Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Ascend Airways Malaysia, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, has taken delivery of its first freighter as it prepares to launch commercial operations in November 2025, targeting both cargo and passenger ACMI services across Asia.
The airline, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, received its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) in 2024 and is in the process of securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Its first freighter, a Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) registered as 9M-ASC, is currently stationed at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). Ascend Airways Malaysia confirmed on 29 September via LinkedIn that the aircraft will soon begin proving flights as part of its airworthiness assessment by CAAM.
Looking ahead, the airline is preparing to receive its first passenger aircraft, a Boeing 737-800NG, in December, with plans to add a second 737-800 in 2026. By the first quarter of 2026, Ascend Airways Malaysia expects to operate two narrowbody aircraft serving both cargo and passenger clients.
The airline will provide ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) services, along with charter cargo and passenger operations, supporting the growth of local and regional carriers. Seasonal capacity may also be shifted between Malaysia and its sister carrier in the UK, Ascend Airways, to meet counter-seasonal demand.
Avia Solutions Group already holds an AOC in Indonesia and aims to secure three additional AOCs in Southeast Asia by the end of 2026, with applications already underway in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Beyond ACMI, the group offers a wide range of aviation solutions, including MRO services, pilot and crew training, ground handling, and related aviation support.