Ascend Airways eyes November cargo ops
PETALING JAYA: Ascend Airways Malaysia, a new Malaysia-based airline and a part of Avia Solutions Group – the largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) provider in the world, has advanced to Phase 3 of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application process. The new ACMI and charter solutions provider is targeting to launch its cargo operations in November 2025, with passenger flights to follow.
In 2024, Ascend Airways Malaysia was granted its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and has since been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in order to obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
The process is currently in its final stages with full flight operations expected to commence by the end of 2025.
The Kuala Lumpur-based ACMI and charter airline will offer both passenger and cargo operations. Its first B737-800 freighter aircraft will arrive in Malaysia Q3'25 to facilitate the necessary processes of the issuance of the full AOC and the launch of the airline's cargo operations.
Subsequently, the second and third passenger B737-800 aircraft will be inducted into the Malaysian airline's fleet by end of 2025 and early 2026, respectively.
'As it is our mission to support the growth of local and regional airlines, we want to become a trusted ACMI partner that can help them increase operational agility and capture the rising demand for passenger and cargo operations, which is on the rise in the Asia-Pacific region,' said Ascend Airways Malaysia CEO Germal Singh Khera.
As a new ACMI airline in Malaysia, he added they are continuously grateful for the support, global outlook and approach they receive from the Transport Ministry, CAAM, Mavcom and other relevant authorities that are advancing the aviation industry in Malaysia.
'This overwhelming support has allowed us to set up a robust operational foundation to assist air operators and their ambition in the region,' said Germal Singh.
Ascend Airways Malaysia aims to provide a vital solution of aircraft wet leasing in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific, enabling airlines and logistics companies to scale their operations and secure additional revenue during peak season. This model also allows air operators to navigate operational challenges such as unexpected flight disruptions and prolonged maintenance events.
'Ascend Airways remains focused and committed to deliver flexible ACMI solutions and develop its seasonal fleet strategy between the UK and Malaysia, and the Asia-Pacific region. ACMI is a proven solution for airlines seeking to efficiently meet dynamic travel demand and unlock new revenue opportunities. We are resolute in our aspirations to be leaders in this space,' said Alastair Willson, CEO of the UK-based Ascend Airways, the sister company of Ascend Airways Malaysia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trade talks 'progress well', Malaysia and US aim to finalise before 90-day deadline
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia says its trade talks with the US in Washington DC are progressing well, about two weeks before the 90-day pause of the latter's unilateral tariff implementation expires. Malaysia said both parties had agreed to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable outcome for key stakeholders in the two countries. The country faces a 24 per cent tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides reach an agreement before the 90-day pause ends on July 8. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry today said its separate meetings with US Trade Representative ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had made positive progress. "The Malaysian delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ensured that the meetings with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce was also optimised as a platform to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties between Malaysia and the US. "These will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which the ministry hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation," it said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul, who led a working visit to Washington DC on June 18, said the negotiations are expected to boost Malaysia's supply chain resilience. He added that the outcomes could benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and generate more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. "All these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation," he added. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's exports to the US recorded their eighth straight month of double-digit growth in May 2025, with the US remaining one of the country's top three export destinations over the past decade. He noted that a significant portion of these exports supports US domestic industries, particularly in sectors like electrical and electronics, semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment and components. "Malaysia has also been an important source of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. "The ministry has also remained steadfast in doing its utmost to uphold Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations with all trading partners, particularly in maintaining the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and its sovereign rights," he said.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia, US aim to seal tariff deal before 90-day clock runs out
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Malaysia's discussions with the United States (US) Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce on ongoing tariff-related negotiations have made good progress, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz He said both Malaysia and US representatives have expressed their intention to finalise negotiations before the expiry of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation, and agreed to intensify efforts to reach an agreement acceptable to key stakeholders in both countries. In a statement today, he highlighted that the US has been one of Malaysia's top three export markets over the past decade. 'In May 2025, exports to the US recorded the eighth consecutive month of double-digit growth,' he said. A significant share of Malaysia's exports to the US supports and complements US domestic industries in sectors such as electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and parts. Malaysia also serves as a key supplier of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. 'MITI has remained steadfast in upholding Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations, particularly in safeguarding the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and sovereign rights,' he added. He further stated that MITI anticipates the negotiations will help secure Malaysia's supply chains and deliver positive spillovers to local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while also creating more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. 'These efforts will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a preferred investment destination in the region and drive the Madani economic transformation agenda towards becoming a high-tech, high-income nation,' said Tengku Zafrul. Tengku Zafrul led a working visit to Washington, US, from June 18-20, 2025. The visit focused on continuing US tariff-related engagement and negotiations with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. He was accompanied by MITI's chief negotiator, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Malaysia, and MITI officials based in Washington. — Bernama
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Trade talks 'progressing well', Malaysia and US aim to finalise by 90-day deadline
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States are aiming to finalise tariff negotiations before the 90-day pause on implementation expires, with both parties agreeing to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable outcome for key stakeholders in both countries. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry today said its separate meetings with US Trade Representative ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had made positive progress. "The Malaysian delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ensured that the meetings with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce was also optimised as a platform to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties between Malaysia and the US, while also. "These will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation," it said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul, who led a working visit to Washington DC on June 18, said the negotiations are expected to boost Malaysia's supply chain resilience. He added that the outcomes could benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and generate more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. "All these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation," he added. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's exports to the US recorded their eighth straight month of double-digit growth in May 2025, with the US remaining one of the country's top three export destinations over the past decade. He noted that a significant portion of these exports supports US domestic industries, particularly in sectors like electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and components. "Malaysia has also been an important source of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. "The ministry has also remained steadfast in doing its utmost to uphold Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations with all trading partners, particularly in maintaining the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and its sovereign rights," he said.
