http://philippines-aviation-news.aerosoftseo.com/
IT is not everyday that one gets to pick up an
airplane from Toulouse, France and bring it to the
Philippines. But on Aug. 13, 2011, I was fortunate
to be part of a 29-member Filipino delegation that
did just that when we traveled all the way to Toulouse
to pick up Air Asia Philippines Inc.’s first Airbus A320.
Airbus is the current leading aircraft manufacturer
based in Toulouse. Because of its reliability,
innovativeness and craftsmanship, Airbus has
become one of the most trusted names in the
airline industry all over the world.
It is the leading supplier of civil airliners
to the Philippines, accounting for over 80 percent
of all passenger aircraft flying with airlines
in the country today. Airbus has been supplying
airplanes for airline companies in the country
since 1978 when flag carrier Philippine Airlines
ordered its A300B4, the world’s first widebody
twinjet airliner more popularly known as the "Lovebus."
This year, it is Air Asia Philippines’
turn to mark yet another milestone in the airline
industry when its first of four Airbus A320 planes
landed the country last August 15.
From Toulouse, the Airbus A320 was flown by an
all-Filipino crew composed of Captains Johansen
Hernandez (commander of the ferry flight),
Edward Samaniego and Primo Dagondon and First
Officer Robert Kaw Sing. Capt. Hernandez flight
tested the A320 in Toulouse prior to the flight
back home.
Even the flight stewardesses were all Filipinos -
Vivienne Escobar, Ghia Rivera, Thelma Reblora and
Lorielyn Sanglay – chosen from Air Asia Berhad,
Air Asia’s parent company based in Malaysia,
where they had served as attendants for the past
five years.
Maan Hontiveros, chief executive office of
Air Asia Philippines, said she chose an all-Filipino crew to highlight that
Air Asia Philippines will be run by a dynamic all-Filipino team.
"We are bent on showing the world that, yes, the Filipinos also can,
and on building an airline that is Filipino-owned, Filipino-run and world-class," she said.
Assisting Hontiveros in the trip were
Air Asia Philippines officers Sarah Elizabeth
Adan and Eric Arejola and lawyer Joy Caneba.
Also present were inspectors from Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),
namely, Captains Jess de Dios, Karl De Guzman and
Michael Manuel, who evaluated the air-worthiness of
the plane in compliance with government standards and
requirements. Engineer Mike Tabelon was also on hand to
painstakingly make sure that the new plane was performing
at its best at each flight.
The very amiable Ambassador to the Holy
See Merceditas Tuazon, close friend Josee Bantug
and Fr. Ted Lopez, who is based in Rome,
also joined the ferry flight.
Completing the entourage were members of the
media who certainly had a fun time chronicling
the whole event.
It is also worth mentioning that Airbus also sent
its representatives to the first flight, namely
Captains Dominic Henry Chin, Selvam Velaitham,
Firhad Uzir and Vong Chun Kee,
to make sure everything was in order.
They, however, did not join the group
in the last leg of the flight to the Philippines.
En route to Toulouse, members of the group flying from
Manila had to first make a nine-hour stopover in Kuala
Lumpur for the connecting flight to Orly in Paris.
While waiting for the connecting flight, the members
of the media were given a tour of the Air Asia Berhad
headquarters at the LCC Terminal by Air Asia Berhad’s
very accommodating communications officer Desiree Bandal,
a Filipina from Dumaguete City.
While on tour of the Air Asia Berhad office at 8:30 p.m.,
we were pleasantly surprised to see no other than Air Asia
Berhad owner and chief executive Tony Fernandes still at
his desk working. Known for being a workhorse, Bandal
said
her boss would usually work late to make sure the company
is not only doing well but also to continuously
introduce
innovations in the airline industry.
Fernandes has proven himself to be a most unique and
highly-effective CEO. Known for his musical inclinations,
having been a regional director of Warner Music,
he decided to venture into the airline industry right
after the September 2011 attacks in the United States.
Everyone thought he was crazy to engage in such a
venture given the expected slump in airline travel after
the attacks and the problematic state of Air Asia back
then.He went on to buy Air Asia, the cash-strapped and
heavily in debt company, for one Malaysian ringgit (P14).
