KLIA, 17 June 2022 – Malaysia Airlines is proud to fly the first-ever Malaysian team from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) engineering campus to compete in the Spaceport America (SA) Cup 2022 in New Mexico, USA.

The SA Cup is the world's largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition, and it will take place from 20 until 25 June 2022.

The team of 11 undergraduate students known as WAU Rocketry USM, led by Vanmitha Athimoolam and their advisor, Dr. Norilmi Amilia Ismail, departed from Penang on 16 June 2022 via MH1165 and to London on MH002 for their onward journey to El Paso.

As part of the support, the national carrier has sponsored five (5) roundtrip tickets from Penang to the destination within its network and has granted a 40% discount to other team members for travel to El Paso International Airport in Texas.

Group Chief Sustainability Officer for Malaysia Aviation Group, Philip See said, "As the national airline, we are honoured to be granted the opportunity to be a part of history in assisting USM's WAU Rocketry team in its aim to bring Malaysia's name to the world stage.

“We believe this contribution will boost the team’s spirit to give their utmost in the competition while also providing them with a comfortable flying experience that prioritises the highest standards of safety and hygiene for all passengers at all times.

“This demonstrates our support for young talent who will serve as trailblazers and inspirations in the future development of the country's sustainable aerospace industry," he added.

This competition drew a total of 22 countries, including the first-ever participation of countries from Southeast Asia, namely Malaysia and Thailand.

Text: Malaysia Airlines Media Release, 17 June 2022