MAS Offers Special Fares And Holiday Packages At MATTA Travel Fair

March 14, 2012 20:50 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines System Bhd (MAS) is offering attractive domestic and international travel airfares, MASholidays packages and travel-related products at the MATTA Travel Fair from March 16-18, 2012.

In a statement Wednesday, MAS said all-inclusive discounted airfares for economy and business class would be available through its appointed agents participating in the fair while MASholidays would offer domestic and international holiday package promotional fares.

"Business class travellers can enjoy all-inclusive return air fares from RM1,899 to Phnom Penh, Manila and Hanoi, RM3,699 to both Beijing and Hong Kong, RM4,899 to Seoul and Male and RM10,015 to Los Angeles.

"Similar fares to London start from RM20,999 and passengers will enjoy the travel comfort of the Airbus A380-800 on selected days starting from July 2012," it said.

MAS said its unit, Firefly, would also offer great deals to destinations like Koh Samui, Langkawi, Terengganu, Kota Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. MAS said those interested and not be able to make it to the PWTC to grab these deals could get them via its website at www.malaysiaairlines.com, call centre at 1-300-88-3000 and ticket offices nationwide.

-- 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

Thai unrest: AirAsia, MAS stop flights to Bangkok

2008/11/27

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia temporarily stopped its operations into Bangkok beginning yesterday following the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport after it was taken over by anti-government protesters.

Both airlines could not say when their flight operations would resume.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia called off 30 flights.

The routes include destinations connecting Bangkok to other cities in Thailand, as well as flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Macau, Jakarta, Ha-noi and Yangon.

AirAsia, in a statement posted on its website, said all affected passengers would receive a refund to be credited into their accounts.

Passengers were told that they could use their credit shell to redeem a seat on the next available flight to/from Bangkok within 3 days from their original date of travel. This is subject to the reopening of the airport and availability of seats.

Its corporate communications head, Hamdan Mohamad, said the company hoped its service would resume soon.

Malaysia Airlines said all its flights to Bangkok were cancelled but those to Phuket were operating.

Operations director Datuk Tajuden Abu Bakar said: "As the closure is indefinite, we are unable to advise when our flight operations will resume."

A Wisma Putra official in Kuala Lumpur said: "We advise those who want to go to Bangkok to reconsider doing so unless they have pressing reasons to go there."


Deputy chief of mission Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman said all Malaysians in Bangkok were safe.

"There are about 370 Ma-laysians registered with the embassy.

"Some of them are students, but the majority are working here."

Syed Bakri said most areas in Bangkok were safe. "One would have to avoid the areas where people are demonstrating, but the greater part of Bangkok is fine.

"The demonstrators are not hostile to foreigners. Their anger is directed at the government and they are friendly to outsiders."

Source: NST

MAS and AirAsia cancel flights to and from Bangkok

Thursday November 27, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia have cancelled flights into and out of Bangkok after Thai authorities closed Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

MAS operations director Datuk Tajuden Abu Bakar said that as the closure was indefinite, the airline was unable to say when flights would resume.

Tajuden advised customers in Malaysia to call 1-300-88-3000 for further updates. Passengers in Bangkok could call +662-2630572 or +662-1343184.

AirAsia, on its website, said all affected customers would automatically receive a refund via a credit shell.

The statement said the credit shell could be used to redeem a seat on the next available flight to or from Bangkok within three days from the passenger’s original date of travel, subject to the reopening of the airport in Bangkok and availability of seats.

It added that arrangements for the next flight to or from Bangkok must be done at the AirAsia sales counter at the respective airport of departure.

In George Town, Penang Thai Airways International general manager Niruth Sripawatakul said yesterday about 250 passengers who were supposed to board an 8.10am flight were turned back.

Source: The Star

Firefly stopover service a big hit

Friday November 14, 2008

By CHOI TUCK WO

LONDON: Firefly is tapping the international stopover market by offering its much-touted “low-fare and incredible value” offer for long-haul travellers.