But being known for his vision and no-nonsense
straightforward leadership style, he turned the
problematic Air Asia into one of the leading carriers
in Southeast Asia. After just a year in operation,
he wiped out Air Asia’s 40M ringgit debt by introducing
Asia’s first budget airline concept. With its slogan
"Now Everyone Can Fly," Air Asia is now operating on
172 routes in 78 countries flying 400 flights a day.
Air Asia has been voted Skytrax World’s Best Low
Cost Carrier for three consecutive years from 2009
to 2011.Air Asia Philippines is one of five affiliates of
Air Asia Berhad. It is owned by Hontiveros, who has known
Fernandes since their days at Warner Music, businessmen
Tony Boy Cojuangco and Michael Romero, CEO of Harbour
Centre Port Terminal Inc. They own 20 percent each of
Air Asia Philippines while Air Asia Berhad holds the
remaining 40 percent.Hontiveros said she was the
one who introduced Cojuangcoto Fernandes. Cojuangco and
Romero are, on the other hand, co-owners of the
Asian Basketball League champion team the Philippine
Patriots. Air Asia is a major sponsorof the team.
Arriving in Toulouse, we were treated to a hearty dinner,
French style, by Airbus executive Stephanie He
nrion.The next day, we were off to a tour to Airbus’
assembly line in Toulouse as well as to its mock room
for its models.
While in the Airbus headquarters, we learned the
following:
• Airbus offers the most modern and comprehensive
family of civil airliners on the market, ranging
in capacity from the best selling A320 family to
the 500-seat A380.
• Airbus consistently captures about half of all
commercial airliner orders and achieved record aircraft
deliveries over the past 7 years.
• Airbus has sold over 10,800 aircraft and
delivered more than 6,800 since its creation in 1970.
• At current production, Airbus backlog represents
7 years of production.
• Every 2.4 seconds, an Airbus takes off or lands.
• Airbus Military is also the global leader
in the market for military transport,
tanker and surveillance aircraft.
It was Hontiveros who led the team for
the Airbus ferry flight as she made sure
everyone had a grand time during the flight.
With only 34 people onboard, it was a
truly unique experience. At one point,
a mass partly in Italian was held on the
flight officiated by Fr. Ted – a truly riveting
experience for anyone.
On board the ferry flight, the crew and the
passengers were treated to sumptuous French meals –
lobster, fresh vegetable salad, foie gras, crab omelette,
a wide array of cheeses, deserts and fresh fruit medley,
just to name a few, with endless serving of wine,
of course – fit for those flying first class.
It was after all a once in a lifetime experience.
Capping the event was the arrival ceremony
at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport
(DMIA) in Clark Freeport, Pampanga, where water
cannons welcomed the A320 upon landing with the
all Filipino crew waving the Philippine flag from
the cockpit. Truly a proud moment for Filipinos.
Hontiveros said the entry of Air Asia
Philippines in the local airline industry will
revitalize the tourism industry with Clark as its center.
She said Air Asia Philippines, with its hub at the DMIA,
will bring in five million passengers in the next five
years.
"The arrival of AirAsia Philippines’ first aircraft
today reflects our commitment to the development of the
country. This is only the start of all the positive
things that we can do for our beloved Philippines,"
Hontiveros said.
She added: "(B)anking on a strong brand and sound
business fundamentals, we are confident that we will
also be able to grow a company that will bring pride
to the Philippines. This is a brand that we aim to grow
well so that it can serve as an inspiration to the
business community and the country as a whole."
Air Asia Philippines first A320 is expected to start
commercial flights in October to Hong Kong, Macau and
Singapore. Its second A320, which will come in October,
will service passengers going to and from Bangkok,
Incheon in South Korea and local flights to Kalibo,
Aklan, and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
The other planes will be flown in next year.
Romero said Air Asia Philippines has made orders for
13 Airbus planes which will offer more affordable flights
for Filipinos and tourists all over the country and
the world.
In such a short period, new friendships were fostered
forever bonded by that most unique experience.
The Philippines will not only gain a new airline with
the entry of Air Asia Philippines but it will
most surely gain a new friend, a new ally in travel –
where I am sure more lasting friendships, just like those
made during the ferry flight, will be created.
Cheers to Air Asia Philippines!
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