No Malaysia Airlines Aircraft Grounded Over Technical Problems -- Transport Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- No Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s (MAS) aircraft are currently grounded due to technical problems, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah. 

He said the aircraft that are not in service are only undergoing periodic maintenance in accordance with safety requirements and aviation industry standards.

“Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is also a commercial entity, where all operational decisions, including aircraft maintenance and repair, are corporate decisions based on the company’s operational needs.

“Hence, the repair and maintenance costs are fully borne by MAG as part of its operating costs, and the Ministry of Transport does not bear any related costs,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a question from Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) about the number of MAS aircraft not in service due to faults and the costs borne by the ministry. 

Meanwhile, he said a total of 4,113 certified aircraft engineers have been recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

Of that number, 2,318 engineers hold category B1 (mechanical) licenses, 879 with category B2 (avionics) licenses, 51 holding both B1 and B2 licenses, and 865 with category A (technician) licenses.

-- BERNAMA