KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook reminded the just-suspended MYAirlines Sdn Bhd of its responsibilities to the welfare of its 900 employees and passengers affected by its suspended flights.
“We want to ensure that the consumers’ rights are defended and they have the right to seek refunds," he added.
As of Oct 16, the cash-strapped low-cost carrier's operating licence has been suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
This came after the airline suddenly announced a suspension of its flight operations last Thursday (Oct 12), citing “significant financial pressures” pending shareholder restructuring and recapitalisation of the airline.
The sudden suspension of its operations marks less than a year after it took to the skies last December.
Loke also said a motion concerning MYAirline will be tabled by his deputy, Hasbi Habibollah, in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday as well.
Separately, CAAM said it has suspended the air operator certificate (AOC) of MYAirline for 90 days starting Monday, pending the authority's further investigations into the cash-strapped airline.
MYAirline's announcement had caught the aviation authority and the Malaysian government off guard as it came mere days after the airline had been granted an extension on its AOC last Monday (Oct 9) to allow it to operate commercial passenger flights for another two years until 2025.
In a statement, CAAM said a safety audit was carried out on MYAirline from May 29 to June 1 this year for the airline's AOC renewal and that "at that time, there were no findings to indicate financial distress".
"Elements of the financial indicator checklist as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Documents 8335 were included in the safety audit process. As part of the safety audit, AOC holders must also provide evidence indicating financial solvency to CAAM.
“This is to ensure the air operator has the financial resources to conduct its planned operations. Should a financial issue arise, a written notification to CAAM must be made immediately to ensure no compromise to the safety of operations.
“To date, MYAirline has not submitted such notification to CAAM," the civil aviation authority said.
CAAM also noted that the sudden suspension MYAirline's operations on Oct 12 without prior notification had raised serious concern on public safety and the overall integrity of civil aviation operations in Malaysia.
“A detailed safety audit will be carried out on MYAirline during this temporary suspension to reassess the airline’s capability," CAAM further said.
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