PLDT’s PG1 aviation rebrands, expands services

The aviation arm of PLDT, Pacific Global One Aviation (PG1), boards on a major rebrand. It expects the global air charter business to take off in the next three years.

“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,” said Arnold E. Picar, General Manager.

The company embarks with the logo, showing off a modern look with bold colors, solid lines, and aviation elements that speak of its legacy and ambitions. According to PG1, the new logo colors blue, gold, and white embodies trustworthiness, sophistication, and safety. However, the striking text leaves a strong impression, while the updated badge indicates a new era in PG1’s business. It 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 PG1 claims.

“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,” said Leo A. Gonzales, OIC-President.

PG1 has cited the impact analysis by global technology and market research firm, Technavio, stating that the global air charter services market will grow by more than USD 7PHP 411INR 593EUR 7CNY 51 billion by 2024. Further, the biggest driver identified is the passenger segment, but there’s also growing demand for cargo services as well. Meanwhile, based on the said report, in a worst-case scenario, the pandemic’s impact is expected to normalize in the first quarter of 2022. The global health crisis has affected air travel, hitting carriers and air taxi operators worldwide in 2020.

Nevertheless, PG1 claims to map its course into the next normal for air transport. Pacific Global One Aviation is the only aircraft charter company in the Philippines that utilizes full-time two-pilot operations. It has two aviators on all flights, sharing the workload in the cockpit. PG1 mentioned that this protects them from fatigue, allowing them to focus more on the mission to ensure passengers’ safety.

The Pacific Global One Aviation hangar in Pasay City houses two helicopters and one airplane. The Bell 429 can seat five passengers and fly from Manila to Laoag up north or Cebu down south. The AgustaWestland AW139 is a medium-sized helicopter that can carry eight passengers. It can reach most destinations in Luzon and the Visayas from Metro Manila. The model is also popular among governments and private charter operators around the world.

PG1 also operates a twin-engine turboprop, the King Air 350. The aircraft can accommodate eight passengers and fly to all domestic points with airfields of at least a kilometer long. The plane can also ferry passengers to nearby Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

In November, one of the company’s choppers shipped Smart engineers and equipment to Catanduanes after the island province was cut off from the rest of the country in the wake of Super Typhoon Rolly. The flight mission was significant in helping Smart quickly repair downed sites and become the first network to restore mobile services in the province within a week. The company also flew healthcare personnel and medical supplies across the hospital network of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. all over the Philippines to augment the workforce and replenish stocks in critical locations.

Furthermore, Pacific Global One Aviation is expanding its menu offering. Aside from ferrying corporate clients and individuals with ultra-high-net-worth, the company can also fly cargo, perform medical evacuations, and lease out an area at its hangar for clients who want to park their own aircraft.

You may visit the Pacific Global One Aviation website for more information.