MOTORINGJULY 2019 95But traffic jams can be
avoided, especially if you have
the means. To beat the metro
gridlock, you have to take to
the skies. Sounds ridiculous?
Well, when money is no object
and you can’t afford to be
late for a business meeting,
you can book a helicopter-
sharing service.Move over, carpool. Airpool
is here. Although sky rides
come with sky-high costs,
it can shorten your one-
hour rides to a measly
5-minute trip.GRIDLOCK SAVIOR
WORDS AYIE LICSI
Metro Manila traffic
has gotten so bad that
a typical 30-minute
trip turns into 1 to 2
hours of waiting in
your car. Instead of
spending time doing
more productive
things, you’re stuck
in a bumper-to-
bumper sitch.
Here are Ascent Urban
Air Mobility’s takeoff and
landing points:
NAIA - INAEC Manila Hangar
Bonifacio Global City - V&A
Law Center
Quezon City - SM City
North EDSA
Makati - The Peninsula Manila
Mandaluyong - Rockwell
Business Center Sheridan
Pasay - Conrad Hotel Manila
Clark - INAEC Clark Hangar
Tagaytay - City Track OvalDoes your job require you to
travel to many different locations
throughout a day? If your
schedule doesn’t allow you to
get stuck in traffic, fly to your
meetings. Thankfully, Helicopter
charters like AirTaxi.PH offers
membership packages, which
include perks such as consumable
fees and priority access to
aircrafts. Your ride will take you
from one destination to your next
with the membership. You can
even split the air fare with other
members if you choose to take
joint flights.Laps of luxury
Aside from taking helicopter taxis
for business meetings, you can
also book one for leisure
purposes. Everything about
chopper rides sounds fancy. Just
the thought of traveling on a
helicopter brings out a person’s
boujee side. The beautiful
sights, VIP treatment, quicker
commutes? Who would say no
to these luxuries? Booking a
helicopter ride sounds a lot like
fulfilling fantasies.Treat your date right by taking
them to a ride on a chopper.
Nothing says romantic like a view
of the sunset on the beach and a
view of the beautiful city skyline.
Other charter services like
PhilJets, Airgurus, and Aero-
Tours offer rides that show
glimpses of breathtaking
sceneries. These sites have
rosters of tours to different
locations in and out of the
metro including trips to El
Nido, Boracay, Coron, Taal, and
more. Although these aren’t on-
demand, you can customize
your tour and ask for a quotation
of the expense. Now, go plan that
dream date.Race against time
Commuting within Metro Manila
can be taxing, but withAscent
Urban Air Mobility, booking a
helicopter on demand is easy with
just a few clicks. Their website
lists all the available flights, its
price, and time of departure
right when you need one. With
hangars all over the capital near
the business districts, you can
pick which destination is most
convenient for you. A seat on a
flight from Makati to BGC, for
example, costs P6,900 per head.
This will shave your 30-minute
ride down to a 3-minute flight.