Zapanta is new Seair president

South East Asian Airlines (Seair) announced yesterday the appointment of Avelino Zapanta as its new president.

The appointment of Zapanta, the former president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), was effective Dec. 1.

"With Mr. Zapanta at the helm, Seair is poised for greater heights. His 40 years of experience in the airline industry will prove to be invaluable to Seair’s continuous success in years to come," said Patrick Tan, vice president for commercial affairs of Seair, during a press conference in Makati.

Zapanta had led the national flag carrier to unprecedented levels of profitability.

"I believe that my appointment to this position comes at the right time as Seair faces new challenges with its growth and expansion. My main focus is to further strengthen the airline’s goal of providing the quickest and most convenient means of travel to the county’s finest tourist destinations," said Zapanta.

Zapanta also announced the delivery of two A320 Airbus planes on the first quarter of 2007.

The planes are set to operate in domestic and regional routes as soon as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) grants the necessary regulatory approvals.

"Seair will continue to pump additional investments for its long term plans. The field of opportunity for expansion has widened with the inevitable push for greater liberation of the aviation industry, emergence of new breeds and models of airlines, coupled with the potential for greater growth of tourism in the country," said Zapanta.

Seair flies to 18 routes to 14 local tourist destinations including Manila to Caticlan (Boracay) and Cebu; Clark in Northern Luzon; Busuanga, Cuyo, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Rodriguez in Palawan Province; Camiguin, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.

It has currently a fleet of three Dornier 328s and nine Let 410s.

From revenues of P300 million in 2004, Seair has earned almost a P1 billion in 2006.

The company expects to double its revenues or more, by expanding its passenger capacity with the use of the new fleet of A30 Airbus planes by next year, Zapanta said. — Sandy Araneta