Travelling by Air :What is KLIA2.

esThe KLIA2 is built to be Malaysia's Next Generation Hub - International Airport Hub - that allows seamless connectivity for both local and international low-cost plus full-service carriers.
The KLIA2 is built to cater for the explosive growth in low cost travel. It is designed to cater 45 million passengers a year, replacing the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) once it's ready. It is built with bigger capacity and superior facilities.

 Photo credit to KLIA2 (MAB)

 Photo credit to KLIA2 (MAB).
The KLIA2 is located 1.5km away from KLIA. A rail extension is being constructed to connect KLIA to KLIA2.
The KLIA2 is built to cater for the explosive growth in low cost travel. The KLIA2 terminal was first designed to cater 30 million passengers a year, measured about 150,000 sqm, and was scheduled to complete in April 2012 for 2 billion Malaysia Ringgit.
During its construction phase, the KLIA2 terminal is revised to 257,000 sqm, a 71% increase, with the capacity to cater up to 45 million passengers a year. The cost is increased to 3.6 billion Malaysia Ringgit, and it is rescheduled to open in May 2014.
Airlines using the KLIA2.The new low-cost carrier terminal KLIA2, in Sepang, is set to host 10 frills-free airlines when operational in May2014."Among them are Zest Airways, Lion Air, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air and definitely, AirAsia".

 +AirAsia Airbus320-200

 Zest Airways budget carrier from Manila..photo from google image.

Cebu Pacific budget carrier also from Manila. Photo by airline net.

 "Once the airport is operational in May 2014, MAHB will have almost 10 low-cost carriers (LCCs) flying from there."
This article from MALAYSIA KLIA2 info .

 

Sunday Outing -Plane Spotting.

On days like today where there isn't much to do and nothing else to surf for on the net, I usually end up looking at pictures of aircraft and if the weather is fine I end up take my camera and go for aircraft spotting.To-day I only carry my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3.This camera is aimed at DSLR users who are looking for a compact camera to complement their existing SLR gear. Consequently the LX3 comes with comprehensive manual controls and a fast F2.0-F2.8 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens. Images are captured on a 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor sporting 10.1 million effective pixels.

 Lumix DMC-LX3.(2.5x zoom)
 Ideally, plane spotting should be an outing where you go out, of course somewhere close to the airport and look at airplanes and take pictures and stuff. Now in Kuching International Airport, yes you can sort of do that, but lets be honest here, how many different types of aircraft  and Airlines lands at our KIA /WBGG. To be frank, I do plane spotting every week day in  KIA  regulars. The MH,Maswing, the Malindo  Air and the Air Asia  So that would not make an interesting outing would it?  the busier the airport the better it is for plane spotters example KLIA.
There are those who consider plane spotting a serious hobby. As for me, I would not consider myself anywhere near that. Merely I am simple and plain plane spotter. Occasionally looking up in the sky when there is a plane passing by.  Anyways, I have a few pictures that I shoot to-day arm only with compact camera the panasonic lumix lx3.

What's A Plane Spotter ?.

::: To answer the question "What's a plane spotter ?" we must go back in time and go back to the roots of spotting aircraft over 60 years ago. For those of you who want the short version click here.

::: During WW II the Royal Air Force used a large number of volunteers to observe incoming aircraft. Due to the lack of sophisticated radar equipment at that time, the information gathered by these observers was critical in planning and executing defensive counter air operations. The volunteers of the Observer Corps where the first true aircraft spotters trained in recognizing aircraft, their colors and their distinctive markings and codes.

::: Today aircraft spotting is fortunately a peaceful hobby for many people. There are many different ways to practice this hobby. Some people are interested in civil aviation while others prefer the military branch. Some are only interested in operational aircraft, while others enjoy going to museums and watch preserved planes. Some “don’t do” transport aircraft while others “do” only fighters.

::: Among these people you will find different kind of spotters. Some people just like to watch, some are photographers, others write down the aircraft registration number or listen to air band frequencies on their radio or scanner. Of course a mix of these specialties is a familiar sight among the spotters. Let us look at these different specialties and find out what it is all about.
In my case as a hobbyist photographer .

