Two domestic carriers being readied for PAL strike

by Jeremiah F. de Guzman and Christine F. Herrera
August 23, 2010
ManilaStandardToday

TWO small airlines are willing to stand in for Philippine Airlines in case a strike prevents it from serving some of its routes, an official said Sunday.

Spirit of Manila Airlines and Southeast Asian Airlines had informed the Civil Aviation Authority that they were interested in taking over some of PAL’s domestic routes in case of a disruption in flight services, Transport Undersecretary Dante Velasco said.

PAL accounted for 41 percent of domestic flights and 27 percent of international flights last year. Velasco said the government had already prepared a contingency plan in the event of a strike at the airline.

The flag carrier’s 2,600 ground crew and 1,600 flight crew have pending disputes with the carrier before the Labor Department, claiming unfair labor practices including discrimination.
“This is just part of the pro-active program being done by the government through [the Transport Department],” Velasco said.

He said the government had already identified Philippine Airlines’ domestic and international routes that were also being served by small local airlines, or where they had rights to operate. It had likewise talked to local carriers to assess their ability to serve the routes that Philippine Airlines might stop serving in case of a strike.

“They can apply for a permit to operate any unserved route especially in the domestic operations,” Velasco said.

“[Spirit of Manila Airlines] has signified its willingness and capability to immediately expand its operations, while SEAir is willing, but its capability is contingent on the actual delivery of their leased aircraft in October.”

Spirit of Manila operates chartered services between Clark and Taiwan using two MD83 aircraft with a seating capacity of 156 each.

SEAir has been serving key destinations since 1995, and those include Boracay, Basco in Batanes, Tablas in Romblon, Marinduque, El Nido, Cebu, Clark, Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi-tawi.

Velasco said the government would also talk to Philippine Airlines’ partners that could serve some of the international routes it might fail to serve in case its cabin crew struck.

PAL had earlier said it was ready to deploy administrative and other staff to stand in for any striking cabin crew. Passengers may also be transferred to the carrier’s 134 partner airlines.

The looming strike at Philippine Airlines and the expected disruption of services have prompted President Benigno Aquino III’s allies in the House of Representatives to support an “open-skies policy.”

“This is the perfect time for the government to take a second hard look at the policy and the economic benefits that could be gained through an increase in air traffic,” Valenzuela City Rep. Rex Gatchalian said.

He has filed a bill supporting the President’s declaration to promote a “pocket” open-skies policy, which would allow foreign airlines to fly passengers within the country.