Last updated on December 25, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has regained its three-year air operator certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), marking a recovery from last year’s downgrade that had reflected mounting operational challenges.
MAB’s chief operating officer Nasaruddin Bakar said the extended certificate followed a CAAM audit conducted two months ago.
“We completed our audit quite recently. A lot of improvements have been done over the last 12 months across the Malaysia Aviation Group and Malaysia Airlines, especially concerning safety,” he said at an event at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Addressing safety and manpower gaps
The restoration of the three-year AOC comes after CAAM cut its validity to just one year in August 2024, citing operational difficulties that triggered frequent flight delays and forced route reductions.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said then that Malaysia Airlines was ordered to submit monthly progress reports on a mitigation plan. Investigations pointed to mechanical component issues and a shortage of skilled manpower at MAB and its subsidiary, MAB Engineering Services, which maintains the airline’s fleet.
The manpower crunch had been compounded by the departure of 63 employees from the engineering division, weakening the company’s ability to raise its safety management standards.
Nasaruddin said Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has since strengthened recruitment to reduce staff attrition, particularly in the engineering sector, as part of its wider operational turnaround efforts.
Signal of recovery
For Malaysia Airlines, the reinstatement of the three-year certificate is both a vote of confidence in its safety standards and a crucial step in restoring stakeholder trust after a turbulent year.
