new airline assignment

NNIC assures NAIA changes will be gradual

Reforms will be in coordination with airlines.

San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), the private entity assuming management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on September 14, assured the public that airport operations will continue as usual upon their takeover.

In a statement, the firm said “Any future changes or improvements, including terminal reassignments, will be implemented gradually and strategically.”

Speaking at the recent Aviation Forum hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez emphasized that terminal reassignments will not be a sudden, one-time event.

Instead, it will be a carefully planned and phased process to be done in close coordination with airline stakeholders. These changes are part of a broader plan to modernize the airport and elevate the overall passenger experience.

He added that NAIA travelers can expect a smooth transition with minimal disruptions as NNIC will focus on gradual improvements and phased terminal changes over time.

Airlines have expressed concern during and after the forum over how the transition will be implemented.

AirAsia Philippines said it is waiting for “further thorough consultation with NNIC and other airport stakeholders on the plans to be implemented at the airport.”

The airline noted that it operates domestic flights via Terminal 2 (from Terminal 4) and Terminal 3 for international after it underwent Terminal reassignment last year as part of the MIAA Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program.

Under current plans, its domestic operations will be reassigned back to Terminal 4.

“Such terminal reassignment requires careful planning, including time and motion studies, consideration of environmental factors, and adequate time for implementation to minimize disruptions, especially as we are also nearing the peak season.

“In fully supporting NNIC’s great plans for NIAA, we trust that optimizing airport utilization will benefit everyone involved, especially our passengers who deserve the best experience possible,” it added.

Cebu Pacific Air also asked NNIC to ensure that all necessary operational support and systems are in place before any terminal changes are implemented.

It noted that, while it fully supports the long-term vision of NNIC, including the planned terminal re-assignments, it is vital that preparations are made for a seamless transition.

So that there is minimal disruption to passengers, Cebu Pacific said “a thorough consultative process and sufficient preparation time are essential for every terminal transfer.”

“In Singapore, it took us a year of discussions and coordination with both parties before we moved to Changi Airport Terminal 4 from the low-cost carrier terminal.

“This illustrates the critical need for comprehensive planning and cooperation in such transitions,” the carrier explained.

It noted that, “Ultimately, what matters most is ensuring minimal disruption for passengers, especially during peak travel periods like Christmas, which is the busiest time of year for us.”

NNIC will begin a major overhaul of the Manila's main airport, starting with terminal reassignments and initial rehabilitation efforts.

Alvarez said this takeover would boost terminal capacity from 35 million people yearly to 62 million. The runway efficiency will also increase from 40 movements per hour to 48.

For the first four years, Alvarez said they will focus on reassigning terminals, as “Terminal 2 will become purely domestic (PAL and Cebu Pacific), terminal 1 will be used by Philippine Airlines (international) and other foreign airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3 along with Cebu Pacific and AirAsia.”

To reduce congested traffic, the NNIC will expand and improve passenger terminals, landside and airside roads, and more parking facilities.

In the next five years of the operation, Alvarez stated that they would upgrade the terminals, equipment, and systems for safety and security purposes. This includes the passenger processing system upgrade, baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, and electrical and air conditioning.

Information Technology (IT) programs will be rolled out in phases starting this month until December of 2027, as they plan to install new CCTVs around terminal 3 as well as optimize free and faster public WiFi.

To boost passenger convenience further, NNIC said they will refurbish existing comfort rooms, have more terminal seating capacities, better retail service, and maintain the airport’s people movers.

Alvarez also acknowledged the need to address the power issue in terminals and said that they are planning to have a new substation exclusive to NAIA.

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Airlines call for smooth NAIA terminal transition; NNIC assures gradual shift

IMPLEMENTING terminal reassignments at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will need adequate time to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to passengers, local airlines said on Tuesday.

“To ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to passengers, a thorough consultative process and sufficient preparation time are essential for every terminal transfer,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

The Gokongwei-led budget carrier said discussions and coordination to transfer its flights from the Terminal 1 of Singapore’s Changi Airport to Terminal 4 took a year.

“This illustrates the critical need for comprehensive planning and cooperation in such transitions,” Cebu Pacific said.

According to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the terminal reassignment is included in its “quick fixes” plan for NAIA, which will be implemented within three months to a year following its takeover on Sept. 14.

“Ultimately, what matters most is ensuring minimal disruption for passengers, especially during peak travel periods like Christmas, which is the busiest time of year for us,” Cebu Pacific said.

Under the terminal reassignment plan of NNIC, Terminal 1 will be designated for Philippine Airlines, Terminal 2 for domestic flights, Terminal 3 for all foreign airlines including Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines’ international flights, and Terminal 4 for AirAsia Philippines’ domestic operations.

“Such terminal reassignment requires careful planning, including time and motion studies, consideration of environmental factors, and adequate time for implementation to minimize disruptions, especially as we are also nearing the peak season,” AirAsia Philippines said.

For flag carrier Philippine Airlines, the terminal reassignment should be further studied.

“We just need to identify the pros and cons of transferring to a terminal. And then if there will be cons that can be addressed, we can work it out together. I think that’s the most reasonable timeline to transfer,” PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Stanley K. Ng said.

GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION “Any future changes or improvements, including terminal reassignments, will be implemented gradually and strategically,” NNIC said in a statement.

NNIC General Manager Angelito A. Alvarez said these changes are part of a broader plan to modernize the airport and elevate the overall passenger experience.

“The standard objective for assignment in multi-terminal airports is to ensure, as much as possible, for each airline to be in one terminal to make flight connections easy,” said Nigel Paul C. Villarete, senior adviser on public-private partnership at the technical advisory group Libra Konsult, Inc.

He said bigger airlines or those with higher daily frequencies must be assigned first followed by smaller carriers or those with lesser daily number of flights.

“Of course, you need to consider the international and domestic flights because these need customs and immigration facilities,” Mr. Villarete said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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TRAVEL. Passengers fall in line before their respective flights at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, October 29, 2022.

MANILA, Philippines – Starting April, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will be reassigning flights to help alleviate the congestion plaguing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Under MIAA’s Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, which offer wider food, retail, and duty-free shopping options.

NAIA Terminal 2, previously used exclusively by Philippine Airlines (PAL), will handle only domestic flights.

