Deputy Transport Minister says markings on Suasana Airlines plane did not violate law despite requirements to get pre approval from authorities for all liveries.

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Datuk Aziz Kaprawi says authorities are wrapping up investigations into Suasa Airlines for allegedly flying without a licence and cautioned against concluding that the company was in breach of aviation laws. ― File pic More


PUTRAJAYA, Aug 10 ― The confusing Monspace markings on a plane owned by Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd is just an advertisement and does not violate any aviation law, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said today.


He added that the authorities are wrapping up investigations into Suasa Airlines for allegedly flying without a licence and cautioned against concluding that the company was in breach of aviation laws.


“Nothing with the advertisement,” he told reporters here when questioned on the confusion surrounding Suasa Airlines, after a news report raised questions over the actual flight operator.


“Many airlines put advertisements on their aircrafts,” he added, noting that budget airline AirAsia had also painted Manchester United markings on the exterior of its planes previously.


Aziz’s comment confirm Suasa Airlines chief executive Captain Sheikh Salleh Abod’s remarks to Malay Mail Online last month, that the Monspace marking on one of its aircraft was an advertisment and that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) was aware of it.


Sheikh Salleh explained that Suasa Airlines ― which is seeking to be a chartered flight operator ― had allowed Mon Space (M) Sdn Bhd to have its advertisement carried on the aircraft that went on a DCA-approved non-commercial flight to Langkawi on July 22.


Prior to the interview, photos of an aircraft in pink livery marked with the words “Monspace”, “Suasa Airlines”, “www.monskyways.com” surfaced online. One of the photos showed Hong Kong celebrity Maria Cordero and local celebrity Shila Amzah pointing at a banner publicising the launch of one “Monspace Sky Airline” that was allegedly “operated by Suasa Air Sdn Bhd”, and standing in front of the pink aircraft featuring the words “www.monskyways.com.”


Malay Mail Online's previous check of www.monskyways.com showed the website claiming Monspace Sky Airlines to be “one of the largest private airline in Malaysia” that purportedly “own and operate the largest fleet of Boeing 737 and 747”.


The content was later removed and replaced with a message that the website is currently under maintenance and a line saying “Monspace Sky Airlines operated by Suasa Air Sdn Bhd.”


Malay Mail Online had previously contacted the Malaysian Aviation Commission for information, but the regulator declined, citing confidentiality pending its ongoing investigation on Suasa Airlines and Monspace Sky Airlines.