More than 20 international travel firms have registered with the airline to act as agents to provide stopovers in Malaysia.

Marketing and communications head Angelina Fernandez said the stopovers could allow the passengers to take the airline’s direct connecting flights to other domestic destinations or to Thailand and Indonesia.

She said they were overwhelmed by the response from travel agents from countries such as Britain, the United States, Sweden, Germany, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and India.

“One agent from the Maldives even pledged to bring the first batch of travellers for stopovers in Subang and Penang next week,” she said at the four-day World Travel Market at Excel London which ends today.

Angelina said they had provided a new venue for travel agents who faced connecting problems domestically such as high costs, long travelling time and distance.

She also said agents were surprised with Firefly’s 20kg baggage allowance for domestic flights, compared with the usual 10kg or 15kg.

The airline also provided assigned seating and complimentary in-flight refreshments and snacks which were a welcome change for an airline offering low fares.

“We’re not a low-budget airline but we offer low fares at extremely incredible value.” Angelina said most agents requested for popular diving destinations such Redang, Perhentian, Penang, Bandar Aceh, Koh Samui, Phuket and Johor Baru.

She said they also offered competitive pricing where long-haul travellers could fly to any destination within Malaysia for as low as £10 (RM60).

From there, they could take connecting flights to Langkawi or Koh Samui for a few days, before flying to Terengganu or Medan

Source: The Star

No Fuel Surcharge, Thai AirAsia Hopes To Carry More Passengers

November 11, 2008 17:20 PM

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- With the prolonged Thai political crisis and worldwide economic slowdown hampering its business, Thai AirAsia hopes that the abolishment of fuel surcharge would enable it to achieve its target of 4.7 million passengers this year and expand its routes to Bali, Guangzhou and two Indian cities in 2009.

Its chief executive officer, Tassapon Bijleveld, said the number of passengers would rise as the cost of flying would be cheaper without the fuel surcharge, which was introduced when the jet fuel went above US$80 (US$1=RM3.54) per barrel and reached almost US$150 few months ago.

"Since the oil price has come down to between US$65 and US$70, we are doing away with the fuel surcharge. With this, we hope the cabin load factor will rise to between 80 and 90 percent within two months," he told a press conference here Tuesday.

Tassapon said he was confident that Thai AirAsia, 49 percent owned by AirAsia Bhd, would be able to carry 5.2 million passengers in 2009 despite the projected recession worldwide and the domestic political crisis which has affected the tourism industry.

He said the airline, which carried 10 million passengers since it started operations four years ago, was on track to expand its route to Bali in Indonesia and China's Guangzhou in January, as well as adding two cities in India in the second half of 2009.

Starting today, AirAsia, its subsidaries in Thailand and Indonesia, and AirAsia X would abolish the fuel surcharge for all its international and domestic flights. In Thailand, the fuel surcharge is 550 baht (100 baht=RM9.39) for domestic sector and 700 baht for international routes.

AirAsia is also giving away 500,000 free seats, including 65,000 in Thailand, with travelling period between June 22 and Oct 24, 2009.

Asked if the no-fuel surcharge would be a permanent feature, Tassapon said it would depend on the world oil price.

He ruled out introducing net price in their advertisement as passengers would get the chance to get a lower fare if they book early, as well as adding other extras like express boarding, insurance and check-in baggage.

"Passengers need only pay the administration fees, airport tax and the fare. The rest are optional," said Tassapon, adding that without the fuel surcharge, the company's revenue would not be affected as more passengers were expected to fly, as well as income from onboard services such as food and drink.

Thai AirAsia currently flies domestic routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Narathiwat, Nakhorn Si Thammarat, Phuket, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani while overseas destinations includes Phnom Penh, Macau, Xiamen, Shenzen, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baharu, Yangon, Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong.

