Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd (Suasa Airlines) had violated aviation laws, including carrying paying passengers on a "demonstration flight" from the KL International Airport to Langkawi, said Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the airlines had operated without obtaining an Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), a requirement to run a commercial flight.

"Though Sausa Airlines has received technical approval from DCA (Department of Civil Aviation) in the form of an AOC (Air Operator Certificate) on July 22, it did not give the airlines approval to start flying commercially," Liow told reporters in Sepang today.

Earlier, he opened the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-World Customs Organisations (WCO) joint conference on enhancing air cargo security and facilitation in Sepang.

DCA director-general Azharuddin Abd Rahman in a statement yesterday said Suasa Airlines should not conduct any commercial air transport operations without both AOC and ASP approvals.

Liow said when Suasa Airlines applied for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, it was for a demonstration flight and not a commercial flight.

"But Mavcom received complaints from the public that it was a commercial flight. So, it violates the act (Civil Aviation Act 1969). That's why Mavcom is investigating this case and has lodged a police report.

"DCA also issued a show cause letter yesterday. Let the investigations take its course," he said.

Liow added that the Suasa Airlines' aircraft which was marked as "Monspace Suasa Airlines” was another violation that would be investigated.

"It is a serious offence. The Transport Ministry takes such matters seriously as it involves the security and safety of the nation," he said.

Azharuddin in yesterday's statement said that DCA had not issued any AOC, either to Monspace Airlines or Monspace Sky Airlines.

It was reported that Suasa Airlines had filed an application to Mavcom, which was established on March 1, to regulate economic and commercial matters related to civil aviation, to operate a commercial flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on July 22 but it was rejected by Mavcom.

However, according to Mavcom the airlines on the same day applied to operate a "demonstration flight" from KLIA to Langkawi.

Yesterday, Mavcom lodged a police report against Monspace Sky Airlines for misleading the public, as it does not hold an ASP but had marketed itself as an airline.

- Bernama