SEAIR, Skyjet lose air operator certificate on 'safety shortcomings' 

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has ordered the suspension of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of low-cost carrier South East Asian Airlines International Inc. (SEAIR) and leisure airline Magnum Air Inc. (Skyjet) for "various safety shortcomings." 

 

The decision was based on a report by the European Union Assessment Team on the observations and data from an assessment visit on April 16-24 . 

 

In a letter to SEAIR President Avelino Zapanta and Magnum Air official Capt. Teodoro Fojas, CAAP said both airlines failed to meet the rules and standards prescribed under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).

 

The results of the assessment visit and the CAAP investigation point to the need for both airlines to apply proper and immediate "corrective actions," CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss lll said. 

 

According to the CAAP letters, the EU team gathered 15 observations on SEAIR's operations that include management structure, safety management system, accident prevention and flight safety program, and flight data management.

 

In the case of Magnum Air, the EU team reported eight observations covering flight data monitoring, quality assurance, and airworthiness and maintenance control.

 

The suspension will remain in effect until CAAP is assured that the airlines made the necessary changes to comply with aviation safety standards. 

 

SEAIR is the second oldest airline brand in the Philippines founded in 1995. Focusing on leisure travel, the airline pioneered commercial flights to Boracay via Caticlan and Busuanga in Coron, Northern Palawan. 

 

It also opened up Batanes to the tourist market and provided uninterrupted access to domestic locations such as Jolo and Tawi-Tawi.

 

Magnum Air has dubbed itself as the "country's first boutique leisure travel" airline. It started operations in December 2012, and offering flights from Manila to Batanes, Coron in Palawan, Boracay, Kalibo, and Baler. It uses a fleet of the 80-seater British Aerospace Jet BAE-146 series 100, the same aircraft used by the British royal family. – Trisha Macas/VS, GMA News