Firefly finally sees Hatyai’s potentials

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com



The much waited flight from Subang to southern Thailand’s city of Hat Yai has finally materialised and the inaugural flight will take off on May 2.

The will be four weekly flights on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Subang to Hatyai.












Way back in 2009, a number of ASEAN outbound tour operators had proposed to Firefly to operate this route for weekenders. They saw the potential for Malaysians to take the early Friday evening flight to Hatyai with some heading other southern town like Trang province, Songkhla and hopping to nearby island resorts Koh Lipe or koh Taruotao.

The Malaysian travel agents with their Thai counterpart in collaboration saw the potential in getting Thai casino regulars to get on the return flight to Subang entroute to Genting Casinos after dropping off the Malaysians at Hatyai, that was even before the two Singapore Casinos becoming a competitor or an option.

Anyway, it is better to be late than never!

The promotional rates are for bookings madeonline from 16 March until March 20, 2012 for travel from 11 June, 2012 to 30 March, 2013 is available from RM129 one way, all-in for the Subang – Hat Yai route.

You can start to pre-book at Firefly’s website: http://www.fireflyz.com.my or Firefly’s airport and city ticketing offices and through travel agents.

Please take note that Firefly’s has announced a move to implement fuel surcharge for bookings made from March 21 to offset against persisting high jet fuel prices. Therefore, if can beat the cut-off date of March 20, you may some money for extra shopping.

COO Shorthaul Malaysia Airlines/ Firefly, Ignatius M.C. Ong, said: “Malaysians are attracted to Hat Yai for its shopping, good food and city attractions. Hat Yai is also the gateway to Satun and Trang provinces, both popular island destinations.

“We expect our load factor on the Subang – Hat Yai route comprises of Malaysians as well as foreign tourists who choose to combine Malaysia and Thailand in their holiday itinerary.”

The weekly flight schedule below:

Subang (SZB) – Hat Yai (HDY) – Flight available on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
Commencement: 2 May 2012

Route: SZB – HDY Flight No: FY 3614 Departure: 12 Noon (local time) Arrival: 12.20pm (local time)
Route: HDY – SZB Flight No: FY 3615 Departure: 12.50pm (local time) Arrival: 3.20pm (local time)

Visit this link to know more about Hatyai: http://www.tourismthailand.my/ematerials/pdf/Hatyai.pdf

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AirAsia X to suspend services to Christchurch New Zealand

2012-03-12 Kuala Lumpur: Announcement By AirAsia X


AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia, today announced the suspension of its services to Christchurch, New Zealand as part of the realignment of its network to focus on its core markets.

The current four times weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch will be suspended with the last flight on 30 May, 2012 (from Kuala Lumpur) and 31 May, 2012 (from Christchurch).

AirAsia X will offer guests who hold bookings after these dates an option of a full refund, a reroute to another AirAsia X destination (e.g. Australia to Kuala Lumpur or Kuala Lumpur to North Asia), or a rebook of a return flight prior to 31 May, 2012. All changes will be made at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of the withdrawal. All affected guests will receive an e-mail stating the available options.

The suspension of Christchurch, New Zealand is a move made subsequent to the airline’s suspension of its European and Indian routes early this year to improve operating cost efficiencies and concentrate capacity in AirAsia X core markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Iran.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said “The decision to withdraw from Christchurch was a difficult one, but was made taking into account our strategic focus in consolidating our network on markets where we have built up stable, profitable routes. We have, since the suspension of our flights to Europe and India, increased flight frequencies to Tokyo, and opened up a new route to Sydney, Australia. AirAsia X will continue to further expand in its core markets and add frequencies on existing routes.”

“Our Kuala Lumpur - Christchurch route has performed strongly in terms of demand since our launch in April 2011, recording close to 80% loads in 2011. However, the Christchurch route has been impacted by the spiraling cost of jet fuel. Since the launch of the route, jet fuel prices have increased in excess of 30%, and are currently still at very high levels. The high cost of fuel has compromised our ability to offer our renowned low fares.”

“We have been very grateful for the huge support rendered by Christchurch Airport, Christchurch City Council and Tourism New Zealand, and would like to put on record our appreciation for all the cooperation that has been given to us,” concluded Azran.

KLIA2 ETA on schedule in April 2013

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Construct works going on overdrive to meet schedule

The ongoing construction of new 257,000-sq metre low-cost terminal KLIA2 is now 45% completed as per its schedule and to be completed in April 2013.

Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) managing director Tan Sri Bashir (front row-third from left) was briefing the members of the media after accompanying the Transport Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha (with red tie) to visit the construction site of KLIA2.

Bashir said “KLIA2 is on track for completion in April 2013 and the cost is still within the budget of RM3.6 billion to RM3.9 billion.”

"At the moment, the biggest operator of KLIA2, of course, will be AirAsia and we already have at the low-cost terminal right now, Cebu Pacific, we've got Tiger Airways; of course these airlines will move to KLIA2. If new low-cost airlines come up and they want to operate from KLIA2, they are most welcome to do so.

"For now, whatever is operating out of LCCT, will move to KLIA2. But from now until then, if any new airlines are established, any new low-cost carriers come up in the region and want to operate out of KLIA2, they are most welcome."

Earlier in the morning, the Transport Minister attended a briefing given by MAHB officials at their headquarters Sepang on the progress of the project before visiting the KLIA 2 construction works site,

Bashir informed that MAHB has received an overwhelming from interested by parties for the commercial spaces for retail and F&B spaces at KLIA 2.

“The tenders exercise will be done in stages and no decision has been made yet on the retailers as this exercise was ongoing.” he added

There will be 225 outlets, of which 26 lots for services, 118 outlets have been allocated for retailing and 81 units for food and beverages.

The KLIA2 project manager and Chief Operating Officer, Dato’ Abd Hamid added “KLIA2 will be on schedule as long as there are no more last minute changes to the present agreed designs or request for additional works by the concerned parties.

He said some of MAHB’s increase cost announced last November was because of additional facilities to the new terminal for passenger comfort and additional facilities.

These include increase in the size for more retail and shopping mall, significant upgrades in terms of floor space, an automated baggage handling system, aero bridges, the length of runways and the number of aircraft stands at the terminal.

Construction works on the aerobridge in progress

The departure hall on the airside terminal is progressing on schedule

KLM introduces Cristang cuisine on Kuala Lumpur – Amsterdam route

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Latest Update: 4 March 2012

Malaysia's Tourism Minister Dato Sri Ng Yen Yen appreciates KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' initiative to promote Malaysian cuisine

Thijs Visser and Celine Marbeck posing with the ready to serve food tray

Specially selected Cristang dishes based on the recipes created by renowned Malaccan Chef Celine Marbeck are served on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) Kuala Lumpur-Amsterdam route effective 1 March.

This came about when Thijs Visser, Food and Beverage Specialist from KLM and a cooking enthusiast himself bought a copy of Marbeck's cookbook, Cuzinhia Cristang. He tried out some of the recipes and found them to be delicious and yet not spicy hot. In fact, just right for the Westerners’ taste buds.

Visser was looking for something authentic with a Malaysian-Dutch influence cuisine to be served onboard on the Kuala Lumpur-Amsterdam route for a change.

Visser said, “One of the oldest of Malaysia’s many flavours, the Cristang cuisine is influenced by a variety of ethnic groups who had settled in Malacca and left their cultural gastronomic traits behind.

“This gives us the possibility to serve authentic Malaysian-Dutch food onboard our aircraft. It also creates a unique opportunity for us to present ‘Food With A Story’.”

Sharing with the media at a special food tasting session held at the LSG Sky Chefs-Brahim's complex near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Marbeck said, “Cristang recipes were passed down from generation to generation of families with Portuguese-Dutch ancestry, sometimes only through word of mouth at the kitchen.”

Her family roots can be traced from more than four generations. Marbeck has been promoting Cristang cuisine both at home and abroad since 1998.

Over the past decade, she has done food demonstrations in four countries on three continents, written three books in English, Malay and Dutch. In 2005 she was recognised by Malaysian publisher MPH as one of its 20 celebrity authors.

Executive chef Razaha Harun (left) from LSG Sky Chefs-Brahim's, KLM’s caterer for all onboard meals departing KLIA was specially sent to Marbeck’s home to learn to cook the dishes selected for the menu onboard the flight.

We had a preview of the selected dishes: seybak salad, beef semur, Dutch chicken curry and bolu cocu that are served onboard KLM’s World Business Class for three months (1 March to 31 May) and on the economy class for six months (1 March to 31 August).

Explaining the name of the starter, Marbeck said, “Sey is a Chinese word which means celebrate while bak is pork.” However, as the dishes had to be halal, she said beancurd was used to replace pork.

It is served with half of a hard-boiled egg, fresh chilled green salad of lettuce, cucumber and topped with a sauce made of ginger, chilli, garlic that is cooked with vinegar and a little sugar to give a spicy-sweet and sour taste. (below)

For the main course, the airline’s passengers can either opt for creamy Dutch chicken curry or Beef semur (simmered beef), which comes accompanied with steam rice and pineapple patcheri, which is not spicy at all.

Cooked with a variety of local spices and coconut milk, the creamy Dutch chicken curry is quite aromatic. Those who are not into spicy food need not worry as this dish is very mild. (top)

The Beef semur is tender and well seasoned with selected spices, soya sauce and vinegar to give it a Western Oriental taste. I won’t be surprised if the passengers asked, “May I have Semur (some more)?” (left)


After the tasty starter and main course, one would definitely want to round up the meal with a dessert. You are going to love the bolu cocu, a light cake topped with lots of shredded coconut and served with a custard sauce.

Smiling stewardess will be serving the new menu on aboard

If you are already salivating for this set meal onboard, book your next flight from KLIA to Amsterdam with KLM!



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Update: 4 March 2012

Cebu Pacific plans to take off long-haul flights by the end of 2013

By Anthony Tan

email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

The Philippines’ leading budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) plans to start long-haul operations in the third quarter of next year.

It targets to operate low-cost return flights to cities where large Filipino communities reside in Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the US.

In CEB’s recent announcement, the airline is looking into leasing up to eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft to serve the new routes.

The Airbus A330 has the capacity to fly long range of up to 11 hours which means it can serve the target markets such as Australia, Middle East, Europe and the US.

The airline currently operates 37 aircrafts with 10 Airbus A319, 19 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. The current fleet of aircrafts in CEB is below the flight range of the new target market.

“The A330-300 will give us the lowest cost per seat, allowing us to drive long-haul fares 35% lower than those currently offered by other airlines, and as much as 80% lower when CEB offers promo fares. This aircraft type is very well suited to the kind of network we want to build and the routes we want to launch,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.

“We are exploring serving cities where large Filipino communities reside in Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the USA. Data indicates that more than half of Filipinos deployed in these regions take multiple stops and connecting flights because no home carrier can fly them there non-stop.

Saudi Arabia as an example, where only 165,000 passengers flew direct non-stop flights from Manila (Civil Aeronautics Board 2010 data), compared to 293,000 Filipinos deployed to Saudi Arabia in the same year.

This means that nearly half of Filipinos who flew to Saudi Arabia in 2010 had to take multiple flights to get to their destination.

With CEB’s long haul operations, the budget airline will provide more affordable, direct flight options to Filipinos overseas, a population estimated to be 11 million worldwide,” added Gokongwei.

“We want to do the same for long-haul traffic offer the lowest fares possible and drive a significant increase on demand for air travel to regions outside of Asia. This is truly an exciting time for CEB as we continue to be of service to the 11 million strong global Filipinos, wherever they are in the world; and to their families back home,” Gokongwei said.

