Pelandok Airways

Last updated
Pelandok Airways
Founded1971
Ceased operations1972
Hubs Kuala Lumpur–Subang
Fleet size2
Destinations3
Parent company Pelandok Airways Sendirian Berhad [1]
Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA)
Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation [2]
Headquarters204B, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [2]
Employees50

Pelandok Airways was a former Malaysian airline which commenced operations in October 1971 through a collaboration between the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) and Taiwan's Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation. [3] The airline positioned itself as a provider of low-cost flights, charter services, and cargo transportation. [2]

Contents

The significance of Pelandok Airways lies in its innovative role in reshaping domestic air travel within Malaysia. As the revolutionising carrier to implement both low-cost and charter services, it democratised air travel, making it more accessible to a broader spectrum of travelers in the country. [4]

Furthermore, the airline pioneered nonstop routes between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu as well as Kuching, diverging from the standard Malaysia-Singapore Airlines itinerary that required travelers to stopover in Singapore, representing a notable improvement in travel convenience for passengers commuting to and from the Malaysian capital. [3]

History

Inception

The airline operates Vickers Viscount aircraft, painted in a red cheatline, closely resembling the provided example, albeit with a minor differences on the tail, nacelle and typeface design Vickers Viscount 807, GB Airways JP33200.jpg
The airline operates Vickers Viscount aircraft, painted in a red cheatline, closely resembling the provided example, albeit with a minor differences on the tail, nacelle and typeface design

In October 1971, Pelandok Airways made its debut in Malaysia's aviation sector through a collaboration between the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) and Taiwan's Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation. During its inception, the airline joined the ranks of Malaysia's three charter companies, alongside Southern Cross Airways and Malaysian Air Charter (MAC). [3]

Operating with a fleet of two 70-seater Vickers Viscount aircraft, Pelandok Airways spearheaded both charter and budget flights, launching direct routes from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu in January 1972, with subsequent expansion to Kuching by June of the same year. [1] This strategic expansion significantly improved accessibility between East Malaysia and the capital, marking a departure from the traditional Malaysia-Singapore Airlines route that mandated layovers in Singapore. [3]

Pelandok Airways had ambitious expansion strategies in place, with plans to procure additional planes, notably two second-hand 50-seat Handley Page Dart Herald from Taiwan and Silver Kris jets from MSA (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines), the national carrier. [3] Initially, Pelandok Airways granted flight rights to a diverse array of destinations spanning East and West Malaysia, as well as various international locations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Vietnam, Australia and other destinations. [5]

Regulatory challengers

A vintage Pelandok Airways matchbox featuring its logo and headquarters address Pelandok Airways Logo.jpg
A vintage Pelandok Airways matchbox featuring its logo and headquarters address

Pelandok Airways faced significant challenges in its bid to continue operating as a secondary airline to Malaysian Airline System (MAS). The Ministry of Communication rejected the airline's appeal to renew its air charter permit, which was set to expire in 1972. Mr. On Boon Bah, the airline's secretary, announced the Ministry's decision, stating that they had no choice but to cease operations. [5]

The Ministry's decision stemmed from several restrictions imposed on Pelandok Airways. The airline was informed that it could not operate charter services to destinations already served by MAS, as seen in the denial of the planned Pelandok Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur to Medan, a route already serviced by the national carrier, despite Pelandok Airways securing prior permission. [6] Additionally, it was also being informed its traffic rights to areas not yet served by MAS would automatically lapse once MAS began operating in those regions. [5]

Thus, following the restructuring of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines into Malaysia Airlines in 1972, MAS prioritized the development of its domestic network. While the introduction of a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching was deemed necessary by the national carrier, the limited market size in 1972 rendered competition between two airlines on the same route unsustainable. [3]

Closure

The closure of Pelandok Airways, following the Ministry of Communication's decision not to renew its air charter permit, marks the end of its operations. This decision, influenced by restrictions regarding overlapping routes with Malaysian Airline System (MAS), resulted in the termination of approximately 50 staff members, including pilots, eight flight attendants and other personnel. [5] This event reflects the intricate regulatory considerations and competitive dynamics in Malaysia's aviation industry during the era.

Branding and corporate identity

The logo of Pelandok Airways featured the red initials "PA" incorporated into a stylized depiction of a black mouse-deer silhouette, honoring the airline's Malay namesake pelandok. [2]

Former Fleet

As of its closure in July 1972, Pelandok Airways maintained a fleet of two aircraft: [3]

Pelandok Airways
AircraftTotalPassengers
Vickers Viscount 270

Destinations Served

In the past, Pelandok Airways offered scheduled flight services to the following destinations:

CountryCityAirportNotesReference
Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu Airport [4]
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur–Subang Airport Base [4]
Kuching Kuching Airport [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Malaysia</span>

Transportation in Malaysia started to develop during British colonial rule, and the country's transport network is now diverse and developed. Malaysia's road network is extensive, covering 290,099.38 kilometres, including 2,016.05 km of expressways. The main highway of the country extends over 800 km, reaching the Thai border from Singapore. Peninsular Malaysia has an extensive road network, whilst the road system in East Malaysia is not as well-developed. The main modes of transport in Peninsular Malaysia include buses, trains, cars and to an extent, commercial travel on airplanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Brunei Airlines</span> Flag carrier of Brunei

Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd (RB) is the flag carrier of Brunei, headquartered in the RB Campus in Bandar Seri Begawan. It is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei. Its hub is Brunei International Airport in Berakas, just to the north of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

