AirAsia to begin operations at KKIA's Terminal 1 from Dec 1, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia's operations in Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) will operate out of Terminal 1 from Dec 1, 2015.

AirAsia currently operates 504 weekly flights to and from KKIA and all existing flight schedules for both domestic and international flights would remain unchanged.

AirAsia's guests departing or landing into Kota Kinabalu were informed of the move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, which is 4 km away from each other, it said in a statement here.

"The airline will continue to provide assistance to guests travelling to and from its Kota Kinabalu hub in light of this move," it said.

Source: Bernama | 30 Nov. 2015

It's time Kelantan got a bigger and better airport

The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan is now the busiest airport on the East Coast of the Peninsular Malaysia.

The recent announcement by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the Federal Government will be expanding the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) in Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu has been warmly received by the people. 

Both the Pas-led Kelantan state government and the state Barisan Nasional have welcomed the announcement, which was made by Najib during his 2016 Budget speech in Parliament last month. 

Frequent users of the airport have been calling for the expansion for several years as the present terminal, which was completed in 2002, has ran out of space to accommodate the increasing number of flights and passengers. 

Even the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, has raised the issue in several of his speeches including during the opening of the state assembly meetings. 

LTSIP has a rich history, starting as a British Royal Air Force base before World War 2. During the war, the Japanese used the airport for their invasion of Malaya. After the war, it was turned into a civilian airport. 

The passenger terminal was built and it was then known as Pengkalan Chepa Airport. The construction of the new terminal building was started in 2000 and completed two years later at a cost of about RM55 million. 

LTSIP is now the most active in the peninsula’s east coast and one of the busiest domestic airports in the country handling 32 to 40 flights daily. It is serviced by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Malindo Air. 

It handled 589,950 passengers in 2003 and the figure has more than tripled last year to some 1.8 million passengers, which more than justifies its expansion. It also has a chartered helicopter service and is home to the Asia Pacific Flight Training flying school which has students not only from Malaysia but the region. 

In 2010, a company secured a RM45.5 million contract to upgrade the airport. It included the construction of a taxiway, helicopter pads, a meteorological station and instrument landing system. The airport runway was also lengthened from 1,981m to 2,400m, and can accommodate the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-800. 

Besides Kuala Lumpur, there are now regular direct flights to almost every major town in the country including Johor Bahru, George Town, Langkawi, Malacca and also Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The people in Kelantan are clamouring for the airport to be turned into an international airport. Firefly and AirAsia have previously offered services to Bangkok and Singapore respectively but they have since been terminated, probably because of low demand. 

AirAsia chief executive officer Aireen Omar, when launching its Kota Bharu to Kota Kinabalu flights sometime ago, said it was considering using LTSIP as a hub for international flights to Indochina and southern China. 

Air travellers and holidaymakers from the state are keeping their fingers crossed that the plan would become a reality in the near future. 

Despite the proposed expansion of LTSIP, the state government is already looking far beyond the coming years. Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob recently said that the Kelantan government had written to the Federal Government to suggest the construction of a new airport in Sungai Bagan, Machang as part of future plans. 

He told reporters after a state executive council meeting several months ago that the state government had identified more than 350 hectares of land at the former Sungai Bagan estate. Ahmad said Machang was at a strategic location as it is situated in the middle of the state and the state-owned land was big enough for the construction of an international airport with a longer runway large enough for a Boeing 747. 

Note: The writer is NST Kelantan bureau chief  (Sulaiman Jaafar)

Source: New Straits Times | 23 Nov. 2015

KLIA to have third terminal, says Aziz Kaprawi

KUALA LUMPUR: A new terminal is expected to be built at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to expand its total capacity to 100 million passengers a year, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abd Aziz Kaprawi.

Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is expected to submit a proposal for the airport's third terminal in the next two to three years after detailed studies, he told Malaysian reporters on Malindo Air's maiden flight to Perth, Australia.

He said last year, KLIA's main terminal handled 23 million passengers a year, almost near its full capacity of 25 million passengers, while KLIA 2 is also reaching its full capacity of 45 million passengers.

The government wants to leverage on Kuala Lumpur's strategic location and make Malaysia a regional air transit hub, he said, pointing out the aviation industry's bright prospects especially in ASEAN, India and China with the improved air connectivity wooing more visitors to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, he said MAHB will take proactive steps to improve facilities at KLIA 2 to enhance the passenger experience.

