MAS wants audit on planes - RAS aircraft repairs to cost up to RM40m

[Kenneth T 0]

Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and KJ please answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why????

 

and Tony Fernandes = GELAK SAKAN!!!!

Government should audit all AirAsia aircraft, to make sure the aircraft safe to fly

THINK AGAIN!

 

MH = Malaysia Airlines

AK = AirAsia = Ananda Krisnan =AK

 

 

Precisely, that's what a politician who claimed that he is a top ranking UMNO guys from Terengganu, Kemaman told me that the person behind AIRASIA is Ananda Krisnan and Tun Dr Mahathir...and that's why they expand fast

 

[Rozhan 0]

Quote from MAS Berita Pulse magazine for MH staff (internal circulation only) September 2006 issue page 5:

 

"As of 1 August 2006, the Rural Air Services (RAS) will be operated by Fly Asian Express (FAX).

 

A MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to the effect was signed between MAS Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) and FAX on 26 July 2006 for allowing E&M to provide full engineering support to FAX to operate seven F50 and five DH6 aircraft in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

Signing on behalf of E&M was General Manager, Mohd Roslan Ismail while FAX was represented by its General Manager, Mohd Zahari.

 

The support rendered covers total fleet management, inclusive of technical services, quality assurance, maintenence planning and material management to ensure continued airworthiness of the two aircraft types, daily and night stop maintenance and scheduled hangar maintenance comprising B and C checks.

 

E&M will also transfer the necessary technical training required by FAX engineers and technicians on the two aircraft types to enable them to eventually take-over the maintenance from us."

 

Such being the case, what has happened between then, and now, (with many planes becoming not airworthy) is strange. Weren't there controls along the way to ensure what was agreed upon was done accordingly, or were things left to take its course on its own, therefore deviated from what was supposed to be a smooth takeover.

 

And soon, the take over will be taken over again.

Edited July 13, 2007 by Rozhan

[Naim 6]

July 16, 2007 23:30 PM

 

FAX Hits Back At Charges It Mismanaged Aircraft

 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Fly Asian Xpress Sdn Bhd (FAX) today hit back strongly at charges that it mismanaged the aircraft for its Sabah-Sarawak Rural Air Services (RAS) and questioned the independence of the firm which conducted an audit of the planes.

 

It said the auditing firm "carelessly" portrayed FAX as cannibalising aircraft parts, "implying deliberate mismanagement on FAX's part."

 

"In contrast, what FAX did was to rotate parts from airplanes coming in for maintenance to service those coming out of maintenance, a common airline industry practice and one that allows us to significantly reduce aircraft downtime and to save significant public funds from overspending on spares," it said in a seven-page statement issued by FAX chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani.

 

He also said: "FAX was never afforded the opportunity to review the audit report undertaken by Fokker Services Asia, on behalf of Malaysia Airlines, nor was FAX consulted at any time during the audit, to provide our perspectives to ensure a full picture of the actual situation at hand.

 

"We believe the audit itself was conducted quickly with limited information and therefore FAX believes that it is inappropriate for assertions on the alleged state of operations to be made public, as it serves only to unnecessarily alarm the community that relies on our air services.

 

"To date, FAX has not received a copy of the audit report, either in draft or final form."

 

Azran said FAX is concerned about the independence of the firm selected to carry out the audit, as Fokker Services is associated with the Fokker aircraft manufacturer and is the original equipment maker which sells spare parts and maintenance services. Fokkers make up the majority of the aircraft used for RAS.

 

"We would also strongly contest the assertion that there were sufficient spare parts available in the market - Fokker had stopped production of the planes concerned, as well as the related parts, more than a decade ago. Hence, any spare parts that are available are themselves already quite aged and may not be adequate for our purposes," he said.

 

The issue is over the government-subsidised RAS which MAS had been operating all along as part of its domestic services. When the airline fell into financial difficulties, its business recovery plan effectively resulted in FAX taking over RAS in August last year.