-- BERNAMA

Insufficient KL-London Flights By MAS Will Be Raised In Cabinet, Says Azalina

November 11, 2008 23:19 PM

From Haslinda Zainal

LONDON, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will bring up the matter of insufficient Kuala Lumpur-London flights by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to the Cabinet, said its minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the problem had affected tourist arrivals from Europe and London.

"Now with global fuel prices at a very low level, MAS should use the opportunity to increase its flight frequency on the KL-London route," she told reporters after opening Tourism Malaysia's booth known as Malaysia Pavilion at the World Travel Market fair at the ExCel London exposition park here Tuesday.

It is understood MAS, which used to operate some 14 flights a week on the route, had reduced the frequency to between 10 and 12 a week.

Azalina said this and other shortcomings like expensive airfares had caused Malaysians and Europeans to opt for other airlines.

She said apart from this, the London-Langkawi and London-Penang routes that had been scrapped, would also raised in the Cabinet.

Azalina also said that despite the economic crunch the world was facing, tourist arrivals in Malaysia showed an increase of 4.8 per cent as of October.

She said tourist arrivals from Britain as of October was 303,569, an increase of 36.1 per cent compared to arrivals for the whole of last year from that country.

"The daily average spending of tourists from the United Kingdom amounted to RM3,500 and their average length of stay was 9.6 days. This augurs well for Malaysia," she added.

Source: BERNAMA

Press Release: NEW FLIGHTS FROM MALAYSIA

Monday 13/10/2008

October 13, 2008-- Malaysia Airports Continues To Attract New Routes To Its Five Largest Airports Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching And Langkawi. Since The Beginning Of The Year, Malaysia Airports Has Welcomed Over 55 New Routes From 12 Airlines, Generating Around 200 Additional Weekly Flights, A Significant Achievement Given The Current Economic Climate And The Impact High Oil Prices Is Having On The World's Airlines.

At Kuala Lumpur International Airport, national carrier Malaysia Airlines has started Karachi and Yogyakarta, whilst Asia's fastest growing low cost carrier Air Asia has launched Guangzhou, Yogyakarta, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Haikou, Guilin, Batam and Pekanbaru (Indonesia Air Asia). Air Asia's long haul sister company Air Asia X has launched Hangzhou and Gold Coast. Kuala Lumpur has also attracted two new low cost carriers on the deregulated Singapore route, Jetstar Asia and Tiger Airways.

Penang Airport has received three new routes from Sriwijaya Air and Indonesia Air Asia as well as increased frequencies from Cathay Pacific. In East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu has gained four new air services: Jakarta, Denpasar (both operated by Indonesia Air Asia), Manila (Cebu Pacific) and Labuan (Air Asia). Indonesia Air Asia has also launched new services from Kuching to Jakarta and Denpasar.

Langkawi has attracted a number of new carriers operating short charter programmes, for example, Hong Kong Airlines has operated a short programme this summer to Hong Kong.

The rest of the year continues to look bright with another 7 destinations already announced to start before the end of the year. From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia X will continue their network expansion to Australia starting services to Melbourne and Perth in November. Air Asia will start Tiruchirapally and Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lumpur, is planning to start new services to Papua New Guinea. Firefly will also start two new points from Penang to Medan and Banda Aceh.

There is not expected to be any new carriers on the fully deregulated KL - Singapore trunk route from 1st December 2008. However, Tiger and Air Asia have already announced considerable frequency increases with both carriers adding an additional 4 daily frequencies, Air Asia up to 6 daily from 2 daily and Tiger up to 5 daily from daily. This means there are an additional 56 weekly flights on top of the current 129 weekly flights between KL and Singapore, an increase of over 40%.

Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, Managing Director of MAHB commented that "Malaysia Airports is also confident that during the Routes conference the airport group is close to completing negotiations with two to three new carriers to start operations into Malaysia before the end of the year, so watch this space!"


