MAS Likely To Offer Cheaper Fares In Next Five Years
October 31, 2007 21:04 PM


PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) may reduce its flight fares by between five and seven percent over the next five years in order to stay competitive, its managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala said today.

"Last year we tried to improve our yield by making sure we sell more seats at the higher fare category. But going forward, we have no choice but to lower our fares to compete in the industry," Idris said.

"Lots of new planes are coming into the Asia Pacific region, there will be tremendous fight," he said during a press briefing here on the MAS transformation plan.

Based on data from aircraft makers Airbus and Boeing, more than 800 new aircraft are expected this year and in 2008 in the Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East regions, he added.

Asked if the fare reduction will cover all flights, Idris said: "It depends on where the respective airlines decide to fly the new aircraft. So if a route has overcapacity, there's obviously tremendous pressure on pricing."

"Based on an average globally, it's possible to say (MAS) will reduce by between five and seven percent," he said.

Asked when the airline will start reducing fares, Idris said: "When the competitive prices come."

Meanwhile, MAS expects to have cost savings up to RM1 billion annually over the five-year period based on its business transformation plan.

Idris said RM200 million in savings is expected from better procurement of products and services, RM330 million from an increase in Internet penetration, and between RM190 million and RM300 million from e-ticketing.

He said third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work is expected to generate between RM200 million and RM300 million in revenue, and this will be seen as a cross-subsidy to the airline's maintenance costs.

"This will all total up to RM1 billion. We spend RM12 billion to RM13 billion a year, so take out RM1 billion and that's about 10 percent saved," he added.

Idris also said that the airline managed to save RM665 million last year as against the target of RM370 million set.

-- BERNAMA

MAS Continues To Embrace Open Competition, Says Idris Jala
October 31, 2007 21:50 PM


PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The recent decision by the government to allow low-cost carrier AirAsia to ply the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route may affect the bottomline of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in future, but it will continue to embrace the open competition as it moves towards becoming a five-star airline at a low-cost carrier's (LCC) cost.

"It will affect (our bottomline) obviously, but it is one of the more than 100 routes we fly. We would have been much better equipped if it was based on the Asean Aviation Roadmap on January, 2009.

"I believe MAS must continue to embrace open competition, to be ready for it," said its managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, at a media briefing here today.

Idris, however, could not estimate how much the move would impact the company's earnings.

Asked if there are immediate plans to reduce rates following AirAsia's entry, Idris said: "We are still looking at the flight schedule and the position, we will decide in due course what we will do."

On the possibility of its subsidiary, Firefly, getting approval to ply the same route, Idris said there were no details yet as they were still discussing on the issue.

Idris said MAS' plan to become a five-star airline at LCC cost in the next five years meant it would continue to offer premier services and products but drive down the cost to be able to offer highly-competitive fares.

He said in line with this they were currently putting the light meal box on trial for short-haul flights, which started on Oct 1 until Dec 31 this year.

"Since the launch on Oct 1, we have obtained feedback from 35,000 customers on 383 flights, where 91 percent are satisfied with it, five percent gave compliments, three percent gave complaints and one percent gave suggestions for improvement.

"If it works, we intend to implement it in routes less than three hours flight in the network," said Idris, stressing that currently the meal box is on trial period and therefore are open to changes.

He said MAS was confident it would achieve their profit target of more than RM300 million despite the high oil prices.

"Oil price is very big component of our business. But we are aspiring to achieve the highest in terms of operational profit and net income, we are aspiring to set the record for these this year," he said.

-- BERNAMA

MAS To Consider Operating Flights Within BIMP-EAGA Region
November 01, 2007 19:33 PM


KOTA KINABALU, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines' wholly owned subsidiary, Firefly, is considering operating flights from Kota Kinabalu to major towns within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), said MAS managing director and Firefly chairman Datuk Idris Jala.

He said the Sabah government had given its greenlight to make Kota Kinabalu as one of its hubs to operate a domestic and international network.

Idris said Firefly had ordered 10 Italian turboprop aircrafts, a smaller aircraft capable of carrying 72 passengers in a move to expand its network.

"We have also made an option for another 10 turboprop aircrafts and when they arrive gradually over the next five years, we can position some of the aircrafts in Kota Kinabalu to cater for BIMP-EAGA subregion.

"We cannot make money using jet but certainly turboprop may be possible," he told reporters after meeting State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun, here today.

Idris said MAS had agreed to cooperate with the state government to attract more foreign tourists, especially Japanese tourists to come to Sabah.

He said at present there were only four direct flights operating the Kota Kinabalu-Tokyo and Kota Kinabalu-Osaka sectors weekly, and it would be increased in future depending on the demand.

"It's not so much on seat availability but how to fill in the available seats. As of now, only 70 percent of the seats are occupied. So, it is important to promote Sabah vigorously in Japan to get more tourists to Sabah.

Meanwhile, Masidi thanked MAS for its willingness to help the state government promote Sabah in Japan.

"Japan is a lucrative market for Sabah and we believe with the support of MAS we can probably tap this market, thereby helping chart the future of Sabah tourism," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia Airlines launches 5 new flights on Dhaka-KL route :banana: :banana:

Malaysia Airlines (MA) yesterday formally launched five new flights between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur to meet the growing demands from passengers.

"Now many people go from Bangladesh to Malaysia for various purposes including doing job, visiting and attending seminars and training courses that prompted us to increase the number of flights from seven to 12," an official of the airline said at a media briefing in Dhaka.

He said in 2006 around 29,000 Bangladeshis went to Malaysia and the number is increasing day by day.

An official of MA said the airline's all Airbus 330 flights from Dhaka can carry 250 passengers in each flight. "We can sell almost all the tickets of the flights," he added.

The country's aviation sector is showing considerable growth in recent times, sources in the sector said. The growth rate now stands at around 10 percent while the rate is around 6-7 percent in neighboring countries.

There is a huge demand for passenger aircraft on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route as around 1200 workers go to Malaysia from Bangladesh everyday.

In recent times Bangladesh witnessed an acute passenger flight crisis that prompted the government to announce an open sky policy for three months beginning from October 1.

But, still there is a dearth of passenger aircraft despite announcing the policy.

According to Association of Travel Agencies of Bangladesh (ATAB), around 3500 people from Bangladesh want to visit different destinations around the world daily, but the flights operating from the country can carry only around 2,500.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=9734

Yeah and discontinue the Zurich - KL route as of January 24, 2008 :ohno:

2007/11/01

MAS to stop KL-Zurich route
Leslean Arshad, BERNAMA


ZURICH, Thu.:

National carrier Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) will discontinue its Kuala Lumpur-Zurich route next year.

The plan was reported in the travel- and aviation-based websites here which said that MAS would end the KL-Zurich services, which it has been operating as code-share flights with Swiss International Air Lines Ltd, on Jan 24.

The matter was also discussed at the meeting between Switzerland Federal Councillor, Doris Leuthard, and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz here.

Rafidah is leading a 30-member trade delegation to Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich.

She said Leuthard had conveyed the hope of the Swiss private sector and business community to her that MAS would not pursue the plan.

Rafidah said according to Leuthard, Swiss businessmen find it convenient to use MAS’ KL-Zurich services.

“They hope that MAS will not discontinue the flight because this is a useful route for them,” she said.

Rafidah said though she understood MAS’ decision would be based on profit and loss, she nevertheless would convey the Swiss request to the airline.

Saturday November 3, 2007

Ready for take off

By DARSHINI M. NATHAN

THE local aviation sector has provided riveting theatre in the last few weeks. In mid-October, national carrier MAS' wholly owned low-cost unit Firefly secured a coup, and ruffled feathers (AirAsia's to be exact) in the process, when it got the government's nod to operate flights out of the old Subang airport.

In a case of tit for tat, the move prompted AirAsia to re-open its Subang LCCT case files. For its effort, it was given the nod a week later to operate two flights daily to Singapore during off peak hours.

MAS cried foul over the move arguing that the opening up of the KL-Singapore route ahead of the January 2009 deadline would jeopardise its business turnaround plan. It lost no time to lobby for Firefly to operate flights to Singapore out of Subang.

The jury is still out on whether the national carrier will win this round of lobbying but one thing is for sure – the sector has undergone changes so massive over the past couple of weeks that they are bound to shape the future of the industry.

The route, which until recently was dominated by national carrier Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, will now see the entry of two additional airlines – one each from Singapore and Malaysia – that have been granted the rights to fly the lucrative KL-Singapore route. On Singapore's side the beneficiary is SIA's low-cost unit Tiger Airways,

while on this end, the winner is, obviously AirAsia.

The news couldn't have been better timed as it has coincided quite nicely with long haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X's inaugural flight last Friday. For long, AirAsia Bhd's chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes has lobbied hard for the opening up of this route. The need became more pressing recently when Fernandes, together, with a group of investors, formed AirAsia X to make long-haul low-cost flights out of Malaysia a reality.

Fernandes hopes the latest development will bring an end to the notion that certain routes should remain closed and instead bring about more liberalisation in the sector.

“This psyche that Singapore is better than Malaysia and so we must protect these routes must end. We are hoping that the Ministers not only discussed the opening up of the KL-Singapore route but other routes like Kota Kinabalu-Singapore and Kuching-Singapore,” he said, referring to the meeting between the two Transport Ministers at the Asean Transport Ministers Meeting in Singapore late last week.

Indeed, a local brokerage notes that the real killer routes for AirAsia when it comes to Singapore will be the ones between the city-state and Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Still, it is easy to appreciate why opening up the KL-Singapore route ahead of the planned January 2008 deadline is integral to AirAsia X's success. Fernandes has conceded that to have to wait out the original deadline would mean setting back sister airline AirAsia X's operations by a year.

The opening up of the KL-Singapore route on the other hand will give AirAsia X access to a whole new market of cost-conscious travellers from across the region as more people are expected to make use of the cheap flights between Changi and Kuala Lumpur to connect to international destinations serviced by long haul low-cost airline AirAsia X.

This will have the effect of accelerating the growth of Kuala Lumpur as the region's low-cost hub.

However, some industry participants caution that the move could have the opposite effect, that of driving passengers out of Malaysia to Singapore's Changi airport.

“There are 4,000 flights out of Changi every week as opposed to 2,000 flights out of KLIA. Given that Changi has better connectivity, travellers may opt to take the cheap flight from KL to Singapore and then take flights out of Changi instead. In Singapore's case, its Budget Terminal is not located 20km from the main airport. The Budget Terminal is at Changi, so it is less of a hassle,” he says.

Sure boost for AirAsia

Either way, the opening up of the route is expected to have a profound impact on AirAsia's bottomline although the low-cost carrier will only be allowed to operate two flights a day during the off-peak hours of 11am to 7pm in the first year.

The KL-Singapore route is deemed to be one of the most lucrative ones in the region owing mostly to the very high frequency of business travellers. MAS and Singapore Airlines have ruled this particular sector for more than three decades, charging travellers a return fare of RM830 nett.

AirAsia's KL-Johor Baru return trip on the other hand cost less than RM200.

ECM Libra Avenue Securities reckons the KL-Singapore route could potentially contribute about RM34mil per annum to AirAsia's operating profit.

This is based on the assumption that AirAsia will charge a one-way airfare of RM250, inclusive of surcharges. This airfare assumption represents a 38% discount to MAS airfare of RM400 per way. It also assumes a load factor of 80%, although its checks show that the load factor for this route ranges from 70%-90%. The third assumption is that fuel is priced at US$85 per barrel.

At this juncture, it seems unlikely that AirAsia will be able to capture a significant portion of the sector's business traveller segment.

As pointed out by CIMB Research, business travellers who dominate demand for KL-Singapore flights are unlikely to switch to AirAsia, especially since the off-peak timing is inconvenient for day trips.

“We believe the LCCs will tap new leisure-based demand, rather than cannibalise MAS' or SIA's business traffic,” the house says.

Things could get more eventful in the industry if Firefly too is allowed to fly to Singapore out of Subang.

It's worth pointing out here that Firefly was given the greenlight to operate flights out of the old Subang airport on Oct 18. In fact, last week was equally momentous for the community airline as it greeted its inaugural flight to Subang on Oct 29. (Firefly operates on turboprop planes. Only these planes are allowed to land at Subang airport.)

Operating flights to Singapore out of Subang is obviously advantageous to any airline as the airport is a lot closer to the centre of activity in the Klang Valley, where demand for this route is heaviest.

Apart from cutting down on their travelling time to the airport, travellers also save costs.

The government has said that it will consider opening up the route further to allow Firefly to fly the route. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy has said that he will raise the matter with his Singaporean counterpart in a bilateral meeting that may be held this month.

Some analysts doubt that MAS' request will be granted, as the agreement between the two governments is to allow two LCCs, one each from Malaysia and Singapore, to ply the route now. Firefly would upset that balance.

AirAsia too is unlikely to accept a decision like that without putting up a fight. Fernandes gave some indication of this when he said, “We won't stand by and let Firefly be granted rights to fly to Singapore at AirAsia's expense.”

One thing is for sure, consumers certainly won't be complaining about the various travel alternatives ahead of them.

I don't get this... is QR planning to launch straight lines from Doha to PEN/KCH/BKI or to operate code-share from KUL to those cities ? :cheers:

Qatar Airways plans more Malaysian destinations via code sharing with MAS
by Sharon Tan



KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar Airways plans to fly into other Malaysian cities via a code sharing deal with Malaysia Airlines, said its new area manager for Malaysia Ravi Goonetilleke.

“We are talking to Malaysia Airlines on the probability of code sharing to other stations such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia,” he said.

The airline had also upgraded its aircraft on the popular Doha-Kuala Lumpur-Bali route to an Airbus A330 from Airbus A300.

“Since its debut in 2001, this route has become one of the most popular routes in the Far East region,” he said, adding that the number of business travellers on this route has been growing steadily over the last few years fuelled by strong trade ties between Malaysia and Middle East countries.

Goonetilleke, who was speaking to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday, said more flights were added during the summer months to cater to the high demand.

He added that the airline’s average aircraft age was three years, making it one of the youngest and most modern fleet in the world.

Asked on how the airline stays ahead of its Middle Easter competitors, Goonetilleke attributed it to personalised service.

“You can have the aircraft but it’s the people and training. You can have the best cabin crew but they need to serve. At the moment, ours is doing a great job. That’s why we are winning all the awards,” he said.

On the impending open skies between Malaysia and Singapore and also in the Asean region, Goonetilleke said that it would be good to open up.

“You can’t keep protectionism anymore. It is fair and free competition. In the end, it’s the consumer who is the winner,” he said.

On competition from low-cost carriers, he said: “There is enough rooms for everyone. The low-cost airlines have stimulated more travels. It has enabled more people to travel.”

More than likely code shared on MH metal, just like KLM currently does on selected MH flights ex KUL

SINGAPORE : In one of the most long-awaited announcements, low cost carriers (LCCS) have finally been given the green light to operate the lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route from 1st February next year.

However these will initially be limited to four flights daily - two from each side.

For over 30 years, the national carriers of both countries have monopolised what has become known as one of the most protected routes in Asia.

Passengers pay about S$400 return for a flight that only lasts about 45 minutes.

That should change now - for the better.

For the first time, budget carriers who have been lobbying to ply this route for years, will be allowed to do so - though on a limited basis initially.

But by 1st December next year, there will be full liberalisation which means airlines can operate as many services as they want.

This is in line with an ASEAN initiative to free up air links between ASEAN capital cities by December next year.

The decision comes at the end of two-day talks between Singapore and Malaysian air transport officials.

The thing to watch out for now is which budget carriers get these four flights.

Although Singapore's Tiger Airways and Malaysia's AirAsia have been widely tipped to get it, both carriers face competition - AirAsia from MAS subsidiary Firefly and Tiger from Jetstar Asia.

Jetstar Asia says it plans to apply for the rights, while Tiger has reiterated its interest, saying it would offer fares comparable to coach travel.

Air Asia's Tony Fernandes said just last month he could do the return fare for about S$130.

Officials agreed to meet again in January to discuss the further expansion of air services between Singapore and other cities in Malaysia. - CNA/ch :banana:

Low-cost S'pore-KL flights from Feb 1
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
Prime News
November 24, 2007
Author: Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

AIR travellers who have long complained about pricey fares on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route will finally get some relief.

From Feb 1, at least one low-cost carrier from each side will be allowed to operate two daily flights - a total of four extra services a day.

All restrictions on the lucrative sector will be lifted on Dec 1, 2008, to allow airlines on both sides of the Causeway to fly as often as they want between the two points.

The liberalisation of one of Asia's most restricted air routes is in line with an Asean initiative to free up air links between capital cities of the 10-member bloc by December next year.

The decision to partially free up the Singapore-KL sector was announced by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) yesterday, at the end of two days of bilateral talks here.

MOT said in a statement: 'This is a positive development in our aviation relations as low-cost carriers will operate on this sector for the first time.'

Transport officials on both sides will meet again in January to discuss how air links between Singapore and other Malaysian cities can be further liberalised.

The Singapore-Malaysia air services pact was last expanded in 1980. A separate commercial deal between the two national carriers, which currently dominate the Singapore-KL sector, allows them to set fares, plan schedules and split revenues equally.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) operate about 85 per cent of the over 200 flights a week, charging about $400 for a return flight that lasts 45 minutes each way.

The remainder goes to a handful of other carriers that fly via Singapore to Kuala Lumpur under 'fifth freedom' rights, which allow foreign airlines to pick up passengers in transit, as negotiated by their respective countries. These include Japan Airlines and Air Mauritius.

In less tightly-regulated markets like the Singapore-Bangkok one, for example, travellers pay about $200 for an all-inclusive return fare.

Pressure had mounted in the past few years in Singapore and Malaysia for more competition, and low-cost carriers promised cuts to Singapore-KL fares by more than half.

But a breakthrough only came earlier this month, when Malaysia proposed to Singapore that low-cost carriers be allowed to operate a limited number of services.

Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy proposed this to his Singapore counterpart Raymond Lim when they met on the sidelines of the 13th Asean Transport Ministers Meeting here.

Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia are the contenders as far as the Singapore rights are concerned.

Singapore's Air Traffic Rights Committee will evaluate applications submitted to it.

The committee, headed by MOT's permanent secretary, includes senior representatives from various government agencies.

Making a pitch for her airline, Jetstar chief executive officer Chong Phit Lian said: 'Our extensive network, and our links with sister carriers in Australia, allow us to offer our passengers not just a point-to-point service but a whole range of options and choices.' Jetstar is 49 per cent owned by Australia's Qantas.

Singapore's Tiger Airways is raring to go too. Group chief executive officer Tony Davis told The Straits Times recently that even if the airline got just one or two flights a day, it would be a good start. Early access would allow it to gear up for full market liberalisation, he said.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

GMG to start daily Chittagong - KL from Jan 8, 2008

Korean Air's Budget Airline To Fly To Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Korean Air will start operating a budget airline in May, tentatively named Air Korea, with Malaysia among its several international destinations, the airline was reported as announcing today.

That nation's biggest carrier said it will set up the low cost carrier next month with an investment of 20 billion won (about RM72.5 million) and launch international flights in May.

With Incheon International Airport as its hub, it plans to operate flights to China's Shandong and Hainan provinces, Thailand, Malaysia and Japanese cities other than Tokyo. It will later expand to short and mid-haul routes.

The budget carrier will use three A300 and two B737 aircraft while taking advantage of Korean Air's knowhow on maintenance and operational training programmes to ensure safety.

The growing budget air travel market in Asia sees South Korea alone having about 15 foreign low cost carriers serving it, including Cebu Pacific Air and Orient Thai Airlines.

Three more are expected to start operating in the first half of next year.

-- BERNAMA

I don't get this... is QR planning to launch straight lines from Doha to PEN/KCH/BKI or to operate code-share from KUL to those cities ? :cheers:

Pretty sure it's gonna be code share on MH equipment.

estos nes pura reunion nu +

nuevas noticias see bn o.O

Oman Air hope to start Muscat- KL by next year
1 December 2007



MUSCAT: Flying high after the successful introduction of services to its first European destination, national flag carrier Oman Air is indeed in an expansive disposition. It has unveiled bold plans to add more cities on the Continent to its fast growing network. Besides, several new routes in the Middle East and Far East and more flights to the Indian sub-continent are on the cards.


The six-times-a-week London Gatwick non-stop flight, launched last week, was the airline’s 24th destination; two days later Bangkok became the 25th.

“Hopefully by next year, we intend to start operations to Paris and Frankfurt, and also to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta,” CEO Ziad Karim Al Haremi said addressing British journalists and media men from Oman who accompanied him and other dignitaries on the inaugural London flight last Monday at a Press conference in the British capital.

“Our expansion plans in the Middle East next year will include launching services to Syria and Yemen. And in the Indian sub-continent, we are planning to increase frequencies to several destinations, negotiations for which are under way,” he added. He, however, ruled out operations to North America in the near future. The first flight to London, with some 100 passengers on board the B767 aircraft, arrived at Gatwick just after 8pm after a seven-hour journey. The schedule will be the same on all six days, with the return trip departing London at 10.30pm and landing at Seeb at 9.45am.

The new route, Haremi underlined, came at a time of rapid expansion for the airline.

“Concurrent with this ambitious growth, we aim to embark on a major restructuring and rebranding initiative,” he added, revealing that the airline would soon appoint an international consultant to draw up a 20-year plan for future growth that would especially focus on long-haul routes.

“For the rebranding, we have invited a few companies to come forward with their creative ideas, and once we have something that meets our expectations, they will do a full fledged job on rebranding. That will be applied across the board, starting from the design of our business cards all the way to our aircraft,” Haremi said.

Founded in 1993, Oman Air is now 84 per cent owned by the government of the Sultanate, resulting from a special IPO earlier this year that also increased the company‚s capital to RO50 million from RO13 million. Plans are in the offing to transform the carrier into a 100 per cent state-owned venture.

Haremi said fleet expansion plans in the coming years would see the airline owning about 25 Airbus and Boeing aircraft by 2012.

“The fleet will include 12 Boeing 737-800s, seven Airbus A330s (mix of dash 300 and dash 200), with a provision for two more, as well as around six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with a provision for another two.”

This year, the Omani carrier signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire the six Dreamliners from Alafco Aviation Lease and Finance Company of Kuwait. Oman Air will be the first airline in the Middle East to fly the Dreamliner aircraft that can carry between 200 and 300 passengers on routes varying from 6,500 to 16,000 kilometres.

The airline currently operates direct flights to Gulf destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait from Muscat, besides eight destinations in India ˆMumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow and Jaipur.

It also flies to Chittagong in Bangladesh, Cairo, Beirut and Amman, besides Salalah and Khasab in Oman.

Explaining why Oman Air chose Gatwick instead of Heathrow in Uniled Kingdom, Haremi said it was due to non-availability of slots at Heathrow.

“We approached the authorities here for Heathrow. We still want to go there, and will be looking out for other airlines that wan to trade or sell their Healthrow slots to us.”

December 10, 2007 12:27 PM

Malaysia Airports Aims To Increase Advertising Revenue


PUTRAJAYA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd aims to increase its revenue from advertising to increase to 10 percent from the current five percent in two to three years, its managing director and chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said on Monday.

"Revenue for advertising is clearly an important source of commercial revenue for Malaysia Airports," he told reporters at the signing ceremony of the advertising concession agreement between Meru Utama Sdn Bhd and the airport operator here.

The partnership, Bashir said, would be a step forward for MAHB to increase its commercial revenue for advertising.

The agreement confers Meru Utama a seven year advertising concession with an optional extension of two years at specified advertising locations at only the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Low-cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Established in 1988, Meru Utama specialises in airport advertising and its chairman is Datuk Mohamed Nazim Razak.

"We believe there is opportunity for us to increase the revenue for advertising substantially. We will re-look at our advertising revenue from other airports as well," he said.

MAHB is currently handles 39 airports nationwide.

When asked on budget airline AirAsia's interest to operate from Subang Airport, Bashir said it was the government's decision and "I have no comment on that".

-- BERNAMA

Air Asia X Starts Dhaka - KL chartered service




DHAKA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The Air Asia X, one of the designated airlines from Malaysia has started operation recently on charter basis to carry workers for employment in Malaysia, the Bangladesh news agency BSS reported Sunday.

The Airline has arranged for more flights for quick transportation of the workers, who have been waiting for long due to lack of flight schedule, a press release said.

"The main objective of bringing the airlines to Bangladesh is to quick transportation of Bangladeshi workers to Kuala Lumpur who have been stranded here due to lack of flight schedule," said Noman Chowdhury, chairman Celebrity Tours and Travels.

The charter flights have been arranged by Celebrity Tours and Travels the local agent of the company.

According to the local agent, weekly five chartered flights would be operated on the route on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Air Asia X, is a sister concern of Malaysia's prominent airline Air Asia. The new airlines have started operating flights first between Malaysia and Australia.

Bangladesh are the second destination of the company.

-- BERNAMA

it has nothing to do with MALAYSIA AVIATION, but it makes me questioning on MAS bid(?) to enter Sky Team....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Star Alliance Invites Air India To Join


MUMBAI, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- National air-carrier Air India Thursday said it has been formally invited to join the world's premier airline grouping Star Alliance.

A formal invitation was extended to Air India's Chairman V. Thulasidas during Star Alliance's Board meeting in Beijing Thursday, according to a PTI report.

Following the invitation, Air India will announce the date of joining the alliance soon, he was quoted as saying.

"It will be a win-win situation for both Air India and Star Alliance," he added.

Joining the alliance would increase Air India's revenue by 3-4 percent, which would come out to be about RS 4 billion, Thulasidas said.

The Star Alliance would provide better and more lounge facilities to Air India travelers in various international airports. It will also help in getting them better fares besides frequent flier benefits to its customers. "The alliance will increase Air India's reach," Thulasidas said.

While Star Alliance had airlines from the US, Europe, South-East Asia and the Far East, geographically there was a void in the Indian region which would disappear with Air India joining the alliance, he said.

With the possibility of Air India setting up an European hub in Munich or Vienna, joining Star Alliance would help its operations as most of the European airlines were its members.

The alliance includes Lufthansa, Air Canada, Austrian, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), South African Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Only Wednesday, Air China and Shanghai Airlines formally joined Star Alliance at a ceremony in Beijing International Airport.

With the addition of two Chinese airlines, Star Alliance now has 19 member-carriers operating 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160 countries, offering international travellers more choice than any other airline alliance.

This year is the tenth anniversary of Star Alliance network and as the year closes, air-carriers from two major Asian giants, India and China are entering its fold.

Air India has been having discussions with Star Alliance besides two other groupings, OneWorld and Sky Team since early this year.

-- BERNAMA

MAS most likely will not join any alliance for the moment according to one article i read. It is expanding its codeshare agreements that is similar to alliance. Similar to Emirates which shows no interest in joining any alliance at the moment. Most likely MH is also using the same strategy. Furthermore, according to Airliners.net, it says Air France is blocking MH from joining into Skyteam as Air France has extensive codeshare agreement with oneworld's Qantas for kangaroo route via SIN. Allowing MH to join in to Skyteam will hurt Air France's kangaroo route traffic. However, it would be a waste if Air France is barring MH from joinning Skyteam as Skyteam has a big gap in South East Asia and Australasia. Even Air France's partner company, KLM code shares with MH for Australia bound flights via KUL. Very little Skyteam members has extensive coverage in Asia. Just take Skyteam's only Asia carrier, Korean Air, would you fly from Paris to Incheon and fly to Brisbane, it's waste of time. No doubt that MH fits Skyteam perfectly. But MH still couldn't join Skyteam, then my opinion for MH is to join Star Alliance.

MAS most likely will not join any alliance for the moment according to one article i read. It is expanding its codeshare agreements that is similar to alliance. Similar to Emirates which shows no interest in joining any alliance at the moment. Most likely MH is also using the same strategy. Furthermore, according to Airliners.net, it says Air France is blocking MH from joining into Skyteam as Air France has extensive codeshare agreement with oneworld's Qantas for kangaroo route via SIN. Allowing MH to join in to Skyteam will hurt Air France's kangaroo route traffic. However, it would be a waste if Air France is barring MH from joinning Skyteam as Skyteam has a big gap in South East Asia and Australasia. Even Air France's partner company, KLM code shares with MH for Australia bound flights via KUL. Very little Skyteam members has extensive coverage in Asia. Just take Skyteam's only Asia carrier, Korean Air, would you fly from Paris to Incheon and fly to Brisbane, it's waste of time. No doubt that MH fits Skyteam perfectly. But MH still couldn't join Skyteam, then my opinion for MH is to join Star Alliance.

yes, i have read the things on Air France in airliners.net, but Star Alliance got SIA, so if it is all about code sharing, than most of MAS route are similar with SIA...isn't it? sorry, i'm not master in these 'code-sharing' thingy but MAS don't have any talk with star alliance so far...

Direct flights to regional cities
TheStar 17 Jan 2008


KUALA TERENGGANU: There will be direct flights between Kuala Terengganu and cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai, Singapore and Macau from November if plans to turn the new Kuala Terengganu International Airport into a second low-cost carrier (LLC) hub materialise.

The state government is in the midst of convincing several low-cost carriers from Singapore, Bangkok, the Philippines and China to use the new airport as their regional gateway.

State Infrastructure Development, Amenity and Communication Committee official Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh told The Star that talks were in the final stages to have these carriers start their operations here.

“Tourists from these countries can fly directly to Kuala Terengganu and head straight to holiday isles here without transiting in Kuala Lumpur,” he said yesterday.

Wan Hisham said the current runway was being extended to accommodate Boeing 747s. Work is expected to be completed by November.

Currently, the airport can cater for the Boeing 777 and Airbus.

The multi-storey terminal with aero-bridge is also nearing completion.

On the present number of flights, Wan Hisham said the number was still limited.

“There are times where the flights are not fully booked but on most occasions there are huge number of passengers,”

“We can suggest to the airlines to increase their flights during peak days but this is their prerogative,” he said.

He said the projected increase in flights was also in line with the development of the East Coast Economic Region where new projects will witness the arrival of investors, some of whom would want to make day trips.

Meanwhile, Wan Hisham said call metered taxis will be introduced in Kuala Terengganu city, very soon.

He said 30 taxis will be equipped with such facilities under the first phase and the fleet size would be increased gradually.

“These taxis will come under Cas Ligas, a state government-owned company that manages Inter-City buses,” he added.

He said the company is also tasked with initiating a boat cruise service along the scenic Sungai Terengganu, connecting Shahbandar jetty to the Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man.

Oman, Malaysia deal to boost flight frequency


31 January 2008



MUSCAT - The number of flights between Oman and Malaysia is expected to significantly rise following an agreement signed between the two countries in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.


The MoU designates Oman Air as the Sultanate's national carrier and Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia :banana: as Malaysia's national airlines.

Mohammed bin Sakhr Al Amri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Civil Aviation Affairs, inked the deal on behalf of Oman with the Malaysian Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport for Civil Aviation Sector.

“The air transport services agreement signed in Muscat in April 1993 was also amended to allow national carriers of both countries to operate unlimited number of flights between the two countries,” Amri said.

Direct flights to regional cities
TheStar 17 Jan 2008


KUALA TERENGGANU: There will be direct flights between Kuala Terengganu and cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai, Singapore and Macau from November if plans to turn the new Kuala Terengganu International Airport into a second low-cost carrier (LLC) hub materialise.

The state government is in the midst of convincing several low-cost carriers from Singapore, Bangkok, the Philippines and China to use the new airport as their regional gateway.

State Infrastructure Development, Amenity and Communication Committee official Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh told The Star that talks were in the final stages to have these carriers start their operations here.

“Tourists from these countries can fly directly to Kuala Terengganu and head straight to holiday isles here without transiting in Kuala Lumpur,” he said yesterday.

Wan Hisham said the current runway was being extended to accommodate Boeing 747s. Work is expected to be completed by November.

Currently, the airport can cater for the Boeing 777 and Airbus.

The multi-storey terminal with aero-bridge is also nearing completion.

On the present number of flights, Wan Hisham said the number was still limited.

“There are times where the flights are not fully booked but on most occasions there are huge number of passengers,”

“We can suggest to the airlines to increase their flights during peak days but this is their prerogative,” he said.

He said the projected increase in flights was also in line with the development of the East Coast Economic Region where new projects will witness the arrival of investors, some of whom would want to make day trips.

Meanwhile, Wan Hisham said call metered taxis will be introduced in Kuala Terengganu city, very soon.

He said 30 taxis will be equipped with such facilities under the first phase and the fleet size would be increased gradually.

“These taxis will come under Cas Ligas, a state government-owned company that manages Inter-City buses,” he added.

He said the company is also tasked with initiating a boat cruise service along the scenic Sungai Terengganu, connecting Shahbandar jetty to the Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man.

I think connecting from Kota Bharu airport is a lot faster. Why don't they choose KB? Is it because it is governed by PAS? Also wonder what would happen to the KT airport when all the off shore islands are shut down during the monsoon rainy season. I just think it is not realistic.

Direct Oman Air flight to Kuala Lumpur in May :banana: :banana: :banana:


2 February 2008



MUSCAT — Oman Air will launch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur in May, it has been announced following talks between senior civil aviation officials of the two countries in the Malaysian capital last week. Kuala Lumpur will be the Omani national carrier's second destination in the Far East it introduced service to Bangkok recently.


"Malaysia is an ideal place for family tourism as statistics for the last four months of 2007 show that the number of the Omani holidaymakers who visited Malaysia reached 19,000," Ziyad bin Kareem al Harmi, Oman Air's Chief Executive, said.

He added the airline would launch more new destinations to provide direct access for passengers to cities around the world.

Government keen to sell stake in Malaysia Airlines, says CEO
The Associated Press Published: February 18, 2008

SINGAPORE: The Malaysian government is keen to sell a stake in Malaysia Airlines to ensure the company remain globally competitive in an industry which is fast consolidating, the company's chief executive said Monday.

If the government decides to offload some or all of its 69 percent stake in the national carrier, it could be offered to a strategic partner or to the market, said Chief Executive Idris Jala.

"I certainly believe that the government is very keen (to sell a stake). It'll do it for the right price at the right time," Idris told reporters on the sideline of a regional aviation conference here.

At the same time, he said the flag carrier is exploring the possibility of acquiring stakes in other airlines although this is still in the early stage.

He said passenger demand is expected to fall short of the industry's total capacity over the next five years, which will hurt airlines' profitability and push the formation of new alliances.

"We are looking at opportunities in Asia-Pacific region," Idris said. "I believe mergers and acquisitions are very efficient. It will reduce costs and we will be able to offer lower fares."

Last month, the carrier unveiled a five-year growth plan which calls for opening up more routes in Southeast Asia, China and India, fleet expansion and lower fares to boost its annual profit to as much as 3 billion ringgit (US$930 million; €634 million) by 2012.

Idris said the airline also aims to save as much as 1 billion ringgit (US$310 million; €211 million) this year through cost-cutting in procurement, maintenance and other related services.

"Our operations costs are up because of fuel prices and also wages are going up, we want to take out bad costs," he said.

The carrier rebounded from deep losses in 2005 and 2006 with a record profit of 610 million ringgit (US$189 million; €129 million) in the nine months to September 2007 following a successful revamp.

On fleet expansion, Idris said the carrier will likely decide by April whether to proceed with its order for six superjumbo A380s following a delay in delivery due to production problems.

"I'm happy about the latest development with Airbus. We are reaching a win-win situation," he said.

Last month, company officials have indicated the airline may stick to its plan to acquire up to 110 new planes, with a final decision to be made after the current quarter.

Malaysia deal set to fuel route expansion

Steve Creedy | March 07, 2008

AUSTRALIA has struck a more liberalised air services agreement with Malaysia which will give carriers thousands of additional seats a week to and from the gateway cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The extra capacity will come in two tranches with an additional 5000 seats per week available from this month and another 3500 coming on stream in March 2009.

The airlines also have unlimited access to other airports.

Capacity to the major Australian airports had previously been restricted to 15,000 seats per week for Malaysian carriers and 20,600 seats per week for Australian carriers.

This was becoming a problem for Malaysian carriers who were already using 13,969 seats per week, particularly as both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsiaX want to expand services as traffic between the two countries grows.

Transport Department statistics show that over 708,000 passengers travelled between Australia and Malaysia in 2007, with traffic growing at an average annual rate of 4.2 per cent for the five years to 2007.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the new arrangement would give Australian carriers the opportunity to significantly expand their services and to compete effectively in the Asian market.

"It will allow Malaysian airlines such as AirAsiaX to proceed with their planned expansion into Australia, with Australian travellers expected to reap the benefit of lower fares," he said.

"Ultimately, Australian travellers, trade and tourism will benefit from the increased competition and greater choice when travelling to Malaysia and on to other parts of Asia and Europe," Mr Albanese said.

AirAsiaX is expected to make an announcement about its next destination in Australia - likely to be Melbourne - later this month.

Jetstar International currently operates three Airbus A330 services per week between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, while AirAsiaX operates four A330 services per week between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast.

Malaysia Airlines operates around 41 services per week to all of Australia's main gateway airports, including two daily services to Melbourne and Sydney.

Any new airlines wanting to take advantage of the relaxed agreement will still have to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and meet Australia's safety and security requirements.

The new agreement comes after an open skies deal was signed last month that opened up travel between Australia and the US.

Langkawi airport not getting overseas flights
By SIRA HABIBU


IT is a shame that Langkawi International Airport is not getting direct international flights other than from Singapore via Silk Air, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Calling on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia to look into providing direct international flights or transit flights via Langkawi, she said:

“The airport, which is an international one, is not getting international flights other than from Singapore.”

The ministry would write to MAS and AirAsia to provide direct international flights to Langkawi, Azalina said after this listening to a briefing on Geopark attractions in Langkawi on Monday.

She said Langkawi needed more direct international flights to attract more tourists.

She also said the ministry had allocated RM10mil to implement tourism projects in Langkawi last year and this year.

The projects include upgrading the pedestrian walkway in Pantai Cenang and upgrading public toilets at tourist attraction sites such as Pasir Hitam.

Azalina said that having Langkawi declared as part of the Unesco network of global geopark was something to be proud of.

“But we need to package the product and make it saleable.

“This is in line with our objective to sell unique attractions in Malaysia,” she said.

She also said that although Langkawi was a duty free zone, “people are complaining that there are no new products.”

IATA warns of RM20b aviation losses this year
by Doreen Leong
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com


ISTANBUL: The global aviation industry could potentially suffer massive losses to the tune of US$6.1 billion (RM19.7 billion) this year compared with the forecast losses of U$2.3 billion if oil prices continue to hover at US$135 per barrel.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and chief executive officer Giovanni Bisignani said the forecast losses of US$2.3 billion for 2008 were based on consensus’ estimate average oil price of U$106.5 per barrel.

He also said the forecast amount would be a significant swing of US$6.8 billion from the previously forecast industry profit of US$4.5 billion that was announced in March based on the oil price assumption of US$86 per barrel.

He said a total of 24 airlines went bust in the last six months.

“For every dollar that the price of fuel increases, our costs go up by US$1.6 billion,” Bisignani said in his speech at IATA’s 64th AGM and World Air Transport Summit here yesterday.

He added that the situation was grim as the fuel crunch would see the industry slipping back into the red after posting its first profit of US$5.6 billion last year since 2000.

“With oil averaging US$73 per barrel, delivering even a 1.6% margin was an amazing achievement. Since 2001, your hard work improved fuel efficiency by 19% and reduced non-fuel unit costs by 18%.

“The skyrocketing price of oil has eaten these gains and left the industry in the red again. Oil prices at US$130 a barrel are changing the game for everyone. The situation is grim,” Bisignani added.

He sounded the alarm in a stark declaration to governments, industry partners and labour.

“Airlines are struggling for survival and massive changes are needed. Governments must stop crazy taxation, change the rules of the game and fix the infrastructure. Labour must understand that jobs disappear if costs don’t come down,” Bisignani said.

He said the greatest call for change was for governments as presently airlines could not look beyond national borders to manage risk, access global capital or consolidate.

“To fight crises effectively, brands, not flags must define our business. It’s time to tear up the 3,500 bilateral agreements and replace them with a clean sheet of paper without any reference to commercial regulations.

“Airlines would be free to innovate, compete, grow, become financially healthy or even disappear,” Bisignani said.

He added that governments had to ensure a level playing field and regulate safety, security and environmental performance.

Bisignani also calls for change in key areas such as security, regulation of monopolies, environment, safety and simplifying the business by modernising businesses with technology such as e-ticketing.

The industry achieved 100% e-ticketing on Sunday. “Four years ago, we had a vision to modernise our business with technology, improve convenience and save US$6.5 billion. The paper ticket is history. And we are saving US$3 billion annually.

Bisignani concluded that in order for airlines to survive the perfect storm, return to profitability and build a sustainable future, change was inevitable.

mmm.. what happen to MH? hardly get 5 stars review on skytrax..

Thats what happens when u cant even feed your passengers!!!!

News from OZ. Jetstar is planning to axe KL-Sydney route :bash:.

^^sekejapnya....

IN SUMMARY:

Among services to be cut :

* QF MEL-NRT service
* JQ SYD-KUL service
* JQ CNS-NGO-KIX service

Services with reduced/change in frequency/capacity:

* SYD-SGN changed from direct A330 flight to 5 weekly A320 flight stopover at DRW.
* PER-CGK and PER-DPS services to be operated by JQ instead of QF
* SYD-LAX service will be reduced from 17 weekly to 15 weekly when the A380 arrive.
* New OOL-NRT flights by Jetstar.


Fresh from Qantas newsroom:

Qantas Announces International Schedule Changes
Latest News
Sydney, 05 June 2008The Qantas Group today announced changes to its international services as it continues to manage the impact of high oil prices.

The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the changes, which follow last week's announcement regarding domestic services, included market exits, capacity cuts and the replacement of Qantas services with Jetstar services on a number of routes.

