Rayani Air lancarkan kempen pelekat kereta di Kelantan

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan tambang rendah (LCC) terbaharu Malaysia, iaitu Rayani Air melancarkan kempen pelekat kereta di Kelantan dari 5 - 6 Disember 2014 bertempat di Kampus Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

Kempen ini merupakan salah satu strategi pemasaran Rayani Air untuk meningkatkan kesedaran orang awam tentang produk yang bakal ditawarkan oleh mereka nanti. 

Pemilik kereta  yang mengambil bahagian berpeluang untuk mendapatkan baucer tiket penerbangan pergi balik secara percuma selepas enam bulan menampal pelekat di badan kereta masing-masing.

Foto ihsan: Rayani Air

Melalui kempen ini, pemilik kereta  bukan sahaja boleh memilih mana-mana penerbangan tetapi juga mempunyai kebebasan untuk memilih mana-mana tarikh penerbangan yang mereka sukai. 

Kelantan dipilih sebagai lokasi kedua kempen selepas Melaka dengan mengambil kira kuasa beli rakyat Kelantan yang tinggi lebih-lebih lagi Rayani Air turut bercadang untuk menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) sebagai hab Pantai Timurnya. 

Rayani Air yang berpangkalan dari Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) bercadang untuk mengadakan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Melaka (MKZ) ke Kota Bharu (KBR), Pulau Pinang (PEN), Langkawi (LGK), Kota Kinabalu (BKI), dan Kuching (KCH) mulai Mac 2015. 

Dari segi perancangan, LTM akan menjadi hab utama Rayani Air di Malaysia, manakala LTSIP dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIA) masing-masing sebagai hab kedua dan ketiganya. 

Rayani Air dijadual menerima dua buah pesawat pada Mac 2015, manakala masing-masing sebuah pesawat yang akan diterima pada bulan Jun dan Oktober 2015.

Pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra dalam perancangan

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan mempunyai perancangan untuk membesarkan Lapangan Terbang Ismail Petra (LTSIP) di Kota Bharu bagi menampung bilangan penumpang yang semakin meningkat.

Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi berkata projek melibatkan anggaran kos RM172 juta itu antara yang dipohon untuk Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11 (RMK11).

"Sebagai antara lapangan terbang tersibuk di negara ini, kementerian mengumumkan satu projek dalam RMK11 untuk membesarkan lapangan terbang ini bagi menampung penumpang yang dijangka mencecah 2.5 juta setahun," katanya menjawab soalan Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN-Machang) semasa sesi soal jawab di Dewan Rakyat.

Menurutnya, projek itu meliputi cadangan pembesaran terminal LTSIP yang kini mengendalikan 1.5 juta penumpang setahun.

Kepada soalan asal Ahmad Jazlan, Abdul Aziz berkata kerajaan setakat ini tidak mempunyai rancangan untuk menjadikan LTSIP sebagai lapangan terbang antarabangsa.

Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata lapangan terbang itu berkemampuan menampung keperluan untuk penerbangan antarabangsa sekiranya terdapat permintaan daripada syarikat penerbangan.

Menurutnya, tiada keperluan untuk memanjangkan landasan LTSIP.

Sumber: Bernama | 25 November 2014

Transport Ministry: Plans to expand Kota Bharu Airport in the works

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has plans to expand the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) in Kota Bharu to accommodate the increasing number of passengers using the facility.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the project, involving estimated costs of RM172mil, was among the applications under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

"As one of the busiest airports in the country, the Ministry announced a project under the 11MP to enlarge this airport to accommodate more passengers, expected to reach 2.5 million annually," he said when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN-Machang) during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat here Tuesday.

He said the project comprised a proposal to expand the current airport terminal, which was handling 1.5 million passengers annually.

Replying to Ahmad Jazlan's original question, the Deputy Minister said up to now, the Government did not have any plan to make LTSIP an international airport.

However, he said the airport had the capacity to accommodate international flights' needs if airline companies requested it. "At present, there was no need to lengthen the LTSIP runway", he said.

Source: Bernama | 25 November 2014

Status antarabangsa Lapangan Terbang Labuan dikaji

Lapangan Terbang Labuan, Pulau Labuan, Wilayah Persekutuan. 

LABUAN: Kementerian Pengangkutan akan memberi status antarabangsa kepada Lapangan Terbang Labuan (LTL) jika ada peserta penerbangan antarabangsa yang berminat untuk menjadikan Labuan sebahagian daripada destinasi pilihan mereka.

Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Ab. Aziz Kaprawi berkata, kerajaan sentiasa memberi sokongan kepada industri penerbangan dan pengendali lapangan terbang untuk menarik penerbangan antarabangsa.

“Jika terdapat permintaan bagi penerbangan antarabangsa daripada syarikat penerbangan asing untuk datang ke Labuan, kerajaan akan memberi sokongan,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat Labuan Liberty Port, di sini Khamis.

Presiden Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia Labuan (DPMML), Datuk Yussof Mohammad berkata, usaha itu akan membantu meningkatkan industri pelancongan.

Beliau berkata usaha berterusan perlu dilakukan untuk meningkatkan hubungan udara antara Malaysia dan negara jiran.

Yussof berkata adalah penting untuk memberi tumpuan dalam bidang pelancongan bagi meningkatkan imej Labuan sebagai destinasi pilihan pelancong.

“Untuk meningkatkan kekerapan penerbangan ke Labuan, sama ada dalam negeri atau penerbangan antarabangsa, kita juga harus melihat kepada kemudahan dan tarikan kepada pelancong,” katanya dan menambah ia mesti ditambah baik dan menarik.

Sumber: Bernama | 21 November 2014

Projek naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Lahad Datu mula tahun depan

LAHAD DATU: Projek menaik taraf dan memanjangkan landasan Lapangan Terbang Lahad Datu dijangka akan dilaksanakan tahun depan, kata Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Aziz Kaprawi (gambar).

Katanya, projek naik taraf landasan dari 1.3 kilometer kepada 1.8 kilometer itu akan dilaksanakan di kawasan tanah rizab lapangan terbang seluas 153.7 hektar.

"Apabila siap nanti, lapangan terbang ini mampu mengendalikan pesawat yang lebih besar," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melakukan lawatan kerja di lapangan terbang itu di sini, hari ini.

Aziz menjelaskan projek bernilai RM50 juta di bawah Bajet 2015 itu akan hanya bermula selepas masalah perkampungan setinggan di kawasan projek diselesaikan terlebih dahulu.

"Saya difahamkan kira-kira 5,000 penduduk menetap di kawasan projek berkenaan dan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) akan mengendalikan proses pemindahan penduduk berkenaan," katanya.

Sementara itu, Pegawai Daerah Lahad Datu, Iman Ali berkata kerja menaik taraf landasan itu tidak akan dimulakan selagi penempatan semula penduduk di enam kampung yang terlibat tidak selesai.

"Sebagai langkah awal, kami akan mengadakan mesyuarat bersama penduduk yang terlibat pada minggu hadapan," katanya.

Turut hadir dalam lawatan itu ialah Ahli Parlimen Silam, Datuk Nasrun Mansur dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Lahad Datu, Mohd Yusof Apdal.

Sumber: Bernama | 18 November 2014

LTSIP akan dinaik taraf di bawah RMK-11

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu

KUALA LUMPUR: Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) akan dinaik taraf di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesebelas (RMK-11: 2016 - 2020). 

Menjawab soalan Dato' Kamarudin bin Jaffar, Ahli Parlimen Tumpat di Dewan Rakyat pada 11 November 2014 mengenai LTSIP dan Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM), Datuk Ab. Aziz Kaprawi, Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan berkata Kementerian Pengangkutan tidak pernah mengiktiraf LTM sebagai lapangan terbang antarabangsa. 

Bagi LTSIP pula, walaupun ia hanyalah sebuah lapangan terbang domestik tetapi ia dibenarkan untuk mengendalikan penerbangan antarabangsa jika ada permintaan. Dengan kata lain, LTSIP tidak ada masalah untuk mengendalikan penerbangan antarabangsa. 

Seterusnya mengenai cadangan naik taraf LTSIP, Ab. Aziz berkata Kementerian Pengangkutan akan berusaha untuk menaikkan taraf dan membesarkan LTSIP dan cadangan projek ini akan dipohon di bawah RMK-11. 

Nota: Sebuah laman Facebook khas telah ditubuhkan dan dilancarkan pada 16 November 2014 untuk mengumpul seramai mungkin sokongan daripada rakyat Kelantan yang menyokong cadangan menaik taraf LTSIP kepada sebuah lapangan terbang antarabangsa. Silalah "like" (menjadi ahli) sebagai tanda sokongan: www.facebook.com/naiktarafltsip. 

