Malaysia’s aviation regulator has shortened Malaysia Airlines’ operating license from three years to one after an investigation revealed serious technical issues. The Malaysian Ministry of Transport announced this on Wednesday, responding to critical deficiencies uncovered in June, reported Reuters.
The investigation, conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, identified several problems, including a lack of qualified staff and shortages of spare parts. In response, Malaysia Airlines has developed an action plan that includes aggressive recruitment and a review of aircraft maintenance procedures. The company has also reduced reliance on third-party maintenance services, focusing on its in-house capabilities.
“Malaysia Airlines is now required to submit monthly reports on the progress of its action plan,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. The company also plans to temporarily reduce the number of flights and routes until December 2023.
Malaysia Airlines has faced numerous challenges over the past decade, including two tragic plane crashes in 2014. The company underwent restructuring and returned to profitability only in 2023. However, as of August 25, the airline has already canceled 31 weekly flights on 13 international routes.
Minister Loke noted that these reductions might impact the company’s revenue but assured that Malaysia Airlines remains in good financial standing. Any further support for the airline will depend on decisions made by its sole shareholder, the sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional.
Malaysia Aviation Group, which also owns Firefly and Amal, stated that corrective measures are being implemented, linking the difficulties to operational challenges that arose during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to company and industry data, Malaysia Aviation Group’s fleet consists of over 100 aircraft.
