The operations of Rayani Air has been suspended for three months, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) announced.

DCA director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said a notice of the suspension order was sent to the airline today.

"The DCA temporarily suspends Rayani Air's Operator Certificate for three months effective today," he told a news conference at the DCA headquarters here.

He said this was the first time an airline's AOC was suspended under Regulation 24 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996.

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Azharuddin said an inquiry would be held on May 12.

"Rayani Air must improve their service system. If not they can face permanent suspension after the three months," he said.

Last Friday, the country’s first syariah-compliant airline announced that it is suspending its operations until further notice, following a strike by its pilots.

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On April 10, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the DCA would issue a provisional suspension notice today to Rayani Air for suspending operations.

Liow said no airline is allowed to suspend its operations without referring to the authorities.