Suasa Airlines fined RM380,000
PETALING JAYA: Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd (Suasa Airlines) was fined RM380,000 by the Sepang sessions court after it pleaded guilty for operating without a valid Air Service Permit (ASP).
Suasa Airlines pleaded guilty under Section 36 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act for carrying passengers for hire or reward on a non-scheduled journey between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi.
The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) had rejected Suasa Airlines’ application on July 22 last year to operate a non-scheduled commercial flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi as it did not possess a valid ASP, on the same day the airline proceeded to operate the flight as a “demonstration flight”.
Mavcom conducted an investigation on the matter and referred it to the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers to prosecute.
All matters relating to the issuance, suspension and revocation of an Air Service Licence (ASL) and ASP come under the purview of Mavcom.
Mavcom executive chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad said in a statement that it was important for airlines to comply with the laws and regulations as a fundamental requirement to participate in the industry.
“The stringent steps taken by Mavcom aim to safeguard consumers and the Commission will not hesitate to take action against offenders,” he said.