Firefly eyes one million passengers at KLIA

Fly Firefly Sdn Bhd,a unit of Malaysia Airlines, which will begin its operations at KL International Airport (KLIA) on Jan 15, aims to fly one million passengers in and out of the airport this year. Managing director Datuk Eddy Leong said the target was achievable as this year would be an interesting year for the company; there was a clear sign of economic recovery, compared to last year when things were a bit dicey.

“Apart from that, our newly launched airport ticketing counter at the main terminal building of KLIA will help to reach the growth target and, at the same time, to better serve and offer greater convenience to passengers,” he said yesterday after the opening of the counter. Leong said opening a ticket counter was in line with its decision to base its new Boeing 737-800 operations at KLIA and would focus on offering unbeatable value at the lowest 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 among the lowest costs of available seat per kilometre among our competitors,” he said.

He also said passenger growth at the Skypark Terminal in Subang was expected to surpass two million this year after growing to 1.5 million last year.

He said the group planned to expand its services around this region in the third quarter of next year.

“Obviously, ASEAN will be the main focus for us and we are looking at it very carefully as we are now going through slot approvals,” he said, but did not disclose the specific cities Firefly planned to fly to. Firefly would begin its operations in KLIA on Jan 15 to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu twice daily and, from Jan 24, four times daily and three times daily respectively.

Firefly's new airport ticketing counter opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm and sells tickets for all Firefly routes, add-on products such as in-flight meals, check-in baggage allowances and standard and premium sets of services. Come Jan 15, the counter's operating hours would be from 5.30am to 10pm.


Source : TheStar
 [tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly To Offer RM1 One-Way Fare At MDTF

Community airline, Firefly will offers its special Firefly Holiday Family packages and RM1 one-way Firefly mobile booking deals at the upcoming Malaysia Domestic Travel Fair (MDTF).

The packages, offered only on-site at the fair, will cater for big groups travelling together, be it families, friends or corporate/incentive trips and holidays groups, it said in a statement.

Its RM1 one-way fare is for all domestic destinations except for flights to Langkawi.

This promotion is only available on site and must be purchased via Firefly Mobile, which is Firefly's newly introduced application.

The MDTF will be held here from May 14-16.

"Our focus is to encourage family and or group travel via packages that are affordable for everyone to explore our country's exotic and wide variety of holidays spots," said Angelina Fernandez, Firefly's Head of Marketing and Communication.

She added one Firefly Gift Voucher worth RM50 would be rewarded to the first 100 customers on Friday, May 14 and a free 10-minutes massage from Kenko Spa for all those who purchase packages.

Firefly said the promotion will cover travel period from June 14, 2010 to March 26, 2011.


Source :Bernama

[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly proves sceptics wrong

WHEN Malaysia Airlines (MAS) announced in 2007 that it was setting up a community airline which would use the Penang International Airport as its primary hub and operate using two 50-seater Fokker F50 planes, there were many sceptics.

Many wondered if the new airline would survive in the face of other competitors in the country and region, and if the new venture would place the national carrier in financial trouble.

Former MAS managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala, when speaking at the launch of the new airline's logo in March 2007, had said Firefly would work with its parent company to break new ground in realising a core network over five years.

He had cited markets such as North America, South America and South Africa at the time as part of this network.
Idris had also made it clear that although Firefly is 100 per cent owned by MAS, it would operate separately in terms of management, via FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd.

The focus of Firefly, he said, was to serve the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle.

MAS has so far proved sceptics wrong and Firefly today has carved out a niche and branded itself among players like AirAsia, Silk Air, Jet Airways and Dragon Air.

In further developing its sister airline, MAS invested in a fleet of fuel-efficient turbo-propeller planes to service its routes, and added the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang as its hub.

Its choice of planes was the ATR 72-500s, whose design is touted as a high-wing, twin turboprop aircraft by its French-Italian makers for efficiency, operating flexibility and passenger comfort.

Firefly currently flies from Penang to Kuala Lumpur via Subang, Langkawi, Phuket, Banda Aceh and Medan.

