CAAP suspends Zest Air for failing flight standards

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has suspended Zest Airways Inc., operator of low cost carrier ZestAir, from flying in Philippine skies for failing to comply with flight standards since the airline was operating without an accountable manager. 

 

“It is informed that your Air Operator Certificate is suspended and hereby precluded to engage in air carrier operations,” wrote CAAP officer-in-charge John Andrews in a letter dated August 16 and addressed to Alfredo Yao, ZestAir chairman. 

 

The suspension, Andrews noted, was in light of “results of heightened monitoring and surveillance” of the airline done “after serious deviations and infractions of rules and standards under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).”

 

According to CAAP, ZestAir was operating with no “accountable manager” since July 19. 

 

Under PCAR, an accountable manager ensures all flight operations and maintenance activities can be financed and carried out to the highest degree of safety standards. 

 

In an August 16 report, CAAP airworthiness inspectors cited infractions such as ZestAir flight crew failing to check aircraft logs.

 

They also found that ZestAir refueled with passengers on board on August 14. The airlines pilot were also found to have exceeded a 100-hour flight time limit per month, according to the report. 

 

“In 2012, 24 pilots have exceeded flying time,” the report read. 

 

In the letter, Andrews said the suspension “shall take effect upon the receipt of this notice/letter, and shall remain in effect until... necessary corrective actions and compliance... has been undertaken by your airline.”

 

ZestAir officials could not be reached for comment. 

 

The Zest-O group's airline flies to nine domestic destinations and five international routes. 

 

Last May, Tan Sri Anthony Francis “Tony” Fernandes of Malaysia's AirAsia Group, through Philippines’ AirAsia, acquired an 85 percent economic interest and 49 percent voting rights in ZestAir as well as a 100 percent interest in Yao’s Asiawide Airways Inc.

 

The transaction allowed ZestAir to rake in $16 million and 13 percent interest in Philippines' AirAisa. — VS, GMA News