Perlis needs an airport

KUALA LUMPUR: Some have joked that if Perlis had an airport, the plane may accidentally taxi into Thailand upon landing, owing to the small size of the state.

The joke surfaced in the early 80s after a suggestion in a political forum for the smallest Malaysian state to have its own airport as a means to boost development.

Certain quarters have viewed the idea as ludicrous due to the amount of space that would be needed to build an airport in the 820sqkm state.

Furthermore, the Sultan Abdul Halim airport in Alor Setar is only 40km away from Kangar. The idea was soon forgotten, but resurfaced some two decades later.

PERLIS NEEDS AN AIRPORT

The proposal did not come from a politician, economist or the people of Perlis. It came from the state prince himself, who is known for his insight in the economic and tourism sectors.

The Perlis Raja Muda, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, believed that an airport could attract foreign investors, in addition to easing travel for the people of the state and those around it.

He saw Chuping Valley, an upcoming centre for major development, as a potential location for the airport. The area is located near the Thailand border.

"We are asking for an airport not because Perlis does not have one, but because of geographical and economical factors", he said during an event at Padang Besar here, recently.

He said the airport could be on a sharing basis with Thailand in terms of land usage, building costs, revenue, as well as terminal and runway use.

The prince who had experience in the industry said the concept would be similar to the one that has been practiced by Switzerland and France for decades.

In 1995, the prince was the Malaysia Airlines Area Manager in Madrid and was in charge of Spain and Portugal, before being relocated to Zurich in 1998, where he was in charge of Switzerland, Austria and Central Europe.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said if the federal government could consider building a new airport in Kulim (Kedah) or upgrading the Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang, it would not be wrong for it to also consider building an airport in Perlis.

ECONOMIC BOOST

An airport would undoubtedly bode well for the development of Perlis, northern Kedah and southern Thailand.

If the project is realised, it would complement the upcoming electric train service from Padang Besar to Johor Baharu.

It would also complement the state-of-the-art dry port that the state government was planning to build in Padang Besar to encourage import and export activities.

A businessman and former political leader in Perlis, Datuk Hashim Suboh, told Bernama that he also saw an airport a necessity in the state.

Hashim said there was an existing 800-metre runway in a site at Sungai Batu Pahat that was used for an international air carnival in 1998.

He said by adding another 200 metres to the runway, it would meet the minimum one kilometre needed for a small passenger plane to land, making it an ideal site for the new airport.

The former Perlis Umno Information Chief said in addition to that site, another potential location for an airport was the area off the shores of Kuala Perlis.

PROPOSAL

The Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said the state government has forwarded the proposal to the federal government for consideration. The project was aimed for implementation in the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Azlan believed that the availability of air transportation would indirectly help generate income for the state. It would also attract investors and boost the tourism sector.

 

Source: Bernama | By Adnan Jahaya | 30 Sept. 2014

British Airways back to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: British Airways, which is spending £5 billion (RM26.13 billion) for the renewal of its aircrafts globally, will resume the Kuala Lumpur - London route, more than a decade after it was suspended in 2001.

Its area general manager for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Jamie Cassidy (pic) said the Asia Pacific region has become increasingly important for the aviation industry, citing the "timing is right" for a comeback in Malaysia. 

"This decision has been years in the making… We have seen a lot of development in Malaysia, and now about 460,000 people travel between UK and Kuala Lumpur, so it is a huge market," he said, adding that 70,000 Malaysia students are studying in the UK.

Cassidy believes the new route between Kuala Lumpur and London will also get the benefit from the group's total investment of £5 billion for the delivery of a huge number of aircrafts.

"Obviously one of the biggest investments in the airline is starting a new route, putting multi-million pounds into a destination," he added.

He stressed that the group is still expanding its business footprints despite the challenges in the aviation sector.

When asked of its competition with Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) on the same route, Cassidy said collaborative efforts can be pursued but one should not just be seen as a competitor to another, considering both are members of the One World Alliance.

Meanwhile, in a statement released yesterday, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said MAHB has been working closely with British Airways in planning the recommencement of British Airways' flights to Kuala Lumpur for several years.

