TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke emphasised that discussions about the revival of the grounded low-cost carrier MYAirline Sdn Bhd will focus on resolving refund issues and settling unpaid staff wages.

According to a report, MYAirline signed a sale and purchase agreement with a Middle Eastern investor in December 2023, outlining plans to resume operations by the middle of 2024.

“We are meeting them (MYAirline) today. We want to hear from them to know what the proposal is and their current status.

“However, they have to ensure that all the previous refunds are made and whatever is owed (in terms of wages and claims) to the staff must be paid. If they can meet these two essential conditions, then we will start talking,” Loke said in a press conference after delivering the Transport Ministry’s New Year 2024 message in Putrajaya today.

It was reported that, with the entrance of the new investor, MYAirline has commenced the application process for a conditional air service license (ASL) with the Malaysian Aviation Commission.

Subsequent stages include obtaining the Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) before acquiring a full ASL for its operational activities.

Loke mentioned that the airline licence for MYAirline would still be majority-held (at least 51%) by Malaysians, in adherence to the country’s policy.

MYAirline had previously announced the suspension of its flight operations on October 12, 2023, citing financial pressures, less than a year into its operational tenure.

The minister also said that he has not received any definitive information regarding the emergency door plug found in the backyard of a schoolteacher in Portland, Oregon, which had blown off a Boeing 737 Max 9 in the United States a few days ago.

The door plug was seen having handwritten inventory information, as well as the note “Made in Malaysia” next to the serial number of the part after it was discovered by American teacher Bob Sauer in his backyard.

Loke said he would ask CAAM to look into the matter if there were an official request from the airline concerned. – Bernama, January 12, 2024.