose wheel, nag-collapse yung isang parte ng landing gear wala ho tayo mapagkakabitan (The nose wheel collapsed, a part of the landing gear collapsed, we have nothing to latch on to)," Monreal said. 

He said the government will lease a telescopic crane from a hotel in Manila that has capability for such heavy lifting. The hotel, which offers "dinner in the sky," uses such heavy machinery to lift an entire makeshift restaurant. 

"'Yun ang aming tinap. Mabuti na lang at available at malapit. 'Yun po ang aming final decision na gagawin, tatalian sa ilalim, may strap, bubuhatin ng buo ang eroplano, ilalagay sa flatbed at ilipat na ho," he said. 

(That's what we tapped. It's a good thing it's available and close by. That's our final decision. We will tie a strap around the plane and lift it entirely, put it on a flatbed and then we move it.)

When asked how much it would cost government to rent the crane, Monreal said such concern was secondary.

"Ang importante ho mabuksan natin ang paliparan para gamitin ng mga pasahero. It may be too expensive but we have to bite the bullet. Isantabi muna natin ang cost, ang mahalaga mabigyan natin ng serbisyo publiko ang mananakay," Monreal said. 

(What's important is that we open the runway for the passengers... Set aside the costs, what's important is that we serve the riding public.)

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines deputy director for operations Capt. Donaldo Mendoza said a Chinese counterpart is expected to arrive in the country late Friday.

Monreal said runway 06/24 will remain closed until 7 p.m. It is NAIA's longer runway used by bigger commercial aircraft.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: More Miss Universe candidates arrive in Manila

More beauty queens arrived in Manila on Friday to complete the remaining 86 countries competing for the 65th Miss Universe pageant at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30. The ancillary events leading to the coronation night will begin Saturday, with an event in the Philippines' famous island getaway Boracay.

Here are some images of the arrival of the Miss Universe candidates.

Miss Universe Italy Sofia Sergio arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila for the Miss Universe pageant on Friday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Gulf Air jet makes emergency landing in NAIA

MANILA – A Gulf Air jet bound for Bahrain made an emergency landing at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday due to engine trouble.

All 200 passengers are safe. The Airbus 330 turned back one hour into its flight. The cause of the emergency was not immediately know.

Faint smoke billowed from the plane’s left engine as safety crew inspected it on Bay 7 of NAIA 1.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Madonna arrives in Manila

MANILA – International pop star Madonna finally arrived in Manila ahead of her two-night concert in the country on Wednesday and Thursday.

She arrived onboard a chartered Boeing 752 plane at around 1:58 a.m. Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway.

Her passport name Madonna Louise Ciccone was stamped by Philippine Immigration officers before she disembarked from the plane. She did not pass through the normal customs, immigration and quarantine inspection at the NAIA.

Madonna was then whisked out of the airport onboard a fleet of vehicles surrounded by foreign and local security.

Even airline and ground personnel were also barred to use their phones to take photos or videos of the American singer.

Madonna’s Philippine concert us part of her world tour promoting her 13th studio album, "Rebel Heart," which began in Montreal last September 9 and continues throughout North America and Europe before heading to Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

Madonna’s show is one of the most expensive concerts to be held in the Philippines, with a top ticket price of nearly P58,000 to see her up close and personal.

Ticket prices for the concert are as follows: P57,750 (VIP); P52,500 (Patron VIP); P52,000 (VIP Floor); P42,000 (Patron); P33,600 (Lower Box VIP); and P29,400 (Lower Box); P8,400 (Upper Box); P3,150 (Gen Ad).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'APEC hotties' Trudeau, Nieto set Twitter on fire

MANILA - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has arrived in Manila for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting, joining 20 other leaders and representatives from the member-economies of the APEC bloc.

Trudeau, who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 5:39 p.m. Tuesday, was welcomed by Canadian and Philippine officials including Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Upon his arrival, the 43-year-old Trudeau immediately took Twitter by storm, with many Filipino netizens gushing over his good looks.

The name of Trudeau, who is the second youngest Canadian to assume the position of Prime Minister, is second on Twitter's trending topics in the Philippines, as of posting.


Aside from Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto also caught the attention of several Filipinos, with social media users using the hashtag #APEChottie to describe the two leaders.


Nieto, who arrived in Manila past noon, served as governor of the State of Mexico from 2005 to 2011 before he was elected president in 2012.


Here are some of the reactions of netizens on Trudeau and Nieto:

The Canadian Bae or The Mexican Papi #APEChottie 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/FnlawKbtJH

— jerome vidallon (@iamjedvidallon) November 17, 2015

Who cares about traffic jam when u have Canadian PM Trudeau & Mexican President Nieto for #APEChottie #APECbae https://t.co/tPBHmKVcL9

— Kim (@kimchi_926) November 17, 2015

Omg Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is a certified #APEChottie #APEC2015

— Cecilia Pantua (@axlpantua) November 17, 2015

Pagdating ni Trudeau sa airport hindi bala ang nalaglag. #APEChottie

— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) November 17, 2015

Thank you for gracing our land with your presence. @JustinTrudeau #APEChottie pic.twitter.com/d0EJgAZSPn

— Betina Gueco (@betinaguecooo) November 17, 2015

That mexican president reminds me of ian veneracion tho #apechottie #baerrito

— Princess Palma (@princessspalma) November 17, 2015

One order of tacos, burrito and unli nachos! With Mexican President Nieto on the side #APEChottie #APECbae https://t.co/DB6KiS6p8H

— J K (@kayiishh) November 17, 2015

This is just so funny. haha Pinoys always look on a bright side #APEChottie

— E S T E M AJ 26 (@majjestyanne) November 17, 2015

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Stephen Curry arrives in Manila

MANILA - NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry is now in Manila.

Curry arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday on board a chartered jet from Tokyo, Japan.


The 27-year-old NBA star of the Golden State Warriors is scheduled to appear at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) this afternoon. He is expected to leave at around 6 p.m. for Beijing, China.

Curry's visit in Manila is part of the "UA Roadshow" tour. Curry is an endorser of sportswear company Under Armour.

Kapamilya star Daniel Padilla, a big basketball fan, will meet Curry. -- With report from Raoul Esperas

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Caesars Palace wants to help redesign NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - US casino giant Caesars Palace wants to build a $1.5-billion integrated entertainment center on a 30-hectare idle government property next to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

And because of the project's proximity to NAIA, Caesars is offering to help redesign the country's main gateway.

In a statement, Caesars president for international development Steven Tight said the company is bringing in foreign experts to advise on the redesign of the NAIA and on a light railway transit to connect NAIA terminals 1 and 2.

With Caesars expecting to bring in as many as 3.5 million visitors to its proposed casino-resort, Tight said the foreign experts have also proposed ways to increase the number of flights on NAIA's existing runways.

He said this can be achieved by building a new control tower at NAIA with technologically advanced equipment that can guide aircraft 150 miles away, instead of the present 50 miles to allow more take-offs and landings.

Tight said the experts also proposed additional high-speed exits for aircraft to immediately clear the runway after landing to give way to the next aircraft that will either land or take off.

Caesars Palace said its proposed casino-resort would initially create 20,000 jobs and make the Philippines a major tourist destination.

Tight also made a pitch for Caesars' entry into the Philippines. He cited the example of Macau, which became a gaming hub with the entry of global brands in 2004. Now Macau has more than 40 casinos, with revenues six times as much as Las Vegas.

"Macau blossomed into a behemoth because it allowed all the major global players to operate there. Each operator spent huge sums to market Macau. It will be the same with the Philippines, which actually has more to offer and should be a better destination," the Caesars official said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Qatar Airways starts Doha-Clark flight

MANILA, Philippines - Qatar Airways on Monday began daily flights from Doha to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

Clark is Qatar's second destination in the Philippines, after Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Qatar Airways's Airbus A-330-300 aircraft, with more than 150 passengers including overseas Filipino workers from Doha, arrived at Clark airport at around 10 a.m.

"Indeed Clark is blessed, as the World’s Five Star Airline, Qatar Airways has selected Clark its second destination in the Philippines,” Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano said.

With the daily flight from Doha, Luciano expects more tourists from the Middle East to visit the Philippines.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Woo Yew Seong said Clark was chosen as its second destination because of its "strategic" location and future as the Philippines' next gateway.

Woo said Qatar Airways is looking forward to increasing their operations at Clark.

Last October 1, Emirates Airlines launched their first ever non-stop daily flights via Dubai-Clark-Dubai route using their Boeing 777-ER300 aircraft.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Honest NAIA worker returns foreign currency

MANILA, Philippines -- An honest janitress at the customs area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport received praises after handing over to authorities a wallet containing different foreign currency she found Thursday.

Although the bills, whose combined value ran to around P500,000, were already demonetized, airport officials said they are considered collectors’ items.

Mary Jennifer Doroga, 32, a resident of Baltao, Paranaque City said she found the black wallet around 1:40 p.m. as she was sweeping the floor at the NAIA Terminal 1.

She immediately handed over her find to customs duty collector Ric Dizon who, in turn, handed it to Intelligence and Investigation Division of the NAIA police.

source: interaksyon.com

More immigration booths to ease passenger queuing at NAIA 1

MANILA, Philippines - Passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 are being promised seamless immigration processing once the area is expanded to hold additional officers’ booths in two weeks.

The arrival immigration area will have two more sets of booths that will house four immigration officers, to augment the existing 10 sets. Once this is done, a total of 24 immigration officers will be manning the arrival area, to ease congestion at peak hours.

Dante Basanta, NAIA terminal 1 manager, said airport management has been focusing on structural works, and basic amenities and comforts of people in renovating the 30-year old terminal.

According to him, immigration at the departure area will also be expanded within the month with the planned removal of banks located at the entrance of the immigration departure area. This will free up more space for departing passengers at the airline check-in counter and the immigration departure areas.

NAIA 1 is being refurbished to keep up with the demand; it has already exceeded its load capacity of 10 million passengers yearly.