"This decision encapsulates the collaboration and partnership that had existed between the airline and MAHB," he added.

British Airways will resume direct daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to London from May 27, 2015, and will be operated by Boeing 777-200ERs aircraft. It began selling flight tickets as of yesterday evening.

The Kuala Lumpur-London route was suspended in 2001 due to a slowdown in the global travel industry after the 9/11 incident. Currently British Airways serves 175 cities in 75 countries.

Source: The Sun Daily Online | 18 Sept. 2014

BA resumes KL - London direct flights, high passenger traffic seen

British Airways area general manager for Asia Pacific, Middle east and Africa, Jamie Cassidy

KUALA LUMPUR: After a hiatus of more than a decade, British Airways (BA) will resume daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to London from May 27, 2015.

“It’s wonderful to be back in Malaysia. We’re starting the new flights in response to strong demand for direct flights to Kuala Lumpur,” Jamie Cassidy, BA area general manager for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa told StarBiz. 

Cassidy said Malaysia was becoming increasingly important and had a huge market. He noted that there were about 460,000 passengers flying the KL-London route per annum.

“As Malaysia’s economy grows, it is becoming an even more important trading partner for the UK, and Britain has long been a favourite destination for Malaysians to shop, experience historical sites, culture, and study,” he said.

Cassidy said the carrier had been spreading its wings in Asia for the past few years, with the latest destinations being Haneda, Japan, and Chengdu, China. BA is also a member of the oneworld alliance.

He explained that its expansion came especially after a £5bil investment in planes, network and equipment. “We’re very excited. We have a long history in Malaysia. We started flying to Malaysia in 1933 and took nine days to get here. It takes just more than 12 hours to reach KL,” he said. 

The airline suspended services to KL in 2001 as global travel slowed after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

For the time being, Cassidy said BA would take “one step at a time”. For now, he said it would be a point-to-point flight, but noted that it had a big network of over 75 countries. 

Without disclosing its expected load factor, Cassidy was confident of a successful load from KL to London.
BA will be also setting up a commercial team with a small office in Malaysia. 

He said its investment to commence flights to KL included the planes plying the route, an office as well as human resources. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has been pursuing BA in the past years. So far, the airport operator has been fairly successful in wooing some carriers to return to Kuala Lumpur.

Cassidy disclosed that BA had been in talks with MAHB for “several years”. MAHB adviser Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, who has been instrumental in bringing BA back, said the carrier had been a major airline operating to Malaysia for many years and had played a major role in providing travel connectivity to Malaysia. 

“Following its withdrawal during the financial crisis in 2001, we have been engaging BA to evaluate the resumption of services to the KL International Airport (KLIA).

“Discussions were held involving market research studies, the right choice of aircraft, convenient landing slots, level of frequencies and pricing. This was to ensure that not only the services will be viable, but also sustainable for the future,” he said when contacted.

Bashir also said BA’s announcement demonstrated its confidence on the Malaysian economy, tourism potential and travel demand.

Managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said: “We’re very excited about the return of BA to KLIA. It joins other European carriers (KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines) that have made KL one of their primary destinations in South-East Asia.”

BA will be the only airline to offer premium economy seats between London and Kuala Lumpur. The daily service will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World business class, 32 in World Traveller Plus premium economy class and 127 in World Traveller economy class. 

The flight’s early morning arrival in London allows passengers a full day in the city to catch connecting flights to other destinations in the UK and Europe.

Tickets will go on sale today and may be booked at ba.com. All-inclusive return fares start from RM3,696 for world traveller economy class.

Source: The Star Online | 18 Sept. 2014

British Airways to resume Kuala Lumpur ― London flights

KUALA LUMPUR: British Airways will resume direct daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to London from May 27, 2015, after suspending the route in 2001 as global travel slowed down after the September 11 bombing of the New York World Trade Centre. 

Area General Manager for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Jamie Cassidy said the airline was trying to get back into Malaysia for a long time. “Starting a new route is a big investment and we will not do it if we were not confident of its prospects.

