Keith Woolford Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 The AAC has temporarily suspended all Air Panama flights using Fokker 50 aircraft as there have been some recent issues with that fleet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted October 6, 2019 Moderators Share Posted October 6, 2019 Quote Suspension of Air Panama flights strands 500 Posted 05/10/2019 Over 00 passengers, on the Panama-David-Bocas del Toro route , and vice versa, were stranded on Saturday, October 5, following an order of the Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) for the temporary suspension of Air Panama flights. The AAC decided to suspend the fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft of Air Panama serving the route, after a regulatory investigation, although it did not offer further details. reports La Prensa. Representatives of Air Panama , described the AAC measure as "uncompromising and resounding," because they said, "it is definitely affecting the entire country." "The measure they have taken is too extreme and could have been done differently," a company spokesperson told La Prensa. The Panamanian company has three Fokker 50 planes that offer daily service between Panama City and the provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. The company's executives were meeting on with AAC officials on Saturday to try to reach an agreement. Air Panama is the only airline that travels to Bocas del Toro and the flights affect tourism in the province that is currently in low season. Passengers who were stranded in Bocas del Toro only have the alternative of traveling by bus that takes approximately 8 hours to David and 12 hours to Panama. On September 5, a Fokker 50 aircraft of Air Panama suffered a mechanical damage in flight and had to make an emergency at 4:01 pm, at Panama Pacifico International Airport. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/suspension-of-air-panama-flights-strands-500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilD Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Thanks for the update. I'm using AirPanama in January to travel from Panama City & David, then David to San Jose. Does AirPanama have other models than the Fokker 50? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 Not on this run. They had Fokker 100s but weren't filling them so they cut back to 50's. Looks like I'm grounded too, as I fly this route on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hil Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 any news on flights from david and panama? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 7, 2019 Author Share Posted October 7, 2019 Back to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hil Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 any news on flights from david and panama? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hil Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 good news. one air panama plane on the tarmac for 5 months in david. sounds like a management problem. also, maybe they need better quality control on regular maintenance program. the manufactures of these planes know every detail on these planes. maybe some extra schools for the inspectors and mechanics. kinda of scarey to all of a sudden ground an entire fleet. oh well, i'll be using them soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 4 hours ago, Hil said: sounds like a management problem. also, maybe they need better quality control on regular maintenance program. the manufactures of these planes know every detail on these planes. maybe some extra schools for the inspectors and mechanics. Air Panama suggestions: servicio.al.cliente@airpanama.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted October 9, 2019 Moderators Share Posted October 9, 2019 Quote Air Panama resumes flights with one plane Posted 06/10/2019 Activity at the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Albrook took was near normal Sunday morning, October 6, after Saturday the Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) authorized the Air Panama company to partially resume service and use one of its five Fokker 50 planes. On Saturday, the aviation regulator made the decision to suspend the operation of the Fokker 50 aircraft due to "irregularities" found in a routine inspection carried out on the Panamanian company fleet. The planes are used on the route between Panama, David and Bocas del Toro, one of the main tourist destinations in the country. The first flight to Bocas del Toro left from Albrook on Sunday morning and the second at 2:30 pm. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/air-panama-resumes-flights-with-one-plane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 Air Panama claims that its aircraft are safe and reliable A call for a review of its Fokker 50 aircraft caused the suspension of flights to the provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, last Saturday, October 5.The measure, which lasted 12 hours, affected about 500 passengers Air Panama's chief executive, Eduardo Stagg, yesterday reiterated to this newspaper that the maintenance of his aircraft is carried out in strict compliance and that the documentation is in order, since last Saturday the flights of their Fokker 50 aircraft were suspended by the competent authorities for a routine review. Last Saturday, about 500 passengers, heading to the provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, were surprised when they arrived at Marcos A International Airport.Gelabert," located in Albrook, and encountered this suspension, which caused them discomfort because they had not been informed in advance.The measure also caused uncertainty among representatives of the Panamanian airline, who recognize that the authorities are in their full right to carry out such actions, but state that they must consider the impact this may have on the Public. Representatives of Air Panama had been notified last Friday night of this suspension by the Civil Aviation Authority (ACC) of Panama, so they did not have enough time to notify their customers of the mishap, only on Saturday as they arrived at the air terminal. The suspension took place on Saturday, October 5 from 6 a.m. and at 6 p.m. on the same day the airline resumed its flights to the aforementioned destinations.The company from the same day reported that it complied to the letter with the maintenance of its aircraft recommended in the manufacturer's manuals and that they use only authorised and reputable workshops in the aviation industry. Everything in order Stagg said yesterday that the documentation of them is in order and that the AAC has been extremely thorough in its inspection to assure the public the safety and reliability, after its endorsement as a competent authority. The Air Panama executive also indicated that the economic impact of the suspension measure cannot be quantified at the moment, but assured that passengers were then relocated to subsequent flights. "The company's reputation was publicly put under scrutiny, (but) by pulling out the positive, I think when people see our planes on the flight line they'll know (...) that they receive a rigorous maintenance from us and this is always closely monitored by the AAC," Stagg responded to La Estrella. "What was affected and is a reality is that our company depends entire communities, to which we take and bring their inhabitants, their doctors, their teachers, their police, their tourists, their tourists, their medicines, the supplies to carry out their work. We evacuate their sick and so many other things that make us a vital part of the country's transport network," Stagg said. Air Panama operates three daily flights to David (Chiriquí), as well as To Bocas del Toro, as well as a flight to Changuinola (Bocas del Toro) and San José (Costa Rica).The company has three Fokker 50 aircraft, which the company guarantees are "safe and reliable", and suitable for short routes .Air Panama is Panama's main domestic airline with more than 15 years flying from Albrook International Airport "Marcos A.Gelabert." Since 2004 it has transported more than 4 million passengers and completed more than 100,000 flights, according to data provided by the company. Last Saturday's unexpected unforeseen event comes after an incident that arose on 5 September, when a plane from this airline had a problem with one of the engines in mid-flight as it was heading to the city of David, in the province of Chiriquí. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/191008/air-son-panama-asegura-aviones?utm_content=bufferf85e9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, Moderator_02 said: https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/air-panama-resumes-flights-with-one-plane I have doubts about the veracity of Newsroom Panama's story Edited October 9, 2019 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 20 hours ago, Keith Woolford said: I have doubts about the veracity of Newsroom Panama's story In what regard?...safety ?? 20 hours ago, Keith Woolford said: I have doubts about the veracity of Newsroom Panama's story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 The accuracy of their report. For one thing, all AP planes were back in service on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 In top shape I hope...Bill has flight reservations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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