KATA KUNCI: LAPANGAN TERBANG SULTAN ISMAIL PETRA KOTA BHARU | LTSIP | NAIK TARAF LTSIP | RMK-11

16 Nov. 2014: Genap setahun laluan Kota Bharu - Kota Kinabalu diperkenalkan AirAsia

Gegantung di Terminal 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu untuk mempromosikan laluan ini pada hujung tahun lepas. Foto: Wan Putra Quddus

PADA 16 November 2014, genaplah setahun laluan penerbangan Kota Bharu (KBR) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI) diperkenal oleh syarikat penerbangan AirAsia sejak 16 November 2013. 

AirAsia menjadi satu-satunya syarikat penerbangan tempatan yang beroperasi bagi laluan ini yang menghubungkan negeri Sabah dengan negeri Kelantan sekali gus menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) sebagai gerbang Pantai Timur Malaysia. 

Sejak diperkenalkan setahun yang lalu, jadual penerbangan bagi laluan ini tidak banyak berubah dan masih kekal dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu. 

Penerbangan AK5345 dari Kota Kinabalu ke Kota Bharu dijadualkan berlepas dari Terminal 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu (KKIA) pada jam 08:20 dan dijadualkan tiba di LTSIP pada jam 11:00, manakala penerbangan AK5346 dari Kota Bharu ke Kota Kinabalu dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 11:25 dan dijadualkan tiba di KKIA pada jam 14:10. 

Perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ini mengambil masa kira-kira dua jam 40 minit sahaja. Selain Kota Bharu, KKIA juga menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ke tiga lagi destinasi di Semenanjung Malaysia, iaitu Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Johor Bahru (JHB), dan Pulau Pinang (PEN). 

Pada awal tahun ini, AirAsia memperkenalkan lima laluan baharu yang menghubungkan Malaysia Timur dengan Malaysia Barat, iaitu Miri - Kuala Terengganu (mulai 20 Mac), Miri - Pulau Pinang (21 Mac), Kuching - Langkawi (21 Mac), Kuching - Kota Bharu (21 Mac), dan Johor Bahru - Tawau (18 April). 

Namun, yang kekal sehingga sekarang adalah laluan-laluan Miri - Pulau Pinang, Kuching - Kota Bharu, dan Johor Bahru - Tawau sahaja. Laluan Miri - Kuala Terengganu misalnya hanya mampu bertahan selama dua bulan 10 hari sahaja sebelum ditamatkan oleh AirAsia atas faktor komersial (bilangan penumpang yang teramat sedikit). 

Berdasarkan maklumat tidak rasmi yang kami terima, AirAsia bercadang untuk memperkenal laluan Miri - Kota Bharu pada suku pertama 2015 nanti dengan harapan dapat menarik pelancong dari negara Brunei Darussalam ke Kota Bharu, Kelantan melalui Lapangan Terbang Miri. 

Ia juga dapat memberi manfaat kepada anak-anak Kelantan yang menetap di Miri, Sarawak untuk berulang-alik dari Miri ke Kota Bharu dan sebaliknya. 

KEMPEN SOKONGAN: Jika anda menyokong cadangan pembukaan laluan penerbangan Kota Bharu - Miri ini, silalah "like" (menjadi ahli) bagi laman kempen dan promosi ini: www.facebook.com/laluankbmiri. 

Federal government urged to upgrade Kota Bharu Airport into an international airport

File pic: Sultan Muhammad V

KOTA BHARU: The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, wants the state government to make systematic and concerted efforts in tackling environmental issues such as soil erosion and river pollution which are also seen as serious global issues.

The Sultan said unethical logging and mining activities could have serious adverse impact on water quality and the people's quality of life.

"Therefore, enforcement of the law by all the entrusted parties must be tightened and intensified," the Sultan said in his speech at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 45th birthday celebration at Istana Balai Besar, here, today.

The Sultan's speech text was read out by the Kelantan Regent, Dr Tengku Muhammad Fa'iz Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra.

Earlier, 240 people received their state awards, titles and medals or appointment letters as Justices of the Peace (JP) from the Regent.

The Kelantan Sultan in his speech, meanwhile, thanked the federal government for its plan to set up the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in the state capital which would further improve the public service delivery.

