SkyJet Airlines

Magnum Air (SkyJet), Inc., operating as SkyJet Airlines (styled as SKYJET Airlines), is a Philippine low-cost regional airline based in Manila, Philippines. Previously an air charter company, SkyJet commenced commercial operations on 14 December 2012, offering direct flights from Manila to underserved destinations, particularly, Basco, Batanes; Coron, Palawan; San Vicente, Palawan; and Camiguin. It bills itself as the first boutique airline in the Philippines.[2][3]

History

Filipino dentist Dr. Joel Mendoza established SkyJet Airlines in September 2005 as an air charter company offering flights aboard its fleet of British Aerospace 146 planes to group tourists going to the northern Philippine province of Batanes.[4][5]

Acquisition by Solar Group

In March 2015, Thunder Air Aviation Inc., the aviation arm of the media conglomerate Solar Group (owner of Solar Entertainment Corporation), which is owned by the Filipino-Chinese Tieng family, acquired a 50-percent controlling stake over SkyJet. Solar Group founder and chairman Wilson Tieng became the new chairman of the airline, while Chua, who had a 20-percent stake remained president and CEO. In December 2016, Mendoza filed a syndicated estafa case against Tieng, Chua and several other officials of SkyJet for allegedly conspiring to defraud him of his shares in the company.[25][26][27]

On 18 May 2015, the CAAP suspended SkyJet's air operator's certificate due to various safety shortcomings on the rules and standards prescribed under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR). These shortcomings were mentioned in the report by the European Union Assessment Team that visited the Philippines and inspected the airline from 16 to 24 April 2015.[28][29] SkyJet filed a case against the CAAP for the abrupt suspension, which it said was "irregular, not valid, and issued without due process of law", and sought PH₱20 million in damages. On 22 May 2015, the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 119 issued a temporary restraining order against SkyJet's suspension.[30] On 3 June, the airline announced that it would withdraw its case against CAAP and volunteered to ground its entire fleet beginning 4 June to give way for CAAP to conduct reevaluation and assessment of the airline's safety.[31][32] The airline resumed commercial operations after the CAAP lifted the suspension order on 7 June 2015 following the airline's compliance to safety requirements.[33] On 16 July 2018, the Bureau of Customs ordered the forfeiture of one of SkyJet's BAE 146-100 planes after the airline failed to pay PH₱90 million in duties and taxes to the government since its importation.[34][35][36] In February 2020, SkyJet received a leased ATR 72-500 from Elix Aviation Capital to replace the aircraft that the government confiscated as it moves forward with its expansion plans.[37][38]

airline	SkyJet Airlines
fleet size	3
destinations	5
iata	M8
icao	MSJ
callsign	MAGNUM AIR
aoc	2012051‡R1R‡
founded	September 2005
commenced	December 14, 2012
hubs	Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
parent	Magnum Air (Skyjet), Inc.
headquarters	MIAA Property 4-02-114 G 5 Domestic Road, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
key people	* Dr. Joel Mendoza (Founder) * Wilson Tieng (Chairman) * Dino Reyes-Chua (President) * William Tieng (CEO)
website	https://www.flyskyjetair.com

History

Acquisition by Solar Group

Destinations

Fleet

Current fleet

Former fleet

Accidents and incidents

External links

References