The Transport Ministry has called for MYAirline Sdn Bhd to issue a public apology to the 125,000 passengers affected by its abrupt suspension of operations.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it was very irresponsible for the airline company to “disappear” without a formal notice to Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) or the Transport Ministry.
“I would like to go on record regarding this issue that we (Transport Ministry and Mavcom) were caught by surprise and shocked by what has happened.
“Not only did the passengers fail to board their flights, even the airline staff on ground were not present at the airport.
“MYAirline must make a public apology to those who were affected with the operation suspension on top of ensuring a refund to the passengers,” Loke told a press conference here at the Parliament building.
According to Loke, based on information given by MYAirline, the estimated affected passengers of 125,000 was based on ticket sales up until March next year.
“In terms of value, it is an estimated value of RM20 million.
Passengers want MYairlines to take responsibility for flight cancellations
Bernama
Oktober 12, 2023 17:45 MYT
Passengers want MYairlines to take responsibility for flight cancellations
MYAirline Sdn Bhd in a statement early this morning said its operations were suspended effective today until further notice due to significant financial pressure. - X/MyAirline
KOTA KINABALU: MYAirline Sdn Bhd passengers here want the company to take responsibility for their losses following the cancellation of flights and the suspension of flight operations that came into effect today.
Suziana Ottoh, 36, only realised the cancellation of the flight at about 10 am today after arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here from Lahad Datu which is more than 400 kilometres from here, at 6 am today.
She and her five children were scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14 at 4.20 pm but it was postponed to 9.50 pm.
"But I'm not sure if the 9.50 pm flight has been cancelled or not. If it's cancelled again like today, it'd be a waste of my time," she told Bernama at KKIA here today.
MYAirline Sdn Bhd in a statement early this morning said its operations were suspended effective today until further notice due to significant financial pressure.
Suziana said she had to come two days earlier so as not to miss the flight as had happened before where the airline did not allow her to board the plane because she was a few minutes late.
Fresella June Gunihas, 22, who came to the MYAirlines sales centre wanted an explanation about her flight schedule which was supposed to be on Oct 18 but was changed.
She said following the problem she had to pay RM1,600 due to an error in the company's system which changed her flight date to November.
"I was required to pay an additional price and penalty which was not even my fault. I really do not understand this MYAirline system," said Fresella who wanted to go to Kuala Lumpur to visit a sick family member.
Fadzhil Rosleh, 32, also expressed disappointment when the flight ticket to Kuala Lumpur for his sister, mother and nephew that was scheduled for this afternoon was cancelled.
He said his sister Diana Rosleh, 31, arrived from Kuala Lumpur yesterday and is supposed to return to Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
"Right now we don't know who we have to deal with, the MYAirline sales centre is also closed. The tickets have already been bought and they are not cheap," said Fadzhil who is from Kota Kinabalu.
Two flights namely Kota Kinabalu - Tawau and Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur were cancelled by the company.
In Sabah, the use of airplanes, especially from Kota Kinabalu to the East Coast and inland areas, is a necessity because of the short time taken compared to the route by road which takes eight to nine hours to travel.
-- BERNAMA