Pelangi Air

Pelangi Airways Sdn Bhd
Pelangi Air Dornier 228-202K landing at the Seletar Airport in Singapore, October 1999.
IATA ICAO Call sign
9P PEG PELANGI
FoundedSeptember 18, 1987 (1987-09-18)
Commenced operations
January 1, 1988 (1988-01-01)
Ceased operations
October 21, 2001 (2001-10-21)
HubsSultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Focus cities
Pelangi Airways Wings
Fleet size5
Destinations20
Parent company
HeadquartersShah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key people
  • Ismail Abu Bakar (1987-1993; CEO & General Manager)
  • Zain Salahin (1993-2001; CEO & General manager)
Employees339 (1998)
Websitewww.pelangair.com

Pelangi Airways Sdn Bhd (formerly Pelangi Air Sdn Bhd until 1994) was a regional airline of Malaysia based at Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport. The airline covered secondary routes within Peninsular Malaysia and international flights to Sumatra in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.[1]

History

1987-1990: Early operations

Logo used since 1989 until 1990
Pelangi Air Dornier 228-202K departed in Tioman Airport

Following the cessation of operations by Malaysia Air Charter (MACAir), Malaysia Airlines determined that the airline's feeder routes were unsuitable for larger aircraft.[2] Then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad subsequently proposed the establishment of a new domestic airline to operate those routes while complementing, rather than replacing, Malaysia Airlines.[3] As a result, Pelangi Air was incorporated and took over the former MACAir routes.[4] The airline launched its inaugural service, Flight 9M-910, at approximately 10:50 a.m. on New Year's Day, 1988, as the aircraft arrived to Sultan Mahmud Airport, Terengganu.[5]

As of January 1989, the airline has expanded 11 routes across Malay Peninsular.[6]

Pelangi Air was known for participating in the 1990 Malaysia International Air Race (also known as the Paris–Langkawi–Paris Air Race) with a Dornier 228 aircraft under the name Pelangi team. At the time of the event, the airline's General manager served as the aircraft's pilot. The pilot won the first leg of the race, helping the team win the overall trophy.[7]

1991-1997: Expansion and Acquisitions

Pelangi Air purchased two Fokker 50 aircraft, enabling the airline to launch operations across Sumatra, as well as charter flights throughout Southeast Asia.[8]

The airline was also interviewed by Channel 7HD following its inaugural flight from Ipoh to Hat Yai, marking its first media coverage outside Malaysia and Singapore.[9] Pelangi Air was renamed to Pelangi Airways in 1994.[10]

In November 1996, Malaysia Airlines proposed to acquire Pelangi Airways as part of efforts to reorganise its operations, as of 1998, no process of the acquisition was made and Pelangi Airways continued operation.[11]

1998-2002: Financial difficulties and closure

Pelangi Airways continued operation in November 2000, most employees began a silent strike against the airline following the non-payment of their wages. It has also stranded 60 passengers.[12]

Pelangi Airways was forced to shutdown all of its operation in October 2001. Following the shutdown, Berjaya Air took over its route to Seletar Airport and their aircraft were abandoned at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and Senai International Airport.[3][13]

Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airports, and two other companies successfully petitioned the High court to place Pelangi Airways into liquidation, bringing an end to its 13 years of operations.[14]

2001-2002: Successors attempt

The ATR 72-200 previously operated by Gill Airways, seen here which is G-BWDB (above) and G-BWDA (bottom). Both aircraft was due to be delivered in 2003 as 9M-AMA and 9M-AMB[15]

Aero Malaysiana was a planned regional airlines based in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport founded in 2001 by Malaysian businessman Syed Yusof.[16]

In 2002 during Asian Aerospace Air Show in Singapore, the Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR announced that the airline has signed to acquired both ATR-72-200.[17]

However, the planned was abandoned and never did begin operation.[18]

Corporate affairs and identity

Headquarters

Pelangi Air was headquartered at Block two at Worldwide Business Center in Shah Alam; the airline was previously headquartered at the Technology Resources Tower (TR Tower), Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.[19][20]

Ownership and structure

As of 2000, Pelangi Air was owned by four Malaysian states. Terengganu, who controls a 38% stake in the airline, Selangor (20.5%), Perak (15.0%), and Malacca (2%).[21]

Branding

In 11 December 1987, Pelangi Air introduced their first livery featuring six rainbow-coloured stripes extending across the rear fuselage and vertical stabilizer, together with a red Bunga Raya emblem on the tail. According to the airline, the six colours were chosen because pelangi is the Malay word for "rainbow", while the hibiscus was incorporated to reflect Malaysia's cultural and national identity. Blue wave motifs along the lower fuselage were intended to represent the airline's focus on holiday and island resort destinations.[22]

Destinations

Fleet

A Pelangi Air Fokker 50 (9M-MER) parking at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Malaysia, October 1994

Prior ceased operation in 2001, Pelangi Air fleet consisted of:

Pelangi Air fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Note
Dornier 228-202K 3 1989 2001 One crashed as Flight 3312
Fokker 50 2 1992 2001

Fleet development

Pelangi Air started services using two DHC-6-300 Twin Otter previously operated by Schreiner Airways.[23][24]

