you know what happened on that 777 right...it was tailstrike while departing. it had to abort take off and were soon grounded and repaired at zurich...

i think Hajj flights dont affect entire MAS operation because it only happens once in a muslim calendar yer...

i would like MAS to keep certain domestic route like KL-Penang, KL Langkawi, KL kuching and KL-KK and let the rest to other carriers...

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/6230/7867455650gb.jpg

MAS to offer 5m seats during travel fair
By Ashwin Raman, 03 Feb 2006 4:27 PM

Malaysia Airlines System Bhd will offer five million seats during its third annual Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair, to be held from Feb 17 to Feb 26, for travel between March 1 and June 30, 2006.

MAS managing director Idris Jala said on Feb 3, that this year's event would be expanded to reach the carrier's customers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia through its call centres, ticketing offices and participating travel agents.

Through the availability of these special deals and with a much wider distribution network this year, MAS customers will have a greater choice of sales outlets to snap up our offers and we hope to exceed the performance of our previous travel fair, he said.

In 2005, the travel fair was held in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching and recorded sales of RM115 million. In its inaugural fair in 2004, it reached sales of RM70 million.

According to the statement, 500 travel agents of Malaysia Airlines that offer competitive prices for air travel and Golden Holiday packages to various international destinations would participate in this year's travel fair.

The company's senior general manager for network and revenue management, Bernard Francis, said the annual travel fair would offer the best prices and valued deals for air travel and vacations to new and longtime customers.

He said an average of 41,000 seats would be on offer per day during the four-month travel period and details of these offers as well as Golden Holiday packages would be announced within the next two weeks.

Gulf Air Keen To Form Partnership With MAS


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- International airline Gulf Air is keen to form a partnership with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in a move to offer more benefits to customers.

"It has been going on for the past couple of years. We are still continuing a dialogue with MAS to find how we can work with them," said Gulf Air president and chief executive officer James Hogan who was on a visit to Malaysia.

"What is important to me is how we can offer customers more than a destination and be able to operate in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

"That is the type of scenario we are going to discuss with airlines like Malaysia Airlines. The opportunity is there and the thinking is wide," he told reporters at a media briefing on Gulf Air's plans and strategy for Malaysia here Thursday.

Also present was the airline's general manager for Asia Pacific, John Verhelst, head of global alliances and schedule distribution, Adam Philips, and general manager for Malaysia and Brunei, W. Lindsay White.

The Bahrain-based airline announced a new service for direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Muscat, Oman, beginning March 28 this year.

The move, Hogan said, was part of the company's ongoing development network in response to the customers' preference for increased, non-stop and frequent access to growing business and leisure destinations.

White said the direct flights were also part of the airline's expansion plan to improve its flight connections from Kuala Lumpur to popular regional and international routes like the Middle East, South Africa and Europe.

"With the growing bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Gulf in business and tourism, we believe that the time is right to refocus on our Middle East and European destinations," he said.

White said the airline aimed to capture more of the corporate market consisting of frequent business travellers and first-class passengers while continuing to serve the leisure market.

"With the direct service to Muscat, we envisage the development of Oman as a key gateway to the Gulf region and Europe. The recently launched new services to Dublin and Johannesburg from Bahrain will further open up new leisure destinations to the Malaysian market," he added.

The new Kuala Lumpur-Muscat service will start with three flights per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

On another development, Hogan said Gulf Air expects to conclude the arranged funding for the US$900 million investment to replace its nine ageing Boeing 767s by May this year.

He said that this was part of the strategy to recapitalise the airline.

Earlier this year, Gulf Air unveiled its new three-year plan following the board reorganisation after the withdrawal of one of its shareholders, the Abu Dhabi government.

The airline now is jointly owned by the goverments of Bahrain and Oman.

"The new two-hub strategy will result in significant cost reductions and bring major improvements to our key operational indicators, including punctuality, as well as greater fleet flexibility and an even more effective set of connections," Hogan said.

"The airline will reinforce its position as a world-class service brand with the strongest regional network in the Middle East," he said.

Gulf Air's network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries and its fleet comprises 34 aircraft.

Malaysian choose Singapore at MAS Travel Fair
Adrian David

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:
SINGAPORE was the destination of choice among Malaysians who thronged Malaysia Airlines counters during the MAS Travel Fair 2006.

Malaysia Airlines sales general manager Nick Phang said today London was the next favourite destination, followed by Bangkok, Melbourne, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.

In three days, 65,000 tickets were sold.

Phang added that London was also the favourite destination for the Malaysia Airlines Golden Holiday packages, followed by Bangkok, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hanoi, Bali, Phuket, Perth and Cape Town.

“Until yesterday, a total of 1,735 passengers had purchased 1,476 Golden Holiday packages,” Phang told a Press conference at the Malaysia Airlines headquarters on Jalan Sultan Ismail.

MAS Turnaround Plan: Proposal made to take over domestic routes
PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, Mon.


Malaysia Airlines has thrown a wrench into AirAsia Bhd’s plans to take over its domestic routes.

The national carrier is proposing to the Government that it take over domestic operations from its parent company, Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB), from Jan 1 next year.

MAS managing director Idris Jala, however, attached three conditions to his offer to the Government, two of which were similar to what’s been offered by AirAsia.

Condition Number One: That MAS be given the same freedom as AirAsia to determine destinations, schedules and fares, and consequently the size of its network, fleet choice and seat configurations.

Condition Number Two: That MAS be given a free hand in the restructuring of the business, and that the restructuring costs are paid by the Government.

Condition Number Three: That the Government continues to provide financial support for rural air services and Fokker 50 routes, and any other social routes they mandate.

The proposal is a vital part of MAS’ three-year business turn- around plan, which was unveiled at a media briefing in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

MAS domestic operations were transferred to PMB in 2002 under the national carrier’s Widespread Asset Unbundling exercise.

AirAsia had submitted a proposal to the Government to take over all MAS domestic routes, excluding Lahad Datu, Limbang and Mulu.

Idris said MAS stood ready to restructure the domestic sector so as to be in a position to take over the responsibility by Jan 1 next year.

This year, pending government approval, MAS will increase domestic fares for the first time in 13 years, implement an administration fee of RM14 per person in line with AirAsia’s practice, and pursue cost reduction programmes. These initiatives, which would yield some RM400 million, should help defray the losses incurred by PMB this year.

Asked what he would do if the Government disagreed with the proposal of MAS taking total control of domestic routes, Idris said: "Wait for the Government to decide."

AirAsia officials were not available for comment.

MAS Turnaround Plan: RM500m profit target
Fauziah Ismail and Anna Maria Samsudin
KUALA LUMPUR, Mon.


Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today unveiled a three-year Business Turnaround Plan which it hopes will bring it RM500 million in profits in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2008.

The plan will see massive restructuring of its route network, cost structure and productivity level.

In fact, managing director Idris Jala is optimistic that the plan will help the airline return to the black as soon as the next financial year, with an estimated net profit of RM50 million.

"Our poor pricing, rising cost structure, mismatched fleet, weak operational performance, low-intensity performance culture and social obligations all contribute to our dismal financial performance," Idris said in unveiling the plan in Petaling Jaya.

He said such a business turnaround plan was imperative for loss-making MAS.

Without it, the airline may run out of cash by April and may report a loss of RM1.7 billion this year.

Although MAS will remain in the red this financial year, with an estimated loss of RM620 million, the turn- around plan will enable the airline to see RM1.1 billion worth of improvements in terms of revenue and cost.

