Suasa Airlines fined RM380,000 operating without a valid ASP

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, 2016, 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 refereed it to the Attorney's General 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.
It said airlines that do not posses a valid ASP or ASL are not permitted to operate a commercial air service in the country, adding that for an entity to operate a commercial airline business, it is required to hold both or an ASL or ASP issued by Mavcom and an Air Operator Certificate issued by the Department of Civil Aviation.
Mavcom executive chairman Gen Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad (Rtd) 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.
"Airlines must have all regulatory approvals in place before starting operations as this is not only required by Malaysian laws but also according to international standards and practices.
"The stringent steps taken by Mavcom aims to safeguard consumers and the Commission will not hesitate to take action on offenders that do not comply with the industry laws and regulations," he said.