He said he was also happy that the state government and federal government had reached an agreement to implement the Kota Bharu - Kuala Krai Highway project.

"I hope the cooperation and concurrence will continue in other infrastructural and development programmes for the people in this state," he said.

The Sultan also suggested that the federal government give appropriate consideration to development projects that would have a big impact on Kelantan's economic landscape.

The projects include upgrading of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport into an international airport, Sungai Golok flood-mitigation project, third phase of the East Coast Expressway and Kampung Cina-Pelekbang bridge.

Sultan Muhammad V also urged the state government to explore new fields using high-technology like the green technology and bio-economic industries.

Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria led the list of 630 recipients of state awards, titles and medals or appointments as JP in conjunction with the Kelantan Sultan's birthday celebration this time.

Ariffin was bestowed the state award, Ahli Yang Pertama (Seri Paduka) Bagi Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia (SPMK), which carries the title of Datuk Lela Negara.

Source: BERNAMA | 11 November 2014

Expansion for Malacca Airport

MALACCA: Plans are afoot to build more facilities at the Malacca Airport in Batu Berendam to lure more international and domestic flights.

This would include extending its runway to attract chartered airlines and private jet owners to use the airport, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“The expansion of the airport will now depend on the frequency of flights and passenger volume,” he said after the launching of Air Carnival by Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob at the airport yesterday.

Currently, the airport caters mainly for training purposes with one flying school utilising the site as a flight academy.

The airport has two parking bays for bigger aircraft such as Airbus 320. Liow said the Department of Civil Aviation would see to the expansion of the runway to enable larger aircraft such as Boeing 777 to land.

More parking bays, gates and other facilities could also be made available, he added. However, he noted that the revival plan required detailed analysis and negotiations with commercial airlines and other stakeholders.

“The finer details on the plan will be divulged once the whole system has been put together,” he said.
Liow said Malindo Air launched its inaugural flight from Malacca to Penang and Pekanbaru, Indonesia, on Nov 5 and would start plying the Malacca - Kota Bharu route from Nov 21.

“The state government is also discussing with Firefly and AirAsia to serve various routes via the Malacca Airport,” he said.

Liow said the long-term plan was to turn the airport into a sustainable and profitable air hub. In April 2012, the Malacca government announced its intention to transform the Batu Berendam airport into a regional hub catering for Asia-Pacific flights but the plan did not take off.

At another event, Liow said there could perhaps be a grace period for businesses to adjust to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after its implementation next April 1.

“I foresee there will be hiccups at the starting stage. Businessmen should be given time to fine-tune it,” he said after opening a GST seminar organised by the Malacca Chinese Chamber of Commerce that was attended by 1,000 entrepreneurs.

Source: The Star Online | Nation | 9 November 2014

Malindo Air rintis laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka mulai 21 Nov 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) akan memperkenal laluan domestik Kota Bharu (KBR) - Melaka (MKZ) mulai 21 November 2014. 

Perkhidmatan penerbangan terus yang mengambil masa kira-kira 1 jam 35 minit ini ditawarkan dengan kekerapan empat kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Ahad, Isnin, Rabu, dan Jumaat menggunakan pesawat jenis ATR72-600 dengan 72 tempat duduk. 

Penerbangan OD1723 dari Kota Bharu ke Melaka dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 10:40 dan dijadualkan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM) pada jam 12:15, manakala penerbangan OD1724 dari LTM ke Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 12:40 dan dijadualkan tiba di LTSIP pada jam 14:15. 

Perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ini dijangka dapat memberi manfaat besar bukan sahaja kepada warga Kelantan dan Melaka tetapi juga warga Terengganu; wilayah Narathiwat di selatan Thailand; dan juga penduduk daerah Muar di negeri Johor.  

Dalam masa yang sama, dengan adanya perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ini, ia juga dijangka dapat merancakkan industri pelancongan kedua-dua buah negeri terutamanya melibatkan Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam dan Bandar Raya Melaka Bersejarah. 

Tiket penerbangan bagi laluan ini telah mula dijual pada malam 7 November 2014 dan tempahan tiket boleh dibuat melalui kaunter-kaunter jualan tiket Malindo Air yang berhampiran mahupun secara dalam talian melalui laman sesawang www.malindoair.com. 

