JOHOR BAHRU: Community airline Firefly plans to introduce more flights from the central and northern regions to Senai International Airport here.
Its chief executive officer Ignatius Ong said the airline saw a good demand from travellers in both regions to visit Johor and Singapore.
“We want to further strengthen and position Johor Baru as our southern region hub connecting the city to other parts in the peninsula,” he said recently.
Ong said this at the launch of the Ipoh - Johor Bahru route which would start on Sept 15 by state Tourism executive councillor Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.
He said many travellers from the northern states such as Penang and Kedah were interested to visit theme parks in Johor Bahru and Singapore.
“Those from central region including those from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak like to come to Johor Baru to shop at the Johor Premium Outlets,” said Ong.
He said Johor Baru’s close proximity with Singapore was an added advantage as travellers could have the best of both worlds by visiting two places at one time.
Ong said the airline also hoped to attract Singaporeans to fly to Ipoh from Johor Bahru despite having Firefly flights connecting Ipoh and Singapore.
“Apart from the leisure segment, we are also targeting business travellers in view of development and progress taking place in Iskandar Malaysia,” he said.
Ong said the economic growth corridor would open more investment opportunities; hence demand for air travelling in Johor Bahru would increase in years to come.
Presently, Firefly serves Subang - Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu-Johor Bahru and plans to introduce flights from Penang and Langkawi to Senai in the future.
He said the airline had placed an order for 20 ATR 72-600 series aircraft from France worth RM3bil in late 2012. Delivery of the aircraft have started taking place from last year and expected full delivery by 2017.
Source: The Star Online | 17 July 2014
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