Mr Dixon said the cost of fuel had changed the way the Qantas Group had to do business over the next two years.

"We have to look closely at each individual market, including the number of frequencies we operate and which of our flying businesses is better suited to serve those destinations."

Mr Dixon said Japan and South East Asia would be the most affected markets by the schedule changes.

"The Japan-Far North Queensland market has also been particularly difficult for Qantas for a number of years. At current fuel prices, the Group would lose more than $100 million operating to Japan under our existing schedule."

Mr Dixon said Qantas would engage the tourism industry at seeking better ways of offering viable options for inbound tourism into the future.

Mr Dixon said the changes to the Japan schedule included:
* the withdrawal of Qantas' thrice-weekly Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) A330 return services from September 2008;
* a reduction in Qantas' Sydney-Tokyo (Narita) A330 return services from nine to seven return services per week from September 2008;
* Jetstar's withdrawal from the Cairns-Osaka-Nagoya route from December 2008;
* the replacement of Qantas' 14 weekly B767 Cairns-Tokyo (Narita) services with a daily Jetstar non-stop A330 two-class service from December 2008; and
* the introduction of new Gold Coast-Tokyo (Narita) services five times per week, operated by Jetstar with two-class A330s from December 2008, in addition to Jetstar's daily Sydney-Gold Coast-Osaka services.

Mr Dixon said that under the new schedules, the Qantas Group would continue to offer significant capacity - more than 11,500 seats per week - between Japan and Queensland.

To support the schedule changes, Jetstar would need to free up A330 aircraft and, as a result, would:
* withdraw from its Sydney-Kuala Lumpur operation to make available an A330 aircraft; and
* replace its existing three weekly A330 services that operated between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City with five A320 return services on the new route of Sydney-Darwin-Ho Chi Minh City from September 2008.

He said Jetstar would also replace Qantas on:
* the Perth-Denpasar route, with up to four Jetstar A320 services taking over from Qantas' B737-800 services from December 2008; and
* Perth-Jakarta, with three Jetstar A320 return services per week replacing the existing three Qantas B737-800 services from December 2008.

Mr Dixon said Qantas would close its pilot base in Cairns, with around 40 Cairns-based pilots returning to Sydney or other bases.

"Qantas will maintain its existing cabin crew base in Cairns to service domestic operations, and Jetstar will establish a new base for pilots and cabin crew in Perth from October," he said.

Mr Dixon said that as a result of the international schedule changes, there would be a small number of job losses in Cairns and Japan. These were in addition to those flagged in last week's announcement, which were expected to be in the low hundreds, and would also be managed initially on a voluntary basis.

He said in addition to the Asian flight changes, Qantas would reduce its B747-400 Sydney-Los Angeles services from 17 to 15 per week, following the commencement of A380 flights on the route at the end of the year.

"Using the larger A380s on a spread of our USA services will enable us to grow Melbourne-Los Angeles capacity and maintain our total current capacity levels from Australia to the USA."

Mr Dixon said Qantas had done everything possible to mitigate the effects of the schedule changes we have been forced to make.

"We will continue to work with individual markets and look for opportunities as conditions improve to address capacity issues and reinstate services where and when we can."

June 06, 2008 20:56 PM

Jetstar To Cease Flights To Kuala Lumpur From September

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, June 6 (Bernama) -- Australian budget airline Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, will withdraw its service from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur from Sept 1, 2008, because of high fuel prices.

Qantas also said that several other services to Asia would be affected.

Malaysia's charge daffaires in Canberra, Ahmad Fadil Samsuddin, has alerted Malaysians in Australia to the Jetstar decision, saying those who had confirmed their bookings after Sept 1 would be contacted by the airline to make alternative arrangements.

In announcing the changes, Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets would be most affected.

"At current fuel prices, the group would lose more than A$100 million operating to Japan under our existing structure," he said in a statement.

Dixon said flights between Japan and Queensland would still offer a capacity of more than 11,500 seats a week. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation said Qantas had targeted the Japan route after years of declining demand.

The number of passengers flying between Melbourne to Japan had been in steady decline since 2004 when total passenger numbers were at 122,000 a year.

Last year, passenger numbers between the two destinations fell from 111,000 to 83,500.

Tourism groups fear North Queensland will be hardest hit by the international route rescheduling which also sees the Cairns/Osaka/Nagoya sector flown by Jetstar being withdrawn.

Qantas' 14 flights a week from Cairns to Tokyo will be replaced with a daily Jetstar route. A new Jetstar Gold Coast to Tokyo route -- five flights weekly -- will also be introduced.

Under the changes, Jetstar will withdraw its Sydney to Kuala Lumpur service to free up an A330 plane and replace its existing three times a week A330 service between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City with five A320 return services on a new Sydney to Darwin and Ho Chi Minh City route.

Jetstar aircraft will replace Qantas on the Perth-Denpasar and Perth-Jakarta routes.

-- BERNAMA

Jetstar mahal... aku selalu gak bukak site die..

Jetstar mahal... aku selalu gak bukak site die..

lagi murah dr air asia kalo booking awal..aku naik last year g KL dr Sydney.

The route is actually quite popular, coz obviously the cheapest flight to KL. But apparently not profitable and they wanna use the plane for other profitable routes.Hope Jetstar restore that route if possible in the future.

Jetstar murah pada awal pembukaan Sydney-KL je... sebulan pas tu haa naik melambung tambang. 1 hala paling murah A$199 tak termasuk cukai

Need to upgrade Pangkor airport


THE Pangkor airport should be expanded to allow larger aircraft to fly into the island.

Malaysian Association of Hotels Perak Chapter chairman Jimmy Yeo said the present air-strip could only accommodate a 48-seater aircraft.

“I believe there is sufficient land for the airport expansion.

“Hopefully, the airport can be upgraded to allow 72-seater planes to land on the island,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/20/north/jalan.jpg
Shanti showing the stretch used by the residents to get to Jalan Simpang. With her is Mageswary.

He said a bigger airport would not only help boost tourism on the island but would encourage more flights to be introduced.

“There are currently five flights a week into the island from Subang airport.

“With a bigger airport, it is possible to have more flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and even Singapore,” he added.

Yeo said that there were plans by the previous state government to extend the airport runway to the seafront several years ago but the plan did not materialise for reasons unknown.

On a separate matter, the Pangkor Chalet Operators Association urged the Human Resources Ministry to reconsider its decision to limit government programmes in hotels in the country.

Its chairman Mohd Pisol Yahya said the decision had badly affected about 20 hotel and chalet operators on the island.

“Government seminars and training cour-ses contribute 55% of our total revenue there,” said Mohd Pisol.

“Hotels and chalets cannot survive with just businesses from tourists alone,” he said.

He said hotels and chalets would also be forced to retrench its employees if they could not make ends meet, adding that the operators might even be forced to close shop.

LTBB hab Terminal LCC kedua
Oleh Badrul Hizar Ab Jabar

http://www.bharian.com.my/Tuesday/EdisiWilayah/20080701074307/mainpix
DINAIK TARAF: Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam akan dilengkapi kemudahan moden.



Projek ubah wajah lapangan terbang tertua di Melaka dalam RMK-9 bakal rangsang industri pelancongan

MELAKA: Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam (LTBB) di sini, adalah antara lapangan terbang tertua di negara ini. Tapi namanya tidaklah sehebat lapangan terbang lain, khususnya Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) mahupun Lapangan Terbang Langkawi.

Malah ada yang menganggapnya seperti `hidup segan mati tak mahu'. Dan mungkin lebih teruk lagi, ada yang tidak menyedari kewujudannya, semata-mata lapangan terbang ini hanya digunakan oleh pesawat ringan selain menjadi lokasi akademi penerbangan untuk melatih juruterbang muda.



Namun menjelang akhir tahun ini, lapangan terbang ini bakal berubah wajah sekali gus mengikis segala tanggapan negatif mengenainya. Ini berikutan pembinaan projek pembesaran lapangan terbang ini untuk menjadi Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah (LCCT) kedua di Semenanjung selepas KLIA, dijadual siap sepenuhnya.

Menerusi projek ini yang membabitkan peruntukan RM120 juta, LTBB bakal dilengkapi dengan pelbagai kemudahan serba moden termasuk bagi pendaratan pesawat lebih besar seperti Airbus 320 dan Boeing 737.

Majlis pecah tanah projek pembesaran lapangan terbang ini terdahulu disempurnakan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak pada 1 April 2006 dan menariknya, ia adalah projek pertama dilancarkan selepas pembentangan Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9), sehari sebelumnya.

http://www.bharian.com.my/Tuesday/EdisiWilayah/20080701074307/mainpix2
MEMBANGUN: Naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam akan merangsang kemasukan pelancong.



Pembangunan projek ini dilaksanakan secara bersama antara Kumpulan Melaka Berhad (KMB), Kota Cekap dan Uni Integrated.

Kerja menaik taraf lapangan terbang ini, antara lain membabitkan pemanjangan landasan daripada 1,372 meter kepada 2,045 meter dan membina bangunan terminal baru dengan keluasan kira-kira 7,000 meter persegi bersesuaian dengan standard antarabangsa.

Selain itu, tempat letak pesawat diperbesarkan untuk memuatkan tiga pesawat Boeing 737 dan Airbus 320, lampu mendarat di kedua-dua penghujung landasan bagi kemudahan pendaratan waktu malam atau cuaca kurang baik, laluan pesawat ke terminal, tempat letak kenderaan dengan kapasiti kemampuan 150 kenderaan dalam satu masa serta kerja landskap.

Bagi memastikan warisan sejarah terus terpelihara, bangunan terminal atau dikenali terminal merah yang mempunyai nilai sejarah dan menjadi saksi kepulangan Bapa Kemerdekaan, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman bersama rombongannya dari London itu akan dikekalkan.

http://www.bharian.com.my/Tuesday/EdisiWilayah/20080701074307/mainpix3
LUAS: Memudahkan pesawat besar melakukan pendaratan.

Mungkin ramai tidak tahu, LTBB pernah melakar sejarah apabila pesawat yang membawa rombongan merdeka dari London, diketuai Tunku Abdul Rahman mendarat di situ sebelum berarak ke Padang Pahlawan di Bandar Hilir, untuk mengumumkan tarikh kemerdekaan negara dari penjajah Inggeris.

Ketika rombongan itu tiba di lapangan terbang berkenaan kira-kira jam 11 pagi 20 Februari 1956, mereka disambut ribuan rakyat termasuk Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Sambutan, Tun Ghaffar Baba (kini Allahyarham).

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam ketika ditemui baru-baru ini berkata, LTBB berpotensi menjadi hab kedua Terminal LCC di Semenanjung berikutan kedudukannya yang strategik antara KLIA dengan Singapura selain beberapa destinasi lain di negara ini dan beberapa negara jiran.

Katanya, kerajaan negeri diwakili Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Warisan negeri, Datuk Seet Har Cheow sudah mengadakan pertemuan dengan pengurusan syarikat penerbangan tambang murah AirAsia Bhd bagi memperincikan perkara itu.

"Sebagai langkah awal, kita akan membenarkan AirAsia beroperasi di LTBB bagi mengadakan penerbangan terus ke beberapa destinasi termasuk Melaka-Pekan Baru-Jakarta khusus untuk pelancongan kesihatan. Tahun lalu saja, Melaka menerima 64,000 pelancong kesihatan terutama dari Indonesia," katanya.

Mohd Ali berkata, jika usaha itu berjaya, kerajaan negeri mungkin meminta syarikat penerbangan berkenaan menjadikan LTBB sebagai hab keduanya selepas Terminal LCCT di KLIA kerana kerajaan negeri hendak menarik kedatangan lapan juta pelancong menjelang 2010 dan 13 juta pada 2020.

Katanya, ketika ini Melaka sedang memperkenalkan konsep 'Open Disneyland' dalam usahanya menarik kedatangan pelancong ke negeri ini.

"Jika LTBB boleh dijadikan hab kedua LCCT, ia sudah tentu memudahkan usaha menarik kedatangan pelancong pada tahun berkenaan. Dalam keadaan sekarang, Melaka perlu menggunakan kelebihannya dari segi produk pelancongan untuk menangani krisis kenaikan harga minyak dan barangan makanan.

"Jika sektor pelancongannya meningkat, sudah tentu akan dapat menawarkan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan kepada rakyat di samping menjana pendapatan mereka daripada aktiviti pelancongan dan inilah kelebihan negeri ini dan kita perlu memanfaatkan sepenuhnya peluang ini," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Seet berkata, selain kemudahan pengangkutan kepada penduduk Melaka, pembesaran LTBB sudah pastinya berupaya membantu memperkukuhkan lagi industri pelancongan kesihatan di negeri ini.

"Melaka terkenal di kalangan pelawat luar yang ingin mendapatkan rawatan kerana ia memiliki kemudahan hospital pakar seperti Putra Specialist Hospital, Pantai Medical Centre dan Mahkota Medical Centre. Sebuah lagi sedang dalam pembinaan di Klebang. Pelancongan kesihatan ini sangat terkenal di kalangan penduduk Sumatera.

"Statistik juga menunjukkan enam juta pelancong melawat Melaka pada 2007 dengan perolehan RM3 bilion dan diramal meningkat kepada RM3.3 bilion pada 2008 menerusi 6.8 juta pelancong. Apabila kerja pembesaran LTBB siap kelak, sasaran 8 juta pelancong pada 2010 dan 13 juta menjelang 2020 mampu dicapai," katanya.

Pengerusi Persatuan Perhotelan Melaka (Maha), Datuk Syed A Rahman Alkaff ketika diminta mengulas mengenai perkembangan terbaru itu, menyifatkan keputusan membesarkan LTBB adalah langkah paling tepat dalam merangsang dan merancakkan lagi industri pelancongan di Melaka.

"Pembesaran LTBB, bakal membuka lembaran baru kepada industri pelancongan di Melaka. Industri perhotelan di negeri itu bakal menikmati kemasukan lebih ramai pelancong kerana lebih banyak penerbangan dapat diadakan

antara bandar utama lain di rantau ini.

"Sebelum ini, kita memang ada menerima rungutan mengenai kesukaran pelancong datang ke sini kerana LTBB tidak mampu menampung kemasukan pesawat besar. Kita harap menjelang akhir tahun ini, suasana baru yang diharapkan bakal menjadi realiti," katanya.

Proposed Tioman airport plan may be off


TIOMAN: The proposed RM120mil airport here could be cancelled due to environmental reasons.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the project’s environmental impact assessment had been completed and an announcement would be made soon.

The airport was to be built on reclaimed land in Kampung Paya. It would have a 2km-runway to accommodate the Boeing 737 aircrafts.

The increase in tourists to the island particularly after it was given duty-free status in 2002 is one of the factors in proposing for a new airport.

The current airport in Kampung Tekek can only accommodate a 42-seater aircraft.

The only other access to the island is via ferry from Mersing (Johor) and Tanjung Gemuk (Pahang).

The airport plan received protest among villagers and chalet operators in Kampung Paya, Kampung Genting and Kampung Mukut as it would affect marine life.

Unsupervised airspace a 'disaster waiting to happen'
Cameron Stewart | July 08, 2008
The Australian


INTERNATIONAL jets carrying thousands of passengers are flying unsupervised across Australian skies with foreign pilots who do not understand correct collision-avoidance procedures.

Air traffic controllers have described the situation as a "disaster waiting to happen", revealing they often have to brief foreign pilots in mid-flight about the measures they must follow to avoid mid-air collisions in unsupervised Australian airspace.

The situation, described last night by former Civil Aviation Safety Authority chairman Dick Smith as "incredibly unsafe", has arisen because a critical shortage of air traffic controllers is leaving large chunks of Australian airspace unsupervised. Australia is one of the few countries in the world that allows passenger jets to fly through unsupervised airspace.

CASA claims it is safe but Qantas instructs its pilots to avoid unsupervised airspace where possible.

Chilling private conversations between air traffic controllers in online industry forums reveal serious safety concerns about the NOTAMS, or Notice to Airmen instructions, given to foreign pilots to avoid collisions while flying through unsupervised Australian airspace.

"It quickly became apparent that none of the international crews -- Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines -- understood the procedures," a Brisbane-based controller wrote last week.

"There is a serious deficiency in what advice/briefing these crews are receiving. I don't think the NOTAMS spell out exactly what they are getting themselves, and the 300 trusting souls down the back of each of these flights, into."

Peter McGuane, executive secretary of the air traffic controller's union Civil Air, said last night there was growing "concern amongst air traffic controllers that not all flight crews and potentially international crews are familiar with the (safety) procedures in unsupervised airspace".

"Our members are telling us they need to provide briefings to pilots in flight about the correct procedures," he said. "I believe that the travelling public would hold genuine concerns that the airspace they were flying through was not subject to air traffic control supervision."

When flying through unsupervised airspace, pilots must rely on themselves and other pilots to avoid collisions by keeping track of developments on a common frequency.

But air traffic controllers say foreign pilots sometimes tune into the wrong frequency or do not understand the procedures because they do not have unsupervised airspace in their own countries.

The president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Ian Woods, said CASA needed to respond to the concerns raised by the controllers: "CASA needs to lift its game and make a decision as to whether this airspace is suitable or unsuitable."

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson maintained that the current procedures for operating in unsupervised airspace were safe.

"It is not inherently unsafe, but it is not as efficient as when you have a controller," he said.

He said CASA was not saying that airlines had to fly through the airspace and had left it up to individual airlines to decide.

A spokesman for Airservices Australia, which manages air traffic controllers, said the safety procedures for unsupervised airspace were determined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and were contained in required flight documents.

Large amounts of Australian airspace are increasingly unsupervised because of a national shortfall of between 20 and 80 air controllers.

Several flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra were delayed or diverted at the weekend after a shortage of controllers caused an area northwest of Canberra to go unsupervised for two hours.

Last night, airspace outside of Brisbane was also believed to be unsupervised.

Mr Smith said it was absurd that Australian authorities allowed passenger jets to fly in unsupervised airspace. "It is incredibly unsafe. I find it amazing it could ever be allowed to happen," he said. "In other countries, they would not allow aircraft to fly in that airspace.

"Pilots are not air traffic controllers, they don't have the training to work out exactly where they are (in relation to other aircraft). The whole thing is incredible."

In online forums, one air traffic controller gives his version of an alleged mid-air incident last month between Thai Airways and British Airways jets over central Australia.

The controller wrote: "There was a clear conflict -- a few miles apart -- between a Thai Boeing 777 and a British Airways Boeing 777 crossing in (unmanned airspace). Personally, there is no way I would have flown on these aircraft if, as an innocent passenger, I knew what was going on.

"It was extremely scary to watch it on the screen ...

"I seriously doubt if any of the 250-odd paying passengers would have chosen to continue this flight in (unmanned airspace) had they known the ramifications and just how easily it all could have come undone. We have a massive duty of care here no matter what the circumstances, and to be honest the current published procedures for (unmanned airspace) is a disaster waiting to happen."

Australia hopes for more flights to thriving Adelaide
By B.K. SIDHU


KUALA LUMPUR: More flight frequencies to Adelaide is what South Australia Deputy Premier Kevin Foley hopes for as the state thrives from the mining boom.

He hopes Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will increase its current four times weekly flights to the capital city and wants AirAsia X to consider flying there some day.


Currently, accessibility from Adelaide is limited as most of the flights operated by MAS are running on high load. Foley was also fully aware that a decision in times of high jet fuel prices for an airline to increase frequencies would be difficult.

“We had a good meeting with MAS managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala. I can’t say (if MAS will increase frequencies to Adelaide) although we are hopeful,” he said in an interview.

Foley, who is also Treasurer and Minister of Industry and Trade for South Australia, was in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day visit where he met several officials, including those from MAS, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and YTL Corp, with the aim of boosting trade ties, encouraging investment and promoting South Australia as a destination for skilled workers.

On AirAsia, he said: “We have not met them but are looking to present our case to AirAsia.”

MAS flies to most cities in Australia while AirAsia X now flies to the Gold Coast and will begin services to Perth next month.

Foley would not disclose the outcome of his meetings with officials from Petronas or YTL Corp but these companies have investments in Australia. He called for more investments from Malaysian companies as he believed South Australia was poised to grow stronger with the mining boom that had seen the Australian economy flourish over the past few years.

To Foley, the mining boom would continue as long as there was growing appetite for minerals from China and India. Commodities are in their seventh year of gains and, despite weakening commodity prices the past few days, mining should remain Australia’s economic backbone until at least 2013.

A report said record levels of mining investment, together with a ramp-up in production, would insulate the economy from the global downturn.

The boom has created thousands of jobs, thus helping property prices to soar. It would boost Australia’s export revenue by at least A$58bil in the company year, a recent report said, adding that the nation’s mining spending rose 22% to A$41.5bil in the 12 months ended June 30.

According to Foley, South Australia would continue to gain from the boom. The rush to extract minerals would continue but the spillover effects would see industries such as electronics, manufacturing, agriculture and even the property sector, flourish. South Australia has its share of copper, nickel, gold and iron ore mines. It also has some of the largest reserves of uranium in the world.

Foley said a few new uranium mines would come on stream in the next two years as 109 mining licences had been issued and there had been some exploration successes lately.

“We are a major jurisdiction in the world for uranium,” he said.

MAHB plans fifth venture abroad this year
By YENG AI CHUN
The Star

BUTTERWORTH: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) hopes to enter a fifth overseas venture this year.

Human resources general manager Ahmad Zuber Abdul said the company had received many enquiries about its services.

“We have to be selective on our overseas ventures. After our latest venture in Turkey, we hope to have a fifth venture this year,” he said after launching the company’s “Beyond Borders” programme at SK Pokok Sena here yesterday.

He said MAHB was a sought-after service provider in airport operations as its staff were experienced and known to be adaptable to various working conditions.

“Another selling point for us is the KL International Airport. It is well-managed and other airports want to learn from us,” he said.

MAHB's venture in Turkey started last year. It would be assigning a number of its experienced personnel to the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to assist in the operations, technical and financial areas when the airport’s expansion is completed in 2010.

It also manages the Hyderabad International Airport and Delhi Airport in India and the Astana Airport in Kazakhstan.

The “Beyond Borders” programme is aimed at helping pupils hone their English language skills and focus on character building through motivation talks and seminars.

SK Pokok Sena is the third school in Penang to benefit from the programme after SMK Batu Maung and SK Batu Maung on Penang island.

New environs plan needed to build Tioman airport
By SIMON KHOO and NIK NAIZI HUSIN


TIOMAN: The proposed new RM120mil airport in Kampung Paya here can proceed if a new Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is drawn up.

Tioman Development Authority general manager Datuk Hashim Mat Tahir said it was up to the Transport Ministry to draft the plan.

He said the Environment Department had rejected an earlier EMP in May due to the adverse impact the project might have on the surroundings.

“However, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was accepted when it was submitted some time ago.

“It is up to the ministry to submit a new EMP to enable the project to proceed, or to cancel it for good,” he said in an interview.

Recently, Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the project was likely to be cancelled due to environmental reasons.

She said an official announcement on this would be made soon.

Hashim said, besides the EMP and EIA, two other studies had been conducted on the proposed reclaimed land site.

He said that one report touched on the hydrology aspects and the other on the effects the project might have on marine life.

“Both reports have been completed and submitted to the ministry.

“Based on the reports, we will abide by the decision of the various agencies,” he said, adding that findings on the technical aspects would be submitted to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob for his perusal.

Hashim said it was up to the Mentri Besar to appeal to the Government to review the project.

Construction of the airport in Kampung Paya, 2km from Kampung Tekek, was supposed to start in 2004.

It was planned to have a 2km runway to accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft for a bigger passenger load.

An increase in tourists after the island was declared as duty-free in 2002 was among the reasons to improve transport from the mainland.

The current airport in Kampung Tekek can only accommodate a 42-seat aircraft due to its short runway.

Other transport to the island from Mersing (Johor) and Tanjung Gemuk (Pahang) is via ferry depending on the weather.

The airport proposal received protests from villagers and chalet operators in Kampung Paya, Kampung Genting and Kampung Mukut who were concerned about its effects on marine life and tourist arrivals.

Tioman has a population of 3,000 in 13,000ha of mainly forest and rocks.

Perlu RM40j panjangkan landasan lapangan terbang
MELAKA 6 Ogos - Kerajaan negeri memerlukan peruntukan tambahan sebanyak RM40 juta bagi membolehkan landasan Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam yang kini sedang diperbesarkan, dipanjangkan 400 meter lagi.

Landasan lapangan terbang itu yang sebelum ini sepanjang 1,300 meter telah dipanjangkan kepada 1,800 meter sejak 23 April lalu dengan kos RM131.5 juta bagi membolehkan pesawat lebih besar seperti Boeing 737 dan Airbus 320 mendarat.

Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam berkata, bagaimanapun jarak tersebut tidak mencukupi untuk menampung pesawat terbabit jika ia bermuatan penuh dan memerlukan tambahan landasan sepanjang 400 meter lagi.

''Peruntukan tambahan ini sudah dikemukakan kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan di bawah Kajian Semula Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) tetapi masih belum mendapatkan kelulusan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menjawab soalan Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdul Latip (BN- Durian Tunggal) pada persidangan Kedua Penggal Pertama Dewan Undangan Negeri Melaka ke-12 di sini hari ini.

Mohd. Ali berkata, Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam akan digunakan bagi menarik para pelancong kesihatan terutama dari Jakarta, Pekan Baru dan Padang di Sumatera untuk datang ke Melaka.

Kata beliau, kegiatan pelancongan kesihatan di negeri ini telah menunjukkan peningkatan yang sangat baik dan ini menguatkan lagi alasan mengapa perlunya tambahan peruntukan tersebut.

Melaka merupakan negeri ketiga yang menjadi tumpuan pelancong kesihatan selepas Kuala Lumpur dan Pulau Pinang untuk mendapatkan khidmat rawatan pakar.

Beliau berkata, projek pembesaran lapangan terbang tersebut akan memberi kemudahan dan keselesaan kepada pelancong berkenaan memandangkan sebelum ini lapangan terbang itu hanya mampu menampung pesawat kecil seperti jenis Foker F50.

Tahun lalu sahaja, jumlah pelancong kesihatan yang datang ke negeri ini ialah seramai 67,201 orang berbanding tahun sebelumnya seramai 55,929 orang sementara tahun 2005 dan 2004 masing-masing 42,085 dan 18,295 orang.

Bagi tempoh sepanjang tujuh bulan pertama tahun ini, jumlah pelancong kesihatan yang direkodkan ialah seramai 15,708 orang.

Sementara itu, Mohd. Ali yang ditemui pemberita selepas persidangan ditangguhkan berkata, dengan adanya pesawat lebih besar seperti Boeing 737 mendarat di lapangan terbang tersebut, ia akan membolehkan penerbangan lebih jauh dapat dilakukan.

''Dengan itu, kita boleh menarik pelancong kesihatan dari negara-negara Asia dan juga lain- lain negara di rantau ini selain Indonesia," katanya.

Tambah beliau, pada masa kini syarikat penerbangan tambang murah AirAsia telah menunjukkan minat untuk mengadakan penerbangan dari Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam.

Mm..for tioman perhaps they should consider flying boats.MMEA will operate 2 amphibious aircrafts from Bombardier.

^^ aku rasa lebih baik bina epot kat Mersing je- bina epot besaq yg boleh muatkan A320 , dapatla Air Asia lancar penerbangan KL-Mersing. Epot tu biaqlah betui2 depan laut, dari situ haa.. naik bot ja sampai Tioman.

1) dapat selamatkan ekologi Tioman
2) Mersing akan bertambah maju
3) Tioman pun akan bertambah maju dengan lebih ramai pelancong
4) Pengusaha bot Mersing-Tioman dapat tambah pendapatan
5) Air Asia pun boleh dapat banyak penumpang KL-Mersing.

caya tak idea aku ?

^^ aku rasa lebih baik bina epot kat Mersing je- bina epot besaq yg boleh muatkan A320 , dapatla Air Asia lancar penerbangan KL-Mersing. Epot tu biaqlah betui2 depan laut, dari situ haa.. naik bot ja sampai Tioman.

1) dapat selamatkan ekologi Tioman
2) Mersing akan bertambah maju
3) Tioman pun akan bertambah maju dengan lebih ramai pelancong
4) Pengusaha bot Mersing-Tioman dapat tambah pendapatan
5) Air Asia pun boleh dapat banyak penumpang KL-Mersing.

caya tak idea aku ?

^^I agree:) that is a good idea mate.. cheers

Rising costs spell gloom for regional airlines
Thursday August 7, 2008
News analysia by B.K. Sidhu
TheStar

Analyst says MAS, AirAsia are stronger than many of them

CATHAY Pacific Airways Ltd - Asia’s third largest carrier by market value - raised enough red flags over the past few months over the tough times it was facing due to rising fuel cost and would report a loss in the first half of 2008. But what it announced yesterday caught many by surprise; it was its first loss in five years.

Much of the loss was due to higher fuel prices as “Cathay had not hedged enough and fuel cost just went up higher.” The carrier also had to make a HK$468mil provision for a fine in the US to resolve an investigation into price fixing by air cargo carriers in June.

Cathay reported first half loss of HK$663mil (US$85mil) versus a net income of HK$2.58bil in 2007. This may be its first loss in five years but it is only half of HK$1.24bil the airline lost in 2003 following the outbreak of SARS.

This time around Cathay did not raise airfares as much as other global carriers despite doubling its fuel surcharges for long haul travel. Cathay only had 30% of its fuel requirements hedged.

In comparison, Asia’s most profitable airline, Singapore Airlines (SIA), hedged 60% of its fuel. Yet SIA also reported lower earnings. Its net profit was 15% lower to S$358mil for second quarter ended June 2008. That was also the second consecutive decline in quarterly profit.

The drop in profit is understandable as the airline industry is in turmoil due to a slowing global economy, higher fuel prices and low demand for air travel.




http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/8/7/business/b_05planes.jpg

MAS and AirAsia aircraft sit parked at KL International Airport -AFP.
MAS hedges 43% of its oil for 2008 and an analyst estimates that it will report
between RM20mil and RM50mil profit for the second quarter.




Cathay chairman Christopher Pratt believes “the industry will not survive in its current form,’’ given the higher fuel cost and slowing demand. He said “global aviation was making a painful adjustment to the new reality of 100-plus US dollar oil.’’

Crude oil prices fell to below US$120 a barrel yesterday after a record high of US$147 in July. Jet fuel is down from its high of US$181 a barrel on July 3.

The International Air Transport Association on Monday said passenger demand grew at is slowest pace in five years in June and warned the situation could get worse with consumer and business confidence falling amid persistently higher oil prices.

Cathay is not the first carrier to have reported a loss and it won't be the last. In fact, 25 airlines have gone bankrupt since the beginning of this year, and more casualties and losses can be expected.

But amid all the gloom, a Malaysian analyst is pretty confident Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia Bhd will do better than many airlines in the region.

MAS has 43% of its oil hedged for 2008 and the analyst estimates that MAS will report a small profit of between RM20mil and RM50mil for the second quarter.

As for AirAsia, the analyst said the airline may be facing tough times operationally but “they could beef up their P&L (profit and loss) and could recognise the proceeds of an aircraft disposal. This could strengthen their P&L.’’

“We believe MAS and AirAsia are stronger than some carriers in the region.’’

Direct Flights From Terengganu To Jeddah This Haj Session
August 07, 2008 22:37 PM

PETALING JAYA, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- For the first time, direct flights from Kuala Terengganu to Jeddah will be conducted for this year's haj season through a collaboration between Malaysia Airlines, Tabung Haji and the Terengganu state government.

Malaysia Airlines executive director and chief financial officer, Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abduk Aziz, said a total of nine flights would be used for the sector. Currently Malaysia Airlines operates direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Jeddah, he said.

Tengku Azmil Zahruddin was speaking to reporters after attending the signing of agreement between the airline and Tabung Haji for the operation of the haj charter flights.

Malaysia Airlines was represented by assistant general manager Capt Nik Ahmad Huzlan Nik Hussain, while Tabung Haji was by its senior general manager (haj divison) Mohd Salleh Abdul Mubin.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Deparment Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi witnessed the ceremony.

Tengku Azmil Zahruddin said for this year's haj season, a total of 54 direct flights carrying 13,000 passengers had been arranged between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Sixteen of the flight would be to and from Madinah, while the other 38 would be to and from Jeddah, he said.

-- BERNAMA

Kuching Airport Needs A LCCT

The Kuching International Airport needs a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in view of the increased number of passengers using AirAsia, an official with the airline said today. AirAsia Manager for Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Shanmugam Nathan said the terminal such as that in the KL International Airport (KLIA) and Terminal 2 in Kota Kinabalu would serve not only AirAsia but also other current and future low cost airlines which will operate in the country.

It is not a want from AirAsia but more of what is needed in view of the increasing number of passengers, he told reporters here after presenting sponsored AirAsia tickets here for the National Conference of Secretaries to be held in Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu end of this month and early May.

Shanmugam said in a day AirAsia offered 10 return flights for the Kuching- Kuala Lumpur route as well as three return flights for the Kuching-Johor Baharu route and one flight daily to Penang, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

AirAsia also launched direct flights to Macau, Jakarta and Bali from Kuching this month.

It also plans to fly the Kuching-Singapore route this year and the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan route this June.

Shanmugam said AirAsia hoped that the Sarawak state government would consider establishing a LCCT at the Kuching airport in line with its plans to make Kuching a hub for the operations of low cost carriers in the future.
Source: Bernama

Yeah i am sure they do!!!!All the airports in malaysia needs LCCT

^^ noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
nanti habih semua epot jadi lengang!

malaysia needs an efficient rail and extensive LRT network more than the need for LCCT in every airport...it is not nessasary in current situation

Ya ma mr tony wants it cheap!

I dont get why every airport needs a LCCT. It serve no purpose as an airport is built for all types of plane, no matter it is premium, FSVC or low cost carrier. TF is wasting our tax payers' money for his own benefit.

I dont get why every airport needs a LCCT. It serve no purpose as an airport is built for all types of plane, no matter it is premium, FSVC or low cost carrier. TF is wasting our tax payers' money for his own benefit.

BINGO! I've mentioned before...Malaysian taxpayers should be more aware how they are subsidizing private companies. Maybe it's lack of transparency. Whatever the reason may be, the concept of LCCT is a farce, nothing more but a scam on gullible taxpayers. The main airport KLIA, as it is, is under-utilized...a sense of emptiness creeps in (take a look at the photos in the forums here) and here we go building warehouses in disguise as "airport terminals" to serve, my gosh, international flights! Wow, imagine the first impression the first-time visitors get immediatelt after de-planing!

State to seek RM40m more for airport extension
Tuesday August 12, 2008
MARTIN CARVALHO at the Malacca State Assembly meeting
TheStar

WITH the historic city’s inscription as a World Heritage Site, the state will now push for an additional RM40mil to extend Batu Berendam Airport for the landing of fully-loaded Boeing 737-400 and Airbus A320.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said a request for the additional funding for the ongoing RM131.5mil airport project was submitted to the Federal Gov-ernment under the Ninth Malaysian Plan mid-term review recently.

“Prior approval for the airport’s expansion was given for no reason other than to cater for a sharp increase in health-tourist arrivals here.

“We will request the additional funds to extend the runway by 400m now that we are a World Heritage Site,” he told reporters during a break at the 12th State Legislative Assembly here.

“The planes can travel on eight-hour direct flights from Malacca to regional Asian destinations such as China and Australia,” he said.

However, he said that priority would be given to health tourism, with focus on destinations such as Pekan Baru, Palembang, Jakarta and Singapore.

The airport expansion is scheduled for completion early next year and involves the construction of new departure and arrival terminals and extension of the current 1,372m runway to 1,800m.

However, a runway of 2,200m is needed to allow fully-loaded planes to land.

Earlier, during the sitting, Mohd Ali informed the House that health-tourist arrivals had shot up from 18,295 in 2004 to 67,201 last year.

He thanked Betty Chew (DAP - Kota Laksamana) for her proposal to include Penang as an air-package destination from Malacca to allow both historic cities to be promoted as heritage sites.

“We will focus on health tourists from the southern region and not Medan in Sumatra as I do not want the Penang Chief Minister to accuse me of stealing health tourists away from Penang,” he said.

Chew had suggested that she act as a link between Malacca and Penang to promote the air-package proposal, but drew laughter from the House following Mohd Ali’s reply.

“I do not want you (Betty) to quarrel with your husband because of this,” he quipped.

Meanwhile, Mohd Ali confirmed that AirAsia’s chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandez would brief the state executive council on Wednesday on the budget carrier’s routes.

“He informed me that he will do something for Malacca,” he added.

Upgrading work at Batu Berendam five months ahead of schedule
Thursday August 14, 2008
TheStar

MALACCA: Upgrading work at Batu Berendam Airport is expected to be completed five months ahead of schedule, with the first flight likely to be AirAsia’s.

By coincidence, the planned re-opening of the airport on Dec 8 is also the anniversary date of the airline’s inaugural no-frills flights in 2001.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said AirAsia had agreed in principle to use the airport for six routes with special packages promoting Malacca and Penang as World Heritage Site destinations.

The routes would cover Medan, Pekan Baru, Palembang, Padang (all in Indonesia), Penang and Langkawi, he told reporters here yesterday after attending a briefing by AirAsia on its likely use of the airport.

However, he said, the airline would need approval from the Transport Ministry.

The RM131.5mil airport expansion involves the construction of new departure and arrival terminals and extending the present runway from 1,372m to 1,800m.

AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said the airline would use Boeing 737s for the flights in an out of Batu Berendam.

“The date chosen by the Chief Minister is good as it is also the anniversary date of our no-frills flights,” he said.

He welcomed the state’s proposal to develop a heritage air route linking Malacca and Penang.

He added that he would present a more concrete proposal to the Malacca Government by next Wednesday.

self check-in kiosk
Munich Airport
by egoboss

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KLIA

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London - Terminal 5
by Niquinho

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Bangkok Airport
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Malaysia Airports's First Half Up 20.15 Percent To RM210.80 Million


PETALING JAYA, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), recorded a pre-tax profit of RM210.80 million in the first half year ended June 30, 2008, an increase of 20.15 percent from the RM175.45 million in the same period of 2007.

Revenue grew 16.08 percent to RM782.09 million versus RM673.73 million mainly due to an increase in total passenger movement which contributed to stronger commercial sales.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2008, the national airport's pre-tax profit went up 8.7 percent to RM88.46 million from RM81.38 million in the same quarter of last year while revenue advanced 8.94 percent to RM372.22 million from RM341.68 million.

MAHB's managing director, Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid said the positive performance for the first six months was driven by an improved contribution from the airport as well as non-airport operations.

"Our total revenue growth of 16.08 percent was almost double that of the overall passenger growth of 8.08 percent for the first six months resulting in a pre-tax profit improvement of 20.15 percent.

"This was achieved despite a 15 percent increase in operating expenses," he told a media briefing at the MAHB's office in Subang, Thursday.

The higher operating expenses was due to staff-related costs, higher repair and maintenance as well as provision for doubtful debts.

Bashir said that total passenger volume at all airports reached 23.10 million supported by a 7.80 percent growth in domestic passenger volume to 12.78 million and a 8.43 percent growth in international passenger volume to 10.32 million.

"For the airport operations, aeronautical revenue rose by 7.37 percent or RM22.11 million while the non-aeronautical revenue recorded an even stronger growth of 20.30 percent or RM51.84 million," he said.

Meanwhile, MAHB's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first half of 2008 improved by 15.43 percent from RM248.78 million recorded in the preceding year corresponding period.

Net earnings also rose by 24.29 percent to RM157.97 million from RM127.10 million.

MAHB's own retail business also grew by 6.07 percent to RM148.18 million while revenue from the rental of space and advertising grew by 37.50 percent to RM158.96 million.

-- BERNAMA

Jangkaan 250,000 penumpang LTSAS
Oleh Sariha Mohd Ali
sariha@bharian.com.my
Kemudahan CIQ penuhi keperluan pesawat sewa khas luar negara

KUANTAN: Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MAB) yakin jumlah penumpang yang menggunakan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ahmad Shah (LTSAS) dekat sini, mampu mencecah angka 250,000 orang sebelum akhir tahun ini.

Pengurus LTSAS, Abdul Halim Othman, berkata setakat ini, rekod penumpang yang menggunakan lapangan terbang itu menunjukkan jumlah 200,000 orang menerusi penerbangan domestik dan antarabangsa dan kadar ini menyamai jumlah purata penumpang bagi tempoh sama tahun lalu.



Beliau berkata, sehingga bulan ini, LTSAS juga sudah mengendalikan 50 penerbangan antarabangsa sewa khas berjadual dari Taipei yang membawa hampir 9,000 pelancong Taiwan ke sini.

"Sebenarnya, LTSAS satu-satunya lapangan terbang di Pantai Timur yang mengendalikan penerbangan sewa khas luar negara terus ke sini kerana kita ada kemudahan pemeriksaan kastam, imigresen dan kuarantin (CIQ) yang lengkap.

"Bagi tempoh lapan bulan ini, seramai 200,000 penumpang menggunakan perkhidmatan di LTSAS dan kita yakin akan mengendalikan 50,000 penumpang tambahan dalam baki empat bulan terakhir tahun ini, terutama selepas AirAsia mewujudkan kemudahan penerbangan dua hala ke Kuala Lumpur bermula Jun lalu," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas menyaksikan demonstrasi latihan pengendalian penumpang yang dijangkiti penyakit berbahaya seperti selesema burung anjuran MAB dan Jabatan Kesihatan Pahang di LTSAS, di sini, semalam.

Seramai 100 orang termasuk kakitangan MAB, Jabatan Kesihatan Pahang, AirAsia, Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) dan pelajar perubatan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) terbabit dalam demonstrasi latihan itu.

