Business jets take over Subic Bay airport
SUBIC BAY freeport: Twenty years after the last American fighter jet took off, a new breed of jets have taken over the runway and hangars of the Subic Bay International Airport—business jets.
“This is what we want to see. Our airport as a bustling hub for general aviation,” says Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Robert Garcia.
The former US military base turned industrial-commercial complex turns 20-years-old this November 24th. And Garcia believes that its development is right on track.
“I will go very strongly into general aviation, which includes jet charters, flight training schools,” he stressed, adding that logistical services, aircraft refurbishing and repair are the ideal businesses for the international airport.
With more than US$8 billion dollars in foreign investment, Subic Bay is the country’s top attraction in the foreign investment community.
Leading the pack in this mixed commercial and military thrust is Aviation Concepts, a jet charter firm, whose clients are as diverse as their fleet of commercial fixed wing aircraft.
“Most of our clients are in Asia. They are the corporate executives who need to shuffle from place to place quickly, efficiently, and comfortably,’ says Joel Edmondson, Aviation Concepts general manager.
Edmondson witnessed the airport’s ups and downs. A Subic Bay-based US Navy pilot for 26 years, he led Federal Express’ team as chief pilot until the courier giant decided its business was better off in China.
Still, Edmondson might hear the familiar sound of fighter jets along side his more subdued planes.
“Because of national defense considerations, we woud have to operate it as a mixed use area,” Garcia explained, “meaning it might be used as a jumping off point for figther squadrons, side-by-side with commercial jet charters.”
Just recently, the US Navy leased portions of the Airport terminal to support its troops participating in the joint American-Filipino military exercises.
Huge potential
Aviation Concepts, so far the only non-flight school locator, fits comfortably with the SBMA plan, say Garcia.
“Malaking negosyo ‘yan. (Business charter is a huge business), so, that will provide a strong commercial component for the airport,” Garcia added.
Globally, the charter industry is worth about US15 billion and is growing significantly.
The industry is forecasting nearly 10,000 new business jet deliveries worth about $250 billion from 2012 to 2022. Some 700 jets planes will be delivered to buyers this year.
The Asia Pacific region grew at double digit rates throughout the past five years.
And SBMA, together with Aviation Concepts, are preparing to catch some of the business.
“We support SBMA by working with groups to get the message out that Subic Bay is the best place to invest in,” Edmondson said, noting that companies have room to grow in this 200 hectare facility.
Operating out of a former Fedex hangar, the firm manages 7 jets, employs 51 workers, including six (6) American pilots.
“Mostly, we fly throughout Asia. We fly to other parts of the world, but our aircrafts are based here,” Edmondson explains, stressing that his company is in Subic for the long term.
Loving Subic Bay
Like Edmondson, many of their workers are former emloyees of Fedex.
Emma Bonsa, the company’s facilities supervisor and executive secretary to the President and CEO, says she is lucky.
She says the pay is higher and the company takes care of its employees like familiy members.
“There are no sirs’ and madams’ here because we are all worthy of the same respect. We call our president by his first name,” Bonsa says. But her most memorable experience was when her home was flooded by strong monsoon rains.
“Everyone affected was asked how the company can help. Afterwards, we were given financial help to tide us over our crisis. This is the first time I experienced such care from an employer, and it one that I treasure very much” she added.
Luisa Patagan, operations improvement manager and another Fedex veteran, says that everyone receives 100 dollars for every year of service.
“During our anniversary, the president gives us US$100 dollars for every year of service. So if you have worked for for two years, you get US$200 dollars,” she says.
But her biggest kick comes from providing their client with quality service.
“We meet a lot of people and you really don’t know what to expect. And surpassing our clients’ expectation gives me the boost to get up the next day,” Patagan declares.
For all three, the best come on is Subic Bay.
The place is beautiful, and to them “every work day is a vacation.”
“No traffic. No pollution. Seaside. What else can yo ask for?” Bonsa stressed.
The future is very bright
Since the US military withdrew in 1991, employment has tripled inside the former base, from 30,000 to almost 90,000. There are more than 1,500 firms inside the Freeport, ranging from manufacturing, tourism, logistics, and retail.
The Freeport also holds the distinction of hosting the country’s biggest single investment— South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation.
“Hanjin employs 20,000 workers and exports a billion dollars worth of ships. Because of them, the Philippines is now the 4th largest shipbuilder in the world,” Garcia said, pointing outside his window, beaming with pride.
“I want Subic to be the tide that lifts the communities around us. And in partnership with these kinds of businesses, I know that the we can double, even triple our the economic strength,” Garcia pointed out.
http://www.angelesmyx.com/ureport/?p=2949
Many tourists and residents of Manila traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Pampanga Angeles City, Clark Philippines are surprised to find a a large wine shop so near Manila right in the heart of Pampanga, just 70 minutes from Manila. Even residents of Subic travel to Clark via ScTex to do some wine shopping in this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center, a project of Hong Kong-based Yats International.
Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.
Yats Leisure Philippines
Public wine tastings are held by this well known wine shop of Pampanga from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each 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. This is one the things to do in Manila and Pampanga.
Tourists and residents of Manila travel out of town to the north on a short getaway look for the best place in Clark to buy some fine vintage wine to bring home after their holidays and vacations. Many find a top rated wine shop called Clark Wine Center to be an exciting place to do some shopping in Clark Pampanga. This famous wine shop is highly recommended for visitors going to Clark Pampanga to drink good wine, relax and unwind with friends and families. This frequently visited wine shop is known by tourist and visitors to Pampanga, Angeles city, Subic and Clark Philippines as a cool place to hang out in Clark. Many attend the regular wine tasting held either outdoor on the roof deck or in indoor on the second floor above the wine shop. The place has good atmosphere for a private wine tasting party or a small night out gatherings for business or social event.
<a href=”http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com”>http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com</a>
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.
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
<a href=” http://www.clarkwinecenter.com/?page_id=14″>Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.</a>
<strong>Clark Wine Center</strong>
<em>Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023</em>
Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
<strong>YATS Wine Cellars</strong>
Manila Sales Office
<em>3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605</em>
Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay
Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:
<strong><a href=”http://www.yatswinecellars.com/blog.php/yats-wine-cellars-is-leading-wine-importer-in-philippines/“> ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines</a></strong>
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:
<a href=”http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com”>http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com</a>
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. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit <a href=”http://www.YatsRestaurant.com”>http://www.YatsRestaurant.com</a>
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines <a href=”http://www.YatsLeisure.com”>http://www.YatsLeisure.com</a>
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:
<a href=”http://www.LondonPubClark.com”>http://www.LondonPubClark.com</a>
Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to <a href=”http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com</a> for more information and reservations.
The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
<a href=”http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com</a>
Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
<a href=”http://www.YatsWineCellars.com”>http://www.YatsWineCellars.com</a>
Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to <a href=”http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com”>www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com</a>
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