The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) suspended SAS’s certificate of operation (AOC) as soon as Mavcom did not renew the ASP, saying both the licences are interconnected.

“The ASP of the company lapsed on Feb 29 and has not been renewed as SAS did not meet the licence conditions set by Mavcom.

“The commission is awaiting SAS to resubmit its ASP application. There is no specific timeframe for this process,” a spokesman from Mavcom told FMT.

An ASP is required for a licensee to transport passengers, mail, or cargo by air “for hire or reward”, on a non-schedule basis between any two or more places, one of which falls within Malaysia’s borders.

“As a result, SAS is not permitted to offer any such services,” he said.

The spokesman said Mavcom is aware that SAS is still providing some services, such as launching the seaplane last week.

However, he said, the service provided by SAS did not involve hire or reward and, therefore, does not require an ASP from the commission.

“SAS is allowed to perform other aviation services that do not involve the carriage of passengers, mail, or cargo for hire and reward provided they have obtained all necessary approvals from the relevant authorities,” he said.

FMT has reached out to the SAS for comment.

The aviation company was formed in 1992 and operates from the SAS hangar at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport in Subang.

Its nature of business is listed as aviation specialist advisory and consultancy services in air transportation, including the leasing or sub-leasing of aircraft equipment, spares and related machinery.

SAS also describes itself as providing helicopter and fixed-wing services.

Its services include city tours, air gliding and seaplane operations. It was the first company to operate seaplane services in Malaysia, which began last year.