Rayani Air secures AOC, launches operations

Rayani Air (Langkawi) commenced commercial passenger operations on Sunday, December 20 just days after it secured its Air Services Licence (ASL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Using a pair of ex-Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) B737-400s, the start-up currently operates daily return flights between Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur Int'l with plans to add Kota Bharu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in the near future. Thereafter, plans are afoot to acquire two B737-800s in 2017 ahead of its expansion into Asia and the Middle East with Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia.

Owned by oil and gas firm, Merdeka Jayabumi Enterprise, and mining company, Terus Maju Metal, Rayani Air markets itself as a full-service, Shariah-compliant carrier.