Ongpin’s aviation firm seeks to operate domestic flights
ONGPIN-LED Alphaland Aviation, Inc., is seeking regulators’ permission to offer scheduled air transport services, a notice from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed.
Alphaland Aviation, Inc., has filed a petition before the regulator to be granted the authority to operate domestic air transportation services.
In a CAB bulletin published in a newspaper on Sunday, the air taxi operator asked to be given a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
“Alphaland Aviation, Inc., has filed with the [CAB]... a petition for issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate domestic scheduled air transportation services,” the bulletin read.
The CPCN authorizes any domestic aviation firm — person or entity — to engage in international or domestic, scheduled and/ or non-scheduled air transportation services, according to the CAB Web site.
A grantee of the CPCN may operate even without a legislative franchise. A hearing on Alphaland Aviation’s petition is scheduled on Nov. 23 at the CAB office. Pre- marking and comparison of documents to be presented during the hearing will be on Nov. 15.
Alphaland Aviation currently provides charter services to its luxury resort Balesin Island Club located in Lamon Bay, Quezon province. The 500-hectare property features a clubhouse and destination spa and 7 themed villages designed to imitate different cities; Mykonos, St. Tropez, Toscana, Costa del Sol, Bali, Phuket and Balesin.
Balesin’s airport can accommodate regional aircrafts and private jets. The island is accessible from Manila via a 25- minute flight on Alphaland Aviation’s airplanes, departing from its private hangar along Airport Road.
Alphaland is the property firm led by former trade minister and the country’s 18th richest man, Roberto V. Ongpin, according to Forbes Philippines’ 50 Richest List.
In 2015, Alphaland’s comprehensive net income rose 31% to P7.2 billion, from P5.5 billion in the previous year. —