The rise and fall of MyAirline: A chronology
Monday, October 30th, 2023 at News
The airline’s abrupt fall from grace has raised questions about key regulators’ roles and underscores the industry’s challenges in a volatile economy
MYAIRLINE, a once-promising local low-cost carrier, is at the centre of a financial storm, with a suspension of operations, mounting debts and regulatory investigations shaking its foundations.
The airline’s abrupt fall from grace has raised questions about key regulators’ roles and highlighted the aviation industry’s perils in a turbulent economic landscape.
With a timeline marred by unpaid staff wages, late payments, souring partnerships and ongoing investigations, MyAirline’s saga encapsulates the challenging journey of a budget carrier attempting to carve its niche in a fiercely competitive market.
Jan 11, 2021
MyAirline was established by Datuk Allen Goh Hwan Hua together with CEO Rayner Teo Kheng Hock to cater to low-cost flight passengers.
Jan 1, 2022
The airline was granted an Air Service Licence (ASL) with conditional approval by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
Oct 1, 2022
Initial air operator’s certificate (AOC) was awarded to MyAirline from the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM).
Nov 15, 2022
MyAirline received its full ASL, effective until Nov 14, 2023, officially becoming a full-fledged airline.
Dec 1, 2022
MyAirline Sdn Bhd commenced operations, marking its inaugural flight as a low-cost carrier in Malaysia. The airline operated a fleet of nine Airbus A320-200s out of Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). It aimed to have a total of 20 aircraft by the end of 2022 and had plans to increase the fleet to 26 aircraft by the end of 2023.
May 24, 2023
MyAirline services found itself in hot waters when a video recording showing an argument between the flight attendant and a local married couple regarding their crying child, who refused to wear seatbelts as the flight was about to depart, went viral. When the father asked for a seatbelt for infants, the flight attendant denied it. Subsequently, the family was taken out of the flight from Langkawi to KL.
June 26, 2023
MyAirline reached a milestone for flying over one million passengers domestically.
June 28, 2023
MyAirline opened its first international flight destinations to Malaysia’s neighbouring countries, starting with Bangkok, Thailand.
Oct 8, 2023
CEO Teo stepped down due to health-related issues, forcing the airline’s COO Stuart Cross to take over as interim CEO of MYAirline.
Oct 9, 2023
MyAirline received a two-year contract extension of its AOC from CAAM.
Oct 12, 2023
MyAirline abruptly cancelled all flights, domestic and international, leaving passengers stranded at the airport. The airline announced the suspension of its flight operations, citing significant financial pressures that necessitated this decision.
On the day when 39 flights were scheduled, thousands of passengers were not notified of the cancellation and found unmanned ticketing counters at the airport.
Oct 13, 2023
Mavcom initiated an investigation into MyAirline and issued a show-cause letter which specified the airline’s failure to fulfil its ASL conditions, including unsettled employee salaries and benefits.
Oct 16, 2023
Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that MyAirline’s licence would be temporarily suspended. This move followed its sudden suspension of operations, which affected about 5,000 passengers.
Findings from Companies Commission of Malaysia’s (SSM) data show that MyAirline posted a net loss of RM12.51 million for the financial year ended May 31, 2022, with negative shareholders’ equity of RM10.51 million.
The airline had not notified the ministry or Mavcom about its decision, impacting approximately 125,000 passengers with tickets worth RM20 million. In response, Cross resigned just a month after taking over as CEO.
Oct 18, 2023
Police confirmed the arrest of MyAirline co-founder and major shareholder Goh, along with his wife and son. Goh, 57; Neow Ean Lee, 55; and Goh Tze Han, 26, were arrested at their residence in Shah Alam, Selangor.
They were arrested to assist in an investigation under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Oct 19, 2023
After the arrest, 15 investors filed a lawsuit against Goh and four companies under his management: I-serve Online Mall Sdn Bhd, Bright Moon Venture PLT, QA Smart Partnership PLT and Trillion Cove Holdings Bhd. They are seeking a monthly redemption value exceeding RM8 million.
