KLIA masih tawar penerbangan terus ke Eropah

Terminal KLIA 1, Lapangan terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA). 

KUALA LUMPUR: Setelah Malaysia Airlines menggantung beberapa laluan ke Eropah, iaitu Frankfurt (sejak 1 Jul. 2015), Istanbul-Ataturk (26 Ogos 2015), Amsterdam (25 Jan. 2016), dan Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (25 Jan. 2016), kini hanya terdapat tiga laluan penerbangan terus ke Eropah dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

Tiga laluan tersebut ialah Kuala Lumpur - London-Heathrow (KUL-LHR), Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam (KUL-AMS), dan Kuala Lumpur  - Istanbul-Ataturk (KUL-IST).

Sebelum itu, syarikat penerbangan Lufthansa dari Jerman telah menamatkan perkhidmatan bagi laluan Kuala Lumpur - Frankfurt berkuat kuasa 28 Februari 2016.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) dan British Airways (BA) masing-masing menawarkan perkhidmatan penerbangan terus ke London dengan menggunakan pesawat jenis A380-800 dan B787, manakala KLM Royal Dutch Airlines dan Turkish Airlines masing-masing mengadakan penerbangan terus ke Amsterdam dan Istanbul. 

Dalam pada itu, menerusi kerjasama perkongsian kod di antara MAS dengan Emirates, penumpang dari Kuala Lumpur mempunyai akses ke destinasi lain di Eropah melalui Dubai, iaitu ke Frankfurt, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, dan banyak lagi.

Setakat ini, hanya tinggal dua benua benua yang tidak ada penerbangan terus dari Kuala Lumpur, iaitu Amerika Utara dan Amerika Selatan (Amerika Latin). 

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

Balik Kampung Bersama Enrich from only 4,500 Enrich miles

KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, Enrich members can fly home this Ramadan from only 4,500 Enrich miles without the worry of traffic jams.

With Ramadan just around the corner, Enrich -- Malaysia Airlines' frequent flyer programme is promoting Balik Kampung campaign where members are able to enjoy a redemption offer of up to 30 per cent off for their flight tickets.

Members can start to redeem from May 14 - 20, 2016 whereas the travel period will start from June 6 - 29, 2016.

Malaysia Airlines' Enrich & Loyalty Head, Khairul Nisa Ismail said in conjunction with the celebration, Enrich's main priority is to reconnect its members with their loved ones and to cherish the spirit of togetherness.

"Now, members can redeem flights from as low as 4,500 Enrich Miles to get home faster.

"Don't worry if you are short on Enrich Miles because with Cash + Miles and with a minimum balance of 1,000 Enrich Miles, you can still redeem flights by topping up the difference with cash," said Khairul Nisa in a statement.

This redemption offer is valid for one-way and return flights on Malaysia Airlines only.

Redemption starts from only 4,500 Enrich Miles one-way and 9,000 Enrich Miles for return flights.

Source: Bernama | 13 May 2016

Tiket penerbangan MAS boleh dibeli melalui kaunter jualan tiket Firefly di LTSIP

KOTA BHARU: Para penumpang Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yang tidak mempunyai akses internet bolehlah mendapatkan tiket penerbangan MAS melalui kaunter jualan tiket Firefly di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

Hal ini kerana kaunter jualan tiket MAS yang terletak di ruang legar utama LTSIP telah ditutup beberapa bulan lepas dan urusan penjualan tiket MAS kini dipusatkan melalui kaunter jualan tiket Firefly di lapangan terbang tersibuk di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER) ini. 

Firefly merupakan anak syarikat milik penuh MAS yang mempunyai kerjasama perkongsian kod dengan MAS. 

MAS menawarkan penerbangan lima (5) kali sehari bagi laluan Kota Bharu - Kuala Lumpur, iaitu pada hari Ahad, Isnin, Khamis, dan Jumaat, manakala empat (4) kali sehari pada hari Selasa, Rabu, dan Sabtu menggunakan pesawat jenis B737-800 dengan 166 tempat duduk. 

Tiket MAS boleh dibeli melalui kaunter jualan tiket Firefly sekurang-kurangnya enam jam sebelum penerbangan. Untuk tempahan tiket secara dalam talian pula, sila layari laman sesawang www.malaysiaairlines.com. 

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

Malaysia Airlines returns to the black after years of losses

MAS’ outgoing chief executive officer Christoph Mueller in an e-mail he had sent out to the employees yesterday wrote that “I am delighted to share that we have stopped the bleeding”. Mueller told his employees that “we have seen continued improvements in this first year of the biggest and fastest transformation in our history. We have reshaped our business for a strong, sustainable future by moving quickly and making tough decisions early”.

PETALING JAYA: After years of reporting losses, the new-look Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) has posted its first quarterly profit – a modest RM14mil – for the period between January to end-March this year.

Group-wide, the profit was RM51mil before exceptional cost. This information on profit was spelt out by MAS’ outgoing chief executive officer Christoph Mueller in an e-mail he had sent out to the employees yesterday.

He wrote that “I am delighted to share that we have stopped the bleeding”. A year ago, in the same quarter, the airline had reported an RM450mil loss.

Mueller told his employees that “we have seen continued improvements in this first year of the biggest and fastest transformation in our history. We have reshaped our business for a strong, sustainable future by moving quickly and making tough decisions early”.

While it is ahead of its operational targets, factors that have contributed to MAS’ profitability are low fuel prices, a smaller number of employees and capacity reduction by 30% that have led to an overall reduction in cost.

MAS has also phased out its fuel-guzzling aircraft that has helped reduced fuel cost. Globally, airlines are making record profits due to low oil prices.

Mueller did say that “if we eliminate these exceptional items, our cashflow is positive!”

