Malaysia’s first Shariah-compliant airline to start flying tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s first Shariah-compliant airline Rayani Air is scheduled to begin operations tomorrow (Dec 20), with its maiden flight from klia2 here to its home base in Langkawi.

Local broadcaster Astro Awani reported Rayani Air managing director Jaafar Zamhari as saying that the airline, which he said is full service like national carrier Malaysia Airlines, only serves halal food and does not serve alcohol.

“It is compulsory for our Muslim women cabin crew to wear hijab and for non-Muslim to wear a decent uniform,” Mr Jaafar was quoted saying at a press conference yesterday.

“We also recite doa (prayers) before the departure of each flight, we have a ‘no-alcohol’ policy, and we provide food and beverages that are halal,” he added.

Mr Jaafar also reportedly said Rayani Air was not a low-cost carrier nor was it a hybrid airline, despite a description about the airline on its website that called it the “latest low cost carrier from Malaysia that puts the customers first”.

According to Mr Jaafar, Rayani Air will, for a start, fly to Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. MALAY MAIL ONLINE