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Nik H.

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Posts posted by Nik H.


  1. That's mean they will just go back to KUL to refill and fill up with catering? How long is the transit anyway?

     

    Yes. The stop will be for a "Splash and Dash" transit planned for 90 minutes but normally done in 70 minutes. There will be crew change and "Grub Grab" too.

     

    Hope the Runway extension will allow direct flights in the future to allow cost saving.


  2. By the way, I just spoke to Norman, a moderator on MW and offered him a seat on the Hajj flight to BKI and back.

     

    He has a choice of taking either one of the 20th or 23rd November flight.

     

    The flight will fly empty to BKI and pick up the pilgrims ex BKI. It will then land in KUL where Norman will disembark and depart for the Holy Land.

     

    He will revert to me as to the choice of flights he will be on.

     

    Normal conditions apply. Posting only after clearance by the Dept. MW members will be able to see first hand from one of their own.

     

    MASCharters; Done what others talk about doing.....


  3. Nik H.,

     

    May I know what are the other 3 carriers that were granted the right to operate in MED?

     

    All discussion is incomplete without asking about the future business plan (for an entity). In MAS Charter's haj department case, how do you see the operation? Is it just a temporarily formed department, which will be dissolved should MAS Charter not being awarded with the contract in the next tendering round? Or will the department do something to strenghten its business portfolio?

    What is the prospect of MAS Charter's haj department in securing the same job in other ASEAN countries like Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia? I am aware about each countries' protectionism policy over their own charter provider but can it be done in any way?

     

    I am imagining MAS Charter's haj department (MAYBE) to be incorporated into a Sendirian Berhad entity thus, can pursue businesses abroad. I don't know about how the process is being done in other (neighbouring) countries, but as for Singapore and Thailand, given the nature that both countries and their flag carriers, which are 'non Islamic', and given the chance that both countries will treat the whole process as 'just another business opportunity' (thus a fair selection process can be envisaged), given the expertise and experiences that MAS Charter's haj department possessed, I think the department stands a great chance in getting the contract in these countries.

     

    Care to elaborate in details?

     

    The Department was created prior to the Hajj being operated . When I mooted the idea of grabbing the Hajj contract, there were naysayers all round from within, but i presevered and got it anyway. The Dept expanded thereafter.

     

    The bread and butter of this Dept is operating Charters using whatever available aircraft time within the MAS system and drawing a program compatible with the demand of clients. I'm not going to share the philosophy of how Charter Business is run in MAS as it will bore most people and besides, it will be off topic.

     

    Hajj is just a portion of Charter Dept Business. After all its only for 70 days in 365 business days. To depend on purely the Hajj would be poor business strategy. With regards to the Dept being dissolved if we lose the Hajj, it will not happen. In fact, we will make much more money if we operate Third Party Hajj for Indonesia, BanglaDesh or India. We've leased out capacity to India and flown out of Bangalore and Bombay (then) years ago, and as recently as last year, operated the Hajj for Pakistan.

     

    As to protectionism, it is not the case in these countries as they are crying out for capacity every season.

     

    BTW, can you tell me which country around here have a Charter dept within their organisation...? Try calling TG, CX, SQ or GA and ask for a Charter quote...see their response, if at all.

     

    As for the Charter Dept turning into a subsidiary, it will not happen in the near future as personal envy and egos will conspire to keep Charter growth in check.

     

    As far as details, it will be wasted here....complicated landscape to navigate with the keyboard, and will raise more questions than answers, and partial understanding will lead to erronous conclusion.

     

    Face to face, anytime.


  4. Fair enuf, but have you seen the accommodation the poor blokes (the majority) who pay RM9,000 have to endure? Many ppl crammed into small rooms, and in Mina, they stay on the other side of the Muassem tunnel, easily 1 hour walk to the stoning sites. And have you seen their meals? Of course when ppl complain, they are told these are 'tests' from God, which unfortunately I don't buy. The whole hajj thing to me is just another business venture. Mecca itself started off as a junction of caravan routes and ppl stopped to trade. And at such an important trade junction, a 'temple' was set up ... and the rest is history.

     

    Yes. I have toured Arafah and Mina and mingled with everyone who was doing the Hajj, ranging from Ministers and Menteris Besars to farmers and fishermen from Bachok. I've even eaten with them in their tents. I've had buffets with the Zamrud group. I have seen the rooms for the Zamrud group that overlooks the holy kaabah and also walked the path of the lower end pilgrim packages to the holy mosque.

