Aviation in Malaysia.

Source: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

Traffic continues to grow in 2010. In the third quarter of last year, passenger numbers were up 12.5% at KLIA, with regional airport growth just over 7%. In both cases, international traffic growth was outperforming domestic traffic.

Malaysia Airports is currently constructing the brand new KLIA 2; a low-cost carrier terminal that will initially be used exclusively by AirAsia and will be able handle 30 million annual passengers.

According to schedule data from OAG, AirAsia now operates more flights and more seat capacity at KLIA than Malaysia Airlines, even before AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia are taken into account. However, Malaysia Airlines does serve more destinations non-stop (66) from the airport than its low-cost rival. A total of 53 airlines currently offer scheduled services from KLIA including KLM and Lufthansa from Europe, but there are no US carriers present at the airport. In fact, the airport still has no direct flights to any US airport.

New services launched from KLIA in 2010 include AirAsia to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Yangon; AirAsia X to Delhi, Mumbai, Seoul and Tokyo Haneda; Malaysia Airlines to Bandung; Oman Air to Muscat; and Royal Jordanian to Amman. AirAsia X has already announced Christchurch and Paris as new destinations for 2011.

Firefly's plane Boeing 737-800.

Cabin interior of B737-800.

 

 

 

A significant development starting this weekend is the introduction of Firefly service between KLIA and Kota Kinabalu (three daily flights) and Kuching (four daily flights) using the airline’s recently acquired 737-800s. Firefly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines that until now has operated purely turboprop aircraft from the old Kuala Lumpur airport at Subang.

Beyond Kuala Lumpur, there are seven airports which handled more than a million passengers per annum in 2009. Kota Kinabalu is the leading airport in the Malaysian region of Sabah while Kuching is the busiest airport in Sarawak.

More information about Firefly's click

H E R E

Firefly opens latest sales counter in KLIA offering lowest fares.

Background on Firefly

Firefly began its operations in 2007 and operates a fleet of seven ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft, which in 2011 will increase to a total of 10 aircraft. It currently flies to 19 cities and operates 24 routes within Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

Firefly recently announced the next chapter of its growth with the introduction of its jet aircraft operations with a new fleet of Boeing 737-800 which will operate from the Main Terminal Building of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) starting Jan 2011.

Firefly won the “2010 Frost & Sullivan Value Airline of the Year” award and recently the “Green Initiative of the Year 2010” award by Leaders in Aviation Award in conjunction with the Doha Aviation Summit 2010.

Firefly is found to be the first company in Malaysia and the second airline in the world to have a page on Foursquare, the location-based social network that enables travellers to discover useful travel tips near their airports or destinations. For more interesting facts and tips, visit http://foursquare.com/flyfirefly to meet up with friends, discover new places and unlock rewards as you travel. Firefly also connects with the community via Facebook, Twitter & Blog.

Firefly's first customer at its Airport Ticketing Office in KLIA.From Left:Angelina Corrina Fernandez,Firefly head or Marketing & Communications and Pn.Hamidah. To-day  04/01/2010.

Sepang: Firefly, Your Community Airline, unveiled its latest airport ticketing counter at the Main Terminal Building of KL International Airport to better serve and offer greater convenience to passengers.

To celebrate the occasion, Dato’ Eddy Leong performed a symbolic flag-raising to mark Firefly’s presence in KLIA and this was witnessed by Dato’ Azmi Murad, Senior General Manager, Operations Services of Malaysia Airports.

According to Firefly’s Managing Director, Dato’ Eddy Leong, opening a ticketing counter at KLIA was a natural progression from the decision to base its new Boeing 737-800 operations at the award-winning airport. “Firefly’s operations in KLIA will focus on offering unbeatable value at lowest fares. We will beat our competitors hands down with our low fares.

“This is made possible with our decision to use the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a capacity of 189 seats, which has allowed us to achieve one of the lowest cost of available seat per kilometre (CASK) among our competitors. We also have the advantage of leveraging on our parent company Malaysia Airlines’ infrastructure such as maintenance engineers and ground handling operations to keep costs low.

“The value passengers get in return besides low fares is also a pleasant experience and comforts such as aerobridge services and the convenience of an Express Rail Service – that we’re offering these benefits at fares as low as ours is indicative of our commitment to deliver value to our passengers. You don’t have to cross the tarmac under the hot sun to board our planes.”