::: Photographers are probably the biggest group if you look at the different ways to practice the hobby of aircraft spotting, although there is a strong connection with the ‘Number-Writers’, but more on that later. Photographers can practice their hobbies also in many different ways. Some try to take a picture of every aircraft they see, while others only take pictures of aircraft in a (near) perfect position, situation or weather. There are people who hate static aircraft shots. They want speed, action and agility. Their challenge is to get that split second action shot of a fast-moving jet. Others prefer a aircraft parked spacious, with sun (most important), no barriers, stepladders, people or ‘remove-before-flight’ streamers.

 Here  a set of photographs that I spotted and I am using lens 70-300mm.

Air Shows in Kuching.

Department of Civil Aviation is celebrating Malaysia Air Festival 2011 to mark its 100 years in the Malaysian Aviation.The two days event held at Hornbill Skyways Hanger in Kuching International Airport.

Hornbill Skyways in Kuching.

For Sale @ The Malaysia Air Festival in Kuching.

The Malaysia Air Festival commemorates 100 years of the country’s aviation industry.The air show provided guests with an opportunity to get up close to new-generation aircraft.

Hornbill Skyways Hanger view from the Airport Control Tower.

 Aviation fans braved the hot weather on the days of the events to catch a glimpse of static aircraft display by Hornbill Skyways,Royal Malaysian Airforce and Royal Malaysian Police and also Malaysia Airport Berhad.

Ground Control Tower .

Aircraft movement controller room.

Visitors also have a opportunity to visit the Air Traffic Control Tower.

City folk, thronged the airfield to catch a view inside the aircraft and helicopter exhibit at the events.

Many gave a thumbs up to the event which commemorates 100 years of the country's aviation industry and I hope  the Malaysia Air Festival  promote general aviation and bring the industry closer to the people.
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Firefly to make Senai next hub ?.

Technorati Tags: Airline,firefly Airline,low cost carrier

Firefly looks set to use Johor's Senai Airport as the second hub for its jet planes and is eyeing regional destinations like Jakarta and Bandung in Indonesia.

Photo Credit to  Senaiairport.com

 

Firefly has leased two Boeing 737-400 planes, and these will be positioned at Senai Airport. It is not known if any of the Boeing 737-800 planes ordered by the airline will be joining the fleet of Boeing 737-400 jets at Senai Airport.

It is understood, however, that Firefly is leasing the two planes on a short-term basis. Sources said subject to traffic rights approval, Firefly aims to operate the jets from Senai by the first quarter of 2011 and is eyeing routes such as Bangkok, Jakarta, Bandung, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu

"There is also great potential for other international airports like those in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Penang to serve as subsequent hubs for Firefly jets," one source said.

Making Senai Airport a hub may also help spur the airport and the Iskandar Malaysia region.

Senai Airport:

The airport, meanwhile, can expect to be infused with a new lease of life, following many repeated attempts by other airlines which had previously introduced international and domestic flights.These efforts had not taken off, resulting in an under capacity at the airport, which has recently been upgraded with a first of its kind Aeromall.The airport is currently served by Malaysian Airline,Fireflyz and AirAsia.

Travel Experience-No frill,but it got me there.

I am quite surprise at some of the negative reviews for the low cost or budget airline in Malaysia,which express the lack of comfort and/or extras etc,etc.How many LCC that we have in Malaysia ?. It is all a low cost .basic,no frills service.If you want all the fancy like travelling in business/first class or what ever...try flying full service airline but be warned you will pay heavily for them.

 

 

The faces of happy media onboard Firefly Airline.......

I yet to finish talking to a friends who have flown with our new LCC Firefly Airline a subsidiary to Malaysia Airline.He talk about the cabin,the flight and the crew.The cabin of the firefly's B737-800 were always reasonable tidy and his overall impression of the cabin crew was that they were young and inexperienced merely going through the motion of their work with little interest or enjoyment in their jobs.They seemed a bit harried and over worked.However they were friendlier and all of them were pretty responsive to passengers needs.

This are the faces of pretty responsive to passengers needs...Friendly firefly's cabin crew with a new image & smart uniform.

I heard three gentlemen complaining about just a matter of not getting window seat,well if I were that gentlemen  I need to pay for a window seat if it is so important to you or just pre book your seat at a small fee.Remember you are flying LCC and that few extra Ringgit won't break your wallet empty.If you want full services go for premium package.

