February 1 - 15 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY BUSINESS NEWS 13
FROM PAGE 6
of Airbus A350s , A321s , Boeing 777s and Bombardier Q400 Next Generation planes bringing the fleet count to 88 aircraft , the largest fleet in the Philippines ; developed new domestic hubs ( Clark , Cebu , Davao ); introduced new international routes from Clark ( to Seoul ) and Cebu ( to Bangkok , Chengdu , Beijing , etc .); launched direct nonstop services between Manila and Auckland and Manila and Toronto in addition to existing direct flights to London , San Francisco , Los Angeles , etc ; improved on-time performance while maximizing fleet productivity ; and strengthened its passenger care through the “ Buong Pusong Alaga ” ( wholehearted service ) philosophy , leveraging on its Brand Equity as the “ Heart of the Filipino .”
Eight of the airline ’ s 15 Airbus A330s have undergone a total cabin transformation from a single economy to a tri-class cabin providing maximum comfort on all classes . The latest Boeing 777s and the incoming Airbus A350s will further upgrade the PAL fleet for the airline ’ s longhaul international routes .
A few of the country ’ s outstanding chefs were commissioned to whip up exciting dishes for domestic , regional , and international flights . PAL rolled out its myPAL eSuite personal TV service that gives passengers access to a wide selection of movies , music and TV shows via touch screen monitors in all classes of many PAL aircraft , while myPAL Player provides in flight entertainment using passengers ’ own devices . myPAL Wi-fi allows passengers to surf , browse and stay connected during the flight .
PAL also embraced a new Brand Visual Identity inspired by the Tapestry of the Filipino People . This new visual language , designed with Interbrand , a global design studio , will be rolled out to unify the look of PAL ’ s products and visual touchpoints .
For better on-ground service at airports , PAL renovated the inter-terminal transit lounge at the NAIA Terminal 2 , improved its business class check-in product , introduced a more efficient boarding procedure and put up airport terminal signage for passenger convenience .
Dr . Lucio Tan with Mrs Carmen Tan ; PAL Vice Chairman of the Board Lucio Tan Jr ; LT Group of Companies President Michael Tan ; Rowena Tan ; together with PAL President and COO Jaime Bautista ; PAL Chief Customer Experience Officer Jessica Abaya ; and PAL EVP and Chief Administrative Officer Stewart Lim in the Skytrax Presentation Ceremony of Philippine Airlines ’ 4-Star Plaque at the Crowne Plaza Singapore . Mr Edward Plaisted , Skytrax CEO presented the award .
The next big step : a new , bigger and more sophisticated Mabuhay Lounge to open by the second quarter of 2018 . Abaya said , “ We have started the groundwork for the construction of a twolevel , 1,250 square meter International Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA Terminal 2 which shall redefine the experience of our Business Class Passengers and Frequent Flyers . The new lounge will feature a Modern Filipino interior design inspired by the Filipino tapestry from different regions of the country .
We will showcase the
Best of the Filipino food , outstanding service from our lounge staff , and world class amenities such as private work stations , a meeting room , sleeping pods , shower and changing rooms , and a massage room where passengers can enjoy traditional Filipino hilot .”
With the 4-Star rating now certified , PAL aims to intensify efforts as it continues unveiling new products and expanding routes , including the launch of non-stop services to New York and Brisbane as well as flights to India and additional routes to Japan and China within 2018 .
“ By offering the public a globally competitive airline service , we are empowered to attract more tourists to visit the Philippines to see our country ’ s beauty and experience our people ’ s warmth . We can help generate more economic activity for the Philippines . I am very happy and proud that Philippine Airlines , our National Carrier , is now a 4-Star Global Airline .” said PAL President Bautista . ( PAL website ) *******
Duterte cancels $ 235 million helicopter deal with Canada
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled a $ 235 million contract to buy 16 helicopters from Canada .
Duterte announced the move on February 9 after the government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered a review of the helicopter contract over human rights concerns in the Philippines .
“ I want to tell the armed forces to cut the deal . Do not proceed anymore , and somehow we will look for another supplier ,” Duterte said .
The deal involved 16 Bell 412EPI utility helicopters .
Trudeau said in November during an official trip to attend an ASEAN summit hosted by Manila that he had called out Duterte over “ human rights , the rule of law , and specifically extrajudicial killings ”.
Duterte , for his part , later criticized Trudeau ’ s comments as “ a personal and official insult .” wounded fighting insurgents .
“ I am sure Canada is a bright boy . But the terrorists , ISIS , are contaminating the locals . And if I cannot use the gunships , the helicopters , then I might as well surrender this government to them ,” Duterte said .
“ The reason I ’ m buying helicopters is because I want to finish them off ,” Duterte added .
Philippine troops are fighting Muslim rebels in Mindanao and communist guerrillas in other parts of the country .
“ Do not buy anymore from Canada and the US because there is always a condition attached ,” Duterte said .
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on February 8 that an “ extremely rigorous human rights review ” would be undertaken before any export permit was issued
The Canadian government said on February 8 that the deal was under review due to concerns over human rights in the Philippines .
Duterte is the subject of a complaint in the International Criminal Court over the alleged “ mass murder ” of thousands of Filipino drug suspects .
Bell Helicopter said in an announcement of the deal that the aircraft were intended “ for a variety of missions such as disaster relief , search and rescue , passenger transport and utility transport .”
The Philippine government had said that the choppers would also be used for “ anti-terrorism ” operations , including to evacuate soldiers WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM over the helicopter contract .
The contract was facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation , a government company .
“ The prime minister and I have been very clear about the Duterte regime ’ s human rights abuses and the extrajudicial killings ,” Freeland said .
“ I have the authority to deny a permit if I feel that it poses a risk to human rights , and I am prepared to do so ,” Freeland added .
The Canadian government has said that the helicopter deal would support about 1,000 jobs in the Montreal area .
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said that he was disappointed with word of the cancelled contract , in particular for employees who he said must be worried at the news .