The airline also flies from Subang to Penang, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kerteh, Langkawi, Johor Baru, Alor Setar, Kuantan, Koh Samui, Phuket, Pekan Baru, Medan, Batam and Singapore.

And since September 1 this year, Firefly has been operating the Singapore-Ipoh route

Source : Business Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly puts flights from 3 states to Singapore on hold

NATIONAL turboprop operator Firefly has put two more flights to Singapore on hold after postponing the Malacca-Singapore route due to technical issues, among others.

It is postponing Singapore flights from Kota Baru, Kelantan, and Alor Star, Kedah, due to the absence of refuelling activities at the airports.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong said the Malacca flights have been postponed as it needed to re-strategise to meet the request by the Malacca state authorities for Indonesian routes, rather than into Singapore.

"Malacca Airport also currently has no ground handler and refuelling facilities, which we would need to address in order to activate the airport in a significant manner," he told Business Times.

Last week, Bernama reported that Firefly had aborted plans to fly the Malacca-Singapore route.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the airline had withdrawn and put the blame on the state government for failure to promote the Malacca-Singapore sector.

"Firefly also expects a RM70 incentive from the state government on seats not sold," he had said, adding that the amount to be absorbed by the state authorities was unreasonable.

Leong, however, has clarified that Firefly does not operate on a subsidised basis and said the chief minister was misinformed.

"When we operate new secondary routes where traffic is thin and a lot of developmental efforts are involved, we request that stakeholders such as the state government, hoteliers and tourism operators contribute in marketing support to drive passenger traffic," he said.

In most cases, hotels and travel agents will offer lower rates and combined with Firefly's fares, they would create attractive packages.

"On our part, we will invest significantly in advertisement, promotion and marketing activities. Where the initial cost is significant, we seek the support of state governments to ease the burden."

Firefly plans to meet the chief minister to table a new proposal where it plans to fly to many points in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, from Malacca.

Leong said Firefly's collaboration with the Perak Government on the Ipoh-Singapore flights which began last month is progressing well.

"We are now planning to increase the frequency of our four times a week to daily flights from September 1 and this is now pending approval from the relevant authorities," he said.

Firefly makes maiden Ipoh-S'pore flight

Sultan Azlan Shah airport was a hive of activity when Firefly's ATR 72-500 flew in from Singapore yesterday. The flight marked the airline's first flight between Ipoh and the island republic.

The flight from the republic, with 57 passengers on board, landed at the airport at 4.45pm to a welcoming ceremony which included traditional dances and a band from Sekolah Menengah Anderson Ipoh.

They were also screened for influenza A H1N1 by a medical team before they were allowed into the arrival hall.

They were received by state Industry, Investment, Entreprenuer Development, ICT, Tourism and Women Affairs committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman who represented Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

They were garlanded and given state tourism goodie bags.

Hamidah later launched the flight from Ipoh to Singapore with 71 passengers, including 21 Perak media representatives, which took off at 5.20pm. The delegation was led by state Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transport and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Mah Hang Soon.

In her speech, Hamidah said the air link was expected to "open up opportunities in the tourism and industrial sectors which would eventually contribute to the growth of the economy of the state".

Firefly operates four flights a week to Singapore.

The airport was previously used by Riau Airlines for its Medan-Ipoh service, with the last flight in March.

It is currently used by a flying academy for training purposes.

AirAsia operated the Ipoh-Senai route for nine months before it suspended the service in September 2006.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong, who was present at the event, said the airline might increase the frequencies if there were demand for it.

The airline was also talking to travel agents to reopen the Ipoh-Medan routes.

Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Shuttle buses from Subang SkyPark to KLIA, city soon

PASSENGERS on Firefly landing at the Subang SkyPark will soon be able to enjoy shuttle bus services into the city and Sepang.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong said following the positive response received from the community airline's bus collaboration with Rapid Penang since May, Firefly is looking at more value-for-money options for its passengers.

