KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — A total of eight companies have expressed interest to invest in suspended Rayani Air, its founder Ravi Alagendrran has claimed.

He added that he is mulling selling off more than half of the ownership shares in what has been touted as Malaysia’s first Shariah-compliant airline, Malay news portal mStar Online reported yesterday.

“I am prepared to let go 51 per cent of my share to investors who are really interested to invest (in the company).

“I want the investors to manage Rayani Air better. Even better than how I have been managing it. My dream is to see Rayani Air to continue developing," he was quoted as saying.

Of the eight companies who have showed interest in investing in Rayani Air, Ravi reportedly said that seven of them are local, adding that three have experience in the aviation industry.

"At the moment, all investors who have voiced their interest are scrutinising all aspects of the company in terms of operation, management, finance and assets," he was quoted as saying.

According to the news report, Ravi said negotiation into the deal is expected to be concluded by May 12.

The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has provisionally suspended Rayani Air for three months after the airline "suspended" its operation due to a pilot strike earlier this month.

DCA director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman had said that an inquiry into the airline will be conducted on May 12.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had also reprimanded the airline for the move, saying it had no authority to suspend itself.