Ken K. Kour

excellent video edwin! your video editing skills are as good as your FS Screenshots skill.. which are nothing short of amazing...

do you think AK would incorporate those into their later A/C? since winglets only provide savings on longer flights? so maybe when they start BKI-BKK? or even the KUL-TWU flights.. which are over 2 hours long, so maybe they could save some fuel on those flights?

KUL - IPH important cause of people wanting hor fun la... duh hahaha but ipoh hor fun is very good dont you think so?

i love that last shot too, great imagination to do that!

hmmmm.. if only there were better working agreements between AK and MH, if one could transfer luggage across airlines, seamlessly fly on both without needing to go through baggage claim, then checking in again....

Radzi, while we're going on about thunderstorms, lets go with BKK is lashed with it too.. haha

Welcome Mischa! Welcome to M-Wings and Malaysia Hello en Onthaal, hoop om sommige het bevlekken foto's te zien wanneer u de tijd maar nogmaals hebt, WELKOM Mischa!

hahaha, thanks SV, im checking through E-mails, should be around soon.. thanks for the invite again!

so what AC is in our dreams next? Maybe Virgin Birthday girl AC? or Air New Zealand Lord Of The Rings ac (if its still flying), anything else?

I love your shots of the F50 and The B772 TK! keep them coming if you dont mind! also, TK, are you allowed to get up close with Aircraft from other airlines? e.g. ifyou're parked next to a SQ bird, or BA bird, can you approach it and take photos?

AirAsia unable to fulfill MAS's interlining requirements By Doreen Leong & Bernard Tong AirAsia Bhd is unable to comply with requirements set by Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) for interlining at two domestic routes, AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said. He said there were only two domestic routes, which were affected by interlining issues involving the Kota Kinabalu-Miri and Kuching-Johor Bahru routes. Fernandes said if MAS were not willing to compromise, AirAsia would be willing to withdraw from the two domestic routes and give them back to the national carrier. “We are ready (with interlining). We have produced a system that is efficient, does not cause any hassle to the passengers, saves a lot of money and if it is still an issue, go ahead and do the routes yourself, and we will withdraw from interlining as well,†he said. Fernandes said AirAsia could not comply with certain requirements set by MAS. “With the exact system that they want right now, we can’t do it. Nor are we prepared to do it, because it’s a waste of money,†he added. "MAS requires AirAsia to have a complete baggage check-through and wants British Airways people (passengers) to be able to buy an AirAsia seat from British Airways offices," he said. He said AirAsia would need to fork out US$4 million (RM14.6 million) to comply to MAS’ requirements on interlining of the two routes. “For just two routes, it is not worth the money,†he said, adding that it was also not worth it to be an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member just to do the two routes. “If MAS’ future depends on KK-Miri, and Kuching-JB, they have a serious problem but fine, if they are saying that is still a problem, go do the routes.†Fernandes said AirAsia had written a letter to MAS on July 7 on its intention to withdraw from the two routes if MAS still found problems with interlining. "Interlining should not be an issue anymore; while they (MAS) are at it, they should take the (unprofitable) KL-Ipoh route as well. If they want proper connectivity, we are voluntaring the routes back to them," he quipped. "I’m just tired of seeing press statements (on the issue). If it is so much of an issue, take back the routes, no problem. We want nothing to do with interlining.†Fernandes called for a media conference to respond to MAS' statement on July 6 that the domestic route rationalisation, which is scheduled for Aug 1, would be workable if AirAsia had proper interlining and connectivity. MAS managing director Idris Jala was quoted in news reports that there had to be clear interlining and connectivity for the route rationalisation exercise to work. Interlining is an agreement between two airlines to mutually issue tickets and boarding passes for each other’s flights. Accordingly, the partner airlines provide automatic baggage transfers to passengers on their connecting flights. An airline needs to be an IATA member to do interlining. MAS, but not AirAsia, is a member of IATA and has such arrangements with more than 20 airlines. On another matter, Fernandes said AirAsia “felt strongly†on the floor price set by MAS. “MAS is receiving a lot of subsidy. The government is helping MAS restructure their business, which in effect structure their costs. The RM1 billion cash shouldn’t be used to compete with us. “Or we should be given the RM1 billion cash as well if it is a level playing field,†he said. On competition from MAS' fares, which were not much higher than AirAsia’s such as that on the KL-Bangkok route, Fernandes said: “We are still very full for Bangkok route. It depends on how many seats you have. Have they been able to get those seats at that fare? “That is their bottom fare, this is our top fare. We are not complaining about MAS’ international fares, it’s up to them whether they want to make money or lose money." However, he said MAS’ competitive fares had not affected their business. “I don’t think they can put a whole plane at that price. There should be no subsidy for MAS for international fares at all. It would not be fair.†“We only complain about the domestic (fares). And that is subsidised, if you want to give MAS the subsidies, then there must be some protection for AirAsia so that wasteful competition does not happen again,†he said. ©All rights reserved. 2006. The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd. (266980-X)

but would operating out of subang have somewhat killed off loads? i have no idea how many people actually fly AK, then transfer to MH for international flights, but i know i do it, or used to do it... used to fly SIN-KUL-TWU on MH/AK, but now having to transfer to LCCT with baggage and things like that, often just hanging around KL, or flying MH on supersaver fares... but subang wouild be very convienient for KL City Users... definately... but MH Engineering should be moved to KLIA, why isnt it? they already have a big hangar over in KLIA, why dont they shift operations there? wouldnt it save alot on Rising fuel costs, the need to ferry AC over, and if you have a common pool of supplies and equipment, you dont need to move them around , and all in all just makes the whole operation of MH Engineering more efficient... doesnt it?

pirated version.....

does anyone know which will be the first A320 to go to Thai Air Asia, or Indonesia Air Asia? or will the malaysian branch get rid of all its B733 first, then pass on the A320?

Fernandes: AirAsia willing to give up interlining routes KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia is willing to give up interlining routes Johor Baru-Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu-Miri if Malaysia Airlines wants them back. The budget airline’s CEO Datuk Tony Fernandes said that if having his airline flying those routes was going to cause interlining problems, “Malaysia Airlines can have them back.†“It’s not an issue ,and MAS can even take back its Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh route, too,†he told a press conference following reports that MAS had expressed concern over problems to passengers on these routes. “If interlining is so important to MAS, please take it back,†he said. He said that he had written a letter to MAS managing director Idris Jala yesterday to this effect. “We have no objections as long as Malaysia Airlines maintains the minimum fare as agreed.†It is crucial, he said, that MAS maintained the low fares because they were getting a Government subsidy of about RM1bil. “If the cash is used to compete with us, then it is not a level-playing field because we are not getting any subsidy.†On the recruitment of MAS staff, he said he was waiting for the Mutual Separation Scheme list from the national carrier. “Once we get the list, we can decide on which staff we want to recruit,†he said. On Wednesday, an English daily quoted Idris as saying that the interline connection would cause a problem for passengers. Idris also said it was the Government that decided to restructure the domestic aviation sector by having two national carriers. On Fly Asian Express (FAX), Fernandes said the new airline would take over the rural air services with about 250 frequencies, from next month. “We are optimistic that the new airline will provide a stimulus to the East Malaysian economy. “The new leadership in the airline is confident of the economic impetus the airline will create to encourage more businessmen to open up East Malaysia.†The turboprop operation in Sabah and Sarawak will cover more than 100 routes in the two states. With a fleet of 11 planes, everyone living in remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak can now fly, from Aug 1. Fernandes said FAX would be recruiting about 180 staff from MAS for these routes. _________________________ Copyright © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D) Managed by I.Star. ___________________ that RM 1 Billion Subsidy suprised me.. didnt know about that AirAsia nears deal on hedging part of fuel needs July 8 2006 AIRASIA Bhd, South-East Asia's biggest discount carrier, says it is close to reaching an agreement on hedging part of its fuel needs this fiscal year, which will help cover some of the rising costs. "We're pretty close to tying up part of the hedge," AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Fernandes also said that the airline isn't rushing to hedge all of its fuel needs for the fiscal year 2007 and 2008 because of high prices. AirAsia, which will take over most of the domestic routes from rival Malaysia Airlines starting August, has been expanding its fleet and cutting fares to keep its lead over at least 18 carriers in the region. AirAsia, which hedged all of its fuel needs in the year ended June 2006, had a 36 per cent rise in its fuel bill for the nine months ended March 31 to RM249.78 million, it said in May. "What we don't want to do is mortgage the year 2007 and 2008 for a hedge now," Fernandes said. "We just don't think it's worth it. So we're presently riding the spot market." Jet fuel traded at an average US$80.65 (RM295) a barrel in Singapore in the six months to June 30 28 percent higher than the same period a year earlier, according to data from Platts oil pricing service. It has risen 21 per cent from the start of the year. AirAsia, which began imposing a fuel surcharge in July last year, collected RM26 millionin surcharges in its fiscal third quarter ended March 31. The airline doesn't plan to raise its fuel surcharge because it is filling more seats, which is helping cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on its earnings, Fernandes said. The carrier's load factor is currently "in the high 80" per cent, more than the 72 per cent a year earlier, he said. - Bernama

