Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist Nadzim Johan said many of Rayani Air’s unhappy customers had to spend more money to purchase new air tickets without getting any refunds from the so-called shariah-compliant carrier.

“The decision to revoke Rayani Air’s licence shouldn’t have been done in haste because it involves salaries of workers and air tickets already purchased by the customers, which should have been taken into consideration.

“Since their licence is revoked, they (Rayani Air) will not be bothered about the salaries of workers and customers’ tickets any more. Why should they? They have already lost their licence,” he told Bernama.

On June 13, the Civil Aviation Department and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) revoked Rayani Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and ASL.

Today, at least 15 customers who had sought refunds flocked to the company’s office in Section 15 here to seek clarifications for the bounced cheques given to them — only to find that the office was still closed, purportedly for Aidilfitri celebration.

Suzila Wati Mohd Sarip, 45, who suffered losses of almost RM7,000, said she was refunded with a cheque dated June 30 and she deposited it into her account the same day.

“After four days, I received a letter from the bank saying that it was a bounced cheque,” she told Bernama, adding that there were many others who suffered the same fate.

Meanwhile, a man who worked as a Rayani Air assistant pilot, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said he had yet to receive his salary arrears of RM12,000.

“I was promised my salary would be paid before Hari Raya, but nothing has been forthcoming. I’m here to demand my salary.”

Based on a WhatsApp group, comprising affected Rayani Air customers, there were at least 140 other people who suffered the same fate.

Numerous attempts to contact the owner of Rayani Air, Ravi Alagendrran and Karthiyani Govindan, failed.

– BERNAMA