“[Terminal 2] was really designed as a domestic terminal in the late ’90s. It was just converted into an international and domestic operation terminal by Philippine Airlines when they moved in,” MIAA Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan Co told DZBB’s Saksi sa Dobol B in a mix of Filipino and English.

Here’s how flights from various airlines will be adjusted under the STAR program.

Philippine Airlines

PAL will move all its international flights to Terminal 1. Beginning April 16, the flag carrier will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1. By June 16, all international flights of PAL would have moved to Terminal 1.

PAL Express – its regional brand – will continue operating local flights from Terminal 2.

For connecting flights from domestic to international destinations, PAL gave assurances that transportation between terminals will be provided.

“There will be some adjustments sapagkat may mga (because there are) connecting flights from domestic to international and vice versa. But our flying public can be assured na meron po tayong transport system (that we have a transport system), airside and land transfers,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said in the DZBB interview.

AirAsia Philippines

Starting July 1, AirAsia Philippines' domestic operations will move to Terminal 2, to decongest the small and often overcrowded Terminal 4. Currently, AirAsia’s local flights pass through Terminal 4 while its international flights use Terminal 3.

“Hinihiling namin na mailipat ang aming mga international sa Terminal 1 kasi po operational-wise, medyo magkalayo ang Terminal 3 at Terminal 2. So kung meron po kaming mga international guest na connecting papunta sa domestic, malayo po siya,” said AirAsia spokesperson Steve Dailisan in an interview on DZBB’s One on One: Walang Personalan .

(We’re requesting for our international flights to be moved to Terminal 1 because operations-wise, Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 are quite far apart. If we have international guests connecting to domestic flights, it’s quite a far distance to travel.)

Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific’s domestic network will remain in Terminal 3. Its turboprop aircrafts – operating under the regional brand Cebgo – will also continue to operate in Terminal 4.

Domestic airlines

Other domestic airlines will also be transferring terminals under the STAR program starting July 1 onwards. Budget airline Royal Air Philippines will be moving its domestic flights from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2. 

Sunlight Air will also be moving all its flights from the General Aviation Area – which handles aircrafts for chartered flights – to Terminal 4.

Foreign airlines

Co added that the operations of some foreign airlines will be moved to Terminal 3 to make space for PAL’s international flights. Initial movement of foreign airlines from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 will begin on April 16. Among the airlines affected are Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Japan, Scoot, China Southern Airlines, and Starlux Airlines.

Jeju Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, and Thai Airways will also move to Terminal 3 starting June 1.

Decongesting terminals and immigration

These changes come on top of terminal reassignments for PAL and AirAsia that began ahead of the holiday season in December 2022.

“With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5 million to 10 million passengers a year, 20% to 25% more than its current rate," said MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong.

Co also said the reassignments would address the surge in domestic tourism , given that domestic traffic is already at more than 110% of pre-pandemic levels.

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Asked whether Terminal 1 might become congested now that it has to accommodate more international flights, Co said the terminal is actually “a bit underutilized” since it has undergone improvements.

“If you’ve been to Terminal 1, it’s very different from the Terminal 1 that we know from the past dahil maganda na po ‘yung aircon at dumami na po ‘yung mga amenities natin (because the air-conditioning system is good now and the amenities have increased),” he said.

Co emphasized that the reassignment of flights would also cut the long immigration process, which has already caused passengers to miss their flights .

Despite lengthy interview, BI not paying for Filipina’s missed flight

“‘Pag napansin 'nyo when you arrive – especially, let’s say po, from international flights, like galing sa US, sa umaga – punong-puno po ‘yung pila natin doon sa immigration, hanggang sa paakyat ng hagdanan because those areas were never meant to have any immigration or Customs area dahil talaga pong ang design niya, tuloy-tuloy lang po ang daloy ng pasahero, katulad ng normal na domestic terminal,” Co said.

(If you’ll notice when you arrive – especially, let’s say, from international flights, like from the US in the morning – the immigration area is extremely crowded, all the way up to the stairs because those areas were never meant to have any immigration or Customs areas. The terminal was designed for continuous passenger flow, just like in a normal domestic terminal.)

Rather than having Customs, immigration, and quarantine operations spread out among three terminals, they would now only be focusing on Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Co said around 100 immigration officers would be redeployed from Terminal 2 to the other two international terminals.

“Therefore, ‘ yung mga resources like ‘yung mga immigration officers natin, imbes na nakakalat sila sa tatlong terminal, makapag-focus tayo sa dalawang terminal upang ma-improve po natin ‘yung pag-ma-man ng ating counters (our resources, such as immigration officers, won’t be scattered among three terminals. Instead, they’ll be focused on two terminals to improve the manning of our counters).” – Rappler.com

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New NAIA terminal assignments released, to start July 1 | ABS-CBN News

New NAIA terminal assignments released, to start July 1

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• PSA: New NAIA Terminal Reassignments Starting April 2023
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The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced the new terminal reassignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting next month.

Under the second phase of MIAA’s Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program, the international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, while Terminal 2 will be an all-domestic terminal.

Starting  April 16, 2023 , flights through these airlines will move to Terminal 3: Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China, Southern Airlines, and Starlux Airlines; on June 1, Jeju Air and Ethiopian Airlines.

On June 16, PAL flights will move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, while AirAsia flights will be reassigned to Terminal 2 from the original Terminals 3 and 4 starting Jul 1.

IMAGE from NAIA Facebook page

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chion said in a statement that the new reassignments may cause minor inconveniences and asked for the understanding of passengers.

It’s important to note that any changes or updates to NAIA terminal assignments would be communicated directly by the airport authority or the airlines themselves. It’s always best to check with your airline or the airport authority for the most up-to-date information on terminal reassignments before your scheduled flight. For more updates, follow MIAA on Facebook or visit its official website .

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MIAA announces new terminal assignments for airlines effective April 16

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Saturday announced the new terminal assignments for several airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) beginning on April 16.

The new terminal assignments are as follows:

From Terminal 1 to Terminal 3

* JetStar * Jet Asia * Starlux * Scoot * China Southern

From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1

* Philippine Airlines flights to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh

“Please make sure to double-check your flight information before heading to the airport,” the MIAA said in an advisory.  — Ted Cordero/VBL, GMA Integrated News

When will Southwest start assigning seats? What to know after airline announces big change

Southwest airlines has been known for its unique "open boarding" model for more than 50 years., published july 25, 2024 • updated on july 25, 2024 at 4:12 pm.