MALINDO AIR | LALUAN KOTA BHARU - MELAKA | 21 NOVEMBER 2014 | LAPANGAN TERBANG MELAKA | LAPANGAN TERBANG SULTAN ISMAIL PETRA KOTA BHARU | KELANTAN | MELAKA | TERENGGANU | NARATHIWAT | MUAR | JOHOR | KOTA BHARU BANDAR RAYA ISLAM | BANDAR RAYA MELAKA BERSEJARAH

Pesawat B737-900ER Malindo Air pesawat komersial terbesar mendarat di Kota Bharu

Pesawat Malindo Air dengan nombor pendaftaran 9M-LNH yang dirakamkan pada pagi 26 Oktober 2014 ketika ingin melakukan pendaratan di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP). Foto: Muhd Aizat bin Mohd Zain. 

KOTA BHARU: Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) atau dikenali juga Lapangan Terbang Kota Bharu hari ini (26 Oktober 2014) menerima pendaratan sulung pesawat B737-900ER, iaitu pesawat komersial terbesar yang pernah mendarat di lapangan terbang ini setakat ini. 

Sebelum ini, pesawat komersial terbesar yang keluar masuk lapangan terbang ini adalah B737-800 milik Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS). Secara perbandingan mudah, pesawat B737-900ER ini lebih panjang sedikit berbanding B737-800.

Penerbangan OD2302 dari Terminal KLIA 2, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) telah selamat mendarat di LTSIP kira-kira jam 07:50, manakala penerbangan OD2301 dari Kota Bharu ke Kuala Lumpur berlepas kira-kira sejam kemudian. 

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) merupakan destinasi penerbangan ketiga Malindo Air dari atau ke Kota Bharu (KBR) selepas Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) dan Pulau Pinang (PEN). 

Pesawat Malindo Air dengan nombor pendaftaran 9M-LNH yang dirakamkan pada pagi 26 Oktober 2014  di petak apron parkir pesawat di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP). Foto: Muhd Aizat bin Mohd Zain.

Jadual Penerbangan 

Penerbangan OD2302 dari Terminal KLIA 2 (Terminal 2), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 07:00 dan dijadualkan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) pada jam 07:55, manakala penerbangan OD2301 dari Kota Bharu ke Kuala Lumpur dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 08:45 dan dijadualkan tiba di KLIA pada jam 09:45. Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang: www.malindoair.com.

RM20 juta peruntukan naik taraf LTSAS kepada sebuah lapangan terbang antarabangsa

KUANTAN: Sebanyak RM20 juta diperuntukkan untuk kerja menaik taraf fasa pertama Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ahmad Shah (LTSAS) di sini yang dijangka siap pada penghujung tahun ini.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kebudayaan dan Pelancongan negeri, Datuk Mohd. Sharkar Shamsudin berkata, kerja menaik taraf yang melibatkan dua fasa itu bertujuan menjadikan LTSAS sebagai lapangan terbang bertaraf antarabangsa.

"Kita berharap dengan menaik taraf lapangan terbang ini, kita (Pahang) akan menerima lebih banyak kapal terbang antarabangsa yang mendarat di sini.

"Sekarang pun sudah ada kapal terbang antarabangsa yang mendarat seperti dari Singapura, Taiwan dan China dan setiap tahun kira-kira 30 kapal terbang mendarat di sini dan diharapkan selepas ini jumlahnya meningkat," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas majlis sambutan penerbangan pertama Malindo Air dari Subang ke Kuantan di LTSAS di sini hari ini.

Sumber: Kosmo | 25 Julai 2014

Kuantan Airport upgrade set to woo in more tourists

One for the album: Mohd Sharkar (sixth from left) posing for a group photo with crewmen and tourism officials upon touch down of the inaugural Malindo Air flight from Subang.

KUANTAN: The Kuantan airport will be upgraded to provide better facilities for the people to enjoy air travel, Pahang Culture and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said.

Mohd Sharkar said the project costing about RM20mil would be carried out in two phases. He said work on the first phase had already started and is expected to be completed by year end.

“We want our Kuantan airport to be of international standards and meet the specifications of the aviation industry.

“Upon completion, we would be able to promote air travel and entice more visitors to Pahang, particularly to places of interest in Kuantan, Cherating and Pekan,” he said during a recent ceremony to welcome the inaugural flight from Malindo Air.

The new budget airline will fly in to Kuantan from Subang four times a week. 