MAS executive director Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz, in releasing MAS’ financial results, said the company reported a RM1.26 billion net loss for the nine-month financial year ended December 2005 against a RM216.91 million net profit previously. This was achieved on a 10 per cent revenue growth to RM8.85 billion from RM8.02 billion previously.

He attributed the losses to higher operating costs led by high fuel costs.

This is MAS’ second biggest loss ever. The previous was for financial year ended March 31, 2001 when it reported a RM1.33 billion loss.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, MAS posted a RM616.43 million loss against a RM57.62 million profit in the last corresponding quarter, on the back of a RM3.09 billion turnover.

Among the immediate actions to be taken by the airline are cutting five international routes and reviewing 14 others in the next three to six months.

The carrier will renegotiate its code-sharing arrangements with other airlines and may join an airline grouping in the third year of the business plan.

It will also replace its existing fleet with more efficient aircraft in 2008.

"Our future fleet will comprise aircraft that are smaller and more fuel-efficient," Idris said.

phase out the old 737-400 and replace them with A320

to be able to save money, the should phase out old 737 with 737NG.......save in fuel, training etc.

to be able to save money, the should phase out old 737 with 737NG.......save in fuel, training etc.

currently MAS is not too happy with the perfomance of the lease 737-800....the plane always on the ground at KLIA.
they gonna stop deploying the lease 737-800 by end of March. :runaway:

There are really some serious problem in the management? Whose fault?

I has briefly read the MAS Business Turn-Around Plan. I think it is recommended to our fellow forumers who is caring about financial crisis of MAS, to read this plan. Only MAS can succeed and becomes profitable, as Malaysian, we have to give our full support to this national carrier to overcome its sufferings. Forumers are welcomed to give comments about it and we will debate on its issue after reading.

Here is the link
The MAS Way - Business Turnaround Plan (http://hq.malaysiaairlines.com/mys/eng/about_us/investor_relations/MASWay_F.pdf)

Media Release

27 Feb, 2006
Malaysia Airlines reports end of year losses. Business Turnaround Plan announced

Kuala Lumpur, 27 February 2006: Malaysia Airlines today reported a final quarter loss of RM616.4 million for October 2005 - December 2005 and a net loss of RM 1.3 billion for the financial period April 2005 - December 2005.

Revenue for the financial period was up by 10.3% or RM826.9 million, compared to same period for 2004, driven by 10.2% growth in passenger traffic. International passenger revenue increased by RM457.6 million or 8.4% to RM5.9 billion while cargo revenue decreased by RM64.1million or 4.2% to RM1.5 billion.

Costs increased by 28.8% or RM2.3 billion, amounting to a total of RM 10.3 billion, primarily due to escalating fuel prices. Other significant cost increases included staff costs, handling & landing fees, aircraft maintenance & overhaul charges, Widespread Assets Unbundling (WAU) charges & leases.

Fuel Costs

The most substantial factor for the losses was from fuel costs. For the period, the total fuel cost was RM3.5 billion representing a 40.4% increase compared to the same period in 2004. Total fuel cost increase comprised RM977.8 million due to higher fuel price and another RM157.6 million due to additional consumption.

In the third quarter, fuel costs amounted to RM1.26 billion compared to the RM1.01 billion in the corresponding period in 2004; resulting in 24.6% increase or RM249.3 million.

Other Operating Expenses

Staff costs for the financial year was RM1.2 billion, an increase of 20.6% compared to RM1 billion in 2004. Final quarter staff costs increased by 12.3%, compared to the same period last year. The increase for the financial year under review was attributable to the implementation of upward staff salary and allowance revisions.

The third largest cost item was aircraft maintenance & overhaul amounting to RM635 million which translates to a 23.1% increase compared to the year earlier. Third quarter maintenance & overhaul totalled to RM202.9 million, up 9.2% compared to the corresponding quarter. This increase, for the year, was due to some credits received from suppliers for year 2004, which lowered 2004 costs, and required redelivery maintenance checks in 2005.

For 2005, WAU and lease charges were RM372.2 million, reflecting a 78.4% increase against similar charges in 2004. The final quarter increase for these charges was 113.7% higher than the same quarter of 2004, totaling RM154.9 million due to revised lease rental rates and higher London Inter Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) in 2005 compared to 2004.

Handling and landing fees rose 19.9% or RM202.4 million from 2004 to RM1.2 billion. Total handling & landing fees for the final quarter amounted to RM444.9 million, an increase of 25.8% or RM91.2 million. This increase was due to increase in number of stations and flights as well as under provisions from the financial year 2004.

In announcing details of the financial results, YM Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer said, “When Mr Idris Jala came on board as Managing Director in December 2005, we were already examining various issues and factors that were leading us to the current financial situation. In the past three months, we have carefully conceptualized the initiatives required to turnaround the business. We are now ready to share the details of our plans and intensify the actions necessary to move forward positively.”

The MAS Way - Business Turnaround Plan

In announcing the Business Turnaround plan, Managing Director, Idris Jala, said: We are dedicated to the creation of a company that will be a source of pride and admiration for its employees and indeed all its stakeholders. The MAS of tomorrow will maintain its five-star product, have a competitive cost structure in the region, be renowned as being one of the best places to work in Malaysia, have closed much of the revenue performance gap to our peers and will return to profitability in 2007. We can do this, and we will.”

“A real business turnaround is an imperative for MAS. The management team, and our staff believes strongly in our ability to transform the business and, indeed, to go beyond expectations. MAS has done much to improve its performance over the last 5 years, and indeed last year. We have much to be proud of, and this work will form the foundation of our success,” he added.

Since early December 2005, the management team has dedicated itself to the development of a plan that builds off the actions taken by the Board in 2005 to begin the turnaround.

This turnaround plan will not only reverse the loss and return MAS to profitability, but also transform the company into a strong and vibrant institution—one that is capable of withstanding external shocks and aggressively tackling new opportunities.

The Business Turnaround Plan has been developed using the GLC Transformation Manual as a guide. It takes into account the recommendations in the manual and adapts these for implementation in MAS in the context of the business turnaround. The plan will enable MAS to realize a net income of RM500 million in 2008 – an all-time high profit for MAS – and to be well positioned to improve its net income even further.

It should be pointed out that when MAS announces its improvement turnaround amounting to RM1.1 billion in 2006, this does not necessarily mean that MAS will make a profit in 2006.

The headline KPIs in the scorecard are targets or aspirations set by the company as a transparent performance management practice. These headline KPIs should not be construed as either forecasts, projections or estimates of the company or representations of any future performance, occurrence or matter as the headline KPIs are merely a set of targets/aspirations of future performance aligned to the company’s strategy.

Any financial figures referred to as ‘forecast’ and ‘estimates’ in the Business Turnaround Plan for all intent and purposes are KPIs (as defined in point 1 above). Therefore they should also be treated as targets or aspirations set by the company as a transparent management practice.

The plan has five central thrusts, each symbolised by a tail of the venerable MAS symbol.

The MAS Way provides the framework for our Business Turnaround Plan:

1. Flying to win customers—MAS will reconfigure its network and product portfolio to ensure that it has the tools and capabilities to be a top-tier player.

2. Mastering operational excellence—MAS will build a unique operating capability. This capability will be reflected not only improved operational reliability, but also in higher productivity.

3. Financing and aligning the business on P&L—MAS will relentlessly increase profits with the support of a world-class finance function that ensures true financial accountability, transparency and performance orientation.

4. Unleashing talents and capabilities—MAS is committed to its people it has the passion and talent to achieve the goals.

5. Winning coalitions— MAS needs the resolute support of the Government, its employees, managers, customers, suppliers, agents and investors. It is only with the support of these stakeholders that MAS can have the mandate it needs to make the changes that will ensure long-term success.

The Business Turnaround plan has been carefully sequenced over the next 3 years to deliver cash, profitability and growth—in that order of intensity and focus. At the same time, we will continue to foster an environment that allows the talents of its people to be unleashed and to flourish.

In 2006, MAS is already undertaking a series of measures to raise RM4 billion in cash through internal and external sources to tide the airline through the current cash crisis. It is also tackling the biggest immediate profitability challenge: low yield. MAS has award-winning products and services, a competitive cost base, and a load factor that is only slightly below average.

In 2007, the plan will focus on improving efficiency and capabilities. In 2008, the focus will be on new growth opportunities.

• Review of FY2005 at http://hq.malaysiaairlines.com/mys/eng/about_us/
investor_relations/financial_operational_data/
quarterly_announcements/quarterly_announcements.asp

• Full details of “The MAS Way: Business Turnaround Plan” at
http://hq.malaysiaairlines.com/mys/eng/about_us/
investor_relations/investor_relations.asp

Issued by:
Corporate Communications
Malaysia Airlines, Kuala Lumpur

For enquiries on this release:
Media Relations:
Anbarasu
Tel: (603) 2165 5034
HP: 019 222 4952

Investor Relations:
Nova Ceceliana Nelson
Tel: (603) 2165 5453
HP: 012 277 7659

to be able to save money, the should phase out old 737 with 737NG.......save in fuel, training etc.

they're talking abt sharing cost with Air Asia in their turnaround plan...so i reckon they're going to replace their 737s with A320.

Just a plain question...how about if MAS decides to buy Airbus A321

MSWG supports MAS's turnaround plan
Minority Shareholders Watchdog Group (MSWG) statement on March 1, 01 Mar 2006 8:17 PM


We envisage that shareholders would welcome the long awaited Business Turnaround Plan of MAS launched by both its new managing director, Idris Jala and its new executive director, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz on Feb 28.

The Business Turnaround Plan distinguishes between the shorter term, measurable targets and longer term objectives and milestones to achieve without losing sight of the purpose of the organisation including domestic operations.

The Business Turnaround Plan embraces strategy, targets, organisation, resources and management (STORM) which MSWG believe, will create in short, a STORM effect to make all involved be accountable for a planned approach to turn around MAS.

The planned approach has focused on problem areas to develop and decide urgently on what must be done straightaway in checking operating losses to stabilise operations for profitability and growth via tighter controlled budgets and minimised risks of increasing financial burden on the government.

MSWG is of the view that:-


The planned approach has taken note of profit and growth as both means rather than ends to resolve the crisis faced by MAS;

It has to help MAS meet the expectations of not only shareholders but also various stakeholders or interested parties, important of whom are the government, passengers and users of MAS's facilities;
The Business Turnaround Plan has to ensure and achieve a permanent improvement in every aspect of MAS's organisation;

Improvement of quality services through people and effective analysis of operations are best the business strategies to correct what has gone wrong and to focus on processes that merit management time and effort
Improvement of quality services that is linked to positive impact and results for enhancing organisational performance and customer satisfaction.

The support of major shareholders must be canvassed. Through the Business Turnaround plan, MAS must strive for more efficient cost management and cost performance with careful assessment of its competitive edge as a recognised airline of international reputation and image.

Which markets to enter, which could be relinquished and what kinds of alliances are required to make the strategies successful reflect the underlying fundamentals of the Business Turnaround Plan.

With strategies driven by such an assessment of the fundamentals as the markets in Asia and the world moves towards liberalisation, we believe MAS would be able to overcome surprises but yield pleasant results for its performance in the few months as the Business Turnaround Plan unfolds and takes effect.

We, therefore, urge all stakeholders to support this Business Turnaround Plan. Only then, will MAS achieve the required turnaround as quickly as possible.

MAS-Air France meeting on SkyTeam
Updated : 03-03-2006
Media : The Star
Story By : B.K. SIDHU


PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) managing director Idris Jala is expected to meet top executives of Air France next week to seek support for the national carrier's entry into the SkyTeam global alliance.

Talk of MAS joining a global alliance has been circulating for a long time and finally things appear to be moving in that direction.

There are three main global air alliances, Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam.

SkyTeam was formed in 2000 and currently has nine members – Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines. The group has 684 destinations in 133 countries.

MAS is the only regional airline that has yet to enter any global alliance and this has been due to its problems in the past. Its rivals, Singapore Airlines and Thai International Airways, are members of Star Alliance while Cathay Pacific is part of OneWorld.

Given Jala's plan for a “hub and spoke” concept, a global alliance would help MAS as the airline would not need to fly so many unprofitable routes and yet offer the connectivity globally. A global alliance enables members to ride on one another's network to provide seamless connectivity to passengers and this saves cost for an airline.

MAS reported a RM1.26bil loss but, with an extensive business turnaround plan announced by Jala early this week, the airline should be on the flight to recovery by next year.

During his presentation, Jala said MAS had too many destinations in Europe and that would in future be served via “hub and spoke” concept. MAS now flies to 10 points in Europe –London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rome, Istanbul, Zurich and Manchester.

Sources said although the network nationalisation had yet to be finalised, early signs pointed to MAS flying to only three of the 10 destinations while the balance seven would be served via its “hub and spoke” concept.

Of the three, London tops the list with one of the highest load factors. The second point is Amsterdam and the third may be Paris–Frankfurt or another point in Germany.

Industry observers also feel that SkyTeam needs a strong partner in the region that can link all its members with the right frequency and spread of routes.

Although one can argue that Korean Air is a member which also serves the region, MAS’ spread of routes and frequency are unmatched, according to the observers.

“While MAS may now be keen to become a member of SkyTeam, it is a question of whether SkyTeam welcomes MAS and that is what Jala is about to find out when he meets Air France's top executives,” a source said.

^^ Yay FINALLY!!! :banana:

lets pray and hope everything goes well, good luck Mr Jala

http://www.flywithme.com/staralliance-gross.jpg

eerrrr suppose to be skyteam rite?
http://www.skyteam.com/img/aboutSkyteam/AS_logo_about.gif
http://www.flywithme.com/staralliance-gross.jpg

Malaysia Airlines confident of domestic ops turnaround
By FAUZIAH ISMAIL
March 4 2006


MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) managing director Idris Jala is confident of turning around the national carrier's loss-making domestic operations if given the approval by the Government, and will do so in collaboration with AirAsia.

"MAS position is very clear on the subject of domestic sector. We have put our proposal clearly that we would like to take back the profit and loss (of the operations) from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB).

"If the Government helps pay for the restructuring cost, my current estimate is that they would actually recover the total cost that they put in two years," he told Business Times at MAS headquarters in Subang yesterday.

MAS has proposed to take over the domestic operations from PMB, which is its parent company, from January 1 2007.




http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Saturday/Frontpage/BT554784.txt/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/dailyn/jala4.jpg




It has asked, among others, for the Government to pay for the restructuring cost of the domestic operations, thus eliminating the need for subsidy, and be given the same freedom as AirAsia in determining destinations, schedules and fares for the routes, and consequently the size of its network, fleet choice and seat configuration.

When asked how much MAS would need from the Government to restructure the domestic operations, Idris said he would need time to determine how much it would cost.

"While we are clear on what we want to do on the international front (on routes), we will be subjecting the domestic routes to the same route profitability analysis. It should take about two months to do so," he added.

Following this, Idris said MAS would know what domestic routes it wants to operate and those that it can pass on to AirAsia.

Idris acknowledged that while MAS controls the segment where customers want full service and the best schedules, AirAsia does well in the segment where customers want the lowest fares and not full service.

"We and AirAsia can collaborate. We (MAS and AirAsia) give customers a choice. It would be good for them. It would be good for us," he said.

Idris said both MAS and AirAsia had submitted to the Government a joint proposal for a 10 per cent increase in fares across the board and also for an increase in fuel surcharge.

He said while AirAsia had gone ahead to implement the fuel surchange, MAS will have to wait for the government approval to do so.

Malaysian Air to Approach Air France on Joining SkyTeam Group
03-03-2006


(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Airline System Bhd., which posted a third quarter of loss, plans to join the SkyTeam alliance, the world's second-biggest airline grouping, to help boost sales and restore profitability.

Malaysian Airline officials will meet next week with executives of Air France-KLM Group, which is part of the alliance, to seek support for the plan, Malaysian Airline Managing Director Idris Jala said today.

``It will be a long drawn process because you've got to talk to many, many members,'' Idris told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. ``You can't just do it in one fell swoop.''

Asian carriers including China Southern Airlines Co., Air India Ltd. and Malaysian Airline are seeking to join alliances to give passengers more choices in flights and cut costs by making joint purchases and sharing facilities amid rising oil prices. Malaysian Airline, the nation's biggest, needs to sell assets, raise air fares and seek government loans to raise 4 billion ringgit ($1.08 billion) to restore earnings by 2007.

State-controlled Malaysian Airline on Monday said it plans to renegotiate its ticket sales arrangements with other carriers and may join an airline grouping, it said.

Malaysian Airline hopes to join the alliance ``as quickly as we can, but it will not be quick,'' Idris said today.

The SkyTeam alliance, which includes Northwest Airlines Corp. and Korean Air Lines Co., has 22 percent of global passenger traffic, or the number of passengers multiplied by the distance flown. Other members are Aeromexico, CSA Czech Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc. and Alitalia.

Star Alliance, which has Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Singapore Airlines Ltd. among its members, is the world's largest grouping of airlines with about 27 percent of global passenger traffic.

British Airways Plc, Qantas Airways Ltd. and the other members of the Oneworld grouping have 18 percent of the world's passenger traffic.

Shares of Malaysian Airline fell as much as 1.3 percent to 2.96 ringgit and were 0.7 percent higher at 3.02 ringgit as of 4:37 p.m. in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Airlines confident of domestic ops turnaround
By FAUZIAH ISMAIL
March 4 2006


MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) managing director Idris Jala is confident of turning around the national carrier's loss-making domestic operations if given the approval by the Government, and will do so in collaboration with AirAsia.

"MAS position is very clear on the subject of domestic sector. We have put our proposal clearly that we would like to take back the profit and loss (of the operations) from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB).

"If the Government helps pay for the restructuring cost, my current estimate is that they would actually recover the total cost that they put in two years," he told Business Times at MAS headquarters in Subang yesterday.

MAS has proposed to take over the domestic operations from PMB, which is its parent company, from January 1 2007.




http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Saturday/Frontpage/BT554784.txt/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/dailyn/jala4.jpg




It has asked, among others, for the Government to pay for the restructuring cost of the domestic operations, thus eliminating the need for subsidy, and be given the same freedom as AirAsia in determining destinations, schedules and fares for the routes, and consequently the size of its network, fleet choice and seat configuration.

When asked how much MAS would need from the Government to restructure the domestic operations, Idris said he would need time to determine how much it would cost.

"While we are clear on what we want to do on the international front (on routes), we will be subjecting the domestic routes to the same route profitability analysis. It should take about two months to do so," he added.

Following this, Idris said MAS would know what domestic routes it wants to operate and those that it can pass on to AirAsia.

Idris acknowledged that while MAS controls the segment where customers want full service and the best schedules, AirAsia does well in the segment where customers want the lowest fares and not full service.

"We and AirAsia can collaborate. We (MAS and AirAsia) give customers a choice. It would be good for them. It would be good for us," he said.

Idris said both MAS and AirAsia had submitted to the Government a joint proposal for a 10 per cent increase in fares across the board and also for an increase in fuel surcharge.

He said while AirAsia had gone ahead to implement the fuel surchange, MAS will have to wait for the government approval to do so.


Erm, I'm not a big fan of MAS domestic services, comparing them to European airlines, they're ok-lah but recently I just did a short hop on a Qantas cityflyier route, on SYD-BNE, with a 767-300 aircraft, flight time for the sector about just under an hour. For such a short sector they had full snack service, homus and turkish short bread with a muesli bar and a drink, what suprised me was that they had IFE, Qantas aired "Channel Nine News" on the overhead tv's, with a sitcom afterwards, I think it was Seinfeld. Comparing this to my last MAS domestic service I had which was the PEN-KUL route, No IFE, just served a cup of juice and MAS girls with an attitude. Big difference lah! The biggest difference was the flight attendants, MAS looking like they were nubile hot things, whilst Qantas had 30-40 year old looking grannies, but honestly these grannies were just so nice and friendly, I'd prefer them over the hot MAS girls, anyday!!

Erm, I'm not a big fan of MAS domestic services, comparing them to European airlines, they're ok-lah but recently I just did a short hop on a Qantas cityflyier route, on SYD-BNE, with a 767-300 aircraft, flight time for the sector about just under an hour. For such a short sector they had full snack service, homus and turkish short bread with a muesli bar and a drink, what suprised me was that they had IFE, Qantas aired "Channel Nine News" on the overhead tv's, with a sitcom afterwards, I think it was Seinfeld. Comparing this to my last MAS domestic service I had which was the PEN-KUL route, No IFE, just served a cup of juice and MAS girls with an attitude. Big difference lah! The biggest difference was the flight attendants, MAS looking like they were nubile hot things, whilst Qantas had 30-40 year old looking grannies, but honestly these grannies were just so nice and friendly, I'd prefer them over the hot MAS girls, anyday!!

Most of the Qantas plane are old and some of them dont have personal TV on all seats. I've flown Qantas 767 before and they clearly showed their age. Singpore Airlines and Cathay have personal tv on all their seats for every aircraft. I even played games on a short PEN - SIN shuttle flight withouth the sound of course as FA dont distribute headsets on a 1 hour 15 min flight but you wont get that on Qantas.

Most of the Qantas plane are old and some of them dont have personal TV on all seats. I've flown Qantas 767 before and they clearly showed their age. Singpore Airlines and Cathay have personal tv on all their seats for every aircraft. I even played games on a short PEN - SIN shuttle flight withouth the sound of course as FA dont distribute headsets on a 1 hour 15 min flight but you wont get that on Qantas.

The 767 I was on did not have PTV's, these were aisle flip downs, but still they were large monitors and places at about 2 meter intervals, head phones were distributed at the gate during boarding of the aircraft, whilst the 767 fleet with Qantas are old they do seem to be in better shape than some of MAS' older 737's, that I've been on. Anyways, the mere fact that this was a 1 hour leg domestic sector with food and drink, current news feeds from Channel nine and a sitcom, goes FAR better than what MAS does for an equivalent leg, or what SIA does for its short "international" legs, SIN-KUL for example.

The 767 I was on did not have PTV's, these were aisle flip downs, but still they were large monitors and places at about 2 meter intervals, head phones were distributed at the gate during boarding of the aircraft, whilst the 767 fleet with Qantas are old they do seem to be in better shape than some of MAS' older 737's, that I've been on. Anyways, the mere fact that this was a 1 hour leg domestic sector with food and drink, current news feeds from Channel nine and a sitcom, goes FAR better than what MAS does for an equivalent leg, or what SIA does for its short "international" legs, SIN-KUL for example.

For SIA shuttle flights, you can watch shows without sounds on the PTV. There is no doubt about that but many people cant be bothered. However, Qantas gave me nothing beyond a lunchbox when i flew from SYD to MEL in their 767. I wasnt shown any shows or given any headsets.

For SIA shuttle flights, you can watch shows without sounds on the PTV. There is no doubt about that but many people cant be bothered. However, Qantas gave me nothing beyond a lunchbox when i flew from SYD to MEL in their 767. I wasnt shown any shows or given any headsets.

Urgh, SIA-MAS shuttle flights, I have nothing good to say about them, don't get me started.

By the way, was it a Qantas cityflier flight that you were on? I guess it must have been, since thats what they deploy their 767's for. Anyways I've done the SYD-BNE-SYD route a couple of times already, SYD-BNE on a 767-300, the BNE-SYD previously on a 747-400, all had food for this very short sector 1 hr. hop and all also had IFE. Even their 737-400 hop I did last year served me food and had IFE. Which I think is what full fare service should be! If I didn't want IFE or food, I'd fly low cost, i.e. Virgin. Like wise I think MAS should think about providing the same type of services as Qantas domestic. On domestic flights, I don't think MAS products is all that far from Air Asia (I've never flown on Air Asia) in terms of no food, no IFE, especially on short 1 hour hops.

The Qantas domestic IFE is far different from their international IFE programme, domestic sector IFE, they had channel nine Australian national news, with a short show thats filled with Australian adverts before airing, the adverts I found annoying, but atleast I got to watch the news and Seinfeld. Their food service was not spectacular, especially since I had to request a special meal, an MOML (muslim meal), thats besides the point, its the fact that Qantas fed me, I can't say the same about MAS or SIA on an equivalent sector.

Urgh, SIA-MAS shuttle flights, I have nothing good to say about them, don't get me started.

By the way, was it a Qantas cityflier flight that you were on? I guess it must have been, since thats what they deploy their 767's for. Anyways I've done the SYD-BNE-SYD route a couple of times already, SYD-BNE on a 767-300, the BNE-SYD previously on a 747-400, all had food for this very short sector 1 hr. hop and all also had IFE. Even their 737-400 hop I did last year served me food and had IFE. Which I think is what full fare service should be! If I didn't want IFE or food, I'd fly low cost, i.e. Virgin. Like wise I think MAS should think about providing the same type of services as Qantas domestic. On domestic flights, I don't think MAS products is all that far from Air Asia (I've never flown on Air Asia) in terms of no food, no IFE, especially on short 1 hour hops.

The Qantas domestic IFE is far different from their international IFE programme, domestic sector IFE, they had channel nine Australian national news, with a short show thats filled with Australian adverts before airing, the adverts I found annoying, but atleast I got to watch the news and Seinfeld. Their food service was not spectacular, especially since I had to request a special meal, an MOML (muslim meal), thats besides the point, its the fact that Qantas fed me, I can't say the same about MAS or SIA on an equivalent sector.

i have never been a regualar traveller on Australian domestic flights so i cant make any distinctions between cityflier flights or other kind of flights. what i found intriguing about you is that you are capable of espousing views in an open an uninhibited way but at the same time still strictly conforms to religious cutoms. I am not saying that this is a bad thing but contradictions of this nature are a bit uncommon among Muslims according to my experience.However, i am not trying to imply anything negative about you or your religion

i have never been a regualar traveller on Australian domestic flights so i cant make any distinctions between cityflier flights or other kind of flights. what i found intriguing about you is that you are capable of espousing views in an open an uninhibited way but at the same time still strictly conforms to religious cutoms. I am not saying that this is a bad thing but contradictions of this nature are a bit uncommon among Muslims according to my experience.However, i am not trying to imply anything negative about you or your religion

Sorry, I'm quite lost with the point you're trying to make. There's nothing "contradictory" about a muslim such as myself flying Qantas and requesting an MOML, I do the same with SIA, Lufthansa, KLM. I also don't find any of my actions or views contradictory to my religious beliefs, actually I think I can preform my religious duties reasonably well in a secular or even christian environment. Whilst I fully understand that you're not implying anything negative or with a negative connotation, I'd like to know what exactly seems to be intriguing, uncommon and contradictory to you about my nature?

MAS begins to retrench from flight international


Malaysian flag carrier freezes aircraft orders until 2008 and starts to shrink fleet

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plans to rationalise its fleet and hold off on ordering new aircraft until 2008 as part of a business turnaround plan aimed at stemming mounting losses.

The flag carrier, which last week reported a 1.3 billion ringgit ($350 million) loss for the final nine months of 2005, says it will reconfigure aircraft over the next 12 months “to ensure an optimal mix of classes”.

In the second phase of the turnaround plan, which will begin in nine months, MAS plans to further refine aircraft configurations and rationalise the fleet by retiring older aircraft. New aircraft will only be ordered in the third phase, which will begin in 24 months. “Our future fleet will comprise aircraft that are smaller and more fuel efficient,” MAS says.

MAS’s passenger fleet now consists of Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-400s, 747-400s and 777s, and Fokker 50s. It also has six A380s on order, which sources say will not be affected by the restructuring. But MAS’s long-delayed 737-400 and Fokker 50 replacement programmes will probably again be postponed.

MAS says it will radically restructure its highly unprofitable domestic network, if given the green light to take it over from the government, and refocus its long-haul network on hub-and-spoke connections rather than point-to-point services. MAS acknowledges most of its long-haul services are currently unprofitable.

To improve feed at its Kuala Lumpur hub, MAS plans to forge new codeshare arrangements and join a global alliance in 24 to 36 months. Over the next 12 months, MAS will overhaul pricing and revenue management. The carrier also plans to improve productivity by drafting new crew work rules, shortening turnaround times and improving aircraft utilisation.

While the business turnaround plan will be implemented over the next three years, MAS says it has already begun “undertaking a series of measures to raise 4 billion ringgit in cash” in 2006 “to tide the airline through the current cash crisis”. If these funds are not raised, it warns it would have run out of cash in April. “Today we have a cash and profit crisis. On current business assumptions, course and speed, we will surely fail unless we radically change the way we run our business,” says managing director Idris Jala, who has been working on the turnaround plan since taking over on 1 December.

MAS managing director Idris Jala said part of the route rationalisation plan for Europe involved focusing on four trunk lines - London, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome - instead of point-to-point routes.

I guess we can say buh bye to Frankfurt, Stockholm, Vienna, Manchester? Reading the above statement, it seems the current routes would be the MAS' biggest route structure for a long time to come, seeing how now they're focusing now on their "trunk lines". However I think this is the way to go. Profitability and sustainability is paramount instead of having MAS spread out, flying to all 6 continents.

Sorry, I'm quite lost with the point you're trying to make. There's nothing "contradictory" about a muslim such as myself flying Qantas and requesting an MOML, I do the same with SIA, Lufthansa, KLM. I also don't find any of my actions or views contradictory to my religious beliefs, actually I think I can preform my religious duties reasonably well in a secular or even christian environment. Whilst I fully understand that you're not implying anything negative or with a negative connotation, I'd like to know what exactly seems to be intriguing, uncommon and contradictory to you about my nature?