“This area of the world is very important to us given the increasing traffic volume as the world is moving to the East. Asia-Pacific will be more and more important for the global aviation sector,” he told a press conference here today. Cassidy said Malaysia Airports was very helpful in according access to the airline.

British Airways KL-London flight tickets will be on sale today with an all-inclusive return fare starting from RM3,696 for World Traveller economy class, RM5,390 for World Traveller Plus premium economy class, RM15,264 for Club World business class and RM29,658 for First Class. 

The airline is the only one to offer premium economy seating between London and Kuala Lumpur. Regional Commercial Manager for Southeast Asia Robert Williams said the daily service would be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER which will leave Kuala Lumpur at 11:05 pm local time and arrive in London at 5.25am the next morning. 

“The flight’s early morning arrival in London allows passengers a full day in the city or plenty of time to catch easy and convenient connecting flights to other destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe,” he added.

Source: Bernama | 17 Sept. 2014

BA to go back to Kuala Lumpur

British Airways is to resume direct flights from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur in summer 2015.

The daily service from Terminal 5 will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World, 32 in World Traveller Plus and a further 127 in World Traveller.

Flights begin on May 27, 2015. British Airways last flew to the Malaysian capital in 2001. Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of business strategy, said: “We have been working to resume flights to Kuala Lumpur for a long time, so it’s wonderful to be back in the heart of Malaysia once again.

“We are re-starting the route in response to commercial demand from our customers who have been asking us for direct British Airways flights to Kuala Lumpur, which opens up new connecting routes around the region.

“A thriving economy offers fantastic opportunities for UK businesses, while holiday-makers can enjoy some stunning destinations around the country and beyond.”

Kuala Lumpur is the world’s largest aviation hub not currently served directly by British Airways, and a major centre for oneworld airlines. Malaysia itself has strong ties with the UK and a large, rapidly growing economy with a focus on international trade.

British Airways, known then as Imperial Airways, first began flying to Malaysia on December 9, 1933. The flight from London Croydon Airport, made 22 stops before eventually reaching Alor Star (now Alor Setar) nine days later.

The airline’s first flight to Kuala Lumpur took off on August 1, 1956 when BOAC operated a Canadair Argonaut ‘Coronet’ aircraft on the outbound route and a Lockheed Constellation ‘Majestic’ on the return.

The airline has given the route the same flight numbers it previously operated with before 2001. The BA033 will depart T5 daily at 8.15pm, arriving into Kuala Lumpur 12 hours 45 minutes, later at 4pm (local). The returning BA034 will leave Kuala Lumpur at 11.05pm (local) and arrive back into Heathrow’s T5 at 5.25am the next morning.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the managing director of Malaysia Airports, said: “I greatly welcome the return of British Airways to Malaysia. 

“I believe this new route will have a very positive economic, political, social and cultural impact on both countries and it underlines the strength and vibrancy of the air travel market between them.

"Malaysia Airports has been working closely with British Airways for several years in planning the resumption of its flights to Kuala Lumpur. I wish them the best in their preparations to reconnect the two great cities of London and Kuala Lumpur and am confident it will enhance the airline’s huge global network.”

British Airways is investing more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

Source: Advance (http://www.adsadvance.co.uk)

Kuala Lumpur back on BA’s network

British Airways is to relaunch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur in summer 2015.

Operated by a four-cabin, 219-seat B777-200ER aircraft, the daily service takes off from London Heathrow on May 27. The carrier last flew to the Malaysian capital in 2001.

Kuala Lumpur is the world’s largest aviation hub not currently served directly by British Airways, and a major centre for oneworld alliance members, the airline stated. Malaysia itself has strong ties with the UK and a large, rapidly growing economy with a focus on international trade.

British Airways, known then as Imperial Airways, first began flying to Malaysia on December 9, 1933. The flight from London Croydon Airport made 22 stops before eventually arriving at Alor Setar 9 days later.

Noting that BA has been working to resume flights to Kuala Lumpur for several years, it's director of business strategy, Lynne Embleton, commented: “We are restarting the route in response to commercial demand from customers for direct flights, which opens new connecting routes around the region.

