Malaysia Air Charter
Malaysian airline (1962–1986)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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".
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 Malaysia Air Charter Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander in Bayan Lepas Airport | |||||||
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| Founded | February 13, 1962 | ||||||
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Commenced operations | May 14, 1962 | ||||||
Ceased operations | 11 September 1986 | ||||||
| Hubs | Kuala Lumpur-Subang | ||||||
| Focus cities | Kerteh | ||||||
| Subsidiaries |
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| 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 | ||||||
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 13 February 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 hangars 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.[citation needed]
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]
Destinations
MACAir served the following destinations:[11][12]
Codeshare agreements
MACAir held codeshare agreements with the following airlines:
Fleet
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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 | 3 | 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.[citation needed]
- 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]
