Neha Jain: http://philippinesaviationnews.blogspot.com/25

1. Tiger buys 32.5% of Seair

Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. is acquiring 32.5 percent of local budget airline Southeast Asian Air for $6 million.

Low-cost airline Tiger Airways told the Singapore Exchange that it signed an agreement with Seair Thursday to purchase 32.5 percent of the Philippine carrier from foreign investors.

“We are delighted that Tiger Airways wants to become a significant shareholder in Seair,” Seair president and chief executive Avelino Zapanta said in a statement.

“Seair has a long history of operating domestic and international services in the Philippines and having Tiger Airways as a shareholder will enable us to significantly expand our network of services,” he added.

With the acquisition, Seair is set to expand its operations on both domestic and international routes. It recently launched the Clark-Hong Kong route and plans to increase the frequency twice daily from April 15 to meet strong demand.

The budget carrier also mounts flights to Singapore and plans to launch short-haul, point-to-point flights within a 5-hour flying radius, using the Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Seair has a fleet of seven turboprops and two A319, which it plans to expand to 20 A320 in three years.

Seair is operated by a group of businessmen led by Tomas Lopez. Prior to Tiger Airway’s purchase, the Filipino group owned 60 percent of airline. German pilots Iren Dornier and Nick Gitsis held the balance.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to expand our relationship with Seair,” said Tony Davis, president and group chief executive of Tiger Airways Holdings.

“The Philippines represents a major market opportunity for low- cost airlines. With more than 7,000 islands, a population in excess of 90 million, plus another 11 million working and living abroad, the Philippines is an important market for both international and domestic aviation,” Davis added.

Seair announced late last year that it signed an agreement with Tiger Airways to market and distribute the local carrier’s flights in the Asia-Pacific region through its Web site. Seair also signed an aircraft lease agreement with Tiger Airways.

Four local carriers led by Philippine Airlines opposed the partnership between Seair and Tiger Airways, claiming that the Singaporean company now virtually controlled the Filipino firm.

2. Two PH teams compete at Airbus tilt

MANILA, Philippines — Two teams from the Philippines are among the 84 teams from various universities worldwide that were selected to advance to round 2 of the Airbus Fly Your Ideas (FYI) contest. They will also have a chance to participate in the finals at the International Paris Airshow-Le Bourget in France.

Over 2,600 participants have earlier registered for Airbus’ second university contest which challenges students from all around the world to develop new ideas for a greener aviation industry.

Philippine participants Green Bang and Team Strategos both from the Asian Institute of Management are among the strongest contenders. Team Strategos entered in the Designing of Cabin Solution category while Green Bang competed in the Supply Chain Green Purchase category.

Airbus invited students to make proposals on any or all stages of the aviation ‘Environmental Life Cycle’, an approach Airbus uses to improve the environmental performance of an aircraft and its production process in five areas: design; supply chain; manufacturing; aircraft operations and aircraft end-of-life.

The FYI contest, like Airbus, brings people of different cultures and horizons together. The tilt involves three challenging rounds. Five teams with the most exciting projects will be chosen in May and advance to the FYI final. The winning team will be picked by a high-profile panel of judges and take home the €30,000 first prize. The runner-up will receive €15,000.

I.P.O. PHL launches Masters of Law program
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Ateneo de Manila Law School (ALS) recently launched the country’s first Masters of Law Degree in Intellectual Property Law (Ll. M. in IPL).

The Ll. M. Program will be offered in the Ateneo Law School starting June this year.

Aside from designing special lectures for the program, IPOPHL will also offer scholarship grants to IPOPHL lawyers in order to upgrade the skills of its own officials

The Ll. M. Program is designed for lawyers who wish to acquire the skills required to play a leading role in IP in the country. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students will be awarded a “Masters of Law Degree in Intellectual Property” by the Ateneo de Manila University and the IPOPHL.

3. Exams For Comprehensive Air Traffic Service course up

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 25, (PIA) - - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will be conducting a competitive examination to select trainees for the 5th Comprehensive Air Traffic Service Course to be held at the Manila Civil Aviation Training Center in Pasay City.
In Bacolod City, examinations will be given on April 2, 2011 and application forms are available at the Air Traffic Service Facility-In-Charge or Airport Manager at the New Bacolod-Silay Airport.
Interested applicants must not be more than 28 years old on the day of the examination, must be of good health – free from any physical injuries where successful applicants must undergo medical examination and of good moral character.
Educational requirements include a Baccalaureate degree preferably Electrical Engineering, Electronic and Communications Engineering or Computer Engineering with good command of oral and written English and must be computer literate.
A civil service eligibility is required from applicants preferably Career Service-Professional or R.A. 1080.
Applicants must submit a copy of his/her college diploma, transcript of records, Civil Service Eligibility rating, birth certificate, police clearance or barangay clearance, NBI clearance and medical clearance together with the duly filled up application form not later than March 25, 2011 before 5:00 P.M. to the Air Traffic Service Facility-In-Charge or Airport Manager at the New Bacolod-Silay Airport.
Qualified and selected applicants, passing the competitive examination, interview and medical/physical exams shall be trained by the CAAP at no cost however, there will be no allowance or other form of compensation during training period will be given.
Graduate of this course will be qualified for the position of Air Traffic Controller or Airways Communicator.
Aside from Manila and Bacolod City other examination areas are Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Kalibo, Laoag, Legaspi, Mactan, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga.*(JCM/EAD/PIA6 Negros Occidental)

4. Cebu Pacific seeks partnership with flight training schools
MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific is seeking partnerships with flight training institutions approved by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

After the success of CEB’s grand recruitment event last February 11, the airline announced another innovative way to source high quality personnel for its growing workforce by creating a sustainable crew resource program.

Cebu Pacific opens the doors for partnerships with quality flight training organizations. According to CAAP, there are approximately 50 registered flight training institutions in Clark, Subic, Pasay, Bacolod, Zambales, Lapu-Lapu, and Manila, among others.

“We encourage the leading flight training organizations from all over the Philippines to develop competitive proposals and send them to Cebu Pacific so we can forge a partnership with them. This will help their students secure employment with Cebu Pacific after graduation,” said CEB VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

Interested flight training institutions should contact CEB’s Special Projects Office for a request for tender document.

“As the country’s largest airline, CEB continues to find innovative ways to support its growing workforce. This will deepen our pool of technical experts in various airline functions and ensure that CEB strengthens its high-quality value proposition to its passengers.” Iyog said.

Iyog added that this is a win-win situation for both the flight training organization and the airline. “CEB looks forward to welcoming even more qualified individuals into the CEB family, as we take delivery of more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft."

The airline has already received four brand-new Airbus A320 from October 2010 to January 2011. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft with an average age of less than 2.5 years one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2014, Cebu Pacific will take an additional 16 Airbus A320 aircraft. (EHL).

NEHA JAIN

International Airlines Training Expo