I do not doubt your ability to coexist with people in the secular environment. In my experience, Muslims who espouse views in such an open manner using critical reasoning generally pay very little or no attention to religious customs. Eg they will not order halal food when they fly although most of them will still abstain from pork. In other words, they are just semi practicing Muslims or Muslims in name only. I am intrigued by that fact that you are more than capable of espousing holistic views using critical reasoning but at the same time still strictly adheres to the fundamental principles of Islam,eg complete abstinence from food that is not deemed halal regardless of whether it's pork or not. In fact, your ability to make critical reasoning in a holistic manner far exceeeds the ability of the typical Malaysian. I am being frank. I am not trying to make you feel flattered.

I do not doubt your ability to coexist with people in the secular environment. In my experience, Muslims who espouse views in such an open manner using critical reasoning generally pay very little or no attention to religious customs. Eg they will not order halal food when they fly although most of them will still abstain from pork. In other words, they are just semi practicing Muslims or Muslims in name only. I am intrigued by that fact that you are more than capable of espousing holistic views using critical reasoning but at the same time still strictly adheres to the fundamental principles of Islam,eg complete abstinence from food that is not deemed halal regardless of whether it's pork or not. In fact, your ability to make critical reasoning in a holistic manner far exceeeds the ability of the typical Malaysian. I am being frank. I am not trying to make you feel flattered.

All right. No more arguing about religion ok? concentrate to the topic. I am not try to create conflic with religion but just to minimise the talk about sensitive topics. This is our Malaysian culture. Avoid those sensitive topic....:)

All right. No more arguing about religion ok? concentrate to the topic. I am not try to create conflic with religion but just to minimise the talk about sensitive topics. This is our Malaysian culture. Avoid those sensitive topic....:)

^^ johnsonooi, You are being OVER sensitive! There is NO arguing of religion, please tell me how there's an argument? There is NO conflict with religions! AND How do you see globocentrics praises as a sensitive topic is dumbfounding to me beyond belief!! So praising someone for their preservation of religious customs and practises is a sensitive issue?? How in the world do you see that?? How could you even justify that, johnsonooi??

This is our Malaysian culture you say??? Well My Malaysian culture, the Malaysian culture I know dictates to be sensitive of religious beliefs, thats something Globocentric has done remarkably well with his/her initial premise of not trying to offend me "i am not trying to imply anything negative about you or your religion".

I see NO need for your cautionary words or comment. The only comment that seems appropriate could be to blame us, Globocentric and myself for having digressed only slightly from the thread issue and that was because of his praises, these are the things that everyone does from time to time.

^^ johnsonooi, You are being OVER sensitive! There is NO arguing of religion, please tell me how there's an argument? There is NO conflict with religions! AND How do you see globocentrics praises as a sensitive topic is dumbfounding to me beyond belief!! So praising someone for their preservation of religious customs and practises is a sensitive issue?? How in the world do you see that?? How could you even justify that, johnsonooi??

This is our Malaysian culture you say??? Well My Malaysian culture, the Malaysian culture I know dictates to be sensitive of religious beliefs, thats something Globocentric has done remarkably well with his/her initial premise of not trying to offend me "i am not trying to imply anything negative about you or your religion".

I see NO need for your cautionary words or comment. The only comment that seems appropriate could be to blame us, Globocentric and myself for having digressed only slightly from the thread issue and that was because of his praises, these are the things that everyone does from time to time.

opps.....I think that I have misunderstood you guys conversation...pardon me.
:D

MAS managing director Idris Jala said part of the route rationalisation plan for Europe involved focusing on four trunk lines - London, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome - instead of point-to-point routes.

I guess we can say buh bye to Frankfurt, Stockholm, Vienna, Manchester? Reading the above statement, it seems the current routes would be the MAS' biggest route structure for a long time to come, seeing how now they're focusing now on their "trunk lines". However I think this is the way to go. Profitability and sustainability is paramount instead of having MAS spread out, flying to all 6 continents.

if MAS stop flying to Stockholm, so there's no more service to EWR then?
( the people at Thai Airwasy will be happy then..)
MAS will benefit a lot if they join Skyteam...lots and lots of connection from AMS...since MAS will drop Manchester, problably SIA and Thai will benefit from this...heard that Thai will start service to Man sometime this year..

^^ Its not such a bad thing if MAS should focus on the trunk routes. Besides their NY service can't match SIA or THAI which are daily, non stop from BKK and SIN.

This is so sad to actually know that MAS is losing money and they have to come out with this solution to cut down a few routes and no more direct flight from London to Penang and Langkawi.

I think the first company to be happy over this will be either SIA or Thai, this is because both airlines are main competitors to MAS while MAS has to step back, it means these 2 parties will have the room to step ahead.

I do hope MAS can manage to overcome this obstacle they have. Perhaps they should consider working with AirAsia for the domestic flight, while in the mean time focus on its international flight. Afterall, I found that for the domestic flight service by MAS is not much better compared to AirAsia, if not can be worse. Not to forget that the fare that MAS charges is higher than Airasia, so think in this way, with almost the same service, why would people want to pay more?

^^^ because MH is generally more punctual - biz travellers rely on MH to get them to their destinations on time. can't say the same with AK.

March 10, 2006 21:15 PM E-mail this news to a friend Printable version of this news

MAS-Airasia Agreement On Domestic Routes In A Week Or Two

PEKAN, March 10 (Bernama) -- Several aspects in the proposed handover of most domestic routes operated by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to AirAsia are still being negotiated but the talks will not take long, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

"It will not be long, a week or two," he said.

He said the two airlines had been asked to hold discussions in the shortest time, with the supervision of the Transport Ministry, to decide on the domestic routes each would operate.

"The outcome of the discussions would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and me to make the final decision," he told reporters after launching the Pekan Maxis Cyberlab and Maxis Titian Technology Friday.

He was asked to comment on a New Straits Times report Friday which quoted sources as saying that MAS and AirAsia had agreed to divide the domestic routes between them.

The paper said MAS would be allowed to continue operating the premier domestic routes such as to Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Alor Star and Langkawi while the rest would be handed over to the budget airline.

Najib said MAS and AirAsia in principle had agreed that most of the domestic routes would be handed over to the budget airline.

-- BERNAMA

Not to forget that the fare that MAS charges is higher than Airasia, so think in this way, with almost the same service, why would people want to pay more?

^^^ because MH is generally more punctual - biz travellers rely on MH to get them to their destinations on time. can't say the same with AK.



Not only that.....MAS had better domestic frequency too. :yes:

I experienced this first hand........I was supposed to be on an AirAsia flight out of JB to KL and I missed it (it was 9am). I wanted to take the next flight as I have to be at my workplace by 3pm at KLCC. The next AK flight is at 9:45pm and I have to resort in taking MAS which next flight is 11am. They have flights out of JB every 2 hours or so ;)

Not only that.....MAS had better domestic frequency too. :yes:

I experienced this first hand........I was supposed to be on an AirAsia flight out of JB to KL and I missed it (it was 9am). I wanted to take the next flight as I have to be at my workplace by 3pm at KLCC. The next AK flight is at 9:45pm and I have to resort in taking MAS which next flight is 11am. They have flights out of JB every 2 hours or so ;)

^^Its the naturally the business airline of choice domestically, MAS provides all the perks for the business traveller, the frequency of flights, the business lounge, the inflight services, the enrich air miles (which incidentally I've abandoned since Enrich does not log my air miles properly, I have to do additional claiming work to collect).