 

A few months ago FAX told the government it did not want to continue with the RAS as it wanted to focus on providing long haul low cost air services.

 

This has led to MAS creating a new subsidiary to take back RAS. Before the takeover, MAS wanted an audit of the aircraft used for RAS - the same aircraft it had been using before FAX took over.

 

Azran pointed out that from August last year to February this year, the maintenance and repair of the fleet was undertaken by MAS, "which today remains the aircraft maintenance provider," as the original agreement FAX had signed with MAS had stipulated complete outsourcing of all aspects of aircraft maintenance and technical support.

 

According to him, FAX wrote to MAS last October complaining of "significant operational problems and unnecessary delays" that had arisen because MAS Engineering was unable to provide "focused and expeditious service to FAX."

 

"There were also a number of unplanned or extended maintenance periods, impacting the availability of the planes to meet flight schedule requirements."

 

Azran also complained that MAS had imposed "high prices for its services, including margin mark-ups, even though this is a national service obligation," adding that FAX had informed the government about this last December.

 

Among others, spare parts cost 60 percent more than market prices and some of these spares had to be sent for overhaul as they had degraded, he charged.

 

To MAS, only money mattered when dealing with FAX without taking into account that government funds are being used for RAS, Azran claimed.

 

"When FAX was not able to fully meet payments due to MAS as FAX had yet to receive sufficient funds from the government, critical spares were held back by MAS," he said.

 

MAS Engineering, according to him, held back not less than 126 expensive spare parts owned by FAX sent to the MAS facility in Subang, causing further aircraft availability delays which affected services for customers.

 

"It has been a continuous challenge with limited available capital and funding from the government, and having the largest vendors which are government-linked, such as MAS, Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd and Petronas, demanding high charges (e.g. 20 percent premium for pilots seconded from MAS), royalty payments, bank guarantees and upfront deposits," Azran said.

 

-- BERNAMA

[Radzi 2]

Basically he is admitting that FAX is actually incapable and incompetent of operating the service. And clueless on what to say about the issue. Thats why he is babbling and acusing everyone.

 

Sounds like a cornered dog.

Edited July 16, 2007 by Radzi

[Khaled 2]

Basically he is admitting that FAX is actually incapable and incompetent of operating the service. And clueless on what to say about the issue. Thats why he is babbling and acusing everyone.

 

Sounds like a cornered dog.

 

Haha...

 

Last time TF said can takeover operation within 24 hours...

 

I wonder what are the contents of the 7 pages statement. or was that it?

Edited July 16, 2007 by Khaled

[Jessnor Arif 1]

"There were also a number of unplanned or extended maintenance periods, impacting the availability of the planes to meet flight schedule requirements."

 

even if you are outsourcing...How come an unplanned maintenance period arise... It's not like the maintenance people call the aircraft at will.

 

And I thought there's a contract for airplane maintenance. If true MAS Engineering purposely call for an unnecessary maintenance or purposely extended maintenance period, I believed it's a breach of contract which FAX can bring it to courts. Why dont they? But how could be an unplanned maintenance period? The unplanned period must be due to the way they handle the aircraft. Like MH B777 suddenly grounded at Frankfurt is due to baggage handler accidentally hit its engine

 

To MAS, only money mattered when dealing with FAX without taking into account that government funds are being used for RAS, Azran claimed.

 

Well, For everybody else too. Only money mattered. It called capitalism. Live with it.

[S V Choong 4]

I would love to see how far this government sponsored thing will go on. Seems like everyone is trying to withdraw money from the biggest banker - the government.

[H Azmal 0]

Unplanned maintenance is simply an euphemism for failure a.k.a. rosak!

[Waiping 12]

I don't understand why the planes only rosak when Air Asia is using them. Either the management is too dumb or too smart. Maybe for AK the RAS is just a cover to get something else i.e. money, license to fly etc. Can't see how they would agree to run the RAS only for 12 months.

