Asian Spirit
Encyclopedia
Zest Airways Inc. is an airline based in the Asian Aeronautics Hangar in the General Aviation Area in Pasay City
, Metro 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, and with a hub at Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Also these hubs outside Manila still have to be made operative as of July 2009.
The airline was originally founded as Asian Spirit, the first airline in the Philippines to be run as a cooperative
.
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. The Po family held the majority of ownership.
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.
At the time, Asian Spirit has the distinction of being the first scheduled airline to serve Boracay. Other operators served the airport on a charter basis then. It became the Philippines' fourth flag carrier (after Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific
and Air Philippines
) in 2003.
(SEAIR). The two airlines have been in merger talks and were expected to make a decision soon. Yao was supposed to purchase a sixty percent stake in SEAIR, although the deal fell through because of a stolid response from SEAIR management. The merger talks failed and both airlines are operating independent.
On September 30, 2008, Asian Spirit officially announced that it will be re-branding itself as Zest Airways. Reports say the name switch reflects the Yao's stake in the company, as well as an allusion to the flagship business of AMY Holdings: juicemaker Zest-O. The firm’s board approved the name change in August, while the Civil Aeronautics Board
approved the switch earlier this month.
The airline wants to fly to three international points to Sandakan
( - already stopped), Malaysia from Zamboanga
, to Seoul
from Kalibo
, Laoag
, and Davao
, and Macau
from Angeles City. However these international routings never took off. It intends to commence international expansion to Bangkok
and Singapore
from Manila
sometime in 2009.
, a newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines, reported the signing of memorandum of understanding between Zest Air owner Alfredo Yao and his counterpart from private Chinese airline Hainan Airlines
but the share of ownership by the HNA group under the agreement was not disclosed. The signing coincided with the visit of President Aquino
to China in September 2011. The constitution of the Philippines
allows only up to 40% foreign ownership in any business registered in the Philippines. Zest Airways is majority-owned by the Zest-O group.
Updated October 10, 2011 (The Philippine Star) a newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines, reports that Zest Air denies buy-in of China's Hainan Airlines
MANILA, Philippines - A top official of Zest Airways denied newspaper reports that they have signed an agreement with a Chinese airline during President Aquino’s state visit to China and that the latter bought a 40 percent stake in their company.
In a statement, Arturo M. Alejandrino, Zest Air spokesman and member of its board of directors, said “Zest Air wishes to clarify that no memorandum of understanding has been signed between Hainan Airlines and ZestAir. Further, Hainan Airlines has no investment in Zest Air.”
Zest Airways has acquired both the Airbus A320
and the Xian MA60
, the only Philippine airline to do so, as part of its refleeting strategy.
The Airbus A320 aircraft were originally delivered to JetBlue Airways in 2003. They were purchased in September 2008 and delivered in December 2008 and January 2009. The aircraft were than repainted in Pinal Airpark in Arizona into Zest Airways livery and the seat configuration has been changed from Y 150 to Y 162.
On June 3, 2009, the airliner ordered 6 more Xian MA60's to be delivered starting October. but the delivery has been delayed for unknown reasons.
On July 11, 2009 RP-C 8989 arrived at Diosdao Macapagal International Airport. The A320 MSN 3621 made its first flight on September 12, 2008 under a French registration F-WWIK as was originally ordered by Kingfisher Airlines but was not accepted. The aircraft was subsequently sold to Asiawide Airways Inc. the holding company for all aircraft of Zest Airways owned by AMY Holding.
On August 2, 2009, the airline revealed that it would be able to mount international flights with the starting delivery of two brand new Airbus 320 in October this year. This is in addition to the first A320 it purchased earlier. The company was eyeing to buy 2 Boeing 767-300 aircraft to bring its total fleet to 11 aircraft by year end, flying to major tourist destinations in the country. This is part of the $150 million second wave of capital expansion. In 2008, the company invested $170 million. This additional fleet expansion never happened.
Pasay City
The City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four...
, Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It operates scheduled domestic and international tourist services, mainly feeder services linking Manila and Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
with 24 domestic destinations in support of the trunk route operations of other airlines. Its main base is Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA , also known as Manila International Airport , is the airport serving the general area of Manila and its surrounding metropolitan area...
, Manila, and with a hub at Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is a major international airport in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Metro Cebu and is the country's second primary gateway...
Also these hubs outside Manila still have to be made operative as of July 2009.
The airline was originally founded as Asian Spirit, the first airline in the Philippines to be run as a cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
.
Beginnings as Asian Spirit
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines, Inc. operating as Philippine Airlines, is a flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered in the Philippine National Bank Financial Center in Pasay City, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia operating under its original name...
employees, to run Asian Spirit through a salary-to-equity swap deal. The Po family held the majority of ownership.
It started operations in April 1996 with two second hand Dash 7
De Havilland Canada Dash 7
The de Havilland Canada DHC-7, popularly known as the Dash 7, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner with STOL capabilities. It first flew in 1975 and remained in production until 1988 when the parent company, de Havilland Canada, was purchased by Boeing and was later sold to Bombardier...
aircraft servicing only one scheduled commercial route with two flights per day from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
to Malay
Malay, Aklan
The Municipality of Malay is a first class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 32,110 people in 4,747 households....
