AirAsia And Terengganu Government To Jointly Promote Terengganu

By Anthony Tan 

VIRGIN Communications 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 

The Iconic Crystal Mosque In Kuala Terengganu

The Terengganu state government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline with the objectives to jointly reinforce the promotion of Terengganu as a local and international tourists’ destination. 

The signing ceremony was held at Dewan Besar, Wisma Darul Iman between Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd. Rahman, Chief Minister Terengganu, and Dato’ Aziz Bakar, a member of the Board of Directors of AirAsia Berhad.

(From second left) Terengganu Tourism director Tun Ahmad Faisal, AirAsia Berhad government relations chief Zamani Rafique, Terengganu State Secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail, Ahmad Razif, Aziz and AirAsia Berhad head of commercial unit Spencer Lee at the signing ceremony in Terengganu (Photo From AirAsia)

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd. Rahman, Chief Minister Terengganu said, “Terengganu is ready to be known as a tourism state with efficient land and air accessibility, with good services, modern infrastructures and treasures of nature, culture and heritage.  

The additional Johor Bahru to Kuala Terengganu direct flights will definitely boost the arrival of tourists into Terengganu”.

Terengganu International Airport Is Unique In Its Design

Dato’ Aziz Bakar said, “In light with this year’s campaign themed ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017’, we are pleased to collaborate with the Terengganu state government to showcase the beauty and wonders of Terengganu throughout AirAsia’s extensive network. With our Fly-Thru product, travellers in Asia and beyond can connect seamlessly to Terengganu via our main hub in Kuala Lumpur.

Guests will soon be able to fly directly from Johor Bahru to Terengganu with the upcoming new route set to commence on the 22 June 2017. 
 

The Clear Water Off The Coast Of Terengganu

Other than its beautiful beaches, Terengganu is known for its signature local cuisine, historical sites and cultural attractions. With this collaboration, we will drive our marketing efforts to promote Terengganu as a must-visit destination in Malaysia. We are confident this will contribute significantly in achieving the state government’s target of 5.5 million tourist arrivals in Terengganu for this year.” 

AirAsia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu with 28 times weekly flights and will soon connect Kuala Terengganu to Johor Bahru with thrice-weekly flights.

In 2016 alone, AirAsia flew more than 420,000 passengers to Terengganu, with the top three feeder markets being Malaysia, China and Indonesia.

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.