[Rozhan 0]

Something more detailed from the Edge Daily: http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.js...dee000-3f717de2

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Fly Asian Xpress Sdn Bhd (FAX) notes with concern that there have been recent press articles written about the state of FAX’s Rural Air Services (RAS) operations, based on an audit report by Fokker Services Asia Pte Ltd, implying that there may have been mismanagement of the RAS aircraft fleet and cannibalisation of aircraft.

 

Audit report concerns

FAX was never afforded the opportunity to review the audit report undertaken by Fokker Services Asia, on behalf of Malaysia Airlines, nor was FAX consulted at any time during the audit, to provide our perspectives to ensure a full picture of the actual situation at hand.

 

We believe the audit itself was conducted quickly with limited information and therefore FAX believes that it is inappropriate for assertions on the alleged state of operations to be made public, as it serves only to unnecessarily alarm the community that relies on our air services.

 

To date, FAX has not received a copy of the audit report, either in draft or final form.

 

Further, FAX is concerned about the independence of the firm selected to carry out the audit. Fokker Services is associated with the Fokker aircraft manufacturer and are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) who sells spare parts and maintenance services.

 

We would also strongly contest the assertion that there were sufficient spare parts available in the market – Fokker had stopped production of the planes concerned, as well as the related parts, more than a decade ago. Hence, any spare parts that were available are in themselves already quite aged and may not be adequate for our purposes.

 

Safe operations

FAX passengers can be assured about the safety of our operations, from the fact that the Department of Civil Aviation of Malaysia has recently completed its annual audit last week, to renew FAX’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and had no objections to FAX continuing to operate safely until the handover of RAS to MASWings. This validates the fact that FAX aircraft and FAX’s operations meet the safety and airworthiness requirements applicable in Malaysia.

 

FAX would further like to assure the public that passenger safety remains our number one priority. Consequently, when there are any maintenance/reliability issues, aircraft are grounded to avoid unnecessary safety risks.

 

FAX corporate objective under domestic rationalisation plan

FAX undertook the Rural Air Services in Sabah and Sarawak as a national service obligation as part of the Government’s Domestic Rationalisation Plan last year – with no expectation of making any returns, and continues to do so even though original concessions to AirAsia in terms of price floor protection and choice of routes never materialised.

 

Time has proven that the Government’s Rationalisation Plan has been a success. Although RAS continues to require substantial public funds given its unique nature, other domestic routes that were previously served by Malaysia Airlines at a loss and required subsidies, have now become profitable.

 

Passenger traffic data clearly shows that competition and lower fares have catalysed a much larger overall air passenger market, benefiting both industry players – and even spurring the creation of another community airline.

 

At its inception, FAX’s main objective, as discussed with the Government, in providing the Rural Air Services was to provide adequate services for the passengers in the interior areas of Sabah & Sarawak, and to reduce the cost of Government Subsidy to operate the service.

 

Circumstances at the start of FAX operations

FAX had to immediately step in to undertake the Rural Air Services in August 2006 and build up a team from scratch, because the previous service provider had immediately ceased accepting flight bookings in May 2006 once the Aug 1, 2006, handover was confirmed.

 

FAX took over the operations of the aircraft fleet, without having the benefit of complete critical maintenance records which remained with the previous service provider, and without having completed the necessary documentation with the Government of Malaysia, in relation to those services. Of utmost importance to FAX at the time, was to ensure that services to the public were not disrupted during the handover.

 

Maintenance of aircraft

From August 2006 to February 2007, the Maintenance and Repair of the aircraft fleet was undertaken by Malaysia Airlines, who today remains the “aircraft maintenance provider”. The original agreement with MAS was signed on July 26, 2006, for a complete outsourcing of all aspects of aircraft maintenance, maintenance activity scheduling, and technical support.

