Malaysia can now boast of it's very own Sharia-compliant airline as Rayani Air launched its inaugural flight last weekend.
This will be the country's first Sharia-compliant airline.
The airline will first operate domestic flights within Malaysia using Boeing 737s before expanding internationally to Asia Pacific routes including South-east Asia, China, Australia, and the Middle East.
Expectedly, all food and beverages served in flight will be halal-certified and a strict no-alcohol policy will be enforced also, while prayers will be recited before the departure of each flight.
Halal foods are foods which are permissible for Muslims to eat or drink under Sharia law, including pork and its by-products, alcohol, and animals not slaughtered according to Islamic practices.
Malaysia, generally referred to as a secular state with a more moderate temperament, joins the league of more fundamentalist communities like Saudi Arabia and Iran in operating Sharia compliant carriers.
Speaking on the move, Rayani Air managing director Jaafar Zamhari said in a statement, “We are the first Malaysian airline to be Sharia-compliant, based on guidelines by relevant authorities, we are proud of this.”
Rayani Air is based in the Island resort town of Langkawi in the Andaman Sea, and was granted their Air Service License and Air Operator's Certificate from the Department of Civil Aviation last Friday.
It launched its inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur.