This will be just a short update to let you have some good news immediately. At long last, we have now acquired an ATR72-500 for our Alphaland Aviation fleet. This is a 68- seater airplane and perfect for our Manila/Balesin and Balesin/Manila routes. Enclosed is a photo of the plane being now painted with our livery colors in Toulouse, France.
 
The aircraft will be ready for delivery from Toulouse on February 18 and should arrive Manila on February 22. After completing all the regulatory paperwork, the aircraft should be serving you during the last weekend of this month. I think that you will all be pleased regarding the features and performance of this aircraft, over a thousand of which are flying for airlines all over the world but mostly in Europe. The Manila/Balesin route flying time will now be under 20 minutes and more than three times the capacity of the largest aircraft in our fleet today, the Jetstream 32. 
 
We are also finalizing the lease for our hangar in Clark so that those of you who prefer to fly from Clark can do so by March.  As we have been able to drive a good bargain in acquiring this aircraft, we will no longer have to pay the exorbitant charter costs. Thus, the most important news for all of our members is that with effect from March 1, the flight costs to Balesin and return will be reduced from the present Php8,000 + VAT to:  
 
Weekdays  
Mondays through Thursdays  
Php 6,000 + VAT  
(a reduction of Php2,000 per round trip flight)  
 
Weekends 
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays  
Php7,000 + VAT  
(a reduction of Php1,000 per round trip flight) 
 
The above rates are applicable for members only (to include spouse and children below 25 years old). Guests will continue to be charged the same amount of Php8,000 +VAT round trip as at present.  With these new lowered rates, we hope to see more of you in Balesin to enjoy our fabulous island!