Saturday, March 28, 2015

Malindo Air diminta perkenal penerbangan ke Alor Setar, Pulau Langkawi, dan Kuantan dari Kota Bharu

SYARIKAT penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) diminta memperkenalkan tiga lagi laluan domestik dari Kota Bharu, Kelantan, iaitu Kota Bharu - Alor Setar, Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi, dan Kota Bharu - Kuantan. 

Laluan penerbangan Kota Bharu - Alor Setar dapat menampung permintaan pasaran bagi seluruh negeri Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu Utara, dan wilayah Narathiwat di Selatan Thailand.

Laluan Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi pula bukan sahaja dapat menampung permintaan pasaran daripada pelancong domestik khususnya warga Kelantan, Terengganu Utara, dan Pulau Langkawi, tetapi juga pelancong antarabangsa termasuklah yang ingin ke Pulau Perhentian dari Pulau Langkawi dan sebaliknya

Sementara itu, laluan Kota Bharu - Kuantan pula dapat menampung permintaan pasaran bagi daerah Kuantan dan Pekan di Pahang serta daerah Kemaman di Terengganu lebih-lebih lagi setiap hari banyak perkhidmatan bas ekspres ditawarkan bagi laluan Kota Bharu - Kuantan. 

Komuniti Kelantan yang agak ramai di Kuantan juga dijangka dapat membantu meningkatkan permintaan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Kuantan ke Kota Bharu dan sebaliknya. 

Hal ini kerana setakat ini belum ada mana-mana syarikat penerbangan yang menawarkan perkhidmatan bagi ketiga-ketiga laluan ini. Oleh itu, Malindo Air diharap dapat menimbangkan cadangan dan permintaan ini. 

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Genap setahun laluan Kota Bharu - Kuching diperkenalkan AirAsia

Promosi tiket buat pertama kalinya bagi laluan Kota Bharu - Kuching oleh AirAsia pada 20 Januari 2014.
PADA 22 Mac 2015, genaplah setahun perkhidmatan penerbangan berjadual bagi laluan penerbangan Kota Bharu (KBR) - Kuching (KCH) diperkenal oleh syarikat penerbangan AirAsia sejak 22 Mac 2014.  

Namun begitu, penerbangan sulung sebenarnya telah dimulakan sehari lebih awal, iaitu pada 21 Mac 2014 dengan perkhidmatan penerbangan tambahan, manakala 22 Mac 2013 merupakan bermulanya perkhidmatan penerbangan berjadual bagi laluan ini. 

AirAsia menjadi satu-satunya syarikat penerbangan tempatan yang beroperasi bagi laluan ini yang menghubungkan negeri Sarawak dengan negeri Kelantan sekali gus menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) sebagai gerbang Pantai Timur Malaysia. 

Sejak diperkenalkan setahun yang lalu, jadual penerbangan bagi laluan ini tidak banyak berubah dan masih kekal dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu. 

Penerbangan terus ini dijadualkan mengambil masa kira-kira dua jam. Walau bagaimanapun, kebanyakan penerbangan sebenar mengambil masa sekitar  1 jam 30 minit sehingga 1 jam 45 minit sahaja. 

Laluan ini merupakan laluan kedua yang menghubungkan Malaysia Timur dengan Pantai Timur Malaysia selepas laluan Kota Bharu - Kota Kinabalu yang juga diperkenalkan AirAsia sejak 16 November 2013. 

Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket bagi laluan Kota Bharu - Kuching ini, sila layari laman sesawang www.airasia.com

Langkawi International Airport expansion to begin in 2016

Langkawi International Airport. Photo credit: Kazuo Lim Khee Boon
LANGKAWI: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) plans to begin expansion of the Langkawi International Airport (LIA) next year after it was voted the best airport in Asia Pacific in the under two million passengers per year category for the second year running.

MAHB Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said LIA has surpassed its handling capacity of 1.5 million and the plan to upgrade the airport has been included in the 11th Malaysia Plan.

"The project to upgrade the LIA will begin next year and I believe it is timely as it will boost tourist arrivals in Langkawi," he told Bernama at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA'15)

He said the upgrading project would be carried out in phases beginning with the expansion of the terminal halls. However, Badlisham did not reveal the cost of the upgrading works.

Last month, LIA was voted the best airport in Asia Pacific in the under two million passengers per year category for the second year running under the Airport Council International Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award 2014.

He also said 2.2 million passengers arrived at LIA last year and the bullish trend was expected to continue based on the number of tourist arrivals.

"Langkawi is developing progressively and the upgrading of LIA will be in line with the completion of Hotel St Regis Langkawi and Langkawi International Convention Centre.

"Besides attracting tourists, we believe Langkawi will be more than capable of hosting international events once the upgrading project is completed," he said.

LIA is located at Padang Matsirat on the duty-free island and is about 25 minutes away from the town centre, Kuah.

