KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): Aviation regulator Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has extended the suspension of MYAirline Sdn Bhd's air operator's certificate (AOC) by three months until April 14 this year, amid reports that the troubled low-cost carrier has secured a new investor from the Middle East.
On Oct 16, 2023, CAAM suspended the airline's AOC for 90 days, pending further investigations by the technical aviation regulator. The suspension had been due to expire last week.
The suspension was issued after MYAirline’s abruptly halted its operations on Oct 12, 2023, without prior notification to CAAM, as well as economic aviation regulator Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom). Some 125,000 passengers of MYAirline, who had purchased RM22 million worth of tickets, were left in the lurch following MYAirline's move.
CAAM said then that the abrupt halt of MYAirline's operations had raised serious concerns about 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."
When contacted by The Edge, a spokesman for CAAM confirmed that the suspension was extended for another three months until April 14.
Out of the 10 aircraft previously under MYAirline's management, nine have been deregistered by its lessors. Presently, only one aircraft remains registered, according to the CAAM spokesman.
MYAirline is also in the process of getting a conditional air service licence (ASL) from Mavcom. MYAirline's ASL expired on Nov 14, 2023.
"We have received the application for a new ASL from MYAirline," a Mavcom spokesman told The Edge.
Airlines need both an ASL and AOC to operate scheduled air services.
Earlier this month, Bernama reported, quoting sources, that MYAirline has secured and finalised a sale and purchase agreement with a new investor from the Middle East. However, the investor’s identity was not disclosed.
Just three days before the airline's decision to abruptly suspend its operations indefinitely last year, CAAM had given the thumbs up to the airline’s air safety, security and operational proficiency for another two years.
In a November 2023 interview with The Edge, CAAM CEO Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud admitted that the authority was in the dark about MYAirline’s financial predicament before that. “CAAM did not see anything amiss during its last safety audit on MYAirline that was carried out from May 29 to June 1 for the AOC renewal, or in the days right before the suspension,” he said.
Read also:
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Regulators’ audits of airlines face scrutiny amid MYAirline’s collapse
CAAM says MYAirline kept it in the dark, tells airlines to reach out if struggling