Sementara itu, Abdul Halim berkata, latihan yang diadakan semalam bagi memenuhi kehendak Pertubuhan Penerbangan Awam Antarabangsa yang mewajibkan lapangan terbang antarabangsa dan domestik yang mengendalikan penerbangan antarabangsa supaya sentiasa terlatih dalam kes kecemasan termasuk kemalangan pesawat dan jangkitan penyakit.

"Latihan ini sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga terhadap kemungkinan penumpang pesawat antarabangsa yang masuk ke sini, dijangkiti penyakit yang boleh menjadi wabak termasuk selesema burung.

"Setakat ini, kerjasama Kementerian Kesihatan sangat baik kerana mereka menempatkan kakitangan di LTSAS setiap kali penerbangan dari Taipei masuk ke sini," katanya.

Sriwijaya to make Penang aviation hub
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2008/09/09
BusinessTimes

INDONESIAN scheduled passenger carrier Sriwijaya Air will begin offering daily non-stop flights between Medan and Penang on September 21, making the Penang International Airport its hub to the Asean region.

This will be extended from Penang to Hatyai, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year.

Plans are also afoot to make the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang its hub to the Middle East region, with flights from Medan to Kuala Lumpur and to Dubai next year.

Sriwijaya Medan district manager Heru Tony Hardjanto said the airline will take delivery of five new B737-500s in 2009, as it continues to build a fleet of 19 B737-200s, 300s and 400s.

"Once the new planes start coming in from June next year, we intend to make KLIA our hub for the Middle East with flights to Dubai," he told a news conference to announce the inaugural Medan-Penang flight in Penang yesterday.

The one-way fare from Penang to Medan route has been set at US$125 (RM427.15), while a Medan-Penang ticket will cost US$100 (RM342).

The tickets are only available through travel agents. Its general sales agent in Malaysia is Allya Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBF International Network Sdn Bhd.

IBF International's chief executive officer Ahmad Fazli Hashim said his company will work with Sriwijaya Air to promote medical tourism between Indonesia and Penang.

"We have already identified the Penang Adventist, Island and Lam Wah Ee hospitals on the island as potential partners for our stretcher services for medical tourists.

"Our medical tourism packages will come with hotel room and ground transfer and our strecher fares will involve the reconfiguration of the aircraft where 12 seats will be removed in order to accommodate the patient on the stretcher," Ahmad Fazli added.

Revitalise Ipoh airport
By HAH FOONG LIAN


THE under-utilised Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh should be turned into a hub for short-range travel, Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said.

He made the proposal in his speech when he opened the three-day Perak Matta Travel Fair 2008 at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh recently.

Roshidi said: “I am of the view that the airport should be used for short-range travel such as flying to Phuket if the runway could not be extended.”


Promoting tourism: Roshidi (left) being introduced to Perak Matta Fair participants dressed in traditional Chinese and Korean costumes.

He noted that small aircraft could use the airport, which now only serves weekly flights to Medan.

In 2006, low-cost carrier AirAsia stopped flights from Ipoh to Senai, citing the short runway as the reason.

Since then, there have been calls by public interest groups to expand the use of the airport.

Roshidi pointed out that the state government, including the Ipoh City Council, was keen to enhance the use of the airport.

Roshidi noted that tourism was an important economic contributor to the earnings of Ipoh city.

He said that he would be going to Medan, Indonesia, next month to promote Ipoh as a destination although flights from Ipoh to Medan were limited.

“We want to continue to promote Ipoh as an international tourist destination,” he added.

On the travel fair, Roshidi said this year was the sixth Perak Matta Travel Fair to be organised for travellers.

MAHB expects up to 5.5% passenger growth this year
by Yantoultra Ngui Yichen
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is confident of registering an overall passenger traffic growth of 5% to 5.5% this year despite the slowing global economy that has led to declining travel demand, said its managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid.

This year’s projected traffic growth is lower than that achieved last year, which came in at about 6.4%, representing 45.18 million passenger movements.

“We have seen good growth for the first seven months of the year. We expect the last five months to still have growth although not as high as in the first seven months and it should average to about 5% to 5.5%,” he said.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing on Routes KL 2008 Forum here yesterday, Bashir added that he was hopeful that more airlines would start operating routes to Kuala Lumpur, especially with the easing of high crude oil prices recently.

“Jetstar, which is a subsidiary airline of Qantas, stopped its flights to KL not because it was not viable. It was because Qantas had a shift of network resulting in Jetstar operating to Bali. Once the airline has more aircraft, we are confident that it will resume its operations here,” he said.

Bashir added that as fuel prices had declined, he hoped some airlines would revise their plans to reduce frequencies.

According to an OSK Research report, for the first half of this year, MAHB posted 7.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) domestic traffic growth while international traffic rose 8.4% y-o-y despite high fuel surcharges and tension between state and federal tourism agencies crimping domestic air traffic growth.

The research house expects MAHB’s full-year domestic traffic growth to increase 5%-5.5% even though it has pared down international growth forecast to 8.5% from 9%, taking into account the capacity cuts among international airlines.

MAHB expects 2,500 delegates, including airport operators and airlines all over the world, to participate in this year’s World Routes Forum — Routes KL 2008. MAHB won a bid over its counterparts in Singapore, Thailand and China to hold the event here for the first time in Asia.

Bashir said MAHB hoped to attract more airlines to fly to Kuala Lumpur but might not achieve the four to five airlines that it previously managed to entice annually following the Routes forum.

Indon airline to start daily flights on Monday
By ANDREA FILMER


INDONESIAN airline Sriwijaya Air will soon offer daily flights from Penang to Medan.

The inaugural flight between the two destinations will take place on Monday.

P.T. Sriwijaya Air Medan district manager Heru Tony Hardjanto said aside from providing the service to passengers to Medan and vice versa, the airline would also promote Penang medical facilities.

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Boost for Penang: Heru Tony (left) and IBF International Network Sdn Bhd CEO Ahmad Fazil Hashim showing a poster promoting Sriwijaya Air’s new Penang to Medan route.

He said they would also focus their efforts on catering to those seeking medical treatment in Penang.

“Different packages including stretcher facilities, transportation to hospitals and hotels along with other facilities will be offered,” he said.

He said that Sriwijaya would be working with Adventist Hostpital, Lam Wah Ee Hospital and Island Hospital.

“At least 12 seats will be removed from the aircraft to make room for one stretcher, but the exact number will depend on the patient needs,” Hardjanto said, adding that the ticket cost would also vary.

Sriwijaya aimed at achieving the sales revenue of about US$2.1mil in the first four months of their operation on the route, he said.

He said the return ticket between Penang and Medan cost US$125 while Medan to Penang (return) is priced at US$100.

“RM2 from every ticket sold for the Pe- nang to Medan flight will be donated to the Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Ma- laysia charity fund while RM1 will be donated from every Medan to Penang ticket,” he said.

Hardjanto said they planned to make Penang their hub for Asean countries.

There is also plan to extend their services to Kuala Lumpur by early next year.

“By the middle of next year, we hope to offer flights out of Kuala Lumpur to Dubai and from Penang to Vietnam and Phuket from August 2009,” he said.

MASwings & Tabin Wildlife Resort Introduce Promotional Package To Sabah Wildlife Reserve
September 09, 2008 16:21 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- MASwings and Tabin Wildlife Resort have introduced a joint promotional package to Tabin wildlife reserve in east Sabah.

The package covering return flight between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu, accommodation at Tabin Wildlife Resort and guide nature activities is being offered at attractive rates starting from RM390 per person.

The offer is valid for residents of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei from Oct 10 till end of December.

Bookings can be made from Tabin Wildlife's office here, according to a joint statement issued by MASwings and Tabin Wildlife Holidays Sdn Bhd.

MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), operates four daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu using Fokker 50 aircraft.

The airline will upgrade two of the four daily flights ATR 72 with a bigger capacity and improve cabin comfort for the flight journey which takes less than an hour, the statement said.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve, the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, covering 120,500 hectares, is a dedicated ground for breeding of wildlife and birdlife including the highly endangered Sumatran Rhinos, Borneo Pygmy elephant and Tembadau.

Some 300 bird species are also at the reserve, making it an increasingly popular birding destination.

It said one of the highlights of Tabin is a visit to the mineral rich mud volcano which acts as a salt-lick for wildlife.

-- BERNAMA

Pakistan's Airblue To Launch KL Flight In 2009


By P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Airblue, a leading private Pakistani airline, is finalising preparations to launch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur (KL) by mid-2009 to tap the increasing tourists and migrant workers traffic flow.

"After evaluation, we found that Malaysia is a potential market for us. In the past one year, more tourists and workers are going to Kuala Lumpur and when you combine both these segments, there is a lot of growth," Airblue general manager for marketing Sarosh Bhatti told Bernama.

An estimated 50,000 Pakistanis visited Malaysia last year and about 10,000 workers from the South Asian nation are currently employed in Malaysian companies.

He added that Airblue is prepared to compete with established national carriers plying the KL-Pakistan route.

Bhatti disclosed that the carrier ordered 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft that are expected to arrive by end of this year and these fuel-efficient planes would be used for the proposed KL route.

"In the next two months we will be able to decide the number of flights to Kuala Lumpur and whether these flights will be from Karachi or Lahore," he said.

The Karachi-based airline launched its operations in 2004. By 2007, it carried one million passengers on its domestic flights, which is nearly 40 per cent of Pakistan's passenger traffic.

"Our market share for Islamabad to Manchester is 49 per cent, Dubai is 35 per cent and domestic market is about 40 per cent. This gives an indication that we are a dominant player in Pakistan," said Bhatti.

Ranked to be the fastest growing airline in Pakistan, the carrier is targeting major cities.

A year ago, it began operating the Islamabad-Manchester route. It has also announced the launch of its Lahore-Muscat flight later this September.

-- BERNAMA

KLM to raise capacity on KL-Amsterdam route
By Kang Siew Li Published: 2008/09/15




KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will reduce the number of business class seats to 35 and increase economy seats to 292 on the 777-200 and 390 on the 777W


KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said it will switch to use the larger Boeing 777 from the 747-400 on its Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta route beginning April 2009.

"Capacity will be increased on the service between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur by means of larger equipment. The flights will be carried out in a mix of 777-200 and 777W," Air France-KLM country manager for Malaysia, Estee Ng, told Business Times in Jakarta last week.

The move will see the number of business class seats reduced to 35 from 42 and economy seats increased to 292 on the 777-200 and 390 on the 777W, from 278.

"This is good for our overall product because operational-wise, the 777's performance is much better. The only setback is that the 777 takes less cargo than the 747-400. For that, we may have to operate more freighter flights between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia is an important market for KLM Cargo," said Ng.



She added that KLM has no immediate plans to increase its daily frequencies between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur as it also code-shares on Malaysia Airlines' daily flights between the two cities.

"Don't forget we also offer daily non-stop flights to Europe out of Singapore under both the KLM and Air France brands. In fact, we are replacing the 777 with the new Airbus 380 on our daily (Air France) flights between Singapore and Paris in November next year. The A380's introduction will increase our current seat capacity by three times.

"This is in addition of our daily (KLM) flights between Singapore and Amsterdam ," she said.

In May 2004, KLM merged with Air France, resulting in the creation of the world's largest airline group by revenue.

Air France-KLM saw its August 2008 passenger load factor for Asia drop by four percentage points to 85.8 per cent than that in August 2007 on 7.1 per cent higher capacity.

"Load factor for the first eight months of 2008 declined 2.3 per cent to 85.1 per cent," said Ng, adding that the load factor reductions are likely to persist for the remaining months as more corporates look to reduce their travel spend due to the US subprime mortgage fallout.

Meanwhile, Ng said KLM has completed the scheduled upgrading of its business class seats in all its 747-400s, which includes 176 degrees lie-flat seats, superior in-flight service and one of the industry's most advanced personal entertainment systems. These new seats are available on its flights from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur and onwards to Jakarta .

"We started the upgrading exercise two years ago. Today, wherever our passengers fly, they can be assured of the same product," she said.

She added that the airline is now embarking on an upgrade programme for its economy class seats of its 747-400 fleet, which will see the aircraft being retrofitted with personal entertainment systems.

"This exercise will take another two to three years to complete. However, the Malaysian market does not have to wait so long (to enjoy the new product) because we are replacing the aircraft (with the new 777) next year," she said.

KEDAH HOPES LION AIR WILL INTRODUCE MEDAN-ALOR STAR FLIGHTS

JAKARTA, Sept 16 (Bernama) – The Kedah government is hoping that Lion Air, Indonesia's leading budget airline will introduce direct Medan-Alor Star flights to boost the state's tourism industry.

State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director Datuk Bashirudin Abdul Jamil said other than the many tourist attractions, Kedah also offers health services and educational opportunities to Indonesian students.

"Tourists to Kedah have lots of places to visit and things to do. Indonesians who had been going to Penang for health services can opt for Alor Star and Sungai Petani which have well equipped hospitals and at much lower cost," he told Bernama here recently.

Indonesians could also tap into education as Kedah is home to several institutions of higher learning like Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Kolej Universiti Insaniyah, UiTM, and AIMST University in Sungai Petani.

Some 500 Indonesian undergraduates are taking degree courses in institutions of higher learning in Kedah.

Bashirudin who is also Kedah deputy state secretary said the Medan-Alor Star flight would also make Kedah the gateway for Indonesian tourists to Haadyai and other towns in southern Thailand.

He said the state government would cooperate fully with Lion Air to make the Medan-Alor Star flight take-off as Kedah would be extending Visit Kedah Year 2008 to 2009.

--BERNAMA

Wow, if this happens, it would the first commercial international flight out of the newly opened airport in Alor Star. It is also would be the first international carrier since the 1930's where KLM made its debut in Malaya by lauching twice weekly flight Amsterdam-Alor Star.

^^ Bangkok-Alor Setar & SIngapura- Alor Setar boleh dapat banyak penumpang lagi dari Medan rasanya ek ?

Ntah la... Alor Star is such a nice place. It is a shame that the state gov only promotes Langkawi as a tourist destination We honestly felt that Langkawi is not really part of our state. The promotion should be Langkawi compliments the vacation trip in Kedah, not just Langkawi.

So I guess this is a jump start for Kedah mainland tourism industry to bloom with a new state gov.

Kuwait Group's flight school plans in Malaysia
Published: 2008/09/18

Al-Aqeelah Group is scouting for a location to set up the aviation academy and has identified several sites including in Senai, Kuantan and Batu Berendam

KUWAIT'S Al-Aqeelah Group will invest US$400 million to US$500 million (RM1.4 billion to RM1.7 billion) over a period of time to set up an international aviation school in Malaysia in response to growing demand for industry personnel.

Through its aviation arm, Aqeeq Aviation Holding, the group will initially put in US$100 million (RM345 million) to jump-start the World Aviation Academy, which will train those involved in almost every aspect of the industry - from pilots to technicians and crew.

Aqeeq Aviation president and chief executive officer Captain Abdullah Bastaki said that by 2020, the demand for both civil and military pilots would exceed 300,000 in number, and that did not even include technicians, cabin crew or air traffic controllers.

"The growth is hitting all sides. The academy is a necessity for the aviation industry today," he said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

More importantly, the academy would serve the needs of the Middle Eastern countries and this region, he said.

"All these regions are thirsty for a proper and well-established (aviation) education. It is different from just taking a licence. Now, the aviation language is English, which is standard and mandatory. Malaysians have a good command of the English language, which really brings it in line with the aviation industry requirements today," Bastaki said.

He said they were also looking to produce about 1,000 trained students yearly, with the help of state-of-the-art technology such as the latest simulators and equipment.

The group is scouting for a location to set up the academy and has identified several sites, including in Senai, Kuantan and Batu Berendam, Malacca.

Bastaki said the aviation group intends to upgrade the academy to a university eventually. When that happens, it may outsource an existing aviation university to be the operator.

"When we are ready, we will discuss with the Ministry of Higher Education to get the approval. But I don't see that (getting university status) as more than two to three years after we start. By then, we should be ready to provide university education in the academy, and we are looking (to tie up with) those from North America and Europe."

According to Bastaki, the academy will be the group's biggest project by far and is expected to be a significant contributor over time.

"Now, the group owns four airlines and we are also running an airport in Iraq. But in comparison, the academy supercedes all the others. It is the jewel in the crown. The academy can contribute more than 80 per cent to the group in the next five years," he said.

Aqeeq Aviation will also set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre and a completion centre in the vicinity of the academy.

The centre will serve as training ground for technicians besides being open for business.

The MRO market today is estimated at US$58 billion (RM200 billion), and to grow US$60 billion to US$70 billion (RM207 billion to RM242 billion) in the next five to 10 years.

Bastaki said Aqeeq Aviation was also looking at partnering or acquiring local aviation academies and small MRO businesses to strengthen the academy's operation and make it uniquely Malaysian.

"Even simulator software firms can come in with us and build up the academy so that it will be built by existing Malaysian industry personnel and services.

"We are looking at partners who are not just purely investing, but can also contribute to the business," he added.

He said the group has identified its partners from Kuwait who can bring added value to the project. - Bernama

SabahAir aims to grow maintenance business
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2008/09/18
BusinessTimes

SABAHAIR Aviation Sdn Bhd expects its third-party aircraft maintenance business to contribute between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of the company's total revenue in three to five years.

Contribution from the business is currently negligible.

"We have always been doing third-party servicing of aircraft. It is just that it was never done in a big way," SabahAir chief executive officer Affendi Tun Fuad Stephens said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was speaking to reporters after a ceremony to announce its appointment as helicopter maker AgustaWestland's non-exclusive authorised service centre for its helicopters in Sabah and Sarawak.

"The appointment is a great testimonial for us, since we aspire to expand our third-party maintenance work," Affendi said.

AgustaWestland has some 21 helicopters operating in Malaysia, with another 100 or so deployed in the region. It has another service centre in Subang, Selangor.

Affendi, the son of Sabah's first chief minister, and Sunideep Dhaliwal, an executive director in SabahAir, hold a 49 per cent stake in SabahAir, while the Sabah state government owns the rest.

Affendi said the effort to grow its third-party maintenance work is part of the company's aim to maximise the use of its assets, while providing strategic directions for it to achieve positive growth.

Today, aerial surveys and photography contribute about 40 to 50 per cent of SabahAir's total revenue, transportation of building materials 20 per cent, while private charter and tourism contribute another 20 to 30 per cent.

SabahAir currently has a fleet of nine helicopters and two fixed-wing airplanes.

Al-Aqeelah plans flight school in Malaysia
Published: 2008/09/18




Kuwait's Al-Aqeelah Group is scouting for a location to set up the aviation academy and has identified several sites, including in Senai, Kuantan and Batu Berendam


KUWAIT'S Al-Aqeelah Group will invest US$400 million to US$500 million (RM1.4 billion to RM1.7 billion) over a period of time to set up an international aviation school in Malaysia in response to growing demand for industry personnel.

Through its aviation arm, Aqeeq Aviation Holding, the group will initially put in US$100 million (RM345 million) to jump-start the World Aviation Academy, which will train those involved in almost every aspect of the industry - from pilots to technicians and crew.

Aqeeq Aviation president and chief executive officer Captain Abdullah Bastaki said that by 2020, the demand for both civil and military pilots would exceed 300,000 in number, and that did not even include technicians, cabin crew or air traffic controllers.

"The growth is hitting all sides. The academy is a necessity for the aviation industry today," he said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.



More importantly, the academy would serve the needs of the Middle Eastern countries and this region, he said.

"All these regions are thirsty for a proper and well-established (aviation) education. It is different from just taking a licence. Now, the aviation language is English, which is standard and mandatory. Malaysians have a good command of the English language, which really brings it in line with the aviation industry requirements today," Bastaki said.

He said they were also looking to produce about 1,000 trained students yearly, with the help of state-of-the-art technology such as the latest simulators and equipment.

The group is scouting for a location to set up the academy and has identified several sites, including in Senai, Kuantan and Batu Berendam, Malacca.

Bastaki said the aviation group intends to upgrade the academy to a university eventually. When that happens, it may outsource an existing aviation university to be the operator.

"When we are ready, we will discuss with the Ministry of Higher Education to get the approval. But I don't see that (getting university status) as more than two to three years after we start. By then, we should be ready to provide university education in the academy, and we are looking (to tie up with) those from North America and Europe."

According to Bastaki, the academy will be the group's biggest project by far and is expected to be a significant contributor over time.

"Now, the group owns four airlines and we are also running an airport in Iraq. But in comparison, the academy supercedes all the others. It is the jewel in the crown. The academy can contribute more than 80 per cent to the group in the next five years," he said.

Aqeeq Aviation will also set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre and a completion centre in the vicinity of the academy.

The centre will serve as training ground for technicians besides being open for business.

The MRO market today is estimated at US$58 billion (RM200 billion), and to grow US$60 billion to US$70 billion (RM207 billion to RM242 billion) in the next five to 10 years.

Bastaki said Aqeeq Aviation was also looking at partnering or acquiring local aviation academies and small MRO businesses to strengthen the academy's operation and make it uniquely Malaysian.

"Even simulator software firms can come in with us and build up the academy so that it will be built by existing Malaysian industry personnel and services.

"We are looking at partners who are not just purely investing, but can also contribute to the business," he added.

He said the group has identified its partners from Kuwait who can bring added value to the project. - Bernama

SabahAir will provide maintenance for its helicopters in the region

KUALA LUMPUR: SabahAir Aviation Sdn Bhd has been appointed authorised service centre operator in east Malaysia by world-renowned helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland to maintain and service its helicopters in South-East Asia.

SabahAir chief executive officer Affendi Tun Fuad Stephens said the appointment would allow the company to gain further engineering expertise in helicopter service and maintenance, as the contract included AgustaWestland providing support.

“We now have over 40 engineers to provide helicopter maintenance and service (M&S) but the technical support from AgustaWestland would further strengthen our M&S division,” he told reporters after the appointment signing ceremony yesterday.

Affendi said with the support, the company was targeting to grow its helicopter M&S revenue division substantially in time.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/9/18/business/b_p1SabahAir.jpg
SabahAir CEO Affendi Tun Fuad Stephen receiving a plaque from Luciano Stoppa of AugustaWestland

“Currently, the M&S division’s contribution to revenue is very small but hopefully, in three to five years, it can hit 15%,” he said.

Currently, 50% of SabahAir’s revenue is derived from aerial survey services, while transportation and heavy lifting of building materials and timber contributes 20%. The rest comes from private charter for corporate VIPs, tourism as well as offshore oil and gas support activities.

“We purchased one VIP passenger helicopter (A109) from AugustaWestland in June for about US$6mil and plan to purchase two offshore oil and gas helicopters (A139s) in 2009 and 2010 for US$6mil each,” Affendi said.

SabahAir now has 10 helicopters in its stable.

AgustaWestland maintenance engineering and service centre manager Luciano Stoppa said SabahAir was appointed because of its good reputation and vast experience in the field.

“To date in Malaysia, we have sold 21 Agusta helicopters and over 100 in South-East Asia,” Stoppa said, adding that SabahAir’s helicopter service centre in east Malaysia would complement its existing service operation in Subang.

From flickr.con

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MAHB plans to make other airports emulate 'green' KLIA
From Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/09/23




BOSTON: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) plans to turn other airports in Malaysia into environment-friendly airports like the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

KLIA is the only airport in the world to receive the Green Globe 21 certificate for its commitment to improve the environmental impact of its operations.

"We are pushing for other airports as well to be environment-friendly," MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said when met after the opening of an exhibition at the Airports Council International (ACI) - World/North America Conference and Exhibition here on Sunday night.

MAHB operates 39 airports in Malaysia, including international, domestic and short take-off and landing ports. More than 50 airlines operate at KLIA, which received the Green Globe 21 certificate four years ago.



The Green Globe 21 was developed based on Agenda 21 - a standard aimed at promoting environmentally-sustainable tourism - which was adopted by 182 countries during the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Bashir said MAHB will share its experience on the green KLIA with participants at the ongoing ACI Conference.

His talks, scheduled for today, will touch on what Malaysia has done so far to promote environmentally-sustainable tourism as well as its future environmental efforts.

"All efforts to make KLIA environment-friendly are done in-house," he said.

Bashir said other airport operators globally should invest to make their airports environmentally-sustainable.

"It is money worth spent as the returns are enormous," he added.

Bashir also said that the whole aviation industry is intensifying efforts to support the environment, where airlines are making their aircraft fuel-efficient and airport operators are providing clean and environment-friendly services.

On the ongoing ACI event, he said it is well-attended and receives encouraging support.

Bashir, who is also a member of ACI world governing body and Asia-Pacific regional board, said during its meeting here, the board has discussed the state of the world's economy and its impact on the aviation industry particularly the airports.

"The ACI governing board will adopt a resolution at the end of the board meeting," he said.

Bashir said feedback from conference participants indicates a good response to next year's ACI World and Regional Assemblies 2009 in Kuala Lumpur.

MAHB aiming for bigger event


BOSTON: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which will host the Airport Council International (ACI) World Conference and Exhibition next year, plans to make it a bigger event while promoting the country as a tourist destination.

Its managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said based on the feedback from attendees at this year’s event, held from Sept 21 to 24 in Boston, many had expressed an interest to be in Malaysia.

He stated that next year’s ACI conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in November would also be bigger as it was scheduled to be staged together with the Asia-Pacific ACI regional general assembly.

Bashir, who is also a member of the ACI governing council and the ACI’s Asia-Pacific regional board member, said preparations towards organising the 2009 ACI World Conference and Exhibition, had already started.

”We are disseminating a lot of information on it at this year’s event, including through our booth here. We have also received good support from the Government, especially the transport and tourism ministries,” he said in an interview.

”We are also using this opportunity to showcase airports in Malaysia worldwide and to promote the country as a tourist destination,” he added.

According to Bashir, MAHB is also highlighting its efforts to make the KL International Airport (KLIA) environmentally friendly at the conference.

The company, he said, planned to continue investing in such efforts and also extend it to cover the other airports under its management.

Bashir said this year’s ACI conference and exhibition, with the theme Making Global Connections, enabled airport operators from around the world to discuss current issues of common interest.

”The meetings, discussions and sharing of views. ranging from matters concerning development to the level of services, have helped members plan the way forward,” he said.

In view of the state of the world economy and its impact on aviation, especially airports globally, the ACI is expected to pass a resolution on the issue today.

Bashir is a speaker at the session on Changing for Climate Change, which will discuss how the industry is working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what could be done to minimise the industry’s impact on climate change.

Held in conjunction with the conference is an industry trade show featuring 250 exhibitors, including business suppliers and airport consultants.

The ACI is an international body that highlights airport interests and promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations. Its members comprise 1,640 airports in 178 countries. - Bernama

SIA, SilkAir Offer Up To 15 Flights Daily On Singapore-KL Route From December 1


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir are offering up to 15 flights daily between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from Dec 1.

"We have extended and strengthened our cooperation with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) by including our sister airline, SilkAir, in our ongoing code-sharing arrangement with MAS on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route," said SIA executive vice-president (marketing and the regions) Huang Cheng Eng in a statement Monday.

SilkAir chief executive Chin Yau Seng said this was the first time SilkAir was flying to Kuala Lumpur and the airline is excited about the prospects for this new route.

SilkAir will commence twice daily flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 while SIA will operate five daily flights. From Dec 1, both airlines will operate four flights each.

Together with MAS, the three carriers will offer up to 15 flights a day.

-- BERNAMA

SO boring only about civil aviation...here's an article about the the replacement of the Nuris. Now after so many years where the Nuris have crashed and probably killed more MAF personnel than the communist terrorists they were intended to hunt down..our soldiers will finally get new transport heli.

EC725 Cougar Helicopter Enhances Air Force's CSAR Capability


By Shahrullizan Rusli

SEREMBAN, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The government's decision to replace its ageing Nuri helicopters with Eurocopter's EC725 Cougar helicopters has been hailed as a most appropriate decision.

Marhalim Abas, a local defence analyst and independent editor of the Asian Defence Journal, said Eurocopter already had a strong presence in the commercial market in Malaysia and this would the first time that the company would be selling its military helicopter to the air force.

"Eurocopter had also supplied the Fennec helicopter to the police and navy. The company's helicopters are also being used by the MHS Aviation Bhd," he told Bernama.

He expects the EC725 to be equipped with weapons and navigation systems similar to those fitted on the EC725 units owned by the French air force.

This include the night navigation system, which is not available in any of the air force's current fleet of helicopters, he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Defence Minister, announced yesterday that the EC725 would replace the Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings or better known as Nuri.

It has been reported that the Malaysian government would acquire up to 12 EC725s.

Marhalim said several of the 12 helicopters could be configured and turned into combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters.

He was also confident that another tender would be opened as the 12 EC725s would not be sufficient to cater for the air force's needs, which would amount to at least 40 helicopters.

Eurocopter's representative in Malaysia for the EC725, Salleh Majid, said the helicopter had the speed and armour to enter into war zones as a CSAR helicopter.

"The EC725 is special as it has the ability to become a full-fledged CSAR helicopter and has the agility to move in and out of hot zones," he said when met recently.

He also said that the Nuri was only upgraded for search and rescue mission as it did not have the speed and armour required in a CSAR helicopter.

An industry source told Bernama that several international companies had bid hard to win the tender but it was clear that the EC725 was the strongest contender due to its ability to keep on flying even when running out of hydraulic oil.

The EC725 is an upgraded model of the AS532 Cougar and made its maiden flight in 2000 for the French's armed forces.

The EC725 had been involved in several high-profile CSAR operations including in the Operation Baliste, a French aeronaval operation off Lebanon in 2006 to transfer out European citizens during the height of Israeli offensive against Hezbollah positions.

The helicopter was also involved in supporting the French armed forces during the US-led war in Afghanistan.

The EC725 has a maximum speed of 324 kilometres per hour and the capacity of carrying 28 troops in addition to the crew.

Analysts predicted that the air force's EC725 would be fitted, among others, with radar warning receiver, 20mm cannons, rocket launchers and machine guns.

-- BERNAMA

source from: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=361732
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MAHB to woo European, African airlines
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/10/13



The airport operator is confident of finalising talks with two or three new carriers which will start operations in Malaysia before year-end, says its chief


MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects to attract between four or five long-haul flight operators from Europe and Africa at the ongoing 14th World Route Development Forum or Routes KL 2008.

Among the airlines that the airport operator hopes to attract are South African Airways, British Airways and Air France.

Out of 53 airlines operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), only Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operate long-haul flights, managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad told a news conference in conjunction with the launch of Routes KL in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Also present were MAHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abd Hakim Borhan, Routes Development Group (RDG) chief executive officer Mike Howarth and RDG senior vice president (Asia Pacific) Mike Berman.



There will be about 30,000 pre-scheduled meetings between 300 airlines and 600 airports during the three-day Routes, which ends tomorrow. MAHB alone has over 200 pre-scheduled meetings, including with airlines that operate long-haul flights.

In a statement issued later, Bashir said MAHB is confident of finalising negotiations with two or three new carriers which will start operations in Malaysia before year-end.

Asked on when the targeted long-haul flight operators are expected to start flying from Malaysia, Bashir said it depends on the respective airlines to decide based on the viability of their services.

It is learnt that negotiations between airlines and airport operators may take months to a couple of years before the airlines decide to operate at the airports.

Bashir said MAHB will discuss with the airlines on how to make the airlines' services viable.

"We will try to address each airline's needs," he said, adding that the viability of the airlines' services will also depend on the demand from passengers and the right fare.

He said MAHB will provide air traffic for the airlines operating in Malaysia by promoting tourism in the country.

"Regionally, we are well covered with airlines from India, Middle East and China," he said.

He also said that since global oil prices have come down again, it may provide impetus for the airlines to re-look their route development.

MAHB operates 39 airports in Malaysia, including five international airports.

Meanwhile, in a statement, MAHB said it has attracted new routes to its five international airports namely KLIA, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Langkawi.

Since early this year, there were more than 55 new routes from 12 airlines, generating about 200 additional weekly flights.

MAHB said another seven destinations will be added before year-end.

"From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia X will continue their network expansion to Australia, starting services to Melbourne and Perth in November. AirAsia will start flying to Tiruchirapally, while Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lumpur, is planning to start new services to Papua New Guinea .

"Firefly will also start two new points from Penang to Medan and Banda Aceh," it said.

On the KL-Singapore trunk route, Tiger Air and AirAsia have announced frequency increases with both carriers adding additional four daily frequencies.

This would translate into additional 56 weekly flights on top of the current 129 weekly flights between KL and Singapore, an increase of over 40 per cent.

Airlines cut fuel surcharges
By LOONG TSE MIN


Carriers hope to boost passenger numbers

AIRLINES have begun to cut their fuel surcharge on passengers as crude oil prices dip to their lowest in almost a year in hopes of boosting passenger numbers as the industry fights the effects of the global financial crisis.

Australia’s Quantas announced on Wednesday it would reduce fuel surcharges on its international fares starting Thursday, while Europe’s Air France-KLM Group had announced a similar move on Tuesday effective Wednesday.

A spokesperson from Malaysian Airline System Bhd said the national airline had already lowered its surcharge for “certain customer sectors”.

Cargo subsidiary MASkargo has lowered its fuel surcharge rates to RM3.61 per kg effective Sept 29 from RM3.80 per kg previously for cargo uplift from Malaysia to International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Area 1 — South, Central and North and IATA Area 2 — America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

An analyst with a local bank-backed brokerage told StarBiz: “With sharply declining crude oil price, there is the benefit of a falling cost base but the financial crisis is creating many challenges to the industry as well.”

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MAS and AirAsia aircraft at the KL International Airport. The airlines are cutting their fuel surcharges to lower the cost of flying. - AFP

He cites the fact that airlines globally were facing difficulty in securing loans to finance the delivery of new aircraft scheduled for the next two to six months.

At the same time, as many airlines globally were going bust, borrowing costs were going up as banks become more wary of lending to companies in the sector.

This was made even worse with bank collapses in Western countries, prompting financial institutions globally to adopt more stringent “risk management, which includes raising interest rates,” he said.

The financial crisis was also causing problems for airlines seeking to hedge fuel costs, with instability in the banking sector making it harder for airlines to find a reliable source of hedging tools.

However, OSK Investment Bank acting head of research Chris Eng said: “Many airlines have hedged their fuel costs when prices were at record highs, so it really doesn’t matter now if the counter-party bank can’t meet its commitments.”

Airlines would not be exercising their hedging contracts to buy fuel at the record prices when they can purchase at current lower rates.

Looking for hedging contracts to lock-in the current lower price of fuel, however, would be harder.

The first analyst said that global challenges” could be a factor keeping some airlines from lowering their fuel surcharge.

He believed that the global credit crisis was affecting AirAsia Bhd more than MAS, given that AirAsia was more heavily leveraged due to aggressive expansion of its fleet being a newer airline while MAS was only replacing its fleet.


AirAsia could be seeing higher financing costs almost immediately, he said, adding: “AirAsia’s loans are (denominated) in US dollars and the dollar is shooting up.”

Airlines also have been quick to cut their fuel surcharge, therefore, lowering the cost of flying to the benefit of passengers.

A spokesman for Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia told StarBiz: “We are currently reviewing the fuel surcharge and would announce a decision soon. Generally, lower fuel price means lower costs for us operationally and its contributes to the bottomline positively.

“We are unable to disclose this information but AirAsia charges the lowest fuel surcharge among local airlines.”

Jet fuel is typically priced at US$25 to US$35 above the crude oil price with the latest IATA quote on Oct 3 at US$140.4 per barrel.

200 more weekly flights since early this year


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Air*ports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has had about 200 additional weekly flights since early this year.

The flights are from 12 airlines with more than 55 routes.

In a statement yesterday, MAHB said it was a significant achievement given the current economic climate and the impact high oil prices was having on the world’s airlines. Seven more destinations were expected to start before the year’s end, it said.

AirAsia X will continue its network expansion from Kuala Lumpur to Australia with services to Mel*bourne and Perth in November and to Hangzhou, while AirAsia will fly to Tiruchirapally.

Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lum*pur, plans to start new services to Papua New Guinea, the statement said. Tiger Airways and AirAsia have already announced considerable frequency increases.

At the KL International Airport, Malaysia Airlines has started flying to Karachi and Yogyakarta while AirAsia has launched flights to Guangzhou, Yogyakarta, Singapore, Ho Chih Minh City, Hong Kong, Haikou, Guilin, Batam and Pekanbaru.

MAHB Aims To Bring Five Long-haul International Airlines To KLIA, Says Bashir


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) aims to bring another four to five long-haul international airlines to KL International Airport (KLIA) from the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL 2008).

Managing Director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said MAHB would like to see more airlines from Europe and Africa such as British Airways, Air France and South African Airways to serve the KLIA.

Currently, 53 airlines are operating at KLIA, of which two are from Europe namely Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, he said.

There were other airlines in Europe that were not flying to Kuala Lumpur and MAHB hoped they would look here as an important destination especially with the strong growing tourism sector in Malaysia, he told a press conference after opening the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL 2008) here Sunday.

On when MAHB is expecting these airlines, Bashir said: "The airlines will decide based on their own financial viability but we will discuss how we can work together to make their services viable. Bashir said two airlines stopped serving KLIA in the past due to the economic crisis.

However, the Lufthansa German Airlines had come back, he said, expressing the hope that British Airways would also return soon.

Bashir said although KLIA was well covered from the regions, there was a gap in terms of long-haul flights.

"Regional airlines from Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, India and Middle East are already operating here and we hope they will increase their frequencies," he said.

Bashir said Routes KL 2008 was the opportunity for MAHB to start discussions with the airlines on these issues, he said, adding that MAHB would try to address each airlines' needs for marketing support and facilities.

Bashir said airports that are in an attractive tourist destination was one of the main driving factors to attract airlines easily.

When pointed out that Kota Kinabalu was an attractive destination for tourists, he said by next year the Kota Kinabalu International Airport would have a new terminal and an extended runway to cater for bigger aircraft to cope with the growing air traffic.

The three-day Routes KL 2008, hosted by MAHB, is attended by 2,500 delegates. It is the annual gathering of the route development industry offering formal and informal networking opportunities.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia's air passenger traffic seen stable
Published: 2008/10/14



Even if the air passenger traffic is down slightly due to the slower global growth, Malaysia’s stable economy will help the industry to remain stable, says Airports Council International


MALAYSIA'S air passenger traffic is likely to remain stable despite challenges in the global economy which caused sluggish air traffic demand in the Asia Pacific, according to the Airports Council International (ACI).

Its director-general, Angela Gittens, said as at July 2008, Malaysia registered a 10 per cent rise in traffic for the first seven months of the year, the highest increase recorded during the period.

She said for August 2008, the Asia Pacific figures showed a sharp drop with China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea among the countries suffering the most significant declines.

However, Gittens said Malaysia’s air passenger traffic seemed to be stable during the period because of the country’s well diversified economy compared to others in the region.



“If you see stability when almost everyone has been facing a decrease or volatile situation, I would expect the trend and the stability to continue,” she said in an interview.

Gittens said even if the air passenger traffic was down slightly due to the slower global growth, Malaysia’s stable economy will help the industry to remain stable.

“It’s probably down some as what had happened in other places due to the slower global growth but the economy will help keep the air industry more stable than others though this is a global market,” she said.

Citing Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd’s managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad as a good example of excellent leadership and management, Gittens said Bashir, who is in the Asia Pacific governing board, has contributed to developing the industry.

“The airport (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) has been a leader in quality. Its traffic is very sound and stable. It’s economically viable and it has been able to raise the capital it needed to response to customers’ needs,” she said.

“Bashir is very active and he is on the ACI board helping airports in developing countries. So Malaysia has contributed to the leadership of this industry,” she added.

ACI has 596 members operating over 1,678 airports in 177 countries and territories. Last year, its members handled 4.8 billion passengers, 88.6 million metric tonnes of freight and 76.4 million aircraft movements. — Bernama

Air passenger traffic in Malaysia remains stable
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/10/15




MALAYSIA'S air passenger traffic remains stable despite the global economic slowdown and the volatile aviation environment, Airports Council International (ACI) director-general Angela Gittens said.

She said international and domestic air traffic growth in Malaysia in the first seven months of this year was higher than other countries in the region.

Air traffic growth in July 2008 increased by 10 per cent, the highest compared with Australia, Singapore, China, Japan, India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

"With this kind of stability, I would expect the growth (of air passenger traffic in Malaysia) to continue," she said in an interview during the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL 2008) which ended yesterday.



Gittens said the stable air traffic demand in Malaysia is supported by the strength and diversification of the economy.

However, the local aviation industry will not be spared by events in the global market.

Gittens called on airport operators to look beyond the immediate period and make investment decisions based on a long-term outlook.

"Airports should not over-react to the current situation," she said.

She said competition will intensify, especially from other regions as well as airports which are building their international hubs.

"International hubs like the KL International Airport (KLIA) should be mindful of the competition and shore up its strength and diversify its markets," she said.

Gittens said airports worldwide have to be ready for the long-term increase in demand despite the current credit crunch, the need to shore up cash reserves, greater difficulty in getting financing and increasing material costs.

3 new carriers to start flights to KL by April
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/10/15




AIRPORT operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said it has managed to convince three new regional carriers to start operating flights to Kuala Lumpur by April next year.

Managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad declined to disclose their names, but said it could include a budget carrier.

MAHB general manager of marketing Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah was quoted last month by Business Times as saying that it was wooing Pakistan's budget airline Air Blue and private airline Shaheen Air, and India's Kingfisher Airlines to initiate services to Kuala Lumpur.

Bashir also said MAHB will announce an "enhanced incentive package" for airlines at the end of this year.



The new incentive package is expected to replace the current scheme, which had expired on May 3 2007, but has since been extended pending the announcement of the group's long-awaited corporate restructuring plan.

"We need to review (these incentives) from time to time as the market progresses. We will announce it by year-end," Bashir told reporters at the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL), which ended yesterday.

He did not elaborate, but it is understood that the new incentives will include rebates on airport tax or passenger service charge for airlines that will bring growth in passenger numbers to the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang and other airports in the country.

Meanwhile, Bashir said overall passenger traffic growth is expected to slow to five per cent for full year 2008, after growing nine per cent in the first seven months of this year.

It handled 45 million passengers at its 39 airports in the country last year.

"The growth mainly came from international traffic," he said, adding that India, China and the Middle East were the biggest markets.

On Routes KL, of which MAHB was this year's host, Bashir said feedbacks from the 2,000-odd foreign delegates have been positive.

"All delegates are happy with the location. Many people I met are here for the first time and were impressed with Kuala Lumpur," he said.

The three-day forum has generated spin-off economic benefits for the country, particularly the hotel and retail industries, he added.

Routes is the largest annual airport and airline formal and informal networking event. Held for the first time in Asia, Routes KL brought together 350 airlines and 650 airports representatives and decision-makers.

Direct Haj Flights Possible After Melaka Runway Extension
October 18, 2008 11:37 AM

MELAKA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Direct Haj flights from Melaka to Mekah may be possible once the extension of the Batu Berendam airport runway is completed, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said here.

The RM131.5-million extension project, which began in April last year, is scheduled for completion in December, with the runway to be lengthened by 400 metres to 2,200 metres.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said at least three flights could be considered from Melaka to the Holy Land if the airport could accommodate Boeing 747 or Airbus 330 aircraft.

"I believe the Haj flights can take pilgrims not only from Melaka but also those from northern Johor and even Negeri Sembilan," he told reporters after Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam opened a course for pilgrims at the Al-Alami Mosque in Ayer Keroh here last night.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said 1,148 people from Melaka would go on the pilgrimage this year.

He also said that 348,000 people in the country were awaiting their turn to go on the pilgrimage.

Those who registered with the Pilgrims Management and Fund Board (Tabung Haji) this year could make the trip in 2019, he added.

The Saudi Arabian government has set a quota of 0.01 per cent of the total population for the annual number of pilgrims from any country, which means Malaysia can send 27,000 people for the Haj every year.

-- BERNAMA

'MAHB set to soar after hosting Routes 2008'
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/10/28




MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) can expect its business to soar after hosting the recent 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes 2008).

The Route Development Group Ltd (RGD) group chief executive officer Mike Howarth said an airport would normally experience good performance after hosting Routes because route planners from airlines have been to the country and seen the market potential and the strength of the airport.

Speaking to Business Times in an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently, Howarth believes that MAHB would be able to gain from being this year's host for Routes.

"It helps with oil prices going down again," he said.



Howarth said when the airline industry rebounds, airport operators would benefit directly in terms of revenue and landing fees as well as indirectly, from passenger spending at the airport shops.

He stressed that the success of an airport in getting more routes depends on its long-term strategy in developing relations with the airlines.

He said hosting Routes in only a part of the strategy, while having a strong route development team is important for an airport operator.

Otherwise, he said, the airlines would only attend the event (Routes) and might not start flying from the airport.

"MAHB is known to have a good marketing team. Hosting Routes improves its chances of getting more airlines," he said.

Howarth expects the airline industry to start expanding again by early or middle of next year.

According to him, the first industry to come out from the global recession would be the airlines because they are now leaner after undergoing restructuring and cost-cutting during the fuel price crisis about six months ago.

For MAHB's marketing team, post-Routes is not the time to take a breather. More follow-up meetings with airline route planners are in the pipeline, following their scheduled meetings at the recent Routes 2008.

MAHB general manager (marketing) Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah, who was also present at the interview, said MAHB had over 150 pre-arranged meetings with airlines route planners during Routes 2008.

"This year, we had a bigger team and we had dedicated teams to represent each international airport in Malaysia," he said, adding that some of the meetings look promising.

Main-board listed MAHB expects to close this year with about five new airlines operating from the KLIA.

Two airlines - Tiger Airways and Jetstar - commenced operations early this year, while SilkAir officially commenced operations on Sunday. Another undisclosed carrier has also confirmed flying from Malaysia before year-end.

For next year, Sallauddin said another four to five new airlines may start operations in Malaysia. He said these airlines - a mix of full-service airlines and low-cost carriers - are from regions like the Middle East, India and China.

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Malaysia's Aviators....

Kelantan minta landasan lapangan terbang dipanjangkan

http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/view.php?dbIndex=0&website_id=1&id=45

KOTA BHARU 3 Nov. - Kerajaan Pusat diminta supaya tidak terus menangguhkan cadangan memanjangkan landasan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP), Pengkalan Chepa di sini daripada 1.98 kilometer kepada 2.4 kilometer.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perumahan, Kerja Raya, Utiliti dan Alam Sekitar negeri, Mejar (B) Anizam Abdul Rahman berkata, pemanjangan landasan yang mengikut spesifikasi antarabangsa itu amat penting bagi membolehkan pendaratan pesawat lebih besar termasuk Airbus A330 dan Boeing 777.

Katanya, ia sekali gus boleh menampung permintaan perkhidmatan penerbangan yang semakin tinggi di kalangan pengguna di negeri ini, di samping membantu merancakkan ekonomi negeri termasuk sektor pelancongan.

Menurut beliau, LTSIP memang layak dinaik taraf memandangkan potensinya yang tinggi untuk menjadi hab pelancongan dan penerbangan antarabangsa secara terus tanpa perlu terlebih dahulu transit di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

"LTSIP pada masa ini dalam sebulan mengendalikan sehingga 30,000 penumpang domestik dengan 25 kali perjalanan sehari. Berdasarkan kepada fakta ini, LTSIP memang perlu untuk dinaik taraf lebih awal.

"Lapangan terbang di Kuala Terengganu yang hanya mengendalikan enam perjalanan sehari sudah mempunyai landasan panjang yang juga diberikan kebenaran untuk penerbangan bagi jemaah haji," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Anizam berkata, kerajaan negeri sedia memberikan kerjasama sepenuhnya bagi membolehkan projek ini dijalankan memandangkan LTSIP masih mempunyai tanah yang luas dan urusan pengambilan tanah juga telah selesai sejak tahun 1980-an lagi.

Pada masa ini, ujarnya, LTSIP mempunyai Sistem Instrumen Pendaratan (ILS) yang membolehkan pesawat mendarat walaupun dalam keadaan cuaca buruk.

"LTSIP juga mempunyai akademi penerbangan swasta pertama di pantai timur dan ketiga di negara iaitu Akademi Latihan Penerbangan Asia Pasifik (APFT)," katanya.

Pada 27 Ogos 2006, Pengerusi Majlis Tindakan Negeri Kelantan, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed dilaporkan berkata, kerajaan telah meluluskan peruntukan berkaitan projek berkenaan.

Mustapa dilaporkan berkata, sebanyak RM70 juta diperuntukkan untuk projek tersebut dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9).

LTSIP telah mempunyai bangunan terminal baru LTSIP seluas 12,000 meter persegi dengan kos kira-kira RM55 juta dan telah dirasmikan oleh Sultan Kelantan, Tuanku Sultan Ismail Petra pada 12 April 2004.

Bangunan terminal baru yang antara termoden di Malaysia mampu mengendalikan 580 penumpang dalam tempoh sejam berbanding 130 orang di bangunan terminal lama yang hanya seluas 1,785 meter persegi.

I honestly thought that KBR's terminal is kinda huge for a domestic airport.

Asia to carry air cargo industry amid tough times
By Presenna Nambiar
Published: 2008/11/10

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/abus/pix_middle

WHILE the general consensus is that the international air cargo industry is set for tough times in the near future, many are banking on Asia to soften the blow.

At the recently concluded Air Cargo Forum (ACF) in Kuala Lumpur last week, Asia, in particular China, was the highlight of many discussions on hope for the cargo industry.

Both airlines and aircraft manufacturers expect much of its demand to come from Asia during the current economic crisis, as air cargo traffic shifts to the Asian region.

"I am not saying that worldwide growth will not be impacted by the economic crisis, but that Asia is in a better position to handle it," Airbus freighter aircraft head of marketing Didier Lenormand told Business Times last week.

The Asian market remains strong because of intra-Asia traffic especially between the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia.

"The underlying factor would be its large population. Asia is full of highly populated countries with a rising number of middle class people that have much purchasing power.

"So, you (Asia) are not only the producers (of consumer goods) but you are also the consumers," Lenormand said.

He said the air cargo industry in Asia is structurally different from Europe and the US, which is a business to consumer market.

"The volume of freight going through Asia will continue to be high due to its business-to-business market, with many Asian countries transporting unfinished products for completion elsewhere in the region," Lenormand said.

He also said that resources available in Asia are also much higher here than in Europe, considering the high savings rate in Asia.

Aircraft manufacturer irbus expects most of its demand for new aircraft to come from Asia in the future.

Rival Boeing concurs, with it forecasting that Asia will lead in terms of the value of planes it orders at US$1.2 billion (RM4.26 billion), between 2007 and 2027.

Asia-related markets will experience growth in excess of the global average.

Airlines such as Emirates SkyCargo are also optimistic on Asia, expecting the region's air cargo traffic to stabilise and grow as governments step in to help bolster economies.

"China's move to increase export rebates is a clear example of the government coming in to stem the downward trend in exports," Emirates Airline cargo divisional senior vice-president Ram C. Menen told a press conference last Thursday.

TNT regional managing director for Southeast Asia, Onno Boots, said while the air cargo market is experiencing difficulties, there opportunities for growth.

Business travellers fly economy
By Jeeva Arulampalam
Published: 2008/11/10

MAJOR airlines operating in Malaysia have seen a drop in business travellers since October this year, as corporates look to reduce their travel spending amid the global economic downturn.

Japan Airlines International Co Ltd senior director of sales and marketing for Malaysia and Brunei, Alan E. H. Tan, said the airline saw a five per cent drop in traffic fairly recently on routes between Kuala Lumpur and Japan as well as beyond Japan to the US.

"Some business customers have also opted to fly economy class instead of business class due to stricter corporate travel policy now adopted to contain costs," he told Business Times.

Corporate travellers contribute 85 per cent to Japan Airlines' revenue in Malaysia and account for 70 per cent of its passengers.

Tan said to offset the drop in business travellers, the airline is aggressively expanding its corporate travel programmes, tailored specifically to meet the requirements of individual corporate customers.

Indian airline Jet Airways has also seen a mid single-digit contraction in passengers carried in Malaysia since last month.

Its country manager for Malaysia, Kavin Martinus, said Jet Airways, a business airline, has also been affected by the global decline in demand for air travel.

The International Air Transport Association recently announced that international passenger traffic declined 2.9 per cent for September from a year ago.

"The drop in passengers carried is also caused by inconvenient departure schedules," said Martinus.

Cathay Pacific Airways country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Katherine Lo, said the airline expects 2009 to be even more challenging. It saw its traffic volume in Malaysia weakening in the last quarter of this year from a year ago.

"We are concerned that there has been some impact on current flight bookings. Depending on the industries, some customers might choose to downgrade their ticket from first or business class travel to business or economy, respectively," she said.

Lo said the airline remains confident that its new three-class cabin designs - first class suites, full-flat business class beds and innovative economy class seats - will attract passengers by enhancing their inflight experience.

Meanwhile, the downgrade by business travellers from first or business class to the economy cabin for flights means more opportunities for low-cost carriers like AirAsia Bhd.

AirAsia was recently reported as saying that it has seen its corporate customers increase fivefold in the last four months, from six per cent of total passenger numbers.

MAHB flying high


Malaysia Air*ports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has had about 200 additional weekly flights since early this year.

The flights are from 12 airlines with more than 55 routes.

In a statement, MAHB said it was a significant achievement given the current economic climate and the impact of high oil prices on the world’s airlines. Seven more destinations were expected to start before the year’s end, it said.

AirAsia will continue its network expansion from Kuala Lumpur to Australia with services to Mel*bourne and Perth in November and to Hangzhou and Tiruchirapally.

Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lum*pur, plans to start new services to Papua New Guinea, the statement said.

At the KL International Airport, Malaysia Airlines has started flying to Karachi and Yogyakarta while AirAsia has launched flights to Guangzhou, Yogyakarta, Singapore, Ho Chih Minh City, Hong Kong, Haikou, Guilin, Batam and Pekanbaru.

Malaysia To Be First In Asia To Use Bombardier 415MP
November 12, 2008 23:45 PM

http://pic70.picturetrail.com/VOL1810/9185028/16858161/326133957.jpg

KUALA PILAH, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will be the first Asian country to use the Bombardier 415MP, a multipurpose amphibious aircraft, with its purchase of two such planes from Bombardier Aerospace, a Canadian company.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Hasan Malek said, both aircraft would come complete with a state-of-the-art surveillance equipment that includes dual-direction aerial radar, one infrared forward radar, an airborne maritime surveillance system and other avionics and communications tool.

"One of the aircraft will be modified with maritime surveillance capabilities and will be received early next year, while the other unit will be received by year end," he said after opening a dialogue and meeting with the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC), here Wednesday.

Hasan, who was responsible for overlooking the affairs of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), said the purchase would increase the agency's capability to monitor the country's waters.

He said the aircraft's ability to fly at low speed and low altitude and amphibious features make it ideal for coastal patrol missions.

"The Bombardier 415MP is also unique as it combines the capabilities of a traditional surveillance aircraft with the added benefit of being able to execute direct interventions on water," he said.

He added that it could also be used in a variety of missions including search and rescue, environmental protection, transportation and fire control.

"I would like to stress that the purchase of the aircraft was made by open tender and the decision made is fair and transparent," he said.

-- BERNAMA

MAHB flying high


Malaysia Air*ports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has had about 200 additional weekly flights since early this year.

The flights are from 12 airlines with more than 55 routes.

In a statement, MAHB said it was a significant achievement given the current economic climate and the impact of high oil prices on the world’s airlines. Seven more destinations were expected to start before the year’s end, it said.

AirAsia will continue its network expansion from Kuala Lumpur to Australia with services to Mel*bourne and Perth in November and to Hangzhou and Tiruchirapally.

Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lum*pur, plans to start new services to Papua New Guinea, the statement said.

At the KL International Airport, Malaysia Airlines has started flying to Karachi and Yogyakarta while AirAsia has launched flights to Guangzhou, Yogyakarta, Singapore, Ho Chih Minh City, Hong Kong, Haikou, Guilin, Batam and Pekanbaru.


Sad enough, only a small portions of these are from MAS. In addition, I believe MAS cut routes more than it added recently.

Tiger starts flying to Kuching Thursday
Published: 2008/11/17

TIGER Airways Pte Ltd, a budget carrier 49 per cent-owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd, will start daily flights between Singapore and Kuching on Thursday.

This will be followed by daily flights between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu starting March 1 2009.

With the new services, Tiger Airways will be operating 14 flights a week between Singapore and Sabah and Sarawak.

To celebrate the new routes, it is offering 15,000 seats for S$0.01 (RM0.024), excluding taxes and charges, each way for travel between Singapore and Kuching from November 20 to October 5 2009.

It is also offering 8,000 seats from S$86.99 (RM207), including taxes and charges, for one-way travel between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu from March 20 to October 29 2009.

Tiger Airways to boost tourism in Sarawak


KUCHING: Sarawak expects a 30% increase in arrivals from Singa*pore following a fourth airline servicing the Singapore-Kuching route.

State Tourism and Urban Deve*lop*ment Minister Datuk Michael Manyin said if the state could tap 3% of the seven million tourists from Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia visiting Singapore annually, it would help boost its tourism industry.

He was speaking to reporters after welcoming 177 passengers on board the Tiger Airways inaugural flight that landed at the Kuching International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The other airlines providing the Singapore-Kuching direct service are Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and SilkAir.

Last year, Sarawak recorded some 33,000 visitors from the republic.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Gracie Geikie urged local hoteliers to offer special rates to visitors from Singapore to reciprociate what their counterparts had done for visitors from Sarawak.

She said the state has about 5,500 hotel rooms of three-star status and above.

Geikie said 3,000 more rooms would be ready in the next two years with the completion of several new hotels here.

no latest stats on passenger traffic at KLIA ?

no latest stats on passenger traffic at KLIA ?

MAHB, operator of the country's 39 airports had recently reduced its initial target of five per cent growth in passenger volume at two airports this year, namely the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal Airport (LCCT).

"Up until September, the two airports have registered 20.5 million passengers, slightly better than the five per cent growth registered in the same period last year," Azmi said.
- BusinessTimes 7 Nov 2008

Malaysian airports pessimistic on next year's passenger handling
Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, MON:

Recording a four percent increase in passenger handling this year, Malaysian airports continue to be pessimistic of next year’s forecast in view of the global economic downturn.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, in acknowledging this, said passengers passing through the nation’s airports will depend on Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

According to him, this year’s growth came during the first eight months of 2008 but the last quarter is expected to be severely dented by the prevailing economic conditions.

“This (economic downturn) is the overall scenario that we should have in mind. We know at this juncture, this is primarily due to the economic downturn globally,” Ong said.

“However, it shouldn’t be construed merely on the total number of passangers that we are going to have but also on future economic conditions,” he said during a press conference after launching the 45th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation Asia and Asia Pacific Regions.

Yesterday, Malaysia Airlines’ senior general manager of sales Datuk Bernard Francis told a local daily that the airline would not scrap routes in the current economic slowdown but would make seasonal adjustments to its capacity.

Ong said that Malaysia would be working closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to be the pioneer state for the secure freight programme for air cargo security.

“This will be part of our efforts to enhance aviation security. We are in consultations with Australia on air security officers to be placed on aircraft,” he said.

“We are also consulting with the European Commission to facilitate international passangers bringing liquid, aerosol and gels from Malaysia transiting in European countries,” he added during his opening speech.

Touching on environmental concerns within the aviation industry, Ong said Malaysia would also continue to actively monitor and initiate further environment-friendly initiatives, measures and programmes and consult the industry to reduce the impact of aviation emissions.

“Among the measures planned is the introduction of the Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) concept,” he said.

“We are in discussions with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines Pilots Association to implement CDA trials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport,” he added.

Airlines will face losses this year but will return to profit by 2010, says ICAO chief



KUALA LUMPUR: The aviation industry has been projected to recover in two years’ time.

International Civil Aviation Organisation council president Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez said that based on its studies, airline companies would face financial losses this year with a return to profitability next year and in 2010.

“Passenger growth will also recover by 2010,” he said when addressing delegates at the 45th Asia-Pacific Region Conference of Civil Aviation Directors-General yesterday.

He said the volatility of oil prices and the economic downturn had caused structural changes to the industry,

“Companies are adjusting capacity, reducing their workforce and considering mergers. However, the industry is one that has always shown great resilience,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/11/25/nation/n_pg10teekeat.jpg
This way: Ong (right) and conference delegates at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said in his speech that Malaysia expected to handle 47 million passengers this year, an increase of 4% from 2007.

“Most of the growth came during the first eight months of the year but the last quarter is expected to be significantly dented by prevailing economic conditions,” he said.

Ong said it had become more difficult to forecast traffic growth with the outlook for 2009 becoming increasingly pessimistic and dependent on gross domestic product growth.

At an earlier function, Ong said that some 80,000 shipping vessels used the Straits of Malacca and called on user states to take responsibility for the security, safety and environmental protection of the water passage.

“The strait sees 20% of the world’s trade and 33% of the world’s crude oil passing through it every year which cements the importance of keeping it safe,” he said in his speech at the International Symposium on Safety and Protection of Marine Environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

During the function, the Nippon Foundation, a Japan-based philanthropic organisation, pledged US$2.5mil (RM9.1mil) to fund the placing and maintenance of navigational aids such as buoys in the strait.

20 lapangan terbang terima 47 juta penumpang


KUALA LUMPUR: Industri penerbangan negara yang mencatatkan rekod baik tanpa sebarang kemalangan atau insiden teruk menyaksikan pada tahun ini hampir 20 lapangan terbang tempatan bakal menerima 47 juta penumpang.

Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat berkata pada 1998 hingga 2007, lapangan terbang negara menyaksikan pergerakan penumpang meningkat dari 28.8 juta kepada 45.19 juta orang dan bagi tempoh yang sama, perkhidmatan kargo turut meningkat dari 532,077 tan kepada 997,168 tan.

Kata beliau, peningkatan penumpang pada tahun ini adalah sebanyak empat peratus berbanding 2007 dan ia menunjukkan rangkaian serta sistem penerbangan tempatan diterima baik oleh dunia luar.

Berucap merasmikan Persidangan ke-45 Ketua Pengarah Penerbangan Awam Asia dan Serantau Pasifik di sini, semalam, beliau berkata, sebagai contoh, Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) terbang ke 111 destinasi antarabangsa dan tempatan manakala penerbangan tambang murah, AirAsia pula menyediakan perkhidmatan mereka ke 68 destinasi tempatan dan serantau Asia.

"Kita dapat menyaksikan pertambahan penumpang kebanyakannya adalah dalam tempoh lapan bulan pertama setiap tahun," katanya.

M’sian airports pessimistic

Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com


KUALA LUMPUR: Recording a 4% increase in passenger handling this year, Malaysian airports continue to be pessimistic of next year’s forecast in view of the global economic downturn.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, in acknowledging this, said passengers passing through the nation’s airports would depend on Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

According to him, this year’s growth came during the first eight months of 2008 but the last quarter is expected to be severely dented by the prevailing economic conditions.

“This (economic downturn) is the overall scenario that we should have in mind. We know at this juncture, this is primarily due to the economic downturn globally,” Ong said.

“However, it shouldn’t be construed merely on the total number of passengers that we are going to have but also on future economic conditions,” he said during a press conference after launching the 45th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation Asia and Asia-Pacific Regions. — Bernama

Yesterday, Malaysia Airlines’ senior general manager of sales Datuk Bernard Francis told a local daily that the airline would not scrap routes in the current economic slowdown but would make seasonal adjustments to its capacity.

Ong said that Malaysia would be working closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to be the pioneer state for the secure freight programme for air cargo security.

“This will be part of our efforts to enhance aviation security. We are in consultation with Australia on air security officers to be placed on aircraft,” he said.

“We are also consulting with the European Commission to facilitate international passangers bringing liquid, aerosol and gels from Malaysia transiting in European countries,” he added during his opening speech.

Touching on environmental concerns within the aviation industry, Ong said Malaysia also would continue to actively monitor and initiate further environment-friendly initiatives, measures and programmes and consult the industry to reduce the impact of aviation emissions.

“Among the measures planned is the introduction of the Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) concept,” he said.

“We are in discussions with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines Pilots Association to implement CDA trials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport,” he added.

MAHB earnings soar 61pc
Published: 2008/11/28


MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) saw a 61 per cent rise in its third quarter net profit, helped by the reversal of provision for doubtful debts.

The group said it had completed discussions with the government on the proposed corporate and financial restructuring of MAHB and is awaiting the government's decision.

"The financial performance for 2008 financial year may be determined by the outcome of the above-mentioned proposal," MAHB told Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

MAHB registered a net profit of RM89.9 million for the financial period ended September 30 2008, against RM55.7 million the year before.
Revenue grew by five per cent for the quarter under review at RM369.1 million compared to the year before.

The improvement on overall revenue was reduced by higher staff related costs, repair maintenance and depreciation charged during the period, it said.

MAHB expects growth on passenger movement to outperform International Air Transport Association (Iata) forecast for international passenger movement.

Iata had forecast a 2.8 per cent growth in international passenger movement globally and 3.3 per cent in Asia Pacific.

Passenger volume lifts MAHB earnings
By LEONG HUNG YEE


Petaling Jaya: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has reported a 61.3% jump in net profit to RM89.9mil in the third quarter ended Sept 30 on a 5% growth in revenue to RM369.1mil against RM351mil in the previous corresponding period.

Pre-tax profit rose to RM128.7mil from RM88.1mil before while earnings per share climbed to 8.18 sen from 5.07 sen.

For the nine months to Sept 30, the group’s pre-tax profit surged 28.8% to RM339.5mil from RM263.6mil on a 12.3% increase in turnover to RM1.15bil. Net profit rose to RM247.9mil, or 22.54 sen per share, for the period under review.

The board has declared an interim dividend of four sen for the third quarter.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, MAHB said the improvements were mainly due to an increase in total passenger movements which also contributed to stronger commercial sales.

“The improvement in overall revenue, however, was reduced by higher staff-related costs, repair maintenance and depreciation charged during the quarter and financial year to-date under review,” it said in the notes accompanying its financial results.

MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad attributed the increase in revenue and pre-tax profit to improved contributions from both airport and non-airport operations.

“Total passenger volume (in the nine months) at all airports reached 35.39 million, supported by a 7.26% growth in domestic passenger volume to 19.6 million and a 7.43% growth in international passenger volume to 15.79 million,” he said in a statement.

OSK Research head of research Chris Eng said MAHB’s results were in line with the brokerage’s expectation.

“Traffic growth can be quite volatile given the slowdown in air travel at the moment. However, in terms of profits, airport operators will see less volatility compared with airlines,” he said.

Although there were contractions in 2001 and 2003, air travel rebounded sharply, Eng said, adding: “We still like airports. We are maintaining our ‘buy’ call on MAHB.”

Airlines in Malaysia take earnings hit
By Goh Thean Eu and Jeeva Arulampalam
Published: 2008/11/29

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/aasia28/pix_bottom

MALAYSIA'S two listed airlines yesterday reported third quarter results that highlighted a difficult business environment but both were optimistic of doing well in 2009.

AirAsia Bhd (5099) and Malaysia Airlines (3786) had to contend with high fuel prices and slower demand for travel in the July to September 30 period.

Budget carrier AirAsia made its first net loss since it was listed in 2004, mainly due to one-off provisions for contracts tied to fuel hedging and trades held by now-bankrupt investment bank Lehman Brothers.

Net loss was RM465.5 million in the third quarter. Third quarter revenue jumped 43 per cent to RM658.5 million.

It was hit by a RM215 million charge to unwind contracts made to lock-in the price of fuel. The price has dropped sharply, in tandem with the oil price, and this has forced many airlines to report hedging losses.
"We have to deal with short-term pain for long-term gains," said chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, who expects to recover its hedging losses as early as January next year.

Without these provisions, the company would still have made an operating loss of RM76 million, as it did not raise fares quick enough when fuel prices surged.

Its load factor also fell from 76 per cent in the second quarter this year to 75 per cent, while average fares eased to RM195 from RM198. It carried 3.02 million passengers during the quarter, about 7 per cent more than the 2.82 million passengers it carried in second quarter.

As for MAS, third quarter net profit plunged 90 per cent to RM38.1 million as its fuel bill rose 56 per cent to RM1.9 billion.

"The world economy is going through a downward spiral so next year will be tough," managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala said at a media briefing on its third quarter results at Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He expects MAS to remain profitable next year.

Revenue was maintained at RM4.11 billion for the three-month period ended September 30 2008, attributed to its operating performance and non-fuel expenses which fell by 14 per cent to RM2.2 billion.

While Idris said that MAS will not change is profit target, the airline has its work cut out to achieve the RM400 million-RM500 million initial target by year-end.

For the nine-month period, MAS has achieved cost efficiencies of RM900 million, on track to its RM1 billion target for 2008.

Idris said it did not have individual plans to cut capacity as it had done so progressively in the last two years.

"We will take delivery of three leased 737-800 planes next year which we will use to add frequencies for key regional routes such as Bangkok and Jakarta where there is high demand from business passengers," he added.

MAS would not expand its manpower except to cater for its new fleet expansion under Firefly and also for its maintenance, repair and overhaul division, said Idris.

New head for SkyTeam’s Malaysian market panel
Published: 2008/12/01

AIR France-KLM country manager for Malaysia Estee Ng has been appointed chairman of the Malaysian Market Coordination Committee for the world’s second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam.

Her duties will include ensuring its smooth operation, while executing and leading its marketing action plan.

Ng takes over from Korean Air’s Vincent Kow.

“With Malaysia as a key market and regional hub for business, investment and tourism, it is imperative that SkyTeam’s promise of ensuring customers a consistent level of service, an extensive network, seamless connections and an overall hassle-free travel experience is maintained at the highest level,” said Ng in a statement.

Launched in June 2000, the alliance comprises 11 members — Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines — and three associate carriers Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Dutch group to bring aviation firms to Malaysia
By Kamarul Yunus Published: 2008/12/01 BusinessTimes

IMPRESSED with the progress of the Malaysian aerospace industry, the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG) aims to encourage Dutch aerospace and aviation-related companies to make Malaysia their potential investment destination in the region.

NAG managing director Frank Jansen said although the Netherlands is Malaysia's fourth largest investor, there has yet to be any investments coming from Dutch companies involved in the aerospace and aviation industries.

"But, I am confident that there will be more cooperation between Malaysian and Dutch companies, following my visit to Malaysia.

"Things will change once I brief NAG members based on what I see and experience during my visit to Malaysia," he told Business Times at the end of his five-day visit to Malaysia on November 9.

Jansen was in Malaysia on an invitation by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida). This follows the visit by a Malaysian delegation, led by Mida to the Netherlands in September.

During Mida's visit, Jansen said a number of Dutch companies have voiced their interest to set up operations or collaborate with the local companies in the aerospace industry in Malaysia.

"At least two Dutch companies have shown their keen interest to cooperate with Malaysian companies to invest in the aerospace industry. I will file in a report (after his visit) and send them to every NAG member, particularly to the two companies that have conveyed their interest to invest in Malaysia," he said.

Jansen said he was impressed with the rapid development of the aerospace industry in Malaysia, particularly the development of the Subang airport in Selangor.

He also had an opportunity to visit companies, among others Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd, SME Aerospace Sdn Bhd, Airfoil Services Sdn Bhd, Upeca Engineering Sdn Bhd and CTRM Aero Composites Sdn Bhd as well as education centres such as Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Technology, Malaysian International Aerospace Centre, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor.

He also met officers from the Malaysian Industry-Government Group of High Technology, the Dutch Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council and Mida itself.

NAG is the national trade association encompassing aero- space companies and organisations engaged in education, research and development, engineering, manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of civil and military systems and equipment.

Members, comprising 75 companies and 10 institutions and organisations, improve their business positions by being part of an active association that clusters over 95 per cent of the Dutch aerospace sector.

Notable Dutch aerospace companies in NAG include ADSE B.V, Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings, Amsterdam Airport Area, Driessen Aerospace Group NV, DutchAero B.V., KLM Aerospace Logistics, KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Stork Aerospace Group, Stork Materials Technology B.V. and Struik & Hammerslag.

Daily KL-S’pore flights soar
By B.K. SIDHU


PETALING JAYA: From yesterday, air travellers on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route can choose 14 daily flights from low-cost carriers and more than 15 from full-service carriers.

This is a huge jump in choices from a year ago, which saw only Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines plying the route.

In February, low-cost carriers had begun launching limited flights.

But from Dec 1, all airlines in Malaysia and Singapore can launch flights between the two capital cities.

The change has come a month ahead of the liberalisation of the Asean Open Skies for capital cities.

Both AirAsia and Tiger Airways, which are flying seven and three to four flights respectively on the route, are eager to increase the frequencies.

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes told StarBiz yesterday that he wanted to add an additional flight by next month when the airline took delivery of more aircraft.

“My target is to have 12 daily flights for stage one. Eventually we would like to have 24 flights daily or every half-hourly flight,’’ he said.

The response had been “fantastic’’ for the KL-Singapore route even though it was just day one of the sector’s full liberalisation, he said.

The budget airline sees its load factor averaging 75% on the route.

Tiger Airways chief executive Tony Davis told StarBiz from Singapore that the carrier had seen huge demand for its flights and would increase its frequency to five daily flights from three or four now on weekdays.

“Our loads are very good and we see strong consumer demand. We just saw our 3.30pm flight took off from Singapore to KL and there were only two empty seats out of the 180 seats in the aircraft,’’ Davis said.

National carrier MAS commercial director Datuk Abdul Rashid Khan, believes the Singapore-KL route has always been a springboard for connecting flights from KL International Airport (KLIA) to its global destinations such as outbound traffic from Singapore and likewise, for the return via KLIA.

“We will continue to leverage on (our) partnerships to remain competitive as well as profitable on this route,’’ he said in an e-mail response.

An SIA spokesman, in an e-mail reply said the opening of the sector was good for consumers and the airlines. Competition would force airlines to be more cost effective and innovative in the product and service offerings, he added.

“We offer competitive fares. The Singapore-KL route will now function like most other markets in the region. There will be price competition and fares will vary in line with demand,’’ the spokesman said.

MAS and AirAsia mount seven daily flights each on the route, SIA and SilkAir, four flights each, Tiger, three or four flights and JetStar, three.

Malaysia’s Firefly is still hoping to ply the route from Subang and is still awaiting the Government’s response, according to managing director Eddy Leong.

KK-Singapore Flights Set To Boost Sabah MICE Sector
December 02, 2008 21:45 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Direct Sabah-Singapore flights, besides boosting tourism, would also give the state an opportunity to promote its MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) facilities.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said Singapore was well-known as a premier hub in the Asian region that acted as a gateway to other international cities around the world.

"I trust the flights will attract more inbound international tourists and professionals and we see this as a partnership to enhance business," he said after welcoming 161 passengers of the Jetstar Asia's inaugural flight from Singapore here Tuesday.

He said Jetstar Asia, a subsidiary of Australia's Qantas Airways based in Singapore, could open more doors for other international airlines to operate flights to Kota Kinabalu.

Jetstar Asia's chief executive officer, Chong Phit Lian, said the airline hoped to bring international tourists to Sabah from or via Singapore to make up for the decreasing number of tourists affected by airline companies that ceased to operate flights to Sabah.

"Jetstar Asia will be flying daily between Kota Kinabalu and Singapore beginning Dec 20 to encourage visitations in both destinations whether for business or pleasure.

"Currently, Jetstar Asia operates four flights a week," she said.

-- BERNAMA

Cadang bina lapangan terbang

Oleh OPAT RATTANACHOT

KULIM 4 Dis. - Kedah bercadang membina satu lagi lapangan terbang (LT) di Padang Serai, kira-kira 20 kilometer dari sini bagi memudahkan pelabur menjalankan urusan mereka di Taman Teknologi Tinggi Kulim (KHTP).

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak berkata, lapangan terbang untuk pesawat ringan tersebut merupakan alternatif kepada pelabur dan orang ramai mengunjungi kawasan Kulim pada masa akan datang.

Kedah kini mempunyai dua lapangan terbang iaitu Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim (LTSAH) Alor Star dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi.

''Cadangan pembinaan lapangan terbang baru ini merupakan satu keputusan untuk masa depan. Ia terkandung dalam Draf Rancangan Tempatan 2004-2020 atau Kulim 2020 bagi kawasan ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap merasmikan pameran Draf Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Kulim di Dewan Putra, Jalan Pondok Labu, di sini kelmarin.

Turut hadir pada majlis itu ialah Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Hamisah Ariffin yang mewakili Ketua Pengarahnya, Datuk Mohd. Fadzil Mohd. Khir.

Pameran Draf Rancangan Tempatan tersebut akan dibuka bagi mendapatkan maklum balas, cadangan dan bantahan orang ramai sehingga 15 Januari ini.

Menurut Azizan, pembinaan lapangan terbang tersebut juga diharap dapat menampung pertumbuhan pesat sektor industri di kawasan Kulim pada masa akan datang.

"Berdasarkan Draf Rancangan Tempatan tersebut, kadar guna tanah untuk sektor industri dijangka meningkat kepada 3,321 hektar pada tahun 2020," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau memberitahu, kerajaan negeri dengan kerjasama Kerajaan Pusat akan memperluaskan kawasan perindustrian berteknologi tinggi 160 hektar berdekatan KHTP dalam tempoh 12 tahun akan datang.

"Selain kawasan industri teknologi tinggi, draf rancangan tersebut juga menekankan cadangan membina lebih banyak pusat pengajian tinggi berasaskan tenaga mahir sebagai sokongan di kawasan ini," jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Mohd. Fadzil dalam teks ucapannya berkata, kerajaan telah melengkapkan Rancangan Tempatan bagi daerah Langkawi, Baling, Padang Terap, Kubang Pasu dan Kota Star di negeri Kedah dalam tempoh Rancangan Malaysia Kelapan (RMK-8).

"Dua lagi draf bagi daerah Yan dan Pendang kini sedang dalam peringkat akhir sementara bagi daerah Kuala Muda dan Sik pula terpaksa ditangguhkan dahulu atas sebab-sebab yang tidak dapat dielakkan," jelasnya.

Federal Govt urged to develop Ipoh airport
By IVAN LOH


IPOH: Perak is urging the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to improve and expand the under-used Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.

State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the development plan was a promise made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Nga insisted that Abdullah had pledged it during a trade exposition opening here in June last year.

“A promise is a promise, and the Federal Government should fulfil its duties to allocate the funds for the development as soon as possible,” Nga told a press conference here on Friday.

He said the airport upgrades and extension of the runway would cost about RM170mil, which should be borne by the Federal Government.

“Otherwise, give us the authority and we are ready to do it if the Government is incapable of developing the airport,” he said.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government, said Nga, would find the means to develop the airport and would also consider having it privately financed.

Nga said he had brought up the matter in Parliament but it was shot down by Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

“Instead, he announced that the ministry had plans to build an airport in Negri Sembilan, which is not reasonable,” he said, adding that the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal were about 25km from Nilai.

Nga also called on the Government to get Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, to offer its services here.

Perak lacked an efficient airline cargo system and was losing out on foreign investments, said Nga who noted that representatives from India, Australia, Britain and Japan had expressed interest.

MAHB urges review of airport charges
By Kang Siew Li
Published: 2008/12/06

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) says it will continue to pursue an upward revision of its charges at the 39 airports it operates in the country despite the global economic downturn.

The airport operator is still waiting for a response from the government to its proposal.

It seeks an increase to its aircraft landing and parking fees, aerobridge charges and airport tax, also known as the passenger service charge (PSC).

"We believe that our charges, which have remained unchanged for many years, should still be reviewed (by the government). This is something that we have been asking for for the last five years and we are maintaining that position," MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said in an interview.
The proposal is part of the group's overall financial restructuring plan aimed at allowing MAHB to operate on a commercial footing. It includes a plan to repay the RM856.7 million it owes the government.

Asked whether the proposed increase in charges may be lowered given that airlines are turning in less profits or making losses, Bashir said: "It could. It is up to the government. However, we have not changed our proposal since the submission five years ago. The proposal is overdue. If at all, it (increase) should be higher."

MAHB has maintained that its airport charges are among the lowest in Asia. The airport tax was last raised in June 2002 and its aircraft landing and parking fees, 1975.

"Airport charges constitute only four per cent of overall airline costs. In the case of the KL International Airport, it is less than four per cent. This shows that our charges are very low," Bashir said.

MAHB upbeat on profit
By Kang Siew Li
Published: 2008/12/06

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/klia04/pix_bottom

Malaysia Airports is expected to post record net profit and revenue for the year to December 2008, driven by growth in passenger traffic, retail optimisation and better ad revenue

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014), the operator of Malaysia's 39 airports, said it hopes to remain profitable next year, even though passenger traffic growth may slow to 1-2 per cent.

"We do not expect passenger growth for the next one to two years to be as high as it has been for the last five years. For 2009, we believe we will still see some growth but it would probably be marginal between one per cent and two per cent," MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said in an interview.

"Although we are expecting a drop in overall passenger numbers for next year, we have plans in place that will enable us to remain profitable," he added.

The International Air Transport Association is expected to announce a decrease in its earlier 2009 estimate for passenger traffic growth in Asia Pacific next week. It had originally projected a 3.9 per cent growth for 2009.
Bashir said the forecast was derived on the back of a year-on-year contraction in passenger traffic through the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang for September and October 2008, hit by the global economic slowdown.

Nevertheless, the airport operator remains confident of achieving a five per cent passenger growth at all its airports for full-year 2008, thanks to strong growth during the first seven months.

"The growth (in the remaining months of the year) could come on the back of the liberalisation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route this month and domestic traffic growth," he said.

MAHB is expected to deliver another record net profit and revenue for the year to December 2008, driven by growth in passenger traffic, retail optimisation and better advertising revenue.

Last year, it posted a net profit of RM236.3 million on revenue of RM1.4 billion.

"I think so, looking at our third quarter performance which came in better than the year-ago quarter. We believe that we are still able to achieve our headline KPIs (key performance indicators), mainly due to our conscious efforts to diversify our revenue streams," said Bashir.

This year's profit will also be driven by cost-cutting efforts, where the group had put a freeze on recruitment activities in certain divisions since 2006 and continues to cut down on internal costs.

Bashir said total cost increase has been at "a manageable five per cent on average" over the last five years.

"In our budget for 2008, we have estimated about RM70 million in both cost savings and revenue improvement. Of this total, RM60 million is from cost savings and RM10 million is from revenue enhancement," he added.

MAHB has also kept borrowing costs at almost zero.

"We have hardly any borrowings and the credit is always available to us. But moving forward, because we are in a strong position, we can afford to have some gearing," he said, without elaborating.

Bashir also said that airports were still largely unscathed by the financial crisis because of their diversified portfolios.

"Globally, airports derive a large portion of their revenues from commercial or non-aeronautical operations. Heathrow, Singapore and Hong Kong airports, for instance, derive over 50 per cent from these sources.

"As such, we will continue to focus on developing our commercial revenue sources (such as concession, retail, oil palm plantation, advertising, car park and hotel facilities) to ensure that we remain profitable.

"We expect commercial revenue to constitute 50 per cent of the group's total revenue by the end of this year, two years ahead of target, and the rest to be generated from aeronautical sources like aircraft landing and parking, aerobridge and passenger service charges," he said.

Commercial revenue contribution is expected to increase to 60 per cent by 2013.