“A thriving economy offers fantastic opportunities for UK businesses, while holiday-makers can enjoy some stunning destinations around the country and beyond.”

Managing director of Malaysia Airports, Datuk Badisham Ghazali, added: “I believe this new route will have a very positive economic, political, social and cultural impact on both countries and it underlines the strength and vibrancy of the air travel market between them.”

Source: Routes News (http://www.routes-news.com)

Kerajaan Pusat sedia tambah baik Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra

PENGKALAN KUBOR: Kerajaan sedia mempertimbangkan permintaan supaya Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra di Kota Bharu diperbesarkan dan diberi penambahbaikan bagi menampung pengguna yang semakin bertambah.

Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi (gambar) berkata, kementerian bersedia mempertimbangkan permintaan itu dengan menggunakan kemudahan dan peruntukan yang sedia ada.

"Ada permintaan untuk membesarkan lapangan terbang. Saya dimaklumkan lapangan terbang di Kota Bharu telah mula sesak. Ini (permintaan) pun kerajaan akan pertimbangan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan program khas Advokasi Keselamatan Jalan Raya di Sekolah Kebangsaan Bunohan di sini, Rabu.

Katanya, beliau telah memaklumkan perkara itu kepada calon Barisan Nasional (BN) di Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri Pengkalan Kubor, Mat Razi Mat Ail.

"Saya membuka pintu (pejabat) seluas-luasnya kepada semua rakyat khususnya kepada pemimpin untuk memberi kemudahan yang ada di Kementerian Pengangkutan.

"Kita uruskan sistem pengangkutan awam darat, laut dan udara. Pengangkutan laut pun jika ada keperluan, kita akan tingkatkan ekonomi dalam soal pelabuhan di negeri ini," katanya.

Mengenai PRK Pengkalan Kubor, beliau yakin bahawa rakyat lebih yakin dengan BN yang telah memberikan khidmat selama tiga penggal.

Katanya, walaupun wujud kerajaan berbeza di negeri dan pusat, tetapi telah terbukti bahawa kerajaan BN mampu menawarkan nikmat kehidupan yang lebih baik kepada rakyat.

"Banyak peruntukan telah dinikmati masyarakat di sini walaupun ia terletak di bawah Parlimen PAS. Malah masyarakat hari ini lebih rasional dalam berdepan realiti sebenar," katanya.

PRK DUN Pengkalan Kubor diadakan selepas Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar, 57, meninggal dunia akibat kanser hati pada 20 Ogos.

BN mempertaruhkan pengasas sekolah pondok Mat Razi Mat Ail, manakala PAS meletakkan Setiausaha PAS Tumpat, Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim dan seorang lagi calon Bebas Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

Sumber: mStar Online | 17 Sept. 2014

Firefly to link Krabi with Penang

REGIONAL short-haul airline Firefly will launch the maiden flight of its Krabi-Penang connection this week, the airline says. 

The Malaysia Airlines subsidiary said the first flight linking the two major tourist destinations will be inaugurated on Thursday. It will offer a flight every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the new route.

The Malaysian carrier is based in Subang and Penang airports and services secondary destinations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and southern Thailand.

Source: Bangkok Post | 7 Sept. 2014

Penerbangan pertama Malindo Air KL - Bandung pada 19 Disember 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan hibrid, Malindo Air bersedia melancarkan perkhidmatan harian antara Terminal 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Husein Sastranegara, Bandung, Indonesia pada 19 Disember 2014 ini.

Penerbangan itu akan berlepas dari Kuala Lumpur pada jam 1 tengah hari dan tiba di Bandung pada 2.05 petang, manakala penerbangan pulang dari Bandung akan berlepas pada 2.45 petang dan tiba di KLIA pada jam 5.50 petang. .

Tambang promosi istimewa bermula daripada RM99, termasuk untuk perjalanan sehala bagi kelas ekonomi dan RM599 untuk perjalanan sehala kelas bisnes.

Berkuat kuasa 26 Oktober 2014, Malindo Air juga akan memulakan perkhidmatan harian ke Kota Bharu dari Terminal 2, KLIA.