Oct 20, 2023
Police began the process of freezing 15 bank accounts containing RM5 million, believed to be linked to individuals related to the MyAirline case. Investigations into these accounts are ongoing.
Oct 26, 2023
Mavcom ordered the airline to submit a written justification by Oct 27 as part of its intensified investigation into the airline. Mavcom aimed to evaluate whether the carrier should continue as an ASL holder, suspend it or revoke it.
Mavcom also engaged various agencies, including Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), to seek avenues for refunding affected consumers.
The ongoing investigation into i-Serve Technology & Vacation Sdn Bhd and MyAirline resulted in the arrest of four additional individuals.
These suspects, two women and two men, were detained at the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department’s headquarters in Menara KPJ along Jalan Tun Razak, KL.
Based on preliminary questioning, it was revealed that three of the suspects were employees of i-Serve Technology & Vacation and held directorial positions in various entities owned by Goh.
The first suspect worked at i-Serve Technology & Vacation as a treasury assistant, the second as a finance assistant, the third as a research and development manager and the fourth suspect was a lawyer representing the company.
Oct 27, 2023
Mavcom’s investigations into MyAirline continued as it faced potential penalties and the possibility of licence revocation.
The regulator is also working on refund solutions for affected passengers, and reviewing the licensing framework for enhancements.
What Is Next for Myairline?
Throughout these events, MyAirline’s financial difficulties, including allegations of unpaid staff wages and issues with raising funds for new aircraft leases, came under scrutiny.
Its financial troubles led to the suspension of flight operations, causing disruptions to passengers and raising questions about Malaysia’s aviation policies and regulatory framework.
The owners of MyAirline have been actively seeking strategic partnerships and investors to infuse capital into the airline.
They approached various business leaders and banks for potential investments but have not been successful so far.
Based on SSM reports on Aug 30, 2023, MyAirline had three shareholders, namely Zillion Wealth Bhd (99.25%), Trillion Cove (0.625%) and former MyAirline CEO Teo (0.125%). Both Zillion Wealth and Trillion Cove named Goh as their director.
Some potential lenders were reluctant to invest in MyAirline because of Goh’s links to i-Serve Online Mall, which was fined by BNM for accepting deposits without a licence.
As we wait on the verdict with its ASL expiring this upcoming month, the future is uncertain for MyAirlines and its employees.
5 remanded in probe into MYAirline owner
Bukit Aman CCID director Ramli Yoosuf says a senior lawyer is among those detained.
FMT Reporters – 27 Oct 2023, 5:56pm
PETALING JAYA: Police have obtained a remand order for five individuals as part of their investigation into MYAirline Sdn Bhd’s co-founder and majority shareholder Goh Hwan Hua.
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director Ramli Yoosuf said the police obtained the remand order, including for a senior lawyer, at the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court today.
The lawyer is being remanded for one day, while two others will be detained for three days.
The rest will be remanded for four days.
Yesterday, the police arrested four more people as part of its ongoing investigation on Goh.
Ramli said the first three, aged 30 to 48, were nabbed at around 1pm. Meanwhile, the fourth, a lawyer, was arrested later that evening.
Two of those arrested were women in their early 30s, and work for i-Serve Online Mall Sdn Bhd. The third, a 48-year-old man, sits on the MYAirline board of directors.
The fourth person detained is believed to be a lawyer for i-Serve. The 62-year-old man was arrested in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur and taken to Bukit Aman.
Their arrests come days after police nabbed a man in his 40s, who is a shareholder in i-Serve.
Goh, along with two family members were arrested last week and are being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Goh, a shareholder of i-Serve, also owns private firms Zillion Wealth and Trillion Cove Holdings, which have stakes of 88% and 10%, respectively, in MYAirline.
According to Ramli, two of those arrested yesterday were also involved with Trillion Cove Holdings, as members of the company’s board of directors.
