Category: News

No-Go for Malaysian First Flying Car Test Flight

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 November 2019: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia has issued a statement on its Facebook Page barring a scheduled drone flight from taking place. The Chinese-made drone is purported to be the first flying car for Malaysia. The statement is as follows:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESTRICTION ON THE DEMONSTRATION TEST FLIGHT
OF UAS E-HANG 216

PUTRAJAYA – The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) would like to announce that the planned test flight of UAS E-Hang 216 (EH216) scheduled for 21st November 2019 has not been authorized by CAAM.

The location of the test flight at the UNIKL MIAT Hangar Subang is less than 200 meters away from commercial airline and helicopter traffic and clearly within the Subang Airport Terminal Control Zone that is under strict supervision by Air Traffic Control.

In addition to this, the EH216 was only issued a Special Flight Permit (SFP) by its State of Design (Civil Aviation Administration of China) which is limited to conduct Research & Development Flights in Grand World Science Park, Guangzhou.

CAAM is also carrying out an investigation into the unauthorized demonstration flight involving an EH216 on 15th November 2019 at the same area within Subang Airport.

As much as CAAM supports the development of the aerospace industry in Malaysia, test and demonstration flights must be carried out in accordance with the Malaysian Civil Aviation Regulation 2016 (MCAR 2016) to ensure safety.

CAAM would also like to state that we are open to consider the request for a test flight of the EH216 at an appropriate location, and with the support of the aircraft’s State of Design.

COVID-19 Movement Control Order: Flight Departure Status

PUTRAJAYA, 16 March 2020: The Malaysian Government has announced a Movement Control Order, which will be in effect from 18 March 2020 to 31 March 2020.

Nevertheless, major international airports across the country such as KLIA and Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) have witnessed less number of passengers to to some existing travel restrictions.

COVID-19 Movement Control Order: How Travellers Are Affected

Malaysians departing out of Malaysia: All Malaysians are barred from exiting the country, regardless of the reasons. The Malaysians working in Singapore are also affected by the ban.

Malaysians returning to Malaysia from overseas: There is no restriction for them.

Foreigners entering Malaysia: All foreigners are barred from entering Malaysia throughout the MCO period, except those who are working in essential services.

Foreigners exiting Malaysia: Foreigners are allowed to exit from Malaysia as long as they are permitted to be onboard airplanes and receive immigration clearance.

Passengers are advised to check with Malaysian Ministry of Health for more information about COVID-19. More information about COVID-19 Movement Control Order can be found on Majlis Keselamatan Negara (National Security Council) Facebook page.

 

Malaysia Airlines Possible Acquisition: Go or No-go?

In late 2019, Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) began to appear in Malaysian news headlines again. It was reported that the government has received several proposal with the aim of being a strategic partner to the ailing airline. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has reportedly said that all options need to be considered and some of the proposals is considered as “no-go”. The airline has been struggling to be profitable with years of transformation programme have yet to demonstrate significant success.

Focus Malaysia reported that Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said the government has received 5 proposals. While the newspaper has named the first four of them as AirAsia Group Berhad (AAGB), Japan Airlines (JAL), Air France-KLM SA and Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd (Malindo). The fifth proposal has yet to be ascertained from the news reports.

Japan Airlines Co Ltd (JAL)

Japan Airlines is proposing an RM 1.12 bil of cash injection into Malaysia Airlines. In return, it will have a 25% stake in MAB. However, it was reported that the synergy will not be sufficient to cover losses incurred by MAB.

AirAsia Group

Focus Malaysia reported that AAGB estimates synergies of RM 1.4 bil per year. Besides, the synergy is also expected to solve industry’s overcapacity as well as enabling access to AirAsia’s digital and other aviation business.

There are several concerns on the merger or synergy. The first one is a possible monopoly, given the significance of market share both of them have for Malaysian domestic and Southeast Asia regional destinations. The second one is about the access to AirAsia’s digital and other aviation business. This part of AAGB is expected to bring in more revenues compared to the AirAsia airline business itself. Therefore, MAB may not have a bright future as far as profit is concerned.

Air France-KLM

Being a European carrier, the synergy is expected to bring in more benefits to the airlines in terms of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

Malaysia Airlines has been seeing itself in red for so many years already. IN 2014, it was taken private by Khazanah as part of a multi-year restructuring exercise by the Malaysian government.

Malindo Airways

Malindo offers a one-year “trial period” before the final decision on merger takes place. It hopes that the scale of economies will help both airlines save cost and earn a better revenue.

Go or No-go?

The first foreign CEO appointed during the restructuring exercise was Christoph Mueller, who then resigned before his contract tenure ends with Malaysia Airlines. The optimists may think that he will be successful in bringing the necessary changes to the airline. However, his premature resignation has led the skeptics into believing that he was not successful in turning around the company to profitability.

With MAB now is having a Malaysian as its CEO, we can only hope for the best for the airline. Perhaps it is the best time for everyone in the airline to think of what will be the best solution for the company to be profitable.

Sources

How JAL proposes to turn around Malaysia Airlines – Focus Malaysia

 

Najib and Wife Trying to Flee the Country?

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 MAY 2018: Astro Awani news portal has reported that an Indonesian-registered private aircraft is scheduled to land at Subang Skypark Terminal (SZB) tomorrow (12 May 2018) at 6:00am local time. The aircraft is scheduled to depart Subang Airport later at 10:00am. Awani cited an anonymous source saying the passengers include a former Malaysian leader with his wife.