Source: BERNAMA | 21 March 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015

Langkawi is AirAsia’s 6th international hub

Langkawi International Airport
PETALING JAYA: AirAsia has announced Langkawi as its sixth and newest international hub in Malaysia, which will focus on ASEAN destinations.

"We are very excited about this announcement today. We plan to put five planes in Langkawi and generate approximately 1 million to 1.5 million passengers through Langkawi very quickly. We will obviously focus on ASEAN destinations and gradually expand the connectivity to China and India, which are both very strong routes. It is exciting news for the state of Kedah and exciting news for job creation as we will base pilots and cabin crew in Langkawi," said AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

"By making it a hub, we hope to contribute further to the growth of traffic of this airport.

Kudos to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Datuk Seri Idris Jala and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, for having a great vision, and taking proactive steps in making the ASEAN policy work," he said in a statement.

AirAsia Bhd CEO Aireen Omar said Langkawi has a great airport but is under-utilised and has the potential to grow as an international hub.

"Today is a big day for us at AirAsia. We have been campaigning for a while now, and we are pleased to know the government and the airport are beginning to see the benefits of low-cost carriers and understand that with the right cost structure, we can grow the airport and churn new businesses.

"We thank Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd for believing in us and supporting us with a five-year programme to make this a success," she added.

Liow said he is confident of AirAsia's capabilities to grow Langkawi into a top holiday destination, topping Phuket or Bali.

Langkawi was the airline's first route in 2001, and AirAsia currently serves three routes from the island of Langkawi with 98 flights weekly. There are currently five AirAsia hubs in Malaysia namely Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Johor Bahru, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.

The low-cost carrier unveiled the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship aircraft livery on an Airbus A320 at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition '15 yesterday.

Fernandes said 2015 is also the year when the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Open Skies policy are expected to be implemented, and highlighted an urgent need for a common regulator to be established to ensure proper standards are implemented to promote travel within the booming Asean region.

Source: The Sun Daily | 19 March 2015

Langkawi bakal jadi hab antarabangsa AirAsia

Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi.
LANGKAWI: AirAsia berhasrat menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi di sini, sebagai hab antarabangsanya dengan sasaran sekurang-kurangnya sejuta penumpang.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, berkata rancangan itu dijangka dapat dimulakan empat bulan lagi sejajar usaha syarikat penerbangan itu menempatkan lebih ramai anak kapal dan juruterbangnya di Langkawi.

"Kami menganggarkan dapat menempatkan lima pesawat di sini dan mampu menjana antara sejuta hingga 1.5 penumpang dalam masa singkat, iaitu sesuatu yang asing di Langkawi sebelum ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada media selepas majlis pelancaran paparan imej kepengerusian Malaysia bagi ASEAN di pesawat AirAsia yang disempurnakan Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, di sini, Rabu.

Menurut Fernandes, sebagai hab antarabangsa, AirAsia boleh mengendalikan penerbangan terus antara bandar raya ASEAN dan seterusnya China dan India, ke Langkawi.

Pada masa ini, syarikat penerbangan itu hanya mengendalikan satu penerbangan terus antarabangsa iaitu antara Langkawi dan Singapura.

Menurutnya, AirAsia telah berusaha sekian lama untuk merealisasikan impiannya menjadikan Langkawi sebagai hab antarabangsa dan amat menghargai langkah kerajaan membenarkannya meneruskan rancangan itu.

"Kerajaan telah melihat dengan adanya kos struktur yang betul, kita sebenarnya boleh mewujudkan perniagaan baharu," katanya.

Selain Langkawi, Malaysia juga, kata Fernandes, turut memiliki beberapa lapangan terbang yang berpotensi menjana trafik antarabangsa lebih tinggi selagi bayaran ditetapkan adalah berpatutan.

"(Lapangan terbang) Melaka atau Kuching juga boleh mempunyai lebih banyak penerbangan antarabangsa. Ia (penerbangan antarabangsa) tidak perlu menerusi KLIA2 semata-mata.

"Kita memiliki banyak lapangan terbang yang hebat tetapi ia tidak penuh. Ia seharusnya digunakan (secara optimum) dan akan menjadi satu langkah besar untuk Malaysia," katanya.

Sumber: BERNAMA | 18 Mac 2015

Thursday, March 19, 2015

New airline Flymojo no threat to AirAsia

As Flymojo operates in the full-service segment, the new airline is not seen as a near-term threat for AirAsia, says RHB Research
PETALING JAYA: Aviation analysts are not overly concerned about the potential threat from the newly established airline Flymojo to AirAsia Bhd as the newcomer caters to a fraction of the market.

Flymojo, which is operated by Flymojo Sdn Bhd, is understood to be a fully Malaysian-owned. The new airline will be based out of Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu and will start operations in the third quarter of this year,

On Tuesday, Flymojo signed a deal with Canadian planemaker Bombardier Inc to buy 20 CS100 aircraft for about US$1.47bil (RM5.44bil).

“We do not see a near-term threat on the setting up of Flymojo, a new airline that will operate out of two hubs – Senai Airport and Kota Kinabalu Airport.

