Abrupt end: MYAirline planes parked on the tarmac after the suspension of its service at KLIA2 in Sepang, Selangor. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: About 125,000 passengers, with tickets worth RM20mil, have been affected by MYAirline’s sudden suspension of operations, says Anthony Loke.
Calling the suspension “irresponsible”, the Transport Minister said the airline had not notified his ministry or the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) about its decision, leaving them surprised when the news broke at 6am yesterday.
“We were caught by surprise. We were totally shocked. They (MYAirline) didn’t even inform us or Mavcom.
“MYAirline just disappeared. They stopped operating, the flights didn’t take off and their employees were also not around at the airport, leaving passengers in total confusion,” said Loke, who was clearly annoyed that his ministry had been kept in the dark.
“This is very irresponsible of them and we will pursue this matter. They must refund all affected passengers.
“You cannot just abruptly stop operations like this,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
“What we heard was that they (the airline) are looking for new investors. Even if they manage to find new investors, that doesn’t mean the (current) licence will be valid.
“We will decide what to do with the licence. They should have come to us first. Their employees have also complained that they haven’t received salaries,” he added.
According to Loke, MYAirline has sold flight tickets to passengers for flights up to March next year, adding that yesterday’s messy affair was affecting the country’s image as some of those who bought the tickets were foreign travellers.
Loke expressed sympathy to the affected passengers, saying the ministry would do its best to resolve the issue.
“The airline never said anything to us. There wasn’t even a notification. We will do everything possible to make sure those affected will be refunded,” he said, adding that he had told Mavcom to set up a task force to resolve the matter and find the best method to ensure all affected passengers get their refunds.
“Many of them bought tickets using their credit cards, so we are looking into cooperating with Bank Negara Malaysia to see if they (the bank) can make refunds instead of waiting for the airline.
“For those who bought the tickets directly, we want to ensure refunds are done as soon as possible.”
Loke said an emergency meeting would be held by the ministry and Mavcom to determine the status of MYAirline’s Air Service Licence (ASL).
Mavcom chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kassim, who was at the press conference, said the commission had contacted MYAirline to demand an explanation.
