AK°/D7/FY/MH | Malaysia-Based Carriers

[nazrey]

Travel Merchant of the Year award for MAS
Thursday February 17, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...43&sec=central



Winning team: (From left) MAS manager (regional sales & marketing), David
Raj, MasterCard international vicepresident and senior country manager,
Malaysia and Brunei, Jim Cheah and Francis.

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) recently won the ‘Travel Merchant of the Year’ award category at the MasterCard Hall of Fame Marketing Awards 2010, an event showcasing the latest marketing trends in the credit card industry across 14 markets in South Asia and South-East Asia.

This award showed the best card marketing programmes pioneered by financial institutions and merchants across the region.

The entries were appraised by members of MasterCard’s senior management, with input from advertising professionals.

The ‘Travel Merchant of the Year’ category was open to merchants such as airlines, car rental companies, travel-related service providers that work with financial institutions or directly with MasterCard to provide cardholders with benefits.

MAS executive vice-president, sales and marketing, Datuk Bernard Francis accepted the award on behalf of the company in Hong Kong.

At the awards ceremony, Francis said: “We are very pleased with the outcome as this is the first time we have participated in this category. This definitely places us in good stead as we move forward in this new year.

“This award demonstrates that MAS is constantly engaging with various tools and techniques to provide value-added service to its customers.

“Our marketing practices are tailored to meet the customers demand effectively, creating a win-win situation” he added.

MAS’ partnership with MasterCard has been on-going since 2005.

In 2010, the two organisations collaborated in a series of programmes and events including the MITM Travel Fair, Alice in Wonderland campaign, MasterCard Premium Travel Promo and Pavilion Pitstop — Red Carpet Gala Night.

MAS and MasterCard also recently jointly organised a reward programme for its top spenders called ‘An Unforgettable Arabian Night’, where guests were treated to the first ‘Comedy-On-Air’ in Malaysia while on a flight to Pulai Springs, Johor.

[koresh]

MH @ KLIA Satellite Terminal




B777-200 Cabin View

[ntly1]

Originally Posted by ntly1

Today I had a chance to fly with the new MAS Boeing 737-800...i like it..cool!! Pics taken from my seat no. 5E!!




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touch screen monitor..


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The first class seats....


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My seat...


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Posted in Malaysia forums

[Vrooms]

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/7535736.cms

Malaysian plane makes emergency landing
TNN, Feb 21, 2011, 04.01am IST

NEW DELHI: Passengers of a Malaysia Airlines flight had a close shave on Sunday as one engine of their aircraft failed soon after take-off. Almost two hours after it departed from Delhi for Kuala Lumpur, MH173 made an emergency landing at the IGI airport with all passengers safe.

According to airport sources, the flight scheduled to depart at 12.45pm, departed from Delhi's runway 28/10 around 1.10pm. When the aircraft was over Khajuraho, one of its engines failed. The pilot intimated Delhi air traffic control, which guided the aircraft back to the airport through the shortest possible route. The flight, with 158 passengers on-board, landed safely just after 3pm.

"At Malaysia Airlines, the safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. At no time, was this compromised thanks to the swift response of our pilots together with the close cooperation of the authorities," Azahar Hamid, Malaysia Airlines regional senior vice president ( South Asia) said in a statement.

The airline apologized to the passengers for the inconvenience and said a team of engineers was trying to rectify the fault.

[nazrey]

MAS launches revamped one-stop travel website
Tuesday February 22, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...801&sec=nation



KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has revamped its website to provide a one-stop travel site that offers more than just online flight booking.

MAS Commercial Strategy Executive Vice President Dr Amin Khan said this was part of the airlines’ continuous efforts to create a close relationship between its customers and the brand.

He added that passengers were now showing an increasing willingness to use self-service options.

“This is like a retail outlet for our customers that provides a virtual customer assistant to help them plan their travel journey.

“This includes planning your travel at your convenience, giving you a destination guide for travel ideas and helping you complete your travel journey with other related services including hotel booking and car rental,” he told reporters during a presentation at the launch of the revamped MAS website at KL Sentral here yesterday.

The clearer and simplified navigational website, he said, also offered holiday packages and airport transfers using the KLIA express.

Dr Amin said MAS expects a growth in revenue by 70% with the redesigned website.

When asked if MAS’ mobile-version website would follow suit, he said there was a good chance it would be revamped too.

