Mohd Suhaimi Fariz

What's going on? https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2019/11/11/us-aviation-authority-downgrades-malaysia039s-air-safety-rating-say-sources

Have you been to the MTB lately? The aircon no longer cools down the building effectively & cosmetic-wise the terminal looks to have worn down so much. The only problem with klia2 is the number of people in the terminal, but other than that it's still a more comfortable place to be in, especially if you're stranded for 6 hours because the airline in question didn't feel fit to inform you that they've canceled their flight.

They don't need it, but the passengers surely do. Not really. Only those who are in TF's reality distortion field think it's new.

I don't think it's any different than before to be honest. The only difference is that now we have the internet allowing reports to be made of things like these constantly. In the old days, it will only be reported in specialist magazines like Flight International.

"Is it fair to get LCC passengers, who not only are unable to enjoy these expensive facilities at KLIA but forced to put up with inhospitable conditions at klia2, to pay the same passenger service charge (PSC) rates?" he asked." Yes Bo, it's fair. Why? Because KLIA passengers had to subsidize klia2 passengers prior to this even though the MTB is worse for wear. And enough with the inhospitable conditions at klia2. Compared to the shack at LCCT, it's a palace. And compared to the MTB, it's still more comfortable.

Problem is, they're not actively trying to solve them. They're often trying to wangle more from MAHB to the detriment of the airport operator. They never look for middle ground solutions.

I honestly don't get AK's moaning about delays. It is not like klia2 is miles away from 32L the way the Polderbaan is at Schiphol. Honestly, it's a pity that TF took the Michael O'Leary School of Running an Airline. That's why he's throwing a tantrum right now. Should have taken the Herb Kelleher School.

I don't see how my feelings for the old man has any relevance to the situation at hand. I'm just pointing out the facts. Maybe if people would be more critical of him, the way they do with the previous administration, maybe they wouldn't treat the people with contempt the way they do now.

Why is that? Because the old man did not act in good faith against Sarawak. No wonder the negotiations didn't go well.

And why not, especially if the federal government can wangle some concessions from Sarawak? Ever heard of payment in kind?

They're better off taking over MASwings as the assets & people are already ready & available. As for the debt, let the Federal government take it. Just because they announce this, doesn't mean things can't change.

Sarawak already stated that they are willing to take over MASwings, with reports stating such being released as early as 2015. So how is it ignorant to say "let them run MASwings?" There's nothing arrogant about the statement, unless you already has preconceived notions about it. https://sarawakvoice.com/2019/06/08/sarawak-minat-kuasai-maswings/ https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2019/02/418953/sarawak-teliti-cadagan-syarikat-penerbangan-sendiri https://www.theborneopost.com/2015/04/29/kerajaan-sarawak-dan-sabah-optimis-ambil-alih-maswings/

Given the economic data that available, I think I'm warranted in my criticism of the old man and his merry men. A leopard never changes its spots, after all. Anyways if it were up to me, at the top of my head, I'd forge more partnerships & JVs the way they're doing with SQ. Some might say that it will help the other airline, I'd say it gives MH a good source of revenue while at the same time minimizing costs because they don't have to contend with the operational costs that comes with actually flying to low yielding destinations. The days of airlines needing to fly everywhere is over. Also, while I'm at it, I'd look into more improvements into the overall product so that it can be used as a USP for the airline. But don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about adding large frills - I'm talking about little tweaks & improvements in terms of the cabin atmosphere, crew training, catering, the booking experience, customer care etc. Just enough that it doesn't break the bank in terms of cost, but also enough that it provides a noticeable improvement over the current offering. Thirdly, take a relook FY ops and see if they can do more with it - like actually having FY take over domestic routes so that MAB can focus on regional flights. If it makes business sense to do so, why not? Maybe even sell off MASwings to the Sabah/Sarawak government. If the federal government no longer want to properly support the RAS, why should MAB bore the brunt? Let the Sabah/Sarawak government run it.

That is if the man upstairs doesn't pull out the "We don't have enough money, economy is bad, previous administration drained the coffers dry bla bla bla" excuse. Or even worse, have MAB buy the planes through his intermediaries.

MH & SQ announces wide ranging co-operation including revenue sharing on KUL-SIN route (return of the shuttle?), Enrich-KrisFlyer tie ups, and MH codeshares on SQ flights to Europe.

Yields are poor for these passengers. If the yields are so great, they'd done it already.

You have proven exactly why MH has a problem - Malaysian passengers who value price over convenience. Fact of the matter is, O&D passenger pays more everywhere. A SIN originating SQ passenger will pay more than a KUL originating pax. A BKK originating TG pax pays more than a KUL originating pax. And conversely, a SIN originating MH pax pays less than a KUL originating pax. Who in their right mind would want to fly via transit, over direct flights if pricing remains constant? If MH lowers the price, their yields will be crap. And when yields are crap, you can't make any money. Not in Malaysia they don't.

Everybody got drenched. If I recall correctly SQ's profits dropped tremendously in 2018. And that's in a good market. MAB is not in a good market. Only if there's a will to be hands off from the people in power. Who let the 787 LoI lapse? Certainly not the management. Who saddled the airline with the Dugong? Certainly not the management.

When rationalization was first mooted - nobody was able to foresee Trump picking up a fight with China, causing an economic slowdown. Nobody was able to foresee BN being replaced for the first time in 61 years. Nobody was able to foresee how our own economy dropped like a rock after that happened. Logically, you'd see that these things would have affected MAB.

I doubt the airline cares much about consumer protection. In any case, shouldn't Immigrations be questioned for the immigration issue? Why blame MAHB or MAVCOM when it's the Immigration Department that can't provide enough manpower?

The accuser should have furnished enough proof to support their allegations. AirAsia is acting like a petulant child just to get at MAVCOM.

Or maybe an IAG style takeover of MH, TG & GA

And yet many airlines see fit not to have MRO capabilities.

If the MRO ops were a viable operation, pretty sure somebody would have picked them up already. But nobody did. Which is why I think reentering into the fray is a foolhardy venture.

As someone who have spent a better part of a day voluntarily waiting for a flight (my sister sent me there in the morning, my flight with KLM was in the afternoon!), yes there are plenty of things to do before you go airside at the MTB. Or you can hop over to klia2 and go shopping - which I did, buying myself a proper hardshell carry-on suitcase. Can't do that at the shed.