 

As early as within two months of operations, with total engineering and maintenance functions being undertaken by MAS, FAX had, on Oct 2, 2006, written to MAS to highlight significant operational problems and unnecessary delays had arisen due to MAS Engineering being unable to provide focused and expeditious service to FAX.

 

Despite numerous attempts FAX was not able to get full support from MAS in terms of complete maintenance records and access to spares, which are difficult to source at reasonable prices. Without proper records, the planes had to be grounded for extensive maintenance checks to ensure airworthiness. There were also a number of unplanned or extended maintenance periods – impacting the availability of the planes to meet flight schedule requirements.

 

Further, upon taking over the planes from MAS – without the benefit of an audit by FAX or access to maintenance records, FAX inherited a lot of heavy overhaul and modification requirements. Over the past 11 months of operations, FAX has had to:

 

* Overhaul six Fokker 50 engines and four DHC6 engines

* Overhaul four Fokker propellers and three DHC6 propellers

* Overhaul 2 DHC6 landing gears

* Conduct heavy stabiliser modifications for seven Fokker 50s

* Conduct heavy window post-modification for one Fokker 50

* Conduct 3 major ‘C’-maintenance checks.

 

A majority of these events hit FAX during the first six months of operations when the aircraft were maintained by MAS. It is unreasonable to expect FAX to shoulder this burden without handing over complete aircraft maintenance records that would have enabled FAX to efficiently plan these maintenance events to minimise aircraft downtime.

 

MAS informed FAX that the request for transfer of records should come from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd as owner of the aircraft. However, FAX had written to PMB on this matter and had several meetings, but to no avail.

 

High cost of services and spares imposed on FAX

As a start-up operator tasked with providing this public service, FAX found itself dependent on MAS for all engineering and maintenance services, who saw fit to charge high prices for its services, including margin mark-ups, even though this is a national service obligation. (FAX had highlighted this issue to PMB in a letter of Dec 6, 2006).

 

The spares charged were based on original catalogue prices, were an average 60% higher than market prices (quotes from alternate suppliers), and did not take into account a depreciation in value over time. Some of the rotable spares purchased from MAS had to be sent for overhaul as they had degraded.

 

Moreover, when FAX was not able to completely acquire MAS’ inventory of spares for turbo-prop aircraft due to lack of available capital, MAS physically transferred the spares to Subang, Kuala Lumpur – further compounding the problem of access to spares.

 

Financial considerations were the primary consideration of MAS in dealing with FAX, despite this being a national service operation. When FAX was not able to fully meet payments due to MAS as FAX had yet to receive sufficient funds from the Government, critical spares were held back by MAS.

 

MAS Engineering held back not less than 126 expensive spare parts owned by FAX sent to MAS facility in Subang, causing further aircraft availability delays which affected services for customers. Correspondences were sent to MAS on Jan 23, 2007; Jan 26, 2007, and finally a letter to MAS CEO on Feb 13, 2007 – before MAS agreed to release the spares on Feb 14.

 

As the fees imposed by MAS and spares charged by MAS and Fokker were much higher than budget, FAX decided to take-over the fleet management programme itself, and applied for M1 Certification from the Department of Civil Aviation.

 

After demonstrating that it had built up its own engineering and quality assurance teams, DCA granted M1 certification to FAX on 26 February 2007 – whereupon FAX terminated the fleet management programme from MAS. FAX also sought alternative maintenance services and spare parts from alternative suppliers at lower cost. FAX felt obligated to not burden the Government unnecessarily from over-spending.

 

Management of spares to reduce cost

The Fokker audit report carelessly portrays FAX as cannibalising aircraft parts, implying deliberate mismanagement on FAX’s part. In contrast, what FAX did was to rotate parts from airplanes coming in for maintenance to service those coming out of maintenance, a common airline industry practice and one that allows us to significantly reduce aircraft downtime and to save significant public funds from overspending on spares.