One of the most famous features of Southwest Airlines is about to change.

In an announcement Thursday, the company said it will "redesign the boarding model" by eliminating open seating and instead move forward with assigned seats and premium seating options. The airline also plans to add overnight redeye flight routes, the announcement said.

📺 24/7 Chicago news stream: Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

"After listening carefully to customers and conducting extensive research, Southwest decided it will assign seats and offer premium seating options on all flights," the announcement said. "The airline has been known for its unique open seating model for more than 50 years, but preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred."

Officials began studying customer preferences and expectations around the onboarding process in April, the announcement said, with the new changes designed to "elevate the customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive Shareholder value."

The airline said it will release more details about the plan, including a timeline, during an investor meeting in September.

Following the announcement, here's what we know right now.

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The decision was based on customer preference, the airline said.

"The research is clear and indicates that 80% of Southwest Customers, and 86% of potential Customers, prefer an assigned seat," the announcement said.

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The announcement went on to say that customers who stopped flying Southwest and instead chose to fly with a competitor citied open seating as the top reason for the change.

"By moving to an assigned seating model, Southwest expects to broaden its appeal and attract more flying from its current and future customers," the announcement added.

The company also said the changes were part of "modernization efforts" part of already implemented improvements, including faster Wi-Fi, in-seat power chargers and larger overhead bins.

Will any Southwest flights have open seating?

According to the announcement, Southwest Airlines will move forward with assigning seats "on all flights."

The airline will also begin offering "premium extended legroom" in some parts of the cabin, the announcement said, though cabin layout details were still in design.

Officials in the announcement said a "refreshed" cabin design was underway, with "new, more comfortable RECARO seats ."

When will Southwest start assigning seats?

More details about the changes regarding product designs, cabin layout, timing and more will be announced in late September, the airline said, adding that the move to assigned seating will be "significant."

"In addition to incorporating new technologies and procedures for a seamless transition, the new cabin layout will require approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration," the airline said.

According to the announcement, Southwest expects to make bookings available on the new layouts in 2025.

When will Southwest start flying redeyes?

Booking on initial routes for overnight flights begins Thursday, the announcement said, with the first overnight flight set to land on Valentine's Day of 2025 in five markets: Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore.

The plan is to phase in additional overnight flights in the coming schedule's officials said.

This article tagged under:

Watch CBS News

Here's why Southwest is assigning seats — and what it means for customers

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: July 25, 2024 / 5:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Southwest will start selling assigned seats , marking a major shakeup of a signature policy that has set the low-cost carrier apart from airlines for half a century. The new policy, announced Thursday, will make flying Southwest look and feel remarkably different for customers. 

The shift will affect how customers of the discount carrier select seats and board planes. Southwest passengers, including longtime fans of the open seating policy,   will also be able to choose different types of seats for a price, including those offering more legroom. These changes could affect ticket costs across the board, according to experts, although Southwest has not addressed pricing or indicated that regular seat costs will change. 

Some experts are cheering the move, saying it amounts to an improvement for both passengers and the airline. 

" Southwest's decision to start assigning seats and plan to add extra-legroom seats prove an old dog can learn new tricks," Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS News. "It will make their flights more orderly and comfortable. And it should also improve the airline's bottom line as well."

Southwest will begin selling tickets with assigned seats beginning in 2025. The airline will reveal additional details around changes to the flight boarding process in September. Here are three ways flying Southwest could change. 

Assigned seats

Southwest is ending its open seating policy, in which customers find a cabin seat on a first-come, first-serve basis. When the changes go into effect next year, customers will purchase tickets with assigned seating, eliminating some of the stress associated with the current boarding process. 

"It's a pretty big change for Southwest, which always had an open seating system, and you had to run into the cabin and try to find the seat you want," Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, told CBS MoneyWatch. 

Henderson said this turned off some business travelers like himself from choosing to fly Southwest, and he predicted the change could attract a new crop of customers to the airline.

"Many business travelers don't want to fight for a seat and deal with the drama that sometimes entails," Henderson said. 

Tensions can run high on airplanes too, with testy passengers quibbling over limited and sometimes shared real estate.

"Since the pandemic, airline passengers may be less cordial and less amicable," said airline customer experience analyst Marbue Brown. "There are certainly benefits to environments where there is no ambiguity about who owns a seat."

Some seats will have more leg room

In addition to assigned seats, Southwest will introduce premium seating, offering passengers extended legroom on one-third of a cabin's seats. 

Southwest already lets customers pay to be first in line to board aircraft, "but this is a much bigger change now, with premium seats available for purchase," Going.com's Keyes said.  

The airline is likely responding to travelers' penchant for more premium travel experiences following the pandemic, according to Keyes. "The demand is for premium economy, business class and better seats, which Southwest doesn't have to offer," he said. 

Southwest's seats already offer more legroom than traditional carriers', which has been a selling point for the airline. They come with 32 inches of space, versus the industry standard of 30-31 inches. It's possible Southwest's new cabin configuration could shrink its current standard of 32 inches of space, some experts said.

"They haven't announced the new cabin design, but the most likely outcome is we're going to see that 32 inches of legroom to start to shrink for main cabin, and for it to be more like 31 or 30," Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, told CBS MoneyWatch. "That's normal for people who are used to flying American or United, but cramped for people who fly Southwest." 

Price changes

The new cabin configurations could drive up ticket prices across the board because Southwest's aircraft might contain fewer number of total seats, industry analysts said. On the other hand, the dramatic policy changes could be price-neutral, depending on how Southwest redesigns its plane cabins. 

"Some folks will pay more for extra legroom, and, based on how you reconfigure planes, you might not have to raise prices on other seats," Brown said. 

What remains to be seen is whether Southwest will introduce a bare-bones, basic economy-type offering. 

Currently, all tickets come with free checked bags and free   changes. "But might they start to offer an economy package that includes more restrictions on baggage? That's something we'll have to wait and see," Keyes said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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Second phase of NAIA airline terminal assignment starts in April

The second phase of Manila International Airport Authority’s Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program will commence in mid-April

The program will turn ninoy aquino international airport terminal 2 into a purely domestic facility, under star, international flights will be reassigned to terminals 1 and 3.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will begin the second phase of its Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program in mid-April which will transform Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 into a purely domestic facility.

