The Philippine Star
By Mary Ann LL. Reyes (The Philippine Star) Updated May 11, 2011 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a contract with Tim Neel & Associates, LLC (TNA), a US-based aviation consultant, to train and provide technical assistance to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to help the country regain full compliance with international aviation safety standards.
In a statement, PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said yesterday the contract with TNA involves technical assistance in Aviation Safety Oversight. It is envisioned to provide CAAP with a “roadmap” to comply with safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
PAL’s contract with TNA involves technical assistance and delivery to CAAP “at the shortest time possible” of a comprehensive regulatory system including an electronic database, inspector handbooks and technical guidance, advisory circulars, updates to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCARs) and other related matters. Total contract cost is confidential.
“TNA will provide training and software at no cost to the Philippine government since PAL will shoulder all expenses for the duration of the project. As the regulatory agency, CAAP, on the other hand, would be the one to implement needed reforms,” said Bautista.
Recognizing the importance of regaining compliance with ICAO safety standards, lifting of the European Union blacklist and Category 2 rating by the US Federal Aviation Administration, Bautista said the PAL board of directors – upon the suggestion of PAL chairman Lucio Tan – offered to help government by tapping TNA’s services.
As the only Philippine carrier flying to the United States, Bautista said it is in PAL’s best interest for the country to immediately get out of Category 2. The US FAA’s rating downgrade prevents PAL from launching new routes, adding more flights and replacing its current fleet flying to and from the US. It also placed the Philippines in the company of Category 2 countries like Bangladesh, Congo, Gambia, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and others.
“While PAL is the principal beneficiary of the Category 2 lifting, the same will also benefit all other Philippine carriers with plans to operate in the US and other US territories. More importantly, if CAAP is fully compliant with ICAO standards, it could also pave the way for the lifting of ICAO’s ‘significant safety concerns’ and the EU blacklist of Philippine carriers,” he stressed.
Bautista added that PAL treats the TNA contract not only as a form of technical assistance to the Philippine government but also as an “investment” in preparation for the delivery of PAL’s four Boeing 777-300ERs in 2012 and 2013. “In the short term, it would also allow PAL to make use of its two B777s to the US, the route they were originally intended for,” he stressed.
PAL’s technical assistance to CAAP is not without precedent. Bautista said that early this year, four airlines namely, PAL, Cebu Pacific, Airphilexpress and Zest Air, also provided assistance to CAAP for the development of GPS approaches or Required Navigation Approach (R-Nav) for six of the country’s airports.
Bautista said TNA, a consulting firm owned by retired Brig. Gen. Tim Neel, is a company specializing in international aviation safety matters, including the assessment of aviation safety standards at government civil aviation authorities, international air carriers and airports.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
PAL mounts effort to upgrade PH status
Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 11, 2011
By Paolo Montecillo
MANILA, Philippines—Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken on a proactive stance to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lift its ban on local airlines mounting extra flights to the United States.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Lucio Tan-led carrier said it would help the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) implement reforms to convince the FAA to upgrade the Philippines from its “category 2” status.
The “category 2” status from the FAA effectively bans local airlines from expanding operations in the United States. This ruling affects only PAL, which is the sole local carrier that has operations and the capability to fly across the Pacific.
Also, PAL said it had signed a contract with Tim Neel & Associates, LLC (TNA), a US-based aviation consultant owned by former FAA executive Tim Neel, to train and provide technical assistance to the CAAP to help the country regain full compliance with international aviation safety standards.
TNA will also help the CAAP craft a “comprehensive regulatory system, including an electronic database, inspector handbooks and technical guidance, advisory circulars, updates to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.
The company hopes TNA will be able to help lift the US ban on local airlines “at the shortest possible time,” Bautista said.
Earlier, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) announced the partnership with TNA.
PAL said it was the first to get in touch with TNA, which agreed to help the Philippine government.
TNA is a company specializing in international aviation safety matters, including the assessment of aviation safety standards in government civil aviation authorities, international air carriers and airports.
The DoTC said this would be part of reforms meant to improve the country’s image and help the aviation industry grow.
The FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 from Category 1 in 2008 after a safety audit was conducted in November 2007. During the audit, the FAA found that some policies of the local aviation sector were below international standards.