     

    Some sites given to the Malaysian pilgrims are at the discretion of the Saudis, and when all's said and done, we are still at the higher end of the spectrum when compared to the other countries.

     

    And certainly, the Hajj IS a business venture, the only difference is that MASCharter is not taking advantage of the call of God to make unholy profits. On this count I can guarantee as while I may not be pious, i am concerned about where i end up in afterlife.....

     

    There may be other parties who could contribute by lessening their margins just like we do and help in reducing the burden for the ummah, but who am I to dictate that, being a small insignificant cog in the huge machinery that is the world Hajj movement.

     

    At any rate, we at MASCharter are here to provide the best service for the money paid, and have no wish to shortchange anyone, not the Pilgrims, nor the people who work with us.


  5. One thing that bothers me is the spiralling cost of going for hajj, which now stands at RM9,000 for the cheapest package for a normal 40-day stay. And yet Tabung Haji still has to subsidize to the tune of RM50mil for this season alone (see HERE).

     

    This is a financial burden to the common folks. I wonder what's the cost breakdown for transportation, accommodation, fees, services, etc. Is MH charging too much, say?

     

    RM9,000 for a 38 day package is dirt cheap. It works out to RM236 per day inclusive of return air fare , ground transportation from Jeddah to Makkah to Madinah and back to Jeddah. Also included is accomodation, Hajj visa fees, 3 meals a day, medical services, muasasah fees and other misc benefits.

     

    Indonesians are charged more. So are Bruneians and Singaporeans.

     

    As for the air transportation cost component, do consider that each Hajj pilgrim is actually paying for 4 flights for each return trip; ie Malaysia-Saudi outbound flight, Saudi-Malaysia empty leg, Malaysia-Saudi empty leg, Saudi-Malaysia return flight. Almost like paying for two umrahs.

     

    Furthermore, during the Hajj, prices of accomodation, transportation, food and fuel is at its highest due to peak demands. This is outside our control.

     

    For info, fuel prices in Saudi during the Hajj is among the highest in the world, Madinah being the highest.

     

    I wish I can tell more but some information are privileged, others are proprietry in nature.

     

    Let me assure you that being in charge of this Hajj Operations, my team and I are always concious of our social obligation to the country, and while I drive towards profitability, taking advantage of the situation is something we do not subscribe to.

     

    BTW, when we were chosen over AK in 2003, one of the winning factors was our price in context of the service trade-off offered.

     

    We simply offer better value for money.


  6. The Berita Hairan (sp.) clipping mentioned something about new uniforms for the pramugari. Couldn't read the small writings, but can you elaborate on what the revisions to the uniform were?

     

    On the subject of Hajj and Charter Uniforms here's the superseded ones.

     

    With jacket on.

     

    crewhajold.jpg

     

    On Board During Galley service. Different headscarves denotes rank

     

    crewhajnewtdg1.jpg

     

    Essentially Charter uniforms but scarves are allowed if the girls want to wear them. On Hajj flights, scarves are mandatory.

     

    More on the new uniform later.....


  7. Captain Nik,

     

    Fantastic job you done for the pilgrims, i see MASCharter and TH has done absolutely everything for a smooth transition to the holy land. Everything seems to be PERFECT!

     

    Thanks for the compliment.

     

    But I play a small role only.

     

    My team members are the real heroes, from the Hajj Baggage Handler to the Charter Crew and all in between.


  8. I think I saw some people on busses being transported to KLIA from the Tabung Haji building 2 days ago with police outriders blocking out the whole 3 lane road coming from Subang Airport .. Pretty cool stuff ..

     

    The ' crew ' van had a big sticker on the side of it ' HAJ FLIGHT ONLY ' I believe :)

     

    Looks like a very organized operation !

     

    Cheers Nik ...

     

    10 busses, three outriders, one patrol car, one ambulance, one MAS van ' for Hajj Operations only' and a Kia Carnival for TH officers.

     

    The convoy will join the NKVE at the Kelana Jaya intersection onwards to KLIA where the convoy will enter the airside via the ADU gate access directly to the apron entrance of Gate 2.

     

    Pilgrims will have to walk only about 97 metres from bus to the aircraft. We measured that.

     

    MASCharter HAJJ Operations; it's not just about inflight service........


  9. I see. So there are normal passengers who will be assigned with these premium seats. I guess if the seats' allocation is based on the actual price each pilgrim paid, the F and J cabins would be NOT full in each flight.

