Paul Phelan/MANILA
A new Philippines-based charter carrier plans to begin services at the end of this month with two McDonnell Douglas DC-10s.
Intercontinental Pacific Airways (IPAI) aims to start operating a passenger and freight charter network from the former US Clark AB, about 85km (50 miles) north of the Philippines capital Manila.
The airline will operate two wet-leased McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s initially, adding two DC-10-15s later.
IPAI will wet-lease its aircraft from Belgium's Skyjet and plans to start with return flights from the Philippines to Hong Kong, and to San Francisco via Honolulu. As the fleet expands, additional frequencies will be added, with a weekly flight to Sydney and one to Brisbane, in Australia.
IPAI president Charles Horne says the charters will be flown for two Hong Kong package companies - Castaways and El Sol Tours Hong Kong.
He says that government approvals are expected by the end of July and, subject to approvals, the first flight from Hong Kong is planned for 30 July.
IPAI expects also to operate charters between Clark and Okinawa, Japan. Horne says that potential Japanese investors in the Clark and nearby Subic Bay special economic zones say they will not invest in the region until a direct air service is in place.
Horne owns IPAI parent company Halidon International Holdings, which he says previously leased four Boeing MD-11ERs to Philippine Airlines. He hopes later to convert the charter operation to a scheduled network.
Source: Flight International