RELATED READ: NAIA Terminal 2 to become purely domestic hub by July

Under the program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, MIAA said in a statement .

“With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5M to 10M passengers a year, 20 to 25% more than its current rate,” said MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong, noting how taking out infrastructure such as immigration counters would free up space for expansion.

Under the STAR program, MIAA said it will be able to assist Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine in improving its manpower deployment in Terminals 1 and 3 by realigning their staff to the two terminals.

The new NAIA airline terminal assignment will be as follows:

• Beginning April 16, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3.
• Also on April 16, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1.
• On June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will move to Terminal 3.
• From June 16, all international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1.
• For the third phase of the program, beginning July 1, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2.

While the MIAA works on further expanding the capacity of Terminal 2, domestic operations of Cebu Pacific will remain in Terminals 3 and 4 for the meantime, MIAA said.

These changes cover most part of the new NAIA airline terminal assignment that began in December 2022 when PAL flights to and from the United States, the Middle East, Canada and Bali were relocated to Terminal 1.

“The STAR program is a well-studied undertaking. We met with affected airlines and stakeholders to make sure they come up with their readiness plan as part of these changes. We advised them to get in touch with their affected passengers so they can inform them of the new terminal assignments.

“While we are planning for a seamless transition, there could be some minor inconveniences during this period hence our appeal for understanding as this is part of our strategic program to improve the overall experience of our customers,” Chiong said.

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MIAA sets new terminal assignments in NAIA starting April

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Sunday announced the new terminal assignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) amid the second phase of its Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program.

According to the MIAA in a statement, under the STAR program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, where there is a wider selection of food and retail stores for passengers.

This transfer would increase the capacity of Terminal 2, which the MIAA recently announced will be converted into an all-domestic terminal.

READ: MIAA transfers domestic flights to Naia Terminal 2

“With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5 [million] to 10 [million passengers a year, 20 to 25 percent more than its current rate,” said MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong.

Under the new scheme, MIAA will be able to assist Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) in improving its manpower deployment in Terminals 1 and 3 by realigning their people to the said terminals.

Starting April 16, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines, and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1 on the same day.

On June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will move to Terminal 3, while all other international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1 on June 16.

Third phase of STAR

On the other hand, for the third phase of the STAR program, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2 beginning July 1.

The MIAA also announced that while it works on further expanding the capacity of Terminal 2, domestic operations of Cebu Pacific will remain in Terminals 3 and 4 in the meantime.

Chiong also warned passengers that the program may cause some minor inconveniences, but vowed that the MIAA will strive for a “seamless transition.”

“The STAR program is a well-studied undertaking.  We met with affected airlines and stakeholders to make sure they come up with their readiness plan as part of these changes. We advised them to get in touch with their affected passengers so they can inform them of the new terminal assignments,” said Chiong.

“While we are planning for a seamless transition, there could be some minor inconveniences during this period hence our appeal for understanding as this is part of our strategic program to improve the overall experience of our customers,” he added.

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PSA: These Are the New NAIA Terminal Assignments Starting April 2023

NAIA Terminal 2 will be an all-domestic airport in July. by Ina Louise Manto | March 28, 2023

Do you have travel plans this 2023? You’ll want to take note of these new terminal assignments. As a part of the second phase of the Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced new terminal assignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

International flights to Terminal 1 and 3

On April 16 , some foreign airlines such as Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Japan, Starlux Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Scoot will be transferred to Terminal 3.

Philippine Airlines flights to Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Singapore will also move to T3 on the same day. PAL’s other international flights will also move to Terminal 3 on June 16, 2023.

On June 1 , more international airlines, Jeju Air and Ethiopian Airlines, will also move to Terminal 3.

Domestic flights to transfer to Terminal 2

Currently, Terminal 2 is exclusive to PAL flights. But starting July 1, all domestic flights, except those with Cebu Pacific , will move to Terminal 2 as part of STAR program’s third phase.

AirAsia Philippines ’ domestic flights will also move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2.

With these changes, Terminal 2’s capacity will increase from 7.5 million to 10 million passengers a year, as shared by MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong.

No changes for these airlines

Philippine Airlines  domestic flights and PAL Express will remain in Terminal 2.

Cebu Pacific ’s domestic and international flights will remain in Terminal 3, while Cebgo will be in Terminal 4.

Airasia Philippines ’ international flights will also stay in Terminal 3.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chion shared in a statement that the new reassignments may cause minor inconveniences and asked for the understanding of customers.

At a glance

Save this for future reference:

For more information and updates, follow Manila International Airport Authority on Facebook . and visit their official website .

Arriving in the PH: How to Use the New eTravel Declaration System Arriving in the PH: How to Use the New eTravel Declaration System Ina Louise Manto | Dec 07, 2022

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NEW NAIA ( Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal Airline Assignments

September 10, 2024 at 2:13 pm

The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), NAIA’s new operator has suggested new airline assignments for domestic and international flights and airline companies. They will take over the airport’s oerations starting September 14, 2024.

General Manager Angelito Alvarez announced that Terminal 1 will be exclusive to Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Terminal 2 will serve domestic flights for PAL and Cebu Pacific Air.

Terminal 3 will accommodate all international carriers such as from Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and other international airlines.

Terminal 4 will be mostly for AirAsia domestic flights.

However, these changes won’t be immediate and no specific dates are given for these reshuffled airline assignments to take place.

“There is really congestion at the airport. If we maintain the status quo, you can just imagine the impact on the passenger experience. We need to do something while the Terminal 2 expansion is still to be built,” he added.

There are also news that the new management will be proposing higher Terminal Fees for NAIA next year!!!

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Get ready for assigned seats: Southwest Airlines ushers in big changes

It's the end of an era at Southwest Airlines.

After more than 50 years , the airline is getting rid of its open seating policy.

In a press release Thursday, the Dallas-based airline acknowledged "preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred." The airline hopes moving to assigned seats and revamping its boarding process will broaden Southwest's appeal to both new and existing customers, four out of five who prefer assigned seats, according to the airline, which did not give an exact date for the switch. More details are expected in late September.

