Wednesday, February 14, 2018

MAHB perkemas perniagaan bagi manfaatkan perkembangan industri aeroangkasa

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) bertindak memperkemaskan perniagaannya dengan penubuhan dua anak syarikat bagi merebut peluang hasil daripada perkembangan industri berkaitan penerbangan.

Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali berkata di peringkat antarabangsa, pengendali lapangan terbang itu akan menubuhkan Malaysia Airports International menjelang akhir suku ini.

"Kami akan meletakkan semua aset-aset antarabangsa di bawah anak syarikat ini dan mencari lebih banyak peluang di luar negara sama ada dengan mengambil alih kepentingan dalam syarikat lain atau menyediakan sendiri perkhidmatan terbabit," katanya kepada Bernama dalam satu temu bual, baru-baru ini.

Badlisham berkata satu lagi anak syarikat iaitu KLIA Aeropolis Sdn Bhd akan mengendalikan portfolio penyelenggaraan, pembaikan dan baik pulih (MRO) serta pembangunan tanah MAHB.

"Ia melibatkan pengendalian semua aset pembangunan tanah selain perniagaan sokongan penerbangan dan logistik dan dijangka menjadi kenyataan paling lewat menjelang suku pertama atau kedua tahun ini," katanya.

Susulan itu, kata Badlisham, MAHB akan memiliki tiga segmen perniagaan - operasi lapangan terbang di Malaysia, perniagaan aeropolis (bandar raya lapangan terbang) dan perniagaan antarabangsa.

MAHB tersenarai antara pengendali lapangan terbang terbesar dunia dari segi pengurusan bilangan penumpang, termasuk operasi dan mengendalikan 39 lapangan terbang di Malaysia dan sebuah lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Istanbul, Turki.

Pada masa sama, ia turut menyediakan perkhidmatan pengurusan lapangan terbang dan teknikal bagi pembangunan, pengoperasian, penyelenggaraan dan pengurusan lapangan terbang antarabangsa di luar negara.

"Kesemua itu akan disusun pada tahun ini. MAHB akan menyaksikan tempoh yang cemerlang di masa-masa akan datang," katanya.

Badlisham turut menyuarakan rasa optimis bahawa Malaysia berada dalam kedudukan yang kukuh untuk merebut peluang-peluang baharu dalam perniagaan penerbangan sama ada pembuatan, MRO mahu pun perkhidmatan.

"Banyak syarikat - sama ada baharu atau yang mahu berkembang, memberi tumpuan terhadap Asia-Pasifik. Mereka mencari lokasi bagi sektor-sektor tertentu.

"Di Subang misalnya, kami mencari kalangan penggiat peringkat 1 dan 2. Bukan sahaja lokasinya yang berhampiran dengan lapangan terbang tetapi juga ekosistem penggiat lain yang disokong. Penggiat peringkat 2 akan membekal kepada syarikat peringkat 1 yang kemudiannya berperanan menyalurkan bekalan kepada pengeluar utama di peringkat serantau dan global," katanya.

MAHB juga terbabit dalam Pelan Induk Pembangunan Industri Aeroangkasa 2030 yang diwujudkan oleh Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri bagi memacu perkembangan industri berkenaan.

"Kami mahu menjadikan Malaysia sebagai hab aeroangksa untuk rantau Asia-Pasifik. Apa yang penting adalah bagaimana untuk membangunkan semula Subang serta memajukan KLIA (Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur).

"MAHB bukan setakat pengendali lapangan terbang di Malaysia tetapi turut dipertanggungjawabkan memajukan tanah di sekitar lapangan terbang terbabit," katanya.

Ini termasuk kawasan seluas 25 hektar di Subang yang merupakan fasa terakhir bagi tujuan pembangunan semula dan dilihat paling sesuai sebagai sokongan kepada industri penerbangan.

Sehubungan itu, kata Badlisham, usaha mendapatkan pelaburan yang tepat adalah amat penting bukan sahaja bagi memenuhi keperluan pelanggan sedia ada tetapi juga merebut peluang besar di sekitar rantau ini susulan peningkatan penghantaran menerusi penerbangan di sini yang dijangka berlipat ganda dalam tempoh 20 tahun akan datang.

