The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has suspended the Air Operators Certificates (AOC) of both Skyjet Airlines (M8, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) and SEAir International (XO, Angeles City Clark International) citing safety concerns.
Filipino media state the suspension, which took effect on Monday, May 18, centred on a report submitted by a European Union Assessment Team following an audit of the country's airlines held late last month.
In its report, the EU said neither of the carriers met safety and procedural minima as laid down in Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).
Concerning SEAir, the EU said that it had observed fifteen instances in which the airline had violated rules pertaining to management structure, safety management systems, accident prevention and flight safety programs, and flight data management.
Concerning Skyjet, the EU said it had observed eight instances in which the airline had violated flight data monitoring, quality assurance, and airworthiness and maintenance control regulations.
The suspension will remain in effect until such time that the airlines have complied with PCAR requirements.
SEAir International specializes in passenger and cargo flights from Manila Ninoy Aquino International to Basco, Caticlan, and Tablas using a fleet of one ATR42-500 (leased from ITI - Island Transvoyager (Manila Ninoy Aquino International)), one B737-200(F), and three Do328-100s. For its part, Skyjet Air operates a single BAe 146-100 from Manila to Basco and Busuanga.
Though the EU and the United States have lifted a moratorium on Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) and Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International), all other Filipino operators are currently blacklisted from either bloc pending an overall improvement in the state of the Philippines' aviation industry.
