The newly set up Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has issued a show-cause letter to Rayani Air, which previously had its operations suspended by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

In the meantime, it urged consumers to steer clear of the troubled airline.

“It is advisable that consumers refrain from making any flight arrangements with Rayani Air to ensure that they do not face any inconvenience in their travels.

“In addition, Mavcom will work with the relevant parties to assist affected consumers,” it said in a statement today.

The commission said since the DCA suspended Rayani Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on April 11, it has conducted its own evaluation of the airline’s commercial standing and capabilities.

It is said the airline has 14 days to respond to the show-cause letter before the commission decides whether the troubled airline should continue to hold an Air Service Licence (ASL), or that the licence should be revoked or suspended.

“In order to operate a passenger and cargo airline business, Rayani Air requires both an ASL and an AOC.

“Should MAVCOM revoke Rayani Air’s ASL, Rayani Air is no longer allowed to provide air transport services commercially in Malaysia,” it said.

The DCA suspended the five-month old airline for three months following a pilot strike that grounded its operations.

The DCA chief director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman did not elaborate on the reasons for suspending Rayani Air, other than that it was the first time the DCA had ever suspended the AOC of any airline and Rayani Air had been given ample time to buck up on its shortcomings.

Mavcom was set up on March 1 through the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015, and is tasked to regulate economic and commercial matters in Malaysia’s civil aviation industry.

DCA, on the other hand, oversees technical matters related to the industry, such as safety, security, and air traffic management.