SEALED. AirAsia, Inc.’s CEO Hontiveros forges partnership with SIAEP GM Seah for MRO services of the airline.
Standing as witnesses are CIAC President-CEO Luciano, Rene Philip Banson of SIAEP and Alain Sebua Valdez of AirAsia. Photo by Bong Z. Lacson
CLARK FREEPORT –“A partnership that shall surely boost Clark’s stake in the aviation industry. “
Thus said Victor Jose Luciano, president-CEO of the Clark International Airport Corp. as AirAsia Inc. signed a contract with SIA Engineering (Phil.) Corp. for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of its fleet in Clark.
“As PAL is to NAIA, so AirAsia is to DMIA,” said Luciano making parallel of the identification of the Philippine Airlines’ – “not in its current row with the PALEA union,” he hastened to add – with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and that of AirAsia’s with the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, with the airline making it its hub.
“An affirmation of what Chichos (Luciano) has always believed in – that Clark will take center stage in the aviation industry of the Philippines.” So underscored Maan Hontiveros, AirAsia Inc. chief executive officer, of the event.
Milestone
“Today is a milestone not only for AirAsia, Inc. but for the country as well, as we are tapping the skills of fellow Filipino flight mechanics, engineers, technicians and aviation experts of SIAEP. This partnership affirms that Pinoys are truly world class,” she stressed.
Hontiveros disclosed that AirAsia Inc. has an all-Filipino management, staff and crew from pilots, flight attendants, engineers, and ground services to marketing, finance and administration officers.
“This partnership underlines the confidence we have on the future of Clark as an international airport and also to support the government’s effort to pump up the economy by creating jobs and business opportunities,” Hontiveros said.
“One of the biggest rewards in setting up the hub of AirAsia, Inc. here is that we just don’t generate direct employment for the local communities but even bring home our skilled engineers, technicians, air crew to work in the home country,” she added.
With Clark as its hub, AirAsia, Inc. will help revitalize tourism in the central and northern part of the country with airline passenger traffic expected to increase in the next five years.
For his part, SIAEP General Manager Seah Soon Huat said, “We are delighted to be part of the growing partners of Air Asia Inc. in bringing the country at the forefront of the aviation industry. We also look forward to developing Clark as a major regional aviation hub by providing world-class MRO services to our customers.”
Hontiveros said they partnered with SIAEP not only because they are both in Clark but moreso of the firm’s stature as a leading MRO service provider.
“The key to an airline’s success is that its aircraft are religiously and meticulously maintained,” said Hontiveros, expressing full confidence in the capability of SIAEP.
Under the agreement, SIAEP will provide AirAsia, Inc. with a broad spectrum of MRO and aircraft maintenance ranging from routine to non-routine services including but not limited to transit handling, daily and weekly checks, e-checks and other associated maintenance services.
New aircraft
“Of course, we have only brand-new aircraft,” Hontiveros pointed out. AirAsia, Inc.’s first aircraft, a brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A-320 landed at the DMIA last August 15 direct from its factory in Toulouse, France.
Its second aircraft of the same model is set to be delivered also at Clark this December.
AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. It was named the 2011 World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax.