MAS also launched its Malaysia Airline Travel Fair (MATF) that started yesterday and will end on Feb 28.

More details on the fair can be obtained at www.malaysiaairlines.com.

[nazrey]

MAS launches new Facebook application
Sunday February 27, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...986&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Passengers can now book and check in flights via the newly-launched Malaysia Airlines Facebook application, MHbuddy.

MAS executive vice-president (commercial strategy) Dr Amin Khan said customers would also be able to share trip details with their Facebook friends.

“With MHbuddy, customers who book a flight are reminded of their friends who live at the destination they are headed for. They are also prompted if any of their friends on Facebook are also planning to travel to the same destination,” he said, adding that it was also possible for passengers to share their itinerary with their friends on Facebook.

MHbuddy users can select their seats as well as view the seats of their friends travelling on the same flight.

The application, which can be accessed from the Malaysia Airlines Facebook page, was developed jointly with Sita Lab, an air transport communications and IT solutions company.

MAS also launched its “I MAS Travel” competition for bloggers last night where three winners will be awarded a page each at the Yahoo! Travel website to share their holiday experiences as well as an all-expense paid trip to two popular international holiday destinations.

MAS executive vice-president (communications) Raja Zamilia Raja Datuk Seri Mansur said the website www.mastraveller.com was been set up to inspire travel and provide a platform for travellers to share tips and travel experiences.

“Register as a MAStraveller member, submit a travel-related blog post and a one-minute video introduction of yourself telling the judges why you deserve to win,” she said, adding that participants had to promote their entries to their friends and readers.

Voting will be conducted using the Facebook “like” button, which will accompany each entry on MAStraveller website.

Blogger Wilson Lai, 40, also known as Wingz on his blog www.rojaks.blogspot.com said the MAStraveller site was a good resource for those going to a new place.

“Travelling takes lots of planning. Now with personal reviews from other passengers, we’ll know where to visit and eat when we arrive in a new country,” he said.

Another blogger, Ng Mei Yee, 29, of www.iamthewitch.com, was happy that MAS was reaching out to online media.

“This will encourage many to become bloggers as well, and broaden the online social media group in Malaysia,” said the food and travel blogger.

More information about the contest is available at www.mastraveller.com.

[nazrey]

Allow AirAsia X to fill up frequencies: Dr M
Published: 2010/03/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

AirAsia X should be allowed to fill up frequencies at whichever routes that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) could not do so, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

"In many cases, though the demand is there, MAS is not being able to provide more frequencies. So, when they cannot provide more frequencies, I think it's fair to allow AirAsia X to pick up the frequencies," the former prime minister said.

"There will be a competition of course but it is up to AirAsia X and MAS to find ways of making a success of the routes," he told reporters after visiting AirAsia's office and academy. - Bernama

[nazrey]

Rafidah: Priority is getting routes for AirAsia X
Published: 2010/03/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Getting new routes such as Sydney and Jeddah will be the main agenda for Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz as the new, independent and non executive chairman of AirAsia X.

Describing her appointment as one that would not just revolve around attending board meetings without knowing the directions of the company, Rafidah said she would be able to contribute much to the team.

"We are still awaiting approvals for several routes that we have applied for such as Sydney and Jeddah," she told reporters here after welcoming former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who visited AirAsia''s office and academy here today. - Bernama

[nazrey]

AirAsia X flies Yiu Lin’s KLutched bags to Paris
By ALLISON LAI Friday March 4, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...497&sec=nation



Flying high: Yiu Lin is displaying her designs in a
showcase in Tranoï during the Paris Fashion Week.

PETALING JAYA: Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X is taking Malaysian designer, Ung Yiu Lin, to the Paris Fashion Week to showcase her designs from today to March 7.

Yiu Lin, the founder of Shoes Shoes Shoes and clothing label IdyLinn is displaying her designs at Tranoï, a showcase for budding designer, during the Paris Fashion Week.

AirAsia X Chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani said they wanted to encourage Malaysians to realise their dreams.

“We are excited about providing this great opportunity for Yiu Lin, and hope the trip would provide great benefits and exposure for her KLutched brand and the designer’s future career development in the fashion industry,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Yiu Lin, the owner of the KLutched brand of designer bags, said she felt honoured to be invited to participate in one of the fashion world’s most prominent trade shows.

“I am proud to be one of the three Malaysians invited to the show,” she said, adding that she was selected based on KLutched’s first collection.

“We are highly motivated to show Paris and the fashion world what we Malaysians can achieve,” she said.

Yiu Lin first ventured into the fashion world with her range of shoes five years ago.

[nazrey]

AirAsia X poised for further growth
Published: 2011/03/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

AirAsia X is poised for more growth following the recent RM1.86 billion purchase of three A330-200 aircraft and the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) terminal being built.

"When you look at the connectivity element and choosing the right markets to expand into like China, India, Korea, Japan, Australia and Taiwan, this is where the growth will come from.

"We are lining our capacity accordingly for it," AirAsia X Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Azran Osman Rani told reporters after the fourth Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) update today.

He said the ETP labs as a whole had identified the Asia-Pacific as the biggest source of growth for the industry. "We are big believers in Asia.The continent for the first time last year,
became the biggest aviation market surpassing North America and there is a lot more to come," he added.

Azran also spoke of the possibility of AirAsia X following AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia in going public. "There will be an initial public offering (IPO) in the future.But it is
hard to say at the moment, as it all depends on the timing, and what is happening globally," he said.

The company's balance sheet is partly the reason why it has been limited to the purchase of only three new aircraft. "As we strengthen our balance sheet, for example with an IPO, we will have the capacity to order more.We would love to purchase more aircraft as we believe there is a lot more upside for the industry," he highlighted.

AirAsia X is also looking to grow its passengers by 40 per cent this year to 2.7 million passengers from the 1.9 million achieved last year.

"These are long haul passengers, which is also a much more higher yielding market. We are confident of achieving the target based on the increase in aircraft capacity and new routes," Azran said.

Speaking about the KLIA2, he expressed the hope that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) would be able to meet its deadlines, as AirAsia is already facing some parking congestion issues at the current Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

"It will be a very powerful piece of infrastructure for Malaysia as it could also be one of the world's largest terminal," Azran said.

He added that when the country had one single terminal with a big capacity, it just made the process of making Kuala Lumpur a hub, so much easier, for passengers flying in from elsewhere.

"KLIA2 would be the very key to achieving the ETP target of 36 million tourists by 2020. We have seen some of the new designs for the KLIA2 and it shows a lot of promise," he explained.

He also hoped that MAHB would retain its current service charge for AirAsia X passengers and not burden them more in the future. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

AirAsia X awaiting the rights signal
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2011/03/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html



Four months and four updates on the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) later, long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X has yet to receive rights to lucrative routes such as Sydney and Beijing.

This is despite Performance Management & Delivery Unit (Pemandu) outlining such routes as immediate action routes at the launch of the ETP roadmap in October 2010.

"Specifically, the Ministry of Transport will identify immediate action steps to enhance connectivity for Malaysia to Sydney and Osaka as well as other priority medium-haul cities namely Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi, Melbourne, Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei that have already been given approval by the ministry for operations by both MAS and AirAsia X," the manual on the ETP said.

According to National Economic Council (NEC) member Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek last week however, the paper on the initiative has yet to reach the consideration of the council.

The NEC is a high-level 12 member committee chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

When asked then on what the government qualified as immediate action, he said the government needed to take into consideration government-to-government air rights arrangements as well as availability of the rights before it could come to a decision.

Chua went on to say that he was sure the government will decide on it soon.

AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that the carrier's RM1.86 billion investment in three aircraft is proof of its belief that the government will make good on its promise.

"I think in a business like this, you can't wait until you have all the risks eliminated, you can't have all the routes on paper, the airports completely built and oil prices are nice, because by then everyone else would have jumped ahead of you.

"So, you do have to take calculated risks because (when it comes to) aircraft orders, slots are constrained, so if you don't grab the manufacturer's slots now, then we are going to be behind and competing countries will grab these slots. What gives us the confidence to take these risks is the ETP," Azran said after attending the fourth ETP update.

Meanwhile, on further aircraft investments, he said it will only be done once the airline strengthens its balance sheet.

Azran added that it may only happen after an initial public offering.

[nazrey]

MAS opens office in Yogyakarta
Published: 2011/03/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has opened a new ticket office in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia.

In conjunction with the opening, MAS is offering all-inclusive promotional return airfares from as low as US$190 (US$1 = RM3.03) to Kuala Lumpur.

"Yogyakarta is home to more than 50 institutions of higher learning in Indonesia. "This ticket office taps the growing commercial, student and residential areas within it and is in line with Malaysian Airlines' continued efforts to further strengthen our market presence in Indonesia," MAS ASEAN Regional Senior Vice President, Muzammil Mohamad said in a statement today.