"Banyak penggiat industri aeroangkasa yang sukakan Malaysia kerana tanah yang ada serta program pembangunan industri yang disediakan. Namun, apa yang mereka mahu lihat adalah pelaksanaannya," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau berkata MAHB juga masih menunggu laporan pihak Persatuan Pengangkutan Udara Antarabangsa (IATA) yang diberi tugasan oleh pihaknya untuk melakukan kajian infrastruktur dan operasi syarikat itu.

"Tugas itu memakan masa lapan bulan. Sebarang syor daripada kajian itu akan dikemukakan pada bulan ini," katanya.

Jelas Badlisham, MAHB sememangnya berusaha untuk menseimbangkan antara unjuran pertumbuhan IATA dan perkembangan infrastruktur.

Malah, MAHB telah memperuntukkan sejumlah setengah bilion ringgit bagi tujuan automasi lapangan terbang bagi tempoh 12 bulan akan datang.

"Kami dalam usaha menyiapkan usaha pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi yang menelan kos kira-kira RM80 juta pada Ogos ini. Sejumlah RM500 juta lagi akan dibelanjakan bagi pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang bagi melonjakkan kapasiti penumpang tahunan kepada 12 juta orang berbanding 6.5 juta orang ketika ini.

"Projek selama dua tahun itu akan dimulakan pada akhir tahun ini.

"Selain itu, usaha pembesaran itu turut dilakukan di Lapangan Terbang Kota Bharu yang menelan kos kira-kira RM470 juta bagi tempoh tiga tahun akan datang. Banyak projek lain juga telah dijalankan. Malaysia tidak pernah ketinggalan dari segi perancangan untuk mempertingkatkan aspek infrastrukturnya," katanya.

Menurut Badlisham, usaha menaik taraf dan pengembangan itu tidak hanya membabitkan aspek infrastruktur fizikal tetapi juga kemudahan lain yang merangkumi agensi lain bagi mempertingkatkan sumber-sumbernya seperti Jabatan Penerbangan Awam, Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia serta pihak polis.

Sumber: Bernama | Ekonomi | 13 Februari 2018

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Expansion of LTSIP set to boost Kelantan's economy

KOTA BHARU: The RM450 million project to upgrade and expand Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) in Pengkalan Chepa here, is set to boost the Kelantan's economy while providing comfort to passengers.

With the expansion, the airport terminal will be able to accommodate four million passengers a year, compared to its current capacity of 1.3 million.

The upgrading works planned for LTSIP due to start in July, is among several mega projects to be implemented in the state under the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK11).

A check by Bernama revealed that passengers and traders were happy with the project, expected to complete by 2020, as it would help generate income for people in the state.

Malay Chamber of Commerce Kelantan honorary secretary, Noor Eedi Che Aziz said the move to expand LTSIP was to cater to future needs of the busiest airport in the East Coast region.

"With the expansion of the airport, more domestic and international tourists will visit the state, thereby contributing to the state's economic growth," he said.

"The airport expansion will also provide more employment opportunities and retail space for small and medium enterprises," he said adding that LTSIP had the potential to become a travel hub for ASEAN countries.

Meanwhile LTSIP Taxi Association chairman Ab Rashed Mamat said with the increasing number of flights there would be more business for taxi drivers.

"It is hoped that with the expansion, traffic congestion will also be addressed, so that we no longer have problems in picking up and dropping off passengers," he said.

Meanwhile, State Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the implementation of the project proved that the Barisan Nasional government fulfilled its pledges.

Source: Bernama | 12 February 2018

Pembesaran LTSIP tambah keselesaan, jana pendapatan rakyat Kelantan

KOTA BHARU: Projek pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP) Pengkalan Chepa di sini, yang dijangka bermula Julai depan membabitkan kos RM450 juta, akan merancakkan pertumbuhan ekonomi negeri di samping memberi lebih keselesaan kepada pengguna.

Pembesaran terminal LTSIP itu sekali gus mampu menampung empat juta penumpang setahun berbanding sekarang ini hanya sekitar 1.3 juta orang.

Pembesaran LTSIP adalah antara beberapa projek mega yang akan dilaksanakan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11 (RMK-11) di negeri ini oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan.

