Scoot: Ready For Take Off From Singapore To Miri Twice Weekly

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email:  anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd, operating as Scoot, will launch its twice weekly direct flights from Singapore to Miri effective 23 February.

 
The Singaporean low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, was initially scheduled to commence the Singapore-Miri route on 19 January but had postponed to this new date due to unforeseen circumstances.

According to Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the letter of confirmation for the route from Scoot was received on 3 February by his ministry. 

Sarawak Transport
Minister Dato Sri
Lee Kim Shin

“With the opening of this new route between Singapore and Miri, the distance, time, and comfort of doing business will be less of a hassle, especially if we need to bring in cargo or business travellers from overseas via Singapore to Miri,” he says.

Additionally, expenses will be greatly reduced compared to transiting in Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, Scoot is operating flights from Singapore to Kuching three times weekly. It will be very timely for the airline to operate the Singapore-Miri route as Miri is the northern gateway into Sarawak.

Miri is also one of the main gateways to numerous wildlife attractions such as Gunung Mulu National Park, which features the world’s largest cave passage at Deer Cave besides other interesting caves. This renowned national park can be reached by air in 30 minutes from Miri.

The city is also the gateway to the fantastic caves at Niah National Park, Sarawak’s largest natural lake at Loagan Bunut National Park and Lambir Hills National Park with one of the world’s biggest biodiversity. 

Dato Sri Lee views the Singapore-Miri route as a manifestation of the airline and other big corporations’ confidence in Sarawak and Miri can offer investors in terms of the oil and gas industry.

Passengers of airlines not using the aerobridge at the Miri Airport will
have to walk to the terminal building

He reminds all travellers entering Sarawak to comply strictly with the standard operating procedures set by Malaysia’s National Security Council, Ministry of Health and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

They include filling the EnterSarawak and e-Health form to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state. 

Just a short drive by road outside the Miri City, tourists can experience the
traditional native welcome ceremony to their longhouse  

Acknowledging the support of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia Aviation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad, Immigration Department, Custom Department and SDMC, he says the Singapore-Miri flights are now open for booking at Scoot’s website, https://www.flyscoot.com.

Singapore-Miri Flight Schedule

Frequency	From	To	Flight No.	Departure Time	Arrival Time
Wednesday	Singapore	Miri	TR 400	12.20pm	2.20 pm
Saturday	Miri	Singapore	TR 401	3pm	5pm

Firefly To Reintroduce Jet Aircraft Services from Penang International Airport

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
16 December 2020

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Firefly first began its jet service operations using the Boeing 737-800 aircraft in January 2011 with scheduled return flights for Johor Bahru -Kuching, Kuala Lumpur -  Kuching, Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur - Jakarta.

However, it was short-lived and discontinued from September 2011 due to a restructuring of services agreement made between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines, Firefly's parent company at that time.

When Firefly was using Boeing 737-800 for the jet range services

Fast forward to 2020, Firefly Chief Executive Officer Philip See says, “We are thrilled to kickstart our 2021 journey with jet services from Penang. It has been a challenging 2020 for all of us in the travel industry. We hope these new services will accelerate the overall economic recovery in 2021.

Philip See

He adds that Penang, as the northern hub for our jet services, has a great mix of leisure and corporate business.

Firefly will introduce two daily services between Penang and Kota Kinabalu and Kuching respectively and three daily services between Penang and Johor Bahru. It will be using three Boeing 737-800 narrow body jet aircrafts seconded from Malaysia Airlines’ excess fleet.

Passengers on Firefly jet services will be using the aerobridge facilities for boarding and alighting from the aircraft at the airport terminals.

They can opt for the value bundle of FlyPremium and FlyInfinite set of services to enjoy its product features, which include unlimited flight changes, 35kgs of baggage allowance, in-flight hot meals, seat selection, insurance coverage besides collecting Enrich points.

Being part of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Firefly has strong network links and code-sharing facilities with sister companies, Malaysia Airlines and MASwings, which can provide seamless connecting travel experiences to secondary cities in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia to Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore in near future.

To celebrate the launch, Firefly will be giving discounted ticket sales for its three new jet routes from Penang with fares from as low as RM79 one way. Its registered members will get to enjoy exclusive rates with fares as low as RM69 one way.

Tickets are available for sale through all travel agents, Firefly website and booking offices. For more information on its products and services, visit www.fireflyz.com.my or call +603-78454543.

Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture To Restart Domestic Tourism With Attractive Incentives

By Anthony Tan

VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Director Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Suriya Charles Buas, Chief Operationg Officer for BeSarawak (Sarawak Convention Bureau) Amelia Roziman (2nd left), Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, Hii Chang Kee(3rd left), Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (middle), Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, (3rd right) Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor (2nd right) and Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Director, Baharuddin Sulaiman (Right)

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah launched two initiatives for all Sarawak’s travel agents and tour operators to help restart the tourism industry which had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two initiatives launched were, the Visitors Incentive Package (VIP) and the Sarawak Tourism Online Ecosystem Fund.

For the VIP package, Sarawak Travel Agencies will receive support for tour packages sold for a minimum of 4 pax and a maximum of 15 pax at any one time, excluding children below 2 years old. The incentives have been categorised as follows:-

1. 3D/ 2N package – for tourists who travel in a minimum package of four (4) and maximum package of fifteen (15). Under this category, the agent will receive RM30 for each tourist, for the first four tourists and an additional RM20 for each subsequent tourist up to 15 pax.

2. 4D/ 3N package – for tourists who travel in a minimum package of four (4) and maximum package of fifteen (15). Under this category, the agent will receive RM40 for each tourist, for the first four tourists and an additional RM25 for each subsequent tourist up to 15 pax.

3. 5D/ 4N package – for tourists who travel in a minimum package of four (4) and maximum package of fifteen (15). Under this category, the agent will receive RM50 for each tourist, for the first four tourists and an additional RM30 for each subsequent tourist up to 15 pax'

The second incentive launched was the Sarawak Tourism Online Ecosystem Fund which is an initiative programme to enlarge Sarawak Tourism’s Digital coverage and Share of Voice (SOV) in collaboration with the tourism industry partners.

For this incentive, Sarawak Tourism Board will allocate funding grant up to RM5,000 per tour operator for website development and maintenance, content production and digital advertising which focuses on Sarawak Tourism.  

To promote these new initiatives and to let the industry players to get a clearer understanding, a  digital roadshow programme will be conducted in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Bakalalan and Bario. 

YB Datuk Karim said, "The Government acknowledges the impact of the pandemic on tourism players and these initiatives have been crafted to provide support, push and accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector as well as to enhance industry confidence and encourage marketing and promotions of their products and services. It also aims to boost and motivate tourism partners to facilitate tourism activities and arrivals during this recovery phase. 

The Sarawak Tourism Online Ecosystem Fund seeks to align all industry players, with its key objective being the enhancement of digital economy within the Tourism Sector. It also aims at supporting and enhancing the use of e-commerce to drive more traffic within the ecosystem”.

This special launch event “Sesi Dialog Sektor Pelancongan Pasca Covid19 Bersama Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Sarawak and Sarawak Reopens For Tourism” was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. Among those attended were over 100 tourism industry partners including Sarawak Tourism Federation, Association for Sarawak Inbound Agents, Malaysian Association of Hotels (Sarawak Chapter), Sarawak Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak.

All Sarawak tour operators are invited to apply for the incentives which will be made available from 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020, in accordance to the criteria listed on a first come first serve basis. To find out more, please contact Sarawak Tourism Board at 082 423600 or stb@sarawaktourism.com

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Starting 5 November, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) is flying to Bintulu in Sarawak five times weekly followed by daily flights to Tawau in Sabah on Wednesdays through Mondays from 11 November.

It will also be flying to Sibu in Sarawak twice on Saturdays, plus daily flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 14 November 2019. 

 

Driveway Approaching Sandakan Airport

These new flights are subject to confirmation. They follow after the successful launch of its two earlier services to Kota Kinabalu (KK) on 29 July and Sandakan on 28 October under phase one of its RB Link regional initiative that connects towns and cities in East Malaysia and Indonesia’s Kalimantan from its base at Brunei International Airport.

Royal Brunei Airlines Connects Sandakan Globally 

Sandakan Airport Departure Hall

RBA’s recent launch of its inaugural Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan service served as a catalyst not only for both destinations to forge closer ties culturally and economically but also provided a golden opportunity to link Sandakan to international markets such as China, Japan, UK and Australia which

One of the major exports by air cargo from
Sandakan is fresh and live seafood 

offer great tourism and export opportunities.

Being the first international airline to fly into Sandakan, RBA Vice President of Government and International Relations Rory Ilyas Teo believes Sandakan will benefit from the airline’s value pricing and five-star full-service offerings. 

Its inaugural flight, which touched down at Sandakan Airport at 2.15 pm with 72 passengers, was given the traditional water canon salute. 

Also present to welcome its historical arrival were Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Senior Manager of Routes Development Zainuddin Mohamed, Sabah Tourism General Manager Noredah Othman and Sandakan Tourism Association President Teo Chee Kim.

This six-time weekly RB Link service to Sandakan is starting out with two brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft. owned by RBA, with the wet lease aircraft operated by Malindo Air.  Details of its flight schedule are as follows:

Flight No	Sector	Depart	Arrival	Operation Days
BI 6813	Bandar Seri Begawan - Sandakan	13.30	14.25	Mon/Fri/Sun
BI 6814	Sandakan - Bandar Seri Begawan	15.05	16.10	Mon/Fri/Sun
BI 6817	Bandar Seri Begawan - Sandakan	19.00	20.05	Tues/Wed/Sat
BI 6818	Sandakan - Bandar Seri Begawan	20.35	21.40	Tues/Wed/Sat

View of Sandakan town with a 
beautiful coastline

In his welcome message, MAHB Group Chief Executive Officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said Sandakan Airport saw 12% increase in passenger movements from January to August as compared to 2018.

