Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zackback]

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippine-budget-carrier-grounded-safety-issues-190423310.html

Budget Philippine carrier Zest Air was banned from flying over safety infractions, effective immediately, the country's aviation regulator said on Friday.
The small airline is suspended over incidents that compromised several flights as well as other violations of air safety rules, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines deputy director-general John Andrews said in a letter to operator Zest Airways Inc.
"(Your) Air Operator Certificate is suspended and (you are) hereby precluded to engage in air carrier operations ... until this Authority is assured that the necessary corrective actions and compliance with aviation safety standards have been undertaken," Andrews said.
Five Zest Air domestic flights were grounded between July 22 and August 13 due to problems ranging from hydraulic systems issues, fuel overflow, and a missing fuel coupling cap, Andrews said.
A Zest Air plane was also found refuelling on Wednesday while its passengers were on board, he added.
Zest Air pilots, meanwhile, were found to have exceeded the flying time limit of 100 hours per month "due to (a) rise in flight operations and flight crew shortage".
Twenty-four of its pilots exceeded the monthly limit last year, Andrews said.
Meanwhile, the regulator said Zest Air had failed to appoint an "accountable manager" after the resignation of its previous executive on July 19.
Andrews said the manager is responsible for "ensuring that all flight operations and maintenance activities can be financed and carried out to the highest degree of safety standards".
Zest Air, which operates out of Manila airport, serves the domestic market.
Malaysia-based Air Asia, Southeast Asia's biggest budget carrier, bought a 49 percent stake in Zest Airways in March.
Zest Air officials could not be reached for comment Friday, while a spokeswoman for Air Asia told AFP the company will make a formal statement later.

[actionjackson]

[passport220]

From Zestair website: http://www.flyzest.com/index.php



20 August 2013



PRESS STATEMENT


Zest Air is pleased to announce that the CAAP suspension has been lifted. We will resume all of our international flights to and from Manila to China, South Korea, Malaysia and to domestic destinations of Kalibo (Boracay), Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa (Palawan), as soon as the inspection of all aircraft has been completed. The inspection is expected to be completed in a day barring any weather issues.

We would like to reiterate that none of the issues raised by the regulatory authority against us pertains to the safety and reliability of our 11 aircraft, but were procedural and technical matters that have sufficiently been addressed. Safety is and always will be our foremost priority.

We regret the major disruptions caused to thousands of our guests as the result of this unprecedented action by the regulatory authority and we would like to express our sincerest appreciation to our valued guests, friends, business partners and loyal fans for the patience, support and understanding over the past four days. All guests impacted by this disruption will be offered a full refund or a complimentary move.

We are humbled by the outpouring of support especially in social media. Thank you very much and rest assured that we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide the public with safe, reliable and affordable travel experience. We are more determined than ever to be the best player in the market and deliver the best service and product to our guests.
--------------------------------------

Local news here in Manila says 3 of 11 of Zest's planes are back in the air, the other should be clear in the next day or two.

[I'm With You]

careful riding the ferry services between the islands, also!

[jvalmer]

The price you pay for going with the discount carriers in 3rd world countries. Good price, but you risk being stranded if they go under, or get grounded for whatever reason.

I for one rather stay with the larger ones that have been around for decades, at least I'll, probably (crossing-fingers), get re-routed or refunded if anything goes sour.

[b-class rambler]

Never flown with ZestAir and I can't currently foresee that I'd ever have any reason to. But this one gave me a bit of a chuckle.

[Yaya]

I've been flying Cebu Pacific Air for years as well as AirAsia. I've flown Zest a few times IN the Phils and delays were the biggest problem. AirAsia's takeover Zest, however, should make things better.

[wishfullthinkng]

[I-am-me]

I think no matter who takes over zest, the major problem is weather and inefficient runways that flood easily.

[bossface]

I just flew Zest for Chuseok, booked through the Air Asia website. Total mess.

My outbound flight was scheduled to happen at 8 p.m. on the Tuesday before Chuseok, but I got an email a couple weeks beforehand telling me that the flight had been rescheduled for 8 a.m. on the same day. This meant I would either have to cancel my trip or call in sick on Tuesday. I have a lot of sick days so I chose option B.

On my return flight, I was on the redeye out of Manila Sunday night (technically Monday morning.) The flight left over three hours late, and got to ICN nearly 4 hours after it's expected arrival time. Thus, I was about 3 hours late getting to work on Monday.

The flight was dirt cheap (190,000 won) so there's that. Still, I wouldn't fly with them again unless I had a day or two of wiggle room on outbound and inbound flights.

[saram_]

[wishfullthinkng]

winning best budget carrier is akin to winning an award for "least regretful tramp stamp".

even the national carrier in the philippines isn't what i'd call top notch, but going down to air asia levels is asking for problems.