The Covid-19 pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the
global aviation industry, with airline operators in particular
being severely impacted.
In Malaysia, significant air travel restrictions have been
imposed since March 2020 as part of the various iterations of
movement restrictions under the Movement Control Orders and
National Recovery Plan. These travel restrictions have heaped more
problems onto the national flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines Berhad,
which had reportedly been facing financial difficulties well before
the onset of the pandemic.
The nation's economic aviation regulator, the Malaysian
Aviation Commission ("MAVCOM"), has reminded the industry
through its 'Commentary on Government Assistance to the
Aviation Industry Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic' that the
relevant merger control provisions must be adhered to and it has
stressed that the immediate relief provided by mergers must be
balanced against any risks to the long-term health