Notes:-

Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia, including 5 international, 16 domestic and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) airports. In 2007, Kuala Lumpur International Airports handled a total of 26.453 million passengers of which 16.965 million were international passengers. KLIA is capable of handling 35 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo a year in its current phase. The Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KLIA) is an extension of the existing facilities of the KLIA. It was opened in March 2006 and has a capacity of 10 million passengers annually. KLIA is an award-winning airport, with recent wins including World's Best Airport in the 15-25 million passengers per annum category and Second place in the Best Airport in the Overall Category and Best Airport in the Asia-Pacific category for the Airport Council International (ACI) 2007 Airport Service Quality Awards.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT :
NAME : NORLIZA KAMARUDDIN
GENERAL MANAGER CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
CELLPHONE: +6019-2000887
EMAIL : norliza@malaysiaairports.com.my

NAME : NOOR HAFIZA RUSLAN
MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION SERVICES,CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
CELLPHONE : +6012 - 211 4773
EMAIL : hafiza@malaysiaairports.com.my

NAME : FAISALLY AHMAD RUSDY
SENIOR EXECUTIVE (MEDIA RELATIONS), CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS CELLPHONE : +6012-6846575
EMAIL : faisally@malaysiaairports.com.my

DATE OF RELEASE : 13 OCTOBER 2008
RELEASED BY BERNAMA MEDIA RELATIONS & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Malaysian Carriers To Expand Operations Network By Year-end

October 13, 2008 11:23 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Low budget and community carriers -- AirAsia, AirAsia X and Firefly -- plan to further increase their network expansion by year-end.

From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia X will continue its network expansion to Australia, starting services to Melbourne and Perth in November, said Malaysia Airports Bhd in a statement Sunday.

AirAsia will start flying to Tiruchilapally, India, while Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lumpur, is planning to start new services to Papua New Guinea.

Firefly will also start two new points from Penang to Medan and Banda Aceh.

"No new carriers are expected on the fully deregulated Kuala Lumpur-Singapore trunk route from Dec 1, 2008," said Malaysia Airports.

AirAsia and Tiger Airways have already announced considerable frequency increases, with both airlines adding an additional four daily frequencies, Air Asia up to six daily and Tiger Airways five daily from one daily. "This means there are an additional 56 weekly flights on top of the current 129 weekly flights between KL and Singapore, an increase of over 40 percent," it added.

Source: BERNAMA

More AirAsia flights to Ho Chi Minh City

2008/09/30

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia has announced additional flights to Ho Chi Minh City from here and Bangkok.

The decision was in response to strong demand for air travel between Ho Chi Minh City and the Malaysian and Thai markets, AirAsia said.

Effective Oct 26, the frequency of flights from Kuala Lumpur will increase from seven to 11 weekly.

There will also be seven weekly flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City from the present four.

To celebrate the extra flights, AirAsia has introduced special fares.

It also announced extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu (11 times weekly), Penang (six daily flights) and Bali (five daily flights).

It introduced a new destination, from Johor Baru to Bali, with three weekly flights.

For details, visit www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia. com.

Source: Bernama

Group to improve tourism products

A TOURISM product audit sub-committee has been formed to improve and upgrade existing tourism products.

State Tourism Development and Environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the sub-committee members were tasked to do research and formulate strategies.

“The aim is to identify areas with potential that could be further developed or upgraded.

“Focus will be on district level products on the island as well as the mainland,” he said.

Teng said this to a written question submitted by Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) on measures taken to improve tourism products.

Among the researchers is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Prof Dr Amran Hamzah.

Appointed by Tourism Malaysia, Dr Amran’s role is to study tourism products on the island and Seberang Prai.

Teng said Universiti Sains Malaysia was engaged to study bumiputra participation in the tourism sector.

“We will also utilise the Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI) to collect data on tourist arrivals,” he said.

Based on the findings, the state could implement more effective strategies to make Penang a premier tourist destination, he added.

Source: The Star

Tourism industry in north set to boom

Sunday 12 August 2007

GEORGE TOWN: The tourism industry in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) is set to boom over the next few years, with Penang and Langkawi jointly taking the lead.

Both islands can expect 27.8 million tourist arrivals with a five per cent increase on a year-on-year basis by 2012, generating total tourist receipts of RM55.6 billion.

According to the NCER Socio-economic Blueprint 2007-2025 prepared by Sime Darby Bhd, Penang and Langkawi will be established as premier tourist destinations.

Both islands intend to differentiate themselves by offering six-star services supported by premium attractions such as art galleries, yatching, boutique shops and entertainment.

It states that key tourism assets of both islands will be enhanced to attract higher-yielding tourists, thereby increasing per capita tourist spending.

One of the key areas both islands will focus on is the active and continuous promotion of medical tourism.

Penang is already at the forefront of the country’s health tourism industry.

The strategy now is to expand it to Langkawi, which is able to provide complementary medicine, traditional therapies and spa treatments.

The global market for traditional therapies is estimated at US$69 billion (RM240 billion).
State Tourism Development Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said Penang will work together with Langkawi and the other three states in the NCER — Perlis, Kedah and Perak — to develop the tourism industry.

"As a state with vast experience, we will certainly share our expertise and market know-how with the others.

"We cannot be seen as moving on our own unlike the past. We will pool all our resources together to ensure a win-win situation for all."

He added that Penang also needed a transformation to stay ahead in the industry.

He said the coming in of Sime Darby would serve as a catalyst to propel the tourism industry to greater heights.

Teng added that Penang will work closely with Langkawi to further promote medical tourism, seeing as how the state has over seven years experience in the field.

"We will provide our assistance to Langkawi.

" I am sure they will serve as new grounds for investment."

Source: New Straits Times

Travellers the winners in price war

01 Feb 2007
Lee Shi-Ian, June Ramli and Norazlin Mohd Nor

KUALA LUMPUR: Slurping on a McDonalds’ ice cream, Ahmad Zaki Abdul Rahman grinned as he guided his family towards a check-in counter.

"This is our first time on an airplane," he said.

The medical attendant, his wife and two young children had paid RM135 in total to fly to Kota Baru for the long weekend.

"The cost of travel for my family is almost the same as driving or taking the bus, only less hassle and stress," he said.

Ahmad and his family are just some of the thousands who will take to the skies this year, thanks to budget airline AirAsia.

With cheap fares and free promotional flights, the no-frills airline has had this segment of the market to itself since Datuk Tony Fernandes took over in 2001.

On Monday, national carrier Malaysia Airlines struck back, unveiling unprecedented discounts of up to 70 per cent for international destinations, and four-night holiday packages to London for RM3,096.

It is charging just RM9 for some one-way tickets to local stops such as Kuantan and Langkawi.

The promotion is part of the MAS Travel Fair which began yesterday, and continues until Feb 6.

"Yes, this is the lowest we have ever gone," MAS commercial director Datuk Abdul Rashid Khan said yesterday.

"We have the freedom to set prices. There was no such thing in the past because our prices were regulated by the government."

AirAsia apparently was not about to let MAS push these promotional fares without a challenge, however, and on the same day, began offering "super low fares".

One-way tickets to Penang, Terengganu and Kota Baru, for example, are available for under RM1, fuel surcharge and other taxes not included.

A seat on a flight to Phuket, Thailand, starts at RM19.99 and to Chang Mai from RM59.99.

Its promotion, tagged "the craziest sale in town", ends the day after MAS plans to end its travel fair.

This brewing price war is "music to the ears of all travellers", said a research analyst at a local stockbroking firm.

"I think more kampung folk, who’ve never been on a plane and seen the world, would benefit from the price war," he said.

AirAsia has taken pains to avoid calling this a price war, and so has MAS.

AirAsia senior corporate communications executive Janet Leow said the two airlines were aiming for different types of travellers.

"Our objective is to go for passengers who want a cheap, fast and easy flight to their destination without the services such as meals and drinks," she said.