But in saying that I flown Firefly Airline before and I'll fly with them again because those low fares are what I need .Why not try fly with firefly's by log on to this web site

Firefly Airline

All the above photos CREDIT to JUSTIN YAP---Thank You man !!!!!

Travel Experience....

Lately I try to conduct my own research and talk to people who have flown with Firefly Airline.I ask him about how you manage to book your low fare ticket.Firefly has a pretty easy to use Firefly's website and I am able to pick seats and order meals in advance. It is user friendly and I also like the fact that it offers a Premium package  which include a free hot meal, bottled water, extra legroom seats, baggage allowance and priority baggage delivery and he say It will be nicer if it can include priority boarding.

Kuching International Airport Boarding gate.......

Now can you tell me the check-in process at the counter in Kuching International Airport?? I find this experience to be the most disappointed part of the whole travelling experience.In KIA the MasWing conduct the check-in and boarding and two counter are used for check-in activity .The agent (MasWing) was not particularly friendly or polite and were really slow in processing the check-in especially with bags.

Kuching International Airport night view........

What about boarding activity ? . Well in KLIA boarding supposed to take place according to row number and of course ended up like everyone board at once.However the boarding staff  at KIA just let every passengers board at once,except the family with small children or special care passengers.There was no attempt to form a single file line and it was chaotic.I think if they should enforce the boarding order,the boarding would take much shorter time.

Firefly Airline is adding a 3rd aircraft, a B737-400 to its fleet very soon, and it will be used to serve destinations within Peninsular Malaysia. Firefly Jet's flights also code share with MH's.For more information and online booking just log on to firefly's web site 

FIREFLY AIRLINE.

Firefly Airline-Media Fam Trip (part4) 'Kamik Nait Belon Firefly'.

Firefly Airline is a subsidiary company from Malaysia Airline offering budget flight mostly in the Peninsular Malaysia,taking over MAS route flying from south to north and east to west.January 15th in the year 2011 firefly's offer flight from KUL (KLIA) to Kuching and Kota Kinablu.When firefly's announce new route last December 2010 every Sarawakian especially those from Kuching was delighted to hear which mean there will be a choice of lowcost or budget Airline from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur .

More information about firefly's promotion just log on to their web site   KAMEK NAIT BELON FIREFLY

In case you guy confuse what is 'Kamek Nait Belon' this is local malay Sarawak for" Let's us fly by Firefly Airline "(correct me if I'm wrong)

The word belon mean  aero plane.Beautiful isn't it, Malaysia has so many beautiful dialect .

I'm still on day one of the  Fam trip hosted by Fireflys's & Tourism Malaysia and our last stop before heading to Kuala Lumpur and check-in at Hotel Istana is the Putrajaya Maritime Centre, which was said to be the next big thing in Putrajaya as it’s home to practically any water sport .I don't snap any photo here..well,you see  so many people swimming in the pool .You know what i mean don't you...women swimming gear and people relaxing at pool site.They don't want to be disturb.

Photo by Justin KC Yap...(Thanks Justin )

The handsome uncle our tour guide from day one till last day of our tour.Thank You uncle, for your hospitality and he's  kind of happy go lucky person.Some time he talk alone as many of the media are tired and sleepy .No wonder, no matter afternoon or night whenever he started to say a word.. he say 'Good Morning People' ..,

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

Thank You to the Hotel management .I have XXXL size polo t-shirt and cap ,complimentary from Hotel Istana.This Hotel is one of the 5 star hotel around Bukit Bintang.We reach hotel quite late due to traffic congested.We stay here  for 2 nights including breakfast and hosted by Tourism Malaysia.Thank You to Tourism Malaysia.

 

I was impressed with the friendly greeting by the hotel staff and was amazed to see such splendid decor in the lobby area.
The rooms were comfortable, modern, well equipped and the bathroom was modern, very spacious and clean and soundproof! The housekeeping staff were very efficient, we only had to wait a matter of minutes when requesting extra towels or what ever etc.Breakfast buffet was delicious with lots of variety - hot and cold food. The restaurant staff were helpful and made polite conversation although not overbearing.The perfect location for sight seing and only a 10 minute walk to the Pavilion and other shopping centre.I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wishes to have city break in Kuala Lumpur and of course we have to poke up more monies from our pocket (in case you pay by cash).Me..hehehe.all paid by Tourism Malaysia or Firefly's.