In December 1989, Pelangi Air ordered and acquired Dornier 228.[25] Meanwhile in March 1991, the airline signed and acquired Fokker 50 to expand destinations outside Malaysia.[26]

C-GFHZ (previously G-BRYV), one of the three Dash 8-300 (G-BRYU and G-BRYW) that were painted in Pelangi Airways livery.[27]

In 1995 during LIMA '95, it had announced that the airline ordered four De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 and two Dash 8-300 for its current aircraft replacement.[28][29] Expected to be delivered in June-July 1996, however, it was delayed as Malaysia Airlines acquiring 70% stake until their cancellation following Asian financial crisis in 1998.[30][31]

In March 1996, Pelangi Airways has leased two Fokker 50 from Malaysia Airlines, which was lasted until 1997.[32]

In 1998, Pelangi Air leased two of the Fokker F28 Fellowship from lesser company Tranasian Air Australia and one leased from Mafira Air Charter for its replacement of Fokker 50. It was also planned to expanding destinations such as Brunei, Bintulu, Bandung and Solo.[33][34]

The airline also wet-lease a Boeing 737-200 passenger configurations from Transmile Air Services and wear Aero Asia livery to few domestic route for a temporarily period in 2000.

Incidents and accidents

References

  1. ↑ "Airline Route Maps".
  2. ↑ Davies, Ronald Edward George (1997). Airlines of Asia Since 1920. Putnam. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-85177-855-6.
  3. 1 2 "PELANGI AIR SDN. BHD". Malaysian Databank - BERNAMA. ProQuest 189363030.
  4. ↑ "The Nation : Infrastructure: Transportation: Air". windowstomalaysia.com.my. Archived from the original on 2 September 2003.
  5. ↑ Al-Attas, Sharifah (17 December 1999). "1988: Century Clips". New Straits Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Bringing tourists closer to nature". New Straits Times. 26 February 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Paris-Langkawi air race: PM proud of Pelangi team". New Straits Times. 14 February 1990. p. 2. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "New route for Pelangi Air". The Straits Times. 13 October 1994. p. 35. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "Pelangi gets Thai media coverage". New Straits Times. 5 February 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Smith Jr., Myron J. (28 October 2002). The Airline Encyclopedia: 1909-2000. Scarecrow Press. p. 2960. ISBN 978-0810837904.
  11. ↑ Yatim, Hafiz (18 May 1998). "MAS told to speed up acquiring shares of troubled Pelangi Air". New Straits Times. ProQuest 266361026.
  12. ↑ "60 stranded at Subang Airport after Pelangi Air cancels two flights". New Straits Times. 9 September 2001. p. 5. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Pelangi Air". Flight Malaysia. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Megan, M K (9 March 2002). "Court orders Pelangi Air to wind up". New Straits Times. Shah Alam. ProQuest 266735599.
  15. ↑ Malaysia (9M) (PDF). Thai-aviation. p. 15.
  16. ↑ East Asia. Airways News. 2001. p. 4.
  17. ↑ Ionides, Nicholas (20–26 August 2002). "Pelangi successor to fly with ATR 72s" (PDF). Flight International. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Start-up Aero Malaysiana drops launch plans". Air Transport Intelligence. 2002. Archived from the original on 15 January 2004. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  19. ↑ Flight International. IPC Transport Press Limited. 1996. p. 74.
  20. ↑ "11. List of Selected Airlines: [3]". Facts and Figures : Cost of Investing and Doing Business in ASEAN; Jakarta. 2001. ProQuest 189384328.
  21. ↑ Bani, Eirmalasare (16 June 2000). "Terengganu to inject more capital into Pelangi". Business Times (Malaysia). ProQuest 266868054.
  22. ↑ "Pelangi to fly on New Year's day". New Straits Times. 11 December 1987.
  23. ↑ "Humble start in operations". The Business Times. 1 January 1988. p. 7. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Air World. 1988.
  25. ↑ "Pelangi Air gets new aircraft". New Straits Times. 9 December 1989. p. 14.
  26. ↑ "Pelangi to buy two Fokker planes". New Straits Times. 11 March 1991. p. 2.
  27. ↑ Air Pictorial. Air League of the British Empire. 1998.
  28. ↑ "Delivery of Canada Dash 8 delayed till next month". New Straits Times. 12 April 1996.
  29. ↑ "BOMBARDIER SELLS EIGHT REGIONAL AIRCRAFT TO MALAYSIAN OPERATORS". Aviation Week. 11 December 1995. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  30. ↑ FlightGlobal (31 March 1999). "Pelangi signs for Fokker F28 expansion". FlightGlobal - Pioneering aviation news and insight. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  31. ↑ FlightGlobal (10 December 1997). "Slow Dash". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "AIRCRAFT/DESTINATIONS/FARES/TICKETS". BERNAMA. 2003. ProQuest 189362976.
  33. ↑ "Pelangi Air To Replace F50s With F28s". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Pelangi buys two more jets". 2 April 1999.
  35. ↑ Taxiing aircraft crashes into plane. New Straits Times. 2 February 1995.
  36. ↑ Accidents and incidents. Vol. 149. Flight International. 1996. p. 32.
  37. ↑ "Aircraft Accident History". Maldives Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  38. ↑ "Taxiing aircraft hits parked plane on runway". New Straits Times. 16 June 1997. p. 5.
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