Tuesday, December 29, 2015

RMK11: Kerajaan Persekutuan lulus RM450 juta untuk projek naik taraf LTSIP

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
KUALA LUMPUR: Persidangan Dewan Negara pada 14 Disember lepas diberitahu bahawa jumlah kos keseluruhan peruntukan yang telah diluluskan bagi projek menaik taraf Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Kota Bharu, Kelantan adalah sebanyak RM450 juta.

Daripada jumlah keseluruhan tersebut, jumlah peruntukan yang diluluskan bagi tahun 2016 adalah sebanyak RM30 juta.  

Menurut Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, pada ketika ini pihak Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia (MOT) telah merancang dan sedang memuktamadkan pelan konsep pembangunan, skop-skop kerja, anggaran kos projek keseluruhan, serta proses pelantikan perunding dan kontraktor.

Berikutan kompleksiti dan nilai projek yang tinggi, proses penilaian dan lantikan kontraktor dijangka dapat dilaksanakan pada separuh kedua tahun 2016.

Permohonan peruntukan untuk projek ini telah diteliti dan diputuskan oleh pihak Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU), Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Projek menaik taraf LTSIP ini merupakan salah satu projek mega Kerajaan Persekutuan di Kelantan di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesebelas (RMK11).

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my

Monday, December 28, 2015

Firefly inks codeshare partnership with MAB


KUALA LUMPUR: Firefly Airlines has inked a codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), beginning with three destinations on the airline's route network from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

In a statement, Firefly said the partnership would take effect from Dec 22, 2015, and would allow customers to book routes to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang via any Firely ticket booking platforms.

"We have no doubts that the offering of the ability to book flights to East Malaysia will be a boom to our loyal customers.

"With the launch of these initial routes, Firefly will gradually increase the number of codeshare routes with MAB in 2016," said Firely Chief Executive Officer Ignatius Ong.

He said in the coming weeks, Firefly would offer more route options with MAB
 
Source: Bernama | 21 Dec 2015

Rayani Air tidak pisah lelaki, wanita


Suasana dalam pesawat Rayani Air penerbangan pertama dari Kuala Lumpur ke Kota Bharu, baru-baru ini dengan penumpang lelaki dan perempuan tidak dipisahkan.
PUTRAJAYA: Walaupun menjadi penerbangan patuh syariah pertama di negara ini, namun itu tidak bermakna Rayani Air tidak mengalu-alukan penum­pang bukan beragama Islam atau mereka yang tidak bertudung.

Pengarah Urusan Rayani Air, Jaafar Zamhari berkata, sesetengah pihak ‘salah faham’ mengenai penerbangan itu sehingga ada yang menyangka penumpang lelaki dan perempuan akan dipisahkan dalam pesawat,

“Persepsi seperti ini adalah silap sama sekali. Begitu juga tanggapan bahawa Rayani Air melarang wanita tidak bertudung atau penumpang berseluar pendek untuk menaiki pesawat, itu juga tidak betul,” katanya ketika dihubungi Mingguan Malaysia hari ini.

Jaafar juga tidak bersetuju dengan pendapat bahawa penubuhan syarikat pe­nerbangan patuh syariah itu akan mewujudkan polarisasi kaum.

“Kami mengalu-alukan penumpang daripada latar belakang dan kaum yang berlainan, sama ada mereka beragama Islam atau tidak. Ini juga selari dengan konsep 1Malaysia oleh kerajaan.

“Walaupun majoriti penumpang kami pada ketika ini adalah beragama Islam, tetapi terdapat juga penum­pang keturunan Cina dan India yang menaiki pesawat Rayani Air,” katanya.

Jaafar berkata, beliau sedar Rayani Air telah menjadi buah mulut masyarakat termasuk ada yang mempertikai penubuhan syarikat itu oleh pasangan ahli perniagaan beragama Hindu.

“Penubuhan Rayani Air sebagai penerbangan patuh syariah adalah untuk memenuhi keperluan masyarakat Malaysia yang mengharapkan per­khidmatan halal termasuk dari segi penyediaan makanan dan minuman.

“Pada ketika penumpang beragama Islam dapat menikmati perkhidmatan kami tanpa was-was, penumpang bukan Islam pada masa yang sama juga boleh menikmati apa yang disediakan,” katanya.

Rayani Air memulakan penerbangan sulungnya pada 20 Disember lalu dengan menghubungkan Terminal KLIA 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) ke Kota Bharu dan Langkawi.

Syarikat penerbangan perkhidmatan penuh itu turut merancang memperluaskan laluan ke Sabah dan Sarawak pada tahun depan.

