Kuala Lumpur, 30th October 2025:

Ascend Airways Malaysia has officially received its AOC and ASP licenses and it will begin operations this November.The airline was first granted its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) in 2024. With this part of the process having been successfully completed, Ascend Airways Malaysia is able to start operations with its very first aircraft Boeing 737-800SF.

The Kuala Lumpur-based ACMI and charter airline will be offering both passenger and cargo operations in Malaysia and across the broader Southeast Asia region. Subject to additional regulatory approvals, passenger flights are scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2026, alongside the further expansion of Ascend Airways Malaysia’s fleet.

According to Germal Singh Khera, CEO of Ascend Airways Malaysia, the airline will provide flexible ACMI solutions to support Malaysia’s aviation expansion, with passenger traffic expected to grow between 8.4% and 15.6% year-on-year in 2025, reaching 105.8–112.9 million passengers.

“Malaysia is in an essential strategic position as a logistics and aviation hub that connects Southeast Asia, China, and India. We are very grateful for the support we received from the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, MAVCOM, and other local authorities. This cooperation is helping the aviation industry in Malaysia to develop and realise its full potential,” he says.

Germal Singh Khera also expressed his hope that ACMI will soon become a vital part of the Asia-Pacific logistics ecosystem, as this model enables airlines to optimize their revenue during peak season as well as scale their operations more efficiently and successfully navigate operational challenges.