Other destinations are also on offer and the promotion is from March 10-15, 2011 with a travel period of March 10-June 30, 2011. This offer is available through the MAS ticket offices, its website www.malaysiaairlines.com, and appointed travel agents.

The MAS ticket office in Yogyakarta is at the Melia Purosani Hotel and is the sixth in Indonesia. The others are located at Jakarta, Denpasar, Bandung,Surabaya and Medan. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

AirAsia launches KL-Palembang flight
Published: 2011/03/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

AirAsia has launched direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Palembang, the latter being its 13th destination into Indonesia.
Effective today, the airline will fly the route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, it said in a statement today.

The low-cost carrier is offering promotional one-way fare as low as RM79 for the route, from now until March 20, 2011 and for travel between May 4 and June 30, 2011.

"The addition of Palembang strengthens our route network, especially in Indonesia, where AirAsia has been steadily growing," said AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial Kathleen Tan.

Out of the 13 destinations in Indonesia, five are in Sumatera, namely Palembang, Banda Aceh, Medan, Pekan Baru and Padang. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

MAS to boost awareness of Enrich
Published: 2011/03/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Malaysia Airlines (MAS), aims to undertake more promotions and new product launches this year to increase awareness among its customers, of its frequent flyer programme, Enrich.

Enrich corporate marketing and loyalty programme senior vice president, Raja Datuk Nordiana Zainal Shah said a lot of customers are unaware of Enrich, even though the programme began in 1999.

"Enrich is a programme that recognises customers for their loyalty to MAS. The more they fly, the more rewards they get.

"The idea is to introduce people to MAS, attract them to fly and keep flying with us," she told Bernama in a recent interview.

At zero cost, customers can just apply for the membership online, and receive 1,000 free "Enrich miles" points immediately.

She said customers can earn points after getting the membership card by flying with MAS or spending on the credit cards of eleven partner banks.

There are four levels of Enrich membership, namely blue, silver, gold and platinum, which offer various privileges including priority check-in, priority standby and an extra baggage allowance.

The Enrich miles can be accrued on qualifed MAS services, as well as through partners, including airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and credit-card companies.

The miles accrued by members allows for redemption for free travel, free upgrades and other complimentary services.

To date, Enrich has a membership of about two million, spread over 240 countries. The largest number is in Malaysia, followed by Australia, Singapore, Britain and the United States.

Last year, the programme contributed between 10 and 15 per cent of MAS' total revenue.

"The potential is great. I think 10 to 15 per cent is a significant rate of achievement with a lot more awareness that needs to be driven, for people to understand, what it is to be a part of this programme.

"This loyalty principal had been implemented earlier among the airlines of other countries. In the United States, people just do about everything to get the miles," she added.

Nordiana said going by the breakdown, 95 per cent of the Enrich membership is still within the blue level.

"Actually, it is very good compared to other airlines, where there are only about three per cent elite members," she added.

She also said in May, more new product features for the Enrich card will be launched, with new partnerships in the last two quarters of this year.

Enrich has also managed to bring Michael Buble, the twice Grammy Award winning star, to perform in Malaysia on the last stop of his "Crazy Love" tour.

His concert will be held this Sunday from 8.30pm at the Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam. -- Bernama

RELATED LINK: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/enrich.html

[nazrey]

MAS hedge down on unclear economy
Higher entry cost also reason for cut in fuel hedge to 25%
By JEEVA ARULAMPALAM Friday March 11, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=653



MAS planes are parked at the tarmac of the KL International Airport. The
national carrier’s fuel hedge levels are said to be in line with its benchmarked
peers, with current hedge levels ranging from 17% to 35%. — AFP


PETALING JAYA: Uncertainty in the economic recovery and higher fuel hedging entry cost are some of the reasons why Malaysia Airlines (MAS) drastically reduced its fuel hedging levels this year to 25% from 60% last year.

“The hedging range in the airline industry has been lower since 2008 due to the uncertainty in economic recovery, fuel price volatility and the higher fuel hedging entry cost,” MAS chief financial officer Mohd Azha Abdul Jalil told StarBiz in an email response.

He said the national carrier continued to practice competitive hedging with 25% of its fuel requirements this year hedged at US$88 a barrel (West Texas Intermediate and cash basis).