Tinjauan Bernama mendapati rata-rata penumpang dan peniaga gembira dengan pelaksanaan projek berkenaan yang dijangka siap pada 2020 kerana akan memberikan keselesaan dan menjana pendapatan rakyat negeri ini.

Setiausaha Kehormat Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia Kelantan Noor Eedi Che Aziz berkata langkah Kerajaan Persekutuan membesarkan LTSIP bagi menampung keperluan masa depan lapangan terbang paling sibuk di wilayah Pantai Timur Semenanjung dengan purata 42 penerbangan sehari.

Sumber: Bernama | 12 Februari 2018

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Malaysia Airlines resumes flights to Brisbane

KLIA, SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines will be reinstating direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Brisbane effective 6 June 2018.

The four times weekly service will be provided using an A330-300 with up to 290 seats. The airline will be operating every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

MH135 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 9.50am and will arrive Brisbane at 7.55pm the same day. The return flight, MH134 will depart Brisbane at 11.20pm and arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.50am the next day.

Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Izham Ismail, said, “Malaysia Airlines need to be agile in order to respond quickly to market demands and we are very excited to be re-instating Brisbane back to our network. Brisbane is strategically placed, in close proximity to many of Queensland’s tourist destinations, which will facilitate our growth plans focusing on key business and leisure cities”.

“Malaysia Airlines has had a long presence in Queensland since the commencement of our operations into Brisbane on 31st October 1990. We are happy to be returning to Brisbane offering convenient connections on Malaysia Airline’s global network,” Izham added.

The Hon. Kate Jones, Minister for Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and Commonwealth Games, said through the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, Tourism and Events Queensland and its partners have again been able to secure an important airline on an important route, giving travellers another way to come here and further enhancing the reputation of Brisbane Airport.

“Malaysia Airlines is a renowned global airline and Kuala Lumpur is a thriving international hub which means a new gateway has been opened for thousands of travellers to come to Queensland to experience the Great Barrier Reef, our world-heritage listed rainforests, our iconic beaches and the outback,” Minister Jones said.

Today Malaysia Airlines’ operations between Kuala Lumpur and Australia covers Sydney (twice daily), Melbourne (twice daily), Perth (daily) and Adelaide (4 times a week).

Tickets to Brisbane will go on sale from 9 January 2018 on Malaysia Airlines website at www.malaysiaairlines.com

In conjunction with the opening of this route, Malaysia Airlines will kick start its New Year Deals campaign from today with promotional all-inclusive return fares on Economy Class to Brisbane from RM2,009, Seoul from RM1,259, Tokyo from RM1,419, Auckland from RM2,239 and other destinations. The sale ends on 14 January. Travel period is from 16 January to 31 May 2018, with the exception of Brisbane from 6 June to 31 October.

To grab this promotion, customers can visit the airline’s preferred travel agents, via mobile app or its official website.

Source: Malaysia Airlines Berhad | 9 January 2018

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Penerbangan Malaysia kembali ke Brisbane

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd. (MAB) akan mengembalikan semula penerbangan tanpa henti antara Kuala Lumpur dan Brisbane, Australia bermula 6 Jun ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MAB, Izham Ismail berkata, syarikat penerbangan itu akan beroperasi empat kali seminggu iaitu Isnin, Rabu, Khamis dan Sabtu menerusi pesawat A330-300 yang menawarkan sehingga 290 tempat duduk.

Brisbane adalah sangat strategik berhampiran pelbagai destinasi pelancongan di Queensland selari dengan pelan pertumbuhan kami yang memfokuskan kepada perniagaan utama dan bandar-bandar pelancongan.

“Malaysia Airlines telah lama bertapak di Queensland sejak operasi ke Brisbane diperkenalkan pada 31 Oktober 1990,” katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Pesawat kod MH135 akan berlepas dari Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9.50 pagi dan akan tiba di Brisbane pada pukul 7.55 petang hari sama. Bagi penerbangan pulang pula, MH134 akan berlepas dari Brisbane pada pukul 11.20 malam dan tiba di Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 5.50 pagi hari berikutnya.

Sempena pengumuman laluan itu, MAB mengadakan Tawaran Tahun Baharu dengan promosi penerbangan Kelas Ekonomi ke Brisbane daripada RM2,009 seorang, Seoul (RM1,259), Tokyo (RM1,419), Auckland (RM2,239) dan pelbagai destinasi lain.

