MalayMailOnline
Suasa Airlines under probe for licence-less flight, public warned against buying tickets
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) announced today an investigation against Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd which flew to Langkawi last week without the necessary licence and approval.
The aviation regulator advised the public not to use the services of the company, which it said did not have the required Air Service Permit (ASP) to carry out commercial flights.
“As of today, Suasa Airlines does not possess a valid ASP and therefore cannot perform a commercial air service operation. In order for an entity to operate a commercial airline business, it is required to hold an ASP and an Air Operator Certificate (“AOC”),” the commission said in a statement.
“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 commission added.
Established March 1, Mavcom oversees the issuing, suspension and revocation of the ASP for unscheduled flights and the Air Service Licence (ASL) for flights with a fixed schedule.
The commission stressed the importance of complying with the aviation industry’s laws and regulations, which it said was a “fundamental requirement” for those wishing to join the industry.
“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,” it added.
The commission also said it will be filing a police report against local company Monspace, which was reportedly launched on July 22 with a flight to Langkawi, for allegedly misleading the public.
“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,” the regulator said, pointing out Section 36 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 that bars commercial flights without its ASP.
Photos posted online promoting Monspace’s launch showed an aircraft with pink livery that carried the words “Monspace” and “Suasa Airlines”. However, it is unclear how the two are related as their websites were scant on information.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has denied knowledge of Monspace, The Star daily reported yesterday.
Prior to Mavcom’s announcement, Malay Mail Online contacted Suasa Airlines and Mon Space (M) Sdn Bhd, but has yet to receive a response.
Suasa Airlines CEO Mohd Jabarullah Abd Kadir subsequently responded to Malay Mail Online after Mavcom issued its statement, but only said he is currently overseas.
According to its website, Monspace boasted that it is “one of the largest private airline in Malaysia” and purportedly owns “the largest fleet of Boeing 737 and 747” airplanes. The company did not list any contact detail apart from its office address.
At the time of writing however, the website displayed a message saying that it was under maintenance and carried a line saying “Monspace Sky Airlines operated by Suasa Air Sdn Bhd”.
On July 22, entertainment news portal Galaksi Media Online reported that Monspace will be operating domestic flights to Langkawi, Kedah from KLIA.
The report also said the company planned to operate international flights to Mecca and several places in China in the future.
THE STAR
BENTONG: Monspace Sky Airlines should not have been allowed to fly, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
"This is a very serious offence. How can you fly without a licence?" Liow told reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house held in his constituency here Monday.
Monspace Sky Airlines, which claimed to be operated under Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd, had launched its maiden flight from Subang Airport to Langkawi on Sunday.
To promote its brand, prominent personalities were invited to board the inaugural flight.
According to Liow, Suasa Airlines had operated without obtaining an Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
He said though Suasa Airlines had received "technical approval" from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in the form of an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), it did not give the company the authority to start flying.
"In view of this, I'm very perturbed by the way Suasa Airlines is using Monspace Airlines to fly," Liow said, adding that the action risked its AOC being revoked by DCA.
Liow said he has directed Mavcom to investigate the matter and lodge a police report, adding that DCA will ask Suasa Airlines to explain.
In an immediate reaction, the DCA says it will issue an order to Suasa Airlines to explain why its aircraft were marked with "Monspace SUASA Airlines" and "www.monskyways.com".
Its director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said: "DCA wishes to note that it has not issued any Air Operator Certificate (AOC) neither to Monspace Airlines nor Monspace Sky Airlines. However, Suasa Airlines aircraft were marked with Monspace SUASA Airlines and www.monskyways.com."
In a press release Monday, Azharuddin said DCA issued an Air Operator Licence (AOL) to Suasa Airlines on July 22 after a thorough audit of its technical ability.
It had been reported that Mavcom was lodging a police report against Monspace Sky Airlines for misleading the public, and investigating Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd for operating a flight without an ASP.
Matters relating to the issuance, suspension and revocation of an Air Service Licence (ASL) and ASP come under Mavcom, which was established on March 1 to regulate economic and commercial matters in civil aviation.
Mavcom said in a statement that based on evidence gathered to date, it had found that Monspace Sky Airlines, which does not hold an ASL or ASP, had marketed itself as an airline.
"Suasa will have to pursue the matter with Mavcom to have its full ASP. Suasa Airlines shall not conduct any commercial air transport operations without both of the AOC and ASP approvals," Azharuddin said.
