Firefly, a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, had first agreed to transfer all operations to a new passenger terminal to be built in Seletar for turboprob flights. In July 2018, it was decided the move would take place on December 1.
Malaysian carrier Firefly’s shocking announcement to suspend all flights to Singapore from December 1, new revelations have uncovered, was because it had not received approval from its regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), to move from Changi to Seletar Airport.
Firefly, a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, had first agreed to transfer all operations to a new passenger terminal to be built in Seletar for turboprob flights. In July 2018, it was decided the move would take place on December 1.
But the latest development, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Saturday (November 24), was that it was waiting for its Malaysia counterpart to clarify its concerns, Straits Times reported.
Firefly had informed Changi Airport Group on November 14 that it was unable to obtain approval from its regulator, CAAM, to operate into Seletar Airport, CAAS said.
Singapore has made all preparations and approvals for Firefly to operate to and from Seletar Airport, CAAS said. It reiterated that the airport meets the relevant requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation on airport design and operations.
The Singapore authority stressed that Firefly’s move to Seletar has nothing to do with bilateral airspace issues.
The Malaysian authority said it is "willing to work with Singapore on the regulatory issues related to Singapore's plan to move Firefly operations from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport, including outstanding airspace issues to be discussed, particularly on reviewing the terms and conditions of delegation of Malaysia's airspace to Singapore for the provision of Air Traffic Services”.
Operations at the new Seletar terminal began on November 19, for chartered business flights and private jets.
Firefly is the only airline that currently operates turboprop flights to Singapore, with 20 daily flights to and from Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Its decision to suspend its Singapore flights is expected to affect more than 12,000 passengers, who have confirmed bookings on Firefly flights from December 1.