TRANSPORT MINISTRY AND MAC TO DISCUSS PASSENGER RIGHTS.

Transport Ministry and MAC to meet over Rayani Air issues

BARU: The Transport Ministry will discuss with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAC) over the rights of air travel passengers.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said all matters related to passengers’ rights would be referred to the MAC.

“We have given them (Rayani Air) warnings before to beef up their operations in view of complaints from their customers,” he said after attending the opening ceremony of an international conference here yesterday.

Rayani Air, which received its Air Service Licence on Dec 18 last year, served KLIA2, Langkawi, Kota Baru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Last month, the Transport Ministry issued a warning to the airline after complaints from passengers about flights that were cancelled without prior warning and not offering replacements.

The airline also received unfavourable attention when it issued handwritten boarding passes following a flight delay from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching on March 19.

Yesterday, Rayani Air owner Ravi Alagendrran said the airline had suspended its operations with immediate effect until further notice.

“This is part of the company’s restructuring plan. We will be operational again after carrying out the restructuring,” he told mStar Online.

He said the airline’s officers had been informed via e-mail.

Based on the e-mail, Ravi had asked the officers to direct their division to stop operating and “recount the assets” of the company.

“All refunds and questions relating to passengers who booked early will have to be forwarded to info@ rayaniair.com or call the call centre at 03-2721 4925 (operational daily from 9am till 6pm),” he wrote.

Ravi also confirmed that Rayani Air had to cancel its flights on Friday following a strike launched by its pilots.