Thursday, December 3, 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

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