Assigned seating is just one is one several major operational changes in store. Southwest also plans to introduce premium seating options on all flights and introduce red-eye flights.

"While specific cabin layout details are still in design, Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom, in line with that offered by industry peers on narrowbody aircraft," the airline said.

Southwest already unveiled a cabin refresh earlier this year and is in the middle of upgrading its fleet with changes announced in 2022, including in-seat USB charging and stronger Wi-Fi .

Booking for the airline's new red-eye flights opened Thursday. The first overnight flights will land next Valentine's Day, in five initial nonstop markets:

• Las Vegas to Baltimore
• Las Vegas to Orlando
• Los Angeles to Baltimore
• Los Angeles to Nashville
• Phoenix to Baltimore

The airline plans to eventually roll out red-eye flights to other markets and offer 24-hour operational capabilities.

The sweeping changes aim to add value for both customers and investors.

"Our goal is to restore industry-leading margins and historical levels of shareholder returns through our comprehensive plan to deliver transformational commercial initiatives, improved operational efficiency, and capital allocation discipline," Southwest's President, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Jordan said in a separate press release, announcing second quarter earnings . Operating revenues were up 4.5% year-over-year and hit an all-time quarterly high of $7.4 billion.

The airline's earnings have been under pressure in recent quarters, partly because of delays in plane deliveries from Boeing, which have impacted revenue and worsened cost pressures. Southwest is also facing pricing pressure as industry-wide overcapacity has dampened domestic airfares.

Contributing: Reuters

MIAA announces new terminal assignments in NAIA starting April 2023

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on Sunday the new terminal assignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting April. This is inline with the second phase of its Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program, making NAIA Terminal 2 into an all domestic facility.

The MIAA said in a statement that under the STAR program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, where a wider selection of food and retail stores are available for passengers to enjoy.

“With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5M to 10M passengers a year, 20 to 25% more than its current rate,” said MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong.

Under the new scheme, MIAA will be able to assist Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) in improving its manpower deployment in Terminals 1 and 3 by realigning their people to the two Terminals.

Beginning April 16, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines, and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3.

On the same day, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1.

On June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will move to Terminal 3.

Meanwhile, all international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1 on June 16.

For the third phase of the STAR program, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2 starting July 1.

The MIAA also stated that while it works on further expanding the capacity of Terminal 2, domestic operations of Cebu Pacific will remain in Terminals 3 and 4 for the meantime.

These changes cover most part of the new terminal assignments that began in December 2022 when PAL flights to and from the United States, the Middle East, Canada and Bali were successfully relocated to Terminal 1.

“The STAR program is a well-studied undertaking. We met with affected airlines and stakeholders to make sure they come up with their readiness plan as part of these changes. We advised them to get in touch with their affected passengers so they can inform them of the new terminal assignments,” Chiong further said.

“While we are planning for a seamless transition, there could be some minor inconveniences during this period hence our appeal for understanding as this is part of our strategic program to improve the overall experience of our customers,” he added.

Lianne Micah Asidera

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Simple Flying

How will southwest airlines’ new boarding policy work.

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• Southwest Airlines is shifting to assigned seating due to 80% customer preference and to reduce check-in stress.
• Some loyal customers are unhappy with the change, but price and convenience might outweigh seating preferences.
• In addition to assigned seating, Southwest will offer premium seating options with extended legroom on flights.

Southwest Airlines, known for its unique open-seating model, is making a big change. Passengers will now be assigned seats by the airline, aligning it with conventional airlines. The airline says that this change is a reaction to consumer demand.

The old era

For over five decades, Southwest's open-seating policy has been a defining feature. In this model, passengers received a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a position number (1-60) based on their check-in time. Passengers then lined up in numerical order and chose any available seat once onboard. However, recent surveys show that times are changing: According to the company, about 80% of customers now prefer assigned seating, especially for longer flights. This prompted the airline to rethink its boarding strategy.

When asked for specifics on the new seating arrangements, a Southwest spokesperson told Simple Flying:

"Nothing that specific from us right now. As our release indicates, more to come at Investor Day in September."

Why Has Southwest Airlines Persisted With Unallocated Seating?

What's in it for the US-based carrier?

One significant stress point that Southwest Airlines aims to eliminate with the new assigned seating policy is the pressure to check in exactly at the 24-hour mark before a flight. Under the current open-seating system, passengers need to check in as soon as the check-in window opens to get a good boarding position. This boarding position is crucial because it determines the order in which passengers board the plane and choose their seats. Missing this window, even by a few minutes, often results in less desirable seat choices, causing anxiety and inconvenience for many travelers.

Ryan Green, the executive vice president for commercial transformation, explained during the company's second-quarter earnings call:

"If you're a busy family and you don't hit the window right on the nose, that causes anxiety. This is a way to solve a lot of those friction points in the current open seating process."

Customer reactions: "Terrible decision"

This isn't Southwest's first venture into the world of assigned seating. Back in 2006, the airline tested the idea on 200 flights out of San Diego and then again in San Antonio. At the time, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly noted that customers made their preferences clear: they preferred open seating.

The airline's decision faced some criticism on social media platform "X" (formerly known as Twitter). Disappointed customers called it a "terrible decision," with some claiming that the company is losing their loyalty. “Awful, awful decision. Southwest has been my airline preference my whole life because of the open seating.” A person tweeted.

In response, Southwest's social media team replied to the comments, "We're sorry to hear you're disappointed with our decision to assign seats. We know that assigned seating is not preferable for every Customer, and we will make your feedback available to our Senior Leaders."

A comment under Simply Flying's reporting on the policy change said :

Travel expert and Going.com spokesperson Katy Nastro told Simple Flying that price (and convenience to some degree) will be the deciding factor.

"Southwest loyalists are demonstrating just that on social media, but the company is making changes more so to appease investors, not their frequent flyers. If Southwest can offer competitive pricing and an option to stretch out, loyalists won't stay away."

Nastro added that the overwhelmingly high response favoring assigned seating is likely due to the challenges people face with open seating. She highlighted that reports of passengers saving seats for family and friends or requesting wheelchair services for priority boarding demonstrate the downsides of the open seating policy and why some choose not to fly Southwest in the first place. Additionally, with more people traveling than ever before, turnaround time is affected, especially if carry-on bags need to be checked. Southwest is betting that their flyers will embrace assigned seating, even if old habits die hard.

