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Malaysia regulator probing airline permit mix-up
Saturday, 26 Jul, 2016
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The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has opened an investigation into new Malaysian carrier Suasa Airlines, which operated a commercial flight last week without the necessary Air Service Permit.
The regulator has urged air travellers not to make any travel bookings with the airline until the investigation is complete.
Suasa Airlines operated a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on July 22, the same day Mavcom rejected its ASP application.
"Suasa Airlines filed an application with Mavcom to operate a commercial flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on 22 July 2016, which Mavcom rejected. However, on the same day, Suasa Airlines continued to operate this flight as a ‘demonstration flight’ which is now being investigated by Mavcom," the regulator said in a statement.
The Commission has called into question the company’s transparency as it is marketed as ‘Monspace Sky Airlines operated by Suasa Air Sdn Bhd.’
It is still unclear what the relationship is between the two businesses, but the regulator said neither has the necessary permits to operate commercially.
"Based on evidence gathered to date, Mavcom has found Monspace Sky Airlines, which also does not hold an ASL or ASP, had marketed themselves as an airline," Mavcom added.
"Mavcom would also like to advise consumers to refrain from making any flight arrangements with Suasa Airlines and Monspace Sky Airlines to ensure that they do not face any inconvenience in their travels."
However the mystery deepened after Jessy Lai, founder of MonSpace Group came forward and said the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) had in fact allowed the flight to take off.
Lai was quoted in China Press as saying permission to operate was given for an initial 72-hour period.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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