Ascend Airways: Malaysia’s New Airline Move on Lift Off

The entry of Ascend Airways Malaysia Sdn Bhd into the aviation industry will probably herald a flying hole in Malaysia. This is because the airline is set to operate two Boeing B737-800s and four B737 MAX 8s by the end of 2025, with a different flying model.

Unlike previous would-be upstart airlines that had to contend with the hop-long haul threats posed by LCCs such as Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, Ascend Airways would rather be drawing a different flight path. Instead of competing, they promote their offering in the ACMI line of service such as Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance and thereby earn revenue through leasing of their aircraft and expertise to other carriers for cartage and passenger transport.

This ambitious endeavor is backed by UK-based Ascend Airways, which is a subsidiary of the Avia Solutions Group (ASG), the major ACMI provider in the world with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. ASG manages a fleet that operates over 200 aircraft and has 16 aviation business activities, including cargo operation, ground handling, aircraft leasing, and maintenance services.

Comprising ASG, Ascend Airways seeks to partner with airlines, tour operators, charter brokers, government agencies, and NGOs to realize more progress for the aviation sector in Malaysia. The promise being made, that of solid ACMI service, will handle the rest in terms of passenger and cargo flight operational protection.

In November 2024, Ascend Airways established major progress towards the launch of operations by obtaining conditional approval for an Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom). The ASP, extending from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025, allows the airline to provide unscheduled air services.

However, before it can launch its operations, Ascend Airways needs an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Currently, the application process is ongoing and CAAM CEO Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud has confirmed the submission.The timeline within which approval is expected is significantly murky, and once the AOC is obtained, the airline will apply for a full ASP ahead of the commencement of operations.

Ascend Airways: Germal Singh Khera: Besides his long service in the Malaysian aviation industry, Khera served in the Royal Malaysian Air Force and has been credited with largely laying the foundation for Mavcom’s establishment in 2015.He has also worked closely with Malaysia Airlines.

Along with him are seasoned aviation professionals, including:

• Captain Wan Harris – Flight Operations Director
• Captain Aminullah Mohamed – Chief of Pilot Training & Standards
• Captain Zahirudin Mohd Farok – Chief of Pilot Operations
• Shamsul Idrus – Head, Ground Operations
• Linda Foo – Head, Commercial
• Helmy A Razak – Head, Continuing Airworthiness Management
• Augustinas Zemaitaitis – Chief Financial Officer

Global Expansion Plans of ASG

Ascend Airways is not the only one to begin its operations as a budding airline under ASG. This places the foundation for ASG to launch four new airlines in Brazil, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. SmartLynx has already proven itself an airline after receiving operational approval from Thailand’s aviation authorities in late 2024. Meanwhile, work is underway to secure an AOC for a new wet-lease airline in the Philippines.
Strong international backing, a specialized business model, and an experienced leadership team are positioning Ascend Airways Malaysia as a game-changer in the region’s aviation sector and obviously, the skies are set to get busier when this airline officially launches.