Malaysia Airlines Berhad, formerly known as Malaysian Airline System, and branded as Malaysia Airlines, is the flag carrier of Malaysia and a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. The company headquarters are at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In August 2014, the Malaysian government's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional—which then owned 69.37% of the airline—announced its intention to purchase the remaining ownership from minority shareholders and delist the airline from Malaysia's stock exchange, thereby renationalising the airline. It operates primarily from its main hub Kuala Lumpur International Airport to destinations throughout Asia, Oceania and Europe, as well as its secondary hub Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Taipei and Tokyo (Narita).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysia–Singapore Airlines</span> Defunct national airline of Malaysia and Singapore (1966–1972)

Malaysia–Singapore Airlines was the multinational flag carrier of Malaysia and Singapore. It came into being in 1966 as a result of a joint ownership of the airline by the governments of the two countries. It was headquartered at Raffles Place in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penang International Airport</span> Airport serving Penang, Malaysia

Penang International Airport (PIA) (IATA: PEN, ICAO: WMKP) is an international airport in George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang. The airport is located at the southeastern tip of Penang Island, 16 km (9.9 mi) south of the city centre, and serves the country's second largest conurbation.

Aviation in Singapore is a key component of the Singaporean economy. Besides currently the sixth busiest airport and the fourth busiest air cargo hub in Asia, the Singaporean aviation industry is also a significant aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuching International Airport</span> Airport serving Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Kuching International Airport (KIA) is an international airport serving the entire southwestern region of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is located 11 km (6.8 mi) south of Kuching city centre. The airport is colocated with the RMAF Kuching, home to the No. 7 Squadron RMAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kota Kinabalu International Airport</span> Airport serving Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is an international airport in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of the city centre. In 2019, over 9 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport in terms of passenger movements & aircraft movements and the third busiest in terms of cargo handled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tawau Airport</span> Airport in Sabah, Malaysia

Tawau Airport is an airport located 15 nautical miles north east of Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of two airports in Sabah with immigration counters for international flights, the other being Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Tawau Airport serves the districts of Tawau, Kunak and Semporna and is the nearest airport to the diving islands of Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai, all of which are located in the latter district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firefly (airline)</span> Malaysian low-cost airline

Firefly is a low-cost carrier subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines that offers flights within Malaysia, as well as to Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Firefly operates from its main hub at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and Penang International Airport, as well as its secondary hub at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The airline's first flight was on 3 April 2007, from Penang to Kota Bharu. The company slogan is Beyond Convenience.

Pelangi Airways Sdn Bhd was a regional airline of Malaysia based at Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport. The airline covered secondary routes within Peninsular Malaysia and international flights to Sumatra in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

MASwings Sdn Bhd is a regional airline operating the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Borneo Malaysia. MASwings is the successors of FlyAsianXpress which operated RAS flights from 2006-2007, itself the successor Malaysia Airlines operation of RAS flights during 1965-2006. Borneo Airways originally operated RAS flights from 1953-1965 within colonial British Borneo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Cargo Airlines</span> Malaysian cargo airline

World Cargo Airlines is a rebranding of the formerly known Pos Asia Cargo Express Sdn Bhd or more popularly known in its abbreviation as “POS ACE". It is an airline company in Malaysia holding an approved AOC for the operation of cargo aircraft under the purview of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Currently, they operate 1 Boeing 737-400F to the East Malaysia cities of Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sibu as well as cities in Peninsular Malaysia such as Johor Bahru, Pulau Pinang and Kota Bharu. Its second aircraft, the first Boeing 737-800F in South East Asia, begun operations on 23 March 2021. Its third aircraft, a Boeing 737-300 (9M-WCM) begun operations in November 2021.

Batik Air Malaysia is a Malaysian full-service carrier, an associate carrier of the Indonesian Lion Air Group, with headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. The original name, Malindo, signifies a cooperative pact between Malaysia and Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rayani Air</span> Full-service airline in Malaysia

Rayani Air Sdn. Bhd. was a full-service airline in Malaysia, headquartered in Shah Alam, Selangor, in the Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area. It was the first Sharia-compliant airline in Malaysia and the fourth such airline in the world, after Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), Saudi Arabian Airlines and Iran Air. No alcoholic beverages or pork were served on board in accordance with Islamic dietary laws and prayers were recited before every flight. It was forced to cease operations after only five months due to management, safety and security issues, pilot strikes, and lack of funding.

Borneo Airways Limited also known as Borneo Airways, was the flag carrier and the principal domestic airline in British Borneo based in Labuan between 1957 until 1 April 1965 when it merged with Malaysian Airways.

MYAirline was a Malaysian low-cost airline founded in 2021. It was headquartered in Subang Jaya, Selangor and primarily operated from KLIA2, the low-cost carrier terminal of KLIA. The airline began its maiden flight on 1 December 2022 to Kuching International Airport. The company slogan was Your Experience Matters.

Federation Air Service was a regional airline operated out of Kuala Lumpur, with routes primarily located in Federation of Malaya.

Wearne's Air Service (WAS), established in 1937, is an early Malayan airline.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "PAS charter service", The Straits Times, 1972-05-24, retrieved 2024-04-20
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Page 27 Advertisements Column", The Straits Times, 1972-03-22, retrieved 2024-04-20
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "KL charters hit 'stormy weather'", New Nation, 1972-03-29, retrieved 2024-04-20
  4. 1 2 3 "Halt to flights? Airline says: We are surprised", The Straits Times, 1972-09-09, retrieved 2024-04-20
  5. 1 2 3 4 "No renewal of permit for Pelandok Airways", The Straits Times, 1972-09-29, retrieved 2024-04-20
  6. "Pelandok told in July to cease flights: Ministry", The Straits Times, 1972-09-11, retrieved 2024-04-20