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Showing posts with label Air Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air Travel. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Malindo Air First Flight in Kuching.

Malindo Air Boeing 737-900ER in Kuching International Airport.
Malindo Air, a new low-cost carrier owned partly by Lion Air, launched its first two flights on Friday in Malaysia.The airline’s first flight was from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu at 1:30 p.m. using a Boeing 737-800 belonging to Lion Air, who own 49 percent of the carrier. The other flight was from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching in Sarawak on Saturday 23/03/2013 (Pic above).
There was no welcoming ceremony for this maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching.
Malindo Air Boeing 737-900ER in Kuching International Airport.
With the new services, Sarawak will have an improvement in air connectivity in the region. Let's hope the traveling public can continue to enjoy low fares from Malindo Air. 

Will Malindo Air be a threat to Air Asia? In my opinion, Air Asia will definitely lose some traffic if Malindo Air continues to offer low fares with added-on inflight service. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Malindo Air to Start Operation from 22MAR13.

Boeing 737-900ER cabin interior.
Malaysian carrier Malindo Air, a new joint venture of Lion Air and Malaysia’s NADI, is scheduled to enter operation on 22MAR13. Initially, the airline operates 2-class Boeing 737-900ER aircraft on Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur – Kuching route.
Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu 3 daily
IW1002 KUL0650 – 0925BKI 739 D
IW1014 KUL1310 – 1545BKI 739 D
IW1028 KUL1920 – 2155BKI 739 D
IW1001 BKI1005 – 1230KUL 739 D
IW1013 BKI1620 – 1845KUL 739 D
IW1027 BKI2230 – 0055+1KUL 739 D
Kuala Lumpur – Kuching 4 daily
IW1602 KUL0640 – 0825KCH 739 D
IW1608 KUL1125 – 1310KCH 739 D
IW1622 KUL1610 – 1755KCH 739 D
IW1630 KUL2055 – 2240KCH 739 D
IW1601 KCH0900 – 1040KUL 739 D
IW1607 KCH1350 – 1530KUL 739 D
IW1621 KCH1835 – 2015KUL 739 D
IW1629 KCH2315 – 0055+1KUL 739 D
The airline is also planning to offer service to Miri, Sandakan, Bintulu, and Sibu.
 Note all schedules listed above is taken from Sabre’s timetable listing, which currently displays Lion Air’s turboprop unit WingsAir’s “IT” code. However, the airline will be using “OD” coded flight numbers. Operational schedule listed above may vary from the airline’s website listing.

Read more from 2013, Malindo Air  
Sources from Airline Route March 2013.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Malindo Air Service to East Malaysia.

Most air travellers in East Malaysia has not stopped fuming over the termination of service by Fireflys Airline  in late 2011. This short haul full service Malaysia Airlines subsidiary was doing well when it suddenly cancelled its operation following the (now defunct) share swap deal between MAS and Air Asia in later part of 2011. At least there was a choice that East Malaysian had whether to fly with Firefly or Air Asia. Many, in fact, had preferred  the former(fireflyz) because of its apparent friendlier service.
Here come the new Low Cost Carrier which promotes itself as a hybrid airline would complement the local aviation industry ecosystem in addition to winning the rapid growth potential of the Asian market.Malindo Air, the new domestic low-cost carrier will start their operation on 1st May 2013 from the new KLIA2 terminal and will operate flights between Malaysia and Indonesia initially. However, Malindo Air has brought forward the launch date to mid-March 2013 and will begin with domestic flights: Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu & Kuching.
A new hybrid airline offers low air fares with additional services is set to takeoff its first flight on 22 March 2013 after its success in getting the AOC from Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Malaysia last month. This will mark the second low-cost carrier in Malaysia which offer additional service with affordable fares. This brand new airline will be operating Boeing 737-900ER.

Several interesting key point:
  • Malindo Air will provide a hybrid service (Hybrid is an airline service concept which combine together both LCC and Premium service).
  • Malindo Air will take off earlier from the original schedule in mid-March with 12 Boeing 737-900ER with 12-business class seats and 168 economy seats with the In-Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi.
  • Number of domestic flights destination in Malaysia will increase from time to time.
  • Boeing 787 will be introduced in 2015.
  • Ticket fare and the services is aimed to be on par if not lower that Air Asia.
 By using the slogan “Not Just Low Cost”, Malindo sure needs a pack of punch to break the AirAsia monopoly on the Malaysia market. It is believed that Malindo Airways is eyeing primarily AirAsia’s on the lucrative domestic market in Malaysia which is primarily on the east coast of the Malaysia that is Sabah and Sarawak. Theoretically Malindo Airways for being a new entrant in Malaysia will go all out for market share at the expense of profits by undercutting prices. AirAsia also on the other hand, may also want nip the competition in the bud by dropping fares. This will result in a full-scale price war.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Firefly to take over Kuala Lumpur-Sibu route from MAS.

Sunday June 26, 2011 The Star.

   Firefly will gradually take over the Kuala Lumpur-Sibu route from MAS from July 1.
The airline will continue to offer the same twice-daily flight services as MAS, which will withdraw from the route effective Aug 1.
“We have an agreement with our code share partner, Malaysia Airlines, that we will operate this route using our B737-800 aircraft and will continue to provide connectivity to other MAS' routes and services,” said Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong in a statement yesterday.
Leong said they were fully aware of the concerns of travellers and travel agents from Sibu on the inavailability of passenger and baggage through-check for those with onward journey on MAS and vice versa.
“On Sept 1, our departure control system upgrade, which will allow passengers to through-check their baggage on multiple flights to their final destination, will be operational.”
Until then, he said, passengers on the Kuala Lumpur-Sibu flight would have to bear the inconvenience of checking out and re-checking-in.
He said Firefly guaranteed lowest fares and travellers could opt to purchase bundled sets of service including in-flight meals and seat selection.
Travellers can purchase flights from www.fireflyz.com.my and travel agents also have the option of making purchases through the Global Distribution System listed under MH9000 series.
Photo Credit to Jennifer Lau of Sibu..Firefly Airline to Sibu
 Dated 15th January 2011,I was invited by firefly airline to attend the launching of press conference (as part of media group) for the firelfyz in Kuching International Airport making its first debut and flight to Kuala Lumpur with the new Boeing737-800 fleet.They even invited me to travel and experience the B7370-800 fleet and also taking part on media tour in conjunction with the first inaugural flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.There are many media invited . About the trip just log on tohttp://uncleawangcapture.blogspot.com/2011/01/firefly-airline-media-familiarisation.html.
Photo by Jennifer Lau of Sibu.
This morning firefly airline marked another wonderful milestone for the first flight from KLIA to Sibu Airport
Photo by Jennifer Lau of Sibu.
It is interesting to note that FireFly Airlines, the subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is in competition wth AirAsia. However it cannot be denied that AirAsia is way ahead of Firefly even though Fireflyz is a full service point to point airline with rates almost similar to Air Asia. AirAsia started from a humble beginning of RM1 company and 1 aeroplane to become a RED giant that it is today with Richard Branson of Virgin Group having a share in its long haul AirAsia-X  sector.
Honestly, most of us use AirAsia because the fare is lower than MAS and it allows us to save a few dollars. When things are expensive these days, saving a dollar or 2 means a lot too especially for those middle income earners.
When passengers intend to fly, the first thing we check is the fare rate, then the time schedule before we proceed to make a booking. Where access to instant information is available at the click of a mouse, smart travellers do their own research and go where the value for money is.
Firefly Airline at this point of writing has yet to touch down in Sarawak and Sabah and once they do, I will definitely support them for the value of Ringgit Malaysia that I will be getting. If I need to fly to a destination for a meeting, I don’t want to be stressed in having to worry of my baggage weight limit or many other million issues not taken care of online when I booked earlier. Regardless of how I feel, AirAsia has allowed thousands of people to tour and see the world. Keep it up AirAsia. You have made many people’s wishes come true!

http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

Photo Credit to Jennifer Lau of Sibu.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Budget Airline Travelling Experience.

I have always wanted to travel by sea but what choice do I have as we know that traveling by air is cheap "Now everyone can fly".Actually this is not my first time flew with AirAsia (year 2008).For the first travel journey mostly I flew with Malaysia Airline as I have discounted senior citizen fare apply for those age 55 years and above.
Boarding time had to climb the ladder
 Why I flew Air Asia ? I booked a year  ahead, it was under the 'Big Sale and Zero Fare' promotion period.I grab this and paid only airport service fee for two person (return) it was just RM60.00 only.
Boarding time gosh!!.had to climb up the rusty ladder so openly,luckily no rain..I had never imagine that..What about guest with wheelchair ?.
Airbus A320-200 with 3-3 seating
 After boarding the plane,it surprised me more thought it would be like a 3-4-3 kind of wide body airplane.Airbus A320-200 is not a wide body aircraft so its kind of 3-3 seating.Now I know the big difference between full service airline and low cost airline.Not only that,there have no entertainment resources,no digital screen on seat and no earphone provided.Nothing at all so I better play around with my camera.
Section of KLIA
I could only look out from the window throughout the flying experience .Since nothing much could be done on the plane.I sat straight for the whole journey.Luckily the journey only took 1 hour 30 minutes from Kuching International Airport to Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KL).