A check on Lowyat.net, a popular forum site has also reported a similar news. A photo was also published on the portal, containing some information about a flight. While the details are similar to the one published on Awani, we are not able to independently confirm whether it is the same flight or not. Here is the information:

Please find below new schedule Legacy650/PKRJX to WMSA as follow

12 MAY 2018

WIHH – WMSA ETD.06:00LT — (repo and pic up pax)

WMSA – WIHH ETD.10:00LT

Passengers

Mr Najib Razak

Mrs Rosmah Mansor

The flight concerned is between WMSA and WIHH. WMSA is the ICAO code for Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport (SZB) located in Subang, Selangor while WIHH is the ICAO code for Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP), located in East Jakarta, Indonesia.

The aircraft, ERJ-135 is manufactured by Embraer. It has two engines and a VIP seating configuration. It was registered on 20 August 2016. Source: Planefinder.net

Update 1, 12:20 AM: Malaysiakini has reported that a source close to Najib said he is taking a two-day break beginning tomorrow and he will be back afterwards. The source also mentioned that there is nothing hideous about the flight.

With the enforcement of Anti Fake News Act 2018, we shall be more vigilant in reporting news. While we try our best to ensure the authenticity of our sources, we are not able to confirm its accuracy. Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions of this website applies.

 

Helicopter Carrying VIPs Reported Missing in Sarawak

[BREAKING NEWS]

A news report has just come out saying a helicopter was reported missing in Sarawak. The helicopter belongs to GCA Skyline Aviation Inc. Source: Interaksyon. It is registered in Philippines. The helicopter model is Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil.

Director-General (DG) of Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman has confirmed the disappearance. He said the helicopter lost contact with air traffic control tower just after departure from Betong. “The helicopter left Betong at 4:12 PM and should have arrived in Kuching around 5 PM”, he said.

 

Crew and Passengers

  1. Capt Rudolf Rex Ragas – pilot
  2. Datuk Noriah Kasnon, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC)
  3. Asmuni Abdullah – Noriah’s husband
  4. Datuk Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Chairman
  5. Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Secretary-general, MPIC
  6. Ahmad Sobri Harun – personal bodyguard to Datuk Noriah

 

The Aircraft

  1. Model: Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil
  2. Type: Single-engine helicopter
  3. Registration Country: Philippines
  4. Registration Number: RP-C6828
  5. Operator: GCA Skyline Aviation Inc.

Search and Rescue (SAR) Team

Malaysian Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai commented about SAR mission during a statement on Friday night (6 May 2016). Source

“The SAR mission is currently being led by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) with the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Air Force (TUDM), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Marine Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) and Civil Defence Department,” – Liow Tiong Lai, Malaysian Transport Minister

 

THURSDAY, MAY 5TH 2016

5:00 PM: A helicopter traveling from Betong to Kuching has been reported lost at that time.

9:00 PM: The Star news portal reported, albeit briefly, about the disappearance. “More to come” has been added at the end of news report, indicating there will be more stories.

9:30 PM: We are still looking for more information on the internet and no new information has been reported. The fate of crew and passengers as well as aircraft registration number remained unknown at the moment.

FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016

12:40 AM: Sarawak Police has given a press statement at 11:30 PM yesterday. No signs of the helicopter so far. Search and rescue team has been deployed at last known location of the helicopter. Sarawak Chief Minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem has asked people to offer their prayer. Weather was reported as bad during the time of disappearance.

10:04 AM: A team of about 100 personnel are searching for the missing helicopter. They will focus on the districts of Sri Aman, Simunjan and Betong. Personnel involved are from Marine Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Police, General Operations Force and Civil Defence Department. Source: The Star

11:45 AM: Kuala Kangsar MP, Datuk Wan Mohammad Khairil is also in the missing helicopter. Friends and relatives begins to gather at his home to learn about the new developments of the disappearance.

11:49 AM: Fire Rescue team has found debris of a helicopter at Sungai Batang Sadong, believed to be remains of the missing helicopter.

Noon: A body belonged to a woman has been found. The body was brought to SMK Sebuyau with a boat later at 1 pm. It was flown to Kuching by TUDM’s Nuri Helicopter at arrived at 3:30 PM. Source

7:47 PM: Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the investigation will be conducted by DCA’s Air Accident & Investigation Bureau (BSKU).

 

 

SATURDAY 7 MAY 2016

8:34 AM: Second body was found, according to Farhan Sufyan Borhan, Assistant Director of Sarawak Fire Rescue Department. Source

11:45 AM: Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, tweeted about the finding of third body in the crash. The third body was later confirmed as Ahmad Sobri. Source

12:17 PM: Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said Search and Rescue (SAR) mission today will cover 875 square kilometers, compared to 2,850 square kilometers yesterday.

3:26 PM: Fourth body has been found.

3:42 PM: Second body has confirmed to be of Dr. Sundaran’s. Source

6:00 PM: The fifth body has been found at 6:00 PM today, about 2 km from Lingga operation centre.

MONDAY 9 MAY 2016

10:15 AM: The sixth victim of the helicopter crash in Sebuyau has finally been recovered, according to a news report by The Borneo Post. Source