KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): Low-cost carrier MYAirline Sdn Bhd, which saw its chief executive officer Rayner Teo step down on Sunday (Oct 8) night citing health reasons, has received an extension to its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), allowing it to operate scheduled commercial flights for another two years.
The AOC expired on Sept 30. Meanwhile, its air service licence (ASL) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission to MYAirline will expire on Nov 14, 2023.
In a statement on Monday, its chief operating officer Stuart Cross, who has assumed the role of interim CEO at MYAirline as the board of directors searches for a new CEO, said, “The extension of the AOC signifies a thorough evaluation of MYAirline's operations, including but not limited to maintenance, crew training, safety protocols and organisational management. This process involved rigorous assessments and regular audits conducted by CAAM, demonstrating MYAirline's commitment to meeting and exceeding industry benchmarks.”
"We are pleased to have our AOC extended for 24 months. This achievement underscores our continuous efforts to prioritise safety and compliance in every aspect of our operations. It reflects our dedication to providing our customers with the highest quality services while maintaining the utmost levels of safety and reliability.
“The extension of the AOC further solidifies our position as a trusted and reliable partner in the aviation sector,” he added.
On Sunday, MYAirline maintained that its operations remain steadfast amid talks that the carrier is facing a financial crunch.
“As MYAirline transitions from its first summer to winter flight schedules, it has been necessary to proactively consolidate certain routes. This decision has been made in full transparency to ensure the best possible experience for our passengers. The situation has been further compounded by the delayed delivery of some aircraft that were originally scheduled to be operational by now,” it said.
MYAirline also announced that it was in advanced stages of finalising strategic partnerships that hold significant promise for the future growth of the airline.
"This decision stems from meticulous evaluation and aligns with our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services to our passengers. Our team is working diligently to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to facilitate a seamless integration of any strategic partnership.
"Further details will be shared in due course, highlighting the benefits and opportunities this collaboration will bring to our passengers and the industry," it added.
Commencing operations in December 2022, MYAirline operates a fleet of nine Airbus A320-200 aircraft out of Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airline aims to have a total of 20 aircraft by year end.