Not only that.....MAS had better domestic frequency too. :yes:

I experienced this first hand........I was supposed to be on an AirAsia flight out of JB to KL and I missed it (it was 9am). I wanted to take the next flight as I have to be at my workplace by 3pm at KLCC. The next AK flight is at 9:45pm and I have to resort in taking MAS which next flight is 11am. They have flights out of JB every 2 hours or so ;)

I hate Air Asia. I was refused check in when i arrived at Penang Airport 35 minutes before departure. I was scheduled to depart for JB on my way to Singapore. The gahmen is still trying to protect MAS by limiting Air Asia's access to lucrative domestic routes namely Penang - Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia is only allowed 3 fllights a day while MAS has about 13 - 15 flights. MAS will not give up lucrative domestic routes easily. Ideally i think they are happy to keep PEN - KUL, KCH - KUL, BKI - KUL without any competition from Air Asia and leave the rest to them especially KUL - Ipoh and KUL - Alor Setar. These routes are suffering heavy losses.

^^Its the naturally the business airline of choice domestically, MAS provides all the perks for the business traveller, the frequency of flights, the business lounge, the inflight services, the enrich air miles (which incidentally I've abandoned since Enrich does not log my air miles properly, I have to do additional claiming work to collect).

Yes you are right. Air Asia has a serious problem with punctuality. The plane is always timed to arrive 20 minutes before departure (want to maximize plane usage) and the slightest change in wind patterns can result in a 15 minute delay(which is common) and that's why delays are so common. i wouldnt take them if i am going on a business trip.

^^Its the naturally the business airline of choice domestically, MAS provides all the perks for the business traveller, the frequency of flights, the business lounge, the inflight services, the enrich air miles (which incidentally I've abandoned since Enrich does not log my air miles properly, I have to do additional claiming work to collect).

Yes you are right. Air Asia has a serious problem with punctuality. The plane is always timed to arrive 20 minutes before departure (want to maximize plane usage) and the slightest change in wind patterns can result in a 15 minute delay(which is common) and that's why delays are so common. i wouldnt take them if i am going on a business trip.

I hate Air Asia. I was refused check in when i arrived at Penang Airport 35 minutes before departure. I was scheduled to depart for JB on my way to Singapore. The gahmen is still trying to protect MAS by limiting Air Asia's access to lucrative domestic routes namely Penang - Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia is only allowed 3 fllights a day while MAS has about 13 - 15 flights. MAS will not give up lucrative domestic routes easily. Ideally i think they are happy to keep PEN - KUL, KCH - KUL, BKI - KUL without any competition from Air Asia and leave the rest to them especially KUL - Ipoh and KUL - Alor Setar. These routes are suffering heavy losses.


Air Asia is only allowed 3 fllights a day while MAS has about 13 - 15 flights.

Yes add to that MAS also operates some wide bodies on the KUL-PEN-KUL route. I've personally done the route with a MAS 737-400 but my parents did it with a A330. So apart from the greater frequency than Air Asia, MAS also deploys greater capacity.

Cheap Air Fare or Good Services, which one will you prefer?

Cheap Air Fare or Good Services, which one will you prefer?

^^ Depends who you are, what your needs are!

I mean in what other sector of industry do we really have firms trying to capture all of the segment of the market? None!! In almost every sector in either the transportation or the services industry, there is a focus, a specialization on a segment of the market. There are nice 5 star hotels, then you have budget hotels. You have "normal" transnasional bus services to Singapore then you have upmarket double decker serviced busses.

Johnsonooi, What I prefer depends on my needs at the time, an on time connection internationally, a time constricted journey or if at the expense of my employers or benefactors, I'd choose MAS. Otherwise Air Asia would be an option.

AirAsia operates 8 flights per day to BKI from KUL and I think MAS does 13-15 times perday on the same route...

Personally i would prefer 777 to BKI from KUL and vice versa...I hope they turned on the IFE for two hours eh??? :) :)

Hmm...I like your points, which are good and constructive! :D
^^ Depends who you are, what your needs are!

I mean in what other sector of industry do we really have firms trying to capture all of the segment of the market? None!! In almost every sector in either the transportation or the services industry, there is a focus, a specialization on a segment of the market. There are nice 5 star hotels, then you have budget hotels. You have "normal" transnasional bus services to Singapore then you have upmarket double decker serviced busses.

Johnsonooi, What I prefer depends on my needs at the time, an on time connection internationally, a time constricted journey or if at the expense of my employers or benefactors, I'd choose MAS. Otherwise Air Asia would be an option.

Who needs MAS and AirAsia when you can have this on a bus :D

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Singapore%20-%2012th%20and%2013th%20Feb%202006/IMG_3234sm.jpg


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Singapore%20-%2012th%20and%2013th%20Feb%202006/IMG_3237sm.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Singapore%20-%2012th%20and%2013th%20Feb%202006/IMG_3242sm.jpg



http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Singapore%20-%2012th%20and%2013th%20Feb%202006/IMG_3251sm.jpg



Furthermore no airport hassle and travelling to em too :D

Hahaha........you guys can continue discussion but I am taking this to Singapore and Haadyai and no planes for me hehehehe :D

Who knows...a bus can beat an Airbus...

Szehoong, those seats look far more comfortable than MAS cattle class or MAS "business class".

^^ Yes....they are definitely more comforatble than any airline's cattle class.......as for the new MAS Business Class, I've not tried it but I believe it is better than the old one :yes:

MAS to switch to e-ticketing in 2 years
By Ashwin Raman & Isabelle Francis

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) is revamping and switching its entire reservation system to e-ticketing within two years in line with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) mandate for all air travel to be ticketless in 2007.

MAS's managing director, Idris Jala, said the switch to full e-ticketing would be one of the national carrier's measures to offset high jet fuel cost.

He said the only way for airlines to mitigate the high fuel cost was to reduce cost in handling, processing and dealing at distribution channels as well as to make the switch to e-ticketing.

“It is very clear that the industry must simplify to reduce the cost of air travel. That’s why IATA insists, that by December 2007, all airlines must have e-ticketing,” he told reporters after a dialogue session with travel agents in Kelana Jaya on March 14.

IATA has forecast the global airline industry to make a loss of US$4 billion (RM14.86 billion) this year due to high fuel prices. It does not expect fuel prices to go down to 2004 levels.

IATA estimates the worldwide airline industry could save up to US$3 billion a year once e-ticketing is fully implemented.

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/storage/images/com.tms.cms.image.Image_f8ae4c44-cb73c03a-a2267100-7ca2979c/1/MAS_inside.jpg

From left: MAS managing director Idris Jala, Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and MAS commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan
Idris said MAS currently offerred e-ticketing for its domestic routes and the airline was revamping its 20-year old system to offer e-ticketing solutions for its international routes.

If MAS did not have the capabilities of e-ticketing by December 2007, Idris said: "We just cannot do interlining (with other airlines)", which is an integral part of the airline's strategy for recovery.

On another matter, he said MAS was not “in a hurry” to decide on whether to get the RM2 billion aid from the government, as part of the RM4 billion cash it intended to raise to strengthen its cashflow.

"We already secured RM1 billion (loan). With the cash we generate from operations, I just want to make sure the RM2 billion is there when we need it. It's not something we are desperately running to get.

