KUALA LUMPUR: MASWings Sdn Bhd (MASWings) takes over the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak from Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) from Oct 1, the Transport Ministry announced yesterday.

It also directed that Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which now handles the general maintenance of the Fokker 50 and Twin Otter aircraft that FAX uses for RAS, take over the total fleet management from Aug 1.

The takeover encompasses maintenance, refurbishment, maintenance scheduling, spare parts logistics and maintaining records, the statement said.

While stating that the transfer of operations to the MAS subsidiary is an effort to improve RAS, the ministry pointed out that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) had undertaken stringent checks on the aircraft when they were being used by FAX and had certified them to be airworthy and safe for use.

This comes in the wake of the ongoing spat between FAX and MAS, with the national carrier claiming that some of these aircraft are in bad shape.

The Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy stressed that the government will never compromise on the safety of the planes used for RAS.

Planes “which are not suitable for operations will be grounded and sent for maintenance.

“The government will continue to keep close checks on the planes,” he told a press conference after officiating express delivery and mail services provider TNT’s International Gateway at Sepang.

Of MASWings’ takeover of RAS on Oct 1, Chan said: “By then, most of the planes will be ready.”

Asked on the estimated RM40 million repair and maintenance bills for the RAS aircraft which MAS said should be borne jointly by FAX and the government, Chan said the government would settle the issue together with all the stakeholders.

On reports that FAX had on the other hand asked to be paid for the cost incurred for the aircraft maintenance and repair, he said: “We will work internally on this, whatever is seen fair we will do it.”

Written By:
Bername