First syariah compliant airline gets licence to fly

The airline will launch its maiden flight on Sunday, from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (klia2), offering business and economy classes.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s first syariah-compliant airline, Rayani Air, has received an air service licence and air operator certificate from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

DCA Director-General, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, presented them to the airline’s new Managing Director, Jaafar Zamhari, at the Transport Ministry here today.

Jaafar said the airline would launch its maiden flight on Sunday, from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (klia2), offering business and economy classes.

“With eight pilots and a crew of 50, the airline has accepted bookings for its second route — Langkawi-Kota Baru,” he told reporters here today.

He said for phase one, the airline would use two older Boeing 737-400s to serve Kota Baru, Kuching, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu.

“The other phases subsequently will see the use of new aircraft, Boeing 737-800s, and will flying more domestic, regional and international routes,” he said.

Jaafar said Rayani Air, which wanted to use the Melaka International Airport, has picked Langkawi as its aviation hub in its effort to attract more tourists to the island resort.

“Melaka’s airport lacked the capacity for us to park our Boeing 737-400,” he said, adding the market response to Rayani Air was quite slow as the people have booked their tickets earlier with other airlines.

Without elaborating on the investment or expansion plan, Jaafar said Rayani Air would use the Boeing 777 aircraft and cater to those who wanted to peform their umrah and haj.

Meanwhile, Azharuddin has advised Rayani Air to comply with the rules and regulations set under the air service licence and air service certificate and to always put the safety of the flight and passengers first.

“DCA will also continue to do inspection, audit and surveillance of Rayani Air and other airlines,” he said.

Besides Rayani Air, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Malindo Air have flight operations to Langkawi.

– BERNAMA