Sumber: Utusan Malaysia | Nasional | 26 Dis. 2015 | Terbitan 27 Dis. 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Technical problems halt KLIA aerotrain service

The waiting platform for the aerotrains at KLIA. Photo courtesy of ANDRIAN A REYANN.
PETALING JAYA: Passengers at the KL International Airport (KLIA) found themselves stuck waiting after technical problems caused the aerotrains linking the main terminal building to the satellite terminal to stop working.

Images started appearing on social media earlier on Monday showing a large number of passengers gathering at the terminal, as they waited for the aerotrains at KLIA to arrive.

In a statement issued by Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the company said that it had activated busses to ferry passengers between the main terminal building and the satellite terminal.

The statement added that announcements had been made every five minutes on the situation.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Our team is working towards the speedy rectification of the aerotrains,” said MAHB.

A spokesperson for MAHB said that the aerotrains had stopped working at around 1pm but added that one of the aerotrains at the airport was operating as usual as of 2.58 pm.
 
Source: The Star Online | 21 Dec 2015

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Malindo Air diminta pertimbang semula laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka

KOTA BHARU: Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Air diminta mempertimbangkan semula dengan membuka kembali laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka yang ditamatkan sejak 1 Oktober lepas. 

Hal ini kerana terdapat rungutan dan rayuan daripada pengguna agar syarikat penerbangan ini membuka semula laluan ini walaupun kekerapan penerbangan dikurangkan berbanding tujuh kali seminggu sebelum ini. 

Antara yang terjejas dengan penggantungan laluan ini adalah pekerja industri minyak dan gas (O&G), pelajar, perantau Kelantan yang menetap di negeri Melaka, dan juga pelancong domestik yang berasal dari kedua-dua buah negeri. 

Malindo Air boleh membuka semula laluan ini dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu dengan memastikan kekerapan ini dikekalkan sekurang-kurangnya setahun sebelum kekerapan ditingkatkan jika mendapat sambutan. 

Langkah ini penting untuk mengukuhkan permintaan sedia ada sebelum penawaran ditingkatkan jika perlu.

Laluan Kota Bharu - Johor Bahru misalnya ditawarkan dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu selama tiga tahun lebih oleh syarikat penerbangan Firefly sejak April 2012 sebelum ditingkatkan kekerapan kepada lima kali seminggu sejak Ogos tahun ini. 

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Malaysia Airlines ban small lithium battery-powered vehicles on board

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines prohibits small lithium battery-powered vehicles in passenger checked and/or carry-on baggage from tomorrow.

In a statement today, Malaysia Airlines said the ban was recommended by the International Air Transport Association to all airlines (IATA) to ensure the safety of air travelers.

The small vehicles or personal movement devices, which include airwheel, solowheel, hoverboard, mini-segway, balance wheel and other self-balancing vehicles, are considered fire hazards.

"Therefore, Malaysia Airlines would like to remind passengers that it prohibits the carriage of all such devices, with or without batteries as checked or carry-on baggage," the airline said.

Malaysia Airlines said this measures would apply for its flights out of all airports, including charter operations and connecting passengers from other airlines.

The ban also applies at all Malaysia Airlines check-in points throughout the world.

Source: Bernama | 18 Dec 2015

Rayani Air sedia untuk terbang

PUTRAJAYA: Syarikat penerbangan patuh syariah pertama Malaysia, Rayani Air, menerima lesen perkhidmatan udara dan sijil pengendali udara dari Jabatan Penerbangan Awam (DCA). 

Ketua Pengarah DCA, Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, menyampaikan pengesahan tersebut kepada Pengarah Urusan baharu syarikat itu, Jaafar Zamhari, di Kementerian Pengangkutan di sini pada Jumaat. 

Jaafar berkata Rayani Air yang akan melancarkan penerbangan sulungnya pada Ahad, dari Langkawi ke Kuala Lumpur, menawarkan kelas ekonomi dan perniagaan. 

"Bersandarkan lapan juruterbang dan 50 krew penerbangan, syarikat kini menerima tempatan untuk laluan kedua, Langkawi - Kota Bharu," katanya kepada pemberita.

Beliau berkata bagi fasa pertama, syarikat penerbangan itu akan menggunakan dua pesawat lama Boeing 737-400 bagi laluan Kota Bharu, Kuching, Langkawi dan Kota Kinabalu

"Fasa berikutnya kemudian akan menggunakan pesawat baharu, Boeing 737-800 dan akan menawarkan lebih banyak laluan domestik, serantau dan antarabangsa," katanya. 

Jaafar berkata Rayani Air, yang mahu menggunakan Lapangan Terbang Melaka sebagai hab penerbangannya, telah memilih Langkawi bagi tujuan itu dalam usahanya menarik lebih ramai pelancong ke pulau peranginan tersebut. 