, serving the fledging resort island of Boracay
Boracay
Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice...
. To maximize its aircraft utilization, it introduced new routes to the present-day towns of San Jose
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
San Jose is a 1st class municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 111,009 people in 22,464 households. According to the 2007 census, the population increased to 118,807 people....
, Virac
Virac, Catanduanes
Virac is a 1st class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of the province and the third largest town with a land area of 188 km2...
, Daet
Daet, Camarines Norte
Daet, also known as the "Gateway to Bicolandia". A 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camarines Norte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 94,184 or 18.33% of Camarines Norte's population. The current mayor of...
and Alcantara
Alcantara, Romblon
Alcantara is a fifth class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 14,144 people in 2,905 households.-Barangays:Alcantara is politically subdivided into 12 barangays:* Bonlao* Calagonsao...
, and the cities of Cauayan
Cauayan City
Cauayan City is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Cauayan City is the Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley and The Commercial Center of The Province of Isabela...
and Masbate
Masbate City
The City of Masbate is a 4th class city in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is the capital city of Masbate province...
, 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
Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is a Philippine state commission responsible for securities laws and regulating the securities industry. The SEC is an agency within the Philippine Department of Finance....
in 2005.
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Air, Inc., operating as Cebu Pacific Air, is based on the grounds of Ninoy Aquino International Airport , Pasay City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It offers scheduled flights to both domestic and international destinations...
and Air Philippines
Air Philippines
Air Philippines Corporation, now operating as Airphil Express , is a low-cost airline based in Pasay City, in the Philippines. It operates both domestic and international scheduled services from Manila, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga. The airline was re-branded for a number of times, first as Air...
) in 2003.
Transition to Zest Airways
Asian Spirit was sold to AMY Holdings, a holding company controlled by businessman Alfredo M. Yao, in March 2008. After the success of the takeover, Yao expressed interest in merging Asian Spirit with South East Asian AirlinesSouth East Asian Airlines
Southeast Asian Airlines , Inc. operating as SEAir is an airline based in Pampanga, the Philippines. It operates domestic services and its main base is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, with hubs at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, Malay, Aklan.- History :The airline was established in 1995...
(SEAIR). The two airlines have been in merger talks and were expected to make a decision soon. Yao was supposed to purchase a sixty percent stake in SEAIR, although the deal fell through because of a stolid response from SEAIR management. The merger talks failed and both airlines are operating independent.
On September 30, 2008, Asian Spirit officially announced that it will be re-branding itself as Zest Airways. Reports say the name switch reflects the Yao's stake in the company, as well as an allusion to the flagship business of AMY Holdings: juicemaker Zest-O. The firm’s board approved the name change in August, while the Civil Aeronautics Board
Civil Aeronautics Board (Philippines)
The Civil Aeronautics Board is a government agency of the Philippines tasked to regulate, promote and develop the economic aspect of air transportation in the Philippines and to ensure that existing CAB policies are adapted to the present and future air commerce of the Philippines.The Board has...
approved the switch earlier this month.
The airline wants to fly to three international points to Sandakan
Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...
( - already stopped), Malaysia from Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
, to Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
from Kalibo
Kalibo, Aklan
Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines. It is a First Class Municipality in the Western Visayas Region practically located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan province...
, Laoag
Laoag City
The City of Laoag is a 1st class city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Ilocos Norte, and the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. It is the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport...
, and Davao
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
, and Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
from Angeles City. However these international routings never took off. It intends to commence international expansion to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
sometime in 2009.
Ownership Structure
On October 3, 2011, Manila BulletinManila Bulletin
The Manila Bulletin , is the Philippines' largest broadsheet newspaper by circulation, followed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. It bills itself as "The Nation's Leading Newspaper", which is its official slogan...
, a newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines, reported the signing of memorandum of understanding between Zest Air owner Alfredo Yao and his counterpart from private Chinese airline Hainan Airlines
Hainan Airlines
Hainan Airlines Company Limited is an airline headquartered in the HNA Development Building in Haikou, Hainan, People's Republic of China. It is the largest privately-owned air transport company and the fourth-largest airline in terms of fleet size in the People's Republic of China...
but the share of ownership by the HNA group under the agreement was not disclosed. The signing coincided with the visit of President Aquino
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
to China in September 2011. The constitution of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
allows only up to 40% foreign ownership in any business registered in the Philippines. Zest Airways is majority-owned by the Zest-O group.
Updated October 10, 2011 (The Philippine Star) a newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines, reports that Zest Air denies buy-in of China's Hainan Airlines
MANILA, Philippines - A top official of Zest Airways denied newspaper reports that they have signed an agreement with a Chinese airline during President Aquino’s state visit to China and that the latter bought a 40 percent stake in their company.
