KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — Rayani Airlines has now denied claims of sabotage involving its Boeing 737 aircraft, a day after stating it suspected foul play after the plane’s windshield in the cockpit was shattered.
The airline clarified the matter after receiving an engineer’s report today which concluded that there was no element of foul play, and that the Boeing 737’s windshield was cracked because of the hot temperature on Monday.
Rayani Airlines chief executive officer Ravi Alagendrran said that the 22-year-old aircraft’s mirror gave way due the hot weather, and that it was also an old aircraft model.
“There is no sabotage. It is an old aircraft, 22 years old. The mirror cracked after a long time under the heat and our ground staff identified it immediately,” he told Malay Mail Online today when contacted.
The cracked mirror on the aircraft has since been replaced and is fully operational again, Ravi added.
He also reassured the public that Malaysia’s first ever “shariah-compliant” carrier always puts the safety of its passengers first.
“Safety is the most important thing for us here. I am really concerned about the safety of all my passengers.
“That’s why we didn’t allow the plane to fly and instead, tried getting alternative flights from MAB,” Ravi added referring to Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) from which Rayani had to charter a flight to ferry over 250 passengers stranded in Kota Baru, Kelantan.
Ravi also said Rayani is willing to refund or replace the tickets of the affected passengers on Monday.
Bernama reported on Monday that more than 200 passengers were left stranded at the Langkawi International Airport after a Boeing 737 aircraft of Rayani Air developed technical problems.
Flight RN180 scheduled for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) at 11.10am was not allowed to depart due to the technical problems.
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