“While Kota Kinabalu makes rational sense as a hub with feeder traffic from smaller tier-2 and 3 cities, we doubt making Senai a hub will work in the near term on lack of sizeable feeder traffic – of which, if any, will be competing against Singapore Changi Airport,” RHB Research said, adding that it maintained its “overweight” stance on the sector with AirAsia as its top pick.

Furthermore, RHB Research said with the high-speed rail connectivity between Kuala Lumpur-Johor Baru-Singapore likely to materialise, this could pose another challenge towards making Senai a sizeable hub for air carriers.

“As Flymojo operates in the full-service segment, we do not see this as a near-term threat for AirAsia. On a positive note, we see airport operators like Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd benefiting from the entry of a new player,” it said.

AmResearch concurred with RHB Research, saying it did not see Flymojo being in direct competition with AirAsia, which operated mainly out of KLIA2, except, perhaps, for the highly profitable KLIA2-Kota Kinabalu route.

“Other than this, we do not see a new competitor at the Senai hub (which entails much smaller pax traffic than even that of the Kota Kinabalu hub) to be much of a competitive issue for AirAsia in the near term,” AmResearch said.

It estimated that Flymojo to account for just 19% of AirAsia Malaysia’s current capacity after complete delivery of all 20 aircraft that are likely to be spread over three to four years.

Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB) is also “not overly concerned” on the potential threat by Flymojo to AirAsia, given its base in secondary airports, which only catered for 11% of total Malaysia traffic.

“Moreover, it is operating a relatively smaller capacity aircraft, at a cost disadvantage, compared with AirAsia and MAS.

“Moreover, Senai has not been able to attract high passenger movements given its low population area as well as lack of connectivity,” it added.

HLIB noted that CS100 was a relatively smaller aircraft with capacity up to 125 seats (based on single type configuration) versus AirAsia’s and Malindo’s 180 seats on A320s and B739s respectively.

Source: The Star Online | 19 March 2015

AirAsia to set up base on isle

LANGKAWI: Budget airline AirAsia will set up its new base at the Langkawi International Airport in the next few months that will offer direct flights to destinations in ASEAN countries.

Its group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said it was a dream for AirAsia for a long time and was glad it finally happened. “We hope to (start our base) in the next three to four months.

We estimate we can put five planes here and would generate one to one-and-a-half million passengers very quickly which is unheard of in Langkawi,” he said after Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai unveiled an exclusive aircraft livery on an Airbus A320 to commemorate Malaysian chairmanship of Asean at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition here yesterday.

He said the flights would be focusing on ASEAN capitals such as Bangkok, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City including direct flights from Langkawi to China and India.

“Langkawi has a lot of potential with its ecotourism attractions. It should be as big as Bali or Phuket. Right now, AirAsia has a direct flight from Langkawi to Singapore daily,” he said.

Fernandes added that the airline would receive incentives from the airport to start up the base.

With the Single Aviation Market or Open Skies set to be implemented this year, he said there was an urgent need for a common regulator to be established to ensure proper standards were implemented to promote travel within the region.

Liow said AirAsia had made Malaysia proud with the many awards it won.
 
Source: The Star Online | 19 March 2015

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Rayani Air denies asking for compensation

RAYANI AIR SDN BHD, a budget airline poised to operate out of Malacca Airport (MA), has denied that it is requesting compensation from the Malacca government in the event that there is a shortfall in passengers, as reported by several news publications in August.

According to Ravi Alagendrran, CEO and major shareholder of Rayani Air, the company has not entered into any agreement with the state government concerning compensation for operating scheduled flights out of the airport in Batu Berendam.

“We did not ask for any assistance from the state government, although we plan to offer it a stake in Rayani Air. We can sustain operations with 70% passenger loads, and we believe we can achieve this,” says Ravi in an exclusive interview with The Edge.

During the Melaka International Tourism Show and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Fair 2014, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the state government would not take up any stake in the new airline. However, it will consider requests for compensation.

Idris was reported as saying that the airline needs at least 35 passengers on a 50-seater aircraft per flight to be viable and sustainable. The reports state that Rayani Air will fly Fokker 50s out of MA.

However, Ravi says Rayani Air will start operations with two Boeing B737-400s, to be acquired from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd, a company owned by Khazanah Nasional Bhd. The aircraft typically has the capacity to carry at least 85 passengers.

Malacca’s transport and project recovery committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong has confirmed with The Edge that the state government did not have negotiations or arrangements with Rayani Air to compensate the airline for any shortfall in passengers. Idris did not respond to The Edge directly.

Umad Suhaili owns 51% of Rayani Air while Ravi’s wife, Datuk Karthiyani Govindan, holds the remaining 49% stake, according to the Companies Commission of Malaysia’s data. Ravi plans to raise RM40 million for the purchase of the aircraft through bank borrowings.

The company has a paid-up capital of RM400,000, and Ravi says he will come up with RM10 million to fund the acquisition.

