Firefly has failed to obtain approval from Malaysian regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM), to operate in Singapore's Seletar Airport.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Seletar operator, Changi Airport Group (CAG), was informed of this by Firefly on Nov 14. 

CAAS was responding to Firefly’s suspension of services to and from Singapore effective Dec 1, 2018.

In 2014, CAAS said it informed the Transport Ministry and Firefly of the relocation of turbo-prop flights from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.

“Firefly agreed to relocate its flights to Seletar,” said a CAAS spokesperson.

In July 2018, Firefly was formally informed that its flights would be relocated to Seletar Airport on Dec 1, 2018.

The CAAS’ spokesperson said Singapore had made all preparations and approved all applications by Firefly to operate in Seletar Airport.

CAAM has been requested to inform CASS of their specific regulatory concerns affecting Firefly’s safe operations in Seletar Airport.

“Singapore awaits Malaysia’s clarification of these concerns so that both parties can dialogue constructively.

“Singapore had already conveyed to Malaysia that we stand ready to work with them on airspace issues in the interest of international civil aviation and bilateral cooperation.

“These are however not related to the shift of Firefly’s operations at Seletar Airport,” said the spokesperson.

'Not consulted'

In a statement issued Friday, CAAM said it was never consulted on the timeline to move scheduled turbo-prop operations to Seletar Airport.

“CAAM wishes to highlight that for purposes of Firefly’s safe operations into Seletar Airport, there are indeed regulatory issues that need to be resolved between the civil aviation authorities of both countries,” it said.

“On this premise, Malaysia is willing to work with Singapore on the regulatory issues related to Singapore’s plan to move Firefly operations from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport, including outstanding airspace issues to be discussed, particularly on reviewing the terms and conditions of delegation of Malaysia’s airspace to Singapore for the provision of Air Traffic Services,” it added.

Firefly, meanwhile, succeeded in moving many of its passengers to Malaysia Airlines.

The unit of Malaysia Airlines said this in its consistent updates to affected passengers via its media social platform.

“If you have not received your itinerary, please don’t fret as it’s on its way,” Firefly said in its latest Facebook update for its Subang-Singapore and Kuantan-Singapore passengers departing in December 2018.

- Bernama