"Lapangan Terbang 'Antarabangsa' Melaka kekurangan kapasiti untuk kami menempatkan pesawat Boeing 737-400 kami," katanya dengan menambah, maklum balas pasaran terhadap Rayani Air adalah rendah memandangkan orang ramai telah menempah tiket mereka dengan syarikat penerbangan lain. 

Tanpa memperincikan pelaburan atau pelan pengembangan syarikat itu, Jaafar berkata Rayani Air akan menggunakan pesawat Boeing 777 untuk memenuhi keperluan mereka yang mahu mengerjakan ibadah haji dan umrah. 

Sementara itu, Azharuddin mengingatkan Rayani Air supaya mematuhi peraturan dan undang-undang yang ditetapkan di bawah lesen perkhidmatan udara dan sijil perkhidmatan udara serta sentiasa meletakkan keutamaan keselamatan penumpang dan pesawat

"DCA juga akan terus melaksanakan pemeriksaan, audit dan pemantauan Rayani Air dan syarikat penerbangan lain," katanya. 

Selain Rayani Air, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly dan Malindo Air turut mempunyai operasi penerbangan ke Langkawi. 

Sumber: Bernama | 18 Dis. 2015

Malaysia’s first Syariah-compliant airline Rayani Air set to fly

Rayani Air flight attendant Nisa Zailani posing with the new aircraft model.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s first Syariah-compliant airline, Rayani Air, will make its maiden flight on Sunday from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. 

The airline was handed the Air Service Licence (ASL) and Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) here on Friday. 

The Langkawi International Airport will be its home base. 

For starters, the airline will serve five destinations - Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. 

As a "syariah-compliant" airline, its Muslim crew are required to wear hijab. Food and beverages will be halal-certified, and no alcohol will be served on board. 

There will also be doa (prayer) recitals before every flight.

Source: The Star Online | 18 Dec 2015

Penerbangan sulung Rayani Air bermula 20 Dis 2015

Azharuddin Abdul Rahman (kiri) menyerahkan dokumen Lesen Perkhidmatan Udara (ASL) dan Sijil Pengendali Udara (AOC) kepada Jaafar Zamhari (dua dari kanan) sambil diperhatikan Ravi Alagendra (empat dari kanan), Kartiyani Govindan (tiga dari kanan) dan Sumar Lee Hashim Lee (kanan).
PUTRAJAYA: Walaupun ha­nya bermula dengan dua pesawat yang disewa untuk beroperasi di dua laluan, Rayani Air yang akan melancarkan penerbangan sulungnya pada Ahad ini mempunyai impian yang besar.

Syarikat penerbangan pematuhan syariah pertama di Malaysia itu akan memulakan penerbangan laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu dan Kuala Lumpur - Langkawi pada Ahad ini menggunakan pesawat Boeing 737-400.

Pada tahun depan pula, Rayani Air mahu memulakan penerba­ngan merentasi Laut China Selatan ke Kota Kinabalu dan Kuching me­lalui tambahan dua pesawat Bo­eing 737-800.

Dengan menawarkan perkhidmatan penuh yang membezakan­nya dengan Malindo Air dan Air­Asia, Rayani Air juga bercadang melancarkan penerbangan ke Asia Barat dan China dalam tempoh kira-­kira 18 bulan.

Turut dirancang dalam rangkai­an penerbangan Rayani Air ialah destinasi serantau seperti Jakarta dan Manila selain destinasi yang lebih jauh termasuk India dan Australia.

Pengarah Urusan Rayani Air, Jaafar Zamhari berkata, perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan Rayani Air seperti Malaysia Airlines Berhad iaitu perkhidmatan penuh, berbeza dengan konsep hibrid oleh Malindo Air dan tambang murah oleh Air­Asia.

“Rayani Air menyediakan makanan dalam setiap penerbangan. Keistimewaan kami ialah makanan tambahan turut dijual atas pesawat secara add-ons sekiranya apa yang disediakan tidak mencukupi buat penumpang.

“Sebagai penerbangan pematuhan syariah, hanya makanan dan minuman halal disaji dan anak kapal wanita beragama Islam mesti berhijab. Pembacaan doa juga dilakukan sebelum pelepasan pesawat,” katanya dalam sidang akhbar selepas menerima Lesen Perkhidmatan Udara (ASL) dan Sijil Pengendali Udara (AOC) daripada Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Penerbangan Awam (DCA), Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Pengasas Rayani Air, Ravi Alagendra, Pengasas dan Pe­ngarah Kewangan, Datuk Kartiyani Govindan dan Pengarah Operasi, Kapten Sumar Lee Hashim Lee.