"We are in active arrangement with Subang Skypark to introduce shuttle bus services to KL Sentral and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport," he told Business Times.

Leong said Firefly's collaboration with Rapid Penang is based on cross-marketing.

"Passengers buying our tickets are informed on their booking itinerary that they are entitled to this special service and we also make announcements on board. This is especially good for Indonesian passengers who need not worry about 'negotiating' bus or taxi charges when they land in Penang," he added.

The Rapid shuttle bus service takes passengers to Weld Quay in George Town from the airport.

From its hubs in Subang and Penang, Firefly offers flights within Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

Firefly is also considering developing a loyalty programme to reward its individual and corporate customers. "This is still at a very early stage and the idea is to offer something that is drastically different from other airlines."

Source : Business Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly Begin Subang-Singapore Flight Today

Malaysia's first community airline, Firefly, Wednesday officially commenced its Singapore-Subang and return flight.

The airline in a statement said the commencement of the thrice-daily flights, signifies its commitment to providing direct access by air to other states in Malaysia.

It said the route, which had three flights daily will have an additional frequency, making it four times daily, effective July 12.

"Our new routes into Singapore further strengthens Firefly's network while focusing on travellers for business and leisure.

"It also completes our promotion of "One Destination, Four Countries"," managing director Eddie Leong said.

He said the carrier was offering an introductory promotional all-inclusive one way fare at RM88.00 nett for the Singapore-Subang flight.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly to fly Ipoh to Singapore on July 12

Firefly, which billed itself as “Your Community Airline”, will fly the Ipoh-Singapore route starting July 12.

The all-inclusive promotional fare is RM88 one way.

However the fare can go up to RM300 depending on the time of booking.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong said the route would open up Ipoh to the world.

The 80-minute flight will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

It departs Ipoh 4.45pm, arriving at the Changi budget terminal at 6.05pm.

From Singapore, the new 72-seater aircraft takes off at 2.50pm and lands at the Sultan Azlan Shah airport here at 4.10pm.

“We have been in discussion with the Perak Government since 2007 to provide accessibility to exploit the untapped and hidden treasures of Perak,” Leong said after a briefing with the state officials, tour agents and hotel operators yesterday.

Leong said Firefly would provide free refreshments and snacks, assigned seats and free 20kg baggage allowance for check-in baggage.

The RM88 promotion is available for booking (www.fireflyz.com.my or call 03-7845 4543) from now until Oct 24.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly eyes 1.2 million

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), expects to carry 1.2 million passengers this year, thanks to the seven new ATR-72-500 aircraft to service the routes.

Managing dierctor Eddy Leong said Firefly carried about 300,000 passengers from January to May this year.

“We expect that by the third or fourth quarter, the traffic will be much higher with the flights to Singapore,” he said in a interview.

He said Firefly planned to provide hourly shuttle flight service to Penang and Singapore from April next year when it had 10 aircraft in operation.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly gains from domestic operations

Firefly Sdn Bhd’s domestic operations are very profitable while its international sector is sustainable just after two years of taking to the skies, says managing director Eddy Leong.

“We make money from all our domestic routes, they are exceptionally profitable.

“As for our international sector, it is seasonable traffic and some routes have their own geopolitical issues but by and large, we can sustain the operations,’’ he told StarBiz.

He did not give any figures as Firefly is a wholly-owned unit of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which is expected to announce its first-quarter results tomorrow.

Firefly flies to 16 destinations currently. Of these, nine are domestic and seven international.

The carrier, which operates using the turboprops, has a load factor of 72%, despite the challenging times airlines are facing due to lack of demand for air travel and the A (H1N1) virus scare.

This airline will add five new routes to its network soon. On July 1, it will begin mounting flights from Subang Skypark to Singapore, followed by Ipoh-Singapore by July 12, then Kuala Terengganu-Singapore, Kuantan-Singapore and finally, Malacca-Singapore.

Today, the airline will announce details of its expansion into Singapore, including fares and flight timings. It is learnt that fares may be from RM88 one-way, even for its Ipoh-Singapore sector.

Expansion aside, Leong said more importantly, it was about providing connectivity from the secondary points in the country to Singapore, whose Changi Airport is a known transit hub in this region.

“(Connecting to) Singapore is to complement our network. It used to be a lucrative route because capacity was controlled but now, airlines are dropping fares and we would be happy to break even for the Subang-Singapore route.

“We are also not expanding aggressively like other airlines as we want to provide just enough flights to serve the people. We want to be commuting people and facilitating trade and development to benefit the states in which we operate,’’ he said.

The fare from RM88 for one-way travel to Singapore includes 20kg of baggage, a snack on board and assigned seating.

“We are a good alternative, given our location, and passengers pay less in taxi fare to go to Subang SkyPark instead of the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal or KL International Airport.

“At RM88 one-way, we are offering value and I am confident we are offering the best fares. You have to look at the total experience,’’ Leong said.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly to spice up KL-Singapore air travel market

Firefly’s debut on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore airspace is set to spice up the market as it will be the only carrier flying from Subang to Singapore beginning July 1 while the rest of the pack flies the route from KL International Airport and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

Flying from Subang has been a dream for many passengers from the logistic perspective and some experts believe Firefly will be able to grab a slice of the market share from the other players even though Firefly’s managing director Eddie Leong was modest in saying that “we are doing it more to complete our network rather than compete.”

For a start, Firefly is offering one-way fares from RM88 to Singapore and for the first two weeks of the month, it will have three daily flights.

The frequency will be increased to four daily flights, totalling 280 seats. This is possible after Firefly takes delivery of its seventh turboprop in the last week of June. A turboprop can seat 70 passengers.

“We are more interested in the secondary points such as Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru to the republic even though the Subang-Singapore sector is important as it will serve the needs of our business passengers,” he told StarBiz.

At the end of this week, the airline will begin aggressively marketing the new Subang-Singapore route. It is also in the midst of finalising ground handling arrangements for its landing in the republic.

“Even without much publicity, we have managed to get some bookings and are hopeful of getting more once we begin our advertising (blitz),” Leong added.

The KL-Singapore route was a duopoly enjoyed by MAS and Singapore Airlines (SIA) before it was liberalised. Now more carriers ply the once lucrative route and Firefly’s entry is expected to give passengers an alternative, that is flying from Subang instead of KLIA and LCCT.

Currently, low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Singapore’s Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia ply the route alongside premium carriers such as MAS, SIA and Silk Air. Firefly and Silk Air are subsidiaries of MAS and SIA respectively. Other carriers such as Japan Airlines, Sri Lanka Airlines and Air-France KLM France also ply the route with limited frequencies.

Since the liberalisation of the sector, air fares have fallen from RM840 to less than RM200 for a return trip.

AirAsia is currently offering RM55 one way to the republic for a limited period. Tiger’s one-way fares are from RM69 and Jetstar Asia’s fares are from RM65.

“To remain in the game, even the full-service carriers will have to drop fares further to keep their market share at a time when demand for air travel is falling,” said an industry expert.

MAS last weekend offered specials at RM9 one way excluding taxes and other fees for travel this year and zero fare for travel next year for the KL-Singapore route. “We will roll out more of such promotions and our lowest all-inclusive return fare currently on a MAS-operated flight is from RM353 for economy class travel,’’ MAS senior general manager for sales Datuk Bernard Francis said.

But Leong is of the view that fares are already low and he does not think Firefly is a threat to the other carriers given its capacity constraints.

“The prices may be pretty cheap now but the market responds to promotions and anything is possible,” Tiger Airways head of communications Matt Hobbs said.

But not to worry, he said. “The market is big enough for all the players.”

AirAsia and MAS fly seven times daily, SIA, Silk Air and Tiger each plies four times daily on the KL-Singapore route, while Jetstar Asia flies three times daily.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly's Subang-Singapore flights from July 1

FIREFLY will start flying from Subang to Singapore from July 1, kicking it off with three flights a day.

