KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) has filed a US$35.55 million (RM122.65 million) lawsuit against Air Maldives Ltd alleging its failure to make payments on the lease of aircraft to the latter.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, MAS said its solicitors had filed affidavits of service on Wednesday in the Kuala Lumpur High Court in respect of its claims against Air Maldives for US$35.55 million.

A MAS spokesman said the bulk of the lawsuit was for Air Maldives’ alleged failure to make the lease payments in the 1990s, as well as all other charges related to the lease.

“Among other things, the sum of US$35.55 million was for the lease of the planes, the administrative charges, technical assistance... Air Maldives failed to meet those commitments and we are taking action,” he claimed.

On May 16, MAS announced that it had received a letter from the secretariat of the Court of Arbitration giving notice of a proceeding initiated by Air Maldives.

Air Maldives alleged that MAS had failed to perform its duties under a management agreement signed on Jan 16, 1996.

MAS had said the suit referred to the memorandum of understanding dated July 29, 1994, between the government of Maldives and Malaysian Helicopter Services Bhd (MHSB), now known as Naluri Corp Bhd.

It also referred to the shareholders agreement dated Oct 1, 1994, between the government of Maldives and MHSB, and the management agreement between MAS and Maldives Air.

Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, MAS said it had launched the “Get Spotted” campaign to reward its Enrich frequent flyer members.

As part of its “Let’s Fly Malaysia!” campaign, Enrich members will receive special edition luggage tags custom-designed for Malaysia Airlines by Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid or better known as Lat.

MAS said overall, 50,000 luggage tags would be distributed, and an average of four winners would be selected daily during the campaign period.

“Each winner will receive 10,000 Enrich miles and RM50 ‘temptations’ inflight shopping vouchers.

“Winners who are spotted on Aug 31 will receive a 3-day/2-night Golden Holidays package for two persons, either to Phuket, Denpasar, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Bangkok.”

During the campaign period, Enrich members who check in for their flights or arrive at the KLIA can collect the luggage tag at the Enrich counters. They will need to display the tag creatively on their hand baggage, and if spotted by a team of Enrich promoters in KLIA, they stand at chance to win the prizes.

Courtesy: theedgedaily.com