    So that's how it works. By any chance, can someone like Maarof Kassim for instance, upon knowing that he will be on a SV coded flight, make a plea to MAS Charter to be reassigned into MH coded flights? How is the segregation on which KT will be flown in MH and SV flights being done? I guess it must be on random basis?

     

    Some other questions arise.

     

    As a proceed from the fact about Malaysian pilgrims preference of MH flights over SV flights due to the 'world's apart' inflight products and services, , you mentioned that the Saudi government has nodded on something about it. Is this relates to the 50-50 split ferrying agreement? Does it means for next year's haj flights, all Malaysian pilgrims will be flown to MED and JED and back on an all MH fleets? If yes, will it be permanent or subject to review after several years? Does the nod that the Saudi government granted only applies to 'MH' or 'Malaysia' (as a country)?

     

    I understand that haj charter is subject to annual 'tendering' process, which will be decided by Lembaga Tabung Haji. If the Saudi government's nod is only applies to MH, what will happened if in any years in the future, MH couldn't secure the haj charter tender? Or will the nod secures MAS Charter position as the sole haj charter provider for Malaysian pilgrims?

     

    Curiosity kills the cat. :)

     

    Assignments of pilgrims to either SV or MH flights are done by Tabung Haji. Of course there's avenue for appeal for change of airline. But most don't know so while it does happen, the occasions are few.

     

    As I said its a bilateral thing. This is common in all G to G negotiations. Routes are normally split 50-50 and the assignment of the 50% is the prerogative of the local Govt; ie Malaysian MOT may decide to grant 25% of the 50% to AK. Thus the 50% applies to Malaysia and not MH.

     

    However , the negotiations to obtain rights into Madinah was done by Tabung Haji and the MASCharter Dept, and it would be sad to see other operators benefiting from our sweat and effort.

     

    The Hajj contract is tendered out for every three year period. MAS was the operator from the 70s till 1996 after which Transmile Air was awarded the contract. MAS lost the contract due in part to complacency. Transmile wet leased B747-100 to operate and the lack of experience as well as organisation manifested in poor services and numerous disruptions, causing great inconvenience to the pilgrims.

     

    Subsequently the contract was won by AK until I formed the Hajj team and won it back for MAS in 2003. Should MAS lose the contract for the Hajj, the same bilateral arrangement will be granted to the new operator of the contract.

     

    Even when AK was operating the Hajj, MAS was involved in supplying ground support in Jeddah, as well as granting capacity in excess of AK's capability.

     

    The current level of service offered has brought Malaysian Hajj operations to a higher level, and the trust level of the Saudi Hajj authorities is at its max, so much so that of the three other foreign irlines allowed into Madinah,MAS has the highest ratio of flights. Malaysian pilgrims are enjoying facilities that others can only dream of.

     

    For that reason, Tabung Haji decided to have tenders based on 'invited' basis only for the 50% granted to Malaysia.

     

    It will be a very brave man to grant the contract to an operator other than MAS, as the extra services will definitely be lost.

     

    In the case of the Hajj Operations, cheap is not always the most economical way to go.


  10. This thread is something so insightful and comprehensive that even A.Net has failed to achieve throughout the years. And as a bonus, the insight is on the operation of THE BEST haj handling operator in the world (Tabung Haji, MAS Charter). Some replies from several forumers uncovered the other side of them behind their names. (My) Perception may changes towards some.

     

    Having been to the Holy land myself at the tender age of 13, the trip (although) was not a haj flight, was of utmost monumental for me as of today.

     

    I have a few questions which I hope Nik H. can answers:

    • 2 B744 and 1 B772 are used by MAS Charter. May I know their registration (other than 9M-MPK)? Will the utilisation of these 3 aircrafts disrupt MH's normal operation or are these aircrafts in 'idle' mode?

    • 9M-MPK Johor Bahru is the only B744 which has yet to be refurbished (as 9M-MPM Melaka is confirmed to has been refurbished). It can accommodate 18F, 50J and 316Y with a total of 384 passengers. My question is, who will occupy the F and J seats? Is it those who paid premium haj packages or the seats are being assigned to normal haj passengers randomly (or by luck)?

    • The second B744. Since the rest of MH's B744 have been refurbished with 12F, 41J and 306Y with a total of 359 passengers, how can this aircraft carries 380 passengers per trip as you suggested? Or is the second B744 is the SV aircraft that our fellow MW member Maarof Kassim will fly tomorrow (16 Nov)?