The community airline plans to increase it to four flights a day, one to two weeks post the launch, Firefly head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez told reporters after welcoming media and tourism delegates from Thailand on the airline's inaugural flight from Subang to Phuket.

The delegation will participate in a full four day programme, which started yesterday, hosted by Tourism Selangor and Tourism Malaysia.

Angelina said the airline was also looking at flying to southern destinations in Thailand such as Krabi and Huahin.

"We are still doing our research on the route to gauge the level of demand for our services. Of course with the current economy situation we have to be prudent with our expansion plans," she said.

According to Tourism Malaysia director in Thailand Iskanda Mirza, some 110,000 Thais fly to Malaysia in a month.

"We are confident with the entry of a third airline, other than Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, the numbers will increase," he said.

Firefly will bring the number of flights that service the Thai sector up to 42 flights a week from 35. Firefly will fly daily on the Subang-Phuket route.

Angelina said she is confident that the Subang-Phuket route will perform better than the Penang-Phuket route which it started in 2007 itself.

The Penang-Phuket route records an average load factor of 70 per cent.

"We are really targeting the expatriates in Phuket who do their visa runs. We hope that they will use the opportunity to renew their visas in Kuala Lumpur and also take the opportunity to visit other states in Malaysia," Angelina said.

She also announced that the airline now flies three times a day to Johor Baru from Subang.

Today will see the airline start its Subang-Batam route, at three times a week, while on May 15th, it will start four times a week flights to Padang in Indonesia.

Firefly is running an introductory price for Subang-Phuket flights from RM88 per way. The fares are available for booking for travel period from now till October 24 2009.

Source : Business Times Online
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Firefly offers Batam deal for avid golfers

Budget airline Firefly is targeting golf lovers with a package that will take them to Indonesian holiday island Batam for a round — or two — of golf.

The “3D2N Batam Golf Package”, which costs RM999 per person on a twin-share basis, is one of 11 holiday packages to local and Asean destinations under the airline’s “WOW Bargains” campaign launched yesterday.

Under the package, golfers will stay at the Novotel hotel and get two rounds of golf at the Batam Palm Spring & Southlink Country Club.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong said the airline decided to offer the flight-cum-accommodation deals because it was more practical for travellers.

“We also want to encourage consumers to lead the lifestyle they want. Even though we are facing hard times, it should not stop us from enjoying life,” he said at the press conference.

At the event, Leong, accompanied by Tourism Malaysia marketing deputy director-general Datuk Amirrudin Abu and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) deputy president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun, gave away prizes to the airline’s biggest spenders during the Matta fair, and winners of the “Wing Commanderz 2009” mobile simulator contest.

Among other deals offered in the WOW campaign until Oct 24 are the “3D2N Island Getaway” package to Langkawi priced at RM199 per person and the “3D2N Genting Highlands Free & Easy” package which costs RM229 per person for a stay at the First World Hotel.

Those wishing to travel to Thailand can opt for the “HKT-3D2N Phuket Free & Easy Package” which offers accommodation at the Centara Karon Beach at RM399 per person.

For more information, log on to www.fireflyz.com.my

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Firefly Expects 70 Pct Load Factor

Budget carrier, Firefly Sdn Bhd, expects a minimum load factor of 70 per cent for its Johor Baru (JB)-Penang route, which will start early next month.

Its head of marketing/communications, Angelina Fernandez, said bookings for the route, especially from the business community, had been positive.

She said average load factor for all its routes on weekdays ranged from 60 percent to 65 percent and on weekends, up to 100 percent.

"Our low fares are affordable and flying with Firefly is so much more convenient and hassle-free compared to conventional transportation," she told a media briefing on the cooperation with Sri America Travel (SAT) to offer tour packages to Penang and Koh Samui from Johor.

SAT has booked 20 seats of Firefly's daily JB-Penang flight.

Fernandez said despite the current economic slowdown, Firefly has remained optimistic about the demand for domestic and regional travel.