 

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

Our mission is not complete yet,I only have one hour break for a shower ( hot shower of course).I am rushing, the bus is waiting to take us to Ampang.

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

We had dinner with Tourism Malaysia officers at Bora Ombak Restaurant in Ampang.The food was scrumptious with modest presentation (picture above) and most of them are unique to me as it was my first time tasting this kind of food.It had a Balinese theme scenery .We  arrived quite late  because of traffic congested.We sit indoor due to humid and raining has started.We are a group of 20 people and the only customers at that time.I look around as there are still ample seats empty.To be honest,do you know that for a free meal some people would go to the end of the earth almost. hehe..he.

Anyway I enjoy the food, like i said my first time haha..Our tour guide purpose a mall tour for us at Bukit Bintang area but not for me as i need energy for day two of our Fam Trip that is we are heading for Melaka at 0745 hours.

End of day one and my next entry is trip to Melaka. Watch out guy........more photos  on next entry.

Firefly Airline-Media Fam Trip (Part 2)

PRESS ADVISORY

Firefly, Your Community Airline and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is pleased to invite you to the launch of our inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in our newly announced Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

In conjunction with the inaugural celebration, we will also be organising a MEDIA FAMILIARISATION TRIP from 15 – 17 Jan 2011. The journey covers top holiday destinations and activities that will give the targeted audience of your media a good insight of what West Malaysia has to offer.

Details of the event are as follows;

Date    : 15 – 17 Jan 2011

Venue    :  Kuala Lumpur

Time     : 8.00 am (Advised time to be at Kuching International Airport)

                Inaugural flight departing at 0935 am.

* Enclosed is the complete itinerary for the trip with flight details

We look forward to hosting a reporter and a photographer in this trip. To ensure smooth planning, we would appreciate if you could send us confirmation of attendance with the full name, designation, identification number and contact number of participants.

To be honest,I was too excited about the invitation by firefly's.I'm ready for the journey and memorable day.The time has finally come,15th January the year of 2011 was a very special day for firefly's  our Malaysia Community Airline. I'm not alone as there are two social media guy from Sarawak Blogger 

ARI IZZAD   and  The founder of Sarawak blogger CYRIL and the rest are from media like The Borneo Post & Sarawak Tribune

In-flight service started the moment the seat belt signs were switched off. Boarding pass was used as reference for meals that was pre-ordered through standard and premium packages.Set of meal and 350ml drinking water.

 

There are so many reason that we should choose firefly's .First firefly's is low cost flight with new fleet Boeing 737-800 series,flight to be check-in  from KLIA & boarding the aircraft thru aero bright .

The tree handsome commander of the new fleet B737-800..

With two flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur .One flight in the morning and the other late night around 11:00 pm and soon they will introduce 4 flight per day.My personal opinion is the services is as good as any premium airline and of course 'You get what you pay for'.

I wish all the best to firefly's for more info do log on to their web site

F I R E F L Y  A I R L I N E

My next post part 3 is the journey covers top holiday destinations and activities that will give the targeted audience of your media a good insight of what West Malaysia has to offer and our transportation,hotel,food and the tour is arrange by Tourism Malaysia.

Firefly Airline-Media Familiarisation Trip.(Part 1)

Firefly,Your Community Airline and wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines,is inviting me to the launch of  their inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in their newly announced Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The new fleet of Firefly Airline B737-800.

On the 15th of January ,2011 Firefly Airline made a history the firefly's flight number FY602 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kuching International Airport touch down on time and the traditional aviation welcome the new fleet by spraying the water from the rescue unit water engine.As promise they use the aero bridge for the convenient of the passengers.

 

My media pass and the photograph of coming guest from Kuala Lumpur been greet by traditional dance of Sarawak.

The best is as a blogger and freelance photographer .A very big Thank You to firefly's for inviting me to be part of this great event.

Passengers to Kuala Lumpur at departure hall and on board the B737-800 fleet.

The flight crew of firefly's........

I'm one of the first guest that flew from Kuching to KLIA with the new fleet B737-800 and if you guys want to go to Kuala Lumpur with lower fare just log on to firefly's website    F I R E F L Y    Airline   .

This is part 1 of my blogging about my FAM Trip with firefly's and InsyAllah will continue part 2 in few days time.

Cheers and Thanks.