Aviation History
Malaysian civil aviation traces to Malayan Airways Limited, incorporated in 1937 and commencing scheduled flights in 1947 linking Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. Following Malaysia's formation the carrier was renamed Malaysian Airways in 1963, then became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966 after Singapore's separation, before MSA split in 1972 into Malaysian Airline System (Malaysia Airlines) and Singapore Airlines. Malaysia Airlines grew into the national flag carrier and a major long-haul operator, but suffered severe reputational and financial damage from the loss of Flight MH370 in March 2014 and the shootdown of Flight MH17 over Ukraine in July 2014, leading to its renationalisation and restructuring. Since the 1990s and 2000s, budget carrier AirAsia transformed Southeast Asian air travel and helped establish Malaysia as a regional low-cost aviation hub.
Malayan Airways Limited commenced scheduled flights linking Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.
Following the formation of Malaysia, the carrier was renamed Malaysian Airways.
After Singapore's 1965 separation, the carrier became the jointly operated Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
MSA split into Malaysian Airline System (Malaysia Airlines), which began operations in October 1972, and Singapore Airlines.
AirAsia was founded and, after a 2001 relaunch as a low-cost carrier, became a driving force in Southeast Asian budget aviation.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard; despite extensive searches, the wreckage was never conclusively located.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
Following the twin 2014 tragedies, Malaysia Airlines was restructured and renationalised as Malaysia Airlines Berhad.
Malaysia Airlines · AirAsia · Firefly · Batik Air Malaysia (formerly Malindo Air)
Compiled from general public/encyclopedic sources (Wikipedia and aviation trade press); the status of the MH370 wreckage search may have changed since this was written.