Mohd Sharkar, who is the Lanchang assemblyman, said plans were also in the pipeline to extend the runway in Tioman Island to accommodate bigger aircraft to land in the popular island.

He said currently, only small aircrafts carrying 48 passengers could land in the runway at Kampung Tekek.

“We have submitted a proposal to the Government and are waiting for approval on the matter.

“If given the green light, we can further boost accessibility and the state tourism sector,” he said, adding that air travel was now a necessity and no longer a luxury.

Mohd Sharkar said the state welcomed more airlines to fly into the state to provide more choices for the people, including chartered flights from Taiwan and China.

Pahang is expected to see 12 million tourists visit the state this year.

Source: The Star Online | 17 September 2014

Syarikat penerbangan tempatan diharap perkenal laluan Kota Bharu - Langkawi

SYARIKAT penerbangan tempatan terutamanya Firefly Airlines (Firefly) dan juga Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) yang mempunyai angkatan pesawat ATR72-500 dan ATR72-600 diharap perkenalkan laluan Kota Bharu (KBR) - Pulau Langkawi (LGK) untuk menampung permintaan daripada pelancong domestik dan antarabangsa yang semakin meningkat. 

Setakat ini, belum ada mana-mana syarikat penerbangan tempatan yang menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus bagi sektor ini. Dalam masa yang sama, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIA) merupakan satu-satunya lapangan terbang antarabangsa (LTAB) di Malaysia yang masih ada penerbangan terus ke atau dari Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

Setakat ini, Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) sudah dihubungkan dengan lima daripada enam buah LTAB di Malaysia dengan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus, iaitu Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang (PIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai Johor Bahru (SIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu (KKIA), dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (KIA). 

Gerbang ke Pulau Perhentian

Pembukaan laluan ini akan memudahkan para pelancong yang ingin ke Pulau Perhentian tanpa perlu transit terlebih dahulu di Pulau Pinang (PEN), Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB), atau Kuala Lumpur (KUL) untuk mengambil penerbangan ke Kota Bharu dan sebaliknya. Pulau Perhentian menjadi pulau tarikan utama di Pantai Timur Malaysia dan LTSIP secara tradisinya menjadi pintu masuk utama untuk ke Pulau Perhentian kerana jaraknya yang paling dekat dengat jeti utama untuk ke pulau tersebut. 

Kekerapan Penerbangan

Syarikat penerbangan tempatan boleh menawarkan penerbangan bagi laluan ini dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu dengan mengambil kira kedua-dua negeri ini, iaitu Kelantan dan Kedah bercuti mingguan pada hari Jumaat dan Sabtu. Pembukaan laluan ini juga akan dapat memberi manfaat kepada penduduk negeri Terengganu dan wilayah Narathiwat di selatan Thailand tanpa perlu mengambil penerbangan melalui Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB), atau Pulau Pinang (PEN) untuk ke Pulau Langkawi. 

Kempen Sokongan

Sebuah laman Facebook khas telah ditubuhkan untuk mengumpul sokongan daripada orang awam yang menyokong penuh cadangan pembukaan laluan penerbangan ini dan penubuhan laman Facebook ini diharap akan dapat menyakinkan syarikat penerbangan tempatan untuk membuka laluan penerbangan ini. Jika anda menyokong cadangan pembukaan laluan penerbangan domestik ini, silalah "like" (menjadi ahli) bagi laman sesawang Facebook ini: www.facebook.com/laluankblangkawi. 

LALUAN PENERBANGAN KOTA BHARU - LANGKAWI | FIREFLY AIRLINES | MALINDO AIRWAYS | PENERBANGAN TERUS KOTA BHARU - LANGKAWI | PULAU LANGKAWI | PULAU BEBAS CUKAI | PULAU PERHENTIAN | KELANTAN | KEDAH | TERENGGANU | NARATHIWAT | SELATAN THAILAND

Malindo Air mulakan perkhidmatan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu mulai 26 Okt 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan hibrid, Malindo Air, akan memulakan perkhidmatan harian dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) ke Kota Bharu mulai Ahad ini (26 Oktober 2014).

Penerbangan berlepas dari Kuala Lumpur pada 7 pagi dan tiba di Kota Bharu pada 7.55 pagi, manakala penerbangan balik berlepas pada 8.45 pagi dan tiba pada 9.45 pagi.

