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Azri M.

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Posts posted by Azri M.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    I think in not to distant future, there will be a repositioning of Jetstar in KLIA. I would imagine Jetstar Asia/Jetstar Airways moving to LCCT as they are being handled by AirAsia ground crews.

     

    This will also enable some sort of codeshare happens between KUL-SYD and KUL-SIN.

     

    In terms of benefit, I think for Australia wise, Jetstar can give promotion on behalf of AirAsia, and also from KUL base. I think there is good synergy between these two airlines.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Interesting review by Centre of Aviation

    http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2010/01/07/airasia-and-jetstar-join-forces-a-potential-killer-combination-in-asia/page1

     

    Exerpts:

     

    Malaysia – Qantas Group’s gateway to Asia?

    Qantas under Geoff Dixon’s leadership was keen on a Malaysian linkage for quite some time. Apart from cultivating a relationship with Tony Fernandes, Dixon was responsible for getting almost to the finish line with a proposed “merger” with Malaysia’s flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, in late 2008, just as Alan Joyce was taking over the reins at Qantas. This was to involve commercial cooperation and profit sharing and clearly presaged a wider joint relationship. It was to have become a three-way merger, with Qantas also effectively taking over British Airways. But all this faltered as MAS and the government lost momentum, along with the global economy.

     

    So there is ample logic in expanding the Australia-Malaysia aviation axis. As long as Qantas/Jetstar has no direct service between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, there is a void from the Qantas Group side. The only non-stop operator on the route is MAS, with AirAsia X prevented from flying the route by its own government, in order to protect the valuable market for the Malaysian flag carrier.

     

    Jetstar did briefly operate there, but pulled out due to a combination of stiff competition from AirAsia X (out of the Gold Coast) and the need to reallocate scarce A330 aircraft to the Japanese market, in order to preserve Qantas’ slots at Narita.

     

    Malaysia Airlines out in the cold; is there another shoe to drop?

    That raises an intriguing scenario. The big potential loser in this deal is Malaysia Airlines. After a remarkable turnaround in 2007, MAS is now again struggling seriously, as premium demand slips and as AirAsia, with its much lower cost base, becomes more powerful. (Another “victim”, Tiger Airways, was specifically targeted with the timing of this announcement, simultaneous with Tiger’s release of its IPO prospectus).

     

    AirAsia’s tie up with the powerful Qantas Group will do nothing to reduce the flag carrier’s problems. It may well even bring things to a head. MAS is going to need to take some difficult decisions. With market demand promising to remain slow in 2010, the carrier’s recent deterioration into loss making and its relatively poor performance alongside AirAsia (see LINK -Malaysia Airlines loss in 3Q2009 USD88.6 million. Full service airline shrinks while AirAsia expands), the majority government owned carrier cannot afford to stand still.

     

    Qantas’ previous close link with MAS CEO Idris Jala has gone, following the dynamic executive’s promotion into a key government role, but the links are still there. And the potential is compelling, especially for the Malaysian government, as its investment appears to be in jeopardy once again. A strengthened AirAsia in a relationship with Qantas Group will heighten that awareness.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    I was on board 9M-XXD , doing Melbourne -Kuala Lumpur on Dec 14th. Should say it still has the new aircraft 'smell' and everything looks new. The KUL-MEL was 9M-XXA is a different story. You can see plaster being used in toilet to prevent some parts from falling.