In conjunction with the announcement, SAT would offer three-day and two-night Penang package at RM399 per person and five-day four-night Penang plus Langkawi holiday package at RM699 per person.

SAT regional manager, Kathryn Lee, said three-day two-night Koh Samui free and easy package would be offered at RM899 per person while the four-day three-night Koh Samui Getaway package would be RM999 per person.

Firefly would launch the Subang-Phuket route on May 1, Subang-Bertam on May 2 and Subang-Padang on May 15.

It would increase its Kerteh flights to seven a week from its current five, starting mid-May.



Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Firefly now flies to Kerteh

Budget airline Firefly will now fly to Kerteh in Terengganu twice daily from Subang.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong said in a statement that the route was the company’s way of committing itself to providing alternative and affordable travel for all Malaysians.

“In addition, the Kerteh route will add convenience to leisure travellers. Well known tourism spots such as Kijal and Cherating are just a few minutes drive from Kerteh.”

Leong said Kerteh would be the airline’s second destination in Terengganu after the state capital.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Firefly starts direct flights from Subang to Koh Samui

FLIGHT FY3608 landed safely at Koh Samui in Thailand on Oct 26, signifying a milestone for Malaysian low-cost carrier Firefly.

All the 71 passengers, anong whom were Malaysian media representatives, alighted from the ATR-72-500 twin turbo propeller aircraft at 10.35am local time to a rousing welcome by local officials, including the Firefly staff members, hotel operators, Thai Tourism Authority and provincial government representatives.

Touchdown: Flight FY3608 arriving at Koh Samui airport.

The two-hour flight was the airline’s first direct flight from Subang. The service is expected to boost the regional economy, in tandem with other regional destinations within Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand offered by the airlines.

Prior to the direct flight from Subang’s Terminal 3, the airline had been commuting four times a week to Koh Samui from Penang (Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays).

The Firefly flights from Subang are also scheduled four times weekly. The airline’s head of communications and marketing, Angelina Fernandez, said more destinations had been picked within Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand and services are scheduled to begin early next year.

She added that with the direct service from Subang to Koh Samui, more first-time travellers were expected to check out the destination.

Welcome: A Thai official garlanding a passenger who arrived at Koh Samui aboard Firefly’s inaugural flight from Subang

Fernandez said the airline also included a holiday package to the island that lies off the Kra Ithmus. Options range from air fares, starting from RM180 per person, to a three-day/two-night hotel stay and ticketing package for RM2,800.

She encouraged travellers to take advantage of the airline’s on-line promotions that cover low fare for a return trip as well as accommodation options.

For details on Firefly’s weekly direct flights to Koh Samui, log on to www.fireflyz.com.my.

Source : Star
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

AirAsia and Firefly eyeing LCCT in Batang Padang

Budget carriers AirAsia and Firefly are courting the Perak government to operate a low-cost carrier terminal at the Batang Padang district.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mo­­hammad Nizar Jamaluddin said discussion on the airport offering international flights started in May and to date two meetings on the matter had been held.

The state’s commitment is only to provide between 1,212ha and 1,616ha of land while the operator would foot the development cost of the airport, he said yesterday. The new airport would also handle cargo flights.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Japanese ambassador Masahiko Yoire at his office, Nizar said that the plan, however, still hinged on clearance from the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

The state, said Nizar, needed an international airport to attract foreign investors.

Nizar also added that the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here would be used only to service local flights if the Batang Padang airport project took off.

On the courtesy call, Nizar said that the ambassador had expressed Japan’s confidence in the Pakatan Rakyat-led states.

He had received positive feedback from Perak-based Japanese companies of which two of them would expand their operations here.

The ambassador, said that Nizar, also discussed plans to package Perak’s tourism products to attract Japanese tourists.

They also discussed student exchange programmes between Fukuoka University and universities in Perak.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Firefly to replace fleet

FIREFLY passengers will get to enjoy bigger leather seats with wider leg space with the airlines’ newly launched ATR 72-500 aircraft.

