AirAsia announces Langkawi’s third direct international flights to Shenzhen, China

By Anthony Tan
Virgin Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Ms Aireen Omar, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia shanking hand with Minister of Transport, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. Looking on in white shirt is Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin, CEO Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)

AirAsia's announcement of its third direct international flights from Langkawi to Shenzhen, China was made by its chief executive officer Aireen Omar at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017. 

Also present was Minister of Transport Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. 

This new flight is scheduled to commence operations on 16 July 2017 with three flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday per week.

AirAsia had announced Langkawi as its international hub two years ago during the last LIMA. 

Aireen expects this latest international direct connectivity to further grow Langkawi’s position as a premier holiday destination in the region. 

She said, "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 increased by 30% from 2015 to 2016.

“There is so much potential for Langkawi, and we know that with the resources that we are putting in such as 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 was AirAsia’s first route to be operated in 2001. The airline currently serves five routes from the island of Langkawi with 106 weekly flights to two international destinations (Singapore and Guangzhou), and three domestic flights (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru).

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

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

KOREAN AIR TAKES DELIVERY OF FIRST DREAMLINER

By Anthony Tan

Virgin Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Yangho Cho (third from the left), Chairman of Hanjin group and Walter Cho (second from the left), president of Korean air are cutting ribbon at the ceremony with representatives from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Charleston, South Carolina (USA) – Korean Air today celebrated the delivery of its first 787-9 Dreamliner at a ceremony held at the aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s South Carolina assembly site.  Korean Air will be the first Korean carrier to operate the Dreamliner in South Korea.

The airline is scheduled to launch domestic flights between Seoul’s Gimpo Airport and JeJu for a month as part of the required certification period, before launching long-haul international routes from Seoul’s Incheon Airport to Toronto, Madrid, and Zurich later this year.

“The 787 Dreamliner will be a key member of Korean Air's fleet as we continue to introduce next-generation airplanes to our customers” said Walter Cho, president of Korean Air. “The aircraft is fuel efficient, quiet, has lower operating costs and it’s spacious and very elegant.  The cabin features are impressive and will ensure maximum comfort for Korean Air’s passengers.”

Korean Air is scheduled to introduce five 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet this year, with another five joining the fleet by 2019.

"This milestone delivery adds yet another chapter in our long and successful relationship with Korean Air,” said Rick Anderson, vice president of Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Korean Air continues to demonstrate its leadership in the global commercial airline industry and we are confident that the market-leading efficiency and comfort of the 787-9 Dreamliner will build onto their long-term success for many years to come.”

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is an integration of cutting-edge technology developed by Boeing utilising its accumulated production knowhow. The 787-9 is well known for being an eco-friendly aircraft with 20 per cent less fuel use and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace. The ultra-light, fuel-efficient aircraft is made of composite material; it also has higher cabin humidity, wider windows and a higher ceiling, which altogether create a more comfortable atmosphere for passengers.

Its wing design is also particular utilising raked wingtips to increase aerodynamics leading to fuel efficiency. The engine is also designed to be eco-friendly by adapting a new technology for cowl which is use to cover the engine. This significantly decreases the noise from engine slipstream, which brings greater comfort for the passengers. Another notable technology for the Dreamliner is that whenever the plane encounters turbulence, it has automatic system to detect such change in atmosphere and to adjust flight status to reduce sudden cabin movement.

A remarkable fact is that Korean Air’s Aerospace Division is a Boeing partner on the 787 program, by supplying the aircraft components for the model. The carrier’s Aerospace Division has been manufacturing six core parts, such as raked wing tips, after bodies and flap support fairing, for Boeing 787 since 2006. Korean Air is also the partner on the 747-8 programs and one of two suppliers producing the new 737 MAX Advanced Technology Winglet.

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

Visit this link for more news on Airlines and Airports: http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/

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