The FAA then banned airlines from the Philippines from adding flights to the United States.
One issue was the lack of qualified personnel to carry out procedures meant to ensure the safety of the country’s air transport sector.
Soon after, the European Union also raised significant safety concerns (SSCs) that resulted in the banning of Philippine carriers from landing in European airports.
“(Neel) recently worked in Ghana where he was able to help the local aviation authorities regain their Category 1 rating in just a few months.... We believe he can do the same for the Philippines,” Transportation Undersecretary Glicerio Sicat said.
May 11, 2011
By Paolo Montecillo
MANILA, Philippines—Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken on a proactive stance to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lift its ban on local airlines mounting extra flights to the United States.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Lucio Tan-led carrier said it would help the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) implement reforms to convince the FAA to upgrade the Philippines from its “category 2” status.
The “category 2” status from the FAA effectively bans local airlines from expanding operations in the United States. This ruling affects only PAL, which is the sole local carrier that has operations and the capability to fly across the Pacific.
Also, PAL said it had signed a contract with Tim Neel & Associates, LLC (TNA), a US-based aviation consultant owned by former FAA executive Tim Neel, to train and provide technical assistance to the CAAP to help the country regain full compliance with international aviation safety standards.
TNA will also help the CAAP craft a “comprehensive regulatory system, including an electronic database, inspector handbooks and technical guidance, advisory circulars, updates to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.
The company hopes TNA will be able to help lift the US ban on local airlines “at the shortest possible time,” Bautista said.
Earlier, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) announced the partnership with TNA.
PAL said it was the first to get in touch with TNA, which agreed to help the Philippine government.
TNA is a company specializing in international aviation safety matters, including the assessment of aviation safety standards in government civil aviation authorities, international air carriers and airports.
The DoTC said this would be part of reforms meant to improve the country’s image and help the aviation industry grow.
The FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 from Category 1 in 2008 after a safety audit was conducted in November 2007. During the audit, the FAA found that some policies of the local aviation sector were below international standards.
The FAA then banned airlines from the Philippines from adding flights to the United States.
One issue was the lack of qualified personnel to carry out procedures meant to ensure the safety of the country’s air transport sector.
Soon after, the European Union also raised significant safety concerns (SSCs) that resulted in the banning of Philippine carriers from landing in European airports.
“(Neel) recently worked in Ghana where he was able to help the local aviation authorities regain their Category 1 rating in just a few months.... We believe he can do the same for the Philippines,” Transportation Undersecretary Glicerio Sicat said.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
PAL taps aviation expert to help regain Category 1
Business Mirror
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 18:48 Recto Mercene / Reporter
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday said it has tapped the services of Tim Neel & Associates (TNA), a US-based aviation consultant, to train and provide technical assistance to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to help the country regain full compliance with international aviation-safety standards.
In a statement, PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista said the contract with TNA involves technical assistance in Aviation Safety Oversight. It is envisioned to provide Caap with a “road map” to comply with safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao).
The Philippines remains on Category 2 status pending inspections by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union this year.
PAL’s contract with TNA involves technical assistance and delivery to Caap “at the shortest time possible” a comprehensive regulatory system, including an electronic database, inspector handbooks and technical guidance, advisory circulars, updates to the Philippine civil-aviation regulations and other related matters.
The amount of the contract cost is confidential, Bautista said.
“TNA will provide training and software at no cost to the Philippine government since PAL will shoulder all expenses for the duration of the project. As the regulatory agency, Caap, on the other hand, would be the one to implement needed reforms,” said Bautista.
Recognizing the importance of regaining compliance with Icao safety standards, lifting of the European Union blacklist and Category 2 rating by the US FAA, Bautista said the PAL board of directors—upon the suggestion of chairman Lucio Tan—offered to help the government by tapping TNA’s services.
As the only Philippine carrier flying to the United States, Bautista said it is in PAL’s best interest for the country to immediately get out of Category 2.
The US FAA’s rating downgrade prevents PAL from launching new routes, adding more flights and replacing its current fleet flying to and from the US. It also placed the Philippines in the company of Category 2 countries like Bangladesh, Congo, Gambia, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and others.
At the same time, although no Philippine carriers fly to Europe, the EU discourages its citizens from patronizing its carriers when flying into the country.
