AirAsia Philippines picks DMIA as hub
By Reynaldo G. Navales
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
CLARK FREEPORT — Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines has chosen the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here as its hub.
The airline’s first aircraft, a brand new Airbus A320 commanded by Captain Johansen Hernandez, arrived at the DMIA from Toulouse, France, Monday carrying 29 people, including AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Marianne Hontiveros, Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Tuason, several mediamen, and Filipino cabin crew.
“This is a proud moment for AirAsia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation,” Hontiveros said.
As an “archipelagic country,” air travel is necessary for Filipinos.
“We are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends by providing affordable, safe, and reliable service. Everyone can fly now,” Hontiveros said.
She also disclosed that the Air Asia is planning to make Clark as its hub for the US.
Aside from this, the Air Asia Group has pledge to actively promote Philippines and Clark as its destination.
The establishment of AirAsia Philippines was announced in December 2010. It is 60 percent owned in equal partnership by Filipino entrepreneurs including Hontiveros, Antonio Cojuangco Jr., and Michael Romero, and 40 percent owned by AirAsia Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary AirAsia International Incorporated.
AirAsia Philippines is the fourth member of Air Asia Group, which include AirAsia Berhad (also known as AirAsia Malaysia), AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia.
AirAsia Philippines is planning to start its commercial flights in the last quarter of 2011 to destinations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, Kalibo, and Puerto Princesa.
Hontiveros said the country has a great tourism potential. “With AirAsia Philippines, we hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals. This is good for the community in Clark as well as Northern and Central Luzon as they (tourists) can benefit in various areas including hospitality, retail and entertainment.”
The 180-seater Airbus A320, which landed at 11:15 a.m. from the Airbus factory in France, is the first among the four aircrafts that will be delivered to AIrAsia Philippines in its first year of operation. The airline’s second aircraft is slated to arrive later this year and another two next year.
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President Victor Jose Luciano thanked officials of the AirAsia Philippines for choosing Clark as one of its hubs in the Asia Pacific region.
“Today is a big day for Clark. We are grateful that you have chosen Clark,” Luciano said. “We want to propel Clark into greater heights.”
According to him, the entry of low-cost carriers like AirAsia at the DMIA will improve the country’s tourism and economy.
Luciano said the catchment area of Clark airport is Northern Manila all the way to the North. The area has a total population of about 25 million, he said.
Other officials who graced the occasion were Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, Clark Development Corporation president Felipe Antonio Remollo, Mabalacat mayor Marino Morales, and others.
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on August 16, 2011.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/08/16/airasia-philippines-picks-dmia-hub-173282
Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS and its wine stores in Manila, Angeles City, Clark, Pampanga cater to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. This wine shop is generally regarded by wine lovers to be the best place to buy wine in Manila. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS wine stores offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.
To enable wine lovers in Asia to learn more about wine, public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark, Pampanga and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy wine salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each wine tasting ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.
Wine-paired dinners are organized either at fine dining Y A T S Restaurant in Clark or in collaboration with other restaurants and organizers. Private wine dinners can also be organized for groups of 14 or more. Even Asian cuisines can be a part of a Yats Wine-paired dinner.
Wine stores of Yats Wine Cellars offer interesting gift packs for all occasions. Wine gift baskets from these wine shops have to contain something more interesting than just a colorful packaging with very mediocre content. The wine has to be a bit more than marginally drinkable. Last year many people were disappointed with the wine gifts they received when they went around to drinking the wine.
Wine from all major wine regions are available, including fine wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, Sauternes Barsac, Champagne, Chablis, Meursault, Cote Rotie and Romanee Conti are all available here. In addition to French wines, this leading Philippines wine supplier also has a good selection of wines from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Australia. The selection of Brunello, Chianti, Rioja, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Ice wine are impressive.
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If Philippines is part of an upcoming travel and holiday plan, wine lovers might want to visit Clark Freeport Zone just 70 minutes from Manila. This bustling new city that is slated to replace Manila as the new capital of the Philippines has the largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center. For more information, log on to
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com
If you are traveling to Pampanga, Subic, Angeles City, Clark Freeport, Philippines, you can get assistance to hotel and resort booking by logging on to
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Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
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Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
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