Malindo Air to debut KL - Bandung flight December 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Hybrid airline, Malindo Air is set to launch daily services between KLIA 2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung, Indonesia on Dec 19, 2014.

The flight will depart Kuala Lumpur at 1 pm and arrive in Bandung at 2.05 pm, while the return flight from Bandung will depart at 2.45 pm and arrive at KLIA 2 at 5.50 pm, it said in a statement here Wednesday.

Special promotional fares start from RM99 all-inclusive one way for economy class and RM599 all-inclusive one way for business class.

Effective Oct 26, 2014, Malindo Air will also commence daily services to Kota Bharu from KLIA 2.

Currently, Malindo Air operates eight daily services between Subang and Kota Bharu using its ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft.

Source: Bernama | 10 Sept. 2014

MALINDO AIR | KUALA LUMPUR - BANDUNG | KUALA LUMPUR - KOTA BHARU | SUBANG - KOTA BHARU | TERMINAL 1 | TERMINAL 2 | KLIA

Malindo Air perkenal laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu

Kempen promosi dan jualan tiket bagi laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu telah bermula sejak 8 September 2014.

SYARIKAT penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) akan memperkenal satu lagi laluan baharu, iaitu Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Bharu (KBR) mulai 26 Oktober 2014 (Ahad) dengan kekerapan sekali sehari, iaitu pada sebelah awal pagi. 

Penerbangan ini menggunakan pesawat jenis B737-900ER dengan kapasiti 192 tempat duduk, iaitu 12 tempat duduk kelas perniagaan dan 180 tempat duduk kelas ekonomi. Penggunaan pesawat jenis B737-900ER menjadikan pesawat komersial terbesar yang dikendalikan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) selain B737-800 (Malaysia Airlines) dan A320-200 (AirAsia) mulai 26 Oktober 2014 nanti.

Berdasarkan pengalaman penulis sendiri yang mengambil penerbangan ke Jakarta dari Kuala Lumpur dengan Malindo Air baru-baru ini, pesawat B737-900ER milik Malindo Air cukup selesa dengan ruang yang lebih luas dan cukup santai jika dibandingkan dengan tempat duduk premium dan tempat duduk biasa di dalam penerbangan AirAsia.

Penerbangan OD2302 dari Terminal 2 (Terminal KLIA 2), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 07:00 dan dijadualkan tiba di LTSIP pada jam 07:55, manakala penerbangan OD2301 dari Kota Bharu ke Kuala Lumpur dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 08:30 dan dijadualkan tiba di KLIA pada jam 09:30. 

Malindo Air juga menggunakan kemudahan titi udara (aerobridge)  bukan sahaja di Terminal 2, KLIA tetapi juga di LTSIP untuk keselesaan penumpang tanpa mengenakan caj tambahan ke atas penumpang dan tidak seperti AirAsia yang mengenakan caj tambahan sebanyak RM3.00 bagi yuran KLIA 2 (KLIA 2 fees) bagi setiap penumpang yang berlepas dari Terminal 2, KLIA.

Pada ketika ini Malindo Air ada menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Kota Bharu ke Kuala Lumpur (Subang) dan Pulau Pinang serta sebaliknya. Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang www.malindoair.com.

MALINDO AIRWAYS | MALINDO AIR | B737-900ER |  TERMINAL 2 KLIA | 26 OKTOBER 2014 | TITI UDARA | KUALA LUMPUR - KOTA BHARU | KUALA LUMPUR (SUBANG) - KOTA BHARU | PULAU PINANG - KOTA BHARU | KOTA BHARU GERBANG PANTAI TIMUR

Kolumnis: KB perlu peningkatan, Kulim pula mahu lapangan terbang

RAMAI politikus kemaruk kuasa kerana kuasa boleh menjadikan mereka kaya-raya justeru guling-mengguling dalam parti dan kerajaan biasa.

Apa lagi apabila kerakusan menyerang atau assault seseorang terutama jika orang itu “political animal” yakni dia sebagai bandingan sahaja, seekor anjing kurus lapar.