The fact that an airline will be operating out of Melaka has surprised many, as the state is just a 1½-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which connects Malaysia to more than 50 international destinations.

Also, with the federal government planning to build a high-speed rail between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with one of the stops to be in Malacca, many are sceptical about the viability of air travel for the historical state. 

MA is also seen as a white elephant, as no commercial flight has taken off or landed there since March this year, despite the federal government having spent RM240 million on upgrading the terminal building and lengthen the runway.

The state government had previously set up Melaka Air to fly to Penang and Medan, Indonesia, but the service was terminated due to poor demand. Firefly Sdn Bhd, the regional low-cost subsidiary of Malaysian Airline System Bhd, stopped its services there two years ago.

Firefly is said to be resuming operations there by the end of the year, with three flights a week. The destinations have not been determined yet, but the airline will focus on serving the domestic sector first, CEO Ignatius Ong told the media.

Nevertheless, Ravi is unperturbed by the scepticism. As Malacca is a major tourist destination in Malaysia, and with more investments flowing into the state, he is convinced that Rayani Air can take off without the state’s assistance.

“No one is operating from Malacca. The government has expanded MIA for RM240 million, and its location is very good to get to destinations in Sumatra and Java, besides domestic ones. And many tourists come to Malacca from locations, such as Langkawi and Penang, by bus,” says Ravi.

“According to our survey, people from northern Johor prefer to go to Malacca instead of Senai International Airport to catch a flight. Every day, eight busloads of people go to Kota Bharu from Melaka, and tourists going to Langkawi and Penang would like to visit Melaka as well.” 

Rayani Air is in the midst of submitting an application for an air operator certificate to the Department of Civil Aviation. The company expects to obtain the permit by end-January 2015, says Ravi.

Rayani Air will start serving domestic routes, such as Penang, Kuching, Langkawi, Kota Bharu and Kota Kinabalu, before expanding to regional destinations, such as Pekanbaru and Medan in Indonesia, and Phuket in Thailand.

Ravi says there is also demand from southern China to fly into Malacca as many investors from that country are buying properties and setting up businesses in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

“The tourism department of Malacca has proposed to me [about connecting the state directly with southern China], as there are many tourists from China coming to the state. By the second or third month after Rayani Air begins operations, we will start serving international destinations,” says Ravi.

Another airline serving the domestic market would be positive for consumers, as there would be more choices. But for airlines, competition is tough enough in an already challenging operating environment.

The entry of Malindo Air last year immediately sparked a price war with AirAsia. If Rayani Air proves to be a challenger to the other airlines, will it start another price war in the Malaysian air travel industry?

Source: The Edge Malaysia Weekly | 20 - 26 Oct. 2014

Newest airline Flymojo to buy Bombardier's CS100 planes


KUALA LUMPUR: Fly Mojo Sdn Bhd is planning to start a new airline dubbed "flymojo" with Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru as it primary hub and Kota Kinabalu as its secondary base.

The latest airline targets travel within ASEAN and the regions bordering it using the CS100 aircraft which is specifically designed for the 100 to 149-seat, single-aisle market.

"Born of the desire to make air travel a much anticipated and longed for experience, Flymojo is dedicated to providing value, and exceptional customer service that will focus on putting the human touch back into flying," said Flymojo Chairman Datuk Seri Alies Anor Abdul in a statement today.

"We are confident that our model will resonate deeply with our passengers and that the use of the technologically advanced CSeries aircraft will transform the aviation industry in Malaysia and the region," he added.

Fly Mojo made the announcement at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibitions (LIMA) 2015.

According to the group, it has inked a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft for the sale and purchase of 20 CS100 aircraft with option for an additional 20 CS100 planes.

Upon execution of a firm purchase agreement, Flymojo is expected to become the first customer and operator of the CS100 aircraft in the region, the statement read.

The statement said based on the list price of the CS100 aircraft, a firm order would be valued at approximately US$1.47 billion (approximately RM5.44 billion), and could increase to US$2.94 billion (RM10.87 billion), should flymojo exercise all its options. 

Commenting on the new launch, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the airline would play a key role in improving connectivity between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak, as well as other parts of the region.

"In addition, as the only airline utilizing the Southern Corridor as its headquarters, Flymojo will transform Senai into a key regional aviation and logistics hub, augmenting the government's initiatives in developing Iskandar Malaysia and the Southern Corridor," he added.

"Further strengthening Kota Kinabalu's standing as a gateway into Malaysia, Flymojo will also boost tourism into Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of International Trade of Canada Ed Fast said as the travel needs in the region increased, Canada is committed to supporting the growth of economic ties between the two countries.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone said with its strategic market footing and unique operations, flymojo is an ideal match for the all-new CS100 jetliner.

"The CSeries family of aircraft will enable new airlines such as Flymojo to cover markets efficiently, thanks to its exceptional economics, operational flexibility and widebody comfort, coupled with an unmatched environmental and noise footprint," headded.

