Malaysia Air Charter
Malaysia Air Charter Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander in Bayan Lepas Airport | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | May 4, 1962 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commenced operations | May 14, 1962 | ||||||
Ceased operations | 11 September 1986 | ||||||
| Hubs | Kuala Lumpur-Subang | ||||||
| Focus cities | Kerteh | ||||||
| Subsidiaries |
| ||||||
| Fleet size | 11 | ||||||
| Destinations | 12 | ||||||
| Parent company | Borneo Company (1960s-1967)
Inchcape plc (1967-1975) Bank Bumiputra Berhad (1975-1986) | ||||||
| Headquarters | Subang | ||||||
| Key people | |||||||
| Founder | Jan Bussell | ||||||
| Employees | 210 | ||||||
Malaysia Air Charter (abbreviated as MAC and also referred as just MACAir) was a regional airline based in Subang, Malaysia. It operated domestic flight in Malay Peninsula. The Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times known for its "Malaysia's first private airline".
The airline was placed into receivership and filed for bankrupt, ending its operation in September 1986.
History
The beginning of operation (1962-1975)
The airline was established on 4 May 1962 by British pilot Francis Jan Bussell to used it as flight to Cameron Highlands using hydro-electric lake for approach. However, the project was never built.[1]
Started operations on 14 May 1962 by Sardon Jubir with five aircraft. The company used to flown over Bukit Besi, Bukit Ibam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Rompin and Thailand in about 40 airfield for iron mining[2] Sardon Jubir purchased two hanger from Subang Airport in 1966[3]
Prior Bussell returning to England, he sold his airlines to Borneo Company Limited.[4] Later covert into Inchcape Group following the company merged.
In March 1973, MAC formed an subsidiaries in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Malaysia Air Training (MAT), becoming the first flight training in Malaysia.[5]
Expansion (1975-1986)
A former bank company Bank Bumiputra Berhad acquired Malaysia Air Charter from Inchcape Group and became a member of MARS Finance.[6] In 1982, the airline expanded its fleet with the addition of a Short 360, bringing its total fleet count to 11 aircraft. The introduction of the Short 360 was intended to enhance the carrier's operational capabilities, allowing it to expand its route network and increase passenger capacity.[7]
Closure
In September 1986, MACAir was placed into receivership after defaulting on a RM5 million loan repayment to UMBC Leasing;[8] the airline went bankrupt and its operating licence was suspended. The company had RM50 million owed to leasing companies. Although creditors Coopers & Lybrand attempted to salvage the viable Kerteh route.[9]
Competitors including Wira Kris and Pan Malaysia Air Transport declined to acquire the company. Pelangi Air was later took over the company route.
The company's decline led to legal proceedings in the 1990s. Petronas Dagangan, a major creditor, filed a petition against the airline following its failure to settle debts. The subsequent legal battle, Malaysia Air Charter Co Sdn Bhd v Petronas Dagangan Sdn Bhd, reached the Federal Court and established key legal precedents regarding commercial insolvency and the validity of statutory notices of demand in Malaysia. Macair eventually went into liquidation in 1996 following the conclusion of these insolvency proceedings.[10]
Destination
MACAir served the following destinations:[11][12]
| Country | City | Airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Alor Setar | Sultan Abdul Halim Airport | |
| Batu Berendam | Batu Berendam Airport | ||
| Bayan Lepas | Bayan Lepas International Airport | ||
| Fraser's Hill | Fraser's Hill Helipad | ||
| Genting Highlands | Genting Helipad | ||
| Kerteh | Kerteh Airport | Focus city | |
| Kuching | Kuching International Airport | ||
| Langkawi | Langkawi International Airport | ||
| Mersing | Mersing Airport | ||
| Segambut | Segambut Helipad | ||
| Subang | Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport | Hub | |
| Tioman Island | Tioman Airport | ||
| Singapore | Seletar | Seletar Airport |
Codeshare agreements
MACAir held codeshare agreements with the following airlines:
Fleet
MAC fleet consisted of the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alouette III | 1 | 1970 | 1973 | [13] |
| Bell 206B | 1 | 1980 | Unknown | [14] |
| Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander | 2 | 1974 | 1986 | [15] |
| CASA C-212-200 Aviocar | 4 | 1981 | Unknown | [16] |
| Cessna 310 | 3 | 1962 | 1982 | [17] |
| Curtiss C-46 Commando | 1 | 1975 | Unknown | [18] |
| Dornier 228 | 8 | 1983 | 1986 | [19] |
| Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 | 2 | 1969 | 1977 | [20] |
| Lockheed 12A | 1 | 1964 | 1966 | |
| Piper Aztec | 1 | 1966 | 1986 | |
| Piper Navajo | 2 | 1969 | 1986 | [21] |
| Piper Pawnee | 2 | 1968 | 1986 | [22] |
| Short 360 | 1 | 1984 | 1986 | [23] |
| Short SC.7 Skyvan | 7 | 1978 | 1986 | |
| Westland Widgeon | 1 | 1966 | Unknown | [24] |
Accidents and incidents
Malaysia Air Charter (MAC) experienced a total of five hull-loss accidents during their operations, all of which resulted in two fatalities:
- On 26 October 1966, a MAC Lockheed 12A (9M-ANK) was destroyed after crash landing in Bukit Besi, Terengganu. None of the occupants were injured, the aircraft was later written-off from service.[25]
- On 15 August 1967, a Cessna 185 (9M-AMK) crashed on take-off at Ba'kelalan Airport, Sarawak, only one person was injured.[26] The aircraft lost in the incident was the same plane that was filmed in 1965 France-Italian film Up to His Ears.
