NEW AIRLINE - Ascend Airways Malaysia commenced its first cargo charter flights in November 2025.

Its second freighter, a B737-800F is targeted to be inducted into the fleet early in 2026.
Image: Ascend Airways Malaysia

NEW AIRLINE - Ascend Airways Malaysia secures AOC, to launch in 4Q25

Ascend Airways Malaysia (AYG) has obtained its air operator's certificate and air service permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the start-up announced.

Part of the Avia Solutions Group holding, the carrier plans to commence operations in November 2025 with a single B737-800(SF) freighter. The airline will focus on charter and ACMI operations across Southeast Asia, initially offering cargo services before expanding into passenger operations in the first quarter of 2026.

The ACMI specialist took delivery of its first aircraft, B737-800(SF) 9M-ASC (msn 33813), on September 3, 2025. The 20.9-year-old freighter previously operated for other Avia Solutions Group subsidiaries, including BBN Airlines Nordic (Reykjavik Keflavik) and AirExplore (ED, Bratislava).

A second aircraft is expected to join the fleet in early 2026.

CH Aviation / Image: Ascend Airways

 

NEW AIRLINE - Ascend Airways Malaysia takes first B737-800(SF)

Ascend Airways Malaysia (AXN) has taken delivery of its first aircraft, B737-800(SF) 9M-ASC (msn 33813), the start-up carrier announced on social media.
The 20.8-year-old aircraft, formerly operated by another Avia Solutions Group unit, AirExplore (ED, Bratislava), as OM-EDI, departed from Bacau on September 3 and arrived at Kuala Lumpur International via Mumbai International a day later. As of December 2024, the aircraft was owned by TC Aviation Capital Ireland Ltd, a special purpose vehicle of Tokyo Century, and leased to its former operator.
The ACMI start-up is currently in the process of securing its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). It said its next steps would be to prove the aircraft's airworthiness and complete the certification process before commencing operations by year-end 2025.
Ascend Airways Malaysia previously said it would initially launch cargo flights in mid-November 2025. It also expects to induct its first B737-800 passenger aircraft by the end of 2025, followed by another in early 2026.

CH Aviation