"The CSeries family of aircraft's game-changing technology, and its two models - the CS100 and CS300 jetliners - provide airlines the capability for natural progression in terms of market coverage and passenger capacity," he added.

At the LOI signing ceremony, Flymojo was represented by its managing director Datuk Janardhanan Gopala Krishnan while Bombardier Commercial Aircraft was represented by its regional vice president, (Sales,Asia-Pacific) Frank Baistrocchi.

Source: The Edge Markets | 17 March 2015

Malaysia announces new airline 'Flymojo'

Taking flight: Flymojo, the new airline in Malaysia. Photo: Supplied
LANGKAWI: In a positive step for Malaysian aviation, a new airline, "flymojo", has been launched.

Malaysian private company, Fly Mojo Sdn Bhd, will operate the airline which will provide "value" flights in Southeast Asia. 

The Malaysian government launched the airline with Flymojo chairman, Alies Anor Abdul at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace show on Tuesday.

The airline will begin flying in the first quarter of 2016 and focus on regional routes, Flymojo managing director Janardhanan Gopala Krishnan said.

Flymojo has also signed a letter of intent to buy up to 40 Bombardier CSeries aircraft from Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombadier worth $US2.9 billion

Bombardier confirmed the new airline planned to purchase 20 CS100 aircraft with options for an additional 20 CS100 aircrafts.

Flymojo will be based out of a primary hub at Johor Bahru's Senai airport and a secondary hub at Sabah's Kota Kinabalu.

"With Flymojo's primary hub at Senai International Airport, Johor and secondary hub in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the airline's ultra-modern fleet of CS100 aircraft will play a key role in improving connectivity between the Peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak, as well as other parts of the region," Deputy Minister of Transport, Aziz Kaprawi, said. 

Johor Bahru is the closest Malaysian city to Singapore. Many Singaporeans live and own properties there due to the cheaper cost of living. 

Montreal-based Bombardier is under pressure to bring the CSeries into service after years of delays and cost overruns. The smaller CS100 started test flights in 2013.

The company has tried to sell the CSeries to Southeast Asian airlines such as Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd and Indonesia's Lion Air, but it has been unsuccessful in the face of competition from Boeing and Airbus.

"Upon execution of a firm purchase agreement, Flymojo is expected to become the first customer and operator of the CS100 aircraft in the region," the company said in a press release.

The CSeries aircraft seat up to 149 passengers and are single-aisle aeroplanes. Malaysia's aviation industry was under pressure last year after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines MH370 and MH17 which was shot down over Ukraine.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald | 17 March 2015

New Malaysian-owned airline launched at LIMA '15

LANGKAWI: A new Malaysian-owned airline, Flymojo, was launched Tuesday at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2015 exhibition.

The airline will be based out of Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, and is scheduled to start its operation in October this year.

Fly Mojo Sdn Bhd and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale and purchase of 20 CS100 aircraft with options for an additional 20.

The airline is set to become the first customer and operator of the CS100 aircraft in the region.

Based on the list price of the CS100 aircraft, a firm order would be valued at approximately US$1.47bil (RM5.44bil) and could increase to US$2.94bil should flymojo exercise all its options.

At the signing ceremony, Flymojo was represented by its managing director Datuk Janardhanan Gopala Krishnan and Bombardier by its Asia-Pacific regional vice-president (sales) Frank Baistrocchi.

Source: The Star Online | 17 March 2015

Monday, March 16, 2015

Projek pembesaran serta naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Kota Bharu akan diberi keutamaan dalam RMK-11

Projek pembesaran serta naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu akan diberikan keutamaan oleh Kerajaan Pusat dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11.
KOTA BHARU: Kerajaan Pusat sedang meneliti keperluan pembangunan di Kelantan untuk dimasukkan sebagai projek keutamaan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11 (RMK-11).

Pengerusi Majlis Tindakan Pembangunan Persekutuan Kelantan, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed berkata, antara infrastruktur yang menjadi keutamaan ialah pembinaan Lebuh Raya Kota Bharu - Kuala Krai dan projek pembesaran serta menaik taraf Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra di Pengkalan Chepa.

Kelantan sememangnya memerlukan kemudahan infrastruktur yang lebih baik dan ia perlu diberi perhatian oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan, katanya kepada pemberita selepas Istiadat Pembukaan Penggal Ketiga Dun Kelantan di Kompleks Kota Darulnaim di sini, hari ini.

Mengenai titah Sultan Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V supaya kerajaan negeri dan Kerajaan persekutuan meningkatkan kerjasama dalam membantu mangsa banjir terutama bagi membina rumah kekal, Mustapa berkata, Jawatankuasa Bersama Banjir Kelantan akan cuba menyegerakan pembinaan rumah kekal itu.

"Kami minta jawatankuasa memastikan rumah bagi mereka yang ada tanah dapat disegerakan pembinaannya manakala mangsa yang belum mempunyai tanah terutama yang menetap di khemah, jawatankuasa perlu fikirkan kaedah lain untuk menempatkan mereka sama ada di rumah transit atau rumah sewa," katanya.

