KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 29): Scanda Sky PLT is not licensed to operate in Malaysia, says the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

In a statement today, the aviation regulator said Scanda Sky does not hold an air service licence (ASL) or an air service permit (ASP) issued either by the commission under the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 [Act 771] or under the Civil Aviation Act 1969 [Act 3].

An ASL or ASP is required for the carriage of passengers, mail or cargo by air, for hire or reward whether it is on a scheduled or non-scheduled journey between two or more places, of which at least one location is in Malaysia.

"As such, Scanda Sky may have misrepresented itself to the public via the said news reports and its website that it is a Malaysian carrier permitted to operate such services," said Mavcom.

It was responding to reports that Scanda Sky launched its inaugural flight on Nov 27 from Ipoh to Guangzhou, China.

"The commission understands that Scanda Sky has entered into a charter agreement with Malaysia Airlines Bhd and the flight in question was in fact operated by Malaysia Airlines."

Mavcom noted that Scanda Sky advertises and promotes commercial scheduled flights in its website, thus suggesting it is an airline.

As such, it has issued a warning letter to Scanda Sky instructing it to cease marketing its services, as well as advertising itself as a commercial airline.

In 2017, Suasa Airlines Sdn Bhd was fined RM380,000 after it flew to Langkawi without the necessary licence and approval.