Dalam politik, perang dan percintaan semuanya “halal”  maka janganlah, tegas Speaking, “take offence” jika seorang itu disifatkan “political animal” atau anjing lapar.

Sebenarnya, seorang political animal harus berbangga kerana itu pengakuan daripada musuh dan lawan “grudging admiration”. Apa pun anggaplah gelaran itu sebagai metafor sahaja.

Tidak kelainan political animal wujud di mana sahaja: di Pulau Pinang, Putrajaya, Kota Bharu, Shah Alam, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu hatta di Kangar pun. Yang membezakan hanya tahap atau darjah kegelojohan mereka.

Sungguhpun saya sudah 24 tahun tidak wakil rakyat dan ketua bahagian Umno sejak 1996, saya selalu pulang ke kampung dan ke bekas kawasan parlimen saya iaitu Machang dan Kok Lanas yang di timurnya hingga ke Bukit Yong sempadan Kelantan - Terengganu, ke hulu hingga ke Temangan dan Batu 30, sempadan Ketereh - Kadok di hilir dan ke barat sepanjang tebing sungai Kelantan antara Kampung Tokong ke Kusial.

Banyak perubahan dan kemajuan fizikal telah berlaku, baik dan kurang baik. Pemikiran penduduk  telah  maju ke depan, progresif tetapi majoriti masih konservatif dalam pendekatan mereka.

Apa pun perhati Speaking, "they have done quite well though there is room for improvement”. Lazimnya saya pulang melalui udara (MAS kerana saya frequent traveller), jarang sangat melalui kereta kecuali saya mahu singgah di Gua Musang makan ikan sungai segar khusus ikan jelawat.

Satu lagi sebab saya kurang naik mobil terlalu lama masa perjalanan antara enam tujuh jam kalau ikut undang-undang, lebih kurang sama dengan masa ke Makkah melalui kapal terbang! Dengar cerita dari kawan dan waris yang pulang berhari raya ke kampung tahun ini, perjalanan makan masa antara  16 dan 17 jam - 5 jam lama dari Kuala Lumpur ke Heathrow!

Trafik di jalan raya amat teruk di antara Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Machang, Kok Lanas ke Kota Bharu sama ada via jalan Pangkal Gong ke Kota atau Pulai Chondong ke Kok Lanas dan Wakaf Che Yeh.

Atau jalan Kok Lanas ke Kota Bharu melalui Selising. Traffic jam, chaos dan machet akan terus berlarutan  makin buruk tahun demi tahun kecuali highway enam atau lapan lanes/lorong dibina sama ada oleh kerajaan pusat atau negeri.

Saya tidak kisah siapa tetapi yang mampu berbuat demikian segera adalah Putrajaya. Kenapa orang Kelantan  termasuk penyokong Umno terus didera?

Kewajipan utama kerajaan di Putrajaya membuktikan pembangunan dinikmati semua rakyat, kekayaan negara diagih dengan adil di seluruh wilayah dan mengikut keperluan geopolitik.

Dari segi kegiatan bisnes, pelancongan dan kegunaan - tidak payah kira potensinya - Kota Bharu, suka duka, lebih jauh di depan Alor Setar, Kuala Terengganu juga Kuantan ketika ini. Saya tidak envy atau iri hati pada lapangan terbang di ibu kota Kedah, Terengganu dan Pahang. Saya mahu ketiga-tiga lapangan terbang ini lebih hebat dan canggih lagi.

Saya hanya minta treatment yang sama diberi kepada ibu negeri Kelantan. Mengikut statistik pada 2012 seramai 1,259,205 penumpang telah menggunakan lapangan terbang Pengkalan Chepa (Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra). Dan pada akhir tahun ini atau selewatnya tahun depan dijangka 1.5 milion penumpang akan melalui Pengkalan Chepa.

Lapangan terbang Alor Setar (Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim) dua tahun lepas merekodkan hanya sebanyak 433,644 penumpang sahaja.

