AirAsia plans to make Kota Bharu Airport its new hub

AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes wants the airline to start international flights out of Kota Bharu Airport in Kelantan. "From Kota Bharu, we're going to start a flight to Medan. This will be the first international flight from Kota Bharu, and [we are planning to fly] to Singapore as well. We will also fly to Indochina from Kota Bharu, but I can't announce the place yet," he said.

Fernandes said that international flights from Kota Bharu Airport will start in 2014. "Just like Kota Kinabalu, Kota Bharu is underutilised. 

We see potential in Kota Bharu, Senai, which is now expanding, and potentially Kuantan." (Financial Daily)

Source: CIMB Daybreak | 24 Oct. 2013

Kota Bharu Airport to be AirAsia's next hub

INDOCHINA REGION: Fernandes says plan will most likely be realised next year

AIRASIA Bhd, the country's leading low-cost carrier, plans to establish the Kota Bharu Airport as its hub for the Indochina region, according to group chief operating officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

Speaking on the sidelines of the second day of the World Capital Markets Symposium, here, yesterday, Fernandes said the company also sees the potential of several other domestic airports becoming regional hubs.

"We also see potential in Senai, Johor, and Kuantan, Pahang. I'd rather let Aireen Omar (AirAsia Bhd chief executive officer ) talk about it as she's the boss," Fernandes said, adding that the plan would most-likely be realised next year.

Fernandes, who earlier conducted a session entitled "Disruptive Innovation: The Future of Business", was asked by a member of the audience whether AirAsia would consider "disrupting the status quo" by using Kota Bharu Airport for Indochina-bound flights.

"I think it is a brilliant idea but unfortunately, before you take credit for it, we're (already) doing it," Fernandes answered, drawing laughter from the the packed hall of 700.

"From Kota Bharu, we are going to start a flight to Medan. We're going to Singapore as well, and Indochina," said Fernandes.

On the 2014 Budget, Fernandes expressed his confidence in the Finance Ministry in managing the country's fiscal deficit effectively.

"Malaysians have to be aware that we need to cut the deficit. There are three ways in addressing the deficit - imposing goods and services tax, cutting spending and increasing productivity."

Fernandes said the budget should support productive industries and entrepreneurs as drivers of the economy, which will then create more jobs and generate tax revenue.

"One very simple thing is to break down monopolies and create fair and well-regulated markets.

"I think the banking industry has done a good job, so as to inject more competition into the market and make companies more productive," he added.

Source: Business Times | 24 Oct. 2013

Firefly posts passenger growth

SUBANG, 28 Aug: Firefly has seen increased passenger growth, with Penang, Kota Bharu and Singapore being the top three destinations in terms of revenue and number of passengers, said its chief executive officer Ignatius Ong.

The short-haul airline company is constantly on the lookout for new destinations within Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (IMT) growth triangle, as well as Singapore, he added. Asked on Firefly’s further expansion plan, Ong does not discount the probability of Firefly venturing into turbojet business in the future, saying “never say never.”

Compared to turbojets which can fly longer hours, turboprops can only travel for maximum 2 hours due to its lower fuel consumption and capacity. This year, Firefly had signed an agreement with Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) to purchase 20 turboprops, which will be delivered in stages from mid-2013 to end-2019. Total purchase amounted to over US$840mil.

The company is currently operating a fleet of 12 ATR 72-500 and 1 ATR 72-600 turboprop out of Penang and Subang. Some of the challenges, in Ong’s view, lie in the stimulation of demand in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, volatility of fuel prices and over-capacity pumped into the market by other players.

“However, we believe we will rise above these challenges because customers have confidence in the quality of services and products we offer,” Ong told reporters at the company’s Hari Raya event, where 40 orphans from Rumah Kesayangan and 12 children from Malaysia Aids Council were brought for a 15-minute plane ride around the hangar at MAS Complex A yesterday.

Firefly will be participating in the Pack and Go Travel Fair held at One Utama from today to Sept 1 to give away attractive deals on flight tickets and holiday packages.

