A NEW airline, Ascend Airways Malaysia Sdn Bhd, is set to launch in Malaysia, with plans to operate two Boeing B737-800s and four B737 MAX 8s by the end of 2025.
Unlike previous Malaysian start-ups that have struggled against established competitors like Malaysia Airlines Bhd and AirAsia Malaysia, Ascend Airways will concentrate on providing aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) services for both cargo and passenger transport.
According to reports, the airline is supported by the UK-based Ascend Airways, which is part of Avia Solutions Group (ASG), the largest ACMI provider globally, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
ASG boasts a fleet of over 200 aircraft and encompasses 16 businesses, including ACMI, cargo aviation, ground handling, fueling, aircraft leasing and trading, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft and helicopters, as well as a digital media platform, AeroTime.
"As a member of the ASG family, we are dedicated to improving Malaysia's aviation sector by offering dependable ACMI services to airlines, tour operators, charter brokers, government agencies, and NGOs," Ascend Airways stated on its official website.
In November 2024, Ascend Airways took its first step towards operations in Malaysia by securing conditional approval for an Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
According to Mavcom's website, the ASP is effective from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025. The ASP is necessary for air transport providers offering unscheduled services, while an Air Service Licence (ASL) is issued to those providing scheduled services, such as commercial airlines.
Currently, Ascend Airways is progressing to the next phase of its business launch by applying for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
The company’s website indicates that it is in the process of obtaining the AOC, with flight operations set to commence once a full ASP is granted. – March 10, 2025
