Monspace Sky Airlines can't fly without licence, says Liow

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai

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 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 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.