Firefly will begin its operations on January 15, 2011 from the Main Terminal Building of KLIA to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu twice daily, and from January 24, 2011, four times daily and three times daily respectively. One of the key features of the B737-800 operations is that passengers can enjoy even greater savings with the Standard and Premium sets of services that let passengers buy several add-on services at low prices.

For example, the Standard set comprises an in-flight-meal, bottle of mineral water, 15+5kg of checked baggage allowance and Preferred Seat selection, and costs RM38 only, which is 40 percent lower than if the add-on services were bought individually.

Dato’ Azmi Murad said: “Malaysia Airports is pleased with Firefly’s decision to base its Jets operations at the Main Terminal Building, KLIA which will contribute to the growth of KLIA as a transit hub and enhance the connectivity offered. We look forward to working with Firefly to further improve the passenger traffic and bring in more tourists as it’s one of the key drivers of the Malaysian economy.”

 

 

Located within the departure hall, opposite Check-in Island C to D, Firefly’s new airport ticketing counter opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm and, sells tickets to all Firefly routes, add-on products such as in-flight meals, check-in baggage allowances and Standard and Premium sets of services. The opening hours will be revised to 5.30am to 10pm from 15 January 2011 onwards.

To date, Firefly has 21 airport ticketing offices and projects to open another six airport ticketing offices in 2011. The latest all-in fare promotion for the East Malaysian routes is RM59 one way for the travel period of 17 January to 15 May, 2011. Booking period will end on 16 January, 2011.

For more information visit Firfly's  online booking:Firefly Airline

Christmas Cheer at Firefly's new airport ticketing office in Kuching.

 

In the spirit of Christmas,FIREFLY AIRLINE and in conjunction with the launching of the new airport ticketing office in Kuching had its Christmas treat event with Rumah Kanak-kanak Kuching at Firefly ATO level3,Departure Hall Kuching International Airport.Being a blogger and freelance photojournalist I am very glad that i was invited to join the event.

 

Press Release.

In the spirit of Christmas,Firefly's ,Your Community Airline invited 30 children from Rumah Kanak-Kanak for a Christmas treat with Santa Claus held in conjunction with the opening of its Airport Ticketing Office(ATO) at Kuching International Airport today.

The Children arrived with full of excitement and joy for the event,They were greeted by Santa Claus and Firefly's Station Manager of Kuching,who then handed out Christmas presents from Firefly Sdn Bhd and also personal contribution of its staff.The atmosphere at the Firefly's ATO was cheerful and joyous.The children were then tucked into a festival lunch.

Firefly's Head of Marketing & Communication,Ms Angelina Corrina Fernandez said,'Firefly,being a Community Airline believes that it is our duty to serve the Community in Kuching,hence the physical ticketing facility at the airport.We believe that it will further enhance travelling opportunity and simultaneously would further generate encouraging rate of sales and recognition of our route Kuching route.This is to serve both,the local community as well as international travellers on business or leisure".

The presence of ticketing office in Sarawak and Sabah is integral to Firefly's aim to better serve its East Malaysia customers,especially those who do not have access to stable internet connection or,posses a credit or debit card.

Conveniently situated just within the doors of the departure hall,the airport ticketing office spots firefly's bright cheery corporate colours.In addition to selling tickets,merchandise and add-on products and services such as in-flight meals or Standard and Premium set of services,friendly and efficient Firefly staff are also ready to help passengers change their flight details,re-print flight itineraries and answer queries on our route ,frequencies,service and destinations.

Firefly will begin its operation on January 15,2011 from the main Terminal Building of KLIA to KUCHING and KOTA KINABALU twice daily,and from January 24,2011,four times daily and three times daily respectively.The latest all-in fare promotion is RM59 one way for travel period of 5 January to 31 March,2011.Booking period will end on 31December,2010.

To reach Firefly's airport ticketing office in Kuching call +6 082 463055 or visit

fireflyz.com.my for booking or ticket detail.

 

 

The Children were happy to see and meet the special appearance of Firefly Airline Santa Claus.

Note: The kid identity have been concealed in the interest of privacy.

Santa ,The Station Manager and staff of firefly airline  giving out Christmas gift to children from Rumah Kanak-kanak (Children Home).

The Firefly Airline staff and the Santa Claus bring hope to the Children of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Kuching.

Thank You firefly airline for not only invitation but also many great opportunity for me to write about firefly through out the coming year 2011.We also have mini press conference (Q&A) lunch with Children,Firefly Airline Staff & Santa.

Your Community Airline .

 

Firefly Airline our community airline has become the first company in Malaysia and the second airline in the world to take a page on Foursquare.....

