More Phuket Air problems?

[No comment]

Seems 9R suffered another problem out in the far east yesterday. Hydraulic failure forced aircraft back into BKK after departure to LGW. Not sure what the delay is now.

Phuket are apparently saying that only 2 of their 12 aircraft are now airworthy, is this true?

HS-VAN still seems to be grounded at LGW with failed TCAS and passenger emergency exit lights.

Surely this can't go on for much longer...

[suppie]

I believe they have only 3 B747's from which 1 is in maintenance so they have only 2 a/c available for trans atlantic traffic:ok:

[ALLDAYDELI]

yep, tis true. LGW arrivals area display boards showing inbound delayed until Wednesday as the ETA!!

[AAIGUY]

Word on the south asian streets is that they are going tits up. Saudia didn' t pay up and they are out of funds.

[Tolsti]

Ministry puts Phuket Air under microscope

BANGKOK (TNA, Gazette): The Ministry of Transport has promised to launch a probe into the budget airline, Phuket Air, following a 24-hour delay in a flight from Bangkok to London which left more than 400 passengers stranded on April 11.

The seriousness with which the ministry is treating the matter was highlighted by the response of Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai, who immediately convened a meeting of Phuket Air executives and officials from the Department of Aviation.

Speaking after the meeting, K. Phumtham said that he had ordered the department to closely inspect all of the airline’s fleet the same day.

Over the past four weeks, the airline’s planes have malfunctioned – or been thought to have malfunctioned – on five occasions.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

They had been training a lot of new CC at a local hotel over the past couple of months.... seems to have stopped now but then again it is Thai New Year this week and lots of people take the chance to go home so maybe it is just a holiday break.

[N1005C]

more from the Phuket Gazette

Ministry puts Phuket Air under microscope

BANGKOK (TNA, Gazette): The Ministry of Transport has promised to launch a probe into the budget airline, Phuket Air, following a 24-hour delay in a flight from Bangkok to London which left more than 400 passengers stranded on April 11.

The seriousness with which the ministry is treating the matter was highlighted by the response of Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai, who immediately convened a meeting of Phuket Air executives and officials from the Department of Aviation.

Speaking after the meeting, K. Phumtham said that he had ordered the department to closely inspect all of the airline’s fleet the same day.

Over the past four weeks, the airline’s planes have malfunctioned – or been thought to have malfunctioned – on five occasions.

On April 2, a Phuket Air Boeing 747-200 from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport to Gatwick Airport, England made a scheduled refueling stop at Sharjah Airpo rt in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On takeoff, passengers noticed fuel spilling from one of the wings and suspected a leak.

There were, according to passengers’ statements, scenes of “panic” on board the aircraft, and the airliner returned twice to the apron while engineers sought to identify the cause of the leak.

The airline later stated that the leak was the automatic release – via a “dump mast” – of excess fuel.

Both this aircraft – which eventually flew from Sharjah Airport to Gatwick, albeit with few passengers on board – and another Phuket Air 747, which had brought the remaining stranded passengers to the UK, were inspected by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) engineers shortly after their arrivals in the UK.

The CAA inspections, which were requested by the UK Department of Transport, revealed shocking safety failures.

The aircraft that sparked the scare was found to have inoperative evacuation safety lights. Although this ag ed 747-200 was deemed airworthy, the CAA would not allow it fly with passengers. It returned to Thailand empty.

The second veteran Boeing airliner, which had flown those stranded in the UAE to the UK, departed Gatwick en-route for Bangkok via Sharjah Airport on April 6,.

About one hour into the flight, the pilot shut down one of the engines and dumped 50 tons of jet fuel at 35,000 feet before heading back to UK airspace to land back at Gatwick.

CAA engineers found that a faulty gearbox seal – blamed on mechanics in Sharjah Airport – had caused the engine failure, but, perhaps more alarmingly, they established that the airliner’s collision avoidance system was broken.

CAA officials grounded the aircraft.