Beliau berkata, kira-kira 1,100 keluarga mangsa banjir Disember tahun lepas, tidak mempunyai tanah sendiri untuk pembinaan rumah kekal.

Sumber: BERNAMA | 16 Mac 2015

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Rayani Air ashik promosi "coming soon" pah ceroh

"Coming soon" pah ceroh! 
SYARIKAT penerbangan Rayani Air masih gagal mengotakan janjinya untuk beroperasi pada Januari lepas setelah beberapa kali memberikan penangguhan untuk beroperasi. Terbaharu, salah seorang kakitangan Rayani Air meninggalkan komen di laman Facebook Rayani Air bahawa mereka akan mula beroperasi mulai Jun nanti. 

Berdasarkan maklumat yang kami peroleh, Rayani Air masih teragak-agak untuk mengumumkan tarikh sebenar operasi komersial kerana mereka masih gagal mendapatkan Lesen Perkhidmatan Udara (ASL) daripada Jabatan Penerbangan Awam (DCA). 

Antara syarat-syarat untuk memperoleh ASL, sila klik pautan ini:- http://www.mot.gov.my/Services/Documents/Aviation/Lesen%20Perkhidmatan%20Udara%20%28ASL%29.pdf

Dalam pada itu, Rayani Air juga dipercayai masih belum memiliki atau memuktamadkan pembelian pesawat terpakai milik Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) yang masih disimpan di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah di Subang, Shah Alam, Selangor.  

Pesawat yang dimaksudkan adalah pesawat jenis B737-400 yang kini tidak lagi digunakan oleh MAS untuk operasi komersial setelah digantikan dengan pesawat B737-800. 

Dengan ketiadaan lesen dan pesawat untuk beroperasi, Rayani Air tidak sepatutnya memainkan perasaan atau memberikan harapan palsu kepada bakal-bakal penumpangnya dengan iklan promosi tiket dan juga penggunaan perkataan daripada bahasa Inggeris "coming soon" dan "very soon". 

Berdasarkan pemerhatian penulis, pihak Rayani Air menggunakan perkataan "coming soon" sejak hampir setahun yang lepas lagi. Mereka mempromosikan iklan dengan memasukan perkataan "coming soon" pah ceroh (tiada kesudahannya). Adakah mereka sebenarnya betul-betul faham maksud "coming soon" (akan datang) dan "very soon" (tidak lama lagi dah) dalam konteks atau maksud istilah perniagaan? 

Kempen 'jualan' atau promosi harga tiket Rayani Air di laman Facebook rasminya juga didapati mengalahkan kempen atau promosi jualan tiket syarikat-syarikat penerbangan lain terutamanya AirAsia, Firefly, dan Malindo Air. Perkara ini dipersetujui oleh ahli-ahli laman Facebook rasminya yang memberikan komentar yang sama. 

Lima laluan dari Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) yang sudah dicanang oleh Rayani Air hampir setahun yang lepas ialah Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kota Bharu, Pulau Pinang, dan Pekanbaru (kini diganti dengan Pulau Langkawi). Destinasi-destinasi lain dari Melaka yang akan diadakan ialah Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Alor Setar

Pada 10 Mac 2015 pula, Rayani Air sekali mempromosikan "coming soon" di laman Facebook rasminya dengan cadangan untuk menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIA) sebagai hab keduanya selepas LTM. 

Antara lain, Rayani Air akan beroperasi dari LIA untuk penerbangan ke Pulau Pinang, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kuching, Pekanbaru, Medan, Phuket, Bandung, Melaka, Kuantan, dan Kuala Terengganu. 
Promosi "coming soon" yang diterbitkan di laman Facebook Rayani Air pada 10 Mac 2015. 
Sebelum itu, sepanjang Januari - 9 Mac tahun ini, Rayani Air juga mempromosikan "coming soon" sekurang-kurangnya lapan laluan dari atau ke Kota Bharu, iaitu Melaka, Pulau Langkawi, Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuching, Bandung, dan Singapura

Secara ringkasnya, antara laluan "coming soon" Rayani Air ialah (1) Melaka - Kota Kinabalu; (2) Melaka - Kuching; (3) Melaka - Kota Bharu; (4) Melaka - Pulau Pinang; (5) Melaka - Langkawi; (6) Melaka - Kuantan; (7) Melaka - Kuala Terengganu; (8) Melaka - Alor Setar; (9) Pulau Langkawi - Pulau Pinang; (10) Pulau Langkawi - Kota Kinabalu; (11) Pulau Langkawi - Johor Bahru; (12) Pulau Langkawi - Kota Bharu; (13) Pulau Langkawi - Kuching; (14) Pulau Langkawi - Pekanbaru; (15) Pulau Langkawi - Medan; (16) Pulau Langkawi - Phuket; (17) Pulau Langkawi - Bandung; (18) Pulau Langkawi - Kuantan; (19) Pulau Langkawi - Kuala Terengganu; (20) Kota Bharu - Alor Setar; (21) Kota Bharu - Johor Bahru; (22) Kota Bharu - Ipoh; (23) Kota Bharu - Kuching; (24) Kota bharu - Bandung; dan (25) Kota Bharu - Singapura

Dengan promosi "coming soon" yang boleh dikatakan cukup agresif ini, Rayani Air seolah-olah sudah mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya 10 buah pesawat B737-400 untuk beroperasi 'tidak lama lagi' (very soon). 

