Maria Cordero (sixth from right) poses for a group photo with the staff of MonSpace Sky Airlines, July 24, 2016. — Picture courtesy of MariaCordero/Facebook

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) announced today an investigation against Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd which flew to Langkawi last week without the necessary licence and approval.

The aviation regulator advised the public not to use the services of the company, which it said did not have the required Air Service Permit (ASP) to carry out commercial flights.

“As of today, Suasa Airlines does not possess a valid ASP and therefore cannot perform a commercial air service operation. In order for an entity to operate a commercial airline business, it is required to hold an ASP and an Air Operator Certificate (“AOC”),” the commission said in a statement.

“Suasa Airlines filed an application with Mavcom to operate a commercial flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on 22 July 2016, which Mavcom rejected.

“However, on the same day, Suasa Airlines continued to operate this flight as a “demonstration flight” which is now being investigated by Mavcom,” the commission added.

Established March 1, Mavcom oversees the issuing, suspension and revocation of the ASP for unscheduled flights and the Air Service Licence (ASL) for flights with a fixed schedule.

The commission stressed the importance of complying with the aviation industry’s laws and regulations, which it said was a “fundamental requirement” for those wishing to join the industry.

“Mavcom would also like to advise consumers to refrain from making any flight arrangements with Suasa Airlines and Monspace Sky Airlines to ensure that they do not face any inconvenience in their travels,” it added.

The commission also said it will be filing a police report against local company Monspace, which was reportedly launched on July 22 with a flight to Langkawi, for allegedly misleading the public.

“Based on evidence gathered to date, Mavcom has found Monspace Sky Airlines, which also does not hold an ASL or ASP, had marketed themselves as an airline,” the regulator said, pointing out Section 36 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 that bars commercial flights without its ASP.

Photos posted online promoting Monspace’s launch showed an aircraft with pink livery that carried the words “Monspace” and “Suasa Airlines”. However, it is unclear how the two are related as their websites were scant on information.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has denied knowledge of Monspace, The Star daily reported yesterday.

Prior to Mavcom’s announcement, Malay Mail Online contacted Suasa Airlines and Mon Space (M) Sdn Bhd, but has yet to receive a response.

When contacted by Malay Mail Online after Mavcom issued its statement, Mohd Jabarullah Abd Kadir, a director in Suasa Airlines said he is currently overseas.

According to its website, Monspace boasted that it is “one of the largest private airline in Malaysia” and purportedly owns “the largest fleet of Boeing 737 and 747” airplanes. The company did not list any contact detail apart from its office address.

At the time of writing however, the website displayed a message saying that it was under maintenance and carried a line saying “Monspace Sky Airlines operated by Suasa Air Sdn Bhd”.

On July 22, entertainment news portal Galaksi Media Online reported that Monspace will be operating domestic flights to Langkawi, Kedah from KLIA.

The report also said the company planned to operate international flights to Mecca and several places in China in the future.

* Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Mohd Jabarullah is the CEO of Suasa Airlines when he is only a director there. Malay Mail Online apologises for the error, which has since been corrected.