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Malindo ceases all flights
April 9th 2020
Lion Air Group's Malaysian affiliate, Malindo Air, has suspended all services and put its staff on unpaid leave in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Read More »
Malindo Air has been operating only domestic flights since March 18, when it ceased international flying in response to the Malaysian government's movement control order [MCO] and entry restrictions for visitors.
This latest move means those domestic flights have also been grounded.
Malindo Air CEO, Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri, apologised to staff and said he expected the shutdown to last at least a month, Malaysia's New Straits Times reported on April 7.
“I foresee the situation to be the same in early May," Captain Bakri said in a note to staff, the newspaper said.
"We may perhaps review the situation later in the month and in all possibility only operate a very limited number of flights,” Captain Bakri wrote.
“Across the company, only individuals who are identified by your head of department will have to report for work and be paid on a daily wage basis for the work carried out on specific days, while others would be deemed to be furloughed with no pay."
The Malaysian government introduced the MCO on March 18. The order, in place until April 18, curtails mass gatherings and prevents people from travelling both domestically and internationally. Schools and non-essential services were closed.
Malindo Air joins Malaysia AirAsia, which has suspended both domestic and international flights. Malaysia AirAsia X also has temporarily suspended most of its flights until May 31.
Malaysia Airlines continues to operate both domestic and international services, albeit with a significantly curtailed schedule.
The Malindo Air CEO was “hopeful” the carrier’s appeal for government financial help to pay salaries would "soon bear some positive response".