Dalam pada itu, pemilik-pemilik kenderaan yang mengambil bahagian dalam kempen menampal pelekat kereta (sticker) yang mempromosikan syarikat penerbangan ini sudah pastinya tidak sabar-sabar lagi untuk mendapatkan baucer tiket penerbangan percuma. 

Kempen menampal pelekat kereta ini telah diadakan dengan agresif sekali pada hujung tahun lepas melibatkan beberapa buah negeri terutamanya Melaka, Kelantan, Pulau Pinang, Kedah, dan sehinggalah ke Selatan Thailand. 

Kempen ini akan mencapai tahap matang, iaitu selepas enam bulan menampal pelekat yang dijangka akan matang pada Mei dan Jun ini. Adakah Rayani Air sudah bersedia untuk menunaikan janji untuk memberikan tiket penerbangan pergi-balik secara percuma kepada semua peserta yang mengambil bahagian nanti? 

Ada kemungkinan besar syarikat-syarikat penerbangan tempatan yang lain terutamanya Malindo Air dan Firefly yang akan terlebih dahulu memasuki pasaran dan membuka laluan baharu nanti. Sebelum ini pun, Malindo Air telah membuka tiga laluan baharu dari Melaka, iaitu Melaka - Pulau Pinang, Melaka - Kota Bharu, dan Melaka - Pekanbaru yang tidak perlu promosi  "coming soon" bagai nak rak pun. 

Ketiga-tiga laluan ini memang dicanangkan oleh Rayani Air terlebih dahulu tetapi Malindo Air yang akhirnya menawarkan perkhidmatan terlebih dahulu. Akhir kata, tunggu sahaja "coming soon" itu!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Firefly dan Malindo Air diminta pertimbang laluan Kota Bharu - Alor Setar dan Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi

SYARIKAT penerbangan tempatan terutamanya Firefly dan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) diminta memperkenalkan laluan Kota Bharu - Alor Setar dan Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi pada tahun ini. 

Hal ini kerana terdapat permintaan yang tinggi bagi kedua-dua laluan ini bukan sahaja oleh rakyat Kelantan tetapi juga rakyat Kedah dan Perlis. 

Laluan Kota Bharu - Alor Setar

Laluan Kota Bharu - Alor Setar bukan sahaja dapat menampung permintaan daripada penduduk Kelantan dan Terengganu Utara tetapi juga penduduk Kedah dan Perlis sekali gus dapat memenuhi permintaan pasaran tiga bandar utama di Kedah dan Perlis, iaitu Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, dan Kangar.  

Ia juga boleh digunakan oleh mereka yang ingin ke Pulau Langkawi melalui Jeti Kuala Kedah yang terletak kira-kira 20 kilometer atau 30 minit perjalanan dari Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim Alor Setar. 

Buat permulaan, mana-mana syarikat penerbangan tempatan yang berminat bolehlah menawarkan penerbangan tiga kali seminggu bagi laluan ini, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu dengan mengadakan penerbangan pada sebelah petang yang diyakini mampu menarik lebih ramai penumpang berbanding penerbangan pada awal pagi, yakni sebelum jam 10:00 pagi.


Laluan Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi

Jika syarikat penerbangan menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Kota Bharu ke Pulau Langkawi pula, para penumpang dari Kota Bharu tidak perlu lagi menaiki feri dari Jeti Kuala Kedah atau Jeti Kuala Perlis atau mengambil penerbangan secara transit untuk ke Pulau Langkawi. 

Laluan Kota Bharu - Pulau Langkawi boleh menarik penumpang terutamanya pelancong asing yang ingin ke Pulau Perhentian dari Pulau Langkawi atau sebaliknya melalui Kota Bharu tanpa perlu lagi mengambil penerbangan secara transit melalui Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang, Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, atau Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur untuk ke Kota Bharu dan sebaliknya.  

Permintaan daripada pelancong domestik juga tinggi bagi laluan ini kerana ketiadaan penerbangan terus dari mana-mana lapangan terbang ibu negeri di Pantai Timur ke Pulau Langkawi yang menyukarkan mereka untuk bercuti di Pulau Langkawi.

Buat permulaan, mana-mana syarikat penerbangan yang berminat bolehlah menawarkan penerbangan empat kali seminggu bagi laluan ini, iaitu setiap hari Ahad, Isnin, Rabu, dan Jumaat.