    • The SV aircraft. Why is the aircraft being involved (for KT17 and some more I suppose) in this year haj operation? Does it has anything to do with MAS Charter?
    Your feedback is highly appreciated.

     

    1. One B744 to be used exclusively for Hajj will be the 9M-MPK aircraft which is in the old config. The other is from the scheduled fleet and the registration is random, subject to availibility. The new config aircraft will carry 355. The B772 will carry 200 pilgrims, the rest being for scheduled passengers. Similarly, the B772 will be randomly utilised and will bear any of the registrations in the fleet. Their utilisation does affect the MH schedules but with forward planning, closer monitoring and judiciuos jiggling of maintenance schedules, the impact will be minimal. The Hajj period also takes place at a time when demand for aircraft time is more liberal.

     

    2. Tha assignment of F and J seats are jointly done by MASCharter and Tabung Haji. Priority is given to the pilgrims who have taken the 'private' packages where a higher price is paid. As you may be well aware, Hajj packages starts at just below RM10K for the normal 'mua sasah' groups and goes up to RM70K for the Zamrud package. Additionally, MASCharters will assign premium seats to pilgrims who are less ambulatory, and ensure that seats near doors and exits are occupied by more agile and able bodied pilgrims, for safety enhancement reasons.

     

    3. Bilateral agreement with Saudi dictates that the allowable number of pilgrims to be carried is split 50-50. Saudi will be using their B747-100 aircraft with a seating capacity of 444. This has nothing to do with MASCharter. Pilgrims who flies SV will obviously not get the privilege MASCharter accords to those carried by us.

     

    Hope the above clarifies.

     

    PS. The Hajj is a major event that is of great interest for Malaysians, especially the Muslims.

     

    Berita Harian Front Page 12oct2007

    IMG_0057.jpg


  11. Guys and Gals,

     

    I do not get offended easily at all, and am imperviuos to insults and the like. Years of being a Pilot, MAPA Vice President, Chief Pilot for Regional Ops, CP Marketing and Sales and now having set up Hajj and Charters have made taught me there are more things in life than to get upset by comments based on limited information. This will be my 27th year in MAS, having started as a F27 F/O in 1981. At that time there were a few BN2s, 10 F27s, 12 B737, 3 A300 and 2 DC10s. My first seniority number was 309. I have seen the change in MAS from a kampong airline to a Global one and now operating at a lower profile than two years ago.

     

    Having been representing both employee and now employer, I've had knives coming from both sides, and have learned to be amused, not offended.

     

    Mas is a favourite subject of all Malaysians, and the best whipping boy amongst all GLCs. Everybody has something to say about MAS. Most start a sentence with " You know what you guys should do aaaa....."

     

    Everytime i go for a social function I get bombarded by

     

    a. advice

    b. adverse comments

    c. condemnation

    d. snide remarks

    e. all of the above

     

    as soon as they know I am in MAS.

     

    But it is still a fun ride and I'm enjoying it to the max.

     

    So no worries, and keep the comments coming, good or bad. I will learn from each and everyone of them.

     

    I am also a little in the dark as to the allocation of funds from sale of assets and how they are distributed, but I do know the cash flow crisis was almost fatal and it was mostly the BTP that gave a lifeline.

     

    As far as employee morale, it has been low for years, the difference being the level of 'low'. If my memory serves me right, the lowest was when a certain mobile phone tycoon was entrusted to run the airline and it was run almost like a personal kingdom. There was a climate of fear and employees dare not speak up. Today, employees are free to say what they like with no fear of repercussion. MH employes are a great lot, but they also carry the legacy of unionised workrules, where annual salary increament is automatic, and at times, promotions are celebration of mediocrity.

     

    MAS is also a cauldron of varied disciplines, from the important Pilots and Engineers, to equally important baggage handlers and everyone in between. Only management ( like me ) are dispensible. Hence pleasing everyone is a fairly impossible task, akin to IJ's 5Star at LCC Cost, which is incidently the topic of this thread.

     

    But try we will.

     

     

     


  12. the problem is that MH is achieving its profit by selling 747s, their headquarters, and many town offices. Yield has only increased slightly, as has the load factor. Their turnover is nothing compared to SQ's or TG's.

     

    Selling things to attain profit is good, but at some point you will run out of things to sell. Maybe they can sell the top management's bums off.

     

    I don't think much money will be made from that either.