Most of the 28 foreign airlines at Terminal 1 have expressed their intention to stay put. They are reluctant to transfer to the Terminal 3 until all legal and associated problems are properly addressed.

Currently, only Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress, and All Nippon Airways use Terminal 3 as their hub, while Cathay Pacific and Emirates earlier signified their intention to transfer.

“The Terminal 1 upgrade covers not only repairs and installation of new toilet facilities, water supply and carpeting, but also improvements of aesthetics to be on a par with other airports in Asia,” Basanta said.

He said Terminal 1’s arrival area has been completely refurbished, with its walls and ceiling sporting a new look of a metal finish.

The government set aside P1 billion for NAIA 1. The improvement includes structural work, aesthetic/interior designs and the construction of a rapid exit taxiway (RET) that will relieve runway congestion and cut delays of aircraft queuing for take-off and touchdown for incoming flights.

MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado had asked the public to be patient since the renovation of Terminal 1 is going on, despite the continued operation of the airport.

source: interaksyon.com

Aquino, Roxas inspect airport terminal security procedures

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III made a surprise security inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Monday, as the surge of passengers for the Holy Week break continued.

Aquino made the inspection prior to his departure for the Asean Summit in Cambodia Monday night.

Accompanied by DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas, Aquino was briefed by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado and Terminal 3 Manager Octavio Lina on security procedures at the X-ray machine for passengers and baggage at the final security check.

Honrado said security personnel prevented passengers from bringing onboard banned items such as aerosols, alcohol, pointed materials, hair spray, balloons and even umbrellas.

The security procedures are being implemented at the terminal to ensure the safety of all travelers, he stressed.

Honrado told the President the NAIA passenger terminals are handling a combined peak capacity of 522 domestic flights a day; international flights are seen to peak at 200 to 220 international flights in the next three days.

Honrado said this represents an almost 100 percent capacity of the airports, which on ordinary days---outside of Holy Week--- have a 75-80 percent capacity.

Domestic travelers this season were recorded at 45,000 arrivals and departures on Naia 3; 30,000 arrivals and departures on Naia 2, and about 6,000 arrivals and departures on the Manila Domestic Airport for an estimated 80,000 daily arrivals and departures.

These numbers represent a 25-percent increase in the number of passengers compared to the normal daily arrivals and departures.

With the surge of travelers at the NAIA terminals, Honrado adviSED passengers to check in early or at least more than two hours before their scheduled departures so as not to miss their flights.

“Because of the tight booking, those who miss their flights would have difficulty getting a rebooking,” he added.

The NAIA system, he said, is prepared to cope with any contingency, securing the help of the National Police and the Metro Manila Development Authority to help ease vehicular traffic at the approaches to the terminals.

Standby power is available during contingencies, although Honrado sees nothing in the weather to threaten the power supply, such as a lightning strike on any of the transformers in the surrounding areas.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is on heightened alert, but not on red alert during the whole Lenten Season.

“We have not received any threat or similar criminal act,” he said.

“We would like to maintain a high state of alert, not declare a red alert because being on 24-hour duty, at eight-hour shift, might lessen the efficiency of the police and other employees,” Honrado said.

source: interaksyon.com

Roxas, Honrado in crucial talks with NAIA-3 contractor Takenaka

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas and MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado flew to Tokyo Sunday to meet officials of Takenaka Corp, the original general contractor of the NAIA Terminal 3, in hopes of sealing the deal to complete the 182,500- square-meter airport facility.

Roxas described the Tokyo negotiations as ‘make-or-break’ talks for completion of NAIA T3.

Construction of the NAIA T3 began in 1997 and it was originally planned to be inaugurated in 2002. However, a series of controversies hounded its completion and full operation.

Last year, the Philippine government, as ordered by the Pasay Regional Trial Court, put in funds in an escrow account as just compensation for the expropriation of NAIA Terminal 3. The escrow money was meant for the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc., (PIATCO), the main contractor of T3.

The Singapore-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) earlier ruled in November 2011 that the Philippine government has control of NAIA 3, clearing the way for the full operation of the facility.

The settlement of the PIATCO case paved the way for the Philippine government to start talks with the builder of the terminal, Takenaka of Japan, to complete T3.

Roxas said the goal of the DOTC contingent is to ink the Memorandum of Understanding with Takenaka so they can proceed with the next step of drafting the Construction Works Agreement (CWA) estimate of 23 Systems.

The delivery of 23 airport systems is critical to make T3 fully operational.

These systems include the Baggage Handling and Reconciliation System, Flight Information Display System, Building Management System, Local Area Network, Fire Alarm and Protection System, and Passenger Loading Bridges.

“The country has waited for nearly a decade to complete the T3. We are hoping that this stage of talks will finally pave the way to making T3 fully operational,” Roxas said.

Terminal 3 is used by CEB, AirPhil Express, Hong Kong Air and All Nippon Airways.

Cathay Pacific and Delta Air are expected to transfer to Terminal 3 by next year, according to the Manila International Airport Authority.

Cathay Pacific operates five daily flights while Delta Air operates two flights.

source: interaksyon.com