Helicopter Ridesharing Service Wants You to Beat Metro Manila Traffic

With so many bridge and road closures for various roadworks in Metro Manila making the traffic practically unbeatable, Singapore-based technology startup firm Ascent wants to give you an advantage by launching its helicopter ridesharing service "which is expected to provide an alternate mode of transportation to commuters and contribute to efforts to ease traffic congestion in the country."

"Despite being one of the fastest growing business hubs in Southeast Asia, Manila's traffic situation is also one of the most challenging in the region," said Ascent Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff in a press briefing. "With the launch of Ascent in the Philippines, we hope to provide a solution that is highly relevant to the current times' economic and productivity pitfalls caused by congested roads."

According to Ascent, it will utilize Bell 429 and Airbus H125 helicopters operated by INAEC Aviation Corporation. As for the rates, it ranges from PHP6,900 per person for a seven-minute flight from Bonifacio Global City in Taguig (via the V&A Law Center) to Makati (via The Peninsula Manila) or vice-versa to as much as PHP25,900 per person for a 30-minute flight from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (via the INAEC Manila Hangar) to the Clark Freeport Zone (via the INAEC Clark Hangar) or vice-versa.

Ascent also offers services such as luggage transport, on-ground guest assistance, airport transfers via helicopter, and shuttle services to dedicated heliports and corporate packages.

"We have received significant traction from the business community whether national or international," said Sinai-Sinelnikoff. "The other segment is the individuals that look for certain way of life and can afford the price range."

Ascent is looking to tap into the high-end tourism market in the Philippines for its flight services as well as expand into more locations in the Visayas and Mindanao within this year and other Southeast Asian countries in the next few years.

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