     

    Very Observant. However, the B747s were sold years ago during the WAU exercise to PMB who owns the aircraft. That money was finished then.

     

    Other asset sales like the building etc was worth about RM300 million. And you are right, MAS has ran out of things to sell.

     

    MAS was running out of money and would have gone broke sometime in June 2006. The asset sale were the lifeline at that time. An RM1 Billion loss to an RM300 million profit is a turnaround of RM1.3 billion. Where did you get the info about yield and load factor? This is highly educational to me.

     

    Guess its true about selling Top Management's bum off is a useless effort cos as you say they are not worth much. :D

     


  13. agree....a true LCC laughing at a self-proclaimed 5 star at LCC cost probably :pardon: .....since they themselves so keen in applying the LCC into their operations....

     

    Absolutely true, and very savvy poke by Malaysia'a FavouRED one.

     

    However, during the management meets I went to, I never heard IJ proclaiming to be a 5 Star at LCC cost yet. Instead, he acknowledges it as an impossible dream. However, he has said that he has the ambition to make the cost structure of MAS as close to AK as possible yet ensuring a level of service as close to 5star.

     

    I do not think its unintelligent for any airline boss in being keen to have LCC cost structure into the operations. There's a lot to learn from the favouRED one, for instance, quick turnaround time. But he also know not all things LCC can be applied. ie, Non Unionised crew will mean better utilisation of resources, but as it is not necessarily good for the crew MAS cannot do that.

     

    Laugh and ridicule if you like but it won't stop MAS from achieving its aspirations.

     

    Many also laughed and ridiculed when MAS announced its Business Turnaround Program (BTP) and aspire to turn a 1 Billion Loss to a 500 million profit in 24 months. The laughter seems to have subsided somewhat as MAS is currently ahead of schedule and the 'experts and analyst' seems to be singing a different tune now.

     

    MAS is already part LCC as Firefly is wholly MAS owned. Let's all laugh and ridicule this effort launched with two old F50s. But when it starts getting the ATR, and SZB ops comes fully on stream, let's see then what will happen.

     

    Ask yourself, which is faster point to point; KUL - PEN by jet or SZB - PEN by ATR. Then add the taxi fares. And the convenience of having to walk 50 steps from taxi to aircraft to board or deplane.

     

    There is always a bigger picture to everything and certain things are not what it seems to be at forst glance.

     

     


  14. MW Spotters, here's the schedules of the Hajj Flights

     

    Phase 1

    JHB

    12 NOV Arr 0525 Dep 0920

    14 NOV Arr 0555 Dep 1020

    01 DEC Arr 1515 Dep 1845

    02DEC Arr 1505 Dep 1735

    PEN

    26 NOV Arr 1440 dep 1920

    27 NOV Arr 1435 Dep 1725

    28 NOV Arr 1540 Dep 1955

    29 NOV Arr 0515 Dep 1020

    30 NOV Arr 0610 Dep 1055

    01 DEC Arr 0620 Dep 1055

    04 DEC Arr 0625 Dep 1055

    05 DEC Arr 0620 Dep 1255

    06 DEC Arr 0845 Dep 1155

    09 DEC Arr 0625 Dep 1155

    BKI

    20 NOV Arr 0340 Dep 0610

    23 NOV Arr 0605 Dep 0835

    KCH

    17 NOV Arr 1125 Dep 1355

    19 NOV Arr 1125 Dep 1355

     

    Phase 2 later.....

     

    Happy Spotting.Appreciate of the photos can be forwarded to me or posted on this thread TQ


  15. Thanks a lot capt Nik for a very informative insight of the Hajj (or was it Hadj? whatever lah...) operation :good:

    never imagine the extent labor taken by MAS charter during the Hajj time.

    My parent and brother went for Hajj in 1997 from PEN. and was onboard the 747 - unsure which variant - with the white scheme and Tabung Haji tail. good reminiscence, this thread :)

    keep up!

    Maarof, semoga mendapat Haji yang Mambur... insyaallah.

    BTW, any news on PEN-origin and PEN-bound flights, capt?

     

    That would be Tower Air B747-100. The Hajj that year was operated by Transmile Air.

     

    Schedules for spotters will be posted tomorrow.