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ahmad Shah di Kuantan mencatat hanya 280,074 penumpang sepanjang tahun 2012. Sila lihat laman web http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/. Jelas Pengkalan Chepa lebih ramai ketibaan dan pelepasan, lagipun Pengkalan Chepa menguruskan 31 penerbangan MAS, AirAsia, Firefly dan Malindo setiap hari.

Nyata lapangan terbang Pengkalan Chepa tersibuk di timur Semenanjung. Saya harap Kerajaan “1 Malaysia” Najib Tun Razak akan mengambil kira situasi ini dan melakukan apa yang wajar agar keadilan dan “business sense” kelihatan wujud.

Kalaupun hendak mengadakan lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Kulim saya setuju, pembesaran lapangan terbang di Bayan Lepas pun bisa.

Tidak rugi membesarkan lapangan terbang lama dan mengadakan yang baharu kerana satu hari kita terpaksa berbuat demikian berdasarkan pada speed kemajuan dan pembangunan yang sedang dan akan berlaku dalam dekad akan datang.

Impak membina Kulim  International Airport (KIA) besar pada pertumbuhan ekonomi di utara Semenanjung dan selatan Thailand.

Boleh diterima juga hujah kesesakan trafik di Bayan Lepas, ketiadaan perkhidmatan kargo di situ telah menggesa Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir mencadangkan pembinaan KIA yang akan membuka banyak peluang pekerjaan di Kedah, juga KIA akan menjadi tarikan pelabur asing untuk beroperasi di Taman Teknologi Tinggi Kulim.

Pada umumnya, hobi majoriti orang Kelantan bola sepak, hiburan, makan minum, naik haji dan umrah, menziarahi Baitulmuqaddis, Istanbul, Kaherah, juga Eropah, Amerika, Golok dan Hatyai! Tidak kurang pula yang berani berpoligami! Kerana kegilaan orang Kelantan pada bola sepak negeri itu memerlukan stadium baharu kerana Stadium Sultan Mohammad IV di tengah pusat bandar Kota Bharu kecil dan tidak muat ramai, apatah lagi kalau Kelantan bermain dengan Terengganu!

Justeru wajar stadium itu dipindah dan tempat yang dikosongkan dijadikan Central Park atau Hyde Park Kota Bharu. Kota Bharu kini tidak ada satu park atau dataran yang boleh dibanggakan.

Orang Kota Bharu dan rakyat Kelantan deserve sebuah  taman dan dataran yang boleh mereka bersantai dan bersiar serta makan angin. Stadium baharu boleh dibina sama ada di Sungai Bagan, Selising, Labok atau Kok Lanas.

Pada saya tiada risiko melaksanakan apa yang diperlukan di Kelantan, juga di Kedah mahupun di Pulau Pinang.

Seperti ditegaskan oleh Speaking: “unconstrained politicking could create adverse circumstances that both sides would suffer” -  politiking keterlaluan merugikan kedua belah. Rakyat dan negara khususnya di Kelantan, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang menanggung kerugian.

Saya baru balik dari Pulau Pinang. Lapangan terbang Bayan Lepas memang sibuk juga trafik dalam bandar raya George Town ke Batu Feringhi walaupun tidak seburuk seperti di Kuala Lumpur.

Trafik dalam bandar Kota Bharu teruk. Mengambil bagasi di lapangan terbang Pengkalan Chepa adakala masa menunggu lebih lama dari di Heathrow!

Saya diberitahu tidak cukup handlers dan masih menggunakan manual! Alor Setar? No problem! Sunyi dan sepi terutama di lapangan terbang dan dalam bandar trafik lengang berbanding dengan Kota Bharu dan George Town.

Sumber: Sinar Harian | Kolumnis | Oleh Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad | 17 Ogos 2014

LEBUH RAYA | LAPANGAN TERBANG ANTARABANGSA KOTA BHARU (KBIA) | STADIUM BAHARU |  KESESAKAN LALU LINTAS YANG TERUK | LAYANAN YANG SAMA DIBERIKAN | POLITIKING KETERLALUAN MERUGIKAN KEDUA BELAH PIHAK

Rayani Air mula operasi domestik mulai Januari tahun depan

MELAKA: Syarikat penerbangan baharu, Rayani Air Sdn. Bhd. (Rayani Air) dijangka memulakan operasinya di Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) Batu Berendam di sini, Januari tahun depan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Ravi Alagendrran berkata, pihaknya kini sudah bersedia sepenuhnya untuk memulakan operasi di lapangan terbang berkenaan dengan buat permulaan menggunakan dua pesawat jenis Fokker-ATR 72.

