Member’s Updates – ACTSI Parking in Subic Bay, Philippines
AsBAA caught with Jerry Wong, Director of Business Development at Aviation Concepts Technical Services, Inc to discuss ACTSI’s 18,000 square-meter hangar facility located in the Freeport zone in Subic Bay (SFS/RPLB).
Please tell us in less than 100 words about the facility?
ACTSI, a world-class facility based in a strategic location at Subic Bay International Airport, Philippines (SBIA). Transformed the SBIA, a former United States Navy Base, into a hub for business aviation in the Asia Pacific region. Under a 25-year partnership (and additional 25-years optional) with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), ACTSI is committed to providing hangar parking, corporate jet Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services and aircraft corrosion preventive solutions at SBIA, to ease the congested hangar parking and maintenance burdens in the region in our 18,000 square-meter hangar facility.
ACTSI has recently received the FAA part 145 Repair Station Approval. We are capable to provide Line Maintenance and 1A/1C for Gulfstream G450/G550/G650 and expanding to 4A/4C. We also have our battery shop for ni-cad and lead-acid batteries and are in the process of adding G280 to our approval.
In light of the aircraft restrictions at Subic and travel restrictions in and out of Clark zone, please advise the latest information on travel restrictions in and out of the Philippines for the crew.
We checked with local handlers for updates and things are quite fluctuating. This is the most updated information as of this morning (02 April 2020)
- Currently, Manila airport provides limited international flights, 7-9 flights daily to HK, Taipei, Tokyo, Brunei, Doha, and Seoul.
- Clark International Airport will suspend all commercial flights, effective 03 April 2020.
- Road transfer to/from Manila airport is feasible, each vehicle can accommodate one driver to bring/fetch one passenger at the airport, providing the passenger and driver carry a copy of passenger airline ticket as proof of conveyance at the checkpoint.
- As per advisory from Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on 23Mar, foreign airline crew members are allowed to enter/exit the Philippines, subject to applicable quarantine procedures.
- Received the latest information this morning (2Apr), all foreigners are not allowed to enter the Philippines now until 14Apr, the exception is foreigners with permanent visa and spouse of Filipino citizens. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) only allows foreign flight crews with quick turnaround operations in the Philippines. Operating crew in the Philippines with Commercial flight out Philippines and Commercial flight in Philippines with an operating crew out the Philippines are currently not allowed.
**Remark: Entry/exit restrictions are subject to change according to the COVID-19 development **
When restrictions ease after the COVID crisis, what can users expect from the facility?
- 24/7 operations
- RNAV available
- Capable to support indoor parking, Line Maintenance, and Base Maintenance.
- World-class facility and services standard with compatible rates.
What are the top three benefits of this facility over other regional options?
- Gulfstream focused on a team of experienced Gulfstream experts.
- World-class facility and services standard with compatible rates.
- Within 3-4 hours of flight time for major cities in the region.
What are the top three benefits of this facility over other regional options?
- Gulfstream focused on a team of experienced Gulfstream experts.
- World-class facility and services standard with compatible rates.
- Within 3-4 hours of flight time for major cities in the region.
How is ACTSI managing the current crisis?
- ACTSI fully complies with the government’s arrangements and closely communicates internally.
- Our colleagues stay in 5 different locations, including the US, Manila, Subic Bay, Clark, and Hong Kong to receive the most updated COVID-19 information from different channels.
- We started working from home since early March to better protect our employees from exposing to the public areas.
- We have an internal daily meeting to keep each other updated and ensure all of us have enough self-protection supplies, such as face masks and hand wash, etc.