“This is in line with our peers. With travellers becoming more accustomed to fuel surcharge, it is now a common instrument in the industry to partially manage the rising fuel costs,” he said.

[nazrey]

MAS’ Enrich programme has hospitality as its main selling point
By DALJIT DHESI Saturday March 12, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=657



Raja Datuk Nordiana Zainal Shah: “We get consistent
feedback from our members and know what they want.”

Malaysia Airlines aims for a bigger membership base for its Enrich frequent flyer and loyalty programme via a range of lifestyle-based events apart from travels hosted under the Enrich Indulgence series.

It currently has close to two million members worldwide, with the majority from Malaysia followed by Australia. About 90% of Enrich members are from Asia and Australasia.

Enrich corporate marketing and loyalty programme senior vice-president Raja Datuk Nordiana Zainal Shah says it expects more than 10% growth in membership this year due to its ability to meet the diverse needs of its Enrich members. She says membership over the last few years has consistently been growing at an annual rate of 10% a year.

“Although meeting everyone's needs is not an easy thing, we try our level best to actively engage with our members and place hospitality as one of our utmost virtues when dealing with them. We get consistent feedback from our members and know what they want,” she says in an interview.

....

[nazrey]

AirAsia offers promotion fares to 32 destinations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand
2011/03/15
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/A...iland/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd is offering promotionalfares to 32 destinations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

In its 'Magnificent Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand' promotion, the airlinesaid the fare would start from RM25.

"Booking period is from today until Sunday for the travel period between Nov11, 2011 and Feb 29, 2012. The fares are available only via Internet booking onwww.airasia.com," it said in a statement today.

The destinations include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu, Miri, Sibu, KotaKinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Terengganu and Langkawi in Malaysia, Bangkok,Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket and Hat Yai in Thailand and Jakarta. -- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Munich Airport beckons AirAsia X
Published: 2011/03/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

BERLIN: Munich Airport, Germany’s second largest airport after Frankfurt, is interested to get Malaysian budget long-haul carrier AirAsia X to fly to Munich.

In an interview with Bernama at the just-concluded International Tourism Bourse of Berlin, Michael Kerkloh, chairman of the board of management of Flughafen Muenchen GmbH which manages the Munich airport, expressed interest to attract airlines from Asia to fly to Munich which he said was of great strategic importance for airlines flying to Europe.

"Yes, we are interested to get AirAsia X to fly to Munich airport which offers good facilities and is an excellent choice for both regular and low-cost carriers," he said.

AirAsia X does not fly to Germany as of now. Its European network includes flights to the United Kingdom and France, though the airline had recently said that it would also serve other destinations worldwide.

AirAsia has a fleet of 105 aircraft, including AirAsia X’s nine Airbus A330s and two Airbus A340s. AirAsia X has placed an order with Airbus for a total of 25 A330s until 2015 and 10 (+five optional) next generation Airbus A350s which are expected to be delivered between 2016 and 2018.

German aviation experts familiar with Asia’s airlines reckon that with additional aircraft available, AirAsia X may seek new destinations on the European continent.

Munich could also come up for consideration if AirAsia were to seek new destinations on continental Europe.

Munich airport's strategic planners have realised that Asia as the world’s fastest growing region could be a driver for future growth. China and India are of course the two big markets but Indonesia is also becoming increasingly attractive.

"In the years to come, Asia will be more dynamic than Europe. We already have a number of low-cost carriers operating from Munich," Kerklow said.

"Low-cost carriers use Munich because it is a high-quality airport and can offer high yields too. Our interest in Asia is high. We are a Star Alliance hub.

Traffic to Munich by airlines outside the Star Alliance is also very high.

Munich offers excellent connectivity and has the best air network in Europe.

All Nippon Airways and Singapore Air were, initially, skeptical about Munich but now they are happy with it," he said.

Asked if Munich’s costs were lower than those of Frankfurt, Kerkloh responded: "The yields as well as connectivity are as good here as in Frankfurt.

If the yields are good, then I would not worry about airport costs."

Underscoring the importance of Asia, Kerkloh said that he was planning to visit a number of countries in the near future. He would be stopping in India, Singapore and Japan and, later, also China.

"There is always the possibility of other countries being visited later," he said. -- Bernama

[dinoaizuddin]

air asia is simply the best ...the world's best low cost airlines

[nazrey]

@ Zurich Airport
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcell...n/photostream/
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcell...mo/5502849792/