Boracay Runway Problems

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of passengers of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air, especially those on their way back to Manila after a weekend on the white sand beaches of Boracay, were stranded overnight when a runway problem caused the closure of the Kalibo airport yesterday afternoon.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) to all three airlines operating flights at the Kalibo airport informing them of the closure of the airport from 4 p.m. yesterday until 7 a.m. today.

According to the NOTAM, the reason for the closure was “damaged asphalt” at the runway.

The airport’s closure stranded all passengers departing from Kalibo airport, mostly foreign and local tourists who came from the world-famous resort island of Boracay.

Michelle de Guzman, Cebu Pacific corporate communications manager, said they had two extra flights yesterday to accommodate the passengers of their three Manila-bound flights affected by the airport closure.

Cebu Pacific had seven flights from Manila to Kalibo and their returning flights, and one flight from Cebu to Kalibo and its returning flight that were cancelled.

Philippine Airlines had three flights cancelled while another Kalibo-bound flight from Manila, PR 323, was diverted to the Iloilo International Airport from which it was made to fly back to Manila.

Zest Air cancelled three Kalibo-bound flights.

PAL and Cebu Pacific had diverted their flights to and from Caticlan airport, the alternative gateway to Boracay, to Kalibo airport after airport authorities made changes in the operating conditions at the Caticlan airport.

Caticlan is the nearest airport to Boracay while the bigger Kalibo airport is about two hours’ drive from Caticlan.

PAL complained of the landing weight limitations while Cebu Pacific criticized the changes on airport operations imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The CAAP designated the Caticlan airport as a one-way airport, which means take-off should be towards the sea, and landing in the opposite direction.

This essentially shortens the portion of the airport runway that could be used. These changes were made after a Zest Air flight overshot the runway of Caticlan airport last month.

PAL and Cebu Pacific said that they would shoulder the land transfer cost from Kalibo to Caticlan for passengers who have original bookings for Caticlan.

Jet Flyby wow!

How would you like to live at this apartment building. Exciting to say the least. A Navy jet from the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia passes an apartment building during tactical demonstration flyover as part of the 2009 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Detroit Gold Cup race, Sunday July 12, 2009 along the Detroit River in Detroit.

Cebu Pacific Engine Deal to GE

GE Aviation, its subsidiaries and joint ventures, have announced more than $4.2 billion in orders so far during the International Paris Air Show in France, including agreements for its maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

The air show, held from June 15-21 at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport, is an opportunity for aerospace firms to show off their products and make deals.

GE Aviation’s announced orders include:

• A firm commitment by Brit Air, a subsidiary of Air France, for six Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft, powered by GE’s CF34-8 engines, worth about $300 million at list price.

• An order from Cebu Pacific, a discount Philippines airline, for CFM International’s CFM-56-5B engines to power 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft worth about $155 million, plus a 12-year OnPointSM agreement for maintenance and overhaul of the engines, valued at more than $100 million.

• A $240 million order from Air Austral, based on the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, for Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power two Airbus A380 aircraft, worth about $240 million. The Engine Alliance is a joint venture between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney.


Evendale-based GE Aviation is a unit of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), headquartered in Fairfield, Conn.

Pilot Dies on Continental Flight

By ADAM GOLDMAN and VICTOR EPSTEIN, Associated Press Writers Adam Goldman And Victor Epstein, Associated Press Writers

"NEWARK, N.J. – The only inkling passengers had that something was wrong on the Continental Airlines flight over the Atlantic Ocean was when an announcement came over the loudspeaker asking if there was a doctor on board.

Otherwise, flight attendants continued to serve snacks. Passengers read magazines and watched movies. And the flight kept on its schedule.

But in the cockpit, the 60-year-old captain had died of a suspected heart attack and two co-pilots took over the controls. The 247 passengers aboard did not learn what had happened until the flight from Brussels landed safely Thursday and was met by fire trucks, emergency vehicles and dozens of reporters.

"I was shocked," said Dora Dekeyser of Houston. "Nobody knew anything."

"We weren't panicking. I never thought it was something as serious as this. We were relaxed," said Dekeyser's granddaughter, Stephanie Mallis, 18, of Lansdale, Pa.

After the crew of the Boeing 777 asked if there were any doctors aboard, several passengers approached the cockpit, including a doctor who said the pilot appeared to have suffered a heart attack.

Dr. Julien Struyven, 72, a cardiologist and radiologist from Brussels, examined the pilot in the cockpit and tried to revive him using a defibrillator. But it was too late.

"He was not alive," Struyven said. There was "no chance at all" of saving him.

The dead pilot was based in Newark and had worked for Continental for 32 years, the airline said. His name was not immediately released."

This is tragic for the pilot and his family. It makes a good headline, but is it really an emergency? With two other pilots aboard, it seems that there was no imminent danger to the plane or passengers. but what is questionable are the medical procedures and tests in the bi yearly physical exams for pilots, especially for a 60 year old Captain. Should there be stricter requirements? An age limit?

Hawk Attacks Model Aircraft

Here is something you don't see everyday, a raptor chasing a model plane. I would guess there was a nesting pair nearby as you can see another hawk in one frame. I really don't think it was intended, but not a good thing to play tag with a bird.