The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is said to have issued the order though the exact reason for the suspension is not immediately known.

Under aviation regulations, an ASP is required to transport passengers, mail or cargo by air for “hire or reward” between two or more places, one of which falls within Malaysia’s borders.

One source said the company could still operate but that it was barred from operating air services that involved “hire or reward” passenger services.

“However, they are allowed to lease their aircraft,” he said.

A check with the CAAM and the Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (Mavcom) websites showed that SAS was not in any of its approved ASP list. It is also not known when the suspension order was issued.

The company was one of the firms licensed to test pilots, cabin crew and air traffic controllers on their English proficiency, but has also been suspended from carrying out this job, according to the CAAM website.

The SAS telephone number listed on its Facebook is no longer in service while its website cannot be opened.

However, in a Facebook post at about 7am yesterday, the company said it had a “very fruitful and historical week” after conducting “line training, awareness to the public on seaplane operation” and obtaining “CAAM endorsement”.

FMT has reached out to CAAM and Mavcom for comment.

The aviation company was formed in 1992 and operates from the SAS hangar at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport in Subang.

Its nature of business is listed as aviation specialist advisory and consultancy services in air transportation, including the leasing or sub-leasing of aircraft equipment, spares and related machinery.

SAS also describes itself as providing helicopter and fixed-wing services.

Its services include city tours, air gliding and seaplane operations. It was the first company to operate seaplane services in Malaysia, which began last year.