LICENSE REVOKED Sharia compliant airline shuts down

Posted on 06/21/2016 | About Malaysia

Malaysia’s first sharia-compliant airline has been shut down. Rayani Air, which launched in December, has had a short history of flight delays, cancellations, pilot strikes and a security concern when it provided hand written boarding passes.

The airline which operates two Boeing 737-400s, abided by Islamic law, banning alcohol, serving halal-certified foods and observing prayers before takeoff. Female Muslim flight attendants wore hijabs and non-Muslims were expected to dress conservatively, as were the passengers.
Passengers regularly complained about significant flight delays some of which lasted up to five days, as well as last minute cancellations of flights.
Pilots went on strike, claiming unpaid wages.
In April a passenger uploaded an image of his Rayani boarding pass, hand written with no bar code. The airline blamed a computer glitch. Malaysia’s transport department gave them a warning.
Last week Malaysia’s Department of Aviation said that Rayani Air’s Air Operator Certificate had been revoked. Director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman stated “safety and security of the aviation industry is of paramount importance.”
A separate statement from the Malaysian Aviation Commission said the airline “had breached the conditions of its Air Service Licence and lacks the financial and management capacity to continue operating as a commercial airline.”