"Those who want such services normally fly with MAS."

MAS’ Abdul Rashid said: "To put it in perspective, we face competition from more than 300 airlines, everyday, worldwide.

"This is not a price war."

The national carrier, long criticised for its heavy losses, is confident that it will be able to compete for more travellers as it attempts to return to profit this year.

"We cannot control the competition but we plan to shake it up. We are upbeat that we will be able to sell our domestic fares like hot cakes as we are a five-star airline with full service," he added.

His confidence stems from how the travel fair has performed so far.

"In the first hour, online ticket sales for domestic routes reached RM1 million," he said.

And he is betting MAS’ Australian and European routes will sell like hot cakes.

Source: NST

AirAsia offering more flights out of KK and Kuching

Friday January 19, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Budget airline AirAsia will fly to Macau daily from Kota Kinabalu next month.

At the same time, it will also fly four times weekly from the Sabah capital and Kuching to Penang.

AirAsia executive vice-president (commercial) Kathleen Tan said the flights to Macau from Feb 6 were an expansion of the Kota Kinabalu hub’s international connectivity and a response to market demands.

“Our low fares are expected to attract traffic from not just Macau but also from southern China,” she said, adding that visitors from Sabah and Sarawak could now take direct flights to Macau.

“We added our third frequency to Macau early last month from our Kuala Lumpur hub due to exceptionally-high demand for the route.

“We are confident that our new flights from Kota Kinabalu will be another winner,” she said.

The flights to Penang will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the first flights from both Kota Kinabalu and Kuching on Feb 7.

Tan said: “The rapid expansion of flights connecting Sabah and Sarawak to the peninsula will help boost tourism and stimulate economic growth.

“The current market has increased demand for the two hubs to connect to Penang,” she said.

The introductory fares for the Kuching-Penang flight will start from RM19.99 while the Kota Kinabalu-Penang flight will cost at least RM29.99. Tickets from Kota Kinabalu to Macau will start from RM49.99.

Source: The Star

RM36 Mln Upgrade For Bayan Lepas Airport

January 01, 2007 19:21 PM

PENANG, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airport Sdn Bhd will spend about RM36 million to upgrade the Bayan Lepas International Airport including the construction of another aircraft parking bay and 32 check-in counters.

The project was expected to be fully completed by December next year, the airport's senior manager, Abdul Wahab Mohd Yusof, told reporters Monday.

He said RM26 million had been allocated for the construction of the aircraft parking bay and the repair of the existing 15 parking bays while another RM10 million was for a new building housing the new check-in counters.

The works would not adversely affect services at the airport, he said.

He said the work to build the new building was expected to start in April and scheduled for completion by year-end.

Abdul Wahab said the upgrading project was planned in 2004 but its implementation had been delayed due to various technical problems including in the building design.

"The additional check-in counters are in tandem with the increase of airline passengers. We have been experiencing congestion during peak hours, namely at 5am and between 4pm and 7pm," he said. The airport currently has 32 check-in counters.

Last year, it handled 3.1 million passengers and the number was expected to increase by 10 per cent during Visit Malaysia Year 2007, he said.

He said the airport presently received 14 passenger and 11 cargo airlines.

This year, it expected to get another Indonesian airline to land at the airport, he said.

Source: BERNAMA

State Governments Line Up Events For VMY'07

January 01, 2007 18:09 PM

PENANG, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The new year, Monday also marked the start of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY'07).

The VMY'07, which is expected to draw 20.1 million tourists and enrich the national coffer by RM44.5 billion through foreign exchange earnings, will be officially launched at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 6.

"At least 240 (national level) tourism events will be held across Malaysia in conjunction with the VMY'07," Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said in an interview at the KL International Airport (KLIA), where he was busy welcoming tourists into the country.

In Penang, Tourism Committee Chairman Cheang Chee Gooi said the Penang government will hold more than 50 events, including four international tourism events, throughout this year.