"There is time to secure and talk to the government in a lot more detailed fashion so that we get the best deal going forward," he added.

Earlier this month, Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Azman Mokhtar said it was evaluating the RM2 billion request and a decision could be made known in the next three months.

On whether part of MAS's parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd's proposed US$1 billion bonds would be used by the national carrier, Idris said: "We don't have any access to that fund."

On its domestic route rationalisation in collaboration with Air Asia Bhd, he said MAS was expected complete its route profitability analysis in the next two weeks.

“When we finish, we will know which are the routes that we cannot make money. For these routes, we would be asking AirAsia or the government (to see if they) would have different ways in dealing with them," Idris said.

Earlier speaking at the dialogue session on MAS's plans to dispose of its assets, Idris said: “I know it's a sensitive issue, especially on the MAS headquarters (in Jalan Sultan Ismail), but there’s no point to have the buildings when you lose your airline.”

Its commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan said MAS would revise its travel agent incentive scheme as early as next month, particularly on commission fees, to become more performance and yield-based rather than volume.

Currently, sales of tickets through travel agents make up 80% of total sales while internet booking accounted for less than 10%.

Also present at the event was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

The minister told reporters that the government had budgeted RM10 million to RM15 million this year to subsidise rural air services and would continue to do so despite the route rationalisation.


^^ OMG, I can't believe MAS doesn't have e-ticket facilities and will only be launched in 2 years! This is such suprising news!

Last year I had to do a quick unscheduled, late notice flight to Singapore from Brisbane, I had to be there by Sunday, I booked the flight on late Friday at my local travel agency, had to fly with SIA, unfortunately the Brisbane SIA ticketing office had already closed for the weekends just like with most other airlines, thus they couldn't print my tickets. What my local travel agency and SIA managed to do was issue me an e-ticket. It was a brilliant solution, especially for my situation, the ticket was printed then and there at the travel agency!! It made me able to fly with such late notice. I guess from the article above MAS wouldn't have been able to offer this solution.

Once upon a time, I was a die hard MAS fan, I travelled to Singapore from Brisbane with MAS via Kuala Lumpur, the long way round, collecting Enrich miles as if they were worth collecting, in naive loyal support. But now I seriously wonder why should I anymore? MAS do not have that many frequencies to Brisbane or most of their international destinations, are always a couple of hundred bucks more expensive and persistently not recorded my MAS Enrich frequent flyier points, looking in retrospect if I had stuck to my MAS loyalty on that particular day I wouldn't have been able to go to Singapore in time, since apparently MAS does not issue international e-tickets!

Media Release

16 Mar, 2006
RATIONALIZATION OF MALAYSIAN DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL OPERATIONS

We refer to the Malaysian Government's decision and guidelines released today on the above subject.

We have clearly explained our position in the Business Turnaround Plan. In the plan, we proposed to take back the P & L responsibility from Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB) on 1 January 2007 and thereafter, Government subsidy will cease on condition that we have the same freedom as AirAsia to determine flight destinations, frequency, schedule and fares and that we are allowed to restructure the business.

Based on our Business Turnaround Plan, we have the confidence to make the domestic aviation sector profitable. Consequently, effective 1 January 2007, Government subsidy will cease.

Today, we have been steered by the Government towards relinquishing routes to AirAsia based on the split between 'trunk' and 'non-trunk' routes.

We will be conducting a detail study of the commercial implication of this decision on our P & L, including engaging with AirAsia and the Government on what constitutes "trunk" and "non-trunk" routes.

Upon completion of this study, from a governance perspective, we will be engaging the Board, our staff, unions and also, shareholders as Malaysia Airlines is a public listed company.

We have also been asked by the Government to cease our 'Supersavers' scheme from Monday next week. The scheme was to cater for low sales period and targeted at a unique customer segment who want low price and 'value-for-money' offer. We have been assured that the losses incurred by its cessation will be borne by the Government. We would like to assure our customers that we will honour all the sales we have made todate under this scheme.

From MAS Media Office






KENYATAAN MEDIA

Kerajaan berpandangan bahawa proses merasionalisasikan sektor perkhidmatan penerbangan domestik adalah diperlukan bagi menentukan kejayaan jangka masa panjang Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) dan Air Asia. Dalam hal ini, Kerajaan akan memastikan agar perkhidmatan penerbangan domestik akan terus berdaya saing dan memenuhi keperluan kesemua pengguna.

Sehubungan dengan ini, Kerajaan memutuskan untuk merasionalisasikan sektor penerbangan domestik seperti berikut:

i. Perkhidmatan penerbangan domestik laluan utama (“domestic trunk services”) akan dikendalikan oleh MAS dari segi perkhidmatan penerbangan premium, dan Air Asia dari segi perkhidmatan penerbangan kos rendah;

ii. Perkhidmatan penerbangan domestik laluan bukan utama (“domestic non-trunk services”) akan dikendalikan oleh Air Asia;

iii. Kedua-dua syarikat penerbangan akan diberi fleksibiliti dalam menentukan kekerapan penerbangan, pengagihan kapasiti, jenis pesawat, dan tambang, tertakluk kepada kawalselia Kementerian Pengangkutan; dan

iv. Kementerian Pengangkutan akan meningkatkan keupayaan dan mekanisme kawalselia untuk memastikan persaingan yang sihat di dalam sektor penerbangan domestik.

Kerajaan telah meminta MAS dan Air Asia untuk bekerjasama ke arah menentukan definisi laluan utama (“trunk routes”) dan laluan bukan utama (“non-trunk routes”). Selain itu, MAS dan Air Asia juga telah diminta untuk berbincang bagi mendapatkan pengagihan kapasiti serta kekerapan perkhidmatan yang optimum bagi perkhidmatan penerbangan laluan utama. Hasil perbincangan MAS dan Air Asia perlu diserahkan sebelum 27 Mac 2006 kepada Kerajaan untuk pertimbangan muktamad.

Dalam jangkamasa terdekat, MAS dan Air Asia telah diminta untuk menguruskan kapasiti mereka kepada tahap yang lebih optimum. Dengan itu, tambang diskaun “Supersavers” tidak lagi akan ditawarkan oleh MAS.

Oleh/By: DATO' SERI ABDULLAH BIN HAJI AHMAD BADAWI
Tempat/Venue: PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI, PERDANA PUTRA, PUTRAJAYA
Tarikh/Date: 16/03/2006
Tajuk/Title: KENYATAAN MEDIA

I had the following emails from my travel rep.

Dear Valued customer,
We have been informed by Malaysia airlines that effective 1st May 2006 all
MANCHESTER to KUALA LUMPUR flight services will be withdrawn.

If you have already been issued a ticket for travel from the 1st May 2006, PLEASE can you post back all your tickets to us at ......LTD.

Your flight will be re-routed via London Heathrow on a BMI flight service. All tickets must be re-issued inorder for you to board the BMI flight.

Please can you relay this message to all your friends or relatives that may have booked a flight from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur traveling after the 1st May 2006.

---------------------------------

Dear Valued customer,

Some of you may already know that effective 26th March Malaysia airlines withdrew its direct non- – stop services on MH 007 to Penang and Langkawi.

As a result those passengers with tickets issued on the direct services London – Penang or London – Langkawi flights will be re- routed via Kuala Lumpur. It is not necessary for the tickets to be re- issued however we are in the process of sending out the new itineraries, if you fail to receive a revised flight schedule by the 07 April 2006 please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kindly relay this message to all your friends or relatives that may have booked the MH 007 flights.