Enrile hails new airline partnership

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile today lauded the recent partnership of new local airline SEAir with Singapore-based Tiger Airways as a move that would redound to Philippine economic development as a whole.

"This partnership will not only promote increased regional tourism but also create more job opportunities for Filipinos," Enrile said.

"We need to encourage more of these partnerships. More tourist arrivals and more investments in tourist services and facilities would create a multiplier effect on the overall economy, allowing the government to earn more revenues that can in turn be used to fund vital infrastructure projects and social services, especially for the poor," Enrile added.

Enrile noted that the partnership would also allow SEAir to offer the lowest possible fares to both international and domestic travelers in the Philippines.

During the 14th Congress, Enrile, in his capacity as chairman of the Public Services Committee, sponsored the franchise of SEAir.

Enrile was presented with a model Dornier airplane by SEAIR President and CEO Avelino Zapanta and Patrick Ang, Vice President for Commercial Affairs, during their recent courtesy call at the Senate.

Capt. Chris Ward, Director for the Philippines of Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. informed Enrile that Tiger Airways will purchase a 32.5 percent stake in SEAir Inc. which will enable the Philippine company to significantly expand its network of services.

Also present during the meeting with Enrile, apart from Zapanta, Tan and Ward, was Atty. Celine Cua, Director for Corporate and Legal Services of SEAir.