The plane, which departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang at 6.50am yesterday, arrived at the Penang International Airport at 9.30am after a brief stopover in Kota Baru.

At the runway, the bright orange aircraft was greeted with a water salutation by the airport’s fire brigade while its passengers received a warm and colourful welcome from a kompang troupe.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong said the new aircraft was more fuel-efficient and had a more comfortable cabin interior compared to the Fokker 50-seater planes.

Special reception:Guests from Firefly's ATR 72-500 plane were given a warm welcome during its first landing at the Penang International Airport yesterday.

He said the company planned to replace all its Fokker-50 aircrafts with 10 new ATR 72-500 planes by next August.

Leong said the airline’s cheap airfares, flight experience and direct flight services made it a premium airline.

“We don’t require lengthy check-ins because we are smaller in size. We will also be introducing complimentary in-flight refreshments in November,” he said, adding that Firefly passengers now received a generous 20kg baggage allowance.

Among the special guests on board the inaugural flight were 14 pupils and four teachers from SRJK Sabak in Kota Baru and journalists from Kuala Lumpur.

“Today’s the most exciting day of my life! I woke up very early in the morning as I couldn’t wait to get up the plane,” said 12-year-old Anumi Nur Afifah, who was flying for the first time.

Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen, who was at the airport to welcome the passengers said as Firefly was flying in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMTGT) region, Penang had a tourist catchment of 70 million.

The airline currently operates flights from Penang to Subang, Langkawi, Kuantan, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Phuket, Koh Samui, Medan, Bandar Aceh and soon to Sumatra.

Source : STAR

[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Firefly takes delivery of new ATR72-500 aircraft

Firefly has taken delivery of its new ATR72-500 turbo-propeller aircraft with its first flight between Subang airport and Kota Baru.

The airline is hoping that the aircraft, which arrived here yesterday after a four-day flight from Toulouse in France, will boost its efficiency.

Firefly, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is replacing its three Fokker-50s with ATR72-500 planes which run on 40% less fuel and are more cost-effective.

Its managing director Eddy Leong said he hoped to reduce cost by 20%.

“This would be primarily due to fuel efficiency.

“The 72-seater ATR will also be able to carry 22 more passengers than the Fokker-50, even though most of the charges for both planes (such as landing charges and parking charges) are almost the same,” he told reporters.

Also present to welcome the new aircraft was Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat and MAS managing director and Firefly chairman Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Leong said another five were expected to arrive next year, and a further 10 in 2010.

Leong also announced the launching of new routes from Penang to Medan and Banda Aceh, and from Subang to Pekanbaru, Johor Baru and Koh Samui in October.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

Penang plans to fly high

FIREFLY, Tourism Malaysia and the Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) will embark on a roadshow to promote the state as a tourist destination and northern region air hub for low cost carriers.

The Penang Travel Trade Members Roadshow for inbound and outbound air travel, scheduled from July 9 to July 30, was announced by PTAC chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen recently.

“Penang’s location is very strategic and Firefly will position the state as a gateway to the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). With the arrival of five new ATR72-500 Firefly aircrafts, Penang will soon be connected to Medan and Acheh,” she said.

“We want to promote the state as an air traffic hub. We will be out to establish smart partner-ships with other tour operators in the region to develop packages and marketing strategies,” she said.

The roadshow will be held in Phuket and Koh Samui (Thailand), Medan and Acheh (Indonesia), and Langkawi, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur.

“This roadshow is aimed at providing tourism industry players with the opportunity to network and develop their businesses with their counterparts around the region.

“There will be seminars, presentations and a travel mart on the state with 100 participants from travel agencies, hotels, tour operators and educational institutions. I am sure this can help to boost tourist arrivals to the state,” she said.

Kee said that for Penang to be successful, the state must also be promoted alongside other popular tourist destinations in the region.

“We must be pragmatic. Penang can no longer stand on her own. We want more connectivity but can we sustain the passenger load?

“That is why I want to promote closer cooperation with other countries and come up with joint packages that add value for visitors,” she said.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]