CAAP lifts ZestAir suspension, clears three planes for take off

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday said Zest Airways Inc., operator of budget airline ZestAir, was no longer suspended from flying in Philippine skies after the company was able to address safety issues raised by government inspectors.

 

The suspension of ZestAir's Airline Operator’s Certificate (AOC) was lifted Monday evening, CAAP deputy director general John Andrews said in a text message to reporters. “The suspension order on the AOC has been lifted,” he said.

 

Three ZestAir planes were also cleared by CAAP airworthiness inspectors under the Flight Standards Inspectorate Service (FSIS) on Tuesday while the government continued to inspect other ZestAir aircraft, Andrews noted.

 

“As of now, three aircraft has been released for flight. Other aircraft inspected requires closure on some open items, and will be cleared once closed,” he said.

 

ZestAir director Joy Caneba noted in a separate text message the positive response of CAAP only proves that the carrier is compliant with aviation safety standards.

 

“This is a relief and welcome news that cooperation between CAAP and the airline is more productive. This confirms that ZesAir has been operating following the standards required and will continue to do so,” Caneba added.

 

She said CAAP cleared ZestAir planes as of Tuesday despite the bad weather that hampered the inspection. “They have released three of our 11 aircraft for flights. Inspections cannot continue because of the weather,” Caneba noted.

 

Andrews met with ZestAir president and chief executive Alfredo Yao on Monday. The CAAP official noted the meeting was “fruitful” and ZestAir vowed to comply with the issues raised by government's aviation inspectors.

 

Caneba said the airline is now in “rescue” mode to accommodate flights that were hit by the suspension since Friday evening. “We have to rescue flights first to accommodate the canceled flights during the suspension,” Caneba said.

 

“We will go back to normal operations as soon as possible, and because of this we are more determined to be the best player in the market — be bigger and give only the best service to our passengers,” she added. 

 

On Friday, CAAP ordered ZestAir's AOC suspended citing six aviation safety issues in violation of the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation (PCAR) that include the absence of an accountable manager, ass well as failure to check aircraft logs, flight manifest, and weather.

 

CAAP noted the airline also failed to present an airman license (aircraft mechanic license) during ramp inspection. There were also a series of occurrences that affected flight operations. Inspectors also discovered that refueling were being done while passengers were onboard, and pilots were having excessive flight time duties. 

 

The low cost carrier was placed under heightened surveillance last July.

 

The airline estimated it was losing at least P70 million in revenues for each day it was suspended.  — VS, GMA News