Wreckage of the Thai One-Two-Go Airlines Flight OG269 is removed from the airport Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, in Phuket, Thailand. Investigators searched Monday through charred remains of the plane that crashed and killed over 80 people, mostly foreigners, on Thailand's resort island of Phuket, while an airline official said wind shear may have doomed the flight. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)By Robin McDowell,
Associated Press Writer
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Dozens of new air carriers have been popping up across Asia to meet the industry's booming demand, but a string of deadly accidents has raised fresh concerns about safety — from pilot shortages to the quality of budget airlines.
The Indonesian pilot of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane that crash-landed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket — one of 90 people to die on Sunday — was among scores who have fled their home countries in recent years for better paying jobs with low-price carriers.
The former Air Force pilot worked for two now-defunct airlines in Indonesia, including one owned by former dictator Suharto's son, according to a colleague, who said he was not authorized to speak to the press.
But Indonesia, the country with Asia's worst aviation record, still has 51 carriers, up from a dozen several years ago, the most vivid example of how rapidly the industry is exploding in the world's largest region.
"As disposable income increases and economies grow, more people within Asia are traveling," said Richard Pinkham of the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation. More than 50 low-frills airlines have cropped up in Asia in recent years, but they still represent less than 10% of the market. "That is what is driving low-cost carrier growth."
Authorities say it's too early to say what caused Flight 269 to skid off the runway and burst into flames during a violent storm, though one aviation expert said the pilot had reportedly requested to circle around again because he could not see the runway.
But it appears the plane was already too low, said Tom Ballantyne, chief corespondent for Orient Aviation magazine, citing reports from Thai aviation officials.
"It was hit by wind shear or strong winds and he didn't have time to react," he said, adding that the bigger question was whether the airport should have been allowing planes to land in stormy weather.
Many of the victims were foreigners, heading to one of Asia's top tourist destinations, which is now served by eight low-cost carriers like Firefly and Nok Air. Only big international airlines, like Thai Airways, flew there a few years ago.
A string of new budget carriers have emerged across Southeast Asia over the last several years to exploit those tourist dollars, as well as tap the region's growing middle class. Many offer rock-bottom prices, sometimes as low as $20 for a one-way trip within Asia, excluding taxes.
Ballantyne said it was important that travelers do their homework when choosing flights, instead of just going with the cheapest fare.
"Look for accidents or safety issues," he said, pointing to airlines connected to strong parent companies — like more-reputable Jetstar, operated by Australia's Qantas Airways, or Tiger Airways, which is 49% owned by Singapore Airlines.
"Look at the sort of planes the airline is operating. Are they new or old? What is the background of the airline?"
One-Two-Go Airlines is tied to Bangkok-based Orient-Thai Airlines, which has had its own share of problems over the past few years. One plane nearly clipped a control tower at a Tokyo airport and others were issued warnings in South Korea for having outdated passenger safety manuals, he said.
Asia has been hit by a rash of plane crashes and mishaps this year, from Cambodia to Japan, resulting in more than 200 deaths. But little information has so far been released about the causes.
Most incidents have occurred in Indonesia — with budget carrier Adam Air plunging from the sky at 35,000 feet and national carrier Garuda careening off the runway. Another jetliner snapped in half on landing. Together, more than 120 people have died.
But experts warn the country is not indicative of the entire region.
"I'd look at Indonesia as a separate example," said Nicholas Ionides, regional managing editor, Flight International magazine. "The Indonesian market is growing at such a phenomenal rate and the government system is not able to keep up with the oversight of airlines."
Indonesia has also be struggling to keep pilots from fleeing to higher-paying carriers elsewhere in the world — dozens have been lured to the Middle East and other parts of Asia by better salaries and benefits.
It's part of a regionwide trend — the result of extraordinary air traffic growth in China and India and the rapid rise of low-cost carriers — that also worries aviation experts.
"There is a global pilot shortage, for sure," said Ionides. "As more and more aircraft are coming into the industry, and particular this region ... there is going to be an even greater shortfall of trained flight-deck personnel."
Associated Press writers Margie Mason in Jakarta and Vijay Joshi in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
The Indonesian pilot of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane that crash-landed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket — one of 90 people to die on Sunday — was among scores who have fled their home countries in recent years for better paying jobs with low-price carriers.
The former Air Force pilot worked for two now-defunct airlines in Indonesia, including one owned by former dictator Suharto's son, according to a colleague, who said he was not authorized to speak to the press.
But Indonesia, the country with Asia's worst aviation record, still has 51 carriers, up from a dozen several years ago, the most vivid example of how rapidly the industry is exploding in the world's largest region.
"As disposable income increases and economies grow, more people within Asia are traveling," said Richard Pinkham of the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation. More than 50 low-frills airlines have cropped up in Asia in recent years, but they still represent less than 10% of the market. "That is what is driving low-cost carrier growth."
Authorities say it's too early to say what caused Flight 269 to skid off the runway and burst into flames during a violent storm, though one aviation expert said the pilot had reportedly requested to circle around again because he could not see the runway.
But it appears the plane was already too low, said Tom Ballantyne, chief corespondent for Orient Aviation magazine, citing reports from Thai aviation officials.
"It was hit by wind shear or strong winds and he didn't have time to react," he said, adding that the bigger question was whether the airport should have been allowing planes to land in stormy weather.
Many of the victims were foreigners, heading to one of Asia's top tourist destinations, which is now served by eight low-cost carriers like Firefly and Nok Air. Only big international airlines, like Thai Airways, flew there a few years ago.
A string of new budget carriers have emerged across Southeast Asia over the last several years to exploit those tourist dollars, as well as tap the region's growing middle class. Many offer rock-bottom prices, sometimes as low as $20 for a one-way trip within Asia, excluding taxes.
Ballantyne said it was important that travelers do their homework when choosing flights, instead of just going with the cheapest fare.
"Look for accidents or safety issues," he said, pointing to airlines connected to strong parent companies — like more-reputable Jetstar, operated by Australia's Qantas Airways, or Tiger Airways, which is 49% owned by Singapore Airlines.
"Look at the sort of planes the airline is operating. Are they new or old? What is the background of the airline?"
One-Two-Go Airlines is tied to Bangkok-based Orient-Thai Airlines, which has had its own share of problems over the past few years. One plane nearly clipped a control tower at a Tokyo airport and others were issued warnings in South Korea for having outdated passenger safety manuals, he said.
Asia has been hit by a rash of plane crashes and mishaps this year, from Cambodia to Japan, resulting in more than 200 deaths. But little information has so far been released about the causes.
Most incidents have occurred in Indonesia — with budget carrier Adam Air plunging from the sky at 35,000 feet and national carrier Garuda careening off the runway. Another jetliner snapped in half on landing. Together, more than 120 people have died.
But experts warn the country is not indicative of the entire region.
"I'd look at Indonesia as a separate example," said Nicholas Ionides, regional managing editor, Flight International magazine. "The Indonesian market is growing at such a phenomenal rate and the government system is not able to keep up with the oversight of airlines."
Indonesia has also be struggling to keep pilots from fleeing to higher-paying carriers elsewhere in the world — dozens have been lured to the Middle East and other parts of Asia by better salaries and benefits.
It's part of a regionwide trend — the result of extraordinary air traffic growth in China and India and the rapid rise of low-cost carriers — that also worries aviation experts.
"There is a global pilot shortage, for sure," said Ionides. "As more and more aircraft are coming into the industry, and particular this region ... there is going to be an even greater shortfall of trained flight-deck personnel."
Associated Press writers Margie Mason in Jakarta and Vijay Joshi in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
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