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MANILA, March 31, 2010 (AFP) – The Philippines on Wednesday insisted its airlines were safe after the Southeast Asian nation’s carriers were banned from flying into the European Union.
“Our aircraft meet the international standards in safety,” Civil Aviation Au- thority of the Philippines head Alfonso Cusi said.
The European Commission banned
from April 1 all Philippine carriers, as well as those from Sudan, from flying to the 27-nation bloc, according to the European Union mission in Manila. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said its planes were safe. “PAL would like to assure the riding public that safety remains the bedrock of PAL’s operations,” it said in a statement. PAL last served Europe in 1999 and no other Filipino carrier now flies to Europe. The EU mission said the ban followed the earlier downgrading of the Philippines’ safety rating by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
RP insists airlines safe despite EU ban
EU envoy Alistair MacDonald said in a statement it recognized measures taken since October 2009 when the Interna- tional Civil Aviation Organization cited a “significant safety concern” on CAAP’s oversight functions.
“The Commission...is ready to examine any information demonstrating progress in the implementation of corrective actions and compliance with international safety standards,” the EU embassy said. “This support could include an expert visit to review the safety performance of the major operators and the oversight exercised by the CAAP, with a view to reconsidering the operating ban in the near future,” it added. PAL said the European air safety committee has agreed to visit the Philippines this year to inspect both avia- tion regulations as well as local carriers. “PAL is prepared for such an audit and is confident that EC inspectors will find a picture of PAL as a world-class carrier of uncompromising professionalism and efficiency,” it added. ■
U.S. manufacturing grows for eighth straight month
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2010 (AFP) – The United States’ rebounding manufac-
tturing sector grew for an eighth consecutive month in March, and at a faster pace than expected, according to an industry survey published
uring sector grew for an eighth consecutive month in March, and at a faster pace than expected, according to an industry survey published Thursday.
The Institute for Supply Management said its monthly survey of manufactur- ing managers showed a broad improvement. The firm’s manufacturing index, also known as the purchasing managers index, rose to 59.6 percent in March from 56.5
ing managers showed a broad improvement.
known as the purchasing managers index, rose to 59.6 percent in March from 56.5 percent in February. “The rate of growth as indicated by the PMI is the fastest since July 2004,” said Norbert Ore, head of the institute’s manufacturing survey panel. The reading – which compiles managers’ reports on everything from new orders o stock inventories –was above market expectations of 57 percent. Ore said details of the survey boded well for future trends.
“Both new orders and production rose above 60 percent this month, closing the first quarter with significant momentum going forward,” he said.
“Both new orders and production rose above 60 percent this month, closing the first quarter with significant momentum going forward,” he said.
Nicholas Tenev of Barclays Capital singled out slower delivery times as “a signal t that suppliers may have to boost production to keep up with improving demand.”
hat suppliers may have to boost production to keep up with improving demand.” He added that an surged in export orders – which rose from to 61.5 from 56.5 on the index’s scale – was overwhelmingly positive.
the index’s scale – was overwhelmingly positive. “This is the highest reading in 21 years and a clear signal that foreign demand for U.S. manufactured goods is improving as the global economic recovery continues.”
“This is the highest reading in 21 years and a clear signal that foreign demand for U.S. manufactured goods is improving as the global economic recovery continues.” ■
July 2004,” said Norbert Ore, head of the institute’s manufacturing survey panel. The reading – which compiles managers’ reports on everything from new orders t to stock inventories –was above market expectations of 57 percent. Ore said details of the survey boded well for future trends.
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BUSINESS TYCOON Lucio Tan is the chairman of Airphil’s sister fi rm, Philippine Airlines.
Airphil Express assures safety despite EU ban
LOW-COST carrier Airphil Express has assured its passengers and the riding public that flying by air is still one of the safest modes of transportation in the Philippines. Airphil Express issued the statement amidst the recent decision by the Euro- pean Commission’s air safety committee to ban all Philippine carriers from flying to member-states of the European Union. “While no Philippine carrier currently flies to any point in Europe, we wish to assure the riding public that our planes are well-maintained and adhere to a strict maintenance policy that puts a premium on passenger comfort and safety,” said Airphil president David Lim.
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He explained that while the EC ban has no direct effect on local airlines, it gives the impression that Philippine carriers are unsafe.
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“Airphil Express is committed to safety. In fact, that is precisely the reason why we are uncompromising when it comes to aircraft maintenance. We also continue to boost our fleet with the acquisition of new jet aircraft in addition to our well-
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maintained fleet of turboprop airplanes,” said Lim.
Three days ago, the former Air Philip- pines relaunched itself under the brand name Airphil Express, signaling its entry into the budget airline business. It took delivery of two Airbus A320s which sport the new Airphil Express livery and configured monoclass with 177 seats. The new jet aircraft began flying from Manila to Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro last March 28. Taipan Lucio Tan, chairman of Airphil’s sister firm Philippine Airlines, said Airphil Express is acquiring a total of 20 new air- planes over the next four years, in addition to the current fleet of eight Bombardier Q400 and Q300 turboprop aircraft. Aside from the two leased narrow- body jets, four brand-new A320s will also be delivered from Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France between Sep- tember and November 2010. Four more aircraft will join the fleet next year, five aircraft in 2012 and another five in 2013, Tan added. ■
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