Transport Ministry to probe claims private jets used for commercial flights

PETALING JAYA: The Transport Ministry says it will investigate allegations that unlicensed private jets are being used for commercial purposes at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

In a statement on Thursday (Dec 24), the ministry said it viewed seriously the issue of illegal charter jets for commercial purposes.

It said the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) Act 2015 stipulates that any party providing non-scheduled flight services for hire or reward, including operating private jets for charter, must obtain an air service permit from the commission.

“In addition, only licensed airlines with valid Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) issued by their respective countries are allowed to apply for the rights to provide private jets for chartered purposes to ferry passengers within Malaysia for hire or reward.

“This is necessary to ensure that flight services adhere to technical and safety requirements as established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

“The ministry through CAAM and Mavcom will conduct an investigation into this issue in order to take the necessary actions.

“The public is encouraged to report any pertinent information to the ministry, CAAM, or Mavcom to assist in this investigation, ” it said.

The ministry also said that it was currently reviewing all related policies including holding dialogue sessions with relevant stakeholders as there is an increase in demand for private flight services.

Apart from increase in demand, it said the review was also to encourage business growth in the commercial aviation sub-sector.

It was reported that a recent industry survey by the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) Malaysia revealed that the Subang aviation cluster was quickly becoming a hub for illegal charter flights.

The report also found that such flights operated below the authorities’ radar and posed serious safety risks to passengers, as well as ate into the businesses of licenced operators.