Malaysia Airlines gets Air Operator Certificate

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), which will allow the airline to take flight as MAB on Sept 1.

MAB, which received the AOC at the Transport Ministry in Putrajaya on Friday, will now be able to focus on transitioning to MAB, the new national carrier.

MAS chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said: “This is a start of a new beginning. MAB will endeavour to ensure our passengers are given the best of our services and we will persevere to build a sustainable national icon”

To qualify for the AOC, MAB had to undergo months of audit activities, which included air-worthiness of the airline’s operations, aircraft maintenance, as well as regulatory conformity.

MAB CEO designate Christoph Mueller said: “We would like to thank the Director General of DCA, Datuk Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman for this very important milestone. 

“The AOC is a testament to all our staff at Malaysia Airlines who have been working hard to fulfill all the necessary requirements and specifications by DCA. We are very excited and focused on MAB's take-off in September.”

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Md Nor and senior management from both DCA and Malaysia Airlines.

Liow said this was an important milestone in the evolution of Malaysia's national airline. 

“The government of Malaysia is committed to ensure that the rejuvenated Malaysia Airlines will take off on a strong note. We hope to see more progress driven by the new entity especially in terms of service levels,” he said.

The director general of DCA, Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman congratulated MAB for fulfilling the stringent requirements and specifications set out for the AOC.