Ahhh... thats where it i.... My User ID is 3014

do you guys mind if i join? i just have a couple shots there now already, 7 i think, with a couple more that need to be edited from my various trips to NZ, etc but how do you find out your ID? my name for that is Ken Kour, or kourkk (login name)

wow... what a catch! was that QF bird the only one that got diverted?

i agree with you there Edwin one of the biggest flaws is that you cannot get upgraded to a gold membership unless you fly 60,000 miles on BUSINESS CLASS! with those fares nowadays... how can one really afford that? whereas with the star alliance memberships, or anything else, its just the accrual of miles that gets you upgraded, not the discriminating of what type of miles.. MH is shooting themselves in the foot...

anyone here that might be attending a graduation party or formal or prom or something a chartered helicopter might be the next big thing for rich kids to make an entrance.. whereas nowadays its getting a limo.. right imran

another thing was the flaw in MH operations... they keep routes that are often unprofitable, like the one to buenos aires.. but then they get rid of routes that are wanted... such as, KL - TWU direct flights.... until a couple years ago, when the direct flights were introduced, all passengers from tawau flying to KUL had to go via bki. everytime we enquired, through travel agents or even through MH Hq, they always stated that there was not enough demand for a flight to KL. but on the other hand, when AK came in, flight loads were often if not always over 70%, day in, day out.. so what does this tell you? i think someone needs to come in, clear out everyone, the higher up management all feel safe in their positions, they need to feel threathened and thus compete to keep their jobs...

and the cut down of routes affects MH international aswell think of the tourists that want to visit melaka, or any of our other sight seeing destinations.... it is so much easier for them to fly direct with MH, without having to get ou tat the MTB, then having to go to the LCCT, which is miles away...

imran bro... didnt know you had that in you! hahahaahhah

yep pieter, you do! twice daily AK 502 BKI CRK 14:05 16:05 AK 502 BKI CRK 13:30 15:30 AK 503 CRK BKI 15:55 17:55 AK 503 CRK BKI 11:40 13:40

Air Asia may 'fast-track' KK-Sandakan service July 7 2006 AIR Asia Bhd, the leading regional low-cost carrier, may consider including a Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan route in addition to two new destinations to be introduced next week, said its group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes. Air Asia is introducing the two new daily flights, Kota Kinabalu to Tawau and Kota Kinabalu to Miri, in conjunction with the launch of its new East Malaysia hub at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The hub is expected to start operations next Tuesday. "There has been huge request for us to start Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan quicker than we have planned. So we are looking at whether we can launch it at the same time next week," Fernandes told reporters after the launching of the hub in Kota Kinabalu yesterday by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. At the moment, he said the hub would operate with two Boeing 737-300 aircraft. He said the airline is also aiming to recruit more locals including pilots to operate the hub. The airline's chairman Datuk Pahamin Rajab said that the setting up of the hub in Kota Kinabalu was significant for Air Asia's expansion because it suited the nature of lower cost carrier operations to fly from point to point without any transit to cut down operational cost. "We cannot bring passengers from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and then from Kota Kinabalu to Miri. That is why the hub is important for Air Asia," he said. He also said with the usage of new Airbus aircraft, the volume of passengers from Kuala Lumpur to the state had increased tremendously. To date, it has carried over three million passengers to or from Sabah. Musa said the introduction of the two new routes and additional frequencies from Kota Kinabalu hub would certainly create more economic opportunities in terms of tourism and business travel. In the last five years, he said, the number of both international and domestic arivals in Sabah had gone up by 18.7 per cent annually to 1.83 million in 2005 from 774,475 in 2000. "The numbers continue to be encouraging as between January and May this year, Sabah recorded 286,038 international and 415,184 domestic arrivals, making it a combined total of 701,222 visitors so far," said Musa. - Bernama ______________ Copyright © The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ______________ Kota Kinabalu - Tawau Daily Flights Departs Kota Kinabalu at 09:00, arrive at Tawau 09:45 (AK 5833) Tawau - Kota Kinabalu Daily Flights Departs Tawau at 10:10, Arrive Kota Kinabalu at 10:55 (AK 5834) Kota Kinabalu - Miri Twice Daily Departs Kota Kinabalu at 06:50, arrive Miri at 07:30 (AK 5811) Departs Kota Kinabalu at 11:20, arrive Miri at 12:00 (AK 5813) Miri - Kota Kinabalu Departs Miri at 07:55, arrive Kota Kinabalu at 08:35 (AK 5812) Departs Miri at 12:25, arrive Kota Kinabalu at 13:05 (AK 5814) ____________ on a side note, from now on, on certain days, there might be as much as 3 AK flights aday in Tawau, to KK, KL and JB