flee

Seems to me that the LAT characters are for the eyes of the passengers. But an aircraft should look good both on the ground and in the air. The albino look is not that attractive when the aircraft is airborne.

November 18, 2009 20:18 PM SEPANG, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Wednