AirAsia Zest: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Beginnings as Asian Spirit=== |
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| ⚫ | Zest Airways was established as Asian Spirit in September 1995 by three friends: Antonio "Toti" Turalba, Emmanuel "Noel" Oñate and Archibald Po, who contributed $1 million each to start up the Airline Employees Cooperative (AEC). They invited 36 of their friends, mostly former [[Philippine Airlines]] employees, to run Asian Spirit through a salary-to-equity swap deal.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.asianspirit.com/about.html | title = Asian Spirit History | accessdate = 2007-10-03 | publisher = Asian Spirit Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=27529 | title = Asian Spirit | accessdate = 2007-12-20 | publisher = Tony Lopez, ABS-CBN Interactive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol13-2006/13-8/cover_2.htm | title = Asian Spirit: The Niche Player | accessdate = 2007-10-03 | publisher = Makati Business Club}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Zest Airways was established as '''Asian Spirit''' in September 1995 by three friends: Antonio "Toti" Turalba, Emmanuel "Noel" Oñate and Archibald Po, who contributed $1 million each to start up the Airline Employees Cooperative (AEC). They invited 36 of their friends, mostly former [[Philippine Airlines]] employees, to run Asian Spirit through a salary-to-equity swap deal.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.asianspirit.com/about.html | title = Asian Spirit History | accessdate = 2007-10-03 | publisher = Asian Spirit Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=27529 | title = Asian Spirit | accessdate = 2007-12-20 | publisher = Tony Lopez, ABS-CBN Interactive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol13-2006/13-8/cover_2.htm | title = Asian Spirit: The Niche Player | accessdate = 2007-10-03 | publisher = Makati Business Club}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | It started operations in April 1996 with two second hand [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7|Dash 7]] aircraft servicing only one scheduled commercial route with two flights per day from [[Manila]] to [[Malay, Aklan|Malay]], serving the fledging resort island of [[Boracay]]. To maximize its aircraft utilization, it introduced new routes to the present-day towns of [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]], [[Virac, Catanduanes|Virac]], [[Daet, Camarines Norte|Daet]] and [[Alcantara, Romblon|Alcantara]], and the cities of [[Cauayan City|Cauayan]] and [[Masbate City|Masbate]], regarded as secondary and tertiary routes by Air Transportation Office, and are not serviced by major airlines. In 1997, the cooperative changed to a corporate set-up with the establishment of Asian Spirit, Inc., whose registration was approved by the [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)|Securities and Exchange Commission]] in 2005. |
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| ⚫ | It started operations in April 1996 with two second hand [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7|Dash 7]] aircraft servicing only one scheduled commercial route with two flights per day from [[Manila]] to [[Malay, Aklan|Malay]], serving the fledging resort island of [[Boracay]]. To maximize its aircraft utilization, it introduced new routes to the present-day towns of [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]], [[Virac, Catanduanes|Virac]], [[Daet, Camarines Norte|Daet]] and [[Alcantara, Romblon|Alcantara]], and the cities of [[Cauayan City|Cauayan]] and [[Masbate City|Masbate]], regarded as secondary and tertiary routes by Air Transportation Office, and are not serviced by major airlines. In 1997, the cooperative changed to a corporate set-up with the establishment of Asian Spirit, Inc., whose registration was approved by the [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)|Securities and Exchange Commission]] in 2005. |
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===Transition to Zest Airways=== |
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Asian Spirit was sold to AMY Holdings, a holding company controlled by businessman Alfredo M. Yao, in March 2008.<ref name="takeover">[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=113440 Asian Spirit sold for 'around P1B'], [[ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs]], retrieved April 15, 2008</ref> After the success of the takeover, Yao expressed interest in merging Asian Spirit with [[South East Asian Airlines]] (SEAIR). The two airlines have been in merger talks and were expected to make a decision soon.<ref name="merger">[http://www.gmanews.tv/story/89231/SEAIR-Asian-Spirit-merger-looms-streamlining-eyed SEAIR, Asian Spirit merger looms], [[BusinessWorld]], April 14, 2008</ref> Yao was supposed to purchase a sixty percent stake in SEAIR,<ref name-"stake">[http://www.eturbonews.com/937/yao-group-acquire-asian-spirit Yao Group to acquire Asian Spirit], [[Manila Bulletin]], January 21, 2008</ref> although the deal fell through because of a stolid response from SEAIR management. |
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Asian Spirit was sold to AMY holdings controlled by business tycoon Alfredo M. Yao on March 2008 .<ref name="takeover">[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=113440 Asian Spirit sold for 'around P1B'], [[ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs]], retrieved April 15, 2008</ref> The [[Civil Aeronautics Board (Philippines)|Civil Aeronautics Board]] approved the change of the airlines name on September 25, 2008, and on September 30, 2008 it officially re-branded itself as a [[low cost airline]] (LCC) under a new name Zest Airways to reflect the stake of its new owner, famous for its beverage juice drink Zest-O.<ref name="switch">[http://www.bworldonline.com/BW093008/content.php?id=045 Asian Spirit now called Zest Airways], [[BusinessWorld]], retrieved October 2, 2008</ref> |
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The airline flies three international points to [[Sandakan]], [[Malaysia]] from [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]], to [[Seoul]] from [[Kalibo, Aklan|Kalibo]], [[Laoag City|Laoag]], and [[Davao City|Davao]], and [[Macau]] from Angeles City.<ref>{{cite news | author=Amojelar, Darwin G. | url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/13/yehey/business/20070913bus12.html | title=Asian Spirit to acquire more aircraft for regional expansion | work=[[The Manila Times]] | publisher=Manila Times Publishing Corporation | date=2007-09-13 | accessdate=2007-12-20 }}</ref>. It intends to commence international expansion to [[Bangkok]] and [[Singapore]] from [[Manila]] in November 2008.<ref name="refleet">{{cite news | author=Amojelar, Darwin G. | title= Asian Spirit joins refleeting bandwagon | url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/nov/06/yehey/business/20071106bus10.html | work=[[The Manila Times]] | publisher=Manila Times Publishing Corporation | date=2007-11-06 | accessdate=2007-12-20 }}</ref> |
The airline flies three international points to [[Sandakan]], [[Malaysia]] from [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]], to [[Seoul]] from [[Kalibo, Aklan|Kalibo]], [[Laoag City|Laoag]], and [[Davao City|Davao]], and [[Macau]] from Angeles City.<ref>{{cite news | author=Amojelar, Darwin G. | url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/13/yehey/business/20070913bus12.html | title=Asian Spirit to acquire more aircraft for regional expansion | work=[[The Manila Times]] | publisher=Manila Times Publishing Corporation | date=2007-09-13 | accessdate=2007-12-20 }}</ref>. It intends to commence international expansion to [[Bangkok]] and [[Singapore]] from [[Manila]] in November 2008.<ref name="refleet">{{cite news | author=Amojelar, Darwin G. | title= Asian Spirit joins refleeting bandwagon | url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/nov/06/yehey/business/20071106bus10.html | work=[[The Manila Times]] | publisher=Manila Times Publishing Corporation | date=2007-11-06 | accessdate=2007-12-20 }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 14:31, 14 October 2008
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| Founded | 1995 (as Asian Spirit) | ||||||
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| Hubs |
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| Focus cities | |||||||
| Fleet size | 11 (+3 orders, + 4 leases, +2 options) | ||||||
| Destinations | 16 | ||||||
| Parent company | AMY Holdings, Inc. | ||||||
| Headquarters | Manila, Philippines | ||||||
| Key people |
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| Website | http://www.zestair.com.ph/ | ||||||
Zest Airways is an airline based in Pasay City, Manila in the Philippines. It operates scheduled domestic and international tourist services, mainly feeder services linking Manila and Cebu with 24 domestic destinations in support of the trunk route operations of other airlines. Its main base is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, with hubs at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in the Clark Special Economic Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga.[1]
The airline was formerly founded as Asian Spirit, the first airline in the Philippines to be run as a cooperative.
History
Zest Airways was established as Asian Spirit in September 1995 by three friends: Antonio "Toti" Turalba, Emmanuel "Noel" Oñate and Archibald Po, who contributed $1 million each to start up the Airline Employees Cooperative (AEC). They invited 36 of their friends, mostly former Philippine Airlines employees, to run Asian Spirit through a salary-to-equity swap deal.[2][3][4]
It started operations in April 1996 with two second hand Dash 7 aircraft servicing only one scheduled commercial route with two flights per day from Manila to Malay, serving the fledging resort island of Boracay. To maximize its aircraft utilization, it introduced new routes to the present-day towns of San Jose, Virac, Daet and Alcantara, and the cities of Cauayan and Masbate, regarded as secondary and tertiary routes by Air Transportation Office, and are not serviced by major airlines. In 1997, the cooperative changed to a corporate set-up with the establishment of Asian Spirit, Inc., whose registration was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2005.
The airline had the distinction of being the first scheduled airline to served Boracay. Other operators opted to fly to the airport on chartered basis then. It became the Philippines' fourth flag carrier (after Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines) in 2003.
Asian Spirit was sold to AMY holdings controlled by business tycoon Alfredo M. Yao on March 2008 .[5] The Civil Aeronautics Board approved the change of the airlines name on September 25, 2008, and on September 30, 2008 it officially re-branded itself as a low cost airline (LCC) under a new name Zest Airways to reflect the stake of its new owner, famous for its beverage juice drink Zest-O.[6]
The airline flies three international points to Sandakan, Malaysia from Zamboanga, to Seoul from Kalibo, Laoag, and Davao, and Macau from Angeles City.[7]. It intends to commence international expansion to Bangkok and Singapore from Manila in November 2008.[8]
Destinations
Fleet
The Zest Airways fleet includes the following aircraft as of October 2008:
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Economy) |
Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 (4 lease orders) |
162 | Domestic, Asia |
| de Havilland Dash 7-100 | 3 | 50 | Domestic |
| Xian MA60 | 2 (3 orders) (2 options) |
56 | Domestic, Asia |
As of June 2008, the average age of the Zest Airways fleet is 22.5 years[9].
Retired
| Aircraft | Year Retired | Replacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAe 146 | 2008 | Xian MA60 | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| BAe ATP | 2008 | Xian MA60 | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| CN-235 | 2008 | Xian MA60 | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 2008 | Airbus A320 Family | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 2008 | Airbus A320 Family | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| L-410 UVP-E | 2008 | Xian MA60 | Operated as Asian Spirit |
| NAMC YS-11 | 2008 | Xian MA60 | Operated as Asian Spirit |
Incidents and Accidents
- On December 7, 1999, Asian Spirit Flight 100, a Let L-410, crashed between Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya and Cabarroguis in Quirino. The plane was headed for Cauayan Airport in Cauayan City, killing all 15 passengers on board and 2 crew. The accident forced the closure of the Manila-Cauayan route, which remained closed until Philippine Airlines restarted the route on August 15, 2008.[10][11]
- On September 4, 2002, Asian Spirit Flight 897 was the last flight of the day to Malay, departing Manila at 3:36 pm for a one-hour flight. During the approach to Malay, the right main gear failed to deploy. The approach was abandoned and the crew decided to return to Manila for an emergency landing. The plane circled for about 35 minutes over Las Piñas City to burn off fuel. The crew then carried out an emergency landing with the right gear retracted on Manila's international airport runway 24. After touchdown the aircraft swerved off the runway onto a grassy area.[12]
- On November 14, 2005, Asian Spirit Flight 587, a BAe-146-200, reportedly aquaplaned and overran runway 04/22, a 4,429-foot (1350 m) long concrete runway at Catarman National Airport. The aircraft came to rest in a muddy rice field.[13]
- On January 2, 2008, Asian Spirit Flight 321, an NAMC YS-11 departing from Manila, piloted by Captain Alexandro Tiglao with First Officer Dominick Mendoza as co-pilot, overshot the runway at Masbate Airport at 7:30 a.m., due to heavy tailwinds with gustiness reaching 14 knots while landing on runway 21. Although none of the 47 passengers were seriously injured, the accident destroyed the aircraft’s nozzle, the plane’s right propeller and its right and nose wheel, and caused the plane’s fuel tank to leak.[14]
External links
References
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-03-27. p. 78.
- ^ "Asian Spirit History". Asian Spirit Website. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
- ^ "Asian Spirit". Tony Lopez, ABS-CBN Interactive. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ "Asian Spirit: The Niche Player". Makati Business Club. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
- ^ Asian Spirit sold for 'around P1B', ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, retrieved April 15, 2008
- ^ Asian Spirit now called Zest Airways, BusinessWorld, retrieved October 2, 2008
- ^ Amojelar, Darwin G. (2007-09-13). "Asian Spirit to acquire more aircraft for regional expansion". The Manila Times. Manila Times Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ Amojelar, Darwin G. (2007-11-06). "Asian Spirit joins refleeting bandwagon". The Manila Times. Manila Times Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ Air Fleet Age: Asian Spirit, airfleets.net, retrieved 2008-10-02
- ^ "ASN Aviation Safety Database". aviation-safety.net. December 7, 1999. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
- ^ "Philippines crash claims 17 lives". BBC News. 1999-12-08. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
- ^ "ASN Aviation Safety Database". aviation-safety.net. 2002-09-04. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
- ^ "ASN Aviation Safety Database". aviation-safety.net. 2005-11-14. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
- ^ "Plane overshoots runway in Masbate City". abs-cbnnews.com. 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