Competition up, air fares down
Saturday December 13, 2008
By B.K. SIDHU

Open-skies are bringing air fares down rapidly in Asean which is good news for consumers but worrisome for airlines as margins are squeezed in the battle for market share

AFTER years of travelling back to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore by coach and car, Rita Kaur decided to take her family to the skies. She checked out the cheap fares to Kuala Lumpur in the Singapore newspapers and found what she wanted. Last Monday, she flew into KL with her husband, two daughters and their domestic helper at just S$150 (RM360).

“I think it is a pretty good price to pay for five people. My daughters enjoyed the trip. In fact, they were thrilled to be flying back to Kuala Lumpur rather than sitting for hours in a car or bus. We flew AirAsia,’’ she says.

Rita is a Malaysian and her husband a Singaporean. She comes back to visit her parents at least eight times a year. She is used to travelling by coach and pays S$30 (RM72) to S$50 (RM120) for a one-way trip per person.

“It was a promotional fare and a good offer because we pay about the same amount by coach. Time makes all the difference as we are in KL in 45 minutes,’’ she says.

She is not alone. Anna Lai was one of the passengers on the AirAsia flight AK 131 from Singapore to KL on Dec 2. She paid RM90 for a one-way trip with her son.

They are examples of how air travel is being revolutionised by a convergence of factors that are increasing competition within Asean. First, there was the advent of low-cost airlines. That was followed by the opening up of the skies and increased capacity coupled with potentially declining demand for air travel.

All of that, and the looming impact of lower oil prices, will have the effect of bringing prices down and making competition intense, a great advantage for consumers but a worrisome development for airlines in the region.

The latest round of competition comes from the recent opening up of the much-protected KL-Singapore route on Dec 1. And it will heat up even more as the date draws closer for the Asean capital cities’ air liberalisation by the target date of Dec 31. The focus will be on the KL-Singapore route first as problems are ironed out for the liberalisation of air-travel between Asean capital cities.

In both instances, low-cost carriers or LCCs are expected to be the big beneficiaries because the full-service airlines have had more access to these routes before. New entrants are going to slash prices to win customers.

Among the most successful of the LCCs is Malaysia’s own AirAsia Bhd, which has been on an aircraft buying binge. It is buying 175 planes up to 2013 of which it has taken delivery of 50. A crucial part of its success in the future would be its ability to fill up these planes as they are delivered. While the number of passengers it carried has increased, the load factor – a measure of capacity usage – has been decreasing.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes is optimistic. “It is the pent-up demand that we are serving. The KL-Singapore route has been worst in terms of undeveloped routes for years. There is a lot of affinity between Malaysia and Singapore and this is a new beginning. We have not seen the peak (in load factors) yet.’’

From the 20 daily flights shared between Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) in the previous duopoly, this route is now served by nearly 30 flights daily. Consumers have more choices and fares have dropped from the steep RM840 for a round-trip to as low as under RM100 for one-way trips. Fares will come under greater pressure as the carriers battle for market share.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/12/13/business/b_24freedom.jpg

Singapore-based Tiger Airways chief executive Tony Davis said in an interview in Singapore recently that flights are a good alternative to coaches and trains as fares come down.

“We see the KL-Singapore route in the same vein as the Los Angeles-San Francisco or the Sydney-Melbourne routes,” he said.

The hot route

MAS flies seven to eight times daily on this route, while SIA and its sister company, SilkAir, will do eight flights jointly. AirAsia has planned for seven flights and Tiger up to five and Jetstar three for now. SilkAir is the new bird plying this route since Dec 1.

Asean capital cities may open their skies to more carriers by Jan 1 and see capacity increase but the KL-Singapore air sector will remain a hot route.

“The excitement is really on the KL-Singapore route for the time being and that is what the low-cost carriers are focusing on,’’ Standard & Poor’s Equity Research analyst Shukor Yusof says from Singapore.

For that reason, even the smallish carrier FireFly wants to be part of the action. Its managing director Eddy Leong is counting the days when the government will give him the freedom to fly the Subang-Singapore route. He says the route will fit nicely into the carrier’s network plan and provide the connectivity its passengers need.

Both Fernandes and Davis say their airlines enjoyed load factors of over 60% in the first week of the opening of the KL-Singapore sector for the prized route and their “forward booking numbers look good.’’

Their target are the holiday-makers. The political upheaval in Bangkok has forced many holiday-makers to change their destinations and both Malaysia and Singapore are benefiting from that.

Even many Singaporeans have re-routed their plans to fly into Malaysia instead of Thailand, says Shukor.

He believes that despite the many carriers, the major winners on the KL-Singapore route will be MAS and AirAsia.

The opening up of the KL-Singapore sector is part of a bigger plan to liberalise Asean skies for a unified air services market by 2015.

The Asean Roadmap for Integration of Air Travel Sector stipulates timelines when markets will open to competition. The capital cities’ liberalisation is the first step in that direction which comes into effect by Dec 31.

Malaysia and Singapore are in the forefront of the liberalisation and have fast-tracked the opening of the KL-Singapore route to Dec 1 from Dec 31.

For decades, MAS and SIA enjoyed a duopoly on the KL-Singapore route. This was one of the most expensive routes in the world for a 45-minute flight. Return fares were as high as RM840 and the airlines raked earnings of RM400mil each year. In February, the route was partially opened to competition to allow three low-cost carriers to ply it.

“The opening of the KL-Singapore sector is a major milestone in the roadmap. I believe this route will be the trend-setter and it would be the most lucrative route among the capital cities,’’ Shukor says.

The Asean playground

The next date to watch out for is Jan 1 when routes connecting Asean capital cities are fully opened for competition. All the major full-service carriers are already plying these routes while the LCCs have limited capacities on most of these.

One thing that is pending is the green light to begin plying the route. Unlike the other capital cities, KL and Singapore told their carriers well in advance that the route was to open on Dec 1. The carriers took advantage of that to plan their marketing blitz.

“There is not going to be any Big Bang come Jan 1,’’ Shukor says. And Davis agrees.

What is holding back this grand opening?

The multilateral agreement on air services signed by nine of 10 Asean Transport Ministers in Manila on Nov 6 is yet to be ratified. Thailand did not sign the agreement because it needed to take it to parliament first. Given the current political upheaval, it is unclear at what stage this process is in. The Asean Secretariat did not respond to queries.

The nine countries that signed the accord are Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines director-general Andrew Herdman says the process may take some time.

“Assuming the agreements are not ratified by Dec 31, the bilateral agreements between countries remain,’’ Herdman says. “This means airlines cannot mount flights freely.”

“We support the liberalisation. It is a right approach to have a roadmap as it gives confidence to the marketplace. But we hope the timeline can be met.”

Davis of Tiger says: “Up to now, we have not received word from the authorities to add more frequencies to the capital cities. We would like to do that.”

Jetstar chief executive officer Chong Phit Lian says that until she gets the take-off signal she is not planning to add new capacity to what is already in the system.

“It really depends on the landing slots we can get. We would not mount flights (immediately) and whatever we do will depend on the country and the opportunities there,’’ Chong adds.

It may be a technical glitch but Malaysia’s Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is of the view that the timeline “is still intact’’.

“It is subject to the member countries ratifying the agreements before Jan 1, 2009. The ratification is based on the ‘Asean minus X’ principle where a minimum of three Asean member countries are needed for the arrangements to be effective among the ratified Asean countries.’’ Ong said in an e-mail response.

To Ong, the signing itself “marked the opening of the Asean capital cities by 2009.’’

Competition

Whether it is Jan 1 or a little later, Asean skies will get busier and Shukor believes that airlines will add capacity if they can make money.

They will even slash rates and competition will intensify over time.

Historically, this air sector has been highly regulated where issues of national ownership and protectionist policies persisted. Getting landing rights had been a big hurdle for many carriers with huge ambitions.

The liberalisation provides opportunities to expand markets and, at the same time, it is a threat to carriers’ existing markets. There will be winners and losers. But with the competition, airlines that are efficient, flexible and responsive to customer needs are best placed to benefit regardless of their size.

Emirates Airline opens new KL office
18-12-2008: THEEDGEDAILY

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/storage/images/com.tms.cms.image.Image_4825ed16-cb73c03a-53897400-e7915364/1/Emirates_inside.jpg

(From left) Lee, UAE ambassador to Malaysia Nasser Salman Al Aboodi and
Vaughan cutting the ribbon at its new office in The Pavilion in KL yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dubai-based Emirates Airline marked its 12th year anniversary in Malaysia with the official opening of its brand new 6,000-square feet office here yesterday.

“We continue to pursue our growth strategy, both locally and globally. Malaysia remains a key market for Emirates and we will continue to provide our Malaysian customers with enhanced capacity, a new improved product and better connectivity to the world.

“Our rapidly-expanding network will enable Malaysian businessmen to enter new markets and at the same time facilitate greater inbound tourist arrivals into the country,” said its senior vice-president of commercial operations, East Asia and Australasia, Richard Vaughan, in a statement yesterday.

“We continue to work with the local government and travel trade sector to promote Malaysia across the globe. Emirates Holidays brochures prominently feature all that Malaysia has to offer. Over 500,000 copies of the brochure are distributed to potential travellers around the world every year,” he added.

Emirates Malaysia manager Alban Lee said: “The new office signifies yet another step in our expansion programme in Malaysia.

“Throughout the year, we have introduced several new initiatives for our local passengers such as introducing non-stop turnaround flights to Dubai from Oct 1 and launching three additional flights per week from Dec 1. Our expansion strategy in Malaysia has not dampened and we look forward to the New Year.”

The new office is located at The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_4823703f-cb73c03a-53897400-fad588f9

Ong: No space for Ipoh airport extension ‘

IPOH: The runway of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport cannot be extended due to the lack of space, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

The airport, currently under-utilised, was surrounded by mountains and adjacent to densely-populated residential areas, said Ong.

“If we talk about extending the airport runway, do you have the space for the extension? We certainly can’t extend it vertically,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Ipoh Timur MCA division’s 59th anniversary dinner on Thursday, Ong said the Federal Government was not facing financial constraints nor did it lack commitment in extending the airport runway.


Happy anniversary: Ong (second from left) together with Perak MCA chief Datuk Kong Cho Ha (left), Ipoh Timur MCA division chief Datuk Thong Fah Chong (third from left) and Ipoh Barat MCA division chief Datuk Tan Chin Meng (right) cutting a cake in conjunction with Ipoh Timur MCA division’s 59th anniversary celebration in Ipoh on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Perak executive councillor in charge of transport Nga Kor Ming had reportedly urged the Government to fulfil its promise to improve and expand the airport.

Ong, who is also MCA president, stressed that his ministry had never held the view that Ipoh be bypassed in whatever development plans.

“In fact, Ipoh was chosen as a key destination for our railway transportation,” he said, citing the double-tracking railway project as an example.

“Now we are on the threshhold of bringing new changes to Ipoh and Kinta Valley. Hopefully, by the time the double-tracking project is completed, Perak people can reap more economic returns,” he added.

On Nga’s suggestion that the Government hand over the authority of the airport if it was incapable of developing it, Ong said Nga was playing populist politics.

“The way he spoke and presented the argument shows he is ignorant of the basic requirement of an airport,” he said, adding that any extension of the airport runway needed to be International Civil Aviation Organisa- tion (ICAO)-compliant.

Ong noted that while there were airlines flying into the airport not too long ago, the services were stopped abruptly.

“It’s not that we didn’t try. The airlines stopped and pulled out as there was not enough passenger and cargo load,” he added.

Malacca gets another RM62m to extend airport


MALACCA: The Federal Government has agreed to the state’s request for an additional RM62mil to extend the Batu Berendam Airport runway so it can handle larger planes.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the approval by the Economic Planning Unit would help attract 1.35 million tourists to the state and would generate RM1bil for the local economy.

Extending the runway by another 385m to 2.135km would enable a fully loaded Airbus A-320 or Boeing 737 to land, he told reporters after a closed-door briefing on the ongoing project at Seri Bendahara yesterday.

Mohd Ali added that state chalked up the highest number of health tourist arrivals in the country last year, with over 60,000 seeking treatment here.

The current RM131mil extension project would only result in a 1.8km runway when completed by the end of this month.

RM62m needed to extend Batu Berendam runway

MALACCA: The state government needs RM62 million to extend the Batu Berendam airport runway by another 335 metres.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he had requested the Transport Ministry to channel any unused funds from the land and sea sector to the aviation industry.

"The Economic Planning Unit has already requested for the Transport Ministry to allocate RM62 million for the extension of the airport runway from 1,800m to 2,135m.

"I hope the ministry will work on the matter immediately," Ali told a press conference yesterday.

Ali said the extension of the runway would enable fully-loaded aircraft such as the Airbus and Boeing 737 to use the airport.

This was requested by low-cost carrier AirAsia.

"Only half-loaded Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 could use the 1,800m runway at present as fully-loaded planes would require a runway of up to 2,135m."

He said upgrading the Batu Berendam Airport was crucial for the state's growing tourism industry.

The ministry had earlier approved RM131.5 million for the airport's expansion which included the construction of new departure and arrival terminals and extending the present runway from 1,372m to 1,800m.

Work on this is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

'No room for Sultan Azlan Shah Airport extension'
By : P. Chandra Sagaran


IPOH: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has rebutted allegations by Perak Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen that financial constraint was one of the reasons the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here has yet to be upgraded.

"It is not due to finance or lack of commitment but rather the topography. As responsible politicians they should know the scenario better.

"The airport is surrounded by mountains at one end and adjacent to densely-populated areas," he said after witnessing the swearing-in of Ipoh Timur MCA division office bearers on Thursday.

Also present was Perak MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha.

"When we talk about extension, then the question of space is raised. Economic returns with the upgrading of the airport can only be achieved with sufficient flights, passengers and cargo volume," Ong said.

He said these problems must be first studied and addressed.

There must also be land available for extension while meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

"It is not just saying we have the land and money but whether the airport has complied with the ICAO requirements which, among others things, would include the length of the runway."

Recently, state Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming had asked the Transport Ministry to honour its promise to develop the under-utilised airport, failing which the task should be handed over to the state.

Ong: No space for Ipoh airport extension ‘

IPOH: The runway of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport cannot be extended due to the lack of space, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

The airport, currently under-utilised, was surrounded by mountains and adjacent to densely-populated residential areas, said Ong.

“If we talk about extending the airport runway, do you have the space for the extension? We certainly can’t extend it vertically,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Ipoh Timur MCA division’s 59th anniversary dinner on Thursday, Ong said the Federal Government was not facing financial constraints nor did it lack commitment in extending the airport runway.


Happy anniversary: Ong (second from left) together with Perak MCA chief Datuk Kong Cho Ha (left), Ipoh Timur MCA division chief Datuk Thong Fah Chong (third from left) and Ipoh Barat MCA division chief Datuk Tan Chin Meng (right) cutting a cake in conjunction with Ipoh Timur MCA division’s 59th anniversary celebration in Ipoh on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Perak executive councillor in charge of transport Nga Kor Ming had reportedly urged the Government to fulfil its promise to improve and expand the airport.

Ong, who is also MCA president, stressed that his ministry had never held the view that Ipoh be bypassed in whatever development plans.

“In fact, Ipoh was chosen as a key destination for our railway transportation,” he said, citing the double-tracking railway project as an example.

“Now we are on the threshhold of bringing new changes to Ipoh and Kinta Valley. Hopefully, by the time the double-tracking project is completed, Perak people can reap more economic returns,” he added.

On Nga’s suggestion that the Government hand over the authority of the airport if it was incapable of developing it, Ong said Nga was playing populist politics.

“The way he spoke and presented the argument shows he is ignorant of the basic requirement of an airport,” he said, adding that any extension of the airport runway needed to be International Civil Aviation Organisa- tion (ICAO)-compliant.

Ong noted that while there were airlines flying into the airport not too long ago, the services were stopped abruptly.

“It’s not that we didn’t try. The airlines stopped and pulled out as there was not enough passenger and cargo load,” he added.


MB: Airport in Ipoh can be expanded


IPOH: There is enough space for the Sultan Azlan Shah airport here to be expanded, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said.

He said proposals from various quarters confirmed the runway could be lengthened to have just enough space for a Boeing 747.

“With that portion, we will extend the runway so that 747s can land,” he told reporters after meeting mosque officials here yesterday.

On Friday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had said the airport runway could not be extended due to a lack of space, citing the surrounding mountains and densely populated residential areas.

Nizar also said the Pakatan Rakyat state government was looking into the possibility of subsidising 10% to 30% of the airfares for the airlines to fly to Ipoh.

“We are negotiating with local and international airlines,” he added.

MAHB gets govt green light on financial revamp
Published: 2008/12/24

AFTER a five-year wait, the government has approved the financial revamp of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB),(5014) freeing up the airport operator to grow further.

Under the revamp, MAHB will pay RM1.01 billion to the government. This comprises RM508 million cash and the rest would be offset against money it spends to upgrade the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) and aero-train in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The restructuring will also establish the framework to review aeronautical charges such as landing and parking charges. MAHB wants to raise these charges as it deems it to be too low.

The revamp is being done as MAHB owes the government some RM826.7 million in fees for operating the KLIA under a long-term concession.

MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said the approved restructuring plan - based on "revenue-share funded capital expenditure" arrangement - addresses MAHB's current capital expenditure obligations to develop or upgrade existing airports in the country.
Previously, MAHB had to incur additional capital expenditure when it developed airports outside KLIA, although it did not have enough revenue.

"Under the new plan, MAHB will pay to the government an increasing share of revenue generated of the whole of MAHB Group, which the government could use for future airport capital expenditure, if it so chooses.

"In this scenario, capital expenditure undertaken by the government would be funded by this revenue share arrangement, which is over and above the current taxation obligations of MAHB to the government," he said in a statement issued yesterday.

MAHB would announce details of the restructuring after formalising all the agreements.

Bashir said the government's approval will pave way for MAHB's new future direction, which will be unveiled before the end of the first quarter of next year. This will include a five-year business plan.

Airlines operating in Malaysia could expect better incentives from MAHB, whereby the proposed enhanced incentive scheme was held back pending approval of the restructuring plan.

Bashir said the plan also unbundles some of MAHB's non-core activities like the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), which will be sold to the government.

The plan to sell SIC, valued at about RM389 million, was first announced in 2001 but a deal was never done.

Two airports in the air
By IZWAN IDRIS


MAHB’s plans upgrading works at LCCT in Sepang

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has received the Government’s nod on its long-delayed financial restructuring plan.

Under the plan, MAHB will pay the Government RM1.01bil, of which RM508mil will be in cash and the rest will be set off against capital expenditure that includes upgrading works at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and aero-train at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

The airport operator said the approved restructuring plan would also pave the way for it to expand operations at KLIA on its own, including building a new passenger terminal as part of its a strategy to make the country’s main gateway “a successful and leading regional hub for both full service and low-cost carriers.’’

The restructuring plan also includes the sale of the Sepang International Circuit, the venue of the Formula 1 Grand Prix race, to the Government.

“With all this in place, we can now focus on our core business – airport operations,’’ MAHB managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said in a statement to Bursa Malaysia.


Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad
He said the financial restructuring would also establish the framework for the review of aeronautical charges. “We will now be able to soon announce an enhanced incentive scheme for all airlines operating in Malaysia, which we held back pending our restructuring plan,’’ Bashir said.

Bashir described the financial restructuring as an “amicable arrangement” that addressed MAHB’s existing financial obligation to the Government and its social obligations in developing and running airports. It also provides “an acceptable revenue sharing mechanism.”

MAHB operates all airports and airfields in the country except the one in Senai, Johor. It also has operations in Kazakhstan, India and Turkey.

Bashir said prior to the restructuring, MAHB had already improved its profitability and increased its cash pile to more than RM600mil. it had also revamped its management structure and set key performance indicators for senior managers, as well as expanded overseas.

“The Government’s approval will set the stage for MAHB’s new direction and business philosophy going forward, which we hope to unveil before the end of the first quarter of 2009,’’ he said.

MAHB shares closed four sen lower at RM2.19 yesterday, extending this year’s decline to 27.5%. MAHB’s announcement came after trading hours yesterday.

Asia the perfect fit for Qantas

SYDNEY, Jan 10 — After killing off an A$8 billion (RM20 billion) merger proposal with British Airways last month, speculation has resurfaced that Qantas has turned its attention to Asia and is looking into a tie-up with Asia’s biggest budget airline, Malaysian-based AirAsia, or Malaysia Airlines.

Speculation emerged last month in Malaysia that Qantas and AirAsia were in preliminary talks about a merger deal, but they were quickly hosed down by both companies.

Yesterday, Qantas again denied the talks, saying it wasn’t in merger talks with anyone at present.

But with consolidation going on globally, driven more by the need to boost profits than being the biggest carrier, it is only a matter of time before Qantas’s new boss, Alan Joyce, puts his stamp on the company and does a deal.

Qantas is an end-of-the-line carrier that operates in an uneven regulatory, competitive and financial playing field.

To try to protect its bottom line, it has been reducing capacity on international routes to keep a lid on its costs.

But this is a risky strategy and the price it will pay is a permanent loss of high-value traffic to competitors, many of whom are increasing inbound capacity into Australia over the next few months. Even more alarmingly, some have long-term agendas in this region.

The upshot is that industry consolidation is the most logical longer-term fix to this fundamental issue for Qantas.

The natural place for consolidation is Asia, particularly Malaysia, which is emerging as an airline hub, particularly since the Government’s recent decision to open up inter-capital city routes.

For this reason, doing a deal with AirAsia can’t be ruled out.

It is a publicly listed company with a market cap of about USS03 million (RM22 million) colourful chief executive, Tony Fernandes, who launched the airline just two months after the attacks of September 11, 20001, when few wanted to fly, was recently forced to cancel a plan to privatise the airline after failing to get finance.

Since then, the share price has continued to fall, making a tie-up a cheap option for Qantas.

AirAsia would certainly increase Qantas’s footprint in Asia, but it would be a clear admission that its own Jetstar Asia strategy had failed.

The Qantas board obviously has a lot of faith in the budget airline model given its decision to appoint Joyce, the former head of Jetstar, as the new head of Qantas during the toughest industry conditions since 2001.

In such tough times, airlines with the lowest cost base are the ones most likely to survive. His international airline experience was also another big factor in the appointment.

But doing a deal with AirAsia has its pitfalls, not least of which is: which airline would dominate in the merger?

Qantas is a powerful brand but it would be short-sighted to do a deal with a budget airline when it could do a more strategically complimentary deal with Malaysian Airlines.

Qantas held unsuccessful exploratory talks with Malaysia last year and it is understood that the Malaysians have since indicated they are still willing to talk.

The reality is the market is waiting to see Joyce put his stamp on Qantas — before somebody else does. If Joyce is smart, he will talk to Graeme Samuel, chairman of competition regulator the ACCC, to sound out his attitude to an Air New Zealand/Qantas tie-up, which would offer numerous synergies.

The two airlines tried to do a deal a few years ago, but abandoned talks in late 2004 when the competition regulators on both sides of the Tasman knocked it back.

In changed conditions, with new governments, their views might well be different.

But putting aside the highfalutin ambitions of global expansion and any speculation on what might happen to Qantas if the OneWorld alliance falls apart, Joyce really needs to get the airline's house in order domestically.

He needs to re-engineer the airline’s domestic service process, address customer satisfaction and improve conditions with the unions.

Whatever surveys the company brings up, mounting anecdotal evidence shows that Qantas has lost the mindshare of customers. The perception is Qantas doesn’t care about safety, customer service or its employees.

If he really wants to win some market share back from Virgin Blue, he needs to look at more than just price.

Too many flight cancellations with little warning, flights running late, flight attendants with low morale, sour faces at check-in desks and poor IT systems have left a bad taste in many people’s mouths about Qantas.

It is no surprise then that Qantas has been having a tough time holding on to market share as customers switch to Virgin Blue. In a bid to win back customers, as well as a reflection of continued weak demand, Qantas abolished the domestic fuel levy.

All of these tough conditions have prompted analysts to revisit their numbers.

Earlier this week, Citi analysts estimated net profit would fall from A$970 million last financial year to A$348 million.

The International Air Transport Association estimates that world airlines will lose a collective A$5.2 billion this year.

Nevertheless, it is still operating in a duopoly with Virgin Blue domestically and for that reason Qantas will stay profitable in 2009.

This is in sharp contrast to some of its Asian brethren, some of which are expected to make a loss.

In the past year, Qantas’s share price has more than halved to A$2.55, and pressure is expected to continue as global economies fall into a recession, leaving airlines exposed to dwindling demand, falling prices and tough debt markets.

Running an airline is never easy, but Joyce has taken the helm at one of the tougher periods in recent history.

If he plays his cards right and starts to improve customer service, staff morale and management’s relationship with the unions, he will set the airline up for better times ahead. That will mean less bad press, less safety issues, and less flight delays. — The Australian

mantap jugak si airasia ni...

Firm to open more lounges
By ZAZALI MUSA


SENAI: Hong Kong-based Plaza Premium Management Ltd will be opening four new Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia this year.

Chief financial officer Clarence Chiu said the outlets would be at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kota Kinabalu Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sabah and Kuching International Airport and Miri Airport in Sarawak.

He said with the new outlets, the number of airport lounges operated by the company nationwide would increase from three now to seven.

“Malaysia is one of the countries in the region which experience fast growth in air travel segment.


Clarence Chiu (right) with Plaza Premium country manager Malaysia Simo Chong at the outlet's opening

“We want tap into the market,’’ Chiu said at the opening of the company’s third Plaza Premium Lounge at Senai International Airport in Johor yesterday.

Other outlets in Malaysia are at the KL International Airport and Sepang Low Cost Carrier Terminal.

Plaza Premium currently operates 26 lounges in 11 cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, Shanghai, Singapore, Toronto and Vancouver.

Plaza Premium Lounge is the world’s first commercial VIP lounge open to airport users irrespective of airlines, travel class, air miles or membership programme.

The lounge operates around the clock, offering users access to audio-visual facilities, internet connectivity, food and beverage and business services.

“Like all our outlets in other major cities, our lounges in Malaysia cater for customers travelling and transitting at this part of the country,’’ said Chiu.

He said the company would be opening four new lounges at Toronto by the end of the month and an outlet at India’s New Delhi International Airport in March.

Plaza Premium would bid to operate an outlet at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris as it expanded into Europe, Chiu said adding that it planned to open an outlet at Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 4 in 2011.

The company would be looking to open more outlets in the Middle East, especially in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, he said.

Bina Darulaman wins airport contract
Published: 2009/02/17





BINA Darulaman Bhd has won a six-month contract worth RM5.13 million to upgrade the infrastructure and building facilities at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar, Kedah.

The company, which received a Letter of Acceptance from Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd on January 14 told Bursa Malaysia that the works will be conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kedah Sato Sdn Bhd.

Lapangan Terbang Kertih dibukakepada pesawat komersial

http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2009/0219/Utusan_Malaysia/Timur/wt_03.1.jpg
PENARI kebudayaan bersama anak kapal pesawat Firefly bersiap sedia bagi menyambut ketibaan penumpang pada majlis pelancaran penerbangan Firefly dari Subang ke Lapangan Terbang Kertih, Terengganu, baru-baru ini.

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



KEMAMAN 18 Feb. - Terengganu menjadi negeri ketiga di Semenanjung yang mempunyai dua lapangan terbang selepas Selangor dan Kedah.

Lapangan Terbang Kertih yang biasanya digunakan sebagai pusat penghantaran pekerja dan bekalan keperluan ke pelantar minyak kini dibuka kepada penerbangan komersial dalam usaha merancakkan sektor pelancongan di Terengganu.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said berkata, buat permulaan syarikat Firefly menyediakan perkhidmatan penerbangan ke lapangan terbang berkenaan sebanyak dua kali sehari iaitu dari hari Isnin hingga Khamis dan akan menambah perkhidmatan berdasarkan permintaan.

Menurutnya, kali terakhir lapangan terbang itu dibuka kepada penerbangan komersial ialah kira-kira 20 tahun lalu iaitu semasa syarikat penerbangan Pelangi Air beroperasi.

''Dengan pembukaan Lapangan Terbang Kertih, Terengganu kini mempunyai dua buah lapangan terbang selain Lapangan Terbang Sultan Mahmud di Kuala Terengganu.

''Ini merupakan petanda baik kepada sektor pelancongan Terengganu kerana terdapat permintaan untuk lebih banyak penerbangan ke negeri ini," katanya selepas menyambut penerbangan pertama Firefly dari Lapangan Terbang Subang melibatkan pesawat ATR72-500 yang memuatkan seramai 72 penumpang kelmarin.

Turut hadir Pengarah Urusan Firefly, Eddy Leong dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan negeri, Datuk Za'abar Mohd. Adib.

Menurut Ahmad, pembukaan Lapangan Terbang Kertih kepada pesawat komersial diharap mampu menjana sektor pelancongan yang dijadikan sebagai tulang belakang kepada ekonomi negeri khususnya di sekitar Dungun hingga Kemaman.

Dengan adanya penerbangan terus ke Kertih, jelasnya, mereka yang ingin ke Dungun dan Kemaman tidak perlu lagi turun di Kuala Terengganu atau Kuantan, Pahang dan ia dapat menjimatkan masa serta belanja.

Ahmad yakin Firefly tidak akan menghadapi masalah permintaan penumpang kerana terdapat lebih 20,000 kakitangan syarikat minyak dan keluarga mereka menetap di Kemaman dan sering berulang-alik ke Kuala Lumpur.

Menurutnya, jika permintaan semakin meningkat, kerajaan negeri tidak teragak-agak untuk membenarkan syarikat penerbangan lain mendarat di Lapangan Terbang Kertih.

Dalam pada itu, jelasnya, kerajaan negeri memperuntukkan sebanyak RM77 juta pada tahun ini untuk meningkatkan sektor pelancongan di negeri ini termasuk bagi tujuan promosi.

Beliau memberitahu, pada tahun ini kerajaan negeri menyasarkan jumlah kedatangan pelancong meningkat kepada empat juta orang berbanding 3.5 juta orang pada tahun lalu

Penerbangan Malaysia may sell RM2.2b debt
Published: 2009/02/24




PENERBANGAN Malaysia Bhd, which leases aircraft to Malaysian Airlines, is planning to sell RM2.2 billion (US$602 million) of medium-term notes, with terms of up to 15 years, a financial source familiar with deal said.

The bookrunners for the offer are AmBank, CIMB and HSBC, said the source, who did not want to be identified, but had direct knowledge of the matter.

The company was not immediately available to comment on the deal.

PMB is owned by state investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd, which in turn is controlled by Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance.

PMB owns nearly 70 per cent of the issued paid up capital of Malaysian Airlines Bhd. - Reuters

RM1.8 Billion Airport Tax Collected Between 2004 And Now: Tee Keat


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- A whopping RM1.86 billion was collected in airport tax between 2004 and now, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the money was used for airport maintenance, pay workers' salary, utility payments, repair and upgrade equipments at the airport and airport administration cost.

The minister was replying to Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) who asked the government to state the total airport tax collected and where the money is channelled to.

Last year, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang collected the highest airport tax collection of RM292 million while RM143 million by other airports.

The Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai, near Johor Baharu, managed by the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, collected RM11.4 million.

Ong also said the total charge of Express Rail Link (ERL) paid by the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to ERL Sdn Bhd (ERL) has been returned to MAHB though the concession agreement has still not lapsed.

He said the collection, effective since 2002 for 30 years, changed hands since April 1 last year.

"This is the only action in line with what is called as the Marginal Cost Support Scheme to help MAHB," he added when replying to a supplementary question from the same member.

-- BERNAMA

KLM offers one-day online sale
Published: 2009/02/25



KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is offering a one-day Internet sale of RM777 on return flights to selected European cities tomorrow.

It said bookings and full details of the promotion is on its website,www.klm.com.my

This offer is a follow-up to its earlier Valentine's Day promotion, which customers were unable to enjoy, as its website experienced technical issues, KLM said in a statement today.

It also comes in conjunction with KLM's switch to the fuel efficient Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft on its Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta route from March 29.

"The special offer is a great way to allow our customers to fly despite the current economic uncertainties. The new Boeing 777 will certainly give them more value for money," said KLM and Air France country manager, Estee Ng.

Every business and economy class seat on the Boeing 777 series aircraft will offer audio and video on demand, language courses, audio books, video games, SMS and email services. -- BERNAMA

MAHB Q4 net profit down 46% on higher costs


SUBANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) net profit dropped 46% to RM57.2mil for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31 compared with RM106mil in the previous corresponding period.

Its revenue rose 1.5% to RM364.1mil from RM358.7mil a year ago.

Managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid told a press conference the drop in net profit for the fourth quarter was due to higher utility costs as well as expenses incurred for the airport’s Route 2008 event last year.

“The performance of 2007 was higher due to a write-back in the provision for pension fund amounting to RM34mil,” he added.

MAHB’s full year net profit rose 5.7% to RM305.2mil while revenue grew 9.7% to RM1.51bil.

On the company’s outlook this year, Bashir said it was looking at a slower growth of 2.8% in passenger traffic compared with 5% last year.

“We might revise the growth due to the current tough environment but the growth for January was still positive at around 2%,” he added.

MAHB is aiming for its non-aeronautical revenue to surpass aeronautical revenue and contribute 65% to group revenue in two to three years, Bashir said.

The non-aeronautical business, which includes rental advertising, rental space and retail business, contributed 48.99% to revenue last year.

“The higher contribution will come from our continuous expansion in the retail business in the airports,” he said.

Bashir said two foreign airlines were interested to fly into Malaysia and that discussions were ongoing. About 50 airlines fly to Malaysia currently.

He also revealed that MAHB was currently in talks with two airports from the Middle East and Africa for operations and management deals and that the deals might be finalised in a couple of months.

Meanwhile, Bashir said the company had allocated RM430mil for capital expenditure (capex) in the financial year 2009 (FY09) against RM250mil last year.

“The capex is mainly for re-servicing runways, renovation works for the KL International Airport and the building cost for our new head office,” he said.

He added that MAHB would continue to embark on cost-cutting measures this year, noting that it managed to save about RM50mil through value management programme last year.

MAHB catat keuntungan sebelum cukai RM432.44j
Oleh Azli Ayob
azliayob@bharian.com.my


MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) mencatat keuntungan sebelum cukai tertinggi sejak penyenaraiannya pada 1999 berjumlah RM432.44 juta bagi tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Disember 2008, meningkat 6.8 peratus daripada RM404.89 juta pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya.

Pendapatannya pula meningkat 9.65 peratus atau RM133.11 juta kepada RM1.51 bilion berbanding RM1.38 bilion pada 2007.

Pengarah Urusan MAHB, Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, berkata keputusan kewangan lebih baik itu disumbangkan pertambahan 5.01 peratus jumlah penumpang domestik dan antarabangsa.

Katanya, ia juga hasil sumbangan lebih besar daripada operasi lapangan terbang, perniagaan runcit, sewaan dan pertanian.

“Peningkatan pendapatan dan keuntungan adalah hasil sumbangan lebih baik daripada kedua-dua operasi lapangan terbang dan perniagaan bukan operasi lapangan terbang,” katanya pada sidang media mengumumkan keputusan kewangan MAHB di Subang, semalam.

Beliau menambah, jumlah penumpang bagi semua lapangan terbang MAHB tahun lalu meningkat 5.01 peratus kepada 47.45 juta, menyaksikan pertumbuhan 5.12 peratus penumpang domestik yang berjumlah 26.4 juta dan 4.87 peratus penumpang antarabangsa berjumlah 21.06 juta orang.

“Jumlah pergerakan pesawat di lapangan terbang domestik dan antarabangsa mencatatkan peningkatan 9.97 peratus kepada 496,280,” katanya.

Bashir berkata, berikutan pergerakan penumpang dan pesawat yang lebih tinggi itu, pendapatan daripada operasi lapangan terbang meningkat 9.26 peratus atau RM108.39 juta kepada RM1.28 bilion tahun lalu.

Katanya, peningkatan pendapatan itu hasil pertambahan pendapatan aeronautikal sebanyak 3.04 peratus atau RM19.26 juta, manakala pertumbuhan pendapatan bukan aeronautikal mengukuh 16.58 peratus atau RM89.14 juta.

“Peningkatan ketara pendapatan daripada segmen bukan aeronautikal disumbangkan oleh perniagaan runcit, makanan dan minuman, perkhidmatan sewaan ruang iklan dan pelantikan penyewa baru di lapangan terbang di Pulau Pinang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching dan Miri,” katanya.

Mengulas mengenai prospek tahun ini, beliau berkata, syarikat terpaksa melakukan langkah pengurangan kos yang lebih baik, selain meningkatkan pendapatan daripada perniagaan bukan aeronautikal atas jangkaan berlaku pengurangan jumlah penumpang disebabkan keadaan ekonomi semasa.

“Bagaimanapun, MAHB kini berada dalam kedudukan lebih baik untuk menumpukan perniagaan teras apabila pelan penyusunan semula kewangan diluluskan kerajaan,” katanya.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Bashir berkata, pihaknya juga sedang pada peringkat perbincangan bagi tujuan mengendalikan dua lagi lapangan terbang di Afrika dan Asia Barat.

“Perbincangan bagi tujuan itu menunjukkan kemajuan,” katanya.

MAHB kini mengurus dan mengendalikan 39 lapangan terbang di Malaysia, selain mempunyai operasi di Kazakhstan, India dan Turki.

Perang tiket penerbangan murah bermula di Asia

Tiger Airways dari Singapura menawarkan tambang ke destinasi di Asia Tenggara, Australia dan China pada kadar bermula RM59.20.

Jetstar Asia, juga dari Singapura melanjutkan tempoh promosi harga tiket sehingga 16 Ogos ini bagi mengatasi harga terendah yang ditawarkan pesaing.

AirAsia menawarkan promosi penerbangan sehala dari Singapura ke Bangkok bermula dari RM159.10 termasuk cukai.

Lion Air dari Indonesia menjual tiket penerbangan sehala dari Singapura ke Bali serendah RM21.46 mulai 1 Jun hingga 30 September.

Nok Air, Thailand menawarkan kadar tiket penerbangan sehala serendah RM0.92 untuk laluan domestik.

Malacca airport to draw more regional tourists


KUALA LUMPUR: The completion of the Malacca airport runway extension project in the next six months will help attract more Indonesians into the state’s healthcare tourism sector, said Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

“Our main target is healthcare tourists; that is why we have the federal government approval on the extension.

“The health tourism business is very encouraging and it will bring a lot of income to Malacca and our country,” he told reporters after a signing ceremony between Casa del Rio (M) Sdn Bhd and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd for a RM50mil term loan facility to build a boutique hotel and serviced apartments in Malacca.

Mohd Ali said the healthcare treatment cost in Malacca was half that of Jakarta and by just capturing 1% of Sumatra’s population of seven million people, a huge benefit would be gained. Last year, Malacca attracted about 70,000 tourists from Sumatra.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/3/11/business/b_pg08casa.jpg
Casa Del Rio group MD Tan Sri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir (left) presenting a gift to Mohd Ali after the signing ceremony on Tuesday.

Once the runway extension project is completed, AirAsia Bhd will fly to three places in Sumatra - Pekan Baru, Bukit Tinggi and Medan - and domestically to Penang and Pulau Langkawi, the chief minister said, adding that the budget airline would later add Jakarta, Balikpapan, Kuching, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu to its list.

Ali Rustam said the expanded airport would be named Malacca International Airport, with FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd expected to operate from there at a later stage.

Currently, only Lion Air from Indonesia operates at the airport.

Meanwhile, the RM102mil boutique hotel project by Casa del Rio is scheduled for completion by the end of next year.

Mohd Ali said with the hotel and four others under construction, the number of hotel rooms in Malacca would increase by about 1,500 rooms in three years, adding to the 10,000 rooms now.

Airport plan scrapped in Tioman Island
By SIMON KHOO


KUANTAN: The Pahang state govern*ment will abide by the decision to cancel the construction of a new airport in Tioman Island.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the Federal Govern*ment must have strong and valid reasons to arrive at the decision.

“We will abide by the decision,” he said in a brief response to the announcement on the cancellation of the project by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat recently.

Ong said the decision was taken after considering various factors, particularly the impact on the environment such as corals and other marine life.

He said the ministry would instead propose to upgrade the present airport to cater for ATR (turboprop) aircrafts.

Malaysian Nature Society head of communications Andrew J Sebastain described the cancellation as “good news for Malaysia and a vindication for nature lovers.”

He said for years, the society had been working towards ensuring that Tioman Island’s unique and fragile ecosystem would be sustainably managed and conserved.

“We thank the Ministry of Trans*port for being sensitive towards the many reports and feedback on the environmental impact.

“We reiterate our stand that a designated marine park island such as Tioman must be managed holistically,” he said, adding that conservation and carrying capacity must take precedence over mega projects and increasing volume of visitors.

Sebastian also urged the Government to solve the jurisdictional authority of marine park management and put into motion resources to deal with waste management, sustainable planning and encourage eco-friendly practices on all islands.

“This will ensure our islands will forever be on top of the deserving list of marine park islands of the world,” he said.

The construction of the new airport on reclaimed land in Kampung Paya, some 2km from Kampung Tekek, was supposed to have commenced in 2004.

Among others, it will have a 2km-long runway and could accommodate Boeing 737 aircrafts with a bigger passenger load.

However, the project drew strong protests from villagers and chalet operators in Kampung Paya, Kampung Genting and Kampung Mukut.

The current airport in Kampung Tekek could only accommodate a 42-seater aircraft due to a short runway.

Tioman Island has a population of over 3,000 people and covered more than 13,000ha of land, mainly forest and rocks.

Cut in landing charges won't affect MAHB bottom line
By Jeeva ArulampalamPublished: 2009/03/14



Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) says the 50 per cent cut in landing charges at all 39 airports it operates in the country will not affect its bottom line.

Landing fees are paid by airlines and vary according to aircraft weight.

"In a year, we get about RM180 million to RM200 million in landing charges. But under the restructuring arrangement with the government, there is a formula in which we can offset (the income loss) against the revenue contribution," said its managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad, but declined to reveal the workings of the formula.

He was commenting on the incentive announced in the mini-budget on Tuesday, designed to help ease airlines' burden as the aviation industry is hit by the global economic crisis.

This is not the first time Malaysia has come in and help ease pressures on airlines. In April 2003, the government had slashed landing and parking charges at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang by half, for one year, as the aviation industry was hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak.
Bashir said this time, the move to cut landing fees for two years from April 1 2009 was initiated by the airport operator.

"We spoke to the government and said that since the airline industry was going through a difficult time, we should provide support to the aviation industry. The best way to lend support in an equitable manner was by reducing landing charges," Bashir told a media briefing on the development of the new low-cost carrier terminal in Subang yesterday.

Meanwhile, MAHB has revised downwards its figure for passenger traffic through its 39 airports this year, predicting growth to be flat, from the previously forecast 1 to 2 per cent, due to the economic slowdown which has caused travellers to tighten their belts and reduce air travel. Passenger growth for January was two per cent.

"While low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd may see growth, the full-service carriers are seeing a dip (in traffic). So, we are expecting zero growth for all our airports," said Bashir.

However, he said MAHB will remain profitable driven by its non-aeronautical revenue like retail activities.

Berjaya Air plans to fly to new destinations
By Sharen KaurPublished: 2009/03/18




BERJAYA Air Sdn Bhd, an airline that is part of the Berjaya group, will not immediately replace its current fleet with new ones it had ordered but instead use them all to expand its business.

It plans to serve new places like Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, Langkawi (Kedah), and Indonesia. It also wants to fly more to existing destinations like Koh Samui in Thailand and Redang island in Terengganu.

Berjaya Air now has four Dash 7 planes and it will double its fleet after ordering four turboprop planes for RM255 million in 2007.

It wants to continue using the 48-seater Dash 7 for its domestic routes, especially to Tioman and Pangkor islands, said company officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.





"Berjaya Air is expanding, albeit at a cautious pace. It feels travel, domestically and to regional markets in choice locations, will increase following the global turbulence," a company official said.

Besides Tioman and Pangkor, Berjaya Air flies to Redang Island and Koh Samui, Thailand, from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.

It also flies to Seletar airport in Singapore from Tioman and Redang island.

Berjaya Air ordered four ATR 72-500 in 2007 from southern France-based regional aircraft maker, Avions De Transport Regional. Each of the ATR aircraft can carry 72 people.

In a statement issued by the company then, it said the ATR planes will replace the Dash 7 aircraft.

The first of the ATR will be delivered by mid-April, and the rest will come in stages until the end of 2010.

Well Done Malaysia Airlines & AirAsia:banana::banana::banana:


AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2009

1 Cathay Pacific
2 Singapore Airlines
3 Asiana Airlines
4 Qatar Airways
5 Emirates
6 Qantas
7 Etihad Airways
8 Air New Zealand
9 Malaysia Airlines
10 Thai Airways

Best Low-Cost Airline
AirAsia

Best Cabin Staff
Malaysia Airlines

Best Inflight Entertainment
Emirates

Best First Class Lounge
Thai Airways

Best Business Class Lounge
Virgin Atlantic

Best Transatlantic Airline
British Airways

Best Transpacific Airlines
Asiana Airlines

Best Airline Europe
Swiss Int'l Air Lines

Best Airline Middle East
Qatar Airways

Best Airline North America
Continental Airlines

MAHB: Number Of Passenger At Airports Down 9.2 Percent


KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- The number of passengers at the airports operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) fell 9.2 percent to 3.274 million in February 2009 compared to 3.606 million in the same month last year.

The number of passengers for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang declined 8.9 percent to 1.901 million from 2.087 million a year ago, MAHB said in an announcement on Bursa Malaysia today.

It said that international passengers at the country's main airport dropped 8.4 percent to 1.268 million while domestic passengers fell 9.8 percent to 633,378.

For other airports operated by the group, international passengers declined 15.2 percent to 201,797 while domestic passengers went down 8.6 percent to 1,171 million.

MAHB said that cargo volume also fell in February 2009, by 20.5 percent to 58.967 million kg from 73.855 million kg in the same month last year.

International cargo movements at KLIA dropped 21.6 percent to 38.088 million kg while domestic cargo went down 7.9 percent to 3.744 million kg, it said.

Cargo movements at the other airports declined 20.6 percent to 16.864 kg, with international cargo down 38.2 percent to 9.096 million kg but domestic cargo rose 19.2 percent to 7.768 million kg.

Aircraft movements went down 0.4 percent to 38,714 movements in February 2009, MAHB said.

It added that aircraft movements at KLIA rose 1.4 percent to 16,482 but those at other airports declined 1.6 percent to 22,232.

-- BERNAMA

S'pore airlines to fly to 6 new M'sian destinations
Apr 15, 09 11:35am
Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to expand their bilateral air services pact, a move that will open new destinations to carriers from both countries.

MCPXThe two sides also agreed to allow carriers to increase the number of flights to existing destinations in Malaysia including Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Singapore's Transport Ministry said late yesterday.

With the newly expanded pact, carriers from both countries can offer services to six new Malaysian destinations - Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malacca:banana:, Sandakan and Tawau, the ministry said in a statement.

"This new agreement is important for both countries, as the enhanced connectivity further boosts economic and tourism linkages between our two countries," said Choi Shing Kwok, the ministry's permanent secretary.

Officials met in Singapore yesterday where they agreed to expand the pact.

The enhanced deal is the latest in a series of moves to liberalise air services between the neighbours.

In November, budget carriers from the two sides were allowed to operate flights between Singapore and the East Malaysian cities of Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri.

The lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route was opened in February 2008 to budget airlines, ending 30 years of dominance by national carriers.

Terminal LTS dinaik taraf

SIBU 23 April - Projek menaik taraf terminal Lapangan Terbang Sibu (LTS) akan dilaksanakan dalam sedikit masa lagi, kata Menteri Kewangan Kedua Sarawak, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

Dengan kos RM150 juta, beliau berharap ia mampu memberikan keselesaan penumpang dan mampu memacu pertumbuhan industri pelancongan di wilayah tengah negeri ini.

''Peruntukan telah diluluskan kerajaan Pusat dan kita harap dapat melaksanakan kerja-kerja dalam masa terdekat,'' katanya pada satu majlis anjuran Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) cawangan Sibu di sini, malam tadi.

Sambil menyifatkan LTS akan menjadi kebanggaan penduduk Sibu, beliau berkata, terminal LTS akan dibina lebih besar berbanding Lapangan Terbang Miri dan Lapangan Terbang Bintulu.

Menurut beliau, projek itu merupakan usaha gigih wakil-wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional (BN) di Sibu.

''BN akan berusaha keras memastikan projek tersebut berjalan lancar dan memberi manfaat kepada rakyat," katanya.

Soon Koh turut memberitahu, wakil-wakil rakyat BN juga berusaha gigih dalam memastikan pembinaan jalan raya menghubungkan bandar Sibu dan Tanjung Manis siap mengikut perancangan.

''Semua projek ini akan membantu meningkatkan sistem perhubungan dan merancakkan aktiviti ekonomi di wilayah tengah," katanya.

MASkargo lifts Best Air Cargo Carrier in Asia award
Published: 2009/04/27




MALAYSIA Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) has been named Best Air Cargo Carrier in Asia by readers of Cargonews Asia.

MASkargo general manager of revenue management Jamaluddin Ismail received the award at the 23rd annual Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards 2009(AFSCA) in Hong Kong recently.

"Winning the award against major players like Cathay Pacific Cargo and Singapore Airlines Cargo is a testament of the efficiency and world-class handling service provided by MASkargo.

"The implementation of various service enhancement projects at our facility has helped in ensuring high-quality service to our customers and that is a key factor which has contributed to our outstanding performance," Jamaluddin said in a statement.





MASkargo managing director Shahari Sulaiman, meanwhile, said the award would serve as a morale booster for the company, especially during the current economic turbulence.

"More and more people are using MASkargo to fly their consignment as they believe in the brand and know that their cargo is in good hands.

"They are sure that their cargo will reach its destination safely and soundly because we walk the talk when we say that we 'keep business moving'," he said.

Overall, Malaysia did well in the AFSCAs. KTM Malaysia won the Best Rail Operator beating Canadian National Railway and Far Eastern Transport Group; Northport Malaysia won the Best Container Terminal in Asia, beating Asia Container Terminal HKG and Shanghai Container Terminals; while the Malaysian International Shipping Corp Bhd (MISC) sailed home with the Best Shipping Line (Intra Asia) award.

Penang International Airport won the Best Emerging Airport (Asia) award and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) won the Best Green Service Provider (Airport) award.

MASkargo is the air cargo division of Malaysia Airlines. It operates four B747-200F, two B747-400F and one A300-600F covering the world's major cargo hubs. It also offers belly space capacity on Malaysia Airlines passenger fleet, serving almost 100 destinations worldwide.

88,000 free seats to mark Jetstar Asia’s Penang route



PETALING JAYA: Jetstar Asia is offering 88,000 free seats for travel between July 1 to March 25 from Singapore to four local destinations. This offer to celebrate the launch of its Penang service ends on Wednesday.

The Singapore-based low-cost carrier will be starting daily flights from the republic to Penang from July 1, marking the airline’s 17th destination and fourth Malaysian

route. The other three routes are from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Jetstar offers flights to 17 destinations in 10 countries within five hours from the Lion City.

With a new Airbus A320 to be purchased in October, Jetstar would also double the number of its Singapore-Penang flights, chief executive officer Chong Phit Lian said in a statement yesterday.

The free-seat promotion excludes airport taxes, administrative and insurance charges.

For enquiries, call 800-6167-017 (24-hour call centre) or visit
www.jetstar.com

Lapangan terbang baru RM200j di Mukah

MUKAH 26 April - Dua projek infrastruktur baru akan dilaksanakan di bandar Mukah dalam masa terdekat dan ia merupakan buah tangan tidak ternilai yang diumumkan Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud sempena Pesta Kaul bermula semalam.

Abdul Taib memberitahu, pembinaan lapangan terbang baru akan dimulakan secepat mungkin menerusi peruntukan RM200 juta disalurkan Kerajaan Persekutuan.

''Projek ini akan dilaksanakan secepat mungkin bagi menggantikan lapangan terbang lama Mukah yang pada masa ini hanya mampu menampung pesawat ringan sahaja," katanya pada majlis pecah tanah bagi pembinaan bangunan pusat pentadbiran Mukah di sini semalam.

Menurutnya, apabila siap kelak, projek itu selaras dengan hasrat kerajaan menyediakan kemudahan pengangkutan moden untuk manfaat rakyat.

Lapangan terbang baru itu dikatakan mampu mengendalikan pesawat 737.

Katanya, ia merupakan pelaburan jangka masa panjang kerajaan untuk menarik aktiviti pelaburan di kawasan yang terletak dalam Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (Score).

''Ini merupakan antara projek yang kerajaan laksanakan di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan. Harapan kita agar rakyat terus mendapat manfaat dari segala yang kerajaan lakukan," katanya.

Selain lapangan terbang, bandar Mukah juga akan menerima bangunan pejabat pusat pentadbiran yang baru.

Bangunan berkenaan dibina setinggi lima tingkat di atas tanah seluas enam hektar.

Ia bakal menempatkan pejabat daerah, Syarikat Sesco Berhad, pejabat Lembaga Pembangunan Koridor Wilayah (Recoda) dan pejabat-pejabat jabatan dan agensi kerajaan yang lain.

Kerja-kerja pembinaan bangunan yang terletak berhampiran Menara Pehin Setia Raja dijangka mengambil masa dua tahun.

''Projek ini dibina bagi memastikan pengurusan aktiviti-aktiviti di bawah Score dapat dikendalikan dengan cekap," katanya.

RM200m federal grant for Mukah airport


MUKAH: Mukah will get a new airport as part of a long-term plan to develop its infrastrucure.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the Federal Government had approved the project and given a RM200mil grant to initiate the airport.

He was speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony for a new state administrative centre here that will house the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) headquarters.

Taib said the airport, which would accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft, would be built by Juara Cahaya Sdn Bhd, a bumiputra building and civil engineering contractor.

He said that Score would need RM60bil in capital investments for the necessary infrastructure facilities over the next 20 years.

“We can, in turn, attract more than RM300bil in private investments to exploit Score’s natural resources, which will otherwise not be exploited because of uncoordinated development,” he said.

The Chief Minister also disclosed plans to build four pulp and paper factories in Baram, Balleh, Mukah and Betong to utilise the resources of 100,000ha of planted forests. — Bernama

Kerajaan BN naikkan taraf lapangan terbang

IPOH 13 Mei - Kerajaan negeri menjelaskan usaha untuk menaik taraf Lapangan Terbang Sultan Azlan Shah di sini telah diusahakan sebaik mungkin sewaktu Barisan Nasional (BN) memerintah negeri itu.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir bagaimanapun menunjukkan reaksi agak terkejut apabila projek berkenaan diumumkan oleh 'pihak lain' yang sempat 'memerintah' semula Perak dalam tempoh beberapa jam semalam.

Jelas beliau, dalam tempoh tiga bulan sebelum ini, kerajaan BN negeri telah berusaha bersungguh-sungguh untuk mewujudkan perkhidmatan laluan udara di Ipoh bagi melonjakkan ekonomi negeri ini.

''Pertamanya, kita telah berbincang dengan syarikat penerbangan Firefly dan terbaru ialah AirAsia yang akan menentukan penerbangan masing-masing dari Ipoh.

''Bagaimanapun, belum sempat saya umumkan kepada pihak media, 'orang lain' dah umumkan perkara ini sedangkan kita yang buat beberapa siri mesyuarat bersama Kementerian Pengangkutan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Exco kerajaan negeri di sini hari ini.

Mengulas lanjut, menurut beliau, pihak kementerian pada dasarnya telah bersetuju untuk mengeluarkan sejumlah peruntukan bagi membolehkan landasan kapal terbang itu dipanjangkan supaya lebih banyak syarikat penerbangan beroperasi.

Malah, jelas beliau, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah memberi persetujuan awal mengenai perkara itu dan mahu kerja-kerja memanjangkan landasan itu diberi keutamaan.

Selain itu, kata Zambry, pakatan pembangkang semalam turut mengumumkan Universiti Premier Antarabangsa akan beroperasi mulai Julai ini seolah-olah mereka yang 'bekerja' bagi mewujudkan universiti tersebut di negeri ini.

''Sebenarnya, kerajaan negeri BN telah berusaha merealisasikan kewujudan universiti bertaraf antarabangsa berkenaan dengan pihak swasta sejak lebih tiga tahun lalu.

''Sekarang sudah sampai peringkat akhir sebelum universiti yang akan memfokuskan bidang perubatan itu beroperasi," katanya.

Selain itu, beliau memberitahu, kerajaan negeri juga serius untuk atasi masalah penempatan penduduk di seluruh negeri terutama sekali di kawasan tanah rizab Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Berhad di Taiping.

Katanya, pendekatan yang diambil ialah dengan mengiktiraf penempatan penduduk yang tinggal di kawasan tersebut lebih daripada 30 tahun.

Malaysia Airports: Fewer passengers
Published: 2009/05/15




MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB(5014)) saw fewer passengers going through its 39 airports in the first three months of 2009.

It saw a drop of 1.9 per cent in passenger traffic, to 11.1 million passengers from 11.3 million for the same period last year.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the bulk of the decline was from passengers going through the KL International Airport, with 6.4 million passengers as opposed to 6.6 million previously.

Malaysia Airports in talks with 5 parties
By Presenna NambiarPublished: 2009/05/18




MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) says it is in talks with as many as five parties to set up base at the Malaysian International Aerospace Centre (MIAC) in Subang, Selangor, but declined to name them.

The airport operator, which manages the centre, has already put in a request to the Transport Ministry to acquire an additional 140ha nearby to accommodate the potential tenants.

That is because the 480ha currently designated for development under MIAC is almost fully taken up by investors.

MAHB senior general manager of corporate planning, Datuk Mahat Samah, said only pockets of land, totalling some 6ha are left.
"Leases have been signed (with various tenants to occupy and use the current land at MIAC), it's just a matter of the tenants deciding when they want to come in," he told Business Times in an interview.

One such tenant is Universiti Kuala Lumpur, which plans to locate its Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (MIAT) campus there.

MIAT was supposed to have started construction last year, but its plot at MIAC was still left vacant.

"We have allocated 20ha for them. We are just waiting for them to start construction," said Mahat.

Mahat also said that with the signing of a 60-year land lease with the government for MIAC, MAHB will now be able to offer longer leases to its tenants.

Prior to this, most tenants were given three-year leases with the possible extension for up to three more years.

MIAC is now offering 10-year leases with an option for another 10 years or its combination up to a maximum of 30 years to new tenants.

Mahat said existing tenants would be up for a review upon the expiry of their current lease contracts.

The terms of the leases depend on the nature of their business as well as the infrastructure that is in use.

"Of course when you use infrastructure built by us (MAHB), you pay more. But if you build your own infrastructure, you can actually offset it against your lease amount," Mahat said.

MAHB rakes in some RM20 million per year in leasing income from MIAC.

Ipoh airport set for revival with new regional flights
By SYLVIA LOOI and CLARA CHOOI


IPOH: The under-utilised Sultan Az**lan Shah Airport here will be revived again with the introduction of several regional flights.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the Ipoh-Singapore route had been approved for two air*lines; while one airline had been gi**ven the green light for the Ipoh-Me**dan sector.

“The air rights had been sorted out with the respective countries. The onus is on the airlines concerned on when they will start flying,” said Ong, who is also the MCA president.

Besides the two sectors, the Transport Ministry had also received applications to operate flights from Ipoh to Guangzhou, China.

“It is expected to be approved too. It is up to the respective airlines on the frequency of flights they wish to operate,” he told reporters after opening the MCA 60th anniversary dinner organised by Perak MCA here on Sunday.

Noting that transportation was con**sidered a catalyst for growth, Ong said the Perak MCA was always involved with efforts to boost the economy in the state.

On extending the airport’s runway to accommodate larger planes, Ong said it might involve tedious land acquisitions.

The ministry, he added, was studying the alternative, which was to construct a new airport.

On another matter, Ong said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) had been instructed to follow up on land swapping with the Perak Government over the case of squatters staying on railway land at Kuala Sepetang and Simpang Halt.

Meanwhile, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state government was waiting for a response from the Federal Go**vern**ment to its RM50mil request to extend the airport runway by 200m.

“I have written to the Prime Minister. As this is considered a high-impact project, I expect that he will respond to our request very soon,” he told a press conference af**ter attending the launch of SMK Sultan Azlan Shah religious school’s 25th jubilee celebration yesterday.

Dr Zambry said that the runway extension would finally facilitate the landing of Airbuses at the airport.

On the intention to build a new airport, Dr Zambry said the state had identified two possible sites in Perak Tengah and Lembah Beriah.

Perak mohon RM50 juta panjangkan landasan LTSAS

SERI ISKANDAR 18 Mei - Kerajaan Perak memohon peruntukan sebanyak RM50 juta daripada Kerajaan Persekutuan bagi memanjangkan landasan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Azlan Shah (LTSAS) di Ipoh.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir berkata, surat permohonan tersebut telah dihantar kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak baru-baru ini bagi merealisasikan projek berkenaan.

''Saya sudah menulis surat kepada Perdana Menteri memohon peruntukan RM50 juta bagi digunakan untuk projek memanjangkan landasan LTSAS dan berharap beliau dapat meluluskan segera permohonan ini sebaik sahaja menerima surat tersebut.

''Kelulusan itu penting kerana saya anggap projek ini sebagai projek berimpak tinggi yang memerlukan keputusan segera daripada pihak Kerajaan Pusat," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui pemberita selepas Majlis Perasmian Sambutan Jubli Perak dan Hari Anugerah Cemerlang Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Sultan Azlan Shah di sini hari ini.

Zambry berkata, usaha membuka semula LTSAS untuk kemudahan penerbangan sudah dibincangkan dengan Kementerian Pengangkutan termasuk Menterinya, Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

Dalam perbincangan itu, katanya, beberapa cadangan telah dikemukakan dan antaranya ialah mengekalkan LTSAS dengan memanjangkan landasannya sepanjang 200 meter bagi membolehkan penerbangan jenis Airbus mendarat.

Beliau berkata, terdapat juga cadangan membina lapangan terbang baru di lokasi lain kerana projek memanjangkan landasan LTSAS memerlukan perpindahan beberapa rumah penduduk yang tinggal berhampiran.

''Buat masa sekarang, apa perlu dilakukan ialah memanjangkan landasan LTSAS sepanjang 200 meter walaupun kami tahu masalah lokasinya tidak strategik kerana terdapat beberapa rumah berhampiran terlibat dalam projek ini.

''Dalam masa yang sama, kita juga berbincang untuk mencari kawasan baru untuk membina lapangan terbang dan antara lokasi dikenal pasti ialah daerah Perak Tengah dan Lembah Beriah tetapi belum ada keputusan dicapai setakat ini," katanya.

Zambry berkata, beliau sudah mengadakan pertemuan dengan syarikat penerbangan Firefly dan AirAsia memohon kerjasama mengadakan penerbangan dari Ipoh ke Singapura; Guanzhou, China dan Medan, Indonesia dalam usaha menjadikan LTSAS sebagai lapangan terbang bertaraf antarabangsa.

Kuantan Airport
by Srini

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2957/dsc1685.jpg

Emirates has very cheap fares on offer now !

Return fare to Dubai at MYR 1,095 all-inclusive

Return fare to most Middle Eastern destinations at MYR 1,100-1,200 all-inclusive

Return fare to London at MYR 1,670 all-inclusive

Book before 30 June !

Jetstar plans to resume KL service
Published: 2009/06/09




Australian budget airline Jetstar Airways, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways Ltd, is looking at making a comeback to Kuala Lumpur, according to chief executive officer Alan Joyce.

Jetstar withdrew its Sydney to Kuala Lumpur service in September last year due to the high fuel prices.

"Jetstar would be keen on a comeback at some stage. We withdrew the Kuala Lumpur service to grow the Japanese operation," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 65th International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting (AGM), in Kuala Lumpur today.

Asked when Jetstar may make the comeback, Joyce said: "It depends on the economic environment and when an aircraft is available. It is not an immediate plan, but something that Jetstar would like to do in the future."





On Jetstar's business, Joyce said the airline is reducing its capital expenditure by delaying the delivery of four Airbus SAS A380 by 12 months. The airline has also decicded to defer the delivery of 12 Boeing 737-800s.

Qantas is also putting off an order for Boeing's planned 787-800 aircraft in order to take the airline through this economic crisis. The decision would also enable Qantas to save capital around a billion dollars next year.

"Like other airlines, we are managing the cash decision and the current environment," Joyce said.

Joyce also said Qantas had no plans to raise more funds after the A$500 million in new capital via an equity share issue in February to pay off debt and fund new planes.

He said the aviation industry is struggling through the global financial crisis, but Qantas is doing better than most due to its high degree of structural flexibility. -- BERNAMA

RM50mil to extend airport runway
Saturday June 13, 2009

KOTA BARU: A RM50mil fund has been allocated to extend the Sultan Ismail Petra airport runway at Pengkalan Chepa to accommodate bigger and more aircraft, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

He said ministry studies showed that the airport was the busiest in the east coast and recorded the highest number of passengers.

The upgrading, he said, was needed to accommodate future expansion of flights to Kota Baru and direct flights from Singapore.

Thirteen towns, except for Kota Baru, have direct flights to Singapore, Ong said, adding that the Government would not neglect Kelantan despite it being under the control of the Opposition.

The MCA president said this in his speech to Kelantan MCA leaders on Thursday night in conjunction with the party’s 60th anniversary.

Ong said since Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu had direct flights to Singapore, it was only fair to upgrade the airport there.

He, however, did not say when the project would start, adding that plans were afoot to have flights from Thailand and other neighbouring countries from the airport.

Such plans, he said, would help increase tourism activities in Kelantan and enable the people secure jobs to enhance their standard of living.

Ong also advised MCA members in the state to carry on the struggle to help the Chinese community despite living in an opposition state.

He said PAS would not rule Kelantan forever and that members must keep the party’s presence alive.

More airline catering deals on AYS' radar
By Hamisah Hamid
Published: 2009/06/18

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/17KULAI/pix_topright

AYS Sdn Bhd, which makes microwaveable halal frozen ready-to-eat Malaysian meals under the brand "Sri Kulai", expects the airline industry to contribute significantly to its revenue in the medium term.

The company is currently in talks with two airline caterers to supply Sri Kulai meals to them.

"We will complement their catering business. If they outsource to us, they can reduce their manpower (and) free up their investment in additional facilities," AYS Signatures Sdn Bhd chief executive officerLiow Ren Jan told Business Times in an interview.

He said since it started operation in July last year, the company has supplied eight items of microwaveable frozen meals to low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd.

AYS manufactures and markets Sri Kulai meals, while AYS Signatures handles the licensing of the outlets that sell the products.

Liow said the company's 4,000-sq-ft factory in Bandar Sri Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, which is running at a 20 per cent capacity, will be able to meet demand from the airline industry and Sri Kulai outlets.

The company has invested RM3 million in its business so far, including its factory, equipment, know-how, working capital and brand building.

Sri Kulai has 89 halal certificate meals under its belt and the list is growing.

Besides the airline industry, AYS also supplies Sri Kulai meals to retailers like Jusco.

On Sri Kulai outlets, Liow said they are based on a lifestyle concept, where people can buy the meals for take-away or have the meals at the outlets where they can heat the meals in the microwaves provided there.

"It (Sri Kulai restaurant) is a channel that talks about our products. At the same time, we create entrepreneurship among Malaysians (through licensing)," he said.

AYS is targeting 10 Sri Kulai outlets for its next financial year ending June 30 2010, of which eight outlets would be under licence and two outlets would be owned by AYS Signatures.

Within five years, the number is expected to increase to 100 outlets located in major towns in the country.

The target customers would be single and married women, especially working women who have families.

"At this stage, we are targeting urban people, where the use of microwaves is widespread," he added.

It also plans to export Sri Kulai meals to Indonesia, the UK, Australia and the Middle East.

Sri Kulai's best-selling products are its Dim Sum Combo, followed by nasi lemak and sambal prawn. The three items contribute 60 per cent to its total sales.

Singapore-KL route: Sky’s the limit, say airlines
Sunday June 28 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – From Wednesday, Malaysian low-cost airline Firefly will join six other Malaysian and Singapore carriers already flying the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route.

Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), will head to Subang Airport near the Malaysian capital three times daily, and add one flight from July 15.

The route, once dominated by MAS and Singapore Airlines (SIA), has been progressively opened up to other players in recent times.

Firefly’s entry brings the tally of weekly flights between the two cities to more than 200.

Angelina Fernandez, Firefly’s head of marketing and communications, said bookings are “going well”, with 40 per cent of tickets for the first two weeks already sold.

One trump card that Firefly has, she noted, is that its planes land in Subang, which is only a 25-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur city.

Flights by its rivals – MAS, AirAsia, SIA, SilkAir, Jetstar and Tiger Airways – end up in Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang or the low-cost terminal near the main airport.

It may take more than an hour to reach the city from either venue, depending on the choice of transport.

Firefly uses the 72-seat turboprop ATR 72-500 aircraft to serve its network of many small towns that may not be viably served by bigger planes.

It is also launching flights from Singapore to other Malaysian towns such as Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan next month, and Malacca in September.

But in the hotly contested Singapore-Kuala Lumpur sector, is the market big enough for all?

Matt Hobbs, Tiger’s head of corporate communications, is confident of its chances, noting that the “variety of choices now has encouraged many more to fly” rather than take buses.

Over at AirAsia, Kathleen Tan, its regional commercial head, said the airline is not worried about Firefly.

“The market is big enough for all. We’re confident about our product because we boast an incredible international network.”

She noted that during “our sales from June 24 to 28, we sold some 180,000 tickets in the first two days in spite of the H1N1 flu”.

Travel agents in Singapore agree that the greater number of flights has encouraged people to switch from coaches.

Depending on the day of travel, a one-way bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur may cost more than $40 (RM88).

“We saw a double-digit spike in the number of airline bookings for the Singapore-KL route in June,” said Ruth Lim, marketing and communications manager for SA Tours, who noted that full-service airlines SIA and MAS are also offering very attractive fares of just above $100.

“Many people are willing to pay a little more to fly with them too,” she added. – Straits Times

RM150mil to upgrade Sibu airport terminal


SIBU: Visitors arriving at the Sibu Airport two years from now will enjoy a bigger, fully airconditioned new terminal building and better facilties.

Sarawak Minister of Environment and Public Health Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh told reporters here Monday that the building and its facilities would be upgraded at a cost of RM150mil under the second economic stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently.

The federal government was in the final stage of calling for tenders for the works.

The terminal would have, among others, three aerobridges so that passengers need not walk for long distances to and from the aircraft, he said.

Wong said the runway, which was extended to 2,745m from the original 1,981m under the Seventh Malaysian Plan, could now accommodate the Airbus aircraft.

According to Malaysian Airports Berhad, the terminal building when upgraded would be bigger than those at the Bintulu and Miri Airports. - Bernama

MAHB looking at more rebates for airlines
Published: 2009/07/03

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is looking at the prospect of further incentives for airport charges, says chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman.

Aris said MAHB submitted the proposal to the government earlier this year and is waiting for an announcement.

"We are looking at rebates and benefits for airlines based on passenger growth," he told reporters after the graduation of 178 airport fire and rescue services staff.

Aris said there are already incentives to attract airlines, adding that "foreign airlines enjoy free landing and parking for three years since 2002.

"In April this year, we introduced 50 per cent discount for landing charges until 2011 for all airlines," he said.

"Our airport charges are the lowest in the region," he said.

He said MAHB also monitored incentives by regional airports to remain competitive.

Of the 39 airports managed and operated by MAHB, Aris said nine of them are profitable, including five international airports -- KL International Airport (KLIA), Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

As to the impact of H1N1 virus, he said for the period between January and June this year, passengers at KLIA recorded a 16 per cent drop in passenger volume while the low-cost carrier terminal registered 29 per cent increase. -- Bernama

Malaysia Airports appoints COO, CFO
Published: 2009/07/08

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has appointed Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali as chief operating officer (COO) and Faizal Mansor as chief financial officer (CFO) effective July 1.

In a statement in Kuala Lumpur today, MAHB's managing director, Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, said the appointments would enhance the company's strength to achieve its strategic thrust.

"The new structure has been benchmarked against other international airports so that we remain competitive," he said.

Abdul Hamid will oversee operations, technical, security and safety matters of airports managed and operated by the company.

Prior to the appointment, Abdul Hamid was MAHB's senior general manager of technical services.

Faizal was senior general manager of finance services prior to his appointment. - Bernama

More Singaporeans visit Malaysia as flights increase
Tuesday July 14 2009
> http://malaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/32242-more-singaporeans-visit-malaysia-as-flights-increase

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Tourist arrivals from Singapore have risen sharply since the open skies agreement went into force on Jan1, with new direct flights to various parts of Malaysia.

There were about 4.9 million arrivals from the start of the year until the end of May, 1.3 million or 36 per cent more than the arrivals in the same period last year, Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry said.

Visitors arriving from Singapore account for almost half of total tourist arrivals.

“Singapore has always been our major market, and that is due to the easy accessibility of Malaysia,” Tourism Malaysia chairman Victor Wee told The Straits Times.

“But the recent competitive airfares, which are very hard to resist, are definitely one of the factors encouraging Singaporeans to visit Malaysia.’

Flights between Singapore and Malaysia were previously monopolised by Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

There are currently seven airlines with direct flights to seven cities, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in east Malaysia.

Other cities served by flights from Singapore are Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Langkawi and Kuala Terengganu.

Firefly, which added an Ipoh-Singapore route to its existing KL flight two days back, will also start servicing Alor Star in Kedah and Kota Baru in Kelantan from Oct 25.

Budget airline AirAsia also said yesterday it would start two new routes, servicing Tawau in Sabah and Miri in Sarawak, starting on Sept 6.

Singaporean Matthew Goh, 35, who travels to Malaysia at least two to three times a year for short weekend getaways, is among those looking forward to a greater choice of destinations.

“I will definitely be going to the more ‘out of the way’ places since there are now flights to places like Terengganu and Kelantan,” he said.

But analyst Lee Heng Guie of CIMB, Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, believes there is a more complex range of factors behind the increase in visitor arrivals from Singapore than simply cheaper fares and greater choice.

“It could be the global downturn, so people tend to travel within the region instead of long haul,” he said. “It could also have been triggered by Thailand’s political instability when Bangkok closed its airport last year. Now, with the A(H1N1) flu, people likely prefer to travel to less-affected countries.”

State governments are also supporting the services, as more visitors means bigger revenues.

Indeed, two Perak government officials flew to Singapore to meet their counterparts and tourism industry players when Firefly launched its latest flight two days ago. — The Straits Times

Maskargo sees turnaround in 2010
Published: 2009/07/14

MALAYSIA Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (Maskargo) sees a turnaround of its cargo volume in the second half of 2010 in line with the recovery of global economic conditions.

Its general manager of business development and sales (cargo), Mohd Yunus Idris, said the company saw a 28 per cent contraction in cargo volume in the first half year of 2009 against the same period last year.

Demand from its main market, China, fell by more than 30 per cent, he said.

"We see a light at the end of the tunnel. We see some flattening at the bottom. There is not really a jump yet but we''ve seen the bottom flattened," he told a group of reporters at the Bintulu Airport in Bintulu today.

Maskargo, the air cargo division of Malaysian Airlines, was now looking into aggressively marketing its charter services, Mohd Yunus said.

He said the company was currently receiving at least 12 enquiries per day globally.

"They (the enquiries) come as far as Rio De Janeiro and Buenos Aires but we don't fly there," Mohd Yunus said.

"The one we are working very hard on is originating from Australia and we also have enquiries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. And then we have enquiries from Bintulu. That's why we are focusing on Bintulu," he said.
On another development, Mohd Yunus said that Maskargo had secured a fifth freedom flight to Indonesia.

"What actually happened is that we are allowed to uplift cargo from Australia and discharge them in Jakarta and at the same time, we uplift cargo from Jakarta. This goes together with the passengers," he said.

Maskargo today successfully transported two out of six motor ball valves weighing 22 tonnes each from Frankfurt, Germany, to Bintulu.

The two motor ball valves were flown from Frankfurt directly into Bintulu using a B747-400 freighter aircraft.

The remaining four valves will be flown using Maskargo's B747-400F aircraft on August 4 and 11 subsequently.

The motor ball valves were developed by Franz Schuck GmbH Ltd and are mainly used in pipeline stations and offshore platforms as shut-off devices for gas, oil, water and other products.

The motor ball valves were transported by trucks by Air Marine Cargo Agency Sdn Bhd to the Petronas oil and gas processing factory in Bintulu.

Maskargo operates four B747-200F, two B747-400F and one A300-600F aircraft, covering the world''s major cargo hubs.

It also offers belly space capacity on Malaysia Airlines passenger fleet, serving almost 100 destinations worldwide. - Bernama

MASkargo: Pemulihan tahun depan
15 Julai 2009 / 22 Rejab 1430
Oleh FAUZI JAAFAR

BINTULU 14 Julai - Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd., (MASkargo) percaya jumlah kendalian kargo udara kembali pulih pada suku pertama dan suku kedua tahun depan setelah menyusut 28 peratus dalam tempoh yang sama tahun ini.

Pengurus Besar Pembangunan Perniagaan dan Jualan (Kargo), Mohd. Yunus Idris mengakui syarikat mengalami keadaan sukar buat masa ini tetapi percaya permintaan akan konsisten pada hujung tahun ini.

''Jumlah kendalian kargo merosot 28 peratus pada masa ini jika dibandingkan pada tahun 2008 berdasarkan kendalian gudang kita di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) sebanyak 650,000 tan.

''Jumlah tertinggi kargo yang pernah kita kendalikan ialah pada tahun 2007 iaitu sebanyak 675,000 tan," kata beliau pada sidang akhbar di Majlis Kejayaan Pengendalian dan Penyerahan Injap Bebola Motor dari Jerman ke Malaysia di sini hari ini.

MASkargo katanya, amat positif mengenai masa depan dan percaya jumlah kargo udara akan pulih selari dengan perkembangan ekonomi global yang semakin baik.

''Kami melihat peningkatan mula stabil. Ia bukan lonjakan, namun kami sudah melihat perkembangan itu," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, pihaknya merancang melaksanakan pemasaran secara agresif perkhidmatan sewa khasnya dan kini syarikat menerima sekurang-kurangnya 12 pertanyaan sehari dari seluruh dunia.

Tambah beliau, perkhidmatan MASkargo turut menarik minat beberapa syarikat dari Australia dan juga menerima pertanyaan dari negara-negara Komanwel Negara-negara Merdeka (CIS).

Pada majlis tersebut, Mohd. Yunus menyaksikan penghantaran pertama membabitkan dua injap bebola motor masing-masing seberat 22 dan 10 tan yang dimuatkan dalam pesawat Boeing 747-400F.

Pesawat tersebut mendarat di Lapangan Terbang Bintulu pada pukul 7 pagi setelah mengharungi perjalanan selama 13 jam dari Lapangan Antarabangsa Frankfurt, Jerman.

Dua lagi penghantaran akan dilakukan pada bulan ini dan juga bulan depan di lapangan terbang yang sama.

Sebanyak enam injap bebola motor tersebut yang keseluruhannya seberat 108 tan dibawa dari kilang di Steinhiem, Jerman terus ke Lapangan Terbang Bintulu oleh MASkargo.

Premium Passenger Volume For Airlines Down In May


KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The number of passenger travelling on business or first class fares continued to decline in May 2009, falling 23.6 percent from a year earlier.

This followed a 22 percent decline in April 2009 and a 19.2 percent drop during the first quarter, according to the report on premium traffic by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Premium travel numbers have been in decline now for 12 consecutive months, the association said.

Premium passengers are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of passenger revenues but only seven to 10 percent of numbers, so total passenger travel is shaped mainly by movements in economy ticket numbers, it said.

Passengers travelling on economy tickets also fell at a faster pace in May 2009, down 7.6 percent on a year earlier, having grown marginally by 0.3 percent in April.

Total passenger numbers on international markets fell 9.2 percent in May, compared to a fall of two percent in the previous month, IATA said.

Although passenger numbers were down 9.3 percent in March, that decline was exaggerated by the timing of Easter, it said.

"In fact, once these distortions are accounted for, the 9.2 percent fall in passenger numbers on international markets in May was the largest decline seen so far this year," the association said.

Passenger travel numbers in May 2009 cast doubt on the view that a bottom to the travel decline has been reached, according to IATA.

The stabilisation seen earlier in passenger kilometres flown now appears to have been due to a small rise in the average distance flown, due to the geographical pattern of changing travel markets, and not to a stabilisation of passenger numbers, it said.

"Comprehensive fare data on international markets is released with a lag, but we know that premium fares were falling at an accelerating rate through April to a level around 20 percent lower than last year," IATA said.

Moreover, premium seats are being discounted on average much more than economy seats, despite the latter usually being the more price-sensitive segment of the market, it said.

"This is likely a sign that airlines are seeking to generate any cash they can by filling these seats," it added.

IATA said US airlines saw their overall passenger yields down at a faster pace in May 2009 than the previous month, with a yield decline of 24 percent on Atlantic markets and around 18 percent on the Pacific.

"This is a combination of lower average fares and fewer premium paying passengers," the association said.

"Nonetheless it is consistent with a further 20 percent decline in average premium fares on international markets in May and a 40 to 45 percent fall in premium revenues," it said.

-- BERNAMA

UTM (http://www.utm.my/) Producing Aviation Experts, Says VC
July 18, 2009 23:10 PM

JOHOR BAHARU, July 18 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) can fulfil the needs of the country's aviation industry as it has the relevant expertise and facilities, including an aeronautics laboratory worth over RM300 million.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Prof Dr Zaini Ujang said UTM had produced over 600 first-degree graduates and over 400 diploma-holders in aeronautical mechanical engineering and the figure was increasing with time.

"The first-degree graduates we produce since 1988 have the skill to design systems and aircraft including helicopters, enabling them to work in the aircraft maintenance and refurbishment industry," Zaini said in a media statement Saturday.

He was commenting on the statement by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on the shortage of some 15,000 engineers and technicians to fill the need of the country's aviation industry by 2012 in Dengkil, yesterday.

Diploma holders from UTM comprise pilots serving the Royal Malaysian Air Force through a joint programme in the Air Force Military College in Alor Setar since 1995.

UTM has also been entrusted by the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine supply company to conduct research on alternative fuel for aircraft beginning last year.

"The RM4.9 million research which is expected to be completed by 2011 will enable aircraft to use palm oil as fuel and this can help increase the price of the commodity," he said.

Another research team from the university is also working with the Malaysian Space Agency to develop software for the simulation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The same team is also working on a research that allows communication between a rocket and an earth-based control centre.

-- BERNAMA

KL to announce Sibu Airport tender: Wong
Monday, July 20th, 2009 By Conny Banji

SIBU: The result of the tender for the Sibu Airport terminal extension project will be announced by the Prime Minister’s office, said Second Minister of Finance and Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

“Now we are waiting for the Prime Minister’s office to announce the result,” he said when met after he launched the Health and Cleaning Campaign held at Rumah Stanley Geramong in Sungai Engkalat here, yesterday.

Asked if he knew when the announcement would be made, Wong said all he knew was that the RM150 million federal-funded project was in the tender process.