The April 11 incident was blamed on a hydraulics failure, as was an aborted March 18 flight from Bangkok to Phuket when the pilot was forced to return to Don Muang Airport and make an emergency landing some 15 minutes after takeoff.

K . Phumtham said that he had ordered a meeting with representatives from all the nation’s airlines, including budget airlines, for today, at which the airlines will be told to follow safety procedures rigorously.

In addition to these problems, Phuket Air’s deputy chief executive, Capt Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut, said that four aircraft that had been sent for maintenance in Indonesia have not yet been returned, and the airline has another two aircraft that need repair work.

As a result, the airline currently states that it has only two aircraft in working order out of a total of 12 listed on its website (www.phuketairlines.com).

According to a statement issued April 11 and posted on the Phuket Air website “Phuket Air is now actively working to transfer passengers to other airlines that serve the same [international] destinations.

“As it is currently high season, these other airlines are heavily booked, which means we have not been able to transfer eve ry passenger to an alternate flight.

“Therefore, we have arranged for food and accommodations for the remaining passengers who are waiting for the next available flights. We will also provide refunds to those who have canceled their Phuket Air flights.”

A Gazette staffer, due to fly back from Haad Yai to Phuket on Phuket Air today, was told at the check-in desk at the southern airport that his flight had been canceled.

No alternative flight was offered, and when he requested a refund, he was told that he “...should ask his tour agent”. He is now traveling back to Phuket by bus.

The Gazette attempted to call the Phuket Air helplines – 02-5356708 and 02-5356696 – but was unable to get through.

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette
15:15 local time (GMT +7)

[wheels up]

"CAA engineers found that a faulty gearbox seal – blamed on mechanics in Sharjah Airport – had caused the engine failure, but, perhaps more alarmingly, they established that the airliner’s collision avoidance system was broken."

TCAS failure more alarming than engine failure? I'll take the TCAS failure please.

V1, Rotate ......... OMIGOD, we lost the TCAS....... we're all gonna die ........ Love you mom.......

[Earl]

AAI Guy not sure that Saudia did not pay up. Rumour is that Pukett defaulted on the contract.
Its sure not because Saudia is broke from paying our well past due overtime.

[AAIGUY]

EARL, could be. My mate said they didn't get the cash. I assumed it was non payment, not that Phucket didn't fulfill..

FYI, AAI has been a approached to operate 2 aircraft for Saudia.
They declined.

[Old King Coal]

The following 'News Updates' are reproduced from Phuket Air's own web site:

Phuket Air statement - 05th April 2005 (http://www.phuketairlines.com/media/Statement_songkran_en.htm)Statement on Phuket Air Aircraft Incident
By Captain Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut
Executive Vice President, Phuket Air

According to the news reporting about the Phuket Air Bangkok-London flight no. 9R618 incident, I would like to confirm that there was no flame and sparking as claimed in the news reports.

Following is the chronology of the incident:

Phuket Air operated flight no. 9R618 from Bangkok to London Gatwick on Saturday 2 April 2005. As a usual schedule, the aircraft stopped at Sharjah Airport, United Arab Emirates, at 04:30 am. next morning (local time) for re-fuelling prior to continuing the flight to London. After the completion, the aircraft was pushed back (had not yet started the engine) to be ready to taxi to the runway. During that time, there was an incident of fuel spillage from the aircraft’s wing due to the excessive fuel in the surge tank. The pilot took the aircraft back to the parking bay to have the excessive fuel drained from the surge tank.

After the first drain, there was still some leftover. The plane was then taken back to the parking bay to re-drain the fuel. After that, the pilot has started the engine and prepared to take off again. During the aircraft turning from the taxi way to runway, the leftover fuel visibly spilled out from the aircraft wing. At that time, a few passengers who saw the spillage were panic, misunderstood and screamed “fire”. A flight attendant then reported to the pilot about the situation. The pilot then decided to return to the parking bay to ensure utmost safety and passengers’ comfort.

During thorough examination, Phuket Air decided to accommodate all 366 passengers to rest in hotels in Sharjah on Phuket Air’s expenses.