Rayani Air merupakan hasil usahasama dua perniagaan iaitu syarikat minyak dan gas, Merdeka Jayabumi Enterprise dan syarikat perlombongan, Terus Maju Metal.

Sumber: Bernama | 18 Dis. 2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Malacca - KB flights cancelled due to low-passenger load

MALACCA: Low-passenger load from Kota Bharu is the reason why Malaysia's hybrid airline, Malindo Air, has ceased its weekly flights from the Malacca Airport (LTM) in Batu Berendam here to Kota Bharu. 

The seven-time weekly service from here to Kota Bharu was stopped on Oct 1, less than a year after it was launched on Nov 21 last year. 

State Malindo Air station manager, Asmawati Sapiae said the low-passenger load from Kota Bharu was in contrast to Malacca, which had managed to record encouraging passengers' capacity for each flight.

"Due to this, the management has to cease the weekly flights from Malacca to Kota Bharu and vise-versa," she said at LTM yesterday. 

Asmawati said the company had to reduce its seven weekly flights from here to Penang and here to Pekanbaru, Indonesia, due to the same reason in August. 

She said the airline offered four-time weekly service to both destinations (Penang and Pekanbaru) which departed from Malacca on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 

State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the state government hoped that Malindo Air would resume flights from LTM to Kota Bharu

"We understand that the decision to stop the Malacca - Kota Bharu route is a commercial decision. However, we hope the service can be resumed after some adjustments by Malindo Air."

Lim said more commercial flight were expected to operate at the airport as the state government had already carried out discussions with several airlines. 

It was previously reported that the state had held discussions with airlines such as AirAsia, Firefly, and Sriwijaya Air. 

Malindo Air, which is an affiliate of Indonesia's Lion Group, started operations at LTM in November last year. 

Source: New Straits Times | Prime News | 17 Dec 2015

MAHB welcomes more airlines to operate, add frequency in KLIA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the world's second busiest airport operator group in terms of passengers handled, welcomes more international airlines to operate at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

"We still have the capacity (for them to operate here)," said Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, in an exclusive interview with the News Straits Times published Wednesday.

Badlisham, who joined the management in June last year, said MAHB also welcomed more frequencies from the existing operators in Malaysia's main international airport and one of the major airports of South-East Asia.

"Emirates is doing four times daily. They will bring back the A380 to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)... Qatar Airways has increased its frequencies to KUL to 24 weekly flights, four daily.

"Air China is four times weekly. The new airlines we welcome is co-owned Shanghai and Hainan airlines (four times weekly). These are the frequencies that we welcomed back ... not all of them are new airlines. Intra-Asia traffic is big," he said.

For other airlines in KLIA, Badlisham said, China Southern operated 10 times weekly, both Bangkok Airways and Jetstar Asia (four times weekly) and Xiamen Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines (three times weekly).

"Oman Air, British Airways and All Nippon Airways run daily," he said.

He hoped the Turkish Airlines, which moved from seven times to 10 times weekly, would increase its frequencies to twice daily, making up to 14 times a week.

Badlisham said MAHB has participated in global conference, Routes, a platform where airlines talked about scheduling, to encourage other airlines to come and operate in KLIA.

MAHB is listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

It currently manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia -- five international, 16 domestic and 18 short take-off and landing ports; and one international airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

The airport operator also provides airport management and technical services for the development, operation, maintenance and management in overseas international airports.

Source: Bernama | 16 Dec 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Analisis: Kelantan perlukan penerbangan antarabangsa ke Singapura, Thailand, dan Vietnam

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu.
KELANTAN melalui pintu keluar masuk utamanya, iaitu Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) memerlukan perkhidmatan penerbangan antarabangsa ke beberapa destinasi serantau terutamanya Singapura, Bangkok (Thailand), dan Bandar Raya Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam).

Setakat ini, LTSIP mempunyai tujuh laluan penerbangan domestik termasuk laluan ke Malaysia Timur, iaitu Kuala Lumpur, Subang Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, dan Kuching. 

Cuma yang belum ada atau yang dapat dikekalkan adalah laluan antarabangsa. Sebelum ini syarikat penerbangan Firefly dan AirAsia ada menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan antarabangsa ke Singapura masing-masing dari Ogos 2012 sehingga Julai 2013 dan dari Mac sehingga Oktober 2014. 

Walau perkhidmatan penerbangan antarabangsa ke Singapura tidak kekal lama, Kelantan masih memerlukan perkhidmatan penerbangan antarabangsa yang boleh ditawarkan oleh syarikat penerbangan tempatan terutamanya AirAsia, Malindo Air, dan Firefly.

