Several airlines have offered their assistance to passengers of MYAirline who were left in the lurch following the suspension of its operation.
Malaysia Airlines has invited the management of MYAirline to work together in reallocating their passengers on its flights where available.
“However, passengers with an urgent need to travel may immediately visit any Malaysia Airlines ticketing offices to make their booking and receive 55% off on their flight tickets on affected routes by presenting their MYAirline tickets for travel up to November 2023,” it said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 12).
AirAsia has also extended its support to affected passengers of MYAirline, in hopes of easing the inconvenience of their disrupted travel plans.
It announced a special offer of a 50% discount on base fares (one-way fare) exclusively to MYAirline passengers.
“It is applicable to passengers with confirmed flight bookings to and from Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Tawau, Kota Baru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu-Tawau and Don Mueng-Bangkok and Suvsrnabhumi-Bangkok from Thursday until Nov 30.
“As the people’s airline, we deeply empathise with all affected MYAirline passengers and their staff,” said AirAsia Aviation Group Limited group chief executive officer Bo Lingam on Thursday.
“We would also consider hiring eligible and qualified individuals from MYAirline who share our passion for the industry and are willing to contribute their skills and expertise to our team.”
Batik Air has provided one-way all-inclusive special fixed fares for travel until November 30 this year, subject to seating availability, according to its statement released today.
“With these challenges passengers are currently facing, our aim is to assist passengers so that they can reach their destinations with ease. We’re here to support the affected passengers during this time,” said Datuk Chandran Rama Murthy, group strategic director of Batik Air and Lion Group in the statement.
The one-way special rates that Batik Air is offering are RM129 to Penang, RM159 to Langkawi, RM199 to Kuching and RM299 to Kota Kinabalu and Don Mueang, Bangkok.
Budget carrier MYAirline suddenly suspended operations today, with the company experiencing “significant financial pressures”, barely a year after its maiden flight.
Passengers who waited in the wee hours to catch morning flights today were greeted with empty MYAirline counters this morning at KLIA2.
In a statement at 5.30am, MYAirline advised its passengers not to proceed to the airport and urged those who require assistance to contact the company at customercare@myairline.my.
MYAirline said it had explored various partnerships and capital-raising options but was unsuccessful.
“We deeply regret and apologise for having to make this decision as we understand the impact it will have on our loyal passengers, dedicated employees, and partners.
“Unfortunately, the constraints of time have left us with no alternative but to take this decision,” said MYAirline in a statement.
The company said it would work to resume operations as quickly as possible but was unable to commit to any timeline. For now, however, it is silent on compensations and refunds.
MYAirline co-founder and CEO Rayner Teo resigned on Sunday, citing “health reasons”.
Earlier, it was reported that MYAirline’s saga hit a twist as a potential new investor is believed to have pulled out of the deal to buy a controlling stake at the 11th hour.
The life support initially offered to the carrier that is bleeding losses would have helped sustain its sky-high operational costs.
“It didn’t happen. The decision was supposed to be made on Oct 11 but the (new) investor pulled out,” sources told Business Times today.
The statement confirmed Business Times’ reports that MYAirline was financially struggling.
Business Times had reported on Oct 11 that MYAirline was close to securing a new investor to help it weather a financial storm.
The new investor was believed to potentially be Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s son, Abang Abdillah Izzarim Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari.
Abang Abdillah is believed to have attended several meetings and town halls with MYAirline recently.
He might have emerged as the top shareholder should the purchase of MYAirline’s majority shareholder Datuk Goh Hwan Hua’s shares go through.
MYAirline is believed to be unable to pay its service providers and employees’ salaries on time.
According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), MYAirline’s abrupt suspension of its operations has affected thousands of travellers who bought its tickets for local and international destinations.
It said 5,000 passengers have been affected, along with a total of 39 flights serving local destinations, as well as one international route to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, Thailand since yesterday.
The airport operator urged MYAirline customers to reconsider their travel plans and look for alternatives if they have not yet departed for their destinations.
“Instead, they can explore alternative flight options from other carriers through the respective airlines’ websites.
“At Kuala Lumpur International Airport, resting areas have been provided at Level 3 Terminal 2 and Level 5 Anjung Tinjau Terminal 1 to ensure passengers can wait for their next flights comfortably,” MAHB said in a statement this afternoon.
MAHB said that as of now, the situation at affected airports within its Malaysian network is under control.
It said airport staff are currently available to help guide and provide alternative travel options to MYAirline passengers who are stranded at various locations.
In a separate statement, the Malaysian Aviation Commission said that MYAirline must refund consumers who have bought its tickets and are affected by its suspension of operations.