SkyJet Airlines

SkyJet Airlines

IATA ICAO Callsign M8 MSJ MAGNUM AIR
Founded	2005
Commenced operations	December 14, 2012 (2012-12-14)
Hubs	Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
Fleet size	4
Destinations	5
Parent company	Magnum Air (Skyjet), Inc.[1]
Key people	Dino Reyes-Chua (President)[2][3]
Website	www.flyskyjetair.com

Magnum Air (SkyJet), Inc., operating as SkyJet Airlines (styled as SKYJET Airlines), is Manila's first boutique airline in the Philippines that launched the Manila-Basco route for its initial operation ^[4][5] The airline started regular commercial flights on 14 December 2012.

History

The airline started as an air charter company for group travelers and tourists who wanted to visit Batanes.^[6] In 2012,^[7][8] the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) granted its air operator's certificate (AOC) to operate commercial scheduled domestic and international routes. On December 14, 2012, it started regular flights to Basco, the capital of the province of Batanes. At the time, SkyJet was the only airline flying to this far-northern area of the Philippines. After few months, SkyJet also launched its inaugural flights to Coron, Palawan, Virac, Catanduanes and Boracay (Caticlan). SkyJet also started charter flights for the guests of Balesin Island, a high-end exclusive-membership island club. In December 2013, businessman-politician Hon. Dino Reyes Chua led a group of investors and took over the company and relaunched the airline company as Manila's first boutique airline. In 2014, Hon. Dino Reyes Chua was named as the new president of the airline.^[2]

On 15 August 2014, SkyJet launched its first international flight to Taiwan, but during its inaugural chartered flight between Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines and Taiwan, its aircraft experienced a mechanical malfunction causing delays to Taiwanese tourists.^[9] The airline was forced to halt the route.

Suspension

In May 2015, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines suspended SkyJet operations after a team of experts from the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency observed eight safety shortcomings in its operations, from flight data monitoring and quality assurance to airworthiness and maintenance control.^[10] On May 22, the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the CAAP from enforcing the suspension or 20 days, saying that the suspension order issued against SkyJet, dated May 15, was clearly "irregular, not valid, and issued without due process of law." SkyJet said it had asked the court to clarify the matter because it believed CAAP did not give it due process before deciding to suspend operations. SkyJet also filed a civil case against CAAP officials included a P20-million ($448,687.55) damage claim because of the losses incurred by the airline, and that the "irregular suspension order caused delays that affected around 2,900 passengers".^[11] Before the expiration of the TRO, the CAAP lifted the suspension and SkyJet withdrew the civil suit.^[12]

Siezed SkyJet plane parked at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 16 July 2018.

The airline got involved in legal battle with the government of the Philippines for tax fraud. One of its planes was seized and auctioned off by the customs for allegation of tax liability on import of the plane^[13].

Destinations

SkyJet operates to the following destinations within the Philippines:^[14]

Fleet

As of August 2017, SkyJet's fleet included the following aircraft:^[15]

Accidents and incidents

• On October 19, 2013, a chartered SkyJet flight with 68 passengers and seven crew on board from Manila, overshot the runway on the Island resort of Balesin in Quezon. No one was injured in the accident but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.^[16]
• On February 27, 2018, a SkyJet aircraft overshot the runway of Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. All 73 passengers and four crew members evacuated the aircraft unharmed. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, but the CAAP is noting a possible bird strike after one of the passengers reported that the pilot attempted to dodge a passing eagle.^[17]
• June 8, 2018, SkyJet flight M8 717 from Manila overshot the runway of Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Coron, Palawan. All 80 passengers and 6 crew members were safe. According to an initial report of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), runway excursion at the end of the runway east side of the aerodrome beyond the fence causes it.^[18]

References

External links

• Official website
• http://avherald.com/h?article=46a2baaf