Today, Malaysian startup SKS Airways launched its inaugural flight from Subang Airport to Pulau Pangkor. The carrier will focus on short-haul connections to island and coastal resorts within Malaysia before eventually expanding into Southeast Asia and Southern China. We explore SKS Airways and what the airline brings to the Malaysian aviation scene.

SKS Airways launches operations today

New Malaysian carrier SKS Airways has taken to the skies for the first time today. Flight KI6357 departed from Subang Airport at 13:15 local time and touched down in Pulau Pangkor at 14:00. SKS Airways is the first airline to operate scheduled commercial flights to Pulau Pangkor, a tax-free island in the north of Malaysia.

SKS Airways director Rohman Ahmad said,

"As a new set-up, we are nimble, agile and flexible and able to tap into any opportunities that arise. We are positioning ourselves to capitalize on the current pent-up demand for domestic travel."

SKS Airways will use its fleet of DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprops to provide domestic services around Malaysia. Along with the island of Pulau Pangkor, SKS will operate flights to Redang Island and Tioman Island.

Its DHC-6 Twin Otters have the capacity for up to 19 passengers. With its Short Take Off Landing (STOL) capabilities, the DHC-6 is the ideal aircraft to access some of Malaysia's more remote tourism islands.

According to ch-aviation, the airline has two DHC-6s in service - the 43-year-old 9M-KIA (MSN 593) and the 52-year-old 9M-KIB (MSN 244). However, the airline owns another two Twin Otters that it may put into service.

The carrier's Subang-Redang service is set to launch on January 31st, while its Subang-Tioman route will launch in Q2 2022. SKS Airways will also operate cargo and charter services out of Subang Airport and Senai Airport.

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International flights on the horizon

Initially, SKS Airways will serve domestic island and coastal destinations that are typically underserved, or not served at all, by commercial flights. As the airline grows, it will connect these destinations to the major cities around Malaysia.

Eventually, SKS plans to expand its network to Southeast Asia and Southern China, although there has been no word on potential destinations just yet.

As Simple Flying reported last week, Malaysia's civil aviation industry regulator, MAVCOM, granted a full air service license to SKS Airways which will last for three years.

Dr Wee Ka Siong, Malaysia's Minister of Transport, said,

"The island destinations have been some of the preferred tourist destinations for locals and foreigners alike. The routes offered by SKS Airways will promote these destinations as well as domestic air travel, which is good following the COVID-19 pandemic that has badly affected the aviation and tourism industries."

About SKS Airways

SKS Airways was established in November 2017 by SKS Group, which describes itself as a "multidisciplinary corporation" involved in various sectors, including real estate, finance, and now aviation. The group was founded in 1983 and is primarily based in Malaysia and Australia.

The airline was first awarded its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) on October 1st, 2021. One-way fares will start at RM160 ($38) with a three-tier fare system - SKS PROMO, SKS LITE and SKS PLUS.

Have you booked a flight with SKS Airways? Let us know what your plans are in the comments.