In a statement, Arturo M. Alejandrino, Zest Air spokesman and member of its board of directors, said “Zest Air wishes to clarify that no memorandum of understanding has been signed between Hainan Airlines and ZestAir. Further, Hainan Airlines has no investment in Zest Air.”
Fleet
The Zest Airways fleet includes the following aircraft| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Options | Passengers (Economy) |
Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 144 | Domestic |
| Airbus A320-200 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 162-168 | Domestic, International |
| Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
4 | 2 | 0 | 56 | Domestic |
Retired
| Aircraft | Year Retired | Replaced by |
|---|---|---|
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by... |
2008 | Airbus A320-200 Airbus A320 The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
| BAe 146-200 | 2008 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
| BAe 146-100 | 2008 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
| BAe ATP | 2008 | Airbus A319-100 Airbus A320 The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
| CN-235 | 2008 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
| de Havilland Dash 7 | 2009 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
| Let-410 | 2008 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 2008 | Airbus A320-200 Airbus A320 The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 2008 | Airbus A320-200 Airbus A320 The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
| NAMC YS-11 NAMC YS-11 The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In... |
2008 | Xian MA60 Xian MA60 |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *... |
Zest Airways has acquired both the Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
and the Xian MA60
Xian MA60
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
, the only Philippine airline to do so, as part of its refleeting strategy.
The Airbus A320 aircraft were originally delivered to JetBlue Airways in 2003. They were purchased in September 2008 and delivered in December 2008 and January 2009. The aircraft were than repainted in Pinal Airpark in Arizona into Zest Airways livery and the seat configuration has been changed from Y 150 to Y 162.
On June 3, 2009, the airliner ordered 6 more Xian MA60's to be delivered starting October. but the delivery has been delayed for unknown reasons.
On July 11, 2009 RP-C 8989 arrived at Diosdao Macapagal International Airport. The A320 MSN 3621 made its first flight on September 12, 2008 under a French registration F-WWIK as was originally ordered by Kingfisher Airlines but was not accepted. The aircraft was subsequently sold to Asiawide Airways Inc. the holding company for all aircraft of Zest Airways owned by AMY Holding.
On August 2, 2009, the airline revealed that it would be able to mount international flights with the starting delivery of two brand new Airbus 320 in October this year. This is in addition to the first A320 it purchased earlier. The company was eyeing to buy 2 Boeing 767-300 aircraft to bring its total fleet to 11 aircraft by year end, flying to major tourist destinations in the country. This is part of the $150 million second wave of capital expansion. In 2008, the company invested $170 million. This additional fleet expansion never happened.
As Asian Spirit
- On December 7, 1999, Asian Spirit Flight 100Asian Spirit Flight 100Asian Spirit Flight 100 was a Let L-410 Turbolet that crashed onto a mountainside between the municipalities of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya and Cabarroguis, Quirino in the Philippines. The aircraft was en route to Cauayan City in Isabela from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila...
, a Let L-410, crashed between KasibuKasibu, Nueva VizcayaKasibu is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 31,515 people in 5,200 households.-Barangays:Kasibu is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.* Antutot* Alimit...
in Nueva VizcayaNueva VizcayaNueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
and CabarroguisCabarroguis, QuirinoCabarroguis is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Quirino, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Quirino. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,024 people in 5,336 households.-External links:*****...
in QuirinoQuirinoQuirino is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Cabarroguis and was named after Elpidio Quirino, the sixth President of the Philippines. The province borders Aurora to the southeast, Nueva Vizcaya to the west, and Isabela to the north...
, killing all 15 passengers on board and 2 crew. The plane was headed for Cauayan AirportCauayan AirportCauayan Airport is an airport serving the general area of Cauayan City, located in Isabela province in the Philippines. It is one of three commercially airports in Isabela, the other being Palanan Airport in the town of Palanan and Maconacon Airport in the town of Maconacon...
in Cauayan CityCauayan CityCauayan City is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Cauayan City is the Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley and The Commercial Center of The Province of Isabela...
. The accident forced the closure of the Manila-Cauayan route, which remained closed until Philippine Airlines restarted the route on August 15, 2008.
- 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 CityLas Piñas CityThe City of Las Piñas is a city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines...
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.
- 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 AirportCatarman National AirportCatarman National Airport , otherwise known as Catarman Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Catarman, located in the province of Northern Samar in the Philippines...
. The aircraft came to rest in a muddy rice field.
- On January 2, 2008, Asian Spirit Flight 321Asian Spirit Flight 321Asian Spirit Flight 321 was a previous domestic Asian Spirit flight from Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Masbate Airport in Masbate City in Bicol region...
, an NAMC YS-11NAMC YS-11The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In...
departing from Manila, piloted by Captain Alexandro Tiglao with First Officer Dominick Mendoza as co-pilot, overshot the runway at Masbate AirportMasbate AirportMoises R. Espinosa Airport , also known as Masbate Airport , is the airport serving the general area of Masbate City, located in the province of Masbate in the Philippines...
at 7:30 a.m., due to heavy tailwinds with gusts 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.