MYAirline graft scandal: Four more arrested over probe into i-Serve, police say
Thursday, 26 Oct 2023 9:45 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Federal police said today four more individuals have been arrested amid an ongoing probe into i-Serve Technology & Vacation Sdn Bhd (i-Serve) and troubled budget carrier MYAirline whose co-founder is being investigated for money laundering offences.
Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the four local suspects — two women and two men — were detained at the department’s headquarters in Menara KPJ along Jalan Tun Razak here earlier today.
Based on preliminary questioning, Ramli said three were employees of i-Serve and held directors’ positions at various entities owned by MYAirline co-founder Datuk Allan Goh Hwan Hua.; while the fourth was a lawyer representing i-Serve.
Goh, who is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, is also a shareholder in i-Serve.
Bank Negara Malaysia previously fined i-Serve and six other companies affiliated with it RM50 million in October last year for illegal deposit-taking and money laundering.
In today’s statement, Ramli said the first suspect worked at i-Serve as a treasury assistant and oversaw the company’s finances in regards to ticketing management with AirAsia.
“The suspect was also appointed as a director to various boards in Trillion Cove Sdn Bhd, Trillion Cove Holdings Bhd and Win Capital Holdings.
“The suspect was also appointed as general partner to QA Smart Partnership PLT, QA Premium Partnership PLT and QA Elite Partnership PLT where she and other staff members were tasked with monitoring investors’ accounts entering the company,” he said, adding that the suspect was also tasked with managing dividend payments to investors.
Ramli said the second suspect worked as a finance assistant and shared a similar job responsibility with the first suspect.
However, the second suspect was appointed as a director to various boards in Advance Digital Venture Berhad, Ample Prosperity Sdn Bhd, Cantik Capital Sdn Bhd, and Win Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd.
“Moreover, the suspect also worked as a treasury manager and is in charge of sales collection of all the groceries outlets run by the company,” he said.
As for the third suspect, Ramli said the person worked as a research and development manager tasked with handling the company’s software and system.
“This suspect was also appointed as a director to various boards in MyAirline Sdn Bhd, Trillion Cove Capital Sdn Bhd, Trillion Cove Holdings Berhad and Win Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd,” he said.
Following their arrests, Ramli said all are expected to be remanded from tomorrow onwards for investigations.
Police began investigating MYAirline after it abruptly announced a suspension of operations at 5.30am on October 12, citing financial problems.
The sudden move stranded thousands of passengers on domestic and regional flights.
On October 16, the budget carrier said refunds to passengers could reach up to an estimated RM22 million, adding that it could only begin reimbursement after it secures new investors.
Previously Goh, his wife and son were arrested at their home in Shah Alam, Selangor on October 17 for investigations.
All three have since been released on police bail.
Authorities have urged i-Serve investors to file police reports on their individual investment amounts to facilitate a comprehensive investigation against i-Serve, QA Partnership, Trillion Cove and MyAirline.
