Saturday, June 23, 2007

FAX cuts flight frequency

Rural air service provider Fly Asia Xpress (FAX) has revised its timetable, with reduced flight frequency to certain locations.

This comes in the wake of criticisms against the airline, whose services have been described as unreliable and affected rural travel and tourism in Sabah and Sarawak.

In a statement here, the company said the new schedule took effect from June 16 and would be in force until Aug 31.

Malaysia Airlines subsidiary MASWings is due to take over the rural air service from Oct 1.

However, MAS had said that it first wants all the Fokker 50 aircraft used in the service to be in proper condition before it takes over.

It was reported recently that FAX has a fleet of seven planes but only one was in flying condition.

FAX chief executive officer Raja Mohd Azmi Razali had said the problems arose because the fleet serving the rural sector was ageing, and the aircraft had to undergo “extra intensive and extra stringent repairs.”

The airline said yesterday that its revised schedule would make use of three Fokker 50 aircraft, with one kept as a spare.

It would see a reduction of frequency to certain rural routes covering Sibu, Labuan, Mulu and Lahad Datu.

However, FAX said the new schedule would minimise disruptions.

It reiterated that the severe disruptions since early this month were triggered by heavy and periodical maintenance requirements on the fleet.

FAX said its Twin Otter fleet of five aircraft would be subjected to a similar maintenance review.

For enquiries, call the FAX customer service hotline at 085-612-442 or the carrier's sales offices.

Online information on the routes is available at http://www.flyasianxpress.com/.







Source : STAR
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