The next morning, Phuket Air welcomed passengers on board the same aircraft. The aircraft arrived London safely.

As soon as the plane landed, Department of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), United Kingdom, conducted a complete examination of the aircraft and concluded that the aircraft is in good condition and ready to be operated as usual. The same aircraft transported passengers from London back to Bangkok on normal flight schedule.

However, during the Sharjah’s incident, a group of passengers refused to board the same aircraft. Phuket Air offered those passengers with extended accommodations while they awaited for next Phuket Air flight from Bangkok. For those who intended to fly with other airlines, Phuket Air had facilitated their requests. As of today, there is no passenger left at Sharjah. The aircraft had already left Sharjah at 15.35 hrs. (local time) and is scheduled to arrive London Gatwick at 19.35 hrs. (local time).

On behalf of Phuket Air, I reiterate that we always consider our passengers’ safety as the first priority and we take all responsibility for passengers during the aircraft transfer.Phuket Air statement - 11th April 2005 (http://www.phuketairlines.com/media/Statement_sharja_en.html)Statement on Phuket Air Aircraft Incident
By Captain Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut
Executive Vice President, Phuket Air

Given that one of Phuket Air’s aircraft is now undergoing maintenance, coupled with a limited number of aircraft available for international routes, our active flight schedule has inevitably been affected. Phuket Air apologizes for any inconvenience caused by delays on our Bangkok-London and Bangkok-Amsterdam routes. We have had to reschedule these flights for appropriate operations and will advise all concerned parties once this process is complete.

Phuket Air is now actively working to transfer passengers to other airlines that serve the same destinations. As it is currently high season, these other airlines are heavily booked, which means we have not been able to transfer every passenger to an alternate flight. Therefore, we have arranged for food and accommodations for the remaining passengers who are waiting for the next available flights. We will also provide refunds to those who have cancelled their Phuket Air flights.

Phuket Air’s management apologizes to all passengers who were adversely affected by the current delays in our flight schedules. We promise to reconcile the flight timetable so that we can carry the affected passengers to their destinations as soon as possible. Phuket Air has also facilitated the personal requests of affected passengers waiting for new flight arrangements.

Passengers who want more information about certain dates and travel times should contact Phuket Air’s Airport Office at telephone number 02 535-6708, 02 535 6696 from Monday to Saturday, 08.30 to 22.00 hrs.; and on Sunday from 08.30 to 20.00 hrs.

[Earl]

If the fuel overfill control C/B was pulled along with the volumetric fuse during refueling then the tank may have overfilled and into the surge system.
These items are pulled when problems arise during refueling by the maint.
The tank fills up and if not turned off with the refuel switch then into the vent system she goes causing a spill once the surge tank is full.
Even after draining the residual fuel may come out during taxi.
A mistake anyone could make.

[Tolsti]

From The Bangkok Post today

Phuket Air woes leave 800 fuming

Lack of aircraft due to aviation inspections

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK CHAROEN KITTIKANYA

Phuket Air's shortage of aircraft spoiled Songkran plans for some 800 passengers, who were left fuming and stranded at Don Muang international airport for hours yesterday.

The problem at the airport's terminal 2 came in the wake of a decision by the Aviation Department to allow only two of the airline's 13 planes _ one Boeing 747 and one Boeing 757 _ to fly.

The rest did not pass safety inspections by the officials or have not been inspected as they were under routine checks overseas, or have not been returned to the base in Bangkok.

An inspection of the entire fleet of the embattled airline on orders of Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai began on Monday, after three separate incidents on its planes since March 18.

The last two took place within a one-week span including the one last Saturday, when a problem with the hydraulic system forced a flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to be delayed for 24 hours.

Mr Phumtham yesterday said the bad record of the airline, which was launched in 2001, had put it on top of the Transport Ministry's watch-list, when planes of all Thailand-based airlines will be randomly checked on international safety standards after the Songkran holiday.

