Speaking to FMT, Nufam president Ismail Nasaruddin said it was strange that Scanda Sky, which is apparently not licensed to operate as an airline company, had been allowed to ferry passengers as if it had the required permits.

He said he wondered if the company had received help from certain parties in the government.

“It’s not easy to bypass authorities such as Mavcom (Malaysian Aviation Commission),” he added.

A news report last Friday said Mavcom had issued a warning letter to Scanda Sky instructing it to stop marketing its services and advertising itself as a commercial airline.

Mavcom also told the public to be aware that Scanda Sky was not an airline company licensed under the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act and had neither an ASL (air service licence) nor an ASP (air service permit).

Scanda Sky has since explained that it is a company chartering flights from licensed airline companies.

Ismail said the company would still need Mavcom’s approval to charter a flight since it involved selling tickets, ferrying passengers and promoting its service through advertising.

He said his main concern was the safety of people on board.

“One thing I’m not happy about, of course, is that we have cabin crew involved. What if anything happens to them? Who’s supposed to be responsible?”

He mentioned the recent downgrading of Malaysian air safety rating by the US Federal Aviation Authority and said it was only one of “so many issues” with Malaysian aviation.

“Something’s not right,” he said. “The ministry should look into all these matters once and for all.”