United Airlines upbeat about Philippines

We thought Chicago-based United Airlines would be resuming direct flights between Manila and Honolulu, but apparently, that’s not happening yet. Nonetheless, United is upbeat about increasing its four percent market share in the Philippines to double digits, with the possibility of new destinations to be added to its existing Manila-Guam and Koror (Palau) routes. According to Country sales manager Maria C. Perdon, there are a lot of Filipinos living in Guam and so the route has been quite profitable, stressing that United has been an online carrier in the Philippines consistently for 30 years.

Atlantic and Pacific Sales VP Jake Cefolia also disclosed that the airline is looking at profitable destinations it could serve like Cebu, and that the possibility of a Manila-San Francisco route is being explored. Cefolia says they are focused on reintroducing United to the Philippine market which has become increasingly attractive due to the expanding economy and its growing popularity as a travel destination.

As a matter of fact, the Department of Tourism has declared 2015 as a “Visit the Philippines Year” due to major events slated to happen in the country such as the APEC and of course, the visit of Pope Francis in January. A lot of foreign artists will be bringing their acts here, like Michael Buble whose concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday was sold out.

Named the “Airline of the Year” by Global Traveler, United serves 60 countries with 373 international destinations and 5,055 daily departures. Also named the Best North American Airline in 2014 by Business Traveller – a distinction it has held for 14 years in a row – United is the first global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi including on long-haul overseas routes.

Cefolia says they have retired old aircraft with lesser seats, replacing them with new ones with bigger capacity to accommodate the same volume of passengers but with lesser departures to maximize efficiency. The first (and so far the only) US airline to operate a Boeing B787 Dreamliner, United is also set to take delivery of 35 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft starting in 2018.

Investors bullish about Europe

Morgan Stanley investment analysts are predicting that for the first time since 2008, European businesses will outperform the US with a forecast of 10 percent growth. The euro has already slid to almost 20 percent against the dollar since March last year, and the weaker currency will make European exports more competitive, analysts say, adding that now would be a good time to buy Eurozone stocks.

That’s precisely what Asia’s richest man Li Ka-shing (with an estimated net worth of $31.4 billion according to Bloomberg) has been doing – going on a “European shopping spree.”  About a week ago, Li announced plans to buy UK phone giant O2 for as much as $15.4 billion. The billionaire’s flagship Cheung Kong Holdings also announced plans to purchase the British Eversholt Rail for $3.8 billion. Observers say these move,s from the 86-year-old businessman who has been given the moniker of “Superman” for his ability to make businesses profitable, is indicative of the weakened confidence with Hong Kong which has been racked by pro-democracy protests late last year.

Earlier this year, Li engaged in a major restructuring in his various businesses by placing them under two major listed entities and transferring the headquarters from Hong Kong to the Cayman Islands – a tax friendly and politically stable location.

Spy tidbit: Where is suspended

PNP chief Alan Purisima?

The FBI has denied any involvement in the planning and execution of the botched PNP operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the death of 44 members of the Special Action Force. The FBI however is analyzing a DNA sample sent by the PNP to determine if Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was the man killed by the SAF commandos.

Conspiracy theories continue to float with many convinced that suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima was the unseen hand directing the operations. Reports claim that the CIA provided intelligence information that include satellite imagery and tapped phone conversations between Marwan and his wife that helped triangulate the location of the terrorist. Although he was under suspension, Purisima continued calling the shots while PNP OIC Deputy Director Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas were kept out of the loop.

Despite being caught in the firestorm, Purisima has been conspicuously silent – and that’s because he has already flown the coop either to Saipan or Guam, a source claimed. Meantime, Filipinos are waiting for categorical answers and demanding that justice be served for the slain PNP men.

ASEAN Law Association to hold general assembly

Our friend Atty. Ave Cruz who happens to be the chairman of the ASEAN Law Association (ALA) Philippine National Committee informed us that they will be holding the 12th General Assembly in Manila from February 25-28 at the Shangri-La hotel in Makati. Lawyers, justices and judges from the 10-nation organization founded in 1979 will gather together in the Philippines for the first time since 1995.

ALA Philippines disclosed that it had been working closely with Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno as host for the summit meeting of all ASEAN chief justices slated this March in Boracay. According to Atty. Cruz, several workshops on various topics that include alternative dispute resolution, international law and trade and investment will be held for the duration of the assembly.

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