So fast, I had reach LCCT although I had to walk for a long distance before I reach the arrival hall or gate.Honestly,low cost carrier didn't provide a super comfortable traveling experience but it give me a safe journey, that all I want - Thank You.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Aircraft of the Future.

Airbus presented yesterday in London, the plane that could revolutionize the air travel. Passengers who will travel by the plane made ​​of a transparent material will be able to see what happens outside during the flight.
Moreover, from 10,000 feet above the ground, they will be able to read stories to the children left home, and participate to virtual business meetings.
According to DailyMail, the plane could be operational in 2050 and will have areas of relaxation, areas of Business, and a bar.
There will be some customized areas, and the fatigue experienced during the flight will be a thing of the past, due to the air full of flavors, antioxidants, and vitamins.
The walls of the aircraft will change depending on the brightness and flight conditions.
Each passenger will have a seat adapted to his own traits and needs. Airbus ambitions go even further: the heat generated by the passengers will provide some energy for the operation of the aircraft.
flying to-day AirBus you be able to see sky view.  
skyscape from the plane

Looking out at blue sky & white cloud of course...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

MASwings To Fly To Brunei, Pontianak Indonesia.




MASwings, which currently operates within Sabah and Sarawak, is expected to commence flights to Brunei and Pontianak, Indonesia, soon.
Its managing director, Datuk Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang, said MASwings had already submitted the proposal to the Transport Ministry for approval.
"Based on the positive response from the ministry, I'm quite confident that the flights from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei and from Kuching to Pontianak (West Kalimantan) will take off on July 1 or in July," he said during a luncheon with the media here today.
He said if these flights were successful, MASwings planned to introduce flights from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau and Tarakan (East Kalimanan) and also from Kuching to Mulu and Brunei in October.
"Plans are also in the pipeline for other destinations within BIMP-EAGA region and we hope to provide flight services from Sabah and Sarawak to major cities such as Palawan and Mindanao in Southern Philippines as well as Manado in Sulawesi, Indonesia, in the future," he said.
BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.
Mohd Nawawi said MASwings was aware of the need to improve air connectivity within this region as it was constantly discussed among leaders of the BIMP-EAGA member countries at meetings of the grouping.
Apart from that, he said MASwings would also explore the possibility of embarking on international flights from Sabah and Sarawak with immediate focus being on the Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur and Kuching-Kuala Lumpur sectors.
"These are some of our future plans and we hope we will be able to make it a reality," he said.On its domestic service, Mohd Nawawi said MASwings would continue its service to rural destinations for the benefit of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.
"We want MASwings to be the icon for Sabah and Sarawak.

Source from BERNAMA

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Sarawak tourism stakeholders want MAS to initiate air accessibility.

 Sarawak’s tourism stakeholders want to work closely with Malaysia Airlines (MAS), on air accessibility to certain selected destinations in Europe and Australia, following the Kuching International Airport’s new runway extension.The extension is to accommodate the Boeing 737 and Airbus A380 aircrafts.
State Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the local tourism industry, including the state government, is expected to engage MAS on such a possibility based on a 50-50 business joint venture.“MAS wants to make money and we want to attract tourists as part of our marketing strategies,” said Abang Johari who has been tasked with looking after the state Tourism and Heritage Ministry.
He was speaking after meeting with local stakeholders to discuss the industry’s roadmap here.
In terms of aviation and linkages, MAS and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MASWings which serves the Sarawak-Sabah sector, operates 206 weekly flights for the international routes in the state at present.
In January this year, MAS launched its Kuching-Seoul direct flight via Kota Kinabalu as well as its Kuching-Tokyo and Kuching-Osaka direct flights to attract more tourist arrivals from Korea and Japan.
According to the ministry’s data, both airlines also operate 132 domestic flights in Sarawak
Other international routes to Sarawak include those operated by AirAsia which has 224 flights per week, Firefly (28), Tiger Airlines (seven) Silk Air (five), Batavia Air (three) and Royal Brunei Airline (two).
AirAsia has another 42 flights weekly on the domestic route. 

## All above photo taken with my Lumix LX3 camera.