 

For example, a "maintenance" plane brought in for routine maintenance, has parts that are required to be repaired or overhauled, a time-consuming activity. An engine takes 60 days to overhaul, while a hydraulic component can be repaired in 20 days. Therefore, the completed hydraulic component can be rotated into another plane instead of being idle (since its original plane remains grounded for the full extent of the larger lead-time repair items like the engine).

 

Interlining – connectivity between reservations systems across MAS-FAX

In addition to engineering and maintenance issues, it has been difficult for a start-up airline like FAX to cooperate with MAS on the issue of providing seamless interlining connectivity for passengers to book a single fare from MAS and its affiliates network, straight to some FAX destinations, particular those that have tourism interest – eg, Mulu, Limbang and Lahat Datu.

 

FAX commenced discussions with MAS back in October 2006 and have continuously been frustrated by onerous requirements imposed by MAS who insisted that FAX had to follow all of their system requirements, even though there are possible alternative solutions to solve various problems. MAS originally required, that FAX become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a condition. Subsequently FAX found out that MAS had formed an interlining arrangement with Virgin Blue, a non-IATA member.

 

MAS subsequently said that FAX need not be a member but had to follow all IATA conditions and requirements, and remained inflexible and not solutions-oriented towards systems issues.

 

Subsidy

FAX wishes to iterate that it is not seeking any form of compensation from the Government, nor is it expecting to make any returns, mark-ups or service fees for operating the Rural Air Services. FAX is merely seeking a reimbursement on actual costs already incurred.

 

Throughout our operations, FAX has continuously sought ways to reduce cash outflow and not to burden the use of public funds. FAX explored various options, from using a lower-cost maintenance provider, to pushing to reduce stamp duty payments on the back-to-back aircraft leasing agreement between PMB-AirAsia and AirAsia-FAX, saving approximately RM300,000.

 

It has been a continuous challenge with limited available capital and funding from the Government, and having the largest vendors who are government-linked, such as MAS, PMB, and Petronas, demanding high charges (eg, 20% premium for pilots seconded from MAS), royalty payments, Bank Guarantees and upfront deposits.

 

Handover date

FAX received instructions to handover the Rural Air Services operations to MAS Wings by Sept 1, in the public interest and is prepared to do give its fullest cooperation to meet the Government’s direction.

 

Whether or not all the airplanes can be completed restored before that date should not be an issue since MAS is already overseeing the engineering and repair of the planes on an outsourced basis and will be taking back the full fleet management by July 21, 2007.

 

The main consideration of all parties should be the interest of the Sabah and Sarawak community that depend on these services for their livelihood. Immediate stabilisation of operations, through a quick handover will provide necessary comfort and stability to the hundreds of the brave employees who constantly battle to maintain the services under difficult conditions and ensure that passenger safety remains the highest priority.

 

Commercial considerations such as complete restoration of all aircraft and formal subsidy agreements with the Government should be secondary to stabilization of service.

 

FAX would like to take this opportunity to extend its gratitude to the Government – specifically the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Department of Civil Aviation, who have tireless worked to ensure strong growth and development of the aviation industry, and specifically for resolving key issues relating to the Rural Air Services, in the public interest.

 

Given the criticality of this issue as it impacts public interest, I am available for questions or clarifications at any time.

 

Azran Osman-Rani

Chief Executive Officer

Fly Asian Xpress Sdn Bhd

Edited July 17, 2007 by Rozhan

[Mohd Firdaus Bolong 0]

I don't understand why the planes only rosak when Air Asia is using them. Either the management is too dumb or too smart. Maybe for AK the RAS is just a cover to get something else i.e. money, license to fly etc. Can't see how they would agree to run the RAS only for 12 months.

 

 

True enough man.After they took over,everything for RAS has gone downhill.Delays,cancellations,wrong flight informations.At least a fokker 50 is stranded and being used as spare part bank.Leaving them with only 6 fokkers and now,they're complaining that they're not given enough aircrafts.Luckily not all F50 are given to them,if not....