Menurutnya, menerusi persetujuan bersama antara Rayani Air dengan kerajaan negeri, sebanyak lima laluan turut diperkenalkan termasuklah Melaka - Pulau Pinang - Melaka, Melaka - Langkawi - Melaka, Melaka - Kota Bharu - Melaka, Melaka - Kuching - Melaka dan Melaka - Kota Kinabalu - Melaka.

“Rayani Air bakal menampilkan kelainan dari segi perkhidmatan agar tidak membebankan pengguna malah menawarkan tiket pada harga berpatutan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui pada Pameran Pelancongan Antarabangsa Melaka (MITS) Persatuan Ejen Pelancongan dan Pengembaraan Malaysia (MATTA Fair) Melaka 2014 yang dirasmikan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Idris Haron di Pusat Dagangan Antarabangsa Melaka (MITC), Ayer Keroh di sini semalam.

Yang hadir sama Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Naim Abu Bakar; Timbalan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Pembangunan Pantai, Sungai dan Pulau-pulau negeri, Datuk Ghazale Muhamad dan Presiden MATTA Malaysia, Hamzah Rahmat.

Jelas Ravi, pihaknya bagaimanapun sedang menunggu Lesen Perkhidmatan Udara (ASL) daripada Jabatan Penerbangan Awam (DCA) sebelum boleh memulakan operasi.

“Sehingga kini, syarikat memperoleh Permit Perkhidmatan Udara (ASP) namun untuk memulakan operasi penerbangan, kita memerlukan ASL dan diharap ia dapat diluluskan dalam masa terdekat," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Idris ketika ditemui memberitahu, Rayani Air akan menggunakan LTM sebagai destinasi utama bagi laluan domestik ke semua lima destinasi tersebut.

“Rayani Air dijangka mampu menghidupkan kembali operasi penerbangan di LTM seterusnya merancakkan sektor pelancongan negeri dengan menjadikan Melaka sebagai pusat transit pelancongan selatan," katanya.

Sumber: Utusan Malaysia | Dalam Negeri | 23 Ogos 2014 | Terbitan 24 Ogos 2014

Projek pembesaran LTSIP dalam pertimbangan Kerajaan Pusat

TUMPAT: Kerajaan Pusat sedang menimbangkan membesarkan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Pengkalan Chepa bagi menampung perkhidmatan udara yang semakin meningkat.

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed berkata, ia perlu dilihat secara menyeluruh, bukannya membuat keputusan begitu sahaja untuk melaksanakan pembesaran lapangan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun katanya, peluang  cerah untuk dilaksanakan kerana projek itu telah mendapat sokongan Kementerian Pengangkutan.

“Kita bergantung kepada kewangan dan kemampuan kerajaan tetapi Kementerian Pengangkutan sudah menyokong projek tersebut,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas Taklimat Penerangan Isu Semasa di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Tapang, di sini, petang kelmarin.

Hadir sama, Ketua Penerangan Umno Kelantan, Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad; Ketua Umno Bahagian Kuala Krai, Datuk Ramzi Ab Rahman dan Pemangku Ketua Umno Bahagian Tumpat, Datuk Mohd Rosdi Ab Aziz.

Mustapa berkata, rakyat Kelantan juga turut menyokong pembesaran lapangan itu kerana semua sedia maklum lapangan berkenaan sibuk.

“Di sini ada perkhidmatan AirAsia, Malindo Air, MAS, penerbangan ke Singapura, Johor Bahru dan diakui lapangan di sini memang sibuk,” katanya.

Source/Sumber: Sinar Harian | Edisi Kelantan | 1 Sept. 2014