Z2 · Active

Zest Air

Philippines

Airlines

Z2Active

Zest Air

Philippines

Routes

Hubs

—

ICAO

IATA

TravelerPulse profile

Affordable flights connecting the Philippine archipelago.

Founded

2007

Headquarters

Manila, Philippines

Zest Air was a low-cost carrier based in the Philippines that operated domestic routes connecting Manila with various provincial destinations across the archipelago. The airline positioned itself as a budget alternative for Filipino travelers seeking affordable air travel. Founded in the mid-2000s, Zest Air operated from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and served key domestic destinations including Cebu, Davao, and other provincial cities. The airline competed in a growing low-cost market alongside AirAsia Philippines and Cebu Pacific. In 2013, Zest Air entered into a partnership and eventual merger with AirAsia Philippines, ceasing operations under its own brand. The airline had faced financial difficulties and regulatory challenges before the consolidation with AirAsia Philippines effectively absorbed its operations.

Hubs & network

Zest Air operated primarily out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila as its main hub.

Fleet

Zest Air operated a fleet primarily consisting of ATR 72 turboprop aircraft and Airbus A320 jets for its domestic routes.

Notable facts

›Zest Air was formerly known as Asian Spirit before rebranding.
›The airline merged with AirAsia Philippines in 2013, ending independent operations.
›It operated as a low-cost domestic carrier serving provincial Philippine destinations.
›The Civil Aeronautics Board temporarily suspended Zest Air operations in 2013 due to safety concerns.
›Zest Air used the IATA code Z2, which was later retained by AirAsia Philippines after the merger.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.

Zest Air connected Filipino travelers across the Philippine archipelago affordably

Zest Air was a low-cost Philippine carrier that operated domestic routes across the Philippine archipelago. Founded as Asian Spirit and later rebranded, it served key island destinations before ceasing operations in 2014. The airline was known for its budget fares targeting cost-conscious travelers on shorter domestic hops.

Primary Hubs

MNL CEB

Cabin Classes

Economy

Fleet Note

Zest Air operated a mixed fleet of ATR turboprops and Airbus A320 narrowbody jets on its domestic Philippine routes.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Primary hubs

Ninoy Aquino International AirportMNL · 11 rts Kalibo International AirportKLO · 4 rts Mactan Cebu International AirportCEB · 3 rts Incheon International AirportICN · 3 rts Kuala Lumpur International AirportKUL · 2 rts Kota Kinabalu International AirportBKI · 1 rts

Route network map (32 legs)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Route network

BKI → MNL320

CEB → ICN320

CEB → MNL319 320

ICN → CEB320

ICN → KLO320

ICN → MNL320

KLO → MNL320 319

KLO → PUS320

KLO → TPE320

KUL → CEB320

KUL → MNL320

MFM → MNL320

MNL → BKI320

MNL → ICN320

MNL → KUL320

MNL → MFM320

MNL → MYY320

MNL → PPS320 319

MNL → PVG320

MNL → TAG320 319

MYY → MNL320

PUS → KLO320

TAC → MNL320

TAG → MNL320 319

TPE → KLO320

CEB → KUL320

KLO → ICN320

MNL → CEB319 320

MNL → KLO320 319

MNL → TAC320

PPS → MNL320 319

PVG → MNL320

Fleet (aircraft types operated)

Airbus A32032 routes Airbus A3198 routes

Encyclopaedia

Zest Airways, Inc., operated as AirAsia Zest, was a Filipino low-cost airline based at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Metro Manila in the Philippines. It operated scheduled domestic and international tourist services, mainly feeder services linking Manila and Cebu with 24 domestic destinations in support of the trunk route operations of other airlines.

Read full article on Wikipedia