Malaysia’s first “Syariah-compliant” airline, Rayani Air, has begun operations today (19th December, Saturday), with its maiden flight from klia2 to Langkawi.
Yup, make no mistake. You read right.
According to Astro Awani, the airline was granted the Air Service License (ASL) and Air Operator’s Certificate by the DCA Director-General Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, in Putrajaya on Friday (18th December).
The news outlet also quoted Rayani Air Managing Director Jaafar Zamhari as saying:
We are an airline that provides full service, just like Malaysia Airlines Berhad. We porvide 16 business class seats and 128 economy class seats.
He stressed that Rayani Air, which has now 355 employees including 8 pilots and 50 cabin crew, is not a low-cost airline nor a hybrid airline.
“All of our employees in Rayani Air are experienced workers, and have at least 5 year experience in the aviation industry,” he added.
As far as we know, Rayani Air only serves halal-certified food and beverages, and does not serve alcohol. It’s compulsory for their Muslim women cabin crew to don the hijab and for non-Muslim to dress decently. There will also be doa (prayers) recitals before the departure of each flight.
Rayani Air is currently using 2 Boeing 737-400 aircrafts, which was purchased from Neptune Air Limited. As a start, Rayani Air will serve 5 destinations – klia2, Langkawi, Kota Baru, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.
It plans to add more aircrafts and expand its network in the Asia region by next year. The Langkawi International Airport will be its home base.
For more information, visit Rayani Air’s website or Facebook page.
Sources: Astro Awani, MMO, The Star Online.
