Malayan Airways Limited refers to a former airline company based in Malaysia. It was the national flag carrier of Malaysia from 1947 to 1972 before it was rebranded as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
Malayan Airways Limited, commonly known as MAS, was established in 1947 as a joint venture between the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore, and Imperial Airways. The airline began operating with a small fleet of twin-engined Airspeed Consuls and Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Initially, its operations were limited to regional routes within Malaya, serving destinations such as Singapore, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur.
Over the years, Malayan Airways Limited expanded its network to cover international routes, including destinations in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The expansion was accompanied by the addition of modern aircraft like the Boeing 707, which allowed the airline to offer long-haul services.
In 1972, due to political differences, the governments of Malaysia and Singapore decided to separate their respective national carriers. This led to the creation of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA). Malayan Airways Limited was rebranded as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) to reflect the joint ownership of the two countries.
In conclusion, Malayan Airways Limited was the predecessor of Malaysia Airlines and played a crucial role in developing air travel in Malaysia and the region.
