SKS Airways

Summary

SKS Airways is a regional airline operating in Malaysia, primarily serving routes to/from outlying islands.[4] Its flights have been suspended due to financial problems since November 2023.[5]

SKS Airways
IATA ICAO Callsign
KI SJB SOUTHERN TIGER
Founded13 November 2017; 6 years ago (2017-11-13)[1]
Commenced operations25 January 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-25)[2]
Hubs
Fleet size2
Destinations3
Parent companySKS Group
Key peopleDato' Rohman Ahmad (Director)[3]
Websitewww.sksairways.com

History edit

SKS Airways was founded in November 2017,[6] receiving its AOC in October 2021,[7] and launched its first commercial flight from Subang to Pangkor, on 25 January 2022.[8][9][10] The airline received its first DHC 6-300 Twin Otter on 15 July 2019 and their second on 23 December 2020.

It was reported in 2021 that the airline was planning to order ATR 72-500 aircraft, with job advertisements for pilots and cabin crew for the ATR72-500 appearing online,[11] and the aircraft being depicted in an advertisement for Malaysia's Independence Day.[12] However, these plans did not proceed, and the ATR aircraft have not been mentioned since.

On 25 May 2023, a lease agreement for 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from aircraft lessor Azorra was announced and signed at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), with the airline also signing a long-term services agreement with Embraer for spare parts and parts repair as well as maintenance and fleet monitoring. The aircraft will form the basis of the airline's regional expansion plans centred around its base at Kuala Lumpur's Subang Airport.[13]

On 20 November 2023, the airline suspended all flights. The online booking portal remains accessible but no flights are available. The New Straits Times reported the airline has faced significant financial pressure, owing to their consistently unprofitable flight operations and a lack of funding options from other entities. SKS Airways stated any reports of financial difficulties in the airline are false, but have not explained why the airline has suspended operations.[5]

Destinations edit

Prior to November 2023, SKS Airways served the following scheduled passenger destinations:[14][15]

Country State City Airport Notes
  Malaysia   Selangor Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur-Subang
  Terengganu Redang Island Redang Airport
  Pahang Tioman Island Tioman Airport

Fleet edit

As of May 2023, the SKS Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:[16]

SKS Airways Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
De Havilland DHC 6-300 Twin Otter
2
2 19 Registered 9M-KIA and 9M-KIB[17]
Embraer E195-E2 - 10 136 First aircraft expected to be delivered in January 2024.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ "SKS Airways Airline Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Airline Startup Of The Week: Malaysia's SKS Airways". Simple Flying. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Dr Wee launches SKS Airways – new kid on the aviation block offering flights to island getaways". The Star. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Airline Startup Of The Week: Malaysia's SKS Airways". Simple Flying. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Malaysia's SKS Airways suspends services, seeks funding". ch-aviation. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ^ "SKS Airways Airline Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  7. ^ "SKS Airways". SKS Airways. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  8. ^ "New Malaysian carrier SKS Airways takes to the skies". ABC News. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  9. ^ "New Malaysian carrier SKS Airways takes to the skies". The Independent. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Dr Wee launches SKS Airways – new kid on the aviation block offering flights to island getaways". The Star. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  11. ^ "SKS Airways". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ "SKS Airways: New Malaysian airline wants to grow before take-off". Aviation.Direct. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Ten Embraer E195-E2s Headed To Malaysia's SKS Airways". Simple Flying. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  14. ^ "New commercial airline SKS Airways offers direct flights to Pulau Pangkor, Redang and Tioman". www.optionstheedge.com. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  15. ^ "SKS Airways". SKS Airways. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  16. ^ Flightradar24. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24. Retrieved 27 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "Airline Startup Of The Week: Malaysia's SKS Airways". Simple Flying. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  18. ^ "SKS Airways". SKS Airways. Retrieved 25 May 2023.

External links edit

  • Official website