Summary
WCC Aviation, Inc., operating as Sky Pasada, is an airline based in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines owned and operated by the Guico family. Founded in 2010, it primarily serves the northern Luzon provinces of Batanes, Cagayan and Isabela as well as the city of Baguio from its hub at Binalonan Airport.
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| Founded | February 19, 2010 | ||||||
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| AOC # | 2009015[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 5 | ||||||
| Destinations | 8 | ||||||
| Parent company | WCC Aviation Company | ||||||
| Headquarters | 960 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109 | ||||||
| Key people | Capt. Ramon V. Guico III (Chairman and CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
History edit
SkyPasada started in 2005 as the WCC Pilot Academy (now WCC Aeronautical and Technical College), an aviation school established by World Citi Colleges, which was an educational institution in Cubao, Quezon City founded by the Guico family of Binalonan, Pangasinan. In 2008, the aviation school began operating from a private airstrip that the family built in Binalonan.[2][3]
On 19 February 2010, the Guico family founded SkyPasada and began offering charter flights to various destinations in northern Luzon after it signed a memorandum of understanding with the local governments of Batanes, Cagayan and Isabela to launch the Northern Luzon Aeronautical Highway.[4] The aeronautical highway is a project of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is a cousin of the company's founder.[5] Its initial routes include flights from Tuguegarao to Maconacon, Isabela and Basco, Batanes, flights from Cauayan, Isabela to Maconancon and Palanan, Isabela, as well as a flight from Laoag to Batanes.[6] In June 2010, the company began offering flights to Baguio via Loakan Airport and Boracay via Caticlan Airport.[7][8]
On 1 July 2010, the airline temporarily suspended operations after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines ordered the company to repair its fleet of two Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft to conform to international standards. It resumed operations on 29 May 2011.[9][10]
Destinations edit
As of January 2023, Sky Pasada flies to the following domestic destinations:
- Basco - Basco Airport[11]
- Binalonan - Binalonan Airfield[12]
- Calayan - Calayan Airport[13]
- Cauayan - Cauayan Airport[14]
- Maconacon - Maconacon Airport[15]
- Palanan - Palanan Airport[16]
- Tuguegarao - Tuguegarao Airport[17]
Fleet edit
As of April 2024, Sky Pasada's fleet includes the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Notes | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Let L-410 Turbolet | 2 | RP-C8070, RP-C3889 | ||
| GippsAero GA8 Airvan | 3 | RP-C1018, RP-C1019, RP-C1020 | ||
| Cessna 208 Caravan | 1 | RP-C1943 | ||
| Total | 6 | - |
Incidents edit
- On 9 February 2012, Sky Pasada flight SP0633, a Let L-410 operating from Basco, Batanes to Itbayat, Batanes, overran the runway due to strong winds. As a result, the landing gear of the aircraft was destroyed.[18]
References edit
- ^ "ACTIVE/CURRENT AOC HOLDERS" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. May 30, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "The WCC Story". www.wccaviation.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Micua, Leonardo (19 February 2010). "PGMA launches first aeronautical highway in the North". balita.ph. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "PGMA receives from Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr. the MOA to promote development of the North Luzon Aeronautical Highway". balita.ph. 20 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Corsino, Nikka (10 June 2010). "Arroyo cousin's airline launches Baguio, Batanes flights". GMA News Online. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "PGMA opens "Aeronautical Highway" of Northern Luzon". balita.ph. 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "'Sky Pasada' offers flights to Baguio". ABS-CBN News. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Agreda, JM (20 May 2010). "Air travel starts Baguio flights". SunStar. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Palangchao, Harley (4 July 2010). "Baguio back to no fly zone after Sky Pasada puts on hold flights". www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Catajan, Ma. Elena (5 July 2010). "Sky Pasada to slash cargo rates for vegetables". SunStar Philippines. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Basco, Batanes". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Binalonan, Pangasinan". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Calayan, Isabela". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Cauayan, Isabela". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Maconacon, Isabela". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Palanan, Isabela". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Tuguegarao, Cagayan". skypasada.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Sotelo, Yolanda (10 February 2012). "Strong winds push plane off runway in Batanes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 30 January 2021.