“While PAL is the principal beneficiary of the Category 2 lifting, the same will also benefit all other Philippine carriers with plans to operate in the US and other US territories,” Bautista added.
He also said if Caap is fully compliant with Icao standards, it could also pave the way for the lifting of Icao’s “significant safety concerns” and the EU blacklist of Philippine carriers.
Bautista added that PAL treats the TNA contract not only as a form of technical assistance to the Philippine government but also as an “investment” in preparation for the delivery of PAL’s four Boeing 777-300ERs in 2012 and 2013.
“In the short term, it would also allow PAL to make use of its two B777s to the US, the route they were originally intended for,” he said.
PAL’s technical assistance to Caap is not without precedent. Bautista noted that early this year four airlines, namely, PAL, Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress and Zest Air, also provided assistance to Caap for the development of GPS approaches or required navigation approach for six of the country’s airports, following the failure of the aging very high frequency omnidirectional range and the instrument landing system.
According to Bautista, TNA, a consulting firm owned by retired US Brig. Gen. Tim Neel, is a company specializing in international aviation-safety matters, including the assessment of aviation safety standards at government civil-aviation authorities, international air carriers and airports.
Neel’s team is composed of seasoned auditors capable of conducting safety oversight audits and has conducted dozens of aviation-safety oversight audits and technical-assistance projects for foreign governments and foreign airlines covering most regions of the world, PAL said.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 18:48 Recto Mercene / Reporter
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday said it has tapped the services of Tim Neel & Associates (TNA), a US-based aviation consultant, to train and provide technical assistance to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to help the country regain full compliance with international aviation-safety standards.
In a statement, PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista said the contract with TNA involves technical assistance in Aviation Safety Oversight. It is envisioned to provide Caap with a “road map” to comply with safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao).
The Philippines remains on Category 2 status pending inspections by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union this year.
PAL’s contract with TNA involves technical assistance and delivery to Caap “at the shortest time possible” a comprehensive regulatory system, including an electronic database, inspector handbooks and technical guidance, advisory circulars, updates to the Philippine civil-aviation regulations and other related matters.
The amount of the contract cost is confidential, Bautista said.
“TNA will provide training and software at no cost to the Philippine government since PAL will shoulder all expenses for the duration of the project. As the regulatory agency, Caap, on the other hand, would be the one to implement needed reforms,” said Bautista.
Recognizing the importance of regaining compliance with Icao safety standards, lifting of the European Union blacklist and Category 2 rating by the US FAA, Bautista said the PAL board of directors—upon the suggestion of chairman Lucio Tan—offered to help the government by tapping TNA’s services.
As the only Philippine carrier flying to the United States, Bautista said it is in PAL’s best interest for the country to immediately get out of Category 2.
The US FAA’s rating downgrade prevents PAL from launching new routes, adding more flights and replacing its current fleet flying to and from the US. It also placed the Philippines in the company of Category 2 countries like Bangladesh, Congo, Gambia, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and others.
At the same time, although no Philippine carriers fly to Europe, the EU discourages its citizens from patronizing its carriers when flying into the country.
“While PAL is the principal beneficiary of the Category 2 lifting, the same will also benefit all other Philippine carriers with plans to operate in the US and other US territories,” Bautista added.
He also said if Caap is fully compliant with Icao standards, it could also pave the way for the lifting of Icao’s “significant safety concerns” and the EU blacklist of Philippine carriers.
Bautista added that PAL treats the TNA contract not only as a form of technical assistance to the Philippine government but also as an “investment” in preparation for the delivery of PAL’s four Boeing 777-300ERs in 2012 and 2013.
“In the short term, it would also allow PAL to make use of its two B777s to the US, the route they were originally intended for,” he said.
PAL’s technical assistance to Caap is not without precedent. Bautista noted that early this year four airlines, namely, PAL, Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress and Zest Air, also provided assistance to Caap for the development of GPS approaches or required navigation approach for six of the country’s airports, following the failure of the aging very high frequency omnidirectional range and the instrument landing system.
According to Bautista, TNA, a consulting firm owned by retired US Brig. Gen. Tim Neel, is a company specializing in international aviation-safety matters, including the assessment of aviation safety standards at government civil-aviation authorities, international air carriers and airports.
