Flight 2P247 from Cebu to Davao had to return to Cebu last Wednesday, 14-September apparently due to problems with its left engine with the airplane or airline requesting for for priority landing.

Apparently while airborne, a warning light panel signified engine malfunction which forced the pilots to head back, upon landing safely the maintenance crew apparently did not find any issue and that both engines of the aircraft where working as expected with the issue isolated to the warning light and is considered a malfuntion, this of course is according to the airline, not sure what the Civial Aviation Authority says about it or even if it will investigate it which they should! do we even have an equivalent to the National Transportation Safety Board in the US?

Majority of the passengers where transferred to another 2P flight and aircraft with 15 passengers cancelling the entire trip from fear? well, not entire out of the ordinary, I think I would have second thoughts if I was in their place.

So, that big of a news for what turned out to be a warning light malfunction? this should not be taken lightly, with the affordability and necessity of taking to the air than other transport methods and considering the Philippines is an archipelago, no issue should be too small for the Philippine aviation industry, every effort must be exhausted to ensure safety while on the ground and in the air.

Apart from this order, SQ is due received its 13th A380 in France and is due to receive another next month, complete delivery of all 19 ordered is expected to be complete by 2014.

SQ may further order an unspecified number of either Boeing's 777-300ER or Airbus A350-1000 but are still waiting for more details on Boeing's plane.

Airlines are in the news a lot lately due to aggressive long term expansion plans and positive outlook of the future. Just this week, Cebu Pacific also announced its fleet expansion and the recent enormous order from Air Asia as well. The one thing we can conclude, the future is bright in aviation.

It would seem that factors such as growth of the middle class in emerging countries especially in Asia and the rise of Asian tiger economies lead to growth also in the aviation industry aside of course from tourism.

Increase in long haul and regional flights are to be expect for tourism across the region and over continents due to business from the west coming to the east as what appears to be the trend now a days with IPOs in HK and massive expansions of European and American companies in Singapore and China.

SQ has about 107 aircraft's in its fleet, a good mix of Airbus and Boeing planes but majority of the planes are from Boeing as there are only 36 Airbus planes with the rest from Boeing. Although, 5 747's are due to be decomissioned in 20124 777-300 are to be returned to the leasing company. Also to note, base on orders, SQ will get 41 new planes from Airbus while there are only 8 firm orders from Boeing.

The Philippines and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding recently for this.

Travel between both countries are concentrated on the Ho Chi Minh to Manila flight and introduction of direct flights from secondary cities in both countries would certainly be new avenues for increased collaboration and business opportunities.

Vietnam Airlines is a member of Sky Team and have codeshare agreements with some Sky Team members and others outside the group including Philippine Airlines. The airline also appear to have a couple of Dreamliners(Boeng 787) in order which could have deliveries start by 2015 and a handful of A380's which also might come in 2015.

The airline is unique as it does not have a First Class cabin, the highest being Business Class with Delux Economy which can be compared to Premium Economy and Economy to round up the cabin configuration.  Delux Economy is only available on Boeing 777 flights.

Looks like this is an airline to watch for in 2015.

As it is, 5J already have the newest fleet in the Philipines and in contrast to PAL(PR) is generating income and aggressively expanding domestically and in the region. 5J has previously announced the order of 30 new A321neo and 7 A320 expected to be delivered between 2015 and 2021.

I'm looking forward to them getting the A321neo as I think that will lead to increased flights to regional destinations and introduction of new ones. I'm still let down that 5J only has 1 daily flight between Singapore and Cebu, I hope these new aircrafts with increase the flights.

5J will increase flights from Manila to Boracay, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Naga. New routes will also be introduced, such as Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi flights and Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo.

This 1982 Australian film with superb acting by Kirk Douglas playing dual roles effortlessly and I did not even notice it was him until almost in the middle of the movie. I found this from one of the online list of gread Australian movies and seeing Kirk's name on the bill just added a bit to my curiosity.

This feels a lot more like it was made in 1970 than 1980 but nonetheless, it still is good. The story is based on a poem by Banjo Paterson which also shares the same title.

This is a story of lad growing up and seeking his own place in the world after he is left alone when his father dies. Tom Burlinson as the lead is really good and it really feels like he started out young with a lot of naivete and as the story unfolds he learns the ropes faces his own demons and overcomes them. Tom's acting is as good as Kirk's but I think Kirk's dual role was the highlight and was just exceptional acting with good directing as even when both roles where face to face, without using so much special effects which was a limitation at the time, the scenes where flawless and seamless.

This movie was so successful that there was a sequel, The man from snow river 2 in 1988 but it did not have Kirk to reprise his role. This a real down under film without hiding it, there are scenes where it sometimes feels like a american western film, but it recovers with great Australian scenes and accents from the actors.

Good to watch in the morning or for brunch during weekends, not for everyone's taste especially for those not interested in western genre or oldies movies.