Untuk melihat sejauh mana sokongan orang ramai bagi kedua-dua laluan ini, silalah layari laman sesawang Facebook: www.faceboook/laluankbas dan www.facebook.com/laluankblangkawi

Lapangan Terbang Ipoh kini tawar penerbangan ke Kota Bharu

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Azlan Shah di bandar raya Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan. 
LAPANGAN Terbang Sultan Azlan Shah (LTSAS) atau dikenali juga sebagai Lapangan Terbang Ipoh kini menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan berjadual ke Kota Bharu, Kelantan sejak 3 Mac lepas. 

Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) telah melancarkan penerbangan sulung bagi laluan ini pada 14 Februari lepas. Namun begitu, perkhidmatan penerbangan secara berjadual hanya bermula pada 3 Mac dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu

Penerbangan OD1725 dari Ipoh ke Kota Bharu dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 12:05 dan dijadualkan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) pada jam 13:15, manakala penerbangan OD1726 dari Kota Bharu ke Ipoh dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 13:40 dan dijadualkan tiba di LTSAS pada jam 14:50. 

Selain Kota Bharu, LTSAS juga menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan berjadual ke Singapura (oleh Firefly), Johor Bahru (Firefly dan Malindo Air), dan juga Medan (Malindo Air dan Sriwijaya Air). 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

AirAsia expands connectivity to India, Indonesia with 3 new routes

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia today announced three new routes, namely, to Visakhapatnam in India, as well as, Pontianak and Medan in Indonesia.

In a statement here today, the low-cost airline said the thrice weekly Kuala Lumpur-Visakhapatnam direct flights would commence on May 7.

The Kuala Lumpur - Pontianak and Johor Bahru - Medan flights would commence on March 27 with twice weekly flights.

Head of Commercial, Spencer Lee said as Visakhapatnam was an up and rising destination for trade and tourism, AirAsia is confident that the move is timely.

"We will also be the first airline to fly direct to Pontianak from Kuala Lumpur. "As a truly ASEAN airline, we are proud to announce the recommencement of the Johor Bahru - Medan direct flight, which will provide enhanced connectivity for customers," he added.

AirAsia is also a offering promotional all-in-fare of RM99 one way for the Kuala Lumpur-Visakhapatnam flight and available for booking from today until March 22 for the travel period of May 7-March 26, 2016.

There will also be a promotional all-in-fare for the Kuala Lumpur - Pontianak flight from RM99 one-way and RM79 one-way for Johor Bahru - Medan.

Both routes are available for booking from today until March 22 and for the travel period between March 27 - March 26, 2016.

Source: The Star Online | 10 March 2015

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Malindo Air tambah satu lagi penerbangan bagi laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu mulai 1 Julai 2015

SYARIKAT penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) menambah satu lagi penerbangan bagi laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu mulai 1 Julai 2015 dengan kekerapan empat kali seminggu. 

Penerbangan OD2306 dari Terminal KLIA 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) ke Kota Bharu dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 18:35 dan dijadualkan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) pada jam 19:35. 

Penerbangan OD2305 dari Kota Bharu ke Kuala Lumpur pula, dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 20:20 dan dijadualkan tiba di KLIA pada jam 21:20. 

Penambahan penerbangan ini menjadikan dua penerbangan sehari ditawarkan bagi laluan ini pada setiap hari Ahad, Isnin, Rabu, dan Jumaat, manakala sekali sehari pada setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu. 

Selain itu, Malindo Air juga menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Kota Bharu ke Subang Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Melaka, dan Ipoh

Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang www.malindoair.com

Penduduk Ledang, Muar, Segamat, dan Tampin boleh ambil penerbangan ke Kota Bharu dari Melaka

Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) yang terletak di Batu Berendam, Melaka yang kini menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan berjadual ke Kota Bharu, Pulau Pinang, dan Pekanbaru (Indonesia). Foto ihsan: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
PERKHIDMATAN penerbangan terus dari Kota Bharu ke Melaka dan sebaliknya  yang diperkenalkan syarikat penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) sejak 22 November tahun lepas bukan setakat memberi manfaat besar kepada penduduk negeri Melaka tetapi juga sebenarnya boleh dimanfaatkan penduduk dari daerah-daerah yang bersempadan dengan negeri Melaka ini

Penduduk dari daerah-daerah Ledang, Muar, dan Segamat di sebelah barat laut negeri Johor dan juga penduduk dari daerah Tampin, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus bolehlah mengambil penerbangan dari Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) untuk ke Kota Bharu, Kelantan dengan mengambil kira kedudukan geografi serta kemudahan infrastruktur jalan raya dan lebuh raya yang cekap menghubungkan daearah-daerah ini dengan negeri Melaka. 

Penerbangan OD1723 dari Kota Bharu ke Melaka dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 13:00 dan dijadualkan tiba di LTM pada jam 14:35, manakala penerbangan OD1724 dari Melaka ke Kota Bharu dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 15:00 dan dijadualkan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) pada jam 16:35. 

Penerbangan ditawarkan pada setiap hari dengan kekerapan sekali sehari atau tujuh kali seminggu sejak 1 Februari lepas. Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang www.malindoair.com