What about the Rapid Rewards program?

Other airlines often allow passengers to use award points to redeem assigned seats, offering flexibility and added value to frequent flyers. This feature was absent in Southwest Airlines' open seating policy, where passengers couldn't use their points to secure specific seats in advance. With the shift to assigned seating, there is speculation about how Southwest will adapt its Rapid Rewards program to accommodate this change.

Southwest Airlines' spokesperson didn’t provide details on the potential impacts or changes. However, travel expert Katy Nastro noted that there will likely be some benefits integrated into their co-branded credit cards, similar to how they currently offer a set number of boarding position upgrades per year for cardholders. While it's still early to determine the exact effects on seat redemption, the move could align Southwest more closely with industry practices, enhancing the appeal of their rewards program.

The Different Tiers Of Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards Program

Southwest Airlines has a simple elite system, but with some benefits in mileage bonuses and onboard savings

Premium seating options

In Addition, Southwest Airlines is rolling out premium seating options with extended legroom for those who like a bit more space. Approximately one-third of the seats on each flight will offer extra legroom, bringing Southwest in line with what competitors offer.

Southwest Airlines is introducing premium seating options with extra legroom for passengers who desire a bit more space. Around one-third of the seats on each flight will feature this added legroom, aligning Southwest with industry standards, though the basic seating will remain the same.

Bob Jordan, Southwest’s president and CEO, explained:

“It’ll be different from the rest of the cabin, but it won’t involve a separate seat, a curtain, or premium meals and amenities. We’ll do this the ‘Southwest way.’”

Southwest has done its homework, running over eight million simulation-based boarding trials to ensure the switch to assigned seating won't slow things down. The airline is confident that the new system will maintain or even improve boarding times.

"This is the right choice at the right time for our customers, our people, and our shareholders," said Jordan. The move to assigned seating aims to enhance customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and boost revenue.

This new seating policy is part of a broader plan to improve the passenger experience. Southwest is also redesigning its cabin layout to accommodate these changes. However, this new layout will need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with bookings for flights featuring the new layout expected to be available in 2025.

Southwest also plans to introduce overnight flights starting in February 2025. These red-eye flights will likely operate on the following routes:

• Los Angeles to Baltimore
• Los Angeles to Nashville
• Las Vegas to Baltimore
• Las Vegas to Orlando

These flights are anticipated to bring in more revenue and cut costs, according to the company.

• North America

First look: What Breeze Airways, the new airline by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, brings to the skies

It took a while, but Breeze is finally flying.

The new startup airline from serial aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman — the founder of JetBlue — made its first flight today after years of waiting and speculation.

The airline, which had originally been codenamed "Moxy" back in 2018, plans to connect midsized markets with nonstop flights, focusing on cities that are too small for major carriers to serve beyond flights to their hubs.

The carrier will phase in 39 new routes across 16 cities between today and the end of July.

Most of the routes will be concentrated around four focus cities: Tampa; New Orleans; Charleston, South Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia.

But there'll be a handful of flights outside those cities – so called "point-to-point" routes like Hartford to Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh to Providence.

Selling Breeze

David Neeleman is many things , but all of his hats are dwarfed by his biggest role: salesman.

Say what you will about the man's business plans and airline network models (which have all been highly successful), his ability to sell new routes , service and destinations is the ultimate secret to his success.

That's why, as crazy as it seems to launch a new airline during the pandemic, Breeze has attracted a great deal of excitement — arguably more than its peer startup Avelo, which launched last month in Burbank, California.

Breeze's inaugural flight departed at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday from Tampa to Charleston, South Carolina.

Airline inaugurals — whether for new routes, new planes, or new carriers — tend to feature considerable pomp and circumstance at the gate. While the pandemic has dampened the tone of the festivities over the past year, there was no shortage of fanfare in Tampa for Breeze's debut.

Neeleman, the consummate showman , pulled out all the stops.

I arrived at Tampa airport at about 7:45 a.m. with my colleague Zach Griff, with plenty of time to spare before an 8:15 a.m. press conference.

The presser began a few minutes late, and featured comments from Neeleman and local officials. A strong turnout from local TV and print media was there to witness it.

Although Breeze says it will participate in TSA PreCheck , the PreCheck clearance didn't come through on my boarding pass — nor did it for any other passengers I spoke with — meaning I'd have to go through the full security process. To allow some extra time for the potential hassle, I left the presser to head to the gate a few minutes early.

I got lucky — I was in a screening lane that was trialing the TSA's new CT bag screening process , so I didn't have to take my laptop, iPad, camera, three lenses, flash, and assorted liquids out of my bag.

Once through security, it was easy to find my gate — it was the one with the singer, the swag table, the giant cake, and the balloons. Classic Neeleman splash, though it was a scene that seemed perfectly appropriate for a brand new airline.

The gate area was packed. The first flight sold out in 30 minutes, with a large contingent of aviation enthusiasts, reporters, bloggers, and others snagging all of the seats.

I enjoyed the festivities for a few minutes — including a quick slice of cake — before boarding the plane early to get photos, and then heading down to the ramp with an escort (thank you, Kendra!) to get photos of the plane — and of Neeleman spraying a ceremonial bottle of champagne on the plane.

After that, it was time to board for real.

Cabin and Departure

Breeze plans to reduce costs and expedite its launch by initially leasing 118-seat Embraer E195 jets from Azul, as well as 108-seat E190s from Nordic Aviation Capital. That means low capital costs to start. The airline is also in agreement to purchase 60 new Airbus A220-300 jets , which can hold up to 160 passengers. Neeleman said he expects the first delivery in October, with one delivery a month after that through the next few years.

The inaugural flight was aboard one of the E195s, tail number N190BZ operating as flight MX1. MX, the airline's IATA code, appears to be a nod to Moxy (its ICAO code is MXY). Of course, "MX" is also the code for "mechanical issue" in aviation parlance, so hopefully it isn't a sign of things to come.

The E195 features 30 rows in a 2-2 configuration — aside from row 1, which only has seats on the right side of the aircraft, the E and F seats.

The first five rows are Breeze's extra-legroom seats, part of the "Nicer" fare, as are the seats in the exit row (row 14).