He went on to say that the project was approved under the stimulus package issued by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, rightly therefore, the tender process had to be done by Kuala Lumpur.

The campaign yesterday was jointly organised by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sibu Divisional Health Office and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Rumah Stanley Geramong.

Among those attending the function were SMC senior assistant secretary Yong Ing Chu, Sibu Divisional Health Office’s senior officer Abdul Taib, organising chairman councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai and Tuai Rumah Stanley Geramong.

Earlier in his speech, Wong called for the commitment of the public in helping to make Sibu the cleanest and most beautiful town in the state.

He said this would be achievable if there was deter-mination and commitment from all sides including SMC and locals. “It is our obligation to look after and maintain the clean liness of our town and surrounding,” he said.

Wong, who is also Bawang Assan assemblyman, pledged to tar-seal an empty space in front of the longhouse by Gawai Dayak next year.

Later, he joined the villagers to do a ‘poco-poco’ dance before visiting a mini exhibition and a health screening campaign held in the longhouse.

S’pore air link good for Ipoh
Wednesday July 22, 2009

THE introduction of the Ipoh-Singapore flight has boosted efforts by the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board to promote Perak.

The board’s deputy director (I) Mazreena Mohd Yusof said Singaporeans preferred to visit Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands and Johor.

“But with the introduction of the flight, we can aggressively promote Perak, the East Coast and the northern region of the peninsular.”

Speaking to reporters after receiving visitors consisting of Perak state executive councillors and media representatives here last Wednesday, Mazreena said the board would work closely with Singapore tour agencies to promote Ipoh and Pangkor Island.

“Advertisements have been placed in Singapore media where tourists can book direct with agents for tours which interest them and the response had been good.

“Packages are created according to themes such as food or heritage trails and visitors can choose what they like,” she added.

Welcoming the direct flight, Mazreena said Singaporeans loved to eat Perak food and at the same time, it would also allow Perakians working in Singapore to return more often to the state.

The 80-minute Firefly flight between Ipoh and Singapore is available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The service started on July 12.

It departs Ipoh at 4.45pm, arriving at the Changi budget terminal at 6.05pm.

From Singapore, the 72-seater aircraft takes off at 2.50pm and lands at the Sultan Azlan Shah airport in Ipoh at 4.10pm.

Animal Hotel to be hub for live animal transshipment
By Ghaz Ghazali

KUCHING: Animal Hotel, a division of Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo), is poised to become a major international hub for the transshipment of live animals via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Established coincidentally with the commencement of KLIA operations in 1998, Animal Hotel initially catered for inbound animal transshipment for staging and delivery.

By the middle of 2004, the facility had developed into a 24-hour One-Stop Centre in which all transshipment activities and services were operating under one roof.

Further development ensued with the upgrading of the facility in 2006, moving it towards a stronger standing in a market that is relatively new.

Boasting a spacious 52,142 square feet, Animal Hotel offers numerous 24-hour facilities and services that include stables, paddocks, kennels, catteries and special storage to accommodate sensitive animals such as certain species of reptiles, insects and laboratory animals.

In particular, one key feature that sets Animal Hotel apart from other similar services in the world is its six-star rated hotel facilities for pets and premium live animals.

MASkargo commercial support manager Muhamad Khairul Mohd Noor, who manages Animal Hotel, said the facility offers a wide variety of commercial hotel services to pets transited or checked-in into the facilities.

“These services include on-call veterinarian assistance, bathing, blow drying, de-ticking, professional grooming and luxury spa treatment hydrotherapy services for pets as well as a roomy play area for dogs and other animals.

“Cats and dogs are regular guests here. In our Pet-Stay In Programme, pick-up services are available to and from the passengers terminals, at both the main terminal building and low-cost carrier terminal,” he said.

Being the only animal hotel operating in Asia, and one of three such facilities in the world aside from Amsterdam and London, Animal Hotel provides a wide variety of commercial hotel services to pets transited or checked-in into the facility.

As such, the facility maintains stringent standards in catering for the needs of both pets and their owners, adhering to the strict ISO 14001: 2004 certification awarded in 2004. In addition, all staff are accredited under numerous globally recognised certifications including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations and Horse Management and Grooming O-Level.

Animal Hotel’s range of transshipment and transit services cover all types of animals, from ordinary house pets such as cats and dogs to premium specimens like thoroughbred horses, giraffes, elephants, penguins, sharks and rhinoceros, as well as transfers for zoological animals. These services are some of many regular operations, but the facility has the capability to undertake far more delicate cargo that presents a number of logistical challenges.

Last year, Animal Hotel was involved in the transportation of close to 100 thoroughbred horses into Terengganu, for the FEI (International Federation of Equestrian Sports) World Endurance Championship.

With its adherence to stringent international standards and highly skilled professionals, Animal Hotel certainly has the technical and professional capabilities to handle even the most sensitive of animals.

For more information go to www.maskargo.com/animalhotel.

Fuuny!!!
taken from www.maskargo.com/animalhotel.

http://www.maskargo.com/animalhotel/images/fp-banners/banner-reception.jpg

http://beta.maskargo.com/animalhotel/wordpress/wp-content/photos/animal-hotel-launch/reg/07.jpg

http://beta.maskargo.com/animalhotel/wordpress/wp-content/photos/animal-hotel-launch/reg/05.jpg

http://beta.maskargo.com/animalhotel/wordpress/wp-content/photos/animal-hotel-launch/reg/09.jpg

6 Star Services
> http://www.maskargo.com/animalhotel/pets-stay-in-program/pets-stay-in/

At the Animal Hotel, your pets will be served with premium quality food to ensure that they receive a balanced diet with all necessary vitamins and nutrients.

More MAS flights to Tawau and Sandakan
Sunday July 26, 2009

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines will increase flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau as well as the Kuala Lumpur-Sandakan route to twice daily from Sept 16.

Tawau and Sandakan are popular destinations for business and tourism, said MAS senior general manager for network and revenue management Dr Amin Khan.

“The second daily flight will enable more tourists to connect easily to Tawau and Sandakan.

“As a network carrier, our passengers will be able to travel seamlessly with just one ticket,” he said.

Dr Amin said demand for domestic travel has increased by 15% in the past few months due to the highly competitive fares offered by airlines.

“We offer many other benefits at no extra charge such as the 20kg baggage allowance, assigned seats and meals,” he said.

Tiger Airways to start Langkawi route Sunday
Published: 2009/07/31

Singapore's Tiger Airways will be fourth airline to operate direct flights from Singapore to Langkawi when its service begins this Sunday.

Langkawi Tourism Action Council facilities and services manager Suziana Wan Othman said Tiger Airways will be the second airline from Singapore to have direct flights from the republic.

"Before this, we have three airlines operating the Singapore-Langkawi route, which are AirAsia, Silk Air (Singapore) and Malaysia Airlines," she said in Langkawi today.

The first Tiger Airways flight is scheduled to arrive at the Langkawi International Airport at 1.55pm on Sunday, Suziana said.

She said the airline will be using the Airbus A320 with capacity for 180 passengers and the flights are scheduled four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. -- Bernama

Tiger Airways to start Langkawi route Sunday
Published: 2009/07/31

Singapore's Tiger Airways will be fourth airline to operate direct flights from Singapore to Langkawi when its service begins this Sunday.

Langkawi Tourism Action Council facilities and services manager Suziana Wan Othman said Tiger Airways will be the second airline from Singapore to have direct flights from the republic.

"Before this, we have three airlines operating the Singapore-Langkawi route, which are AirAsia, Silk Air (Singapore) and Malaysia Airlines," she said in Langkawi today.

The first Tiger Airways flight is scheduled to arrive at the Langkawi International Airport at 1.55pm on Sunday, Suziana said.

She said the airline will be using the Airbus A320 with capacity for 180 passengers and the flights are scheduled four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. -- Bernama

^^ It would be very good if Tiger Airways launched Singapore-Sandakan route ahead of others !!

Second SriLankan daily flight via KL-Colombo route soon
By B.K. SIDHU


KUALA LUMPUR: SriLankan Airlines plans to introduce a second daily flight on the Kuala Lumpur-Colombo route by end October in anticipation of higher traffic volumes despite the move by AirAsia X to ply that route at the end of this week.

“We do not see them (AirAsia) as a threat but a boost to awareness. We will take this as a good challenge, given the changing economic environment but you cannot make an apple-to-apple comparison as we are a full-service carrier and they are low-cost.

“These are two different products,’’ SriLankan Airlines manager for Malaysia Niran Seneviratne (inset) told StarBiz, adding that the market was “big enough for many players”.

With improved stability boosting trade and economic activities in Sri Lanka, more airlines would want to connect to Colombo, he added.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/8/10/business/p3-airlankai.JPG
Niran said the airline offered a lot more that what a low-cost carrier could. Apart from 30kg of baggage, there was flexibility in changing flights, meals on board and no flight delay.

The second frequency would allow the airline to provide better connections for passengers wanting to go beyond Colombo. It would be an early morning flight which would offer sufficient time for any connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and even India.

“We are in finalising the second frequency,’’ Niran added.

The current daily flight leaves at 2pm and arrives in Colombo at 3.15pm.

Besides AirAsia X, Malaysia Airlines also flies three times daily to Colombo via Male.

Niran expects SriLankan Airlines to continue with its current load factor of 85% in the future, given that the “economic climate is improving and buying power increasing’’.

It currently carries a wide segment of the market from leisure to business travellers, migrant workers and even Haj pilgrims that go to Jeddah via Colombo. A lot of the airline’s traffic also goes to many points in India, with Chennai being a favourite stop via Colombo.

“With two flights, we would be able to offer faster connections to the world and it is also very good for time-sensitive cargo such as perishable goods,’’ Niran said.

The airline has dropped its fares from RM1,240 to RM900 for all-inclusive return airfare on economy class. Its all-inclusive return airfare on business class is about RM5,340.

Niran said the fares would unlikely come down further despite AirAsia X offering a quarter-to-half the fare quoted by SriLankan for a flight to Colombo.

Since some of the daily flights are via Singapore, he is also considering selling the KL-Singapore sector and is working out a pricing package to attract travellers to take up seats available on this sector.

Like other carriers, the challenges ahead for SriLankan Airlines are rising costs and falling yields.

“These are external issues affecting us and we have to be mindful of how we manage yields and our costs,’’ Niran said.

SriLankan Airlines is 60%-owned by the Sri Lanka government and 40% by Emirates Airlines.

Ministry to restudy rural air service deal
11th August, 2009

SIBU: The contract to provide rural air service in Sabah and Sarawak between national carrier Malaysia Airlines and the Ministry of Transport will be restudied.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew said yesterday he had discussed with Minister Datuk Seri Ong Kee Teat who had directed the department in charge of airlines to look into the matter.

Lau said this to reporters when asked on the appeal by the Federation of United Chinese Associations of Sarawak which wanted the government to allow budget carrier AirAsia to keep its Sibu/Kota Kinabalu flight service.

A recent complaint by national carrier MAS will see the popular service stopped by next month after coming into operation in March this year. The delegation led by its secretary-general Kong Sieng King said frequent travellers between the two destinations were very happy with the current service due to its low cost and reliability.

Lau said he would personally appeal on behalf of the people in the two states to keep it.

“At the same time I will tell the government too of the need to adopt an open sky policy to enhance the tourism and investment sectors in the two states which have opened up their respective regional development corridors,” he said.

A contract signed between MAS and the ministry in October 2007 had given the national carrier the rights to all seven routes in the two states, some of which would be exclusive to it.

“The contract is for 10 years. The government will also provide an annual subsidy of RM8 million to MAS,” he said.

Every year MAS and AirAsia have to send their proposed flight schedules to the ministry for approval.

“Recently when it did so, AirAsia also slipped in its application to serve the Sibu/Kota Kinabalu route and which was approved,” Lau said.

When MAS, which is serving the route through its MASWing discovered this, it lodged a complaint to the ministry.

Ipoh airport to get RM120mil facelift


IPOH: The Government has given the green light to extend the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport runway. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the current 1.8km length would be extended to 2km.

“It is the most viable option after we have studied all possibilities and its nearby topography,” said Ong after a meeting with Perak’s Sultan Azlan Shah and Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah here yesterday.

Another 2km taxiway would also be constructed, he said, adding that the upgrading plans would cost about RM120mil.

When asked when the works would start, Ong said: “It’s too premature to say anything but it’s definitely a commitment.

“Otherwise, we will not grant approval for flights plying the Ipoh-Singapore route,” he said, adding that AirAsia would be servicing the route soon.

Kerajaan lulus RM120 juta panjangkan landasan LTSAS

IPOH 13 Ogos - Kerajaan meluluskan peruntukan sebanyak RM120 juta untuk menaik taraf dan memanjangkan landasan Lapangan Terbang Sultan Azlan Shah (LTSAS) di sini dari 1,800 meter kepada 2,000 meter.

Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat berkata, peruntukan tersebut juga membabitkan usaha meningkatkan kemudahan di Kompleks Kastam dan Imigresen serta pengangkutan awam di kawasan itu.

Beliau berkata, persetujuan tersebut dicapai setelah mengadakan pertemuan dengan Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah di Bangunan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri (SUK) di sini petang ini.

''Kerajaan menyedari kepentingan lapangan terbang itu setelah Sultan Perak meminta lapangan terbang itu dinaik taraf dan kerajaan prihatin dengan permintaan tersebut demi membantu memesatkan ekonomi di negeri ini," katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Tee Keat berkata, keperluan menaik taraf lapangan terbang tersebut akan membolehkan kegiatan ekonomi dan pelabuhan ditingkatkan di negeri ini.

Menurut beliau, lapangan terbang itu juga boleh menjadi sebagai pusat wilayah bagi beberapa penerbangan lain di sini.

Selain itu katanya, kerajaan juga berharap dapat mengadakan perkhidmatan penerbangan dengan Tiger Airlines dan Jet Star di sini.

''Dalam masa yang sama, perkhidmatan syarikat penerbangan tambang murah AirAsia akan mula beroperasi di sini tidak lama lagi," katanya.

Setakat ini, lapangan terbang LTSAS sudah mengadakan penerbangan dengan Syarikat Firefly dari sini ke Singapura sejak 15 Julai lalu.

Sementara itu, Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir berkata, kerajaan negeri berterima kasih kepada Kerajaan Pusat kerana memberikan perhatian terhadap pembesaran LTSAS di sini.

''Pembesaran lapangan terbang ini perlu dan berharap ia dapat direalisasikan pada tahun ini.

''Kerajaan yakin dengan keupayaan pembesaran itu akan menjadikan lapangan terbang ini kembali sibuk daan sekali gus merancakkan pembangunan di sini," katanya.

Ipoh airport to get RM120mil facelift


IPOH: The Government has given the green light to extend the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport runway. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the current 1.8km length would be extended to 2km.

“It is the most viable option after we have studied all possibilities and its nearby topography,” said Ong after a meeting with Perak’s Sultan Azlan Shah and Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah here yesterday.

Another 2km taxiway would also be constructed, he said, adding that the upgrading plans would cost about RM120mil.

When asked when the works would start, Ong said: “It’s too premature to say anything but it’s definitely a commitment.

“Otherwise, we will not grant approval for flights plying the Ipoh-Singapore route,” he said, adding that AirAsia would be servicing the route soon.

What can the extra 200m of runway do to the airport? Can it accomodate larger aircrafts then? Or is it just to prevent the runway overshoot for the same size aircrafts.

S'pore based Jetstar wants to fly to more M'sian towns
Monday August 17, 2009
By B.K. SIDHU

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/8/17/business/b_pg03phit.jpg

Chong Phit Lan ... ‘A lot of people in the corporate world think they
cannot make changes to their tickets once they have purchased.’

Singapore-based airline trying to get extra planes

KUALA LUMPUR: If Jetstar Asia gets more air planes this year it will like to fly to Ipoh, Sandakan and Tawau from Singapore, says chief executive officer Chong Phit Lian.

The request for more airplanes has been made from its parent, Jetstar Australia, and Qantas, which has ordered 63 new A320 with staggered deliveries.

But for now, Jetstar Asia has to contend with growth from its existing business even though it has been increasing its Singapore-to-Penang flights from once daily to twice last week.

“We are evaluating other points as the major cities are currently being served. Our constraint is aircraft. If we can lease more we would like to fly to more places,’’ she told StarBiz recently.

Besides the three destinations in Malaysia, the airline also hopes to fly to Guanzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu in China and Chennai and Mumbai in India.

Next year it plans to fly to Tokyo.

Ipoh will be possible if the airport can accommodate an A320, Chong said.

Jetstar Asia is a Singapore-based airline that is 49% owned by Australia’s Qantas and the remaining 51% is still held by Dennis Khoo, a long-time partner of Qantas in this region. Temasek Holdings has exited from Jetstar Asia since April this year. Jetstar Asia owns 100% of Valuair. Chong is also CEO of Valuair.

The airline started off with two daily flights to KL International Airport early this year and today offers connectivity to Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

It has 19 weekly flights to KLIA, 14 to Penang, four to Kota Kinabalu and a daily service to Kuching.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/8/17/business/p4-jetstarp4qtcht.JPG

Beginning August this year the airline began offering interlining for passengers from and to Qantas, Jetstar Australia and Jetstar Pacific. The latter two airlines are units of Qantas.

The new arrangement with Qantas and Jetstar Australia and Pacific provides a seamless ticketing offering for airline customers on all of Jetstar Asia’s markets.

The new interline agreement with Qantas may offer London or Amsterdam-based customers the ability to purchase itineraries to all Jetstar Asia markets on its existing flight network and it also allows Jetstar’s customers in South East Asia to seamlessly connect with Qantas’ global network to and out of Singapore or Malaysia.

“The next thing we are working on is to provide interlining for Oneworld members. Qantas is a member of Oneworld and we would like to be the connecting point for Oneworld members,’’ Chong said, adding that “we expect to grow passengers with our interlining arrangements.”

The airline is excited over the prospects of interlining and hopes the partnership will help it carry more passengers than the 1.8 million it carries yearly. It also enjoys an average load factor of about 80% system-wide despite the A(H1N1) influenza scare currently.

“The industry faces a lot of challenges but we are very nimble and quick to react and that helps in our business,’’ she said.

She said there was an increasing number of corporate travellers flying with Jetstar and in Singapore it was the airline for 400 companies, including some multinationals, that used the airline for travel regularly.

“A lot of people in the corporate world think they cannot make changes to their tickets once they have purchased but we allow for first-time change for free and the next we charge a nominal sum,’’ she said.

She said fares had nosedived from strong competition but might go up slightly with the festive season.

New Low Cost Carrier, Silverfly To Fly Ipoh-Medan Route
August 21, 2009 15:28 PM

IPOH, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Another new low cost carrier, Silverfly Sdn Bhd with the cooperation of Riau Airlines is expected to make its maiden flight serving the Ipoh-Medan-Ipoh route beginning this September 9.

Datuk Bandar of Ipoh, Datuk Roshidi Hashim in announcing this, said that the air service was a proactive move taken by the state government to bring about benefits and facilities to the people in the state.

"The Silverfly air services will certainly bring a lot of benefits for the people as it involves three flights weekly, namely Monday, Friday and Sunday," he told reporters after officiating the MATTA Perak Travel Fair 2009 here Friday.

He earlier witnessed the signing of a joint flight service agreement between Silverfly and Riau Airlines.

Roshidi said the the flights will also activate the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here and promote tourism activities between the two countries.

Meanwhile the Regional Manager of Silverfly Sdn Bhd, Eddy Azuan Sidik, said that the flights will cost RM369 for a two-way trip and RM259 for one way travel.

The airline will be using the Fokker-50 which has a 48-passenger capacity, while the flight from Ipoh to Medan has been scheduled at 12.30 pm.

--BERNAMA

MAHB pre-tax profit rises to RM86m in Q2
Published: 2009/08/27

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's (MAHB) pre-tax profit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, rose to RM85.55 million from RM84.55 million in the same quarter of 2008.

Turnover increased to RM392.86 million from RM360.28 million previously.

For the first half of the year ended June 30, 2009, its pre-tax profit increased to RM210.82 million from RM192.71 million in the same period of 2008.

Turnover rose to RM782.89 million from RM715.51 million previously.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the better result was due to higher revenue and cost-saving initiatives undertaken by the group. -- Bernama

Labuan Airport
http://www.flickr.com/photos/internationalmanofmystery/2899189644/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29353482@N07/3043145610/

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Garuda to increase KL-Jakarta flights
Published: 2009/09/03





SINGAPORE: Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia, plans to increase the current daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta to twice daily in November.

In a statement, Garuda said this was part of a plan to expand its services across South-East Asia by increasing its frequency and capacity to Jakarta and Bali from key regional markets.

It said in Thailand, the airline would increase its flights from thrice-weekly to a daily service from Oct 25, operating non-stop from Bangkok to Jakarta on Boeing 737NG aircraft.

The Singapore-Jakarta route will also see an increase in frequency to nine flights a day from the current seven, it said.

The airline said in February next year, it would start a daily service from Hong Kong to Bali from its current four weekly flights and daily from Hong Kong to Surabaya from its current three weekly flights.

"This expansion is in line with Garuda's five-year ''Quantum Leap'' strategy to increase the number of international departures by more than 300 percent to 1,222 a week by 2014," said Iswandi Said, the airline's senior general manager for Asia, Europe & Middle East.

He said the airline recently introduced a new service concept, the ''Garuda Indonesia experience'' on its regional flights which combined Indonesian hospitality with quality service that emphasised safety and comfort.

The airline also said beginning this month, it would operate its new 222-seater A330-200 aircraft from Singapore and Hong Kong to Jakarta which featured the airline's new ''Nature’s Wing'' livery, signature interior and upgraded on-board service. –- BERNAMA

MAHB to unveil special incentives
Wednesday September 9, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will unveil special incentives on airport charges before year-end, said managing director/chief executive officer, Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad.

“The incentives will make our airports competitive and attract more airlines to operate in the country,” he told a media briefing at the National Tourism Seminar 2009 yesterday.

Bashir said MAHB was still negotiating with the management of two international airlines. MAHB is currently in serious talks to operate airports in the Middle East and in Africa. — Bernama

Khazanah's 5 per cent Stake Placement In MAHB Completed
September 11, 2009 19:22 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- CIMB Investment Bank Bhd, on behalf of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has completed a placement of 55 million Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) shares.

The shares represents five per cent of the issued and paid-up capital of MAHB, Malaysia's airport operator company, CIMB Group said in a statement.

The placement was marketed to institutional investors and priced at RM3.30, representing a tight discount of 2.37 per cent to the closing price on Sept 9.

Upon completion of the placement exercise, Khazanah's shareholding in MAHB is reduced from 72.7 per cent to 67.7 per cent, it said.

CIMB Investment Bank Berhad acted as the Sole Placement Agent and Sole Bookrunner for the placement exercise.

-- BERNAMA

Moves to make Tawau an air transport hub
By RUBEN SARIO


sario@thestar.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: A series of measures are being worked out to pave the way for Tawau to become an air transport hub within the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA).

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the establishment of direct low-cost air services between Tawau and Singapore was the first step in getting more links to the east coast district of Sabah.

He said the Government was hoping this would further develop with more air services linking Tawau and areas within EAGA including the Indonesian provinces of East, West and Central Kalimantan and Sulawesi as well as southern Philippines.

Ong said the Tawau airport had been upgraded to cater for an increasing demand for air travel in the district.

The Transport Ministry was also working out a search and rescue radar system which he intended to announce upon his next visit to Tawau, Ong said after meeting state party members and officials here Wednesday.

He said his ministry had also received feedback from the public about the need to improve water transportation systems such as shipping services in Tawau.

“There are some longstanding issues we need to overcome, including (setting up) facilities such as a jetty and related amenities such as customs clearance and various safety measures,” Ong added.

MAE nears RM2b revenue target
By Kang Siew Li Published: 2009/10/12

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/rosla1/front_top

Malaysian Aerospace Engineering has set a RM2 billion revenue target for this year, of which RM520 million will come from third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd (MAE), the engineering and maintenance arm of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), said it expects work from its parent and other carriers to contribute equally to revenue for the year ending December 31, 2010.

The company has set a RM2 billion revenue target for this year, of which RM520 million or 26 per cent will come from third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

Managing director Mohd Roslan Ismail told Business Times that the company is close to the target and is confident of achieving the 50:50 revenue mix by end-2010.

This is due to intensified focus on third-party MRO services in the last three years, which saw this segment grow by more than 100 per cent from RM218 million in 2006 to RM438 million last year.

MAE also sees encouraging recovery signs in the global MRO industry as airlines respond to growing demand by catching up on deferred maintenance and upgrades and removing aircraft from storage.

Already, it has projected to have revenue of RM3 billion by 2013, of which 60 per cent will be work for third parties. MAE now handles third-party work from more than 100 airlines including Air Atlanta, Lufthansa, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Jet Airways, Delta and GECAS.

Meanwhile, it remains on track to meet its target of RM520 million in third party revenue this year despite falling short of its first-half goal.

"We initially targeted to capture a sizeable chunk of MRO work for wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 and 777 because they generate more money. However, the global economic slowdown had resulted in airlines around the world grounding aircraft because of the drop in passenger traffic," Mohd Roslan said, adding that most of these aircraft grounded were scheduled for heavy maintenance checks and were wide-body jets.

"So while we were kept busy handling maintenance work in the first half of this year, the jobs were mainly for narrow-body jets that generate less revenue even though the duration of the checks is roughly the same as that for wide-body aircraft," he said.

As a result, MAE fell short of its first-half third party revenue target.

"However, third party revenue compared year-on-year was slightly better than the year before, with a 5 per cent growth," Mohd Roslan said.

To ensure that the RM520 million target is still met, the company has embarked on an aggressive plan to pursue further third-party work in the second half of this year.

"Besides going after the total aircraft maintenance business, we have decided to capture other ancillary revenue like fleet technical management, technical training, line station services and component overhaul workshop," Mohd Roslan said.

Its efforts have borne fruit, as its 24-hangar MRO facilities at Subang and the KL International Airport in Sepang are running out of space.

"Business is so good that we had to rent hangar space from Sepang Aircraft Engineering Sdn Bhd next door," he added.

It is also seeing a return in wide-body aircraft MRO jobs since August as airlines bring their wide-body fleet back to service, adding to evidence that the global MRO industry has hit bottom.

"I had forewarned my team during a June meeting that we have to be ready once the economy rebounds. People will start bringing back their retired/grounded aircraft and there will be a glut of requirements for aircraft maintenance. True enough, we now face capacity problems," Mohd Roslan said.

So far this year, MAE has carried out checks on more than 100 aircraft of both narrow- and wide-body types.

On its proposed acquisition of Transmile Group Bhd's engineering and maintenance unit, Mohd Roslan said MAE is currently conducting due diligence on its counterpart and expects to finalise its decision by the end of the year. Upon the completion of the proposed acquisition, MAE is expected to be the largest provider of airframe MRO services in Asia-Pacific with 28 hangars and the capacity to accommodate 28 narrow- and wide-body aircraft at any one time.

Better passenger numbers at airports as economy improves
By Jeeva ArulampalamPublished: 2009/10/15

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jmab14-2/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/faizal.jpg

AIRPORT operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) says overall passenger growth at its airports is stabilising.

MAHB chief financial officer Faizal Mansor told Business Times that the year-on-year growth was attributable to better economic conditions.

"The monthly passenger growth now is better than a year ago because that was when the economic downturn had just started," he said on the sidelines of the Frost & Sullivan Growth, Innovation and Leadership Congress 2009 in Kuala Lumpur.

In August, MAHB saw overall passenger movement at the 39 domestic airports it operates increase 4.6 per cent to 4.5 million passengers.

It expects similar growth for September.

During its second quarter results briefing in August, MAHB said it hoped for overall passenger numbers to rise 1.5 per cent to 4 per cent this year.

MAHB had come out with two sets of headline key performance indicators in March: one based on flat passenger traffic growth and another based on a 5 per cent contraction in passenger growth.

On another matter, Faizal declined to disclose the amount in outstanding airport taxes settled last month by budget carrier AirAsia Bhd.

"That is something only the government can address as we do not disclose our agreements with partners such as AirAsia," he said.

The budget carrier had withheld about RM110 million in payments to MAHB, claiming that it was being overcharged by the airport operator.

MAHB in talks to manage more airports
By Jeeva ArulampalamPublished: 2009/10/20



MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) expects to conclude airport management talks with parties in the Middle East and Africa by early next year, says its top official.

The country's biggest airport operator, which also manages three airports overseas, is in serious talks to manage an airport in each of the two regions, its managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said.

"We should be able to decide by the first quarter of next year. Geographically, it will be easier for us to manage airports in China, India and the Middle East because it is easier to travel to, say, for board meetings," he added.

Nevertheless, MAHB will not pass up possible partnerships in the US or Europe if the opportunity presents itself.
Bashir was speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to announce the upcoming 19th Airports Council International (ACI) World General Assembly and ACI Asia-Pacific Conference.

MAHB will be hosting the event from November 2 to 4 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Some 600 delegates are expected to be present.

"It will be attended by CEOs of airports from around the world. ACI is the parent organisation for airports worldwide and the event is held yearly," said Bashir.

He said the event in Kuala Lumpur would help promote the country as a tourist destination to the visiting delegates.

"About 30 to 40 per cent of the delegates will be coming here for the first time. Among the hospitality programmes that have been arranged for them are sightseeing tours and a Sepang F1 drive," said Bashir, who is a member of the World Governing Board of ACI and vice-president of the ACI Asia-Pacific board.

Among the topics that will be discussed at the assembly are airport economics, industry trends, and human capital.

Bashir said the event would also be an opportunity for airport operators to look at possible tie-ups, either in the form of privatisation or partnership.

MAHB In Talks On Airport Management In Middle East And Africa


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) hopes to conclude talks with two parties in the Middle East and Africa on the possible management of airports, by the first quarter of next year, said its managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad.

"The discussions have been ongoing for the past six months and we hope it will be concluded soon,probably, by the first quarter next year," he told a media briefing on the 19th Airports Council International (ACI) World General Assembly here Monday.

MAHB will host the ACI World General Assembly from Nov 2-4. The event will witness the gathering of about 600 delegates from airport and related industries.

MAHB currently manages and operates 39 airports -- five international, 16 domestic and 18 short take-off and landing ports.

Bashir said the company is always looking for new opportunities in countries closer to home like India, China and the Middle East.

MAHB has operations at present in India and Turkey.

He said the upcoming ACI conference next month would be a good platform for networking and an opportunity for airport operators, including MAHB to see "which airports are up for privatisation as well as management."

The ACI Asia-Pacific conference will also be held at the same time.

Bashir,the vice-president of the ACI Asia-Pacific Board, said the conference will feature renowned industry specialists who will speak on aviation related topics such as airport economics, industry trends and human capital.

--BERNAMA

Hornbill Skyways baiki khidmat
Oleh Micheal Sering
bhnews@bharian.com.my
Peruntukan RM70j beli lima Eurocopter EC 135, Beechcraft King Air 200

KUCHING: Syarikat penerbangan milik kerajaan negeri, Hornbill Skyways, sudah membelanjakan lebih RM70 juta bagi menambah baik perkhidmatannya bagi membolehkan kontrak perkhidmatan doktor udara dikendalikan syarikat berkenaan.

Pengerusi Eksekutifnya, Aidan Wing, berkata perbelanjaan terbabit termasuk bagi membeli lima helikopter Eurocopter EC 135 yang mempunyai dua enjin serta pesawat Beechcraft King Air 200.

"Kita belajar dari kesilapan kemalangan lalu dan membuat beberapa perubahan, antaranya mematuhi saranan Kementerian Pengangkutan meminta kita menggunakan pesawat dua enjin.

“Kini kita memiliki lima helikopter dua enjin yang diperoleh secara berperingkat sejak empat tahun lalu," katanya pada Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Hornbill Skyways, di sini, semalam.

Aidan yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Lambir, berkata helikopter baru berkenaan mempunyai keupayaan tinggi dengan pihaknya yakin pesawat terbabit dapat bertahan dalam cuaca kawasan pergunungan yang kadang-kala berangin kencang.

Malah, sebuah helikopter miliknya juga mempunyai kelengkapan khas bagi membolehkannya terbang pada waktu malam.

Beliau berkata, pesawat Beechcraft King Air 200 mampu terbang lebih cepat dan sesuai digunakan bagi penerbangan doktor udara jarak jauh.

"Saya berharap Kerajaan Pusat mempertimbangkan permohonan itu kerana Hornbills mempunyai pesawat dan infrastruktur yang mencukupi bagi menjalankan perkhidmatan doktor udara.

"Kita juga memulakan program melatih jurutera dan juruterbang pesawat baru-baru ini bagi memastikan syarikat memiliki tenaga kerja mencukupi pada masa hadapan," katanya.

Hornbill dengan kerjasama Jabatan Penerbangan Awam (DCA) turut memperoleh sijil AN70 yang membolehkan syarikat terbabit menjalankan kerja membaikpulih pesawat asing di dua hangar miliknya di Kuching dan Miri.

Hornbill Skyways adalah milik iaitu Perbadanan Kemajuan Industri Perkayuan Sarawak (STIDC) dan Yayasan Sarawak.

MAHB sees up to 4pc passenger increase
Published: 2009/10/20





MALAYSIA Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects passenger volume to grow by between three and four per cent by year-end.

Its managing director, Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, said although it expected either a five per cent drop in passenger volume or a stagnant growth, it was fortunate that there was an increase in tourism volume.

"Tourism here is doing well even during the downturn.

"Last year, we experienced a growth of about five per cent, or around 45 million (passengers) in all our airports. This year we expect to have around 47 million," he told a press conference in Sepang today.

Bashir said MAHB was expected to attract two more airlines by year-end.

He, however, declined the name the airlines.

Earlier, MAHB's five international airports became the first in Asia to receive the Safety Management System (SMS) certification in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) recommendation and the Department of Civil Aviation''s advice.

Bashir said MAHB would implement the system at all its domestic airports even though it was not required by ICAO.

The SMS certification indicates conformance with safety requirements and continuous improvement in safety performance including essential features such as policy, strategy and planning, implementation, promotion, documentation, staff training and competency.

Bashir said he was "very proud" because MAHB''s success was achieved using local know-how.

The five certified airports are Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang International Airport, Langkawi International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport. - Bernama

MAHB: Passenger volume to improve
By Hamisah HamidPublished: 2009/10/21




MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) has revised its targeted passenger growth this year to 3-4 per cent in light of the increase in tourist arrivals.

The airport operator had earlier projected passenger volume to remain stagnant or fall 5 per cent compared to last year.

"This (new projection) is based on tourist arrival figures. Tourism is doing well even during the economic downturn," MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad told a news conference in Sepang yesterday.

Also present were Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman and MAHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman.
Last year, total passenger volume at the 39 airports MAHB operates in the country rose 5 per cent to 47.45 million.

Bashir also said that two more airlines were expected to operate from KL International Airport (KLIA) by the year-end. There are currently 54 airlines servicing KLIA.

Earlier, MAHB received the Safety Management System certification from the DCA for its five international airports in the country.

KLIA, Penang International Airport, Langkawi International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport were audited by the DCA.

The five airports are the first in Asia to receive the certification in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) safety management programme issued last year.

All the airports managed by MAHB in the country will have the certification by end-2011, Bashir said.

He added that compliance with the ICAO's certification was only required of international airports, but MAHB would seek it for all airports under its management, including those overseas.

The Bintulu, Tawau, Miri, Sibu and Terengganu airports are next in line. They are expected to receive the certification by next year.

quote: "MAHB sees up to 4pc passenger increase"

is this coz of MAS?
WRONG!!!
It's coz of Air Asia...!!! So please don't delay the new LCCT anymore!!!

new??
lawas, srwk

http://architects-app.com/images/airport/1.jpg

new??
lawas, srwk

http://architects-app.com/images/airport/1.jpg

Nice one there rizal, may i know where you get all these updates on new airports ? You are really good at it! Mind sharing? Thanks for the update...

new??
lawas, srwk

http://architects-app.com/images/airport/1.jpg

http://www.travelplus.com.my/images/Sarawak/SARAWAKMAP_master.jpg

Lawas is a small town and the capital of the Lawas District in Limbang Division of northern Sarawak

Malaysia Airports to give cash incentives
By B.K. SIDHU


SUBANG: Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will give incentives in the form of cash to airlines that continue to bring in additional passenger traffic to Malaysia.

“We are being pro-active in supporting airlines and we are still in discussions with some airlines on the matter,’’ MAHB managing director/CEO Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad told StarBiz.

The quantum of the monetary incentive is still unclear but Bashir is looking to announce details before the year is out.

Giving monetary incentives is not uncommon in the global aviation landscape but making it transparent is. Dishing out incentives in the form of money is the industry’s best kept secret.

It is learnt that even Singapore’s Changi Airport does it, with the size of the monetary award in proportion to the number of passengers brought in.

The suggestion to reward airlines in search of new growth by MAHB appears to be timely as it will not just make airports in Malaysia more competitive but also allows them to attract more airlines to operate in the country.

It also helps airlines that are struggling due to the economic downturn.

This monetary incentive proposal is being considered despite the fact that Malaysian airport charges are already the lowest in the region.

Such a move may cause a slight dent to MAHB’s bottom line, but the impact is expected to be minimal.

However, the decision could translate into more frequencies and destinations, although it might be a long shot.

There are now 54 airlines servicing KL International Airport (KLIA) with Bashir expecting two more airlines to operate from KLIA by year-end.

Last year, the total passenger volume at the 39 airports that MAHB operates in the country rose 5% to 47.45 million.

This week, the airport operator revised its targeted passenger growth for this year to 3%-4% in light of the increase in tourist arrivals.

The new cash incentive is meant for all airlines that operate from the country and from all the 39 airports in Malaysia, but it is for new business only.

All the existing incentives will also remain intact, such as the waiver for landing charges for new flights for three years.

This is over and above the 50% discount given for two years from April for existing flights.

Spirit Aerosystems Malaysia Aims RM500 Million ln Turnover In 2011
October 28, 2009 21:30 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Spirit Aerosystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the airline composite sub-assemblies maker, aims to clinch turnover of RM400 million next year, and increase it to RM500 million in 2011.

Its Managing Director, Francis Hiew said this would be achieved by producing composite sub-assmeblies for the Airbus single aisle craft, A320 initially, and later to be supplemented by the A350 parts.

This is because Spirit Malaysia expects to set up another manufacturing facility in less than 18 months, in addition to the first one launched Wednesday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here.

"Next year's turnover will be in the region of RM400 million and we are looking at agressive growth for 2011, and expect turnover to increase in the region of RM500 million, driven by the A320 and A350 coming on stream," he told reporters after the launching ceremony.

Spirit Malaysia has opened its 242,000 sq ft aerospace manufacturing and design facility with an intial investment of RM150 million and will be investing further RM120 million for the 200,000 sq ft second phase facility.

The firm is a subsidiary of United States-based Spirit AeroSystems Inc, the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components.

Hiew said the second phase facility of Spirit Malaysia would be making similar products but with more complexity, as it includes an in-house design engineering team working on developing assemblies for the latest, state-of-the-art Airbus aircraft, the A350 XWB.

He added that the firm has a long history dealing with Malaysian suppliers and partners like CTRM Aerocomposites Sdn Bhd and SME Aerospace Sdn Bhd.

"The growth of Spirit and the opening of Spirit Malaysia means that these companies can continue to grow and share in our future success," he said.

Spirit Malaysia which is located at the Malaysia International Aerospace Centre, adjacent to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, expects to increase employees to 450 people next year in various roles, Hiew said.

At the same event, Spirit Aerosystems chief executive officer and president, Jeff Turner said the Malaysian site was the first time the group had actually built a facility from scratch, as they had only been buying existing plants previously.

"This facility and this team has a great deal of capability to support many different programmes. It certainly is an anchor for Spirit in Asia and we expect continued growth from this facility," he said.

Earlier at the launch, Najib urged all Malaysian agencies and departments to work together with the single purpose of providing quality services in order to attract foreign investors.

"We want to engage investors and travel with them along the journey. We are there to provide them with assistance," he said.

This would certainly assist the nation in its quest to move up the value chain to a high-income nation, he said.

-- BERNAMA

KL to host aviation conference
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2009/10/29

AIRPORT chiefs across the world will converge in Kuala Lumpur beginning Monday to attend the 19th ACI World Annual General Assembly and the ACI Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition.

Hosted by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (1171), the three-day event is expected to see some 600 airport executives sharing their experiences and solutions to achieve a sustainable future.

"This year's general assembly is significant because it is held at a time when the aviation industry is going through the worst period," MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad told Business Times.

"This is due to the impact of several issues happening at the same time - an economic crisis, the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) and the oil price increase," he added.
"People said things will be better next year but we should learn from the worst crisis in history and come out stronger and prepare for future crisis, which hopefully there won't be any," said Bashir, who is also ACI World Governing Board member and ACI Asia-Pacific Board secretary treasurer.

This is the first time for the ACI World Annual General Assembly to be held in Asia.

The event, which comprises a two-day conference, is scheduled around official and regional ACI Board and committee meetings.

Themed "Above the Turbulence - Sustaining Business Excellence", this year's conference will cover panel discussions and plenary sessions, that will see industry experts speaking on aviation related issues such as airport economics, industry trends and human capital.

Malaysia Airlines managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin will be on the panel discussion on "Cash, Capacity, Crisis", while Civil Aviation Department director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman will present a keynote address at the opening of the conference.

Bashir, who has been in the aviation industry for 37 years, said besides setting the stage for future direction to be taken by the industry, the event will also provide a platform for Malaysia to showcase itself to the delegates.

The Airports Council International (ACI) represents close to 600 members from over more than 1,600 airports in 176 countries.