 

If profit is all you're after,and if U don't wanna maintain the aircrafts properly,just use the Wright Borther's airplane,theyre cheap and easily maintained... The spare parts can be made by your employees.....

[Naim 6]

MAS rebuts ...

 

+++

 

17-07-2007: MAS stands by Fokker audit report

 

Restoration of aircraft critical for Sabah & Sarawak operations

 

SUBANG: Malaysia Airlines today stands by the FAX aircraft audit report submitted by Fokker Services Asia Pte Ltd which said half of FAX’s aircraft were not airworthy, and the grounded aircraft cannibalised.

 

Malaysia Airlines executive director/chief financial officer Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin said: “When we were requested to take over the RAS, we noted that four out of FAX’s 7 Fokkers, and one of its five Twin Otters were grounded. At the point of audit, five Fokkers and one Twin Otter were grounded.

 

“If you don’t have airworthy aircraft, you can’t operate the services. It’s that simple. Fokker Services confirmed our findings. Aircraft were grounded. Parts were cannibalised. For example, Fokker’s report shows clearly that one aircraft has been cannibalised of both its engines, both propellers and 70 parts missing.”

 

He added, “We commissioned the audit which was swiftly and professionally carried out precisely because we are serious about the RAS, and wanted to ensure we can take it back on Oct 1. The report shows the severity of the problem, which needs to be addressed immediately to ensure we can keep to the timeline.

 

“But we are ready to oblige if FAX wants a more detailed and consultative report, as long as they are willing to continue to operate the RAS until the new report is completed, and the aircraft restored.”

 

Tengku Azmil made it clear that upon the domestic rationalisation on Aug 1, 2006, Malaysia Airlines handed over ten Fokker 50 and five Twin Otter aircraft to Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, the owner of the assets. At the time of handover, the national carrier ensured that the aircraft were airworthy for continued operations in East Malaysia.

 

He also said the national carrier provided complete fleet management services to FAX from Aug 1, 2006, to Feb 26, 2007, only.

 

“Up to that time, we were not only maintaining the aircraft, but we also kept the maintenance records, performed the maintenance planning, and many other tasks. At that time, all the aircraft were ,operational except for one aircraft which was on scheduled routine maintenance.

 

Deterioration set in after FAX terminated their maintenance services with MAS. To date, FAX owes MAS RM20.4 million for services rendered.

 

“In addition, the supply of parts and materials to keep the fleet running at a satisfactory performance level has never been in question, as long as the disciplines of good planning and maintenance procedures had been in place. Spare parts are still being manufactured by various OEMs to Fokker, and a new or second hand item is available.

 

“The fact that this was not achieved by FAX is not because of MAS. Prior to the handover of routes to FAX, we had no difficulty in maintaining a good standard of operation for these aircraft. The fact that FAX chose not to make full use of our experience in setting up the operation was their choice and not ours,” he pointed out.

 

Firefly is using the same Fokker aircraft as FAX, but is recording a 94% on-time performance which means good maintenance is critical. When the fleet management was contracted by FAX to MAS (from Aug 1, 2006, to Feb 26, 2007), the dispatch reliability for both Fokker 50 and Twin Otter was higher than 95%.

 

Issued by: Media Relations, Communications Division

Malaysia Airlines, Subang

 

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.js...696c20-bd35a972

 

[Sri Ramani K. 0]

oh no, not the cat and the mouse fighting again? seems like in malaysia, before a solution is achieved, there must be some constant spat between both sides. after that, if you're lucky, a 3rd party comes into the fray and settles things up.

[Rozhan 0]

Get comments from the office of the PM, then everyone will then be quiete.

[Khaled 2]

Reminds me of high school debate... cant wait to see cannibalized A330...

[Radzi 2]

Cannibalized A330, that I will have to see. But cannibalized Fokker 50, you can see it here.