Nicer fares come with an extra legroom seat: depending on the row, that's 33 to 39 inches of pitch on the E-190s, and 34 to 39 inches on the E-195s. Nicer fares include a full-size carry-on and a checked bag, a drink and snack, and earn 4% BreezePoints.

Nice fares, the airline's hybrid of standard and basic economy, come with a standard seat without a seat assignment — all seats are in a 2-2 configuration — with 29 inches of pitch on the E-190 and 31 inches on the E-195. Nice passengers can bring a personal item — a full-size carry-on or checked bag will cost extra — and earn 2% BreezePoints.

Fresh wind coming: Breeze puts first 39 routes on sale for as little as $39

The other one: Startup Avelo was going to launch in East, but it went West to capitalize on rivals' cuts in California

Seat assignments start at $10 each, although families traveling with children 12 and under can pick seats for free. Checked bags — and carry-on bags, for Nice fares — are $20 each, one-way, for up to three bags.

I went with the Nicer fare, mostly to get the included carry-on bag, but also to see how the "premium" cabin experience on the ultra-low-cost-carrier (ULCC) actually was. I was in seat 1F, the bulkhead window seat on the right. It felt like I had the upper end of that 34-39-inch range of legroom.

The cabin has been cleaned up and retrofitted since the planes were received from Azul, and although that "new plane smell" isn't quite as strong as on a brand new aircraft, the cabin is bright, clean, and comfortable.

Importantly, at least to someone like me who always tends to feel overheated, individual air vents are available at every seat.

The seats were well padded and comfortable for a sub-2-hour flight — and I say that as a passenger whose back screaming in protest from a week of travel and hauling a heavy backpack.

My only request would have been adjustable winged headrests, which the seats don't have. But, again, on the short flights that these E-jets will be operating, that's a luxury that I can do without.

One of my favorite things about inaugurals is how excited the airport and airline workers are. The captain came into the cabin before we left to welcome everyone on board the inaugural, and as we pushed back, ramp workers were standing around us taking photos, while a row of Breeze employees waved us off.

And, of course, we had a traditional water cannon salute from Tampa Airport Fire and Rescue.

After a short taxi, we were airborne!

A nice flight

Breeze received some criticism for its unusual flight attendant staffing plan, initially centered on recruiting college students from Utah Valley University, offering them housing and full tuition reimbursement as payment for in-state students (out-of-state students would receive a $6,000 annual scholarship).

After Breeze failed to recruit enough flight attendants that way, the company began to hire other applicants on four-year contracts.

A 118-seat passenger jet must be staffed by at least three flight attendants, according to FAA rules. This flight was staffed by six — three certified flight attendants, and three trainees.

One of those trainee flight attendants, Krissy Wiley, told me that she joined the program as a UVU student in order to pay for school while also getting to travel.

The inflight leader, Michael Miller, on the other hand, had years of experience in airlines, working for JetBlue, Emirates, and ultimately Delta for a decade, where he was a flight attendant before assuming various leadership roles.

Miller said he took a buyout offer from Delta during the early stages of the pandemic, and was excited to come to Breeze to get back in the air. In addition to working as a flight attendant, he will be in charge of the airline's four flight attendant bases — the four hub cities.

Normally, the airline plans to offer a range of snacks and drinks for purchase on board (or complimentary for Nicer passengers).

But the airline's provisioning plan hadn't been finalized with vendor LSG prior to launch. So until that's settled, the airline will offer all passengers complimentary mini water bottles along with either a bag of potato chips or a small granola bar.

Another thing not yet in place: in-flight entertainment.

While the airline says it will have streaming entertainment available on the Embraers, that was not ready for launch on the inaugural. Notably, these planes won't have internet connectivity despite the planned availability streaming movies and TV shows. The airline says that full internet connections will be available on the A220s, which will operate longer flights.

After a brief but fun time in the air, chatting with airline employees, other Avgeeks, and past- and current colleagues, we began our descent into Charleston.

I was the first off the plane, and was met by a scene that was smaller than the one in Tampa, but just as festive. Local media was out in force, and Neeleman was ready to greet the crowd.

Final thoughts

The Breeze business model makes sense, given the incredibly low costs the airline will incur. Neeleman is leasing the Embraer jets inexpensively, and says he has managed to keep operating costs low through a variety of measures. Even with relatively low aircraft utilization, the concept has potential.

Whether that continues to be the case as Breeze takes delivery of the A220s is another question. Even with a fantastic deal, those planes will cost Neeleman significantly more, putting additional pressure on his margins.

Even though the airline's long-term prospects will be an open question, there are a few things we can know for sure now.

The Breeze experience is overall pleasant and comfortable — an easy experience for a point-to-point flight.

There are still some bumps to smooth out, but those didn't interfere with the overall experience as the airline began operations.

In-depth: Neeleman tells TPG Breeze will use a 'see how it goes' approach to succeed. And business class — eventually

Finally, David Neeleman knows how to sell, and he does it well. Even for those with doubts about Breeze's long-term prospects, there's no denying that Neeleman's record speaks for itself: the man knows how to build and sell an airline. Why should this time be any different?

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Air Warfare SMR

Personnel shortages may force us air force pilots to fly non-fighters.

U.S. Air Force pilots graduating from training courses with the T-38 Talon may be required to fly non-fighter or bomber aircraft as a result of pilot shortages, according to a new Air Force policy.

The challenges in pilot inventory were outlined in an August service memo reviewed by Defense News and confirmed by an Air Force official.

Described in the document as a “significant but necessary policy change,” the move shifts the traditional assignment flow for T-38 pilots, who now may be matched to fly non-fighters or bombers.

“We are 1,848 pilots short, with 1,142 of those being fighter pilots,” the memo states. “While we would prefer to send every qualified T-38 graduate to a fighter [Formal Training Unit], circumstances dictate that we utilize available capacity to maximize pilot production. In the near term, in addition to traditional fighter/bomber assignments, T-38 graduates will be matched to additional T-6 [First Assignment Instructor Pilot] assignments and opted for non-fighter/bomber aircraft.”

Due to personnel challenges, some breaks between pilot training and assignment to a formal training unit have exceeded one year, the memo adds.

Brig. Gen. Travolis Simmons, the director of training and readiness and deputy chief of staff for operations with Headquarters Air Force, told Military Times that the delayed starts at the fighter FTUs are “due to a combination of sustainment and manpower challenges.”