马国警方再捕五人助查MYAirline案
发布 /2023年10月27日 09:46 PM
马来西亚廉航“我家航空”10月12日突然宣布停运停飞后，警方、民航局等多个单位已介入调查，许多已买票的乘客至今仍未获得退款或赔偿。（星报）
（吉隆坡综合讯）马来西亚警方就廉价航空公司我家航空（MYAirline）停飞及涉嫌诈骗和洗黑钱案，再逮捕五人协助调查。警方至今已逮捕八人，包括我家航空创办人吴焕华及妻儿。
马国武吉阿曼警察总部商业罪案调查局总监南利星期四（10月26日）发声明说，警方星期一（23日）逮捕一名40多岁的男子，他是与吴焕华有关的i-Serve投资公司的股东。法庭已批准警方延长扣留他五天，以展开深入调查。
警方接着于星期四再逮捕两男两女，其中两名30多岁的女子曾在i-Serve担任高层，负责与财务及账目相关的事务；另一名62岁男律师曾为i-Serve提供法律咨询服务，还有一名48岁的男子则是我家航空的董事。警方已经申请延长扣留他们协助调查。
南利也说，曾两次被延长扣留的吴焕华（57岁）已获保释。他的妻子梁燕丽（55岁）及儿子吴思翰（26岁）则在上星期扣留期满后获释；他们母子二人都是我家航空的董事。
南利指出，警察是援引《2001年反洗黑钱、反恐怖主义融资及非法活动收益法令》来调查所有被捕嫌犯。
马国警方过去两年来一直密切关注及调查吴焕华涉嫌诈骗和洗黑钱的事。我家航空10月12日突然停运停飞，吴焕华作为单一最大股东兼董事，警方数天后逮捕吴焕华及妻儿，并冻结了15个涉案人士的银行户头，以协助调查吴焕华涉嫌诈骗及洗黑钱案。这些被冻结的银行户头涉及的存款数额多达500万令吉（约143万新元）。
MYAirline大股东涉洗钱 警方两年前已关注
发布 /2023年10月19日 08:51 PM
马来西亚廉航我家航空10月12日突然停运停飞，在机场的办事处及柜台紧闭，乘客救助无门。警方已介入调查，并逮捕公司创办人吴焕华一家三口助查。（星报）
（吉隆坡综合讯）马来西亚警方消息透露，廉价航空公司我家航空（MYAirline）创办人吴焕华和妻儿三人被捕，不仅是因航空公司突然暂停营运，警方过去两年来一直密切关注及调查吴焕华涉嫌诈骗和洗黑钱的事。
马国《星报》引述警方消息人士说：“警察一直在调查吴焕华的各种活动。除了我家航空，还有其他和吴焕华有关联的公司……有很多要调查的事，涉及的领域非常广泛，警察要详细调查每一家公司，以确认是否有任何违法行为。”
现年57岁的吴焕华持有我家航空98%股权，是公司单一最大股东兼董事；他的妻子梁燕丽（55岁）和儿子吴思翰（26岁）是我家航空董事。他们三人星期二（10月17日）傍晚在雪兰莪州沙亚南住家被警察逮捕，目前仍被拘留。
警方是援引《2001年反洗黑钱、反恐怖主义融资及非法活动收益法令》调查他们。警方会根据后续的调查情况，决定是否冻结他们的资产和银行户头，以及是否逮捕更多人助查。
我家航空10月12日突然在脸书宣布公司停运停飞，由于公司已开售明年的机票，受影响的乘客估计多达12万5000人。
MYAirline创办人与妻儿被捕
发布 /2023年10月18日 08:23 PM
我家航空创办人吴焕华与妻儿已被警察逮捕。他和儿子吴思翰星期三被带到推事庭申请延长扣留后，被押回吉隆坡增江扣留所。（马国警方提供）
（吉隆坡综合讯）马来西亚警方证实，廉价航空公司我家航空（MYAirline）创办人兼大股东吴焕华和妻儿共三人已被捕，推事庭已批准警方的申请，延长扣留他们四天，以协助调查这家廉航突然暂停营运的事。
马国武吉阿曼警察总部商业罪案调查局总监南利星期三（10月18日）受询时指出，警方是援引《2001年反洗黑钱、反恐怖主义融资及非法活动收益法令》调查此案。
现年57岁的吴焕华和妻子梁燕丽（55岁），以及儿子吴思翰（26岁）星期二（17日）傍晚在雪兰莪州沙亚南的住家被捕。吴焕华持有我家航空98%股权，是公司单一最大股东兼董事；梁燕丽和吴思翰是我家航空的董事。
