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