    I think that was 9M-XAA (the leased plane). I must say this year I flew frequently between MEL-KUL and 9/10 planes that I took was 9M-XAA. I must be plain unlucky or because the route is such a popular route even with the worst plane, people still fly with them.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Reply by AirAsia on fb:

     

    This fee is being introduced to subsidize the cost of our online payment systems be it credit card, debit card and direct debits. The fee covers administration and processing work involved for online payment. AirAsia has been absorbing this cost during the past, however, now that the volume is increasing and we are entering into more countries, and adding more payment options the cost of implementing and maintaining these systems have increased significantly. Other airlines that are implementing this are: Tiger Airways, Mandala Airlines, Ryanair, and Easyjet

     

    Justifiable? The thing is, the convenience fee is dependent on the originating destination. Let say, if ur originating from Malaysia, u pay RM5 per person one one (RM10 return), if from Singapore it will be S$5 one way ($10 return, which converts to become ~RM20), even worse if you are originating Australia its A$5 one way ($10 which roughly is ~RM30)!!!

     

    I guess you better book each way separately.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Gosh, I knew this day would come!

     

    Now AirAsia follows the footstep of it's LCC rival. They are charging "Convenience Fee" for any online booking that involves Credit and Debit card to all destinations. The amount is MYR5/IDR15000/AUD5 etc ONE WAY PER PAX. There is no other way to get around it unless if you have AirAsia voucher. Sigh, another way to make money. :(

  10. Posted · Report reply

    It will be interesting with this. How about slots etc. at JFK? Aren't those hard to get? Where will the A332's come from?

     

    Another LCC "Norweigan" also wants to start routes to Asia and USA from Norway with A330 or B767, probably next year or 2011.

    They have to be very careful not to become caput like Oasis Airlines. Firstly, Stockholm-Arlanda and Oslo airports have not much LCCs. They are practically banking on the direct routes with not much onward connections to feed into. Secondly, they are going to major airports which spell higher taxes and head on competing with the full service airlines. These two reasons are among many reasons for the fall of the Oasis Airlines.

  12. Posted · Edited by Azri M. · Report reply

    The language and the country itself are referred to as السعودية (As Saudiah) instead of العربية (Al Arabiah) and الامارات العربية المتحدة

    (Al Imarat/the Emirates). It seems like D7 is very keen on the Saudis (the inclusion of JED and Mecca in its KUL-AUH vv promotional page, confusion over UAE and the Arabic language as 'the Saudis' LOL).

    Haha, maybe following your comment, it is now changed to Al-Imarat (الامارات)

  16. Posted · Edited by Azri M. · Report reply

    It is now confirmed that the 3 weekly KUL-MEL via CGK will replace the existing direct KUL-MEL on Tue, Thu and Sat (ex KUL) and every Wed, Fri and Sun (ex MEL) beginning 15 September. Therefore, no increase in frequency in this route. So those who have booked the flights on those days will have a pleasant surprise.

  17. Posted · Edited by Azri M. · Report reply

    Just got a twitter msg by @MAS

     

    We r stopping flights to/from Stockholm & NY Oct'09. Pls contact ur agents, or us KL at 1300883000, LA 18005529264, Stockholm 08-50530050

    http://twitter.com/MAS

     

    Is this permanent or temporary?

     

    EDIT: more Twit msg from @MAS:

     

    We'll cont' 3x wkly KL-LA via Taipei. NY office will be maintained, & we'll cont' offer services to the Big Apple via airline partners.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    AirAsia X to offer lie-flat beds as competition hots up

    Michael Bruce

     

    AirAsia X will strip out its premium economy seats and install lie-flat business class beds in what is likely to see an escalation in competition on routes between Australia and Malaysia , Travel Today can reveal.

     

     

    The carrier’s chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said the seats on its A330s will be replaced with a better product, with economy class also to be overhauled.

     

    The move will see the 28 ‘XL’ seats replaced by 12 business class lie-flat beds

     

    “We’ll start stripping them out one by one from the end of January through to July,” Osman-Rani said.

     

    Economy class will also see some minor tweaks, with seats widened by half an inch. But the way the reconfiguration will take place will see capacity remain at 383, Osman-Rani said.

     

    But in a blow for the carrier, the new A330 slated for delivery later this year will not be reconfigured. “We will have to change it again next year,” Osman-Rani said.

