Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd has to pursue its full air service permit (ASP) with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) before conducting any commercial air transport operations.

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said although the airline received its provisional ASP on Dec 15 last year, it had not been issued with full ASP.

"Subsequently, Suasa applied to the DCA for an air operator certificate (AOC) on Jan 18, 2016. After a thorough audit and inspection on Suasa’s technical ability, the DCA issued the AOC on July 22, 2016.

"Suasa Airlines shall not conduct any commercial air transport operations without both the AOC and ASP approvals," he said in a statement today.

Azharuddin asserted that the DCA had not issued any AOC either to Monspace Airlines or Monspace Sky Airlines.

However, Suasa Airlines aircraft were marked with 'Monspace Suasa Airlines' and www.monskyways.com," he said.

He said the DCA would issue an order seeking Suasa Airlines to explain to clear the air over this matter.

It was reported that the private airline, which is currently operating from KL International Airport (KLIA), launched its inaugural flight from KLIA to Langkawi last Friday.

- Bernama