August 3, 2010, 5:35pm
Manila Bulletin
ILOILO CITY, Aug. 2 (PNA) – The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) here is keen on monitoring the developments regarding cancelation of flights by the Philippine Airlines (PAL), particularly those going to Iloilo City.
IBC Executive Director Leah Lara said the business community here would like to make sure that PAL’s problems with its flight personnel will not affect the local economy and business transactions significantly.
She said potential investors get understandably anxious if their flight schedules are suddenly canceled or rescheduled because there are not enough pilots to man PAL’s aircrafts.
Lara said that this type of problem in the local aviation industry could send a wrong message to the business world. “It is bad for business,” she said. “The world business community will be watching developments in the country's air transport operations.”
Air transport is very expensive and people mostly travel for business purpose, Lara noted. "I don’t think PAL can compensate for these losses in business opportunities," she said.
Meanwhile, Lara lauded the initiative of the national government for stepping in to address PAL’s problems with its pilots and its consequent cancelation of flights.
At least 19 domestic flights were canceled since Saturday with the resignation of 25 pilots from PAL.
Eight flights were canceled on Sunday, including the PR147/148 Manila-Iloilo-Manila flight, even as Manila-Iloilo-Manila PR145/146 flight, which was scheduled to depart for Iloilo at 4:20 p.m. was rescheduled to 6:30 p.m.
PAL has already apologized to the public and has given assurances that flight schedules will return to normal as soon as possible.
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