Malaysia’s Indian-owned Sharia-compliant airline shut down

Malaysia's Rayani Air, the country's first Sharia-compliant airline owned by an ethnic Indian couple, was shut down on Monday, months after it was suspended for failing to adhere to aviation rules.

The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) revoked Rayani Air's Air Service Licence (ASL) after finding Rayani Air had breached the conditions of its licence. It said the airline also lacked the financial and management capacity to continue operating as a commercial airline. "As a consequence, Rayani Air can no longer operate as a commercial airline with effect from today," it said.

The airline was founded by Ravi Alagendrran and his wife Karthiyani Govindan and started operations in December last year. They used parts of their first names for the airline's name. On May 25, Malaysian Aviation Commission had issued a show-cause letter to Rayani Air after it had completed its evaluation of the airlines commercial standing and capabilities to determine whether it could continue as an ASL holder. 

MAVCOM required the airline to submit its representation in writing within 14 days before the commission decides on whether Rayani Air should be allowed to continue to hold the ASL or whether it should be revoked, or suspended.

Rayani Air submitted its representation in writing to MAVCOM on the last day of the stipulated time.