  16. One of the more interesting tales I've heard so far, but very creative and practical.

     

    We did not publicise the handover to the media for obvious reasons..... :rofl:

     

    Imagine the news header;

     

    " MAS gives Tabung Haji Toilets "

     

    " Tabung Haji Accepts Toilets From MAS "

     

    " Pilgrims Now Toilet Trained "

     

    " Lavatory Gifts From MAS "

     

    " MAS/TH Lavatory HandOver Ceremony"


  17. You had earlier mentioned that some pilgrims will go on the scheduled flights MH150/151. How/where would they clear CIQ? Bussed over to/from Hajj terminal or picked up/dropped off at North Terminal (JED)?

     

    Separately, are the cabin crew trained to handle first time fliers? (Such as usage of aircraft toilets?)

     

    12 Flights each of MH150/151 have been booked by the Hajj & Charter dept and each flight will carry 200 pax. As the aircraft only has 280 seats, the majority will be Hajj pax and the aircraft will park at the Hajj Terminal. The 'normal' pax will be bussed to and from the Main Terminal.

     

    As for the Cabin Crew, all MH Cabin Crew are reknown for their warmth and friendliness in dealing with passengers. The multiple accolades testify to that. Charter Crew are no less in that area. When operating the Hajj, they are concious that most passengers are first timers and they will treat them with appropriate care.

     

    However, nowadays a large number are also people who have flown before, and also highly educated, so the Cabin Crew will need to exercise due care as many claim " I can speakin' the england" so they have to be careful not to appear condescending and offend these group. Then there are the VIPs. Suffice to say that the Hajj & Charter Cabin Crew are doing an exemplary job given the number of complimentary letters my office received over the years. The few complaints we receive are mostly frivolous and are attended to with diplomacy.

     

    In 2004 I acquired some used aircraft toilets that are due to be discarded as MH aircraft began to enter the hangar for refurbishment with new interior. These toilets were revitalised, reconditioned and I presented them to Tabung Haji for familiarisation at the various Hajj complexes nationwide.

     

    Since then, we had only one incident of toilet misuse. In fact, cases of toilet abuse is more prevalent on normal scheduled flights than Hajj flights.

     

    We were also thinking of putting Cabin simulators at the various Hajj complexes but the cost issue outweighed the usefulness.

     

     

     

     


  18. Beside picture, could anybody take a video like the Just Planes ..(documentary)

     

    It is not easy to find a flight video for especially for the local one

     

    I've done a few videos of Charter flights that covers from start to finish. I've shot a video of the Michael Jackson and friends Charter from SEL to MUC and SPB Agong's trip on the Mastar. However they are of home production quality.

     

    I'd like to post it but its more than 10 minutes, exceeding the allowable on video hosting websites.

     


  19. You mentioned catering etc. How do you cater F&B for the return flights or what you termed as Phase 2? Presumably, you uplift at base, KUL, and fly them all the way to JED or MED for use/consumption on the way back?

     

    Do the cabin crew stay in JED/ MED or fly back on the same plane?

     

    For Phase 1 ( Pilgrim send-off ) catering is no issue as the aircraft return with no pax for the return flight. Only Crew catering is catered ex KUL.

     

    For Phase2 ( Pilgrim pick-up ) we cater from KUL. Loads of dry ice are carried and perishables for the return flight is specially packed. We avoid uplift from Saudi due cost as well as to save on Forex outflow. Much better to spend money at home. Furthermore, home base catering ensures the menu is within our control and the food has Malaysian flavor, something the Pilgrims savour after weeks of Middle Eastern fare.

     

    The only time we do uplift out of Saudi is if a delay occurs, and the food goes outside edible threshold. This however applies only to perishables and not dry stores. The standing arrangement for this facility is in place with the Catering provider, concluded prior to the start of the Hajj season. All uplifts needs to be cleared by KUL Charter office in an exigency situation.

     

    The Cabin Crew nightstops in Jeddah and Madinah. For Phase One, Cabin Crew can elect to return home on the return flight but they can claim full nightstop allowance as it is not our policy to shortchange their income. This is only possible when their subsequent duties are ex KUL and not operating Hajj flights out of JHB or PEN.


  20. It was in 2004 when we were allowed to fly to Madinah directly, even then after intense lobbying. Not all foreign operators are allowed to fly Madinah, and MAS is very grateful for the privilege granted by the Saudi Authorities...Syukran.

     

    Madinah is a small airport, the terminal is slightly bigger than MYY, although the runway facilities are much ,more extensive. Ground support there such as catering, engineering and airport services pose serious challenges and good planning is an absolute necessity for seamless operations.

     

    Thankfully so far we have not had any issues there and insyaallah, our operations this year will be as good if not better.

     

     

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