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Tell us more about SEAIR’s network. SEAIR currently fl ies from Manila to Caticlan, Batanes, Romblon, Taytay, El Nido; from Clark to Caticlan and Singapore; and Cebu to Caticlan. This network is a result of consolidation of the best pioneering routes we have fl own over the past 16 years, together with the current expansion of our Clark–Singapore route.
What is your most popular destination?
Most of our destinations are unique in their own special way, but Boracay has been a very popular destination for the past 16 years and we are the pioneers on this route. Batanes is also now a big new favourite.
What was your fi rst route? Our fi rst route was the gravel strip at Rodriguez Airport in Taytay in Palawan. We started fl ying with a nine-seater Dornier 28 servicing Apulit Island – then known as Club Noah – a beautiful 30-cottage eco resort.
How did the airline start? We started the airline as a result of Club Noah opening and requiring air service. Tomas Lopez, Iren Dornier and myself were the company’s fi rst pilots, fl ying our planes in 1995 and we have never looked back. We have had many challenges and diffi culties but the opportunities were, and continue to be, just as great! We are happy to still be fl ying in 2011 and to have launched our fi rst major international route to Singapore from our headquarters in Clark in December 2010.
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Name: Nikos Gitsis Company: SEAIR
(South East Asian Airlines) Designation: Co-founder Home town: Rochester, New York
What is your business model? When we started fl ying two nine- seater aircraft in 1995, we adapted the low-cost full-service scheduled charter concept. It goes against the grain of conventional wisdom, but metaphorically, in our embryonic years we were like stem cells and had to do everything. As we have continued to grow, we have begun to specialise, which I believe, together with our experience and our partners, will allow us to adapt to a more integrated airline model in the future.
What sets you apart from your competitors? We love what we do and we are always learning. JetA-1 runs in our veins and we like to do things with a bit of style. Oh, one more thing – have you seen our fl ight attendants?!
How has the airline market in the Philippines changed since 1995? The market has undergone many revolutions, which each time has been positive for the passenger, and for aviation. First there was the opening up and liberalisation of the domestic market, which was previously primarily controlled by Philippine Airlines. Now we have the advent of low-cost regional travel, which we hope to pioneer and continue to push and grow.
What is your fl eet makeup? We have four Dornier 328, one Let410, and recently added two Airbus 319s.
What does your partnership with Tiger involve and how does this fi t into your future plans? As aviation pioneers here, our partnership with Tiger is a natural progression of our desire to give the best of what aviation has to offer to our customers, colleagues and to the country. We believe each segment of aviation has its best models. We believe Tiger has one of the best low-cost models anywhere in the world and we believe it fi ts with our desire and our mandate, which is to give the best back to the Philippines. With Tiger’s experience and drive to keep things simple and low-cost, coupled with our experience in the Philippines over the past 16 years, we believe it is an unbeatable partnership and we look forward to developing it further. [Since the interview, Tiger has announced it will
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