Laluan Kota Bharu - Singapura misalnya boleh diperkenalkan semula dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu berbanding empat kali seminggu yang pernah ditawarkan syarikat penerbangan Firefly dan AirAsia sebelum ini. Dalam masa yang sama, usaha promosi yang agresif perlu dibuat oleh syarikat penerbangan dan juga Lembaga Penggalakan Pelancongan Malaysia (Tourism Malaysia) untuk menarik lebih ramai pelancong dari Singapura ke negeri Kelantan. 

Laluan Kota Bharu - Bangkok pula boleh diperkenalkan dengan kekerapan empat kali seminggu dengan menyasarkan pelancong asing yang transit melalui Bangkok untuk ke Malaysia melalui Kelantan. Hubungan sejarah Kelantan - Thailand dan juga persamaan budaya kedua-dua tempat ini boleh menjadi tarikan pelancongan kedua-dua wilayah. Tambahan pula, ramai warga Kelantan yang mengambil penerbangan ke Bangkok melalui Lapangan Terbang Narathiwat yang terletak di Selatan Thailand. 

Sementara itu, laluan Kota Bharu - Bandar Raya Ho Chi Minh pula pastinya akan memberi peluang kepada pelancong dari Kelantan, Terengganu, dan Narathiwat di Selatan Thailand untuk membeli-belah di bandar raya terbesar di Vietnam tersebut lebih-lebih lagi ia sememangnya terkenal sebagai bandar raya beli belah utama di Indochina yang menawarkan produk tempatan bermutu dengan harga yang berpatutan.

Laluan Kota Bharu - Singapura paling sesuai ditawarkan Firefly yang menggunakan pesawat berkipas jenis ATR72-500 dan ATR72-600 dengan 72 tempat duduk. Laluan ini juga sesuai ditawarkan AirAsia dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu menggunakan pesawat jenis A320-200 lebih-lebih lagi AirAsia mempunyai kemampuan dan reputasi tinggi untuk menarik lebih ramai penumpang antarabangsa melalui Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Changi, Singapura. 

Laluan Kota Bharu - Bangkok dan Kota Bharu - Bandar Raya Ho Chi Minh pula amat sesuai ditawarkan syarikat penerbangan yang beroperasi dengan pesawat jet, iaitu AirAsia (dengan A320-200) dan Malindo Air (B737-800 dan B737-900ER).  

Untuk segmen laluan domestik pula, laluan Kota Bharu - Tawau dan Kota Bharu - Miri mempunyai potensi untuk dirintis oleh syarikat penerbangan tempatan terutamanya AirAsia, manakala laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka mampu bertahan jika diperkenalkan semula dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu menggunakan pesawat berkipas jenis ATR72-500 dan ATR72-600 sama ada oleh Firefly mahupun Malindo Air. 

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my 

MAHB terputus komunikasi dengan pemilik pesawat tersadai di KLIA - Aziz Kaprawi

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) terpaksa membuat pengiklanan secara terbuka di akhbar mengenai tiga pesawat Boeing yang tersadai di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) akibat terputus komunikasi dengan pemiliknya.

Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi berkata ia antara usaha MAHB mengesan pemilik pesawat selain mengosongkan tempat meletak pesawat yang semakin diperlukan.

"Tiga pesawat itu tersadai sejak 2010. Pada awalnya pesawat itu dimiliki Air Atlanta Icelandic tetapi syarikat ini telah menjual pesawat itu kepada syarikat lain.

"Sejak September 2013, MAHB lost communications (terputus hubungan) sebab syarikat baharu itu tidak beroperasi.

"Jadi apabila terdapat loss communication, MAHB menghadapi masalah sehingga terpaksa menggunakan kaedah pengiklanan. Sekiranya pesawat itu tidak dituntut dalam tempoh dua minggu, MAHB berhak untuk lelong," katanya.

Beliau menggulung perbahasan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2016 bagi kementeriannya di persidangan Dewan Negara hari ini.

Perkara itu menarik perhatian ramai apabila MAHB membuat pengiklanan terbuka dalam akhbar tempatan pada 7 Disember.

Dalam pada itu, Abdul Aziz berkata pihaknya kini dalam proses menilai dan melantik perunding dan kontraktor bagi projek menaik taraf Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Beliau berkata proses berkenaan dijangka dapat dilaksanakan pada separuh kedua 2016.

"Jumlah kos keseluruhan yang diluluskan untuk projek ini adalah RM450 juta dan jumlah yang diluluskan bagi 2016 adalah RM30 juta," katanya.

Permohonan peruntukan bagi projek itu telah diteliti dan diputuskan oleh Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU), jelasnya.