Neel’s team is composed of seasoned auditors capable of conducting safety oversight audits and has conducted dozens of aviation-safety oversight audits and technical-assistance projects for foreign governments and foreign airlines covering most regions of the world, PAL said.
Monday, May 9, 2011
DOT and PAL lead Philippine India Travel Exchange 2011
Manila Bulletin
May 8, 2011
Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim welcomed the Indian travel industry delegation and their Philippine counterparts, hotels and travel tour operators, in an exclusively organized business-to-business meeting, held recently at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.
The Philippine Airlines’ thrice weekly direct flights from India to the Philippines and another three times per week via Bangkok, is a most welcome development for Philippine Tourism says Secretary Lim. “We are expecting more Indian tourists to come in the next years, as we have the right environment for this market,” he added.
Right now the Philippines is receiving 36,600 Indian tourists out of their 14 million outbound tourists, but with the help of the Indian tour operators and travel industry players, the DOT hopes that the numbers will increase.
Through a travel exchange format, visiting Indian tour operators were given time to meet and interact with the Philippine travel industry players during this milestone event.
“Reaching out to travel trade and media partners is vital,” the Secretary added. “We hope to get tour packages from India to the Philippines, add more flights to the Philippines and maintain a strong and long-lasting relationship.”
May 8, 2011
Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim welcomed the Indian travel industry delegation and their Philippine counterparts, hotels and travel tour operators, in an exclusively organized business-to-business meeting, held recently at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.
The Philippine Airlines’ thrice weekly direct flights from India to the Philippines and another three times per week via Bangkok, is a most welcome development for Philippine Tourism says Secretary Lim. “We are expecting more Indian tourists to come in the next years, as we have the right environment for this market,” he added.
Right now the Philippines is receiving 36,600 Indian tourists out of their 14 million outbound tourists, but with the help of the Indian tour operators and travel industry players, the DOT hopes that the numbers will increase.
Through a travel exchange format, visiting Indian tour operators were given time to meet and interact with the Philippine travel industry players during this milestone event.
“Reaching out to travel trade and media partners is vital,” the Secretary added. “We hope to get tour packages from India to the Philippines, add more flights to the Philippines and maintain a strong and long-lasting relationship.”
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
It’ll be far from a dog’s life for PAL K-9s in retirement
Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 3, 2011
By Jerry E. Esplanada
MANILA, Philippines—At Philippine Airlines, the cliche about canines being man’s best friend could not be more apt.
PAL’s crack unit of explosive detection dogs, or EDDs, retired 11 of its more than 50 hounds on Labor Day, making sure they were sent off with “well-deserved recognition.”
“Instead of being sold off like most retiring canines, we’re making arrangements for our hardworking dogs Bruno, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Pluto, Triton, Aries, Hector, Hera, Heyda, and Diana to be adopted by their own handlers,” Joey de Guzman, PAL vice president for corporate communications, told the Inquirer.
Handler-dog bond
De Guzman said “this will ensure that the bond forged over many years between the dogs and their handlers will not be severed.”
The 11 Belgian Malinois, all part of PAL's own breeding program, “will be turned over to the eager and waiting arms of their handlers upon the release of their adoption papers,” De Guzman added.
“Under an agreement, the handlers can’t sell the dogs. We want to make sure that like adoptive parents, they will take good care of them. The canines have been an important part of the PAL family and we want to treat them with dignity, even in retirement,” De Guzman said.
He said that, “initially, PAL thought of selling them. But we realized that it's not the proper way to send off our specially-trained dogs.”
Most of the retirees had served PAL for five years.
No longer effective
“For EDDs, the average length of service is eight to nine years. But we’re retiring this batch early. According to the dogs’ trainers and vets, they’re no longer effective as EDDs, if not productive as breeders,” said De Guzman.
PAL is the “only Philippine carrier with its own K-9 unit,” noted De Guzman.
The airline’s K-9 program, began in 2004, is a “mark of PAL’s commitment to robust security,” he added.
“Each year, PAL spends close to P2 million just for dog food, grooming and veterinary needs. The figure rises to almost P15 million annually with the inclusion of utility and manpower costs of dog handlers, trainers and helpers. For every canine, a handler is assigned by the airline,” said De Guzman.
