A Pelangi Airways official today denied a report by a local daily that its pilots are holding a strike against the management.

The airline's business manager, Tengku Mohd Affandi said two flights had to be cancelled last Saturday when one pilot took an emergency leave while his co-pilot was on medical leave.

"Because of the school holidays, the other pilots could not be contacted as they're on vacation," Mohd Affandi said.

He also told malaysiakini that the airline only has about six sets of pilots; one set comprising a pilot and his co-pilot.

Yesterday, The Sun reported that the cancelled flights had left about 60 passengers stranded at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

The report quoted a customer services department officer as saying that it was the first time that two departures, one to Ipoh and Medan, and another to Johor and Palembang, were affected.

Another officer who did not wish to be identified was reported to have said that the flight crew, including the engineers, were on a "silent strike to wake up the management".

Apology

Mohd Affandi, however, explained that there were instances when flights had to be cancelled in the past due to other reasons such as mechanical problems.

He said the airline has put up the stranded passengers at a hotel and will pay for the cost of accommodation.

A group of passengers will be flown to their destinations tomorrow while arrangements are being made for the remaining passengers to depart as soon as possible.

He added that the airline will try to slot them in Pelangi's own aircraft as well as get the services of other airlines.

"We apologise to those who are affected by the flight cancellations," Mohd Affandi said.

He said that airline is willing to refund fully the affected passengers who wish to cancel their flights.

The airline's pilots could not be contacted for their comments.

Pelangi Airways is a private airline that plies between Kuala Lumpur and eight destinations in Malaysia and Indonesia. Its local stops are Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kerteh and Melaka; its destinations in Indonesia are Padang, Palembang, Pekan Baru and Medan, all in Sumatra.