Source: Bernama | 23 Nov. 2015

Malindo Air eyes 6 million passengers, bigger aircraft in 2016, says CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: Malindo Air, Malaysia's hybrid airline, aims to achieve six million passengers next year under its expansion programme to include new regional and international destinations, including Jeddah.

Chief Executive Officer, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the airline would be flying to Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City next month and is looking at southern China and further points of Asia early next year.

"We have got the approval to fly to Jeddah from the Malaysian government and are now working with the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia to get the landing permit," he said.

Chandran said he is confident the airline would get the nod by early next year for the daily flight.

He said this to the Malaysian media on the last day of the airline's inaugural flight from here to Perth recently.

On Thursday, Malindo Air launched its new 11-time weekly services to Perth, Western Australia, its first to Australia and the eighth country in its growing international route network.

Chandran said Perth will be the airline's first destination in Australia and others under consideration include Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne next year.

With the new routes, Chandran said, the airline is looking into the possibility of buying bigger aircraft.

Chandran said Malindo Air, which currently has 27 aircraft (11 ATR72-600 and 16 Boeing 737NG), is looking into buying another 10, a combination of a different types of aircraft.

On the 2015 performance, he said, the airline targeted four million passengers and the coverage to widen to 10 countries in the region by year-end.

"We target to be profitable by 2016," he said.

On the response to the new route to Perth, Chandran said, it is encouraging.

"Bookings for December are already approaching 50 per cent which are a good indication that those for next year would be very healthy.

"We are ecstatic to add Perth to our route network because Perth remains one of the most popular business and leisure choices among Malaysians.

"Malindo Air will therefore add both seat capacity and choices for travellers between Malaysia and Australia.

"Traditionally, Perth remains a prime destination for Malaysian students to pursue their education. This is indeed a high-demand sector and there was a sudden surge of interest from the moment we announced this route," he said.

He said this would certainly boost travel and trade between Australia and Malaysia.

On the Australian market, Chandran said, Malindo's flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) to Perth Airport would provide connectivity to Australia as the country did not have many direct connection to south India where the airline is flying.

"The idea is to grow as far as we can and also bring more tourists to Malaysia and back to our objective of putting klia2 as our transit hub in the region," he said.

Source: Bernama | 23 Nov. 2015

Projek naik taraf bangunan terminal LTSAH hampir siap

Wajah baharu bangunan terminal Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ahmad Shah Kuantan (lTSAH). Foto ihsan: Facebook Kuantan Development News

KUANTAN: Projek naik taraf dan pembesaran bangunan terminal Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ahmad Shah Kuantan (LTSAH) telah hampir siap. 

Menurut pentadbir laman Facebook Kuantan Development News, pada ketika ini kerja-kerja dalaman dan kemasan akhir sedang giat dijalankan dan dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada bulan depan (Disember 2015). 

Projek naik taraf yang dibahagikan kepada dua fasa ini melibatkan kos kira-kira RM20 juta. Fasa pertama telah berjaya disiapkan pada hujung tahun lepas. 

LTSAH merupakan lapangan terbang ketiga terpenting di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER) selepas Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu dan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Mahmud Kuala Terengganu. 

Setakat ini, hanya dua buah syarikat penerbangan yang beroperasi di LTSAH, iaitu Malaysia Airlines (MAB) dan Firefly yang menawarkan perkhidmatan bagi laluan Kuantan - Kuala Lumpur (KUA-KUL), Kuantan - Singapura (KUA-SIN), dan Kuantan - Pulau Pinang (KUA-PEN). 

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my 

AirAsia to commence direct flight to Guangzhou from Langkawi early next year

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia expects to commence its new direct flight to Guangzhou, China from Langkawi on Jan 24 with four weekly flights.

In a statement today, AirAsia said this direct flight to Guangzhou was its third route into China launched this year, after Changsha from Kuala Lumpur and Wuhan from Kota Kinabalu.

This new route would be offering all-in-fares from as low as RM88 one way from Nov 23-30, 2015 for the travel period of Jan 24 to April 29, 2016, it said.

"Following the announcement of making Langkawi our next international hub back in March this year, we are very happy to finally realise our promise with this new direct route to Guangzhou, China from Langkawi," said AirAsia Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Aireen Omar.