- On 7 January 1970, a Piper Aztec Carrying one crew and two passengers, crash-land in Paya Lebar Airport. none of the occupants were injured, the aircraft was repair on same day before returning to the service.[27]
- On 2 August 1973, two occupants were killed after an helicopter crashed into a house in Sungai Buloh, Selangor when the aircraft flying into severe thunderstorm. Only one person on the ground were injured.[28]
- On 18 December 1980, two Shorts SC.7 Skyvan (9M-AQG and 9M-AXN) collided in an unknown circumstance in Bayan Lepas International Airport, both aircraft appears having a small damaged and continued to service beyond repair.[29]
See also
References
- ^ "Happy landings-on lake". The Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur. 4 May 1962. p. 9. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ^ American Aviation. Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. 1967.
- ^ "https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19660523-1.2.51?qt=". June 1966.
{{cite news}}: External link in|title= - ^ David, Adrian (2019-07-22). "One-time backbone of air charter". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ^ "Malaysia's first pilot school". The Straits Times. March 13, 1973. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Bumiputra firm buys over aviation company". New Straits Times. 1975.
- ^ "Shorts 360 is Malaysian bound". Belfast News Letter. 5 September 1984. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ^ "Malaysian airline loses its wings". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 9 September 1986. ProQuest 1538164282.
- ^ "Malaysia's first private airline folds up". The Business Times (Singapore). 11 September 1986. p. 11. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ^ Winding-up order for MAC. New Straits Times. 7 May 1996.
- ^ "Hari Raya Puasa Festive Season".
- ^ "Airplane crashes in Malaysia". Bernama. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2001. ProQuest 189377547.
- ^ "MAC buys an Alouette III". The Straits Times. 26 June 1970. p. 13.
- ^ Exxon Air World. 1980.
- ^ "Malaysia Air Charter Co. Sdn. Bhd".
- ^ Future of General and Commuter Aviation Technology and Trade. Future of General and Commuter Aviation Technology and Trade. August 27, 1981. p. 221.
- ^ 1969_9M-BV.pdf. Air Britain. 1969.
- ^ Marketing, United States Office of International (1975). Avionics and Aviation Support Equipment. U.S. Department of Commerce, Domestic and International Business Administration, Bureau of International Commerce, Office of International Marketing.
- ^ Air Pictorial. Air League of the British Empire. 1987.
- ^ "Air Britain Archive" (PDF). air-britain.com. 2017. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
- ^ https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/easternsun19700704-1.2.72?qt=malaysia,%20air,%20charter,%20piper&q=Malaysia%20air%20charter%20piper.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Pesticides Abstracts and News Summary: Fungicides: nematocides: application. Section B. Ministry of Overseas Development. 1968.
- ^ https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19840918-1.2.44?qt=malaysia,%20air,%20charter&q=Malaysia%20air%20charter.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Flight International. DVV Media International Limited. 1966.
- ^ "VH-ASG - The Lockheed File". www.adastron.com. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
- ^ "M.A.C. Cessna crashes". Eastern Sun. 14 August 1967. p. 1. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ "K-TERBANG JATOH KETIKA MENDARAT". Berita Harian (Singapore). 7 January 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ "Copter crashes in storm: 2 killed". The Straits Times. 2 August 1973. p. 24.
- ^ Flight International. Illiffe Transport Publications. 1981.