With the capacity contraction of 30% against last year, MAS’ revenue dropped by 22%, which was a strong reflection of improvement in the revenue quality, according to Mueller.

He went on to say that the operating cost further outperformed MAS’ capacity contraction, posting a 32.9% cost reduction against last year’s quarter.

“It is evident that through the route rationalisation exercise, our focus on unit cost control as well as our efforts on revenue quality have put us on the right track,” he added in the e-mail.

MAS can expect more improvements at group level in the coming quarters, as two fuel guzzlers, the B747-400 cargo planes, will be phased out.

Mueller also shared that there had been recovery in traffic from the China and Northern Asian markets after pushing for an aggressive sales strategy. Passenger loads were also higher, including that of the Business Class.

Mueller said a lot of over-capacity in certain markets had been taken out, resulting in MAS’ average revenue per passenger improving by more than 20%.

The airline’s on-time performance was 84% in the quarter, which is 2% ahead of MAS’ annual target, and loss of baggage at the KL International Airport had been reduced by half.

The airline’s complaints had also been reduced by 37% in the first quarter to the lowest ever since 2012.

The turning in of a profit may be a positive sign for the airline, but Mueller also cautioned that the “job is not done yet”.

The marginal results achievement was small, and even a small rise in jet fuel prices and a volatile ringgit could wreak havoc overnight in a market place that is ever so competitive.

That is why he suggested the need to “hard-wire” the changes made thus far and rigorously follow through on the implementation of the plan.

Mueller was hired to turn around the bleeding airline, which had reported losses of about RM1bil in the past and suffered twin disasters in 2014, which had eroded a lot of value and goodwill. Unfortunately, Mueller himself is leaving the job just over a year after he had joined, citing personal reasons for his departure in September.

This has cast doubts over the future of the airline and many worry that whatever was started may not be followed through and the regression will not see sustainability in earnings, which has been MAS’ biggest problem in the past.

Mueller has initiated over 220 projects that are at various stages of implementation to ensure the profitability of the airline.

When Mueller came onboard, the airline cut 6,000 jobs, lowered cost, reduced capacity by 30% and renegotiated supplier contracts that had been untouchable earlier. A successor has yet to be identified to take over from Mueller although the search continues.

Source: The Star Online | Business | 13 May 2016

Malaysia Airlines announces partnership with Farah Khan to redesign its uniforms

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has announced a strategic partnership with fashion brand Farah Khan to reenergise the design aesthetic of the national carrier's iconic kebaya and other uniforms.

Through the partnership, the fashion brand creative director, Datuk Seri Farah Khan will design the full range of uniforms of various departments of the airline, including its flight deck, cabin crew, airport and engineering outfits.

Malaysia Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Paul Simmon said Malaysia Airlines' uniforms, especially the kebaya, has served as an iconic symbol and a source of great pride for generations.

"With this collaboration, we look forward to taking this a step further, creating a fashionable and functional new collection," he said in a statement here today.

Simmon said the new uniforms would continue to be a point of pride for Malaysians as well as mark a fresh new start of MAB transformation for all customers who fly with the airline.

Meanwhile, Farah said MAB clothes were a composite of many facets that fascinated her and her team, while the designs were a sum of their inspirations.

"I am hugely excited about this partnership and the opportunity to make a positive impact in terms of the comprehensive look of cabin crew, ground staff and the rest of Team Malaysia Airlines," she said.

Farah said her aim was to present Malaysia's graciousness, warmth and hospitality.

Farah's designs are favoured internationally and available across more than 70 cities worldwide.

The new collection is expected to be unveiled in the fourth quarter of 2016, going into production soon after.

Source: Bernama | 10 May 2016

Malaysia Airlines revamping meals to improve customer service

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is revamping its economy class meals on short and long-haul flights in efforts to improve customer service as part of its overall transformation process.

Chief Commercial Officer Paul Simmons said the new menu, which would see an overall improvement in ingredients used, would also see the protein size doubled and bigger portions plus better overall presentation of the meals.

He said the new menu, scheduled to be served this month on all outbound flights from Kuala Lumpur, are the result of an extensive meal development process based on feedback from customers.

"We have invested an additional 20 per cent into the cost of creating the perfect menu to suit the variety of guests on Malaysia Airlines," he said in a statement today.

Simmons said the new investment in meals would also see the introduction of hot meals on short-haul flights and options tailored to specific routes.

He said more Malaysian dishes would also be served on flights between Kuala Lumpur to Australia including curry and rendang as part of the airline's move to provide a truly Malaysian experience.

"Malaysia Airlines is going through a period of rapid transformation as we are rebuilding to become one of the very best airlines in the world, focused on providing the best customer experience," he said.

Source: Bernama | 9 May 2016

Boeing 737 Max makes first international journey for flight testing

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 has marked a key achievement after completing high altitude flight testing in La Paz, Bolivia. It's the first international trip for the 737 MAX flight-test fleet. Photo by John Corrigan. Pic: Courtesy of Boeing

KUALA LUMPUR: The Boeing 737 MAX 8 has marked a key achievement after completing high altitude flight testing in La Paz, Bolivia.

It is the first international trip for the 737 MAX flight-test fleet.

The airport's 13,300-foot (4,050-meter) altitude tested the MAX's capability to take off and land at high altitudes, which can affect overall airplane performance, Boeing said in a statement.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice-president and general manager of the 737 MAX programme Keith Leverkuhn said the engines and other systems performed well, as expected, under extreme conditions.

Flight testing for the 737 MAX is on schedule with three test airplanes having completed more than 100 flights combined.

The fourth and final test airplane will make its first flight in the coming weeks and the programme remains on track for first delivery in the third quarter of 2017.

Source: Bernama | 3 May 2016