After a recent past filled with aviation tragedies and financial woes that left our national airline limping through much of 2015, a new Malaysian Airlines takes off today bringing renewed hope and promise aptly symbolized by the #todayishere.
Malaysian Airlines, officially known as Malaysian Airlines Berhad (MAB) from today, September 1, greeted the new beginning for the company with a flurry of promotional events, including a surprise upgrade for lucky passenger who found himself the lucky winner of MAB's brand new Business Class seats this morning.
Pic: Twitter screenshot
CEO Christoph Mueller was on the ground early this morning to welcome in the new MAB, taking ground staff and flight crews by surprise as well as making it a point to welcome the first MAB flight into the country as well as the last outgoing MAS flight.
Pic: Twitter screenshot
The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) officially awarded MAB with its air operator's certificate (AOC) after conducting months of audit activities, including airworthiness operations, MRO conformance and regulatory conformity, the airline announced last week.
Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai who was on hand to witness the ceremony told the press that the AOC is “an important milestone in the evolution of Malaysia’s [new] national airline.”
He said the Malaysian government is committed to ensuring the “new and rejuvenated Malaysia Airlines takes off on a strong note,” reports Air Transport World yesterday.
The birth of the 'new' airline has also been noticed by Malaysian lawmakers who hoped today was a start of a new era for our national carrier.
Setiawangsa MP had made a public statement asking the airline to make the most of the multi-billion ringgit lifeline extended by the government.
"As of Sept 1, the new MAS will be known as Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) and operates as a commercial entity and no longer as a government entity.
"For me, the most important thing after Sept 1, the old MAS is considered a defunct company, while the all-new MAS signals the start of a new era for MAS, which must be run as a commercial entity that can no longer turn back to the government when they encounter a turbulence again.
"Whether they like it or not, it's not an option anymore. They must look to the future. These 14,000 employees, they have the responsibility to determine MAS' future. To me, that's the most important thing.
"Let me remind them that the government is confident that they can relive MAS' glory days.
"While MAS employees can ask what MAS can give them, MAS, in turn, can ask what they can give MAS in return this time around.
"As RM19.2 billion of public funds was pumped to salvage MAS, the last lifeline must be considered final, and MAS must stand on its own feet after this," he said, Bernama reports.
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