She said AirAsia has full confidence that this new direct route would boost traffic growth into Langkawi International Airport which currently only served one international route to Singapore.

AirAsia currently operates flights from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore.

Source: Bernama | 20 Nov. 2015

Malindo Air gantung laluan KL - KB berkuat kuasa 23 Nov 2015

KOTA BHARU: Syarikat penerbangan Malindo Air akan menggantung laluan Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu (KUL-KBR) berkuat kuasa 23 November 2015 ini. 

Perkhidmatan penerbangan terus sektor Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu yang diperkenalkan sejak setahun yang lalu ini menggunakan pesawat jenis B737-800 dengan perkhidmatan penerbangan pada awal pagi. 

Dari 14 Julai 2015 sehingga 30 September 2015 pula, Malindo Air menambah kekerapan bagi laluan ini kepada dua kali sehari sebelum dikurangkan semula kepada sekali sehari mulai Oktober lepas. 

Berdasarkan maklumat yang diperoleh daripada sumber industri penerbangan, Malindo Air terpaksa menggantung sementara laluan ini ekoran masalah kekurangan pesawat lebih-lebih lagi Malindo Air kini lebih memberi tumpuan kepada pengembangan laluan antarabangsa ke India, Australia, Hong Kong, dan Vietnam. 

Walau bagaimanapun, Malindo Air dijangka memperkenalkan semula laluan ini apabila mereka mempunyai angkatan pesawat jenis jet yang mencukupi untuk pasaran domestik dan antarabangsa. 

Selain itu, Malindo Air masih mengekalkan laluan Subang Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu (SZB-KBR) dengan kekerapan tujuh kali sehari. 

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my 

Panduan percutian dari Kota Bharu ke Pulau Langkawi dengan Firefly

Sistem Kereta Kabel Langkawi di Gunung Mat Chinchang. 

PULAU LANGKAWI atau ringkasnya Langkawi merupakan salah satu destinasi pelancongan popular dalam kalangan rakyat Malaysia selain Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan, Pahang, Sabah, dan Sarawak. 

Dataran Lang

Terdapat banyak tempat menarik yang boleh dikunjungi di pulau legenda ini, antaranya ialah Makam Mahsuri, Dataran Lang, Gunung Mat Chinchang (Kereta Kabel Langkawi), Pantai Chenang, Underwater World Langkawi, Tasik Dayang Bunting, Taman Laut Pulau Payar, Air Terjun Telaga Tujuh, Pantai Kok, dan banyak lagi. 

Pulau yang berstatus bebas cukai sejak 1987 ini juga merupakan pulau syurga beli-belah yang terkenal dengan aneka jenis coklat, produk tembakau, dan perkakasan dapur seperti periuk, pinggan-mangkuk, dan sebagainya. 

Kunjungan anda ke pulau legenda ini tidak akan sah jika tidak berkunjung ke Makam Mahsuri, Gunung Mat Chinchang (menaiki Kereta Kabel Langkawi), Dataran Lang, Pantai Chenang, dan Underwater World Langkawi. 

Underwater World Langkawi

Untuk ke satu-satu tempat menarik di sini anda mempunya dua pilihan utama, iaitu dengan menyewa kereta atau mengambil pakej termasuk pakej jalan-jalan secara perkongsian (sharing tour). Perkhidmatan sewaan kereta bukan sahaja beroperasi di Lapangan Terbang Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIA) dan Jeti Kuah tetapi juga di beberapa lagi lokasi tumpuan pelancong termasuk pekan Kuah. Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang perkhidmatan sewaan kereta dengan harga yang berpatutan, anda mungkin boleh merujuk melalui laman Facebook Jom Terokai Langkawi. 

Dalam pada itu, perkhidmatan sewaan motosikal juga ada disediakan di sekitar pekan Kuah dan kawasan-kawasan tumpuan pelancong yang lain. Untuk menerokai Langkawi dengan motosikal, informasi daripada blog ini mungkin boleh membantu anda:- http://jheffyazid.blogspot.my/2014/08/pulau-langkawimengimbau-zaman-study-dulu.html, manakala untuk tawaran pakej jalan-jalan secara perkongsian, sila layari laman sesawang http://www.langkawi-online.com/pages/optional-tours.php.

Kemudahan penginapan: Terdapat banyak kemudahan penginapan di pulau legenda ini daripada inap desa (homestay) sehinggalah kepada  hotel bertaraf antarabangsa. Tempahan bilik hotel boleh dibuat secara terus dengan hotel berkenaan atau anda juga boleh mencari hotel-hotel yang bersesuaian dengan bajet anda melalui laman sesawang www.agoda.com.my dan juga beberapa lagi laman sesawang tempahan hotel yang popular. 

Makam Mahsuri yang terletak di Kg. Mawat, Mukim Ulu Melaka, iaitu kira-kira 12 kilometer dari pekan Kuah. 

CARA KE SANA

Penerbangan Firefly menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus dari Kota Bharu ke Pulau Langkawi dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu, iaitu setiap Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu. Penerbangan terus ini mengambil masa kira-kira 60 minit sahaja. Untuk maklumat lanjut dan tempahan tiket, sila layari laman sesawang www.fireflyz.com.my. 

Parkir kereta dan penginapan di LTSIP: Penumpang dari Kelantan Selatan, Terengganu, dan wilayah-wilayah di Selatan Thailand yang mengambil penerbangan dari Kota Bharu ke Langkawi dan destinasi lain dari Kota Bharu bolehlah memakir kenderaan anda di medan parkir kereta di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) untuk beberapa hari. Kemudahan penginapan sekitar lapangan terbang ini juga ada disediakan. Antaranya ialah Hotel Golden Terminal Lodge yang terletak di hadapan bangunan terminal.

Info lanjut: Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang tempat-tempat menarik di Pulau Langkawi, sila layari laman sesawang www.naturallylangkawi.my.

Sumber: Blog Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my

Malaysia Airlines CEO says may launch premium economy service

BALI, Indonesia: Malaysia Airlines (MAB) could introduce a premium economy option to attract long-haul business travellers as one part of a broader strategy to try to help it exit years of losses, its chief executive said in an interview on Friday.

The airline, which introduced a new business class seat last week, will make a decision in "a couple of months", Chief Executive Christoph Mueller told Reuters, speaking on the sidelines of an industry event in Bali.

"We are very happy with business class demand, and this gives us the opportunity to increase the revenue per passenger in the economy class. The target passenger is in economy class, and you don't want to cannibalize the business class," said Mueller.

The airline is seeking recovery after suffering huge damage to its brand after flight MH370, carrying 239 passengers and crew, disappeared in March last year. In July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine, and all 298 aboard were killed.

Mueller, an experienced industry executive, was hired to push through restructuring at MAB in May after Malaysian national investment firm Khazanah took it private late last year as part of a 6 billion ringgit ($1.37 billion) programme that also cut the airline's workforce by a third.

"We have to prove every quarter that we are on track, and only against the delivery of certain targets is the funding provided," said Mueller, referring to progress in his efforts to turn the company around.

Introducing premium economy seats - usually wider and with more leg room than in economy class - would allow MAB to compete more effectively for business passengers against its rivals. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways began offering a premium economy option in 2012, and Singapore Airlines from this year.

Airlines like SIA also offer priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

All MAB aircraft currently operate in a two-class configuration - business and economy - except for its Airbus jumbo A380s, which also have a first class option. MAB considered premium economy for the A380s in 2012, but decided against it in favour of additional economy class seats.

The fate of the airline's A380s remains uncertain. The airline has unsuccessfully tried to sell two of the four-engined jets, and industry sources say it could also try to offload the other four in the coming years as it reworks its fleet plans.

Mueller said that while it is too early to talk about retiring the A380s, he would "never say never" to the option.

Source: Reuters | 13 Nov. 2015

Firefly diminta perkenal laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka

KOTA BHARU: Syarikat penerbangan Firefly melalui hab sekundernya di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) diminta memperkenalkan laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka dengan kekerapan tiga kali seminggu. 

Penerbangan tiga kali seminggu paling sesuai ditawarkan pada hari Selasa, Khamis, dan Sabtu berbanding penerbangan harian yang pernah ditawarkan syarikat penerbangan Malindo Air sebelum ini. 

Perjalanan dengan bas ekspres dari Kota Bharu ke Bandar Raya Melaka dan sebaliknya mengambil masa kira-kira 10 jam berbanding hanya sejam lebih dengan pengangkutan udara. 

Penerbangan pada sebelah tengah hari atau lewat petang merupakan jadual penerbangan yang paling sesuai bagi laluan ini dengan mengambil kira penduduk Terengganu dan Narathiwat di Selatan Thailand yang turut dapat memanfaatkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ini. 

Pembukaan laluan ini kelak pastinya akan dapat mengukuhkan hab sekunder Firefly di LTSIP sekali gus mengukuhkan kedudukan LTSIP sebagai hab penerbangan utama di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER). 

Selain laluan Kota Bharu - Melaka, Firefly juga boleh menawarkan beberapa lagi laluan dari Melaka seperti Melaka - Ipoh dan Melaka - Pulau Pinang bagi menyokong operasi Firefly dari Lapangan Terbang Melaka (LTM). 

Sumber: Blog Kota Bharu Airport | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my 

RMK11: RM500 juta diperuntukkan untuk naik taraf dan pembesaran LTSIP

Landasan LTSIP dijangka dipanjangkan daripada 2,400 meter kepada 3,800 meter untuk membolehkan lapangan terbang ini mengendalikan pesawat berbadan lebar seperti A330-300 dan A350-900.

KOTA BHARU: Sejumlah RM500 juta diperuntukkan Kerajaan Persekutuan melalui Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia (MOT) untuk projek naik taraf dan pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesebelas (RMK11). 

Perkara ini disahkan Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Umno Kelantan yang meminta rakyat di negeri ini menilai sendiri antara projek mega yang diluluskan Kerajaan Persekutuan di bawah RMK11. 

“Kalaulah kita menganaktirikan, meminggirkan tidak pedulikan rakyat Kelantan, mana mungkin kelulusan besar diberikan oleh Perdana Menteri kepada Kelantan." - katanya yang merujuk kepada kelulusan RM500 juta untuk naik taraf dan pembesaran LTSIP yang akan bermula tidak lama lagi. 

Projek naik taraf dan pembesaran LTSIP ini dibahagikan kepada beberapa fasa yang melibatkan pembesaran bangunan terminal, pembinaan menara kawalan trafik dan balai bomba lapangan terbang baharu, kompleks parkir kereta bertingkat, kerja-kerja naik taraf landasan dan laluan rayap (taxiway), serta pemanjangan landasan sedia ada.

Kerja-kerja pembesaran bangunan terminal sedia ada, pembinaan kompleks parkir kereta bertingkat, balai bomba dan menara kawalan baharu dijangka menelan kos antara RM200 juta sehingga RM250 juta, manakala pemanjangan landasan untuk pendaratan pesawat berbadan lebar seperti A330-300, B777-200ER, dan A350-900 dijangka menelan kos antara RM200 juta sehingga RM250 juta termasuk pemasangan peralatan navigasi baharu untuk lapangan terbang ini. 

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport Blog | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my

LTSIP dihubungkan dengan kesemua lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Malaysia

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu 

PEMBUKAAN laluan Kota Bharu – Pulau Langkawi oleh syarikat penerbangan Firefly pada 27 Oktober lalu telah menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra Kota Bharu (LTSIP) sebagai sebuah lapangan terbang yang mempunyai rangkaian laluan penerbangan dengan kesemua lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Malaysia. 

Terdapat enam buah lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Malaysia yang diiktiraf oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan, iaitu Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu (KKIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang (PIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (KIA), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai Johor Bahru (SIA), dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIA). 

Selain LTSIP, lapangan terbang lain di Malaysia yang mempunyai rangkaian laluan penerbangan dengan kesemua lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Malaysia ialah KLIA dan PIA. 

Malaysia Airlines dan Malindo Air menawarkan perkhidmatan dari LTSIP ke KLIA, manakala AirAsia bukan sahaja menawarkan perkhidmatan dari LTSIP ke KLIA tetapi juga KKIA dan KIA. Firefly pula menawarkan perkhidmatan dari LTSIP ke PIA, SIA, dan LIA.

Sumber: Kota Bharu Airport Blog | www.kotabharuairport.blogspot.my

Malaysia Airlines Mueller puts last touches to Asean hub

Chief Executive Officer Christoph Mueller

LONDON: Malaysia Airlines said a network restructuring aimed at establishing its base in Kuala Lumpur as a hub for travel to fast-growing regional economies including China and Vietnam is 90 percent complete.

“We’re fine-tuning with regard to the frequency pattern, but the capacity-per-destination is fixed,” Chief Executive Officer Christoph Mueller said Wednesday in an interview in London. “The network design was 15 years old and largely driven by traffic from Europe to Australasia.”

Mueller took over in March, tasked with reviving a carrier that was racking up losses even before before the deaths of hundreds of people in two crashes last year led to a plunge in traffic. After cutting 6,000 jobs, slashing pay and trimming capacity by 30 percent the CEO said he's done with major changes and ready to target markets also including Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

“I tried to front-load the restructuring exercise because the consequences of capacity cuts are you have to release employees and if you do that over time, it's like having the flu for weeks,” Mueller said. “You want to have that all in the front so there is no further bad news for employees.”

Malaysian Air is shifting to smaller jets as part of the revamp, seeking a buyer for two of its six Airbus Group SE A380. Mueller said five superjumbos are deployed on its London route, with the other used for charter trips, including flying the Real Madrid soccer team on an Asian tour and taking Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. The rollout plan for four A350s due in 2017 will be decided next year.

The airline has amassed more than 4.9 billion ringgit ($1.2 billion) in losses since the start of 2011 and was taken private by Khazanah Nasional Bhd in a 1.38 billion ringgit buyout. The sovereign wealth fund has committed to invest 6 billion ringgit in the restructuring plan.

Source: Bloomberg | 5 Nov. 2015

Terminal KLIA 2 gets fire safety certificate

PUTRAJAYA: The Terminal KLIA 2 (KLIA 2), Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the world's largest purpose-built terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers, on Wednesday received its Fire Certificate from the Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia (JBPM).

In a statement, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Chief Operating Officer Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali said the certification shows the airport operator's seriousness and commitment to ensuring the terminal's operational safety.

"The certification also confirms KLIA 2's compliance with all safety guidelines of local and international enforcement and monitoring agencies," he said.

The department, which issued the certificate on June 3 following its inspection on KLIA 2's Main Terminal and Satellite Building on April 27, was satisfied that KLIA 2's fire safety system complied with the standards outlined in the Fire Sevices Act 1988 and Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, he added.

Source: Bernama | 4 Nov. 2015

AirAsia to launch Penang - Ho Chi Minh flights

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd will launch four weekly flights from Penang to Ho Chi Minh City from Jan 25, 2016.

AirAsia Head of Commercial Spencer Lee said all-in-fares from as low as RM99 one way for the Penang - Ho Chi Minh City (PEN-SGN) flight are being offered on airasia.com from today until Nov 8 in conjunction with the inaugural flight.

He said the promotional fares are for the travel period from Jan 25 to 29, 2016, he said in a statement Tuesday.

Intended travellers can also book their seats via AirAsia's mobile app on iPhone and Android devices, as well as the mobile site mobile.airasia.com.

BIG members also will be able to redeem their flights for the Penang-Ho Chi Minh route at airasiabig.com.

Lee said AirAsia strived to bring Malaysian cities closer to its neighbouring cities by connecting more cities within Asia.

"Penang is one of our important hubs, and we recognised its great tourism potential.

This new direct flight signifies our commitment in establishing enhanced connectivity for the people from both cities," he added.

AirAsia, the world's best low-cost airline for seven consecutive years, also flies direct to Ho Chi Minh City from Kuala Lumpur with five daily flights and Johor Bahru with three weekly flights.

 

Source: Bernama | 3 Nov. 2015

MAB unveils new A330-300 business class seats

Malaysia Airlines A330-300 aircraft.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) on Monday unveiled its new A330-300 business class seats at the World Travel Market in London.

In a statement, MAB said the new seats would be introduced in April 2016 and would see all its 15 A330-300 aircraft fitted with the new configuration by September 2016.

MAB Group Chief Executive Officer Christoph Mueller said the new seats and configuration were designed to give a superb space for work, play or sleep.

"All of our A330 business class seats will now feature fully flat beds allowing our guests the ultimate in comfort and versatility," he said, adding the product would make MAB more competitive against other full-service carriers.

"It is also part of the airline's push to be more customer centric," he added. Currently, MAB A330-300 has 27 business class seats and 263 economy class seats.

 

Source: Bernama | 3 Nov. 2015