Airlines

Malaysia’s newest budget airline ready to take off

After receiving its air operators certificate (AOC) from the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority last week, a new low-cost carrier is anticipated to launch operations soon.

After receiving its air operators certificate (AOC) from the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority last week, a new low-cost carrier is anticipated to launch operations soon. MYAirline is in the final stages of planning and hopes to start flying in the last quarter of 2022.

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The CEO of the airline announced that it would start offering domestic flight services with three Airbus A320-200 aircraft. According to him, the concept for MYAirline was born when the company decided to enter the low-cost flying market due to the demand for these airlines in the area. Last week, we acquired our AOC, which will take effect starting the next month,” stated Teo.

Considering that the nation was still coping with the spread of Covid-19, the idea to launch MYAirline was conceived in October 2020. But now, he claimed, as the nation moves closer to the endemic phase and demand for aviation services rises, it would appear that the decision to start another airline paid off.

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Teo stated that when the airline is launched, the flight routes of MYAirline will be formally revealed. MYAirline will only operate narrow-body aircraft, staying true to the fundamentals of low-cost airlines from the perspective of aircraft operations.

MAVCOM authorized the issuance of Conditional Approval for an Air Service Licence to MYAirline in December 2021 for a one-year period ending on December 31, 2022.

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Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.