 

Just hope that their long haul airline will not be a cannibal airline.

[Mohd Firdaus Bolong 0]

I dont think we'll see a cannibalised A300,coz they buy it all with their money.They got the Fokkers for nothing and they took advantage of it as whatever happens to the fokker,the loss will be VERY minimal,if there's any loss at all.

[Naim 6]

 

Forbes

AFX News Limited

 

Malaysia Airlines says will not foot bill to repair damaged RAS aircraft

07.18.07, 1:03 AM ET

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Thomson Financial) - Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) said Wednesday it will not pay the 40 million ringgit needed to repair the fleet of Fokker 50s and Twin Otter aircraft for use under the rural air services programme.

 

Last Thursday, MAS said it noted that 4 out of Fly Asian Xpress' (FAX) 7 Fokkers and 1 of its 5 Twin Otters were grounded when the national carrier was asked to take back operating rural routes by AFX in March this year.

 

MAS today said due to the expensive damage to the aircraft, especially the Fokker 50s, the RAS will only be 80 percent ready on October 1 when the service is operated by MAS.

 

'It is between FAX and the government to pay for the 40 million ringgit bill. I don't know what their arrangements are and certainly not all of the aircraft will be operational by Oct 1.

 

'We will only be 80 percent ready by then,' MAS managing director Idris Jala said.

 

MAS has said that it stands by the aircraft audit report submitted by Fokker Services Asia, which said half of FAX's aircraft for the RAS were not airworthy and the grounded aircraft have been cannibalised.

 

FAX had operated the RAS since August last year under the government's domestic air services rationalisation exercise but last March it asked to be relieved of the service as it wants to focus on its long-haul low-cost services under AirAsia Long Haul.

 

In May, MAS agreed to take back the RAS from FAX but had asked for the planes to be audited to ensure that they are in 'the same operational condition' as when the national carrier had handed them over to FAX in August last year.

 

Fokker Services regional director Michael Cole said last Thursday that 'when we started the audit, half of FAX's aircraft were not airworthy. Components and parts were and presumably still are, being cannibalised from the grounded aircraft to keep the serviceable aircraft in operation.

 

'In view of the ready availability of components and parts, this is a cause of great concern.'

 

Cole said it is not feasible to return the fleet to operational condition by August as only 80 percent of the fleet is expected to be operational by October 1.

 

(1 US dollar = 3.44 ringgit)

 

johnkb.tan@thomson.com

 

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2...afx3924483.html

[FK Wong 0]

 

 

Everyone will point their finger at each other till the government says something about it...lol...it would be just better if FAX keep the RAS and solve the problem themselves.no pointing finger business here and there especially when they intend to purchase new aircrafts.i pity Bombardier and ATR because they have already submitted their RFP to MAS thrice with MAS running into crisis and they cancel their intention on purchasing new aircrafts followed by RAS handed over to FAX.The last RFP submitted was a success followed by a purchase done by FIREFLY.lol.RFP to FAX??? haha...once and forget about it because they want to hand the RAS back to MAS.

Edited July 19, 2007 by FK Wong

[Adrian M 0]

Most planes for MAS rural service ready by then, says Chan

 

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Airlines has been told to take over the rural air services from Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) on Oct 1 – as had been decided by the Government.

 

This is despite protest from MAS that repairs on 12 aircraft, which were under dispute in an audit report, could affect the timing of the takeover and that it would be more comfortable starting operations on Dec 1.

 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said this was because by this date most of the planes would have been ready for operations.

 

“However, the Government will not compromise on the safety of our air passengers. The Department of Civil Aviation is keeping a stringent check on the Fokker 50 and Twin Otter aircraft to ensure that they are airworthy.

 

“Those that are not suitable to be flown will be grounded for maintenance,” he told reporters after launching TNT’s new expanded facility at KL International Airport’s cargo complex yesterday.

