IPOH, Jan 22 — Flying Fox Airways, which has not been able to launch its inaugural Ipoh-Medan flights using Boeing 737-800 aircraft because of sinkhole problems at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, is going ahead with its plan to lease two units of smaller turboprop ATR-72 aircraft.

Its chief executive officer, Daniel Lee, said yesterday the airline was talking to four service providers from Malaysia and Indonesia and was expected to reach a decision by next month.

“Once we have leased the aircraft, we will proceed with our plan to begin operations in June.” Flying Fox had been told the airport, which recently underwent a RM42 million renovation, would not be able to accommodate Boeing aircraft after sinkholes were found on the runway.

The airline, which had initially been given approval to launch the service from Dec 13, had sold flight tickets for up to June but Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad put the plan on hold after it carried out inspections at the airport in October.

Asked if the airline would face problems selling tickets, Lee said he was confident of the demand.

“When we launched Flying Fox last year, we had promotions and built the Ipoh and Medan markets. Hence, we already have passengers waiting to use our service,” he said.

He said the airline was committed to promote Perak for its food and unique attractions.