He is confident RBA is poised to capitalise on the demand of both leisure and business traffic for this sector and will subsequently contribute to Sabah’s overall development as Bruneians are frequent visitors to Sabah, especially in KK, Ranau and Kota Belud. 

Raja Azmi envisaged the improved ease of exploring the East Coast of Sabah with RB Link’s seamless booking will enhance connectivity from long haul destinations such as the UK and Australia to Sandakan.

Sabah Tourism General
Manager Noredah Othman 

Noredah viewed this new service as timely with Sandakan commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Sandakan Death Marches in August 2020. “We would like to encourage more British and Australians to gather here in remembrance of this history.”

To Teo, “Better flight connection is the key to develop further our tourism industry.” Thus, RB Link is a huge step forward for Sandakan. As such, he encouraged the tourism stakeholders in Sandakan should seize this opportunity to promote and market Sandakan to Brunei and beyond, especially to the European and Australian markets.

Sandakan Tourism
Association President
Teo Chee Kim

What RB Link service offer

RB Link full-service experience include a light snack and drink for flights over an hour and checked baggage allowance of 15 kg or for connecting guests, the weight in-line with international fare rules (starting from 30 kg in the Economy class). 

Guests onboard also enjoy RBA’s signature service and its Muhibah inflight magazine. They can use their personal electronic devices for entertainment.

Its aircraft has 72 Economy class seats with four preferred seats on a 43-inch seat pitch and six preferred seats with 33-inch seat pitch.

While Malindo Air provides the aircraft, maintenance, insurance and staff, the service and amenities onboard are from RBA, which will also be training the staff according to its service standards.

Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN) and Sabah Tourism Board jointly put an aggressive promotion for Sandakan during the September MATTA Fair 2019, the largest travel fair in Malaysia. STAN also took the opportunity to launch "Your Essential Guide To Sandakan" booklet at the travel fair. 

AirAsia’s third direct international flight from Langkawi to Shenzhen delayed to 9 Aug

By Anthony Tan

VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 
AirAsia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aireen Omar, who earlier announced its third direct international flights from Langkawi to Shenzhen, China would commence operations on 16 July but will now take off on 9 August.

Sky Bridge - One of the icons of Langkawi not to be missed. This is the longest free span and curved bridge in the world completed in 2004. The 125 metre bridge is suspended from a single 82 metre high pylon held 100 metre above ground. The bridge can accommodate to maximum capacity of 250 people at any single time.

Aireen first made the announcement of this thrice weekly flight (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017 in the presence of Minister of Transport, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. 

Aireen shaking hands with Liow. Looking on in white shirt is Langkawi Development Authority CEO Dato’ Azizan Noordin.

She said, “We announced Langkawi as our international hub two years ago during the last LIMA, and are proud to announce another international direct connectivity that will further grow Langkawi’s position as a premier holiday destination in the region.

“AirAsia has always been committed towards expanding the markets that we operate in, and Langkawi is no exception. The number of passengers flown year-on-year into Langkawi has also

The Icon of Langkawi - The Eagle Has Landed

increased by 30% from 2015 to 2016.”

“There is so much potential for Langkawi and we know with the resources we are putting in such as the marketing initiatives, we can expand the market demand for Langkawi from Shenzhen. AirAsia looks forward to working with all parties, especially from the tourism industry on both ends to ensure that we optimise on this new route.”

Langkawi, being AirAsia’s first route to be operated in 2001, currently serves five routes with 106 weekly flights. Two of them are international destinations (Singapore and Guangzhou) while the rest are domestic flights (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru). 
 

Shenzhen @ Nightscape

Shenzhen is situated just across the border from Hong Kong and 

it is a beautiful coastal garden city in South China.

With this new initiative, Langkawi is set to attract more tourist arrivals from China as the island offers sun, sea and sand attractions.

Since its inaugural flight in 2007, the airline has flown 4.3 million guests in and out of Shenzhen, bringing in high local and international passenger traffic into the city. 
 
Celebrating its tenth anniversary flying into Shenzhen, China, AirAsia was now offering 35 weekly flights from Shenzhen to South-East Asia.

 

The average load factor for this year for the three routes from Shenzhen recorded a performance of over 85%, placing AirAsia as the leading foreign airline, in terms of flight frequency and passengers flown into Shenzhen.

To celebrate the occasion, AirAsia is offering all-in fares as low as RM256 from Kuala Lumpur to Shenzhen and RM257 from Kota Kinabalu to Shenzhen.

 

Bookings for this new route can be made on AirAsia’s website as well as AirAsia’s mobile app on the iPhone and Android devices.
  

Window of the World is one of the must visit attractions. It is divided into eight regions of the World Square, Asia, Oceania, Europe Area & The Americas.