Source: The Star | Business | 28 August 2013 |

Firefly gets first of 20 ATR72-600s

EXPANSION DRIVE: Airline targets Indochina market, mulls 90-seater aircraft

FRESH from receiving the first of 20 ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft that it ordered last December, Firefly chief executive officer Ignatius Ong has hinted the possibility of the airline being a launch customer for Avoids de Transport Regional G.I.E (ATR)'s proposed next-generation turboprop (NGTP) 90-seater aircraft.

"If it is available now, I would grab it," Ong said at a briefing here. "A 90-seater aircraft would fit nicely into Firefly's route expansion plan."

The NGTP, however, is still on the drawing board, with ATR seeking inputs from its customers in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Europe. Malaysia is its biggest customer in the region, counting Firefly, MASWings and Berjaya Air as its clients.

ATR would need at least 50 confirmed orders and 50 options in order to launch the NGTP programme, expected to be in 2019 or 2020. 

"We are aware of the (NGTP). We are considering it as we would be operating into congested airports and with slots being limited, we can put into operation aircraft with higher capacity to help meet the demand," he said.

In the meantime, Firefly will deploy its current fleet of 12 ATR72-500s and the 20 ATR72-600s, which will be delivered between now and 2016, on existing and new routes. 

It currently operates 25 routes, 10 of which are in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.  Last year, it carried 1.7 million passengers.

It is set to make Kota Bharu and Johor Bahru as its hubs and expand its network to Indochina, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, as early as next year following the introduction of the ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft into its fleet.

Kota Bharu will serve points in southern Thailand while Johor Bahru will service Sumatra. Firefly will commence the Johor Bahru-Pekan Baru service in August.

It currently operates out of Subang and Penang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle. Ong said Firefly will exercise the option for 16 additional ATR72-600s once all of its confirmed orders are delivered by 2016.

This would see Firefly phasing out the older ATR72-500s from 2015 onwards as Ong plans for Firefly to own and operate a fleet of aircraft with an average age of three years.

Earlier, he received Firefly's first ATR72-600 from ATR chief executive Filippo Bagnato in a simple ceremony at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport in France. The second turboprop aircraft will be delivered later this year, with three planned for next year. 

The aircraft flew out of the airport yesterday and will be making four stops - three night stops in Greece, Oman and Maldives and one refuelling stop in Bahrain - before arriving at the Subang Airport on Sunday evening. The new aircraft will begin operations on July 12.

Source: Business Times (www.btimes.com.my) | 5 July 2013 |

Firefly takes delivery first of 20 new ATRs

TOULOUSE, (France): Community airline Firefly has taken delivery of the first of 20 ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft it ordered last December, bringing the total number of aircraft in its fleet to 13. The other 12 aircraft in the Firefly fleet are the 70-seater ATR72-500s.

The ATR72-600s will be delivered in phases within the next five to six years. Besides the 20 confirmed orders, Firefly has an option to acquire 16 more of the ATR72-600s.

Firefly chief executive officer Ignatius Ong received the aircraft from ATR chief executive officer Filippo Bagnato in a simple ceremony here. 

The aircraft was ferried home out of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport yesterday. The flight will make four stops - three night stops in Greece, Oman and Maldives and one refuelling stop in Bahrain - before arriving Subang Airport on Sunday evening.

The new aircraft will begin operations on July 12 to Johor Bahru. Ong said the new aircraft is part of Firefly's growth and expansion plan as well as our continous effort to serve our customers better.

"Our exclusive ATR72 fleet has allowed us to develop a unique high frequency network out of Subang, Penang and Johor Bahru. "The ATR aircraft are unrivalled in terms if passenger comfort and environmentally friendliness. This will further improve guests' experience."

The wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines currently operates out of Subang and Penang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore.

Source: Business Times (www.btimes.com.my) | 04 July 2013 | 

Firefly welcomes its first ATR 72-600

Malaysian carrier starts fleet upgrade to rapidly expand its route network

Firefly welcomes its first ATR 72-600 (c) ATR

Firefly, Malaysia Airlines' subsidiary carrier has today taken ownership of its first brand-new ATR 72-600. The aircraft is the first of 20 latest generation firm ATRs, plus 16 options, ordered by Malaysia Airlines in December 2012. Firefly currently operates 12 ATR 72-500s, and with the arrival of the new ATR 72-600s will almost triple its exclusively ATR 72 aircraft fleet, taking the total to over 30 aircraft.

