May 15, 2025
by Jon Lorence Panelo
For the past five years, AISAT’s BS Aviation Management Major in Airline Operations has grown from having ten pioneer graduates to having more than a hundred students for the academic year 2024-2025. As the first in Mindanao, AISAT’s AvM continues to have its many firsts even five years after its inception. From the first training to the first electives and even the first pinning ceremony, AvM has become AISAT’s home of the many firsts.
To kick off the 2nd semester, AISAT AvM held the first Sabre GDS Virtual Training last January 21-24, 2025, at the AISAT computer laboratory. The training was facilitated by Mr. Ariel de Leon, MM, Technology in Airline Operations Instructor, and participated by around 35 2nd-year and 3rd-year AvM students. The training taught the participants how most travel companies use a GDS (Global Distribution System) to book flights. Sabre is recognized worldwide and fully compliant with IATA’s (International Air Transport Association) GDS requirements. The airlines using Sabre include American Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, and Singapore Airlines, among others.
From the pioneers’ Japanese Language 1 and 2 electives, the current AvM students have now selected Inflight Catering 1 and 2 as their electives. AISAT’s Inflight Catering 1 tackles cookery from vegetable slicing to preparing a full-course meal. Meanwhile, Inflight Catering 2 covers food and beverage services, from wine service to mixology and even coffee brewing. To conclude the inflight catering experience, the 2nd- and 3rd-year AvM students facilitated the first AvM Culmination: A Taste of Inflight Excellence. Held last May 14, 2025, at the student lounge, the 2nd-year AvM students prepared an appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert, while the 3rd-year AvM students did the table setup, fine dining service, and event management. With in-house judges from the AvM faculty and guest judges from the AISAT mixed faculty and staff, the event showcased how AISAT’s AvM students are competent and industry-ready.
On the next day, May 15, 2025, the AISAT AvM department, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, conducted the first DOT Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training. The training invited Ms. Joji Parondo-Ang, MM, DOT FBSE Trainer and iCHEF Dean, and Mr. Genil Rae Timkang from DOT Region XI. The training was attended by around 50 AvM students, AvM faculty, and Ms. Faye Kintanar, AISAT Marketing and Admissions Officer. The training covered the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence journey; the 7Ms of service excellence; the G.U.E.S.T. steps consisting of greet and engaging, understanding expectations, educating, satisfying expectations, and thanking; and the heart of service recovery. As both a training and a workshop, there were activities throughout the training, including correctly portraying the signature “Mabuhay ug Madayaw” and the “Salamat po, Ingat po” greetings.
To end the academic year, an Aviation Management Night will be held at the Ruemango Apartelle and Suites on May 31, 2025. The event includes the 3rd AvM Pinning Ceremony with the theme “Elevating Dreams, Empowering Leaders” and Industry Talks featuring AvM interns, alumni, and industry practitioners. With AISAT Aviation Management, truly, AISAT is the best! AISAT excellent!