He also warned Phuket Air could lose its licence if the airline did not improve its operations. ``If we conclude from inspections that Phuket Air is inefficient, its licence will be revoked,'' Mr Phumtham said.

Chairat Meksukree, vice chairman of Phuket Air, said the airline would cooperate with the inspectors, despite the fact these thorough checks of each and every aircraft would hurt the airline financially.

Phuket Air claimed to lose over 10 million baht per day for delayed flights, including passengers' overnight accommodation and changing tickets for passengers who wanted to defer their schedule during the inspections.

The airline could go bust if its fleet were ordered grounded, he said.

With only two aircraft in operation yesterday, Phuket Air's three chartered flights to China were badly affected. Only one flight carrying about 400 passengers could take off and the other two flights with 800 passengers combined had to be cancelled.

Passengers on cancelled flights were frustrated at the airline's inability to help them, as its counter service at the terminal was closed.

``I have been waiting for hours without knowing when I can fly,'' one passenger said.

Their frustration prompted Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Mr Phumtham and Aviation Department officials to go to the airport to calm things down.

Mr Suriya ordered eight travel agents who arranged the trips on Phuket Air's chartered flights to refund their customers, and the ministry would be responsible for their visa fees.

This seemed to satisfy the passengers, who collected their belongings and returned home from the airport.

Phuket Air's aircraft shortage also affected its two international routes to London and Amsterdam.

In a statement released yesterday, Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut, Phuket Air's executive vice president, apologised to passengers and promised refunds on cancelled flights. ``Phuket Air is now actively working to transfer passengers to other airlines that serve the same destinations. We will provide refunds to those who have cancelled their Phuket Air flights.''

Owned by Vikrom Aisiri, a Ranong senator and owner of the luxury Andaman Club Hotel in Burmese waters and Dusit Island Resort Hotel in Chiang Rai, Phuket Air currently flies to eight domestic destinations: Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, Udon Thani and Buri Ram. In mid-2004 it began international services from Bangkok to Dubai via Chittagong, to London and Rangoon. It later added direct flights to Amsterdam and Bali. The carrier has invested over 5 billion baht and is still operating at a loss

[No comment]

Well HS-VAC has finally touched down at LGW. If it hadn't been for a couple of quick thinking guys on stand 17 she would have caused a bit of damage to herself, a baggage truck and a few bins. Good call by the loader also signalling for the a/c to stop short with a few metres to go...

Still, would have just about been the icing on the cake for Phuket...

[Rollingthunder]

The carrier has invested over 5 billion baht and is still operating at a loss5,000,000,000 THB = 130,211,724 USD

Have this feeling this airline should not be operating. Just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[moosp]

When will the general public learn;

"There will always be someone who can make something a little worse and sell it a little cheaper, and those who consider price only are that man's lawful prey"

Ruskin, but I may have got a couple of words wrong.

Simply put, it does not cost UKL 200 to fly from UK to Thailand. There may well be operators who sell a ticket for that price, but it is a loss leader, just like your local supermarket selling a dozen eggs for 50c.

But this is not eggs. This is public transport, with the inherent risk that all ppruners know and evaluate every day of their working lives.

The least you will get is a poor service. The worst might be losing your loved ones.

Pay the price of travel, or pay the price.

[Lite]

I recently read that they were looking for 757-trained airline staff (flight-deck & cabin crews) to fuel their expansion programmes, and I was looking into it, but I'm guessing following these posts & the various news articles that this is a bad idea! I remember when Phuket first started they were a promising little airline with a couple of 732s competing with Thai. I wonder where it all started to go wrong ...

[ZFT]

Geriatric YS-11s and archaic 742s didn’t help!!!

[sanook]

It was never going to work from the beginning. The company runs a casino on the border with Myanmar (Burma). Nobody knows a thing about the airline business as can be seen by the acquisition of old YS11's and 742's and network decisions. Of course they got them for next to nothing but to operate them......hmm

[mutt]

Getting Hajj money out of Saudia is like getting blood from a stone and yet these airlines keep coming back year after year.....


Mutt.