KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), the country's national carrier that is restarting its operations from scratch, today received its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

An AOC is crucial for an airline to allow it to use airplanes for commercial purposes. In MAB's case, the AOC will allow it to take flight come Sept 1.

"The AOC is a testament to all our staff at MAB, who have been working hard to fulfill all the necessary requirements and specifications by the DCA," said MAB’s chief executive officer designate Christoph Mueller in a statement today. 

"We are very excited and focused on MAB's take-off in September,” he added.

Also present at the ceremony was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who said the government is committed to ensure that the rejuvenated MAB will take off on a strong note.

"We hope to see more progress driven by the new entity especially in terms of service levels," he added.
 
To qualify for the AOC, MAB was required to undergo months of audit activities, which included air-worthiness of the airline’s operations, aircraft maintenance, as well as regulatory conformity. 

MAS chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said, “This is a start of a new beginning. MAB will endeavour to ensure our passengers are given the best of our services and we will persevere to build a sustainable national icon."

Last year, Khazanah Nasional Bhd had decided to privatise ailing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as the financial performance of the airline had not been favourable and was made worse by the twin aviation tragedies of MH370 and MH17.