With this significant fleet expansion Firefly will rapidly increase capacity on their domestic network augmenting flight frequencies on routes to key destinations in Subang, Penang, Kota Bahru and Johor Bahru. The airline will also be able to boost their regional offering ensuring its customers better connectivity within the ASEAN network, -specially Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore-, thus reinforcing the position of Firefly in these markets and key business routes.

The new-generation ATR-600s are equipped with a new full-glass cockpit and feature a high comfort layout seating 72 passengers with larger overhead bins. In addition to the performance advantages and enhanced comfort, these aircraft offer an improved operational flexibility for the airline.

The freshly delivered ATR 72-600 will enter into service this month. The aircraft's first commercial flight should take place following its arrival in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang on 12 July, 2013, when the ATR 72-600 takes off for Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

“We have been looking forward to this day for quite some time now. We are thrilled to finally receive our new aircraft. Our exclusive ATR 72 fleet has allowed us to develop a unique high frequency network out of Subang, Penang, Kota Bahru and Johor Bahru. Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle communities, their population and economy will also capitalise on this important investment”, says Ignatius Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Firefly.

"We are very proud that the new ATR aircraft is here to launch Firefly's fleet expansion,” said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. “It is great to see the ATR 72s play an integral role in Firefly's success. The airline is exclusively relying on the ATR 72s to expand its business and its presence as a major actor of the regional aviation in South East Asia. The partnership is being very fruitful, and Firefly can definitely benefit from the many advantages of the ATR aircraft.” He added “We are pleased to introduce today the latest generation aircraft ATR 72-600 into the Malaysian market./ This aircraft offers the best operating economics of any aircraft in its seat category, as well as top-class standards of comfort and cabin interior designs”.

About the ATR 72-600:

• Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
• Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
• Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
• Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
• Maximum payload: 7,500 Kg
• Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)

About Firefly:

Firefly, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, began operations in April 2007. Currently, it operates a fleet of 12 ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore. Firefly provides incredible value as well as convenient flight timings and excellent service to its passengers. 

About ATR:

Founded in 1981, ATR has become the world leader on the market for regional aircraft with 90 seats or less. Since its creation, ATR has sold over 1,300 aircraft. ATR planes are represented in the fleets of 180 operators in 90 countries and have totaled over 21 million flight hours. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Group company) and EADS. Its head office is in Toulouse. ATR is ISO 14001 certified. This is the international standard in the field of environmental friendliness.

Source: EADS (www.eads.com) | 5 July 2013 |

Firefly to expand into Indochina

TOULOUSE, (FRANCE): Community airline, Firefly, is planning to expand its service into Indochina in an effort to boost the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Firefly chief executive officer Ignatius Ong said the airline planned to implement the new initiative now that it has taken delivery of the first turboprop regional aircraft from Avions de Transport Regional (ATR).

"We will focus on new routes in Indo China which is to Vietnam and Cambodia from next year onwards," he told reporters after taking delivery of the ATR 72-600 aircraft from Avions de Transport Regional on Wednesday.

Firefly purchased 20 units of the 72-seater airplane from ATR which will be delivered in stages until 2019. The company, which is targetting a revenue of RM350 million this year and flies 25 routes in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airline which began operations in April 2007.

With 12 aircrafts, Firefly's passengers grew from 100,000 at the beginning to 1.2 million passengers last year.  Ong said in materialising the new route, the company planned to make the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, as its hub for Indochina flights. 

Commenting on ATR's plan to manufacture the 90-seater regional aircraft, he said: "If the opportunity knocks I will sure grab it." He said Firefly would fully support ATR's initiative to manufacture the new aircraft as it would be a practical choice for the airline to use the 90-seater aircraft to meet demand. 

Meanwhile, ATR chief executive officer Filippo Banagto said the matter was still under discussion especially with its shareholders as it would involve engineering modification. 

"We have received requests from Firefly and Latin America for the design but the main focus for us right now is to complete aircraft orders in hand," he said, adding that Firefly was ATR's bluechip customer. 

Ong said, to proceed with the design, ATR must at least secure orders for 100 units of the 90-seater aircraft and receive approval from company shareholders.-- Bernama

Source: Business Times | 4 July 2013 |