根据马国公司委员会资料，与吴焕华相关的跨国贸易顾问公司Zillion Wealth持有我家航空的88%股权，另一家他担任董事的贷款及融资公司Trillion Cove持有10%股权。其中，Trillion Cove今年5月卷入一起洗钱案。
我家航空成立于2021年11月1日，隔年1月24日获政府批准营运，同年12月1日首飞。本月12日，我家航空突然在脸书宣布公司停运停飞，预计有12万5000名乘客受影响，引起社会哗然。马国民航局随后吊销它的航空服务执照90天，以展开深入调查。
马国廉航MYAirline突然停运 逾12万乘客受影响
发布 /2023年10月12日 11:42 PM
马国廉价航空公司MyAirline在吉隆坡第二国际机场的售票处大门紧闭，仅放出告示通知公司已中止营运。MyAirline的竞争对手亚航（AirAsia）即刻向受影响的乘客伸出援手，提供高达50%的票价折扣。（星报）
成立不到两年的马来西亚廉价航空公司MYAirline星期四（10月12日）无预警宣布停运，许多乘客抵达机场后才发现航班已经取消，导致马国多个机场一度陷入混乱。由于这家公司已开售明年的机票，受影响的乘客估计多达12万5000人。
MYAirline星期四清晨6时突然在脸书发声明说，由于面对巨大的财务压力，被迫做出“极度痛苦的决定”，从即日起中止营运，直到另行通知。
声明说，MYAirline此前探讨了各种合作及融资方案，但最终还是不得不中止营运。公司董事会为此向受影响的乘客、雇员及合作伙伴致歉。
由于事出突然，许多乘客一早抵达机场后才发现MYAirline的柜台关闭，航班也已取消；受影响的包括吉隆坡第二国际机场（KLIA2）、古晋国际机场和亚庇国际机场。
MYAirline突然宣布停运，令许多持票乘客措手不及。图为吉隆坡第二国际机场，资讯柜台前来了很多着急询问情况的乘客，场面一度混乱。（X平台照片）
MYAirline虽关闭了所有社交媒体平台的留言功能，不少乘客还是上网表达不满。有人指责它没第一时间通知停飞的消息，让他们在机场等了好几个小时；有的乘客认为这是诈骗行为，要求马上退款。
这起不寻常事件也让业界感到震惊。亚航一名不愿具名的机长告诉《联合早报》，据他所了解，MYAirline的职员也是临时被通知公司停止营业。
马国机场公司发文告说，星期四有39趟马国境内航班，以及一趟飞往泰国曼谷的航班取消，约5000名乘客受影响。当局安排人手为乘客提供援助，各大机场的情况也受控制。
马航及另两家廉航公司亚航和峇迪航空（Batik Air）提供票价折扣，协助受影响的乘客继续他们的行程。
马国交通部长陆兆福下午在国会召开记者会，谴责MYAirline突然停飞是极度不负责任的行为，破坏了国家的形象。“他们不只停运，还直接消失，完全没有派代表在机场为乘客提供详情。”
陆兆福说，由于MYAirline已售卖至明年3月的机票，预计有12万5000名马国及外国乘客受影响，涉及金额达2000万令吉（约579万新元）。
他强调，马国航空委员会将继续关注事态发展，并对MYAirlines采取行动，包括要它公开道歉，以及退款给所有受影响的乘客。
MyAirline经营八条马国国内航线，以及一条飞往泰国曼谷的国际航线。它本计划扩展航线到更多东南亚国家，包括新加坡和印度尼西亚。（星报）
MYAirline成立于2021年11月1日，2022年1月24日获政府批准营运，同年12月1日首飞。它提供从吉隆坡往返古晋、亚庇、浮罗交怡及槟城等八条马国国内航线，今年6月刚开通直飞曼谷的航班。该公司原计划在11月扩大航线至14个地点。
马国媒体本月9日引述消息报道，MYAirline陷入财务危机，除了已连续数月无法按时支付员工薪资，也拖欠马国机场公司及其他供应商款项。
MYAirline的98%股权由商人吴焕华持有。上星期，持有其余2%股权的公司首席执行官张庆福以健康理由辞职。
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