Air21 bags airport services deal

MANILA, Philippines - A forwarding company formerly run by Bureau of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina bagged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)’s airport bus services deal, an official said yesterday.

LTFRB executive director Roberto Cabrera said only Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21) qualified for the airport bus services out of the three companies that submitted qualification documents to the board.

“After evaluation of the accreditation committee, we are hereby qualifying Air21 as the only company that passed the qualification process. It is the first airport bus company, which will service the Ninoy Aquino International Airport route and NAIA – Makati business district route,” Cabrera said.

He said Jam Liner Inc. and Froehlich Tourist Bus Inc. submitted their qualification documents, but failed to meet the requirements.

Cabrera said the losing companies may still join the next phase of bidding for airport bus services, which will start in December this year.

Air21 was given six months to produce 50 percent of the 42-bus fleet requirement and start operating two routes by February next year.

The LTFRB ordered Air21 to submit all the necessary documents for the issuance of the franchise for the service airport bus terminal.

The company will invest at least P420 million to acquire 42 buses that will operate from 4 a.m. to 12 midnight.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez earlier said that 24 buses would take the route from NAIA to Roxas Boulevard and nearby areas.

Airport buses have a maximum of 24 seats with four closed-circuit television cameras, GPS devices and free wireless Internet connections.

The buses have a fixed fare of P300, which is cheaper than metered airport cabs.