Sumber: Bernama | 14 Dis. 2015

Rayani Air terbang laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu mulai 20 Dis 2015

KOTA BHARU: Syarikat penerbangan hibrid kedua Malaysia, Rayani Air merancang membuka laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu (KUL-KBR) mulai 20 Disember ini.

Penerbangan dengan kekerapan dua sehari ini akan beroperasi dari Terminal KLIA 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) menggunakan pesawat jenis B737-400 dengan 160 tempat duduk.

Tiket penerbangan bagi laluan ini telah mula dijual sejak 13 Disember 2015 melalui laman sesawangnya dengan memperkenalkan dua laluan permulaan, iaitu Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu dan Kuala Lumpur - Langkawi yang kedua-duanya akan bermula 20 Disember ini.

Rayani Air merupakan syarikat penerbangan komersial kelima yang beroperasi di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) selepas Malaysia Airlines (MAB), AirAsia, Firefly, dan Malindo Air. LTSIP merupakan pangkalan utama Rayani Air di Pantai Timur.

Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket, sila layari laman sesawang www.rayaniair.com

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Malaysia Airlines to open seven new bases throughout Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines will be opening seven new crew bases in Malaysia, with a total of 18 Boeing 737-800s being relocated with locally employed pilots and cabin crew staff to permanent bases in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Labuan, Kota Bharu, Penang and Johor Bahru. 

The move will improve connectivity and service quality on the domestic network and emphasizes the airline’s commitment to the respective states, boosting local economies and fostering inbound tourism

Malaysia Airlines has also applied to extend its rural contract agreement with the Ministry of Transport, to further underline its commitment to rural air service in Sabah and Sarawak.

To ensure convenience and improved connectivity for passengers, Malaysia Airlines intends to reorganise its operations in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to concentrate operations in the main terminal

The plan, expected to be in place by early next year, will mean quicker connections for ASEAN passengers between international and domestic flights. This will mean faster and more reliable baggage transfer and ultimately ensure better customer satisfaction.

Malaysia Airlines has seen an improved on-time performance (OTP) since the seamless transition to becoming a new entity on the 1 September 2015, with 89.8% OTP on the day despite major disruptions caused by the recent haze.

Source: Malaysia Airlines | 3 Dec 2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

Emirates codeshare deal raises Malaysia Airlines profile

Valued partner: MAB said it had entered into a codeshare partnership with Emirates, giving MAB passengers access to 90 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, served from Emirates’ Gulf hub in Dubai. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: A day after Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) shocked the entire global aviation fraternity with a codeshare partnership with the world’s biggest international carrier Emirates, it said the negative trend of revenue per available seat km (ASK) has stopped and reversed.

Its cost-saving measures and renegotiation of vendor contracts remain a major imperative of its turnaround plan, MAB said in its first progress report since it took over the airline operations from the former Malaysia Airlines.

It is amazing how Christoph Mueller (MAB group chief executive officer) got Emirates to agree.

“We always wanted something like this but at the back of our minds, we know MAB is not in the same league as Emirates, but Mueller pulled it off.

“It is a brilliant move,” said Maybank Investment Bank senior analyst Mohshin Aziz.

Even MAB's rivals agree. AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said: “I think it is very good”.

Brendan Sobie, an analyst with CAPA Centre for Aviation, also felt the deal with Emirates “made sense”.

Late Wednesday night, MAB said it had entered into a code-share partnership with Emirates, giving MAB passengers access to 90 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, served from Emirates’ Gulf hub in Dubai.

However, it will also sever ten code-share agreements with existing partners and will drop its own direct flights to Paris and Amsterdam at the end of January 2016.

With that, its only direct access to Europe will be via London, where it will maintain double daily flights.

Emirates’ customers, in turn, will have access to MAB's extensive Asia-Pacific and domestic network and it will be effective February next year.

Mueller was quoted as saying that “people will now buy tickets of MAB to reach these final destinations, so we will take back market share in terms of ticket sales”.

Cutting a deal with Emirates has raised MAB's profile and hopefully will change its fortunes. MAB has been bleeding for several years now and suffered a setback with two major air crashes last year.

To turn the airline around, Mueller was hired and a new company has taken over the operations.

On the progress report, Mueller said the airline planned to boost customer experience with a new product strategy and that details will be unveiled over 18 months. MAB on-time performance had also improved.

Though the progress report did not give specific details on loads, yields or even absolute ASK numbers, Mueller said “it is very rewarding to see the new team of employees creating a truly new airline, entirely customer focused and commercially led”.

“We still have a long way to go, but existing and new partners believe in our success and MAB has been set on a path towards reclaiming its position as one of the world’s leading airlines.”