"Perkhidmatan itu diwujudkan berikutan permintaan yang semakin meningkat untuk penerbangan ke ibu negeri Kelantan itu," kata Malindo Air dalam satu kenyataan di sini, Selasa.

Tambang promosi bermula daripada RM69 sehala, termasuk peruntukan bagasi percuma seberat 15 kilogram serta minuman.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, layari www.malindoair.com, Twitter (twitter.com/Malindo_Air), Facebook (facebook.com/MalindoAirMalaysia) atau Instagram (instagram.com/MalindoAir).

Malindo Air ialah syarikat penerbangan hibrid Malaysia dengan hab-hab utama di KLIA dan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah di Subang, Selangor.

Sumber: mStar Online | 21 Oktober 2014

Malindo Air perkenal dua laluan baharu melibatkan Lapangan Terbang Melaka mulai 5 Nov 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) akan memperkenal dua laluan baharu yang melibatkan Lapangan Terbang Melaka mulai 5 November 2014, iaitu laluan Pulau Pinang - Melaka dan Melaka - Pekan Baru (Sumatera, Indonesia). 

Penerbangan bagi laluan Pulau Pinang - Melaka dan Melaka - Pekan Baru ditawarkan dengan kekerapan lima kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Ahad, Isnin, Rabu, Khamis, dan Jumaat. 

Penerbangan OD1330 dari Pulau Pinang ke Melaka dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 10:05 dan dijadualkan tiba di Melaka pada jam 11:25, manakala penerbangan OD1331 dari Melaka ke Pulau Pinang dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 14:45 dan dijadualkan tiba di Pulau Pinang pada jam 16:05. 

Sementara itu, penerbangan OD310 dari Melaka ke Pekan Baru dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 11:45 dan dijadualkan tiba di Pekan Baru pada jam 11:50 (waktu Indonesia), manakala penerbangan OD311 dari Pekan Baru ke Melaka dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 12:20 (waktu Indonesia) dan dijadualkan tiba di Melaka pada jam 14:25. 

Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang www.malindoair.com. 

Malindo Air perkenal tiga laluan baharu melibatkan Lapangan Terbang Ipoh mulai Okt 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Airways (Malindo Air) telah memperkenalkan laluan domestik Subang - Ipoh mulai 3 Oktober lalu dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Jumaat, Sabtu, dan Ahad (perkhidmatan pada hujung minggu sahaja). 

Penerbangan dari Lapangan Terbang Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) ke Lapangan Terbang Ipoh (IPH) dan sebaliknya mengambil masa kira-kira 50 minit sahaja. 

Mulai 17 Oktober pula, Malindo Air akan membuka dua lagi laluan baharu dari Ipoh, iaitu Ipoh - Johor Bahru dan Ipoh - Medan. Penerbangan bagi kedua-dua laluan ini ditawarkan dengan kekerapan empat kali seminggu, iaitu setiap hari Ahad, Isnin, Rabu, dan Jumaat. 

Penerbangan OD1324 dari Johor Bahru ke Ipoh dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 10:10 dan dijadualkan tiba di Ipoh pada jam 11:30, manakala penerbangan OD1325 dari Ipoh ke Johor Bahru dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 15:25 dan dijadualkan tiba di Johor Bahru pada jam 16:45. 

Sementara itu, penerbangan OD308 dari Ipoh ke Medan dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 11:50 dan dijadualkan tiba di Medan pada jam 12:05 (waktu Indonesia), manakala penerbangan OD309 dari Medan ke Ipoh dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 12:50 (waktu Indonesia) dan dijadualkan tiba di Ipoh pada jam 15:05. 

Perkhidmatan penerbangan dari atau ke Ipoh ini menggunakan pesawat jenis ATR-72-600 yang boleh membawa seramai 72 orang dalam satu-satu masa. 

Untuk maklumat lanjut dan urusan tempahan tiket secara dalam talian, sila layari laman sesawang www.malindoair.com. 

YOU Wings perkenal laluan antarabangsa Medan - Kuala Terengganu mulai 24 November 2014

SYARIKAT penerbangan tempatan YOU Wings Airlines secara kerjasama dengan Sriwijaya Air akan memulakan penerbangan pertamanya bagi laluan Medan Indonesia ke Kuala Terengganu pada 24 November ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Danial Lee berkata buat permulaan pihaknya akan menyediakan operasi penerbangan sebanyak tiga kali seminggu iaitu pada hari Isnin, Rabu dan Jumaat.

