Sharia Flight Launched

Rayani is a sharia complaint domestic airline based on the resort island of Langkawi, and currently flies to the capital Kuala Lumpur and the northern city of Kota Bahru. It only has two Boeing 737-400 planes in its fleet, each able to carry about 180 passengers, and just eight pilots and 50 crew.

This follows Islamic law - ie besides its halal menu, prayer calls are observed before a flight takes off. Muslim female flight attendants must wear hijabs, while non-Muslim staff will be required to "dress decently". The airline will not allow any pork or alcoholic beverages on board, though it is not clear if this applies to passengers' luggage or duty-free.

The airline's founders, Ravi Alagendrran and his wife Karthiyani Govindan, are Hindus. It has set its sights on rapid expansion, with plans to fly to more Malaysian cities - and eventually flights to Mecca, for umrah and hajj pilgrimages.