He added, “As CEB develops long-haul routes and opens new destinations for a Philippine flag carrier, we will be creating an important enabler for increased trade, tourism and foreign investment.”

CEB has operating hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao and the most extensive network in the Philippines with 34 domestic destinations.

It also offers 19 international destinations, namely Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.

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Garuda Indonesia increase third flight to KLIA

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

With effect from 19 February, Garuda Indonesia (Garuda) will now fly three times daily between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta from the present two daily flights.

To welcome Garuda’s inaugural third flight GA816to KLIA, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad and Garuda Indonesia president and chief executive officer Bapak Emirsyah Satar were at gate C2 to receive the arriving passengers with welcome gifts. (Picture Right)

Also present at the ceremony were Indonesia Youth & Sports Minister Dr. Andi Alifian Mallarangeng, Indonesia's Social and Culture Minister Suryana Sastra Diredja and Garuda executive vice-president of marketing and sales Muhammad Arif Wibowo.

The arrival of inaugural flight GA 816 to KLIA



Welcome Speech by MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad



Speech by Garuda Indonesia president and chief executive officer Emirsyah Satar


Dr Andi who was in Kuala Lumpur earlier to attend other functions said he was happy to see their national carrier Garuda actively playing their role. He added that last year there were five million passengers travelled between Malaysia and Indonesia by air. In view of the formation of the ASEAN Community by 2015, he sees the potential in bilateral growth in business travellers, tourism and youth and tourism sporting activities between the two countries.

MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad presenting a coffee-table
book on KLIA to Indonesia Youth & Sports Minister Dr. Andi Alifian Mallarangeng. (Picture Right)

Garuda is a full-service network airline with its main hubs in Jakarta, Denpasar and Makassar that serves 31 domestic and 19 international destinations. For the Kuala Lumpur – Jakarta route, Garuda will be using the new Boeing 737-800NG with 12 business class seats and 150 for the economy class with in-flight facilities.

For Garuda’s daily flight schedule between Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta logon: www.garuda-indonesia.com

With Garuda's additional daily flight, now frequent flyers between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta have more choices to choose the timing of their flights and thus making a day trip to Jakarta possible.

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Bangkok Airways to fly Koh Samui – KL – Koh Samui

By Anthony Tan
email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Bangkok Airways (Bangkok Air) will begin flight services from Thai resort island Koh Samui to Malaysia capital city Kuala Lumpur (KL) from April 1, 2012 to boost connectivity between its second hub to international destinations.

KL will be the third international destination for the Thai private owned Bangkok Air with direct flights serving Koh Samui. The other two destinations are Singapore with daily flights and 10 flights per week for Hong Kong.

Bangkok Air will operate a daily flight using an Airbus 319 with all economy class 138 seats and the all-in return airfare is starting from RM790 for this sector.

The daily flight schedule is well timed for travellers flying out from Kuala Lumpur where you will enjoy the full day as compare to other airlines.

Flight PG 952 depart KLIA (KUL) at 8.20am and arrive at 0900am (Thai time) at Koh Samui with flying time of one hour forty minutes.

The return Flight PG 951 will depart Koh Samui at 5.55pm (Thai time) and expected to arrive KLIA at 8.25pm.

Bangkok Air is working towards to become a code-share partner with Malaysia Airlines and also part of the Bangkok Air’s strategy to tap into the long-haul passengers carried by Malaysia Airlines from Europe and Australia to Kuala Lumpur heading to Koh Samui.

At present passengers from Europe and Australia has to fly through Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok to connect to Koh Samui

Bangkok Airways has more than 30 daily flights to and from Koh Samui.

"We expect half of the passengers travelling on Koh Samui-Kuala Lumpur to come from the transfer group, with the other half originating from the Malaysian capital," said Varong Israsena na Ayudhya, Bangkok Airways' regional sales director.

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