Wet-lease specialist Ascend Airways Malaysia has secured an air operator’s certificate (AOC), clearing the new Malaysian airline to launch operations next month.
An arm of ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) and charter provider Avia Solutions Group, the carrier said on 30 October it worked through the year with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to obtain the AOC.
Recently securing the certificate will allow Kuala Lumpur-based Ascend to start cargo flights with its first Boeing 737-800SF.
The airline plans next year to expand its 737 fleet and, pending additional approvals, to begin passenger flights. Ascend intends to capitalise on Malaysia’s expanding airline activity, offering additional lift to the region’s airlines during peak periods.
“Malaysia is in an essential strategic position as a logistics and aviation hub that connects Southeast Asia, China and India,” says Germal Singh Khera, chief executive of Ascend.
Avia Solutions now holds 11 AOCs across its member carriers, with operations in Europe, Asia and the Americas – including those of UK-based Ascend Airways. The company’s basic business model involves shifting aircraft around the globe to help airlines meet seasonal demand peaks.
Another Avia Solutions Group’s wet-lease operator, Thai SmartLynx, also recently secured an air operator’s certificate from the Thai regulator. Based at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, that carrier will begin operations with a single Airbus A320.