Zest Air
Philippines · Active
Airline Identity
History
The airline's roots trace to Asian Spirit, founded in September 1995 as the Philippines' first cooperatively run airline, which began flying in April 1996. Businessman Alfredo Yao's AMY Holdings/Zest-O Corporation acquired Asian Spirit in a deal that closed in March 2008, and the carrier was rebranded Zest Airways (commonly known as Zest Air) on 30 September 2008. In March 2013, Zest Airways signed a share-swap agreement bringing AirAsia Philippines (part of Malaysia's AirAsia Group) in as an investor; the deal closed in May 2013 and the airline was rebranded AirAsia Zest on 21 September 2013, initially continuing to operate under its own certificate alongside sister carrier AirAsia Philippines.
Current Operations
Zest Air's former operations, fleet and network are now fully absorbed into Philippines AirAsia (also referred to as AirAsia Philippines), which continues flying from hubs at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport as part of the Malaysia-based AirAsia Group -- whose long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, itself began rebranding as "AirAsia Group" in 2026 as part of a wider one-brand consolidation. No airline currently operates under the Zest Air, Zest Airways or AirAsia Zest name.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.