The K-9 unit’s expenses “exclude the upkeep of PAL's sprawling kennel (near the airline’s Flight Operations Center on Andrews Avenue, Pasay City), where 55 imported and locally-bred Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are housed. The facility has an open space big enough for the dogs to play, run and train in,” De Guzman said.
“Most of the dogs were imported at an average cost of $6,000, or about P250,000 each,” he said.
Out in the field, PAL’s canines are “key sentinels in the wearying and often dangerous work of sniffing out possible explosive substances.”
“Each dog is on duty at least three to four hours daily. They are assigned to the PAL hub at the NAIA Centennial Terminal and PAL’s cargo terminal. They also inspect the airline's fleet of 19 wide-body Boeing 777s and 747s and Airbus 340s and 330s which serve a total of 20 domestic and 25 international destinations,” said De Guzman.
The EDDs “complement the efforts of airport and aviation police who have come to appreciate the additional man- and dog-power fielded by PAL,” he added.
The crack K-9 unit has reaped several awards in contests like the K-9 Explosive Detection Competition organized by the Manila International Airport Authority in December 2009.
May 3, 2011
By Jerry E. Esplanada
MANILA, Philippines—At Philippine Airlines, the cliche about canines being man’s best friend could not be more apt.
PAL’s crack unit of explosive detection dogs, or EDDs, retired 11 of its more than 50 hounds on Labor Day, making sure they were sent off with “well-deserved recognition.”
“Instead of being sold off like most retiring canines, we’re making arrangements for our hardworking dogs Bruno, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Pluto, Triton, Aries, Hector, Hera, Heyda, and Diana to be adopted by their own handlers,” Joey de Guzman, PAL vice president for corporate communications, told the Inquirer.
Handler-dog bond
De Guzman said “this will ensure that the bond forged over many years between the dogs and their handlers will not be severed.”
The 11 Belgian Malinois, all part of PAL's own breeding program, “will be turned over to the eager and waiting arms of their handlers upon the release of their adoption papers,” De Guzman added.
“Under an agreement, the handlers can’t sell the dogs. We want to make sure that like adoptive parents, they will take good care of them. The canines have been an important part of the PAL family and we want to treat them with dignity, even in retirement,” De Guzman said.
He said that, “initially, PAL thought of selling them. But we realized that it's not the proper way to send off our specially-trained dogs.”
Most of the retirees had served PAL for five years.
No longer effective
“For EDDs, the average length of service is eight to nine years. But we’re retiring this batch early. According to the dogs’ trainers and vets, they’re no longer effective as EDDs, if not productive as breeders,” said De Guzman.
PAL is the “only Philippine carrier with its own K-9 unit,” noted De Guzman.
The airline’s K-9 program, began in 2004, is a “mark of PAL’s commitment to robust security,” he added.
“Each year, PAL spends close to P2 million just for dog food, grooming and veterinary needs. The figure rises to almost P15 million annually with the inclusion of utility and manpower costs of dog handlers, trainers and helpers. For every canine, a handler is assigned by the airline,” said De Guzman.
The K-9 unit’s expenses “exclude the upkeep of PAL's sprawling kennel (near the airline’s Flight Operations Center on Andrews Avenue, Pasay City), where 55 imported and locally-bred Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are housed. The facility has an open space big enough for the dogs to play, run and train in,” De Guzman said.
“Most of the dogs were imported at an average cost of $6,000, or about P250,000 each,” he said.
Out in the field, PAL’s canines are “key sentinels in the wearying and often dangerous work of sniffing out possible explosive substances.”
“Each dog is on duty at least three to four hours daily. They are assigned to the PAL hub at the NAIA Centennial Terminal and PAL’s cargo terminal. They also inspect the airline's fleet of 19 wide-body Boeing 777s and 747s and Airbus 340s and 330s which serve a total of 20 domestic and 25 international destinations,” said De Guzman.
The EDDs “complement the efforts of airport and aviation police who have come to appreciate the additional man- and dog-power fielded by PAL,” he added.
The crack K-9 unit has reaped several awards in contests like the K-9 Explosive Detection Competition organized by the Manila International Airport Authority in December 2009.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)