Firefly expects new service to Krabi, Thailand to be well received by Malaysians

Popular destination: Aerial view of the beautiful beaches and coves of Koh Hong. Firefly is launching its service from Penang to Krabi on Sept 16. - Tourism Authority of Thailand

THIS September, travellers from Penang can expect great travel deals to Krabi as community airline Firefly launches its new route from its hub in Penang direct to Krabi.

“We are thrilled to open this new route as part of our expansion plans, as we are always looking for opportunities to expand into the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle,” said Firefly chief executive officer Ignatius Ong.

“Krabi is a popular beach destination for tourists and a favourite among Malaysians, so there is a strong demand for this particular route.”

Over the years, Krabi has joined other popular tourist destinations in the south of Thailand like Phuket and Koh Samui, though it is not nearly as crowded.

A growing number of tourists now flock to Krabi for its picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, authentic Thai dishes and easy access to the beautiful Thai islands in the Andaman Sea.

According to Ong, the decision to set up a flight route to Krabi from its Penang hub instead of Subang stemmed from the fact that there were many other carriers that already serve the route for travellers in the Klang Valley.

“Penang is an important hub for us as it serves our passengers in the north, such as in Medan, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Phuket and Koh Samui,” he said.

“We feel that there is an underserved market in the region so by opening this new route, travellers in the northern states do not have to fly all the way to Kuala Lumpur or Subang to visit Krabi.”

In addition to decent flight rates to Krabi, travellers can also get great deals on hotels and tour packages in Krabi with the help of Firefly Holiday, eliminating the hassle of planning every last detail of their trip.

According to Ong, the delivery of a new ATR 72-600 aircraft in September will bring the fleet size to 15 and they will be looking to expand on their routes and frequencies for the remainder of the year.

“Our forecast from last year is to see a growth in the number of passengers by 20%. With the new route contributing to that growth, we are well on track to our target.”

Firefly will begin serving the Penang-Krabi route from Sept 16 onwards, three times a week. Prices start from RM149 for a one-way all-in fare.

Source: The Star Online | 19 August 2014