Despite recruitment challenges for the service last fiscal year, the Air Force is working to rebound through attracting new talent.

For now, the document describes how T-38 students will prioritize all aircraft, not just fighters and bombers, on their “dream sheets” to ensure an accommodation of preferences. It also outlines that the students may volunteer for non-fighter and bomber opportunities.

“The Air Force has always assigned aircraft based on Air Force needs, platform availability, student preference and student class ranking,” Simmons said. “Even with the recent policy shift, those core tenets remain the same.”

He added that while the policy change is meant to optimize available resources, as capacity and needs evolve, pilots affected by the policy change may have the option to “voluntarily crossflow to fighter/bomber aircraft.”

T-38 Talon engine repair woes could slow pilot training for months

The air force expects pilot training shortfalls through the end of the fiscal year, and that the j85 enterprise won’t fully recover until april 2024..

The Air Force memo also notes the service intends to return to a regular assignment flow as quickly as possible.

The final pilot production numbers for fiscal year 2024 will not be available for release until later in the calendar year, Simmons said.

Jonathan is a staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media

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Infineon introduces the XENSIV™ PAS CO2 5V sensor for higher energy efficiency and improved air quality in buildings

Sep 16, 2024 | Market News

Munich, Germany – 16 September 2024 – In order to further drive decarbonization, improving the energy efficiency of buildings is crucial, as they contribute significantly to global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Innovative solutions are needed to optimize energy consumption while ensuring a healthy indoor environment. Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) is addressing this need with the introduction of the new XENSIV™ PAS CO2 5V sensor. It is based on the Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) technology and improves energy efficiency by adapting ventilation to actual occupancy, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. This makes the device suitable for applications such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as room controller and thermostat units in commercial and residential buildings. It can also be used for IoT and consumer devices such as smart lighting, air purifiers, conferencing systems, and smart speakers, as well as emerging applications such as smart horticulture and smart refrigerators.

“Environmental sensing is an important pillar of Infineon's sensor portfolio,” said Andreas Kopetz, VP Ambient Sensing at Infineon. “CO2 sensors play an increasingly important role in smart homes and buildings by continuously monitoring indoor air quality and adjusting ventilation systems accordingly. Our XENSIV PAS CO2 5V is a sensor solution that ensures a healthier living environment for occupants and enables significant energy savings for greater sustainability.”

The XENSIV PAS CO2 5V provides accurate air quality data in real time. Its miniaturized form factor of 14x13.8x7.5 mm³ is identical to the size of the XENSIV PAS CO2 12V sensor and allows seamless integration into a wide range of applications. This makes it easy to adopt dual designs or maintain the same design strategy for both product variants. Compared to the 12V sensor, the 5V version comes with a 5V power supply which further simplifies installation. Moreover, it offers a significantly faster response time of 55 seconds, down from 90 seconds (12 V). This improvement enhances efficiency across various applications, allowing for quicker data acquisition and more responsive performance in dynamic environments. The sensor's design is dust-proof in accordance with ISO 20653:2013-02, which extends the lifetime of the device in dusty environments and minimizes maintenance requirements. In addition, the UART, I²C and PWM interfaces enable seamless integration with microcontrollers and other digital systems, simplifying the design and development process. Ultimately, with its robust performance, the sensor meets the performance criteria of the internationally recognized WELL™ Green Building Standard, enhancing both environmental sustainability and property value.

All major components of the XENSIV PAS CO2 5V sensor are developed in-house according to Infineon’s high-quality standards. Among others, this includes a dedicated microcontroller that runs advanced compensation algorithms to provide direct and reliable ppm readouts of real CO2 levels. The available configuration options make the sensor one of the most versatile plug-and-play CO2 sensors on the market. They include a dedicated ABOC (Automatic Baseline Offset Calibration), pressure compensation, signal alarm, sample rate and early measurement notification, which are especially useful for power consumption management. The SMD package, delivered in tape and reel, allows for easy assembly, even in high-speed, high-volume manufacturing.

Availability

The XENSIV PAS CO2 5V is available now.

Further information is available at www.infineon.com/co2 .

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The company has around 58,600 employees worldwide and generated revenue of about €16.3 billion in the 2023 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

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A gunman was captured with a witness' help after apparently trying to shoot former President Trump at his Florida golf course. Trump is OK.

• Help from Witness

California county official stripped of committee assignments amid COVID fraud allegations

by RAY LEWIS | The National Desk

SANTA ANA, Calif. (TND) — A California county official was removed from his committee assignments Tuesday amid allegations he helped embezzle millions in pandemic relief funds.

The Orange County, California Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to remove Supervisor Andrew Do, R-1st District, from his assignments. The board said it couldn’t dismiss Do altogether, but the council agreed with an agenda item to strip him of his appointments to multiple panels.

Fox 11 Los Angeles reported the committees included the National Association of Counties, the Orange County Emergency Management Council and the Orange County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, among others.

“We can’t remove, but this item before us now, Item Number One, to remove him from these kinds of commissions and boards is a critical step in making sure that we show transparency, we do this before the public, so it’s important that we do this together and as a unified board,” Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, D-2nd District, the resolution's sponsor, said.

Supervisor Katrina Foley, D-5th District, accused Do of stealing public funds. She and Sarmiento said they supported censuring Do, claiming he will not resign.

Unfortunately, we’re having to do this because he will not resign. And, we hope that he will resign, because he should not continue to be publicly enriched off of the taxpayers when he: one, isn’t doing his job, and two, is embroiled in a terrible corruption scandal,” Foley said.

Do is accused of directing millions of dollars through his district discretionary fund to the Viet American Society, an organization that employed his daughter, according to The Orange County Register . The Viet American Society was reportedly designed to help distribute meals to seniors and residents with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the organization allegedly instead used much of the funds to buy personal property.

Sarmiento suggested the board approach the subject of Do's involvement with the council “deliberately” since it understands what he and his office are facing.

“We know that the residents in District One don’t have a representative that’s as available as he should be. And so, I feel for those residents,” Sarmiento said. “I want to make sure that they understand that the board is still going to be representing, carrying out the business of the public and of the people."

Do did not return The National Desk’s request for comment prior to publication.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at [email protected] .