MAB added that it will set up seven crew bases across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak to improve connectivity and service quality.

A new group structure is in the works to streamline its operations into individual profit centre subsidiaries such as airline, ground handling, cargo, engineering and aircraft ownership to ensure profit and loss accountability and unlock the value of assets by driving new levels of operational and financial efficiency.

The airline will also dispose its non-core assets for better management focus on its core business, MAB said.

Source: The Star Online | 4 Dec 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Malaysia Airlines sees turnaround, plans more charter flights from China

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is benefiting from encouraging momentum growth and is achieving sustained progress, the national carrier disclosed in its first quarterly update on Thursday. 

It said among the achievements was an improved on-time performance (OTP) of 89.8% on the day despite major disruptions caused by the recent haze. 

“Revenue per available seat per kilometre has improved year-on-year with seat load factor also showing improvements,” it said. However, no specific figures were mentioned for the two metrics.

We still have a long way to go but existing and new partners believe in our success and Malaysia Airlines has been set on a path towards reclaiming its position as one of the world’s leading airlines,” said MAB group chief executive officer Christoph Mueller.

Malaysia Airlines also said demand out of China and North Asia was showing a positive trajectory, boosted by increased inbound tourism demand. 

The national carrier had signed an agreement to operate 180 additional charter flights from China to Sabah. It would also introduce more charter flights from selected key cities in China beyond the airline’s network, on top of the existing 180, to meet the increased appetite for inbound tourism. 

The airline’s charter service has seen great success with the Umrah operations ferrying pilgrims to Madinah on its A380-800. This year saw an increase in capacity from 282 seats to 494 per flight on 45 direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Madinah.

It said greater focus has been given to improving customer service. The quarter saw a new product initiative with the introduction of a premium business class lay-flat seat for the A330-300 fleet. 

The seat marks the beginning of a planned product roll-out of more customer centric, personalised and innovative offerings. 

The fully flat seat will be introduced from April 2016 on all A330-300 aircraft. The conversion will be completed by September 2016. Other new and improved product offerings are in the pipeline, including a new catering concept in all classes and on-board Wi-Fi.

The airline is also focusing on ensuring good corporate governance on a company-wide level. 

Its new group structure will streamline its operations into individual profit centre subsidiaries such as airline, ground handling, cargo, engineering and aircraft ownership.

This will ensure profit and loss accountability which will unlock the value of assets by driving new levels of operational and financial efficiency, the airline said. 

“We are working hard to change the structure of the airline fundamentally, from the inside out. This will involve looking at process, efficiency and tighter cost controls,” Mueller added.

Concurrently, the airline is also disposing its non-core assets for better management focus on its core business.

To promote harmony and constructive dialogue with employees, MAB has created the Malaysia Airlines Work Council to provide a platform for a mutually cooperative relationship between management and employee groups.

The airline has also signed a contract to introduce AirPas, a state-of-the-art software system, to maximise cost savings from ground operations and audit accurate billing. AirPas has been successfully used by other world leading airlines and the company is looking at a target saving of up to 20% on ground operations over the next 18 months.

The progress update coincided with MAB clinching a code-sharing agreement with Emirates to expand the airline’s global coverage. 

MAB will add its code Emirates flights to Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. 

In return, Emirates will add its code on MAB flights to domestic routes in Malaysia, South-East Asia and selective cities across Asia-Pacific.

Additionally, MAB will suspend its Paris and Amsterdam routes from Jan 25, 2016 onwards.

Source: The Star Online | 3 Dec 2015

Malaysia Airlines to add more crew bases to boost connectivity

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd plans to improve connectivity and service quality on the domestic network by opening seven new crew bases in the country.

The national carrier, in its first quarterly progress update since becoming a new legal entity on Sept 1, that a total of 18 Boeing 737-800s would be relocated, with locally employed pilots and cabin crew staff, to permanent bases in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Labuan, Kota Bharu, Penang and Johor Bahru.

“Malaysia Airlines has also applied to extend its rural contract agreement with the Transport Ministry to further underline its commitment to rural air service in Sabah and Sarawak,” it said.

To ensure convenience and improved connectivity for passengers, it plans to reorganise its operations in the KL International Airport (KLIA) to concentrate operations in the main terminal.

“The plan, expected to be in place by early next year, will mean quicker connections for Asean passengers between international and domestic flights. This will mean faster and more reliable baggage transfer and ultimately ensure better customer satisfaction,” the airline said.

Malaysia Airlines said it had seen better on-time performance (OTP) since becoming a new entity on Sept 1, with 89.8% OTP on the day despite major disruptions caused by the recent haze.

