SKYJET Airlines, whose operation was suspended due to safety concerns last week, resumed its air business after getting a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the country’s aviation regulator.
This is the first time in Philippine aviation history that an airline operator questioned the legality of a suspension order from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).
The Caap last week suspended the Air Operator Certificates of Skyjet Airlines and SEAIR International Inc., following various safety observations that have been reported by the European Union Assessment Team during their recent investigation of several airlines last month. Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 199 Judge Pedro Gutierrez issued the 20-day TRO stopping Caap Director General William Hotchkiss from implementing its order.
Skyjet President Dino Reyes Chua said they asked the court to clarify the matter because they believed Caap did not give them due process before it decided to suspend their operations.
The Skyjet Airlines or Magnum Air Skyjet Inc. is not a big carrier compared to other airlines.
Chua said almost 2,600 of their passengers have been affected since its operation was suspended on May 15 by Caap. He added that he expects to lose millions of pesos if the suspension order will go through.
“That’s why we filed the appeal for a TRO on Friday at the Pasay Regional Trial Court,” he said.
The Skyjet added that the Caap claimed it conducted an investigation after the European Union (EU) made a report during its visit here. However, Chua claimed the EU did not furnish the airline a copy of the investigation report.
Aside from TRO, Skyjet also filed a P20-million lawsuit for damages against Caap officials to compensate for its losses incurred during the suspension.
Skyjet Airlines have three British-made BAE-146 aircraft on its fleet and flies on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to the following destinations: Batanes, Boracay, Camarines, and Coron, Palawan.
The European Union Assessment Team found safety shortcomings covering different areas from management structure, safety management system and accident prevention and flight safety program to flight data management that the Skyjet and SEAIR International must be addressed.
The suspension order will remain in effect until the necessary corrective actions and compliance with aviation standards have been undertaken by respective airlines.
The Caap did not comment nor deny about the TRO because they don’t have a copy yet from the Pasay City court.