Give us back our money, say Rayani Air customers

PETALING JAYA: Sympathy is not a noun best used to describe the feelings Malaysians have towards the shutdown notice handed to the country’s first Islamic airline, Rayani Air Sdn Bhd.

Anger and dissatisfaction would perhaps better represent their feelings as a high number of netizens reacted to the latest development by asking for their money back.

One Facebook user, Hafiefz Izzuddin, commented on a press statement on the airline’s page and wrote: “Dear Rayani Air, most of us have tried calling (the airline) and many of us failed to get through. How transparent are you in refunding our money?”

Another netizen, Radziah Taris, said: “How about my money? Over 30 days already, can’t get through by phone.”

“Refund please,” was another comment made by three separate individuals, Mei Ying, Myra Mohd, and Wesley Kho.

The response came after the airline’s owner and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Alagendrran announced that its Air Service Licence and Air Operator’s Certificate had been revoked by the Malaysian Aviation Commission and the Department of Civil Aviation, effective today.

He also said appeals would be made as the revocation came in the midst of negotiations with potential investors looking to acquire equities in the shariah-compliant airline.

Netizens, however, were unsympathetic, as expressed by Khurshed Kayumov.

“Next time, please come back with improvement by all means! You not only disappointed the customers through your service, but also bring not good name to Islam.”

Nurul Hakeem laughed off the statement which she said had simply pinned the blame on other parties, except the airline’s management itself.

“You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes. Haha never failed to blame others. Hebat (great). Kudos to yourself. Thanks for destroying all the hard work”

Rayani Air was launched in December 2015 with two Boeing 737-400s. Its selling factor was the adherence to Islamic law, which included the rule of having its Muslim flight crew donning hijab while the non-Muslim crew were forbidden from wearing revealing clothing on board.

The carrier’s licence to operate, however, was suspended in April after increasing criticisms due to last-minute delays and flight cancellations as its pilots launched a strike for their unpaid salaries.