Want to know what is 4Square go to FOURSQUARE

I went to Kuching International Airport (KIA) this morning to send someone off to Kuala Lumpur .I saw many Firefly Airline advertisement at KIA.

To travel with Firefly's  click  FIREFLY AIRLINE

Firefly,the country's first community airline,very soon will proudly opening its new ticketing office at the Kuching International Airport.With the opening of this ticketing office, it will give convenience for everyone to purchase Firefly's tickets and I'm confident that with this new ticketing office they will be able to serve the public better .

Although almost 70% of Firefly's ticket sales are transacted online, this newly-opened ticketing office will certainly give convenience for those travellers who do not have easy access to purchase via the internet . This move also reflects the carrier's commitment into providing easy access for people of all background to enjoy Firefly's community service.

Malaysia budget carrier- Healthy Competition.

Today with prices rising,the airlines will not raise prices and instead try to run other companies into the ground by lowering prices.Is this a healthy competition?

AirAsia Bhd was cut to "underperform" from "outperform" at RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd to reflect a potential price war after Malaysian Airline System Bhd announced plans to expand its Firefly budget carrier unit.

AirAsia's indicative fair value was cut to RM2.10 from RM3.01, RHB said in a report today. -- Bloomberg

B737-800  has 189 seats -. nine more seats than the Airbus 320.

The B737-800 cabin view......

Firefly is FINALLY buzzing its way to Sarawak. To celebrate this new sector, to East Malaysia, they are throwing 50,000 tickets at rm9 per ticket.

Go check it out NOW! FIREFLY OFFER

AirAsia , AirBus A320.....

AirBus Cabin View.....

AirAsia is giving away FREE SEATS yet again!

We know you can't wait to visit AirAsia website to book yours! But hold on - we want to remind you that there are also plenty of low fares to ALL AirAsia destinations, which won't be more than RM 99*!

Try AIR ASIA OFFER

 

I like Firefly because when you pay one fare price and you will be allowed 20kgs of checked in baggage, 7kgs of hand carry luggage, you may choose your desired seat no, and be served soft drinks and snack on board without any additional charges.

For AirAsia each passenger is permitted to check in bags with a maximum weight of 15 kg. A baggage fee is charged for the carriage of checked baggage, which will be charged at a discounted rate if purchased at time of booking or up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure or at a full rate at the airport check-in counters. Passengers have to pay RM 20 when checked online and RM 30 when checked at the airport.

I wish every one a happy holiday .

Low Cost Carrier Terminal

The LCCT Low Cost Carrier Terminal is specifically designed to suit the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) business model where it would have no travellators, escalators, aerobridges and would be able to have a shorter turnaround time.During boarding you got to walk yourself to the plane. The pathway is quite a distance maybe about 100m. Not a fun thing when is raining even though they do provide umbrellas for you. Not really user friendly for disable and passengers with baby to carry and with hand luggage to look after with.

ABC Wednesday letter A - AIRPORT(Kuching International Airport)

Please visit & view others ABC-Wednesday by click H E R E

My ABC-Wednesday letter "A" is for AIRPORT.

Kuching International Airport is a main gateway into Sarawak.This is the new terminal building.

Airport & Airline Services

Anything to purchase ........ chicken or beef......teh tarik,roticanai and nasilemak on sale onboard now.For safety reason !!#$%^&**&^No outside food please!!!!!!.
Some airline you have to pay for this.....just hope next time they don't impose toilet fee in the plane.


Back in the 70's,80's and 90's taking the plane was a special event where the passengers were treated like kings from the moment they entered the departure aiport to the moment they left the arrival destination.
For instance those day not many people are afford to fly.But now everyone can fly(airasia tagline).So thing have change in the airlines business and not everyone agrees it's for the better.To-day online booking and self check-in(web check-in) for that matter, those who are access to internet and with credit card this system are good for them anyway......
I think to-day airlines or airport staff are less customer services or courtesy..why ...as you talk to machine most of the time.The welcome ,Thank You,Have a pleasant flight greeting, are seldom use to-day or even smile from the customer services staff.
Just try our budget airline what you hear is just "Anything to purchase"..Talking about budget airline the boss say the first airline to sell "roti canai" and "Nasi padang".I hope this will be not the most expensive roti canai and nasi padang in Malaysia.
The good news of airline today is Internet surf and phone call in the air would no longer be a dream.
By the way no big deal here it's your choice to fly ...to go cheap or whatever that suit your budget.