© STAR/File PLDT rebrands aviation arm on expected air charter boomMANILA, Philippines — PLDT Inc.’s aviation arm Pacific Global One Aviation (PG1) is undertaking a major rebrand as it hopes to capitalize on the expected boom in the air charter business.
PG1 is expecting the global air charter business to take off in the next three years as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic plateaus.
“We have been getting a lot of inquiries, especially from corporations, on our air transport services. Companies are looking for a safer way to travel as the government gradually eases restrictions and opens up the economy,” PG1 OIC-president Leo Gonzales said.
The PG1 Aviation hangar in Pasay City houses two helicopters and one airplane. Its Bell 429 can seat five passengers and can fly from Manila to as far as Laoag up north or Cebu down south.
The AgustaWestland AW139, on the other hand, is a medium-sized helicopter that can carry eight passengers and can reach most destinations in Luzon and the Visayas from Metro Manila.
PG1 said the model is also popular among governments and private charter operators around the world.
The company said the expected growth in the air charter services market in the next few years would be driven by the passenger segment, as well as the rising demand for cargo services.
“Pacific Global One Aviation is sending a clear message that the company is constantly evolving, striving for perfection, and positioning itself ahead of the competition. We will be working on mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations with companies whose target market also aligns with PG1,” PG1 general manager Arnold Picar said.
PG1 is updating its logo as part of its rebranding efforts, signaling a new era in its business as the company “heads into the horizon with the mission of becoming the gold standard in private air transport leading the industry in operational safety, service excellence, and customer satisfaction.”
As the company charts its course into the next normal for air transport, it said it is guided by three values – safety, efficiency and reliability.
PGI is the only aircraft charter company in the country that utilizes full-time two-pilot operations.
“On all flights, two aviators share the workload in the cockpit. This protects them from fatigue, allowing them to focus more on the mission, thus ensuring passengers’ safety,” it said.