 

Chan was commenting on a statement by MAS that it wanted the 12 aircraft disputed in an audit report by Singapore’s Fokker Services Asia Pte Ltd to be repaired before beginning operations as it was not willing to put the lives of passengers at risk.

 

MAS managing director Datuk Idris Jala had said that although the airline was prepared to undertake repairs – estimated to cost RM40mil – it would not pay for them.

 

Chan added that the Fokker 50 and Twin Otter aircraft would be put under general maintenance by MAS.

 

“By Aug 1, total fleet management of these aircraft, including maintenance, record-keeping, recovery service, planning of maintenance and the logistics of spare parts will be carried out by MAS,” he said.

 

Asked if the Government had decided who should pay for the cost of repairs, Chan said this question would be settled between all the stakeholders.

 

On the Asean Open Skies policy, Chan said the Government would stick to the aviation roadmap for the total liberation of flights between capital to capital by Jan 1, 2009.

 

“However, we are prepared to look into the limited flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This is a bilateral issue, which needs to be discussed with Singapore.

 

“Other airlines, particularly low-cost carriers in Singapore, are also looking into the possibility of flying into Kuala Lumpur and other parts,” he said, adding that this was not a straightforward issue.

 

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...&sec=nation

That's all the MoT says about it?

 

Cannibalising of aircraft parts hurting confidence

 

By STEPHEN THEN

 

MIRI: Reports of Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) cannibalising parts from one aircraft for use in another are causing concern in Sarawak.

 

In fact, some seasoned travellers are so worried they are afraid to board FAX flights now.

 

A prominent politician here, who travels frequently, is frightened enough by the current situation to stop flying in these planes altogether.

 

The politician, who did not want to be identified for the sake of “good public relations”, now uses land and river transportation to travel to remote areas.

 

To go from Miri to Sarawak’s northernmost towns like Limbang and Lawas, he flies to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah first on Malaysia Airlines before travelling by road across the border into Lawas town and downwards to Limbang via Brunei.

 

“Until the airline concerned and the Transport Ministry give full assurances that every FAX aircraft is airworthy, it is better to avoid these aircraft.

 

Meanwhile, Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Sim Hock Guan said the ministry should act.

 

“We are very worried. We hope the higher authorities will investigate and sort out this issue fast,” he said.

 

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...&sec=nation

Politician... Politician.... *shake head* so funny

[H C Chai 4]

Sorry for being a bit naive… but can I ask a question about the AOC : If the AOC is issued to FAX so that they can run the rural air services and the non-trunk routes within East Malaysia, don’t you think it will make sense for the government to take back the AOC the same time FAX return the rural air services and non-trunk routes to the government?

[BC Tam 2]

..... don’t you think it will make sense for the government to take back the AOC the same time FAX return the rural air services and non-trunk routes to the government?

In an ideal world where black is not white and grey does not exist - yes

[Khaled 2]

In an ideal world where black is not white and grey does not exist - yes

 

Haha...If only it's as easy as take back what u already give..

 

Seems like the government already give an order to MAS. CKC should fly onboard FAX to improved public confidence. That's the best solution. no need DCA to check. Anyway, at least other modes of transportation now getting some boost in business! make money while u can!

[FK Wong 0]

Sorry for being a bit naive… but can I ask a question about the AOC : If the AOC is issued to FAX so that they can run the rural air services and the non-trunk routes within East Malaysia, don’t you think it will make sense for the government to take back the AOC the same time FAX return the rural air services and non-trunk routes to the government?

 

It was mentioned in the previous topic that we had.

http://www.malaysianwings.com/forum/index....=5382&st=60

 

If only it works in the way we want=)

 

[Sandeep G 1]

So Chan Kong Choy should fly in the F50/DHC6 to boost public confidence, Najib Tun Razak in the RMAF S-61 Nuri to boost public confidence and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is in the BBJ or ACJ losing public confidence!

 

We live in interesting times, don't we!