Promosi boleh didapati sehingga 14 Januari 2018 untuk tempoh perjalanan dari 16 Januari hingga 31 Mei 2018, kecuali Brisbane dari 6 Jun hingga 31 Oktober 2018.

MAB ketika ini terbang ke empat destinasi di Australia iaitu Sydney (dua kali sehari), Melbourne (dua hari sekali), Perth (harian) dan Adelaide (empat kali seminggu).

Sumber: Utusan Malaysia | Ekonomi | 9 Januari 2018 | Terbitan 10 Januari 2018

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Malaysia Airports continues plans to elevate KLIA as an ASEAN hub through implementation of self baggage drop in KLIA 2

SEPANG: As announced previously, Malaysia Airports is making the travelling experience for passengers at KL International Airport’s (KLIA) second terminal, KLIA 2, much easier and faster through the use of self-baggage drop (SBD) facility. 15 counters at Row V & W will be fitted with SBD facility starting from 7 January 2018. The installation will be completed by 11 February 2018.

This SBD facility is Scan & Fly by SITA, a world-leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology. Scan & Fly can be enjoyed by more than 25 million AirAsia passengers who pass through KLIA 2 in a year, subject to the airline’s assignment of their check in counters.

According to Malaysia Airports managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, as an airport operator, their main aim is to continuously provide convenience to the passengers in line with their mission providing joyful experience at the airport. This SBD implementation is also a key initiative in the five-year business plan, Runway to Success 2020 (RtS2020) under the KUL Hub strategic pillar which aims to strengthen KLIA’s position as a regional hub. 

“With the SBD system at our terminal, baggage drop queue time can now be cut to half the previous time from 2.5 minutes per passenger before to only 1 minute per passenger now. With the strong growth in passenger traffic numbers in recent years, this initiative will certainly enhance the travelling experience. As at November 2017, KLIA 2 registered a total of 27.4 million passenger traffic movements,” he added further.

The SBD implementation will also increase the per-hour number of passengers handled during baggage drop from an average of 24 previously to 60 passengers an hour now.

During the one-month installation, passengers are advised to check with airport and airline ground staff at the terminal for any enquiries. 

Source: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) | 5 January 2018

Saturday, January 6, 2018

'Passenger traffic to hit 103m this year'

Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali at MAHB’s Business Update & 2018 Outlook in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects overall passenger traffic in the country to reach 103 million this year, compared with 96.5 million last year.

Its managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said the airport operator anticipated more foreign airlines to launch direct flights to destinations in Malaysia other than the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

He said more international airlines would likely bypass KLIA and choose to fly directly into Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.

This would, in turn, impact domestic flights from KLIA to other international airports within Malaysia.

However, Badlisham said it would contribute positively to international traffic growth this year.

Passenger traffic growth this year would be spurred by MAHB’s expansion plans, including automation, refurbishment and upgrade works throughout its network of airports.

“Passenger traffic growth is expected to be robust, with additional seat offerings from airlines and short-term upswing from the 14th General Election expected early this year,” he said at MAHB’s Business Update & 2018 Outlook, here, yesterday.

Badlisham said international traffic was expected to grow more than domestic traffic, attributed to new routes and aircraft this year.

“More airlines will launch long-haul flights to new destinations in Europe and relaunch their previous international routes.

“The airlines will also receive more efficient aircraft, making it possible for them to launch new routes and add more frequencies,” he said.

On the potential strategic investors for Istanbul Sabiha Gokchen (ISG) International Airport, Badlisham said 10 players were interested to become its partner.

“When you do business, it is always good to have partners, be it local or foreign partners. We think there is a significant value in ISG. It is an on-going progress,” he said.

However, Badlisham said MAHB would likely maintain the majority ownership in ISG in the short term, adding that MAHB had built significant value in ISG.

“We have made investments for the boarding hall. The second runway is coming on stream. The potential for growth is assured as ISG is strategically located between Europe and Asia,” he said, adding that MAHB expected ISG to be profitable in the financial year ending December 31.

Source: New Straits Times Online | 6 January 2018