MAHB: Revenue from foreign markets to rise
From Goh Thean Eu
Published: 2009/10/31

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/turk1/pix_topright

ISTANBUL: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) expects revenue from foreign markets to make up one-tenth of group revenue in 10 years, as it expands globally.

Currently, foreign sales contribute less than 2 per cent of group revenue. Last year, the group made RM1.5 billion in revenue.

According to MAHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman, growth does not solely depend on the number of airports it operates, but on the number of businesses it is involved in each of the airports.

"You need to depend on other businesses like hotels, car parks, ground handling and others. Of course, we would like to get more opportunities in these areas," Aris said here yesterday.
Aris and a group of senior management team members of MAHB are in Istanbul to take part in the launch of Istanbul's Sabiha Gocken International Airport (ISG).

The new terminal will be launched by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan this evening.

Aris added that the company is in talks with a few airport operators for the possibility of joint bids and partnerships.

Nevertheless, the MAHB chairman expects the firm's next overseas venture to be within the next two to five years.

"There are several things we need to consider before any partnership, such as financial aspect, as well as whether or not the partner is easy to work with. Plus, we don't want to spread out too thin, in terms of resources like human capital," Aris said.

MAHB may reprise tie-ups for more airport jobs
From Goh Thean Eu Published: 2009/11/02

Malaysia Airport may partner Turkey's Limak Group and India's GMR Group to bid for work on the third terminal at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport

ISTANBUL: Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (5014) may team up again with Turkish conglomerate Limak Group and India's GMR Group to bid for more airport jobs, after their successful completion of the new terminal at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISG) here.

The new terminal was opened last Saturday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish government is now considering building a third terminal here.

Given the speed with which the job was done and the smooth relationship between the partners, it would not be surprising if the three parties collaborated to bid for work on the third terminal.

"If the conditions are favourable, we will consider working together to bid.
"However, it's too early to tell now as we don't know how the project is going to be. We don't know where the airport will be located," said Limak chairman Nihat Ozdemir, who is also the ISG chairman.

Besides the third terminal, the Turkish government is also planning to set up at least two new airports in Turkey.

Tenders for the airport projects, which are expected to be based on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, are expected to be issued soon.

MAHB's involvement in ISG was attributed largely to its good relationship with GMR.

GMR Infrastructure executive board chairman G.M. Rao said the company expected to work with MAHB on more airport projects in future.

"We share a lot in common. We understand each other's culture. MAHB is our number one choice of partners," Rao said.

The newly completed terminal, which is expected to be operational next Monday, is believed to cost some ?500 million (RM2.5 billion). It took 18 months to complete.

"We made this investment when the world was in a crisis. We created over 10,000 jobs and we will transfer ?3.3 billion (RM16.7 billion) to the public," Ozdemir said.

ISG is 40 per cent owned by Limak, 40 per cent by GMR and 20 per cent by MAHB.

The airport, expected to attract 6.1 million passengers this year, is forecast to draw 8.5 million passengers next year.

During the official launch of the new terminal, Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said that a second runway was expected to be built at the ISG over the near to medium term to handle more planes as passenger volume increased.

The Turkish government has given the green light for land to be acquired and the tender to build the runway is expected to be announced soon.

Malaysia Airports looks overseas
Monday November 2, 2009
By YEOW POOI LING

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/11/2/business/b_p3limak.jpg

From left: Nihat Ozdemir, GM Rao and Tan Sri Aris Othman having a light
moment at the launch of the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport’s
new terminal.

Airport operator eager for more jobs after Turkey venture

ISTANBUL: The Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISGIA) is expected to continue growing significantly in passenger arrivals, thanks to rising demand for low-fare flights and the country’s booming tourism industry.

In anticipation of rapid growth, the Turkish authority has allocated some 100 million euros to build a second runway at the ISGIA, said Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Uluslararasi Havalimani Yatirim, Yapim Ve Isletme A.S. (ISG) chief executive officer Gokhan Bugday.

The new runway is expected to be completed by 2012.

ISG, which holds the operation rights of the airport for 20 years, is a joint venture between Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), GMR Infrastructure Ltd of India and Turkish company Limak Insaat ve San Tic AS on a 20:40:40 basis.

According to Bugday, the airport is expected to grow 50% next year from this year’s estimated passenger arrivals of 6.1 million.

“Turkey is an important point in this region. The Ataturk Airport is already constrained, so the growth will come from ISGIA, where passenger arrivals is expected reach 10 million by 2010,” he said at a briefing in conjunction with the launch of ISGIA’s new terminal on Oct 31.

ISGIA is an economic airport, offering 25% discounts on landing and parking fees to low-cost airlines. The cost of the new terminal as well as the car park and hotels is about 500 million euros.

Bugday said Turkey was “the bridge between Asia and Europe,” and therefore, did not see any significant impact on its aviation sector from the global economic downturn.

The country’s aim was to become the transit hub between Asia and Europe, like Amsterdam, he added.

According to Limak chairman Nihat Ozdemir, the Turkish government is already mulling the idea of setting up a third airport in Istanbul due to the strong growth in passenger arrivals.

The proposal was still preliminary but if the conditions were attractive, the consortium of Limak-GMR-MAHB would consider it, he said.

GMR chairman GM Rao said the ISGIA had the advantage of having existing traffic volume, which unlike greenfield airports would have to build demand from zero.

The airport charges a service fee of three euros per passenger for domestic routes and 12 euros for international destinations.

It also offers services like refuelling, cargo warehousing and ground-handling to airlines.

Bugday said the payback period for the investment, including construction and future rentals, was seven to eight years.

This is the second collaboration between MAHB and GMR, after their involvement in the Hyderabad International Airport and Delhi International Airport projects in India.

MAHB chairman Tan Sri Aris Othman said airport development involved building capacity ahead of time to cater for future growth, and was not merely to meet existing demand.

Turkey, with its rapidly growing economy, offered a good opportunity for the airport operator to widen its presence overseas, he said.

He added that there were eight MAHB personnel involved in the operational readiness and airport transfer exercise of the ISGIA, which commenced six months ago.

“Our airport consultancy arm, Malaysia Airports Consultancy Services, is continuously exploring other overseas opportunities to further expand our expertise and knowledge in airport management,” Aris said.

GMR is India’s leading infrastructure company with a market value of more than US$7bil, specialising in infrastructure development, energy, roads and airport projects.

Limak, meanwhile, is a huge Turkish conglomerate involved in a wide range of sectors like construction, energy, tourism, cement, food and aviation.

MAHB Targets Five Per Cent Increase In Passenger Traffic Next Year
November 02, 2009 20:43 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) aims to post a four to five per cent increase in passenger traffic next year on optimism of a recovery in air travel, managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said Monday.

Based on the industry trend observed in the last two to three months, the increase will be slightly more than than the three to four per cent gowth projected this year, he said.

"We believe that air travel will start to recover and this will help with growth in 2010," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Airport Council International (ACI) and Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition here.

Bashir said that MAHB was doing better than expected this year in line with higher tourism figures.

"The tourism industry has done a good job as it has helped to boost our traffic figures," he said.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jmab18/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/MAH19.jpg

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jmab18/Article/index_html

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=456289

MAHB announces incentive programme
Objective to attract more passengers, says Bashir
Ee Ann Nee Thursday, November 19th, 2009 07:12:00

http://www.mmail.com.my/sites/default/files/imagecache/medium/Bashir_0.jpg

WELCOME: Bashir announcing the incentive programme

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has announced an incentive programme for new and existing airlines operating in airports managed by them that is aimed at bringing more passengers.

MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said yesterday that the Airline Recovery Programme, effective Jan 1 this year, is an additional incentive on top of the low airport charges and 50 per cent landing rebate to support airline partners through this recovery period.

Under the programme, new airlines flying into Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Low Cost Carrier Terminal and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, that have a strong market base compared with other local airports, will receive an incentive payment of RM10 per passenger.

To promote tourism in other States, a higher incentive payment of RM25 per passenger will be given to the airlines flying into its airports.

The incentive is valid for new airlines in the first 12 months of operations, after which the growth incentive for existing airlines will apply.

It is applicable to inbound passengers of international flights.

These new airlines flying into Malaysia will also enjoy free landing fees for three years plus free office rental for six months. Existing airlines, on the other hand, will be rewarded through a tier-based incentive scheme.

Using last year’s passenger load volume as a base, MAHB will give an incentive payment of RM10 per passenger for the first 10 per cent growth, RM12.50 per passenger for the next eight per cent growth and RM15 for all additional passengers above 18 per cent.

The incentive will be reviewed after three years.

Bashir said MAHB had been proactive by having a series of discussions with the government, the International Air Transport Association and the airlines before finalising the programme.

“The response from the airlines has been good. We are expecting four to five per cent growth in passenger load this year and a three to four per cent growth next year from increased flight frequencies,” he said, adding that the programme would be funded from commercial revenue.

Bashir said the scheme is aimed at getting more passengers into the country to boost recovery in this economic crisis. “The basic incentive we give to airlines is our low airport charges — currently the lowest in the region, if not the world.

“Under the government’s Economic Stimulus Plan for airlines, a 50 per cent discount has also been offered on all landings, for all airlines, at all airports in Malaysia from April this year to March 2011. And now, we top it off with the programme that airlines have been waiting for.”

AIRPORT KELATE...:nuts::)


http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8776/epotklatena4.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/epotklatena4.jpg/)

..

^^lol..

New airport for Mukah


KUCHING: Mukah will get a RM600mil airport to cater to its rapid growth as the Sarawak Corri-dor of Renewable Energy’s (Score) central administrative centre.

Mukah Division Resident Saudi Narani said the proposed airport was being designed, adding that the site survey work for the project was underway.

“The new airport will cater for B737-800W aircraft and larger passenger capacity.

“Half the funds approved for the project is already available,” he told about 100 participants at a seminar organised by Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam) to provide updates on Score.

Saudi, who presented a paper on Score: Current developments and challenges in Mukah, said the existing airport in Mukah could only accommodate 18-seater Twin-Otter aircraft.

Presently, MasWing operates flights between Mukah and Kuching and the Mukah-Miri sector.

A new international airport is also being planned for the Tanjung Manis halal hub in Mukah Division.

Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) deputy general manager Hashim Bojet said the proposed airport would have transhipment facilities for halal products for the export market.

He said the 1.5km runway of the present Tanjung Manis airport, operated by STIDC, would be extended to 3km.

A new road to connect Sibu and Tanjung Manis is under construction.

Mukah and Tanjung Manis are two of the five major growth nodes for Score, the others being Samalaju in Bintulu Division, Baram in Miri Division and Tunoh in Kapit Division.

Saudi said Mukah Division, a traditional fishing village and the heartland of the Melanaus, will be transformed into a smart city to serve as a knowledge centre for human capital development, and research and development centre for resource-based industries.

Dhaka-Based United Airways Starts Kuala Lumpur Operations


By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Another optimistic Bangladeshi private carrier, United Airways (BD) Limited, is launching its inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur Monday, hoping to capture the workers and tourists traffic flow between both countries.

The carrier, which started operations in 2007 and largely owned by the Bangladeshi expatriate community, has added Kuala Lumpur as its new international destination following its flights to Dubai and London earlier this year.

"After completing about 100 flights, we have now decided to operate the designated Kuala Lumpur sector twice a week," United's chairman and managing director Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury told Bernama.

"We are optimistic of this sector as there is a good amount of passenger response and we are looking at about 70 per cent load factor," he said.

The airline is deploying its 155-seater MD-83 aircraft for the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur-Dhaka route, which is flying every Monday and Friday.

Choudhury is confident that United, which controls about 50 per cent of the domestic passenger market and 25 per cent of the international traffic from Dhaka, can gradually break into the overseas market by targeting the large Bangladeshi expatriate community.

"Bangladesh is a US$5 billion airline market and its annual growth is about 6.35 per cent. We strongly believe we can capitalise on this if our flights are on time and with good services," he said.

United will eventually introduce the Katmandu-Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur flight, where a high density of passenger traffic is available.

-- BERNAMA

Bashir heads airports body
Published: 2009/12/22
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20091222005126/Article/

http://properties.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/1AVIATION/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/bashir2.jpg

AIRPORTS Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific has appointed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad as acting president of ACI Asia-Pacific Region effective January 1 2010.

He replaces Max Moore-Wilton, chairman of Sydney Airport, who will assume the role of chairman of ACI World.

ACI represents over 1,650 airports around the world.

The ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Board is composed of 24 aviation business leaders across the region.

Airlines plan to restart flights
Tuesday December 22, 2009 By B.K. SIDHU

PETALING JAYA: Some airlines are planning to restore flights discontinued during the economic downturn so that they can benefit from the rebound of the industry.

“It is a global trend but we reckon the capacity restoration will be in single digit,” said an analyst.

Yesterday, Australia’s Qantas announced that it would add capacity to its domestic operations by March and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said it would also raise capacity next year.

Last week, Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced it would change its route network, add extra flights on several routes and suspend some other flights.

“Optimism is the word. Airlines are bullish about a recovery and they do not want to be left out of an economic rebound,” an industry observer said. “They have seen capacity erosion; now demand for air travel is picking up and they just want to benefit from the upturn.”

MAS cut capacity by nearly 13% last year. It will increase flights next year after adding some capacity back to the system since September.

SIA is cutting off Pakistan and Nanjing as part of its network realignment. From January, the Kuala Lumpur sector will have 17 flights a week instead of 24. However, the overall SIA group flight frequency on the Singapore-KL route will be the same, at 54 a week, as SilkAir will be taking over one of SIA’s daily services. SIA pulled out of the Penang route but the service is now operated by SilkAir.

When legacy carriers were cutting capacity, AirAsia expanded aggressively and the airline has made it clear it will continue to expand next year to India, the Middle East, Asean, China, Europe, Australia and even the United States.

But will people switch from low-cost carriers to legacy airlines in an economic upturn?

“Globally, an increase in capacity is warranted but domestically there is an over-supply. If local airlines want to add more capacity they really need to be very creative,” an analyst said.

“In an economic rebound there is normally an increase in demand as people will travel for work or as a result of higher disposal incomes where they travel for leisure. But it is too early to say if people will shift from low-cost carriers to legacy carriers so soon,” the analyst said.

Airlines might want to benefit from an upswing in the economy but analysts reckon the yield would still come under pressure. It was not likely to improve for a while, an analyst said.

The International Air Travel Association said airlines globally might post US$11bil in losses this year. The losses might shrink by half to about US$5.6bil next year. Passenger demand, after a decline of 4.1% in 2009, might grow by 4.5% in 2010 as the industry rebounded from the recession, IATA said recently.

Korea’s East Star keen in Miri direct flight
By Anthony Joseph Thursday, December 24th, 2009
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=65008

MIRI: Sarawak, particularly Miri, is likely to receive more Korean tourists and visitors next year as Korean airline East Star is showing interest to operate a direct flight to Miri.“East Star recently indicated its interest to fly directly from Seoul to Miri some time in March next year. If this happens, we will be getting another interna-tional direct flight,” said Miri City Incorporated Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

Lee, who is Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication, urged tourism players to be ready to receive Koreans who are keen in golfing.

“If possible, come out with attractive packages such as golfing package which ties with Mulu and other attractions in Miri including Brunei,” Lee said, urging all tour and travel agents and hoteliers including operators of golf courses to cooperate in coming up with attractive packages.

On AirAsia’s Singapore-Miri direct flight, he said it is important to ensure the route continues to grow.

In this context, Lee suggested that inbound and outbound tour operators come up with special packages selling Miri and Singapore.

Based on feedback from Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the direct flight received good response with around 90 per cent passenger load.

Lee said the committee is keen to work closely with AirAsia to ensure the sustainability of the route.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who is also Minister of Tourism and Heritage, will be leading a delegation of industry key players in Miri to Singapore to match businesses with their counterparts in the republic.

The committee also feels it is high time Miri Airport is upgraded by renaming it ‘Miri International Airport’ in view of the direct Singapore flight.

This will boost confidence in Miri, Lee said.

On Tuesday, Miri City Council wrote a letter on this proposal to Malaysia Airport Berhad.

Miri will also go all out to promote the city as a tourist destination next year. Among the efforts would be hosting Miss Tourism Interconti-nential Beauty Peagent also in conjunction with the 5th anniversary of Miri as a city.

“There will be 32 countries including Malaysia taking part in the pageant. It will help raise the profile of Miri and Sarawak as a tourist destination. This will become the highlight of the 5th anniversary of Miri as a resort city,” he added.

Mulu may be the jewel in the state tourism industry yet many locals are yet to visit it.

“This is because it is costly for them to fly to Mulu. It is about RM150 for a short 25-minute flight. This is only one-way flight. In this context, we would like Maswings to look into the possibility of reviewing the fare,” he said, adding that it would be hard to promote Mulu as a tourist destination if it is costly to get there.

On another matter, the committee requested Sarawak Forestry to look into the possibility of waiving the entrance fee for foreign tourist guides.

“They should not be charged like ordinary tourists as they are helping us and making our job much easier. They are the interpreters. Charging them the entrance fee will be bad for our image,” he said.

Also present was Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai.

'Qantas, Malaysia Airlines to boost AirAsia-Jetstar tie-up'
By Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com | Jan 8, 2010 10:26 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The recently-announced Jetstar-AirAsia alliance is seen as a formidable low cost carrier (LCC) combination in Asia.

Add Australia's Qantas, Jetstar's parent firm, and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), and it would be an airline "model for the future," according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

In a report released Thursday, CAPA said Qantas has already "signalled its keenness" to be part of the alliance. The group added that it would also be good for MAS to join the tie-up given its relatively poor performance alongside AirAsia.

"A 3-way (or even 4-way) tie-up between Qantas/Jetstar/AirAsia/MAS, albeit apparently unlikely at this stage, could really be a killer combination, with major benefits for all concerned," CAPA said.

"Great for consumers, great for the respective airports and airlines, a great trade link between the 2 countries (Malaysia and Australia) and a massive opportunity to plunder the growing Asian market," it added.

The brands Qantas and Jetstar have preserved the Qantas group's position both domestically and internationally as full-service airline and as LCC, respectively.

CAPA noted that a similar matching of resources, particularly between AirAsia and MAS, could work quite well in the Malaysian market.

"As (AirAsia) CEO Tony Fernandes frequently suggests, the future of the international airline marketplace will be similar to the domestic one, one which focuses on premium travelers and the other which largets the low cost, discretionary travel end. He obviously sees AirAsia as the latter of these, with MAS providing the other limb, not dissimilar from Qantas/Jetstar," CAPA said.

"So, just as the symmetry between Qantas and Jetstar has been remarkable, why not a MAS/AirAsia parallel?," it added.

On Wednesday, Jetstar and AirAsia unveiled plans to slash costs and ticket prices by pooling some resources, taking the first step in an alliance that could transform the Asian budget airline market.

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan has said that the non-equity arrangement, which he described as a world first between LCCs, was expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars in costs.

Under the deal, Jetstar will share parts and ground and passenger handling services with AirAsia, which is Asia's biggest budget airline.

They will also investigate jointly on procuring new aircraft, cooperate on buying engineering and maintenance supplies, and will carry each other's passengers stranded by breakdowns and other disruptions.

-- Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com, with a report from Agence France-Presse

Malaysia to host ’Check-In-Asia’ in Nov
Published: 2010/03/05

MALAYSIA will play host yet again to another aviation industry event, Check-In Asia, from November 24 to 26.

The event is a passenger and baggage processing forum for Asia Pacific travel industry stakeholders.

The forum will offer insight into latest check-in technologies and offer in-depth technical sessions in an interactive environment on the Fast Travel programme, which covers bag registration, document scanning, flight re-booking, self boarding and bag recovery.

Malaysia Airports wins CR awards
Published: 2010/03/05

a Airports Holdings Bhd has bagged two awards at the inaugural StarBiz-ICR Malaysia Corporate Responsibility Awards 2009 in the environment and community categories for companies with market capitalisation of below RM1.0 billion.

Seven companies were honoured for their exemplary corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives in the event jointly organised by Star Publications (M) Bhd and the Institute of Corporate Responsibility (ICR) Malaysia.

ICR Malaysia's chairman Datuk Johan Raslan said the awards were organised to raise the awareness of corporate responsibility as a key component of business and to emphasise that CR goes beyond narrow philanthropy or community activities.

"It is unfortunate that some companies still view CR as unwanted cost or as a gesture to please the authorities who appear committed to an international agenda," Johan said at the award ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today.

"Without a doubt, companies that want to remain competitive in a globalised business environment cannot ignore the CR agenda due to external pressure," he said.

According to Johan, good CR practices can lead to cost savings through greater innovation, improved efficiencies and better management practices.

The awards were presented by Perak Crown Prince Raja Nazrin Shah, who is also the patron.

In the marketplace category for companies with market capitalisation of below RM1.0 billion, the winner was Tex Cycle Technology (M) Bhd while Aluminium Company of Malaysia Bhd was the workplace category winner.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd clinched the community category award for companies with market capitalisation of above RM1.0 billion while the marketplace category winner was Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd.

DiGi.Com Bhd won the award in the environment category for companies with market capitalisation of above RM1.0 billion while the workplace category winner was Guinness Anchor Bhd.

This was the second year that StarBiz and ICR Malaysia had collaborated to organise the awards. -- Bernama

Airline increases Penang-Guangzhou flights
Friday March 12, 2010 Airline increases Penang-Guangzhou flights
CHINASouthern Airlines is increasing its number of flights for thePenang-Guangzhou route and vice versa from four per week to dailyflights, effective April 1.
Its general manager Terry Deng tolda press conference yesterday that the rationale for increasing thenumber of flights was because of the region’s improved economy.
“Webelieve it is possible now to increase passenger traffic to Penang fromGuangzhou and vice versa. Our move will also enable us to attract morepassengers from Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.
Also presentat the press conference were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng andstate Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committeechairman Danny Law.
Deng said the airline was targeting to fly2,000 passengers daily on the Penang-Guangzhou route, compared to over1,000 presently.
He also said the new arrival time in Penang, starting next month, would be 8.35pm instead of the present 11pm.
“The change is to allow our passengers time to travel out of Penang.
“Thenew arrival time in Guangzhou is being shifted to 12.55pm instead ofnoon presently to cut short the transit time for our passengers,” hesaid.

8 shortlisted for RM150m Sibu Airport upgrade
By Sharen KaurPublished: 2010/04/12


The companies include Trans Resources, IJM Corp, Gamuda, Muhibbah Engineering and diversified Kuching-based Musyati

Eight companies have been shortlisted to bid for a contract worth some RM150 million to upgrade the main terminal building and parking apron at Sibu Airport in Sarawak.

The companies include Trans Resources Corp Group, IJM Corp Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering Bhd and diversified Musyati Sdn Bhd, which is based in Kuching.

Business Times understands the eight were shortlisted as they had met the technical requirements and have built or upgraded airports previously.

A source familiar with the plan said the deadline for the companies to put in their bid is May 20.

"The contract may be awarded latest by July. The government wants the airport to be upgraded fast as Sibu is experiencing growth in tourist arrivals," the source said.

Sibu receives a large number of tourists each year from local and foreign countries.

In 2008, the airport, which is located 24km from Sibu town, handled 831,772 passengers on 14,672 flights and 735 tonnes of cargo.

As the second biggest town in Sarawak, Sibu does not want to be left behind in the fast developing state.

According to Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd in previous reports, the terminal building, when upgraded, would be bigger than the Bintulu and Miri airports.

The terminal will have, among others, three aerobridges so that the distance for passengers to walk to and from the aircraft can be shortened.

Sibu Airport started operations in June 1994. It was built by YTL Corp Bhd at a cost of RM112 million.

The airport can accommodate small and mid-range aircraft like the Boeing 737-500. The 2,000-metre runway is capable of allowing direct flights from Kuala Lumpur using Boeing 737s.

The runway was last upgraded in 1999 by IJM Corp.

CHINASouthern Airlines is increasing its number of flights for thePenang-Guangzhou route and vice versa from four per week to dailyflights, effective April 1.
.....
Deng said the airline was targeting to fly2,000 passengers daily on the Penang-Guangzhou route, compared to over1,000 presently.


Now, that one very seriously huge aeroplane they will be flying into Penang :lol:

Now, that one very seriously huge aeroplane they will be flying into Penang :lol:
huhuhuh... should be weekly i think:lol::lol:

huhuhuh... should be weekly i think:lol::lol:

Haha... not even a fully economy class A380 can fly 2000 passengers daily... but... its CHINASouthern... I am not surprise... human smuggling?

Nolah u guys missed out on the cargo conversion to pax version of the A380 and travel without luggage rules:nuts:

MALAYSIA WORKING AT SIGNING MORE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH MIDEAST COUNTRIES
KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- The Malaysian government is working at signing more air service agreements with Middle East countries in order to have more flights between Malaysia and the region, says Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat.

Among the latest developments is the news that Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia will soon fly five times a week to Tehran from July, he said after launching the "Marhaba Gold Card", a tourist card, here Thursday.

He said efforts to enhance air services between Malaysia and the Middle East were in line with the government's aim of attracting more Middle East tourists to Malaysia. "However, this will depend on collaborative discussions in obtaining landing rights for Malaysia from the Arab countries," he added.

Ong said that so far, Malaysia had signed air services agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with 11 Middle East countries. Six countries -- Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen -- had given flexible landing rights to Malaysia without restrictions on the number or type of aircraft and frequency of flights.

Ong said nine airline companies from the Middle East, including those from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Yemen and Iran, were operating 66 flights to Malaysia per week while national flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, operated 33 weekly flights to Middle East destinations.

Meanwhile, Akram Youssef, the executive chairman of IMAF Dendirian Berhad, the promoter of the Marhaba Gold Card, says the card provides a diverse range of benefits to Arab tourists, including great discounts on shopping, hotel stay, and visits to major tourist attractions and other places of interest. http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=120212

TRC Synergy unit secures RM45m job for Kota Baru airport
By The Edge Financial Daily
Wednesday, 19 May 2010 22:36

KUALA LUMPUR: TRC Synergy Bhd's unit Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd has secured a RM45 million contract to upgrade the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Kota Baru.

TRC said on Wednesday, May 19, its unit received the letter of acceptance from Wira Akil Holdings Sdn Bhd on Monday.

"The letter of acceptance from Wira Akil is subsequent to an award being given by the Ministry of Transport to Wira Akil whereby TRC is named as the sub-contractor for the project," it said.

What's the status and future of Ipoh airport?

- Will it be closed down?
- Will new international routes be opened, say those that can be covered by A320s and B737s, such as HK, Macau, Kunming, Hainan, BKK, etc?

Sibu Airport RM136mil expansion now on
By TIENG KING MIO Friday September 24, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/9/24/sarawak/7091654&sec=sarawak

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/9/24/sarawak/swk_pg02sibuairport.jpg

On paper: The plan for expansion works on Sibu Airport.
St Thomas to hold parish sale to raise money.
:cheers:

EXPANSION work, costing RM136.88mil to the Sibu Airport will be implemented soon.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh said the handing over of the site to the successful bidder Musyati Sdn Bhd, a local company, was performed on Sept 13.

“Currently, the contractor is in the midst of constructing its office at the site,” he told a press conference in Sibu yesterday.

Wong, also Environment and Public Utilities Minister, said the project would be in two packages and implemented simultaneously.

Package 1 will consist of the extension works on existing passenger terminal building, central utilities building and associated works, costing RM84,444 while package 2 comprised works on airside and landside works, the DCA building and associated works, costing RM52,444, he added.

He said the whole project, funded by the Ministry of Transport, was expected to be completed in 24 months’.

Apart from the expansion works, he added Sibu Airport had earlier also undergone extension works on its tracks, costing RM70mil which was completed two years ago.

As a result, the airport could now accommodate bigger aircraft such as Airbus, he added.

Sibu airport projek nampak berlainan ngn airport aka KLIA in Sarawak lah...nice one!

Looks like a 'wing-shape' design...
Looks very similar to BKI terminal 1. But a mini version.

It's quite big for Sibu tho' but they deserve that!!

Competition entry - design scheme of an airport new terminal, Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia.

http://storage3d.com/storage/2010.05/0295c1fc9b06b4bf71ec981cccb4d967.jpg

Sibu Airport extension project ahead of schedule
by Jane Moh. Posted on October 30, 2010, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=71704

SIBU: The Sibu Airport extension project, which commenced a month ago, is expected to be completed ahead of schedule.

According to project director from KLIA Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd, Dr Shafie Karimin, the project is expected to be completed two months earlier than projected.

“The project is two per cent completed and it is progressing very smoothly according to schedule,” he enthused.

Giving a briefing on the project at the airport yesterday, he said it consisted of two packages.

The first package involves expansion of terminal building, utility centre building and other related works.

The new 15,240 sq metre terminal building would be fully air-conditioned and consists of 18 check-in counters compared to current eight, four aerobridges and two luggage reclaim belts.

The package also includes instalment of electrical and mechanical services, computerized building management system and work on information technologies and communications.

Safety Control Building, Engineering Office and Workshop are under Package 1 as well.

The second package involves airside civil works and landside, the upgrading work of the DCA and other related work.

There would be an extension and upgrading of DCA management building, road construction, extension of the car park and construction of safety gates and landscaping.

Dr Shafie revealed that Sibu Airport carried 809,995 passengers in 2007 and passenger volume is expected to increase once the new airport is completed.

The figure was based on the National Airport Master Plan Study, which was completed in 2008 under the Ministry of Transport.

“Based on the study, in 2016, Sibu Airport is expected to carry 1.06 million passengers per annum, in 2031 – 1.414 million, and in 2050 – 1.79 million,” he revealed.

Second Finance Minister and Minister of Environment and Public Health, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Pelawan assemblyman Vincent Goh, Nangka assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck were present during the briefing.

Malaysia Airports IT unit wins award
Published: 2010/11/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101103130457/Article/index_html

Malaysia Airports (Technologies) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd which undertakes IT business ventures, has received the Information Security Organisation of The Year Award in the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2010.

Malaysia Airports said the award acknowledged the company's efforts in continuously benchmarking and improving its processes to be at par with the best in the industry. -- Bernama

Local airlibnes expanding too quickly? Firefly, MAS and AirAsia may get 24 new aircraft next year
By JEEVA ARULAMPALAM Monday November 15, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/15/business/7428394&sec=business

PETALING JAYA: Can the local aviation sector support the rapid expansion plans of local airlines over the next several years? An educated guess may suggest otherwise.

Firefly, a wholly-owned unit of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), announced last week that it would commence jet aircraft operations out of the main terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in January.

It aims to operate six B737-800 aircraft from KLIA next year to East Malaysia, on top of its turboprop aircraft operations for domestic and regional routes out of Subang Airport.

Maybank Investment Bank Research, citing data compiled by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, said that the domestic sector recorded passenger volume of 13.5 million last year and has been growing at a 10-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The international sector carried 12 million passengers and has grown at a 10-year CAGR of 7.3%.

“Assuming these growth rates continue, it implies four to five additional aircraft will be required per annum to meet both domestic and international demand growth,” the research house said in a report issued last week.

Now, the local airline industry would see more than just four to five planes entering the market on a given year.

For instance, Firefly, MAS and AirAsia may receive as many as 24 new aircraft next year.

In total, MAS will receive up to 86 new passenger planes by 2016 (this is larger than its entire fleet of 60 planes today), but only 56 of the new orders are firm.

MAS is undertaking a fleet renewal exercise and will see it retiring its older aircraft.

Firefly plans to have 44 new planes, jets and turboprops, by 2015 compared with its current fleet of seven turboprop planes.

AirAsia has defered its order from 23 to eight planes next year. The company has made 175 firm orders of A320 aircraft, which should see the final aircraft delivery made in October 2014.

However, industry observers noted that AirAsia’s decision to defer aircraft could be due to slower anticipated passenger growth in tandem with the global economic recovery.

AirAsia, which has Thai and Indonesian affiliates, also has the luxury of redeploying next year’s aircraft orders to its neighbouring operations.

“We don’t think the (local) air traffic growth rate will be able to support (Firefly’s) fleet deployment plan, given that AirAsia and MAS also has their own fleet growth plans. It is looking very likely that somebody has to give in, and MAS is the most probable candidate to relent,” the report said.

While the B737-800 is the direct rival for the A320, Maybank said it was difficult to say which aircraft would be better as it boiled down to the purchase price and operational costs.

Analysts anticipate that competition would intensify between both low cost carriers, especially for domestic routes to East Malaysia, causing yields to come under pressure.

As it is, the fare war has begun with Firefly offering 50,000 seats as low as RM9 and AirAsia responding with a million free seats.

What remains to be seen is how quickly Firely can turn its jet operations profitable given the intensified landscape.

Little is known about Firefly’s financials as it was not disclosed by MAS’ management. The media and analysts were told in separate briefings last week that Firefly was profitable with its ATR operations and its net profit margin was above industry average.

What was disclosed was that the breakeven seat factor for an ATR is below 70%. The aircraft needs less than 50 passengers per flight to breakeven.

Air Arabia has launched Sharjah-KUL , via Kathmandu... so now we can combine UAE & Nepal in same trip !

Sibu set to fly
by Peter Boon. Posted on November 23, 2010, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=76463

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/T03635.jpg

SIBU: The Transport Ministry has been urged to grant more direct flights
to Sibu to boost its air connectivity with the outside world.

ARE YOU READY?: Kong (left) performs the earth-breaking ceremony for the upgrading of Sibu Airport. He is joined by Wong (third left), Tiong (right) and others.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who made the call, said having a Sibu-Singapore direct flight, for instance, would do wonders for this riverine town.

Wong said, on their part, the relevant parties in Sibu were prepared to work hard to generate the required passenger load to make all direct flights economically feasible.

“I hope before that the Ministry of Transport can consider granting at least a few direct flights, say between Sibu and Singapore, as an incentive for us to work harder to create the (required passenger) load,” Wong said at the earth-breaking ceremony for the upgrading of Sibu Airport here yesterday.

In a rapid response to Wong’s request, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha told a press conference: “We will consider if the state government or his (Wong) Ministry can source any airline wanting to operate from Sibu to any destination, perhaps even overseas.

“We are willing to look into that.”

When asked if there would be any special condition for this to happen, Kong said basically it all boiled down to economic considerations.

He explained if a route was viable and profitable, airlines would be keen to service that route.

Earlier, Wong said Sibu airport would be playing an important role for many economic activities that would be generated in the next five to 10 years.

“This is because Sibu is the hub of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and is strategically located.”

Among those present were Assistant Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, Nangka assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King and Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie.

@ Ipoh Airport
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4754453073_4f2632487d_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/qiping/4754453073/

Sandakan International Airport

source:www.e-sabah.com

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2715/sdknewairport1.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/sdknewairport1.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

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Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Sabah
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http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/6518/28524793.jpg

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Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
AirAsia Bandar Seri Begawan, Clark,
Hong Kong, Johor Bahru,
Kuala Lumpur, Kuching,
Labuan, Miri, Penang,
Sandakan, Shenzhen,
Singapore, Taipei, Tawau,
Macau, Jakarta

Malaysia Airlines Hong Kong, Johor Bahru,
Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur,
Kuching, Labuan, Singapore
Osaka-Kansai, Perth,
Sandakan, Seoul, Sibu
Tawau, Taipei, Miri, Mulu
Bandar Seri Begawan, Lahad Datu
Tokyo-Haneda, Kudat

MASwings Bandar Seri Begawan,
Bintulu, Kuching, Kudat,
Labuan, Lahad Datu,
Lawas, Miri, Mulu,
Sandakan, Sibu, Tawau

Firefly Kuala Lumpur [begins 15 January]

NOTE: NEW

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/22px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png South Korea
Asiana Airlines Seoul-Incheon
Korean Air Seoul-Incheon
Eastar Jet Seoul-Incheon

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/22px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png Singapore
Jetstar Asia Airways Singapore
Silkair Singapore

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png Indonesia
Indonesia AirAsia Jakarta

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Brunei.svg/20px-Flag_of_Brunei.svg.png Brunei
Royal Brunei Airlines Bandar Seri Begawan

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/20px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png Hong Kong
Dragonair Hong Kong

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png Philippines
Cebu Pacific Manila
NOTE: NEW

Kuching International Airport, SARAWAK

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4716/34038651.jpg http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7113/92646897.jpg

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Airlines and destinations
Passengers Terminal
Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Bintulu, Hong Kong, Johor Bahru,
Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Miri,
Osaka-Kansai, Seoul-Incheon,
Sibu, Singapore, Tokyo-Haneda

AirAsia Bintulu, Johor Bahru,
Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Miri,
Penang, Sibu, Singapore

Firefly Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru

MASwings Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu,
Miri, Mukah, Mulu, Pontianak,
Sibu, Tanjung Manis

Hornbill Skyways Tanjung Manis

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/22px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png Singapore
Jetstar Asia Airways Singapore
Silkair Singapore

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png Indonesia
Indonesia AirAsia Jakarta

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Brunei.svg/20px-Flag_of_Brunei.svg.png Brunei
Royal Brunei Airlines Bandar Seri Begawan

Cargo Terminal
Freight AIRLINES

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png MASkargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Transmile Air Services
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Neptune Air
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png DHL Aviation operated by Transmile Air Services
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Gading Sari Aviation Services operated by Transmile Air Services

Penang International Airport, PENANG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4013797345_a98c3cf9e2_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3271587030_4ae8038942_b.jpg

Airlines and destinations
Passengers Terminal
Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
AirAsia Chennai, Hong Kong,
Surabaya, Jakarta,
Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu,
Kuala Lumpur, Kuching,
Langkawi, Macau,
Medan, Singapore

Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur, Phuket,
Langkawi, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Bangkok,
Banda Aceh, Medan,
Kuantan, Kota Bharu,
Kuala Terengganu

Firefly Banda Aceh, Kota Bharu,
Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan,
Langkawi, Medan,
Phuket, Subang

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/22px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png Singapore
Jetstar Asia Airways Singapore
Silkair Singapore
Tiger Airways Singapore

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Thailand.svg/22px-Flag_of_Thailand.svg.png Thailand
Thai AirAsia Bangkok
Thai Airways Int. Bangkok

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png Indonesia
Indonesia AirAsia Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya
Lion Air Medan
Wings Air Medan
Kartika Airlines Banda Aceh, Medan
Sriwijaya Air Batam, Medan

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/20px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg.png China
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou, Xiamen

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png Taiwan
China Airlines Taipei

Cargo Terminal
Freight AIRLINES

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/22px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png Asiana Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/22px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png Korean Air Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/20px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png Cathay Pacific Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/20px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png DHL Aviation operated by Air Hong Kong
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png DHL Aviation operated by Transmile Air Services
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png MASkargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png China Airlines Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png EVA Air Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png FedEx Express
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png UPS Airlines
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png Lufthansa Cargo
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg/22px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png TNT Airways

Senai International Airport, JOHOR

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Airlines and destinations
Passengers Terminal
Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur,
Kuching, Bandung(begin March 2011)

AirAsia Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur,
Kuching, Miri, Penang, Sibu

Firefly Subang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching

Berjaya Air Ipoh (Charter)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/22px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png South Korea
Asiana Airlines Seoul-Incheon ( Charter )

Cargo Terminal
Freight AIRLINES

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png MASkargo Tokyo-Narita
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Flag_of_Qatar.svg/22px-Flag_of_Qatar.svg.png Qatar Airways Cargo Doha


Malacca International Airport
Malacca
Photos from Forum Pencakar Langit Malaysia

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/05/29/06/44/3808316_bigthumb.jpg http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/05/29/06/44/3808315_bigthumb.jpg http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/05/29/06/59/3808684_bigthumb.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/3142/34208143.jpg

Airlines and destinations
Passengers Terminal
Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Firefly Medan [Seasonal]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png Indonesia
Riau Airlines Pekanbaru
Wings Air Pekanbaru

Langkawi International Airport, Kedah
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Airlines and destinations
Passengers Terminal
Local Flights | International Flights
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Penang, Singapore
Air Asia Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Penang, Singapore
Firefly Penang, Kuala Lumpur-Subang

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/22px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png Singapore
Silkair Singapore
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/22px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Seasonal: Hong Kong
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg.png China
China Southern Airlines Seasonal: Guangzhou
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Flag_of_Finland.svg/22px-Flag_of_Finland.svg.png Finland
Finnair Charters: Helsinki

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/xentria/3112628763/in/photostream/

some additional to kuching international airport..

tiger airways serve daily flghts to singapore & batavia air air serve kuching-pontianak -jakarta route..

DOMESTIC AIRPORT: Sultan Mahmud Airport
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
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Airlines and destinations
Operational
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur, Seasonal: Jeddah, Medina
Air Asia Kuala Lumpur, Seasonal: Guangzhou
Firefly Penang [begin 1 March], Singapore, Subang

DOMESTIC AIRPORT: Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport
Kuantan, Pahang
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/yonbcps/5061927431/

Airlines and destinations
Operational
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur
Firefly Penang, Singapore

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (formerly Subang International Airport)
Subang, Selangor
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Airlines and destinations
Operational: Terminal 3
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Firefly Alor Setar, Batam, Johor Bahru,
Kerteh, Koh Samui, Kota Bharu,
Kuala Terengganu, Langkawi, Medan,
Pekanbaru, Penang, Singapore
Berjaya Air Koh Samui, Redang, Tioman
Ipoh (Charter)

Cargo

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Transmile Air Services

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
Alor Setar, Kedah
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/adyajdiworks/4199346775/

Airlines and destinations
Operational
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia Kuala Lumpur
Firefly Subang

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport
Kota Bharu, Kelantan

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachlanburnet/5491023761/in/set-72157626054910527/

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http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1420/95121856.jpg http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/6532/76406646.jpg

Airlines and destinations
Operational
Airlines Destinations
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur
Air Asia Kuala Lumpur
Firefly Subang, Penang
Silverfly Ipoh, Medan, Subang

Bintulu Airport
Bintulu, Sarawak
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Airlines and destinations
Operational