The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) have informed customers that their applications must be submitted for a chargeback request, to the respective banks before October 13, The Sun reported today.

A spokesman for Mavcom said that several affected customers have already done so.

Mavcom have also met with Bank Negara and other relevant parties to identify avenues to recover the losses incurred by customers of the airline, which created much hype upon its launching for being Shariah-compliant.

The chargeback process helps customers get their money back if they had paid by card. A customer may initiate the process by contacting their issuing bank regarding one or more debit items on their statements, together with the necessary documents.

The process – from the point of application to the refund – may take between 90 and 120 days.

Mavcom has also urged customers who faced difficulties with their respective issuing banks to contact the commission at 03-2772 0677 (Monday to Friday), or via its website at www.mavcom.my.

Rayani was suspended in April this year after its pilots went on a strike due to unpaid salaries, barely six months after its official launching.

Its air service licence (ASL) was revoked in mid-June after the airline failed to prove it had the funds to take off again.

Since then, customers who had dealt with the airline have not had much luck in getting a refund for the tickets purchased before the suspension.