Tuesday, December 2, 2008

KK-Singapore Flights Set To Boost Sabah MICE Sector

December 02, 2008 21:45 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Direct Sabah-Singapore flights, besides boosting tourism, would also give the state an opportunity to promote its MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) facilities.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said Singapore was well-known as a premier hub in the Asian region that acted as a gateway to other international cities around the world.

"I trust the flights will attract more inbound international tourists and professionals and we see this as a partnership to enhance business," he said after welcoming 161 passengers of the Jetstar Asia's inaugural flight from Singapore here Tuesday.

He said Jetstar Asia, a subsidiary of Australia's Qantas Airways based in Singapore, could open more doors for other international airlines to operate flights to Kota Kinabalu.

Jetstar Asia's chief executive officer, Chong Phit Lian, said the airline hoped to bring international tourists to Sabah from or via Singapore to make up for the decreasing number of tourists affected by airline companies that ceased to operate flights to Sabah.

"Jetstar Asia will be flying daily between Kota Kinabalu and Singapore beginning Dec 20 to encourage visitations in both destinations whether for business or pleasure.

"Currently, Jetstar Asia operates four flights a week," she said.

Source: BERNAMA

Monday, December 1, 2008

Idris Jala Named Orient Aviation Person 2008

December 01, 2008 14:42 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Idris Jala, managing director and chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), has been named Orient Aviation Person 2008 for being the driving force behind the national carrier's amazing comeback.

While many wrote off the airline when it made its biggest losses ever of RM1.3 billion in 9 months in 2005, Idris joined the airline and turned MAS' record losses into record profits and rebuilt confidence and morale among its 20,000 employees, all within two years.

"MAS recorded RM851 million in the financial year 2007, its highest profit in 60 years of operations, and is only one of the six airlines in the world recognised as a "5-star airline" by Skytrax, United Kingdom, an accolade it has won for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008," said MAS in a statement.

Idris said he was pleased and honoured to accept the award as he and his team worked hard to turnaround MAS. Now, they are embarking on a business transformation journey in pursuit of their vision to become the World's FIve Star Value carrier.

Idris said he is blessed with a great team of people who are passionate about the airline.

Orient Aviation chief executive Barry Grindrod said Idris acted speedily and decisively. In the last three years, he has slashed US$500 million costs at MAS.

Idris is on target for additional cuts of US$280 million in operational costs this year. Significantly, he has also restored morale in the carrier which was rock bottom when he joined the airline, Grindrod said.

He has quickly become one of the most highly respected chief executive officers in the industry worldwide, he said.

Previous winners of the award, which was established in 1999, include Chew Choong Seng from Singapore Airlines; Geoff Dixon, Qantas Airways; Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines; Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International and David Turnbull, Cathay Pacific Airways.

Source: BERNAMA

AirAsia Aims To Secure 10 New Routes In India

December 01, 2008 19:37 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Budget airline, AirAsia Bhd, is confident of getting 10 new routes in India in the next 18 months, says its group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

He said the carrier had already launched its inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tiruchirappalli in south India.

"AirAsia received overwhelming response for the route. Barely a month after opening the ticket sales for the route, we recorded 100 percent load factor from Dec 1 to 18," he told reporters at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang while waiting for the arrival of AirAsia's inaugural flight from Tiruchirappalli in south India.

"We are extremely proud of the soaring load factor for this new route. We have created new demands for the market and are very proud to service an under-served sector," he said.

AirAsia currently serves the route with direct daily flights using the 180-seater Airbus 320. Tiruchirappalli, located on the banks of Cauvery River, is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu.

The city, a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu, is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles, wooden and clay toys.

On flying to embattled Thailand, Fernandes said AirAsia had moved its flights from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to other airports in Thailand.

He said the carrier flew a rescue flight from Kuala Lumpur to U-Tapao Naval Base in Bangkok for passengers stranded in Bangkok for the past few days.

Source: BERNAMA

MAS Adopts SITA Reservations System As Turnaround Enters New Phase

December 01, 2008 23:20 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has replaced its in-house reservations system as part of its US$130 million (US$1=RM3.59) information technology (IT)-driven turnaround programme.

In a statement here Monday, managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, said it has adopted the system from SITA, the aviation IT specialist.

"SITAs Horizon portfolio has been crucial to our business turnaround and that is why we are now retiring our in-house reservations system and implementing SITA Reservations and Inventory," he said.

SITA chief executive officer, Francesco Violante, said MAS has said that they are counting on the company to help meet the challenges.

"Our Horizon offering has already made a considerable impact and we are looking forward to a successful implementation of the next phase," he said.

Under the 10-year contract, SITA has so far implemented e-Ticketing and an upgraded Departure Control System which allowed MAS to offer new self-service options to passengers including kiosk and web check-in.

MAS' fares strategy has also been re-engineered to include fares workflow, competitive monitoring and effective distribution, together with the provision of an easy-to-use Internet booking engine for the convenience of its 14 million passengers.

SITA has also helped to eliminate revenue leakage through an integrity and protection programme.

Source: BERNAMA

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sabah May Host Monsoon Cup Next Year - Azalina

November 30, 2008 17:27 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Sabah may host the Monsoon Cup Sailing Championship next year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the final decision rest with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Tourism Ministry has proposed the event not to be held at the same place every year but instead rotated among certain states, Azalina told reporters after holding a dialogue with non-government organisations and Sabah tour and travel agencies at Sutera Harbour Resort here, Sunday.

"Datuk Masidi Manjun (Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) and me will discuss the proposal with the prime minister at the closing of the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu early next month," said Azalina.

She cited Sutera Harbour Resort as a suitable venue for the event should Sabah host the championship as the hotel could accommodate the participants and visitors.

-- BERNAMA

New MAS Services Proposed To Promote Health-Tourism

November 30, 2008 21:21 PM

PENANG, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has proposed that Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) introduce direct flights from Penang to Thailand and Singapore aimed at boosting health-tourism in the state.

"I will write to Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat asking that MAS introduce new services to Thailand and Singapore," Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai told reporters here.

He said the new services would popularise Malaysia as a country that offers good health services in Asia.

On the Kuala Terengganu by-election, Liow who is MCA vice-president said the party would work hard to ensure that the 11 percent Chinese voters vote for Barisan Nasional (BN).

The parliamentary seat fell vacant with the death of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on Friday.

Source: BERNAMA