YOU Wings, syarikat penerbangan domestik dan antarabangsa yang berpangkalan di Ipoh merupakan pengendali pesawat Sriwijaya Air yang mana syarikat penerbangan Indonesia itu merupakan pemegang saham utama syarikat tersebut. 

"Ini merupakan laluan pertama kami dari Medan ke Kuala Terengganu dan jika mendapat sambutan yang menggalakkan kita akan memperluaskan penerbangan ini," katanya kepada pemberita pada majlis makan malam bersama Menteri Besar Terengganu di Kuala Terengganu, malam tadi.

Danial berkata inisiatif yang dilakukan ini bertujuan memberi lebih peluang kepada pelancong untuk menikmati pelbagai tarikan yang ada di negeri ini dan memperkenalkan produk pelancongan di tempat mereka.

Syarikat penerbangan itu akan menggunakan pesawat Boeing 737 Sriwijaya Air yang mampu memuatkan seramai 168 penumpang dalam satu penerbangan bagi kelas ekonomi dengan tambang berpatutan daripada sekitar RM99 sehingga RM300. 

Beliau berkata pihaknya menyasar kira-kira 5,000 hingga 7,000 pelancong sebulan menggunakan perkhidmatan baharu yang disediakan ini. 

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan negeri Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee berkata langkah yang diambil oleh syarikat penerbangan tersebut secara tidak langsung akan dapat menarik lebih ramai pelancong dari negara berkenaan berkunjung ke Terengganu. 

"Saya melihat ia sebagai permulaan baik dengan penerbangan terus dari Medan ke Kuala Terengganu dan kita mengalu-alukan serta menyokong penuh langkah yang diambil ini kerana lebih memudahkan pelancong," katanya pada majlis yang sama. 

Sumber: Bernama | 12 Oktober 2014

Lelaki naik angin ugut mahu letupkan pesawat komersial di LTSIP

Asisten Komisioner Rohaimi Md Isa

KOTA BHARU: Penerbangan sebuah pesawat penumpang yang sepatutnya berlepas pada jam 9.45 malam kelmarin gempar, gara-gara tindakan seorang penumpang berkelakuan agresif dan mengugut mahu meletupkan pesawat itu, di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Pengkalan Chepa, di sini.

Dalam kejadian itu, suspek berusia 29 tahun itu dipercayai berang apabila anggota polis yang bertugas di pintu masuk balai berlepas menegurnya kerana memakai topeng dan mengarahkan lelaki itu menanggalkannya.

Ketua Polis Daerah Kota Bharu, Asisten Komisioner Rohaimi Md Isa berkata, lelaki itu mengherdik anggota polis dan memarahi tindakan anggota itu.

“Selepas memarahi anggota yang menegur dirinya, suspek mengeluarkan ugutan jika sesiapa yang naik kapal terbang bersamanya pada malam itu, dia akan letupkan kapal dan hilangkan mereka seperti MH370.

“Disebabkan ugutan yang dibuat lelaki itu, dia terpaksa ditahan berdasarkan undang-undang penerbangan dan sekiranya mana-mana penumpang yang mengeluarkan ugutan berbaur jenayah seperti itu, perlu dikeluarkan daripada penerbangan bagi mengelak kejadian tidak diingini berlaku.

“Melalui siasatan yang dilakukan, suspek yang dipercayai berasal dari Pendang, Kedah datang ke Kelantan untuk mengikuti sebuah majlis di negeri ini,” katanya ketika di hubungi, semalam.

Rohaimi berkata, dalam keadaan kelam kabut itu, akhirnya suspek berjaya ditenangkan oleh salah seorang anggota dan mengakui menaiki pesawat berkenaan untuk berlepas ke Kuala Lumpur. Rohaimi berkata, suspek mengakui pernah menjalani rawatan psikiatri sebelum ini. 

 “Suspek direman selama empat hari bermula semalam (kelmarin) dan selepas menjalani rawatan di bahagian psikiatri, doktor sahkan suspek  menghadapi masalah mental dan buat masa ini dia ditahan di wad psikiatri untuk tindakan lanjut. “Kes disiasat di bawah seksyen 506 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan ugutan,” katanya.

Sumber: Sinar Harian | 1 Okt. 2014

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)