The four international events are the Penang Bridge Run to be held in June, International Dragon Boat Festival (June), International Music Fest (June) and International Lantern Festival (September).

Cheang was speaking to reporters after welcoming 560 tourists from Singapore, Bangkok and China at Penang's Bayan Lepas International Airport.

Tomorrow, some 400 tourists from Germany are expected to arrive by luxury cruise liner "Star Cruise" at Swettenham Pier and 180 more are also expected to arrive at KTM Butterworth station by E&O Express train from Bangkok.

In KEDAH, Chairman of Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee Datuk Fong Chok Gin said the tourism associations in the State will work hand in hand with similar bodies in Thailand to promote the VMY'07 in Thailand.

"The VMY'07 promotion in Thailand is showing positive result," he told reporters after welcoming tourists at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah, Monday.

He said at least 800 tourists from Thailand are expected to arrive in Kedah daily through Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point.

Thousands more will come by boat through Satun and by air from Bangkok starting from Jan 6.

He said at least 2.8 million tourists are expected to visit Kedah throughout the year, where 70 percent of them will be heading to the tourist island of Langkawi. In TERENGGANU, deputy chairman of Industrial Development and Tourism committee Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri said at least 2.8 million tourists are expected to visit the state this year compared to 2.3 million last year.

He said the state has lined-up various tourism programmes including 14 major events throughout the year.

Speaking to reporters at Sultan Mahmud Airport here, Mohd Nasir said the Terengganu government has spent RM10 million to promote VMY'07 and to upgrade tourism infrastructure.

He said various major events have been lined up throughout the year including the Terengganu Carnival in February, Bulan Citra Rasa (from June 1-3), Sultan Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge (from Nov 10-11), Terengganu Monsoon Cup in Dec; and Terengganu International Rainforest Challenge (from Dec 1-10).

In KELANTAN, some 500 tourists from Thailand arrived at the main entry point of Rantau Panjang today. They were led by Narathiwat Governor Karan Supkitvilekkarn and his deputy Nipon Nrapitakkun.

They were welcomed by Tourism Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Victor Wee.

In PERLIS, the state government is targeting at least 550,000 tourists to visit the state this year.

The state has lined up at least 13 national level tourism events and 31 state level tourism programmes throughout the year.

Perlis Tourism Action Council director Ahmad Bakri Ali said the state is seeking approval from the Federal Government to allow tourists from Thailand to use the Facilities Letter (FL) to enter Perlis.

"The FL will facilitate a hassle free travel for tourists from Thailand to visit Perlis," he said.

Source: BERNAMA

Keyword: Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Tourism, Visit Malaysia Year 2007, VMY'07, VMY 2007, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KL International Airport, KLIA, Tourism Minister, Malaysia Airport, Tourism Committee, Penang, Penang Bridge Run, International Dragon Boat Festival, International Music Fest, International Lantern Festival, Bayan Lepas International Airport, Star Cruise, Butterworth, E&O Express train, KEDAH, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Langkawi, Terengganu, Sultan Mahmud Airport, Terengganu Carnival, Bulan Citra Rasa, Sultan Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge, Terengganu Monsoon Cup, Terengganu International Rainforest Challenge, Kelantan, Rantau Panjang, Tourism Ministry, Perlis, Perlis Tourism Action Council,

Penang International Airport Closed For More Than Two Hours

January 09, 2007 18:59 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The Penang International Airport, Tuesday was closed for more than two hours from 12.45pm until 3pm following a "very urgent repair work" after some gap was found at the airport runway, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Tuesday.

Chan said the gap occurred due to some resurfacing work at the airport runway that had been carried out between 1 and 6am, Tuesday.

"After the airport was opened for operation today, the airport official found some gap on the airport runway and this posed some danger especially to the bigger aircraft.

"This has prompted Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB), the operator of the airport, to close down the runway for an urgent and immediate repair work since 12.15pm today," he told a news conference, here Tuesday.

Meanwhile in Penang, a MAB official met at the airport said that the first flight took off at 3pm right after the reopening of the airport.

He said five flights were delayed and two were cancelled, while a direct flight by China Airlines from Taipei was directed to KL International Airport following the short closure of the airport.

"The passengers of the plane (China Airlines) will be brought by road," he said, and did not want to elaborate further on the matter.

Meanwhile MAB Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur contacted here today said they will be issuing a statement later this evening.

Air Asia Station Manager for Penang Kenneth Tan told Bernama that two flights of the airline, AK6314 and AK6315, were delayed due to the closure of the airport, Tuesday.

The Airbus A320 from Kuala Lumpur - Penang which is expected to land at 2.30pm was delayed until 3.30pm, and this has caused a delay to its flight AK6315 which was supposed to leave Penang for Kuala Lumpur at 2.55pm to 3.53pm.

He said 250 passengers of the airline had been affected by the delay.

Meanwhile, MAB in a three-para statement issued this evening said that the runway of the airport had to be closed for safety reason as loose pebbles were discovered on the runway and repair works were carried out immediately.

The closure caused delays to Malaysia Airlines flights - MH653 from Penang to Singapore, MH1142/MH862 from Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Medan, MH1146/MH1147 Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Kuala Lumpur, MH1148/1149 Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Kuala Lumpur, MH1140/MH1141 Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Kuala Lumpur.

Other flights delayed by the closure are China Airlines CI673/674 Taipei - Penang - Taipei, Lion Air JT286/287 Medan - Penang - Medan, Air Asia AK6314/6315 Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Kuala Lumpur and a cargo flight FX024 (Fedex), it said.

MAB said Malaysia Airlines also cancelled two of its flights MH1140/MH1145 Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Kuala Lumpur and MH1150/MH1155 Kuala Lumpur - Penang -Kuala Lumpur.

"Malaysia Airports would like to apologise to all for the inconvenience caused by this closure," it said.

Source: BERNAMA

Keywords: Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Tourism, Penang International Airport, Transport Minister, Chan Kong Choy, Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB), China Airlines, KL International Airport (KLIA), Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Singapore, Medan, Taipei. Lion Air, Airbus A320

External Links:
KL International Airport - http://www.klia.com.my
Malaysia Airlines - http://www.malaysiaairlines.com

KL Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Service Begins

December 28, 2006 18:34 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first double-decker tour bus service, the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus, begins Thursday, offering free rides and tour of the city until Saturday.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who launched the service today, believed the service would make it easier for tourists to tour the city as well as visit places of interest.

"Besides targeting foreign tourists, the bus service is hoped to also attract domestic tourists to tour the city," he told reporters after the launch.

The KL Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus service is managed by Elang Wah Sdn Bhd. Its buses are equipped with facilities for the disabled.

Tengku Adnan, who also boarded one of the buses, hoped that a similar service could be introduced in other places like Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Meanwhile, Elang Wah Sdn Bhd managing director Syed Azhar Syed Nadzri said the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus route would take passengers to 42 destinations in the city, including the Istana Negara, National Mosque, Bird Park, Orchid Park and Titiwangsa Lake Park.

A complete tour of the city for those who do not get off the bus at the respective destinations, takes about 45 minutes. Tickets purchased for the bus ride are valid for 24 hours.

Syed Azhar said four buses would be operational from today with another six buses by the middle of next year.

The service is between 8.30am and 8.30pm with a 30-minute interval.

The ticket is RM38 for foreigners and RM17 for children and senior citizens while children below five years of age get a free ride.

The tickets can be purchased at special counters, hotels and selected travel agents.

Source: BERNAMA

Keywords: Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Tourism, Visit Malaysia Year 2007, VMY 2007, VMY'07, VMY2007, Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, KL Hop-On Hop-Off, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Istana Negara, National Mosque, Bird Park, Orchid Park, Titiwangsa Lake Park

External Links:
KL Hop-On Hop-Off - http://www.myhoponhopoff.com/