     

    The move to lie-flat beds follows poor sales of AirAsia X’s premium economy seats. Priced roughly the same as full service carrier’s economy seats, they have failed to stir the market with the airline hoping lie-flat beds will provide a major point of different. They are expected to be priced in line with competitor’s premium economy product.

     

    The airline is using the experience and expertise of Virgin, a 20 per cent stakeholder in AirAsia, to develop the cabin.

     

    Meanwhile, Osman-Rani also confirmed the carrier will introduce through-baggage check at Kuala Lumpur for Australians travelling on to London.

     

    “The price will be very reasonable,” he added.

     

    http://www.travelweekly.com.au/articles/6b/0c06196b.asp

     

  21. Posted · Report reply

    True, provided the plane is full. If the PER route is not filling the A333's then it may be better to deploy them on more popular routes. The A343 can then be used for the PER route since its capacity is a good deal lower than the A333's.

     

    Its like SQ matching demand with supply - they are now using the A380 for their HKG route. They must be confident of filling the plane up for this 3½ hour flight even though the A380 can fly many times longer than that...

    I read somewhere that destination to Tianjin will soon be with A346. I'll try to find the sources.

  24. Posted · Edited by Azri M. · Report reply

    Finally, AirAsia bows down to pressure from competitors and consumers to advertise all-in fares. GREAT!! :yahoo:

     

    “From now on we will also be introducing ‘All-In-Fare’ policy for the Malaysian market, making it easier for our guests to choose and decide. What you see is what you’ll pay! And rest assured it will be all low fares!” she (Kathleen Tan) added.

     

    With the new All-In-Fare, free seats for flights from Kuala Lumpur to destinations such as Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or Langkawi are only RM28.50 nett. From Johor Bahru to destinations such as Penang, Miri or Sibu will only cost RM31.50 nett.

     

    From http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-ne...-may-11-15.html

     

    The new sale is good but only covers domestic flights and no international flight sale like before.

  25. Posted · Edited by Azri M. · Report reply

    New terminal opens with a fuming MB

    By CHEN PELF YEEN

     

     

    MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was left fuming when he realised that a whole lot of problems needed fixing despite the official opening of a new terminal at the Malacca International Airport.

     

    First, he was informed that the extended 1,800m runway under the RM131.5mil project could not be fully utilised because several obstructing trees had yet to be removed.

     

    Later, he took to task airport officials for failing to provide a wheelchair for an elderly passenger who could hardly walk.

     

    He said the airport must have sufficient wheelchairs for passengers as the airport was designated as an entry point for health tourism in the state.

     

    n_pg02riau.jpg

    Comfort ride: Mohd Ali pushing the wheelchair of a passenger from Riau to the Immigration check-in counter at the Malacca International Airport yesterday.

    “There seems to be coordination problems between the contractors and state officers monitoring the progress.

     

    “I will chair a meeting tomorrow (today) with all the relevant officers,” he told reporters after a ceremony to welcome the passengers of Riau Airlines yesterday.

     

    The ceremony saw Malaysia Airports Berhad beginning operations at the new terminal to handle its first flight – a Riau Airlines Fokker 50 from Pekan Baru at 9.30am.

     

    The project to build a new terminal and to extend the former 1,362m runway to 1,800m was launched in April 2007.

     

    However, at present only 1,476m of the runway is being used owing to various obstructions, including the trees.

     

    Mohd Ali said the 1,800m runway would be fully operational by Sept 1 and thereafter, would see Firefly’s inaugural flight to Singapore with their Fokker ATR72 airplane.

     

    “The longer runway will allow for Boeing A737 and Airbus 320 to land,” he said.

     

    Mohd Ali said some 1.5 million tourists were expected to enter Malacca via the airport within three years.

     

    http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...&sec=nation

     

    How can trees be obstructing the runway, and even on the officiating day, those are NOT removed? This is such a shameful act for not being completely ready. MAHB, again, get your acts together!!!

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