Malaysia Airlines has also struck a global aviation partnership with Emirates. The partnership will significantly expand the airline’s global coverage and provide a dramatically extended range of travel options for customers, it said.

Group chief executive officer Christoph Mueller told Reuters the deal would allow it to avoid making losses on routes to Europe because it would stop flying to Amsterdam and Paris with its own planes from the end of January and instead book customers onto flights operated by Emirates.

On the overhaul of its information technology systems, the airline said it would introduce systems for easier and faster bookings both on the website and on mobile applications.

“A new passenger service system has been put out to tender and, after the final vendor selection, implementation will start in the first quarter of 2016,” it added.

To promote harmony and a constructive dialogue with employees, the Malaysia Airlines Work Council has been created and is expected to be fully established by January 2016.

It said the Work Council was expected to provide a platform for employees to brainstorm ideas, voice concerns and ultimately work together with management towards a common goal.

The council will have two elected representatives from the separate employee groups which include pilots, cabin crew, engineers, ramp services and cargo handling.

“We are working hard to change the structure of the airline fundamentally, from the inside out,” Mueller said.

“This will involve looking at process, efficiency and tighter cost controls. Through diligent execution, we’ve scored some quick wins this quarter. There is still a long way to go towards putting in the foundations for sustainable long term growth, but our progress in the quarter signals a positive trend in the right direction.”

Source: The Star Online | 3 Dec 2015

Malaysia Airlines enhances partnership with Emirates

The agreement allows Malaysia Airlines customers to reach up to 38 destinations in Europe on a daily and even double daily basis for key European cities such as Zurich, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Barcelona.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAB) and Emirates have announced a new partnership that will give MAB customers access to a “dramatically expanded” range of travel options.

The national carrier said in a statement that this would give its customers access to 38 European and 15 American destinations as well as 38 destinations in the Middle East and Africa and Indian Ocean.

Under the agreement signed by Emirates president Sir Tim Clark and MAS chief executive officer Christoph Mueller, MAB will add its code on flights of Emirates to Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. In return, Emirates will add its code on flights of MAB to domestic routes in Malaysia, South-East Asia and selective cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

MAB said the codeshare would be implemented progressively throughout 2016 subject to regulatory approvals. Sales under this codeshare agreement will begin from Feb 1 next year.
,
The agreement, it said, would create a seamless international network connecting Malaysia to more than 90 destinations on the Emirates network across Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world-class travel experiences.

Mueller said in the statement that the improved connectivity would enable MAB customers to reach up to 38 destinations in Europe on a daily and even double daily basis for key European cities such as Zurich, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Barcelona

“This partnership gives our customers access to a dramatically expanded range of travel options. It is a great way for customers to travel seamlessly to major cities across the world. Furthermore, Dubai is a tourism, trade and logistics hub which has earned itself the reputation as being the gateway between the East and the West,” he said.

Mueller said this was part of the national carrier’s initiative towards enhancing air connectivity with key priority markets overseas for increased tourist arrivals into Malaysia.

Source: The Star | 2 Dec 2015

MAHB leaves it to Govt to decide on new passenger service charges

A lion dance was performed at the launch of the Flight Club at the KL International Airport in Sepang.
SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) leaves it to the Government to decide on its five-yearly review of passenger service charges (PSC), which is due next month. 

Managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said any decision on the review of the fees would depend on the government. 

“The PSC has to be reviewed every five years and we have entered the five-year cycle. 

“It’s about time now, and we leave it to the Government to decide as they are aware about it,” he told reporters after opening the Flight Club at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on Wednesday. 

The PSC at klia2 currently is RM32 for international passengers and RM6 for domestic passengers, while at the KLIA main terminal is RM65 for international passengers and RM9 for domestic passengers. 

Badlisham said the review was needed as Malaysian airports had to keep up with the progress and investments made by other regional airport operators. 

“This is not just about increasing charges, but also about improving other comparative elements that other regional airports are investing in. 

“So, the government needs to keep up in term of new services and new infrastructure as the charges are borne by passengers who are using the terminal, not paid by airlines, and yet we are among the lowest PSC in this region,” he added. 

On the Express Rail Link (ERL) fare hike, Badlisham said improvements in passenger services should commensurate with the fared rises. 

“Even now with the introduction of ERL into klia2, its capacity is already maximised. 

“We hope with the fare rises, ERL will also be expanding its services by buying larger coaches to accommodate more passengers for the benefit of passengers,” he added. 

Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd announced yesterday that from Jan 1 next year, the fare for a one-way trip between KL Sentral and KLIA/klia2 will be RM20 more at RM55. 

Source: Bernama | 2 Dec 2015