Affected flyers offered discounted flights

PETALING JAYA: Rival airlines and Malaysia Airports have immediately stepped in to provide necessary assistance, such as offering discounted flights to stranded and frustrated flyers affected by the sudden suspension of MYAirline.

Malaysia Airports said necessary resources had been deployed to help all stranded MYAirline passengers following its suspension announcement.

“Passengers who are not yet at the airport are advised not to come to the airport. Instead, they can explore alternative flight options from other carriers through the respective airlines’ websites,” said Malaysia Airports in a statement yesterday.

It also said relevant notices had been put up at the terminals and airport staff were on the ground to offer assistance on alternative flight options by other carriers.“At KLIA, resting areas have been provided at Level 3, Terminal 2 and Level 5 at Anjung Tinjau Terminal 1 so that passengers can wait for their next flight comfortably,” it said.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement that it would offer assistance to stranded MYAirline passengers.

“Malaysia Airlines invites the management of MYAirline to work together to reallocate their passengers on our flights where available. However, passengers with an urgent need to travel may immediately visit any Malaysia Airlines ticketing office to make their booking and receive 55% off on their flight tickets on affected routes by presenting their MYAirline tickets for travel up to November 2023,” said the carrier.

AirAsia also announced a special 50% discount on base fares exclusively for MYAirline passengers with confirmed flight bookings to and from Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Tawau, Kota Baru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu-Tawau, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi-Bangkok from today until Nov 30.

The 50% base fare is for a one-way fare excluding airport tax, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) fee, fuel surcharge and other applicable fees, and affected passengers must present their confirmed MYAirline flight bookings at AirAsia sales counters.“We understand the stress and disruption this situation has caused and hope that this 50% discount will assist affected passengers in making new travel arrangements,” said AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd group chief executive officer Bo Lingam.

Batik Air also gave discounts on selected routes, with its one-way inclusive special fares covering Penang (RM129), Langkawi (RM159), Kuching (RM199), Kota Kinabalu (RM299) as well as Don Mueang, Bangkok.

Affected passengers are required to attach a copy of their MYAirline tickets and make the booking through [e-mail].

In a statement, Lion Group and Batik Air group strategic director Chandran Rama Muthy said these special fares were valid for travel up to Nov 30, subject to availability.

Mavcom said it had set up dedicated channels to assist affected customers and added that the commission was probing the airline based on internal reviews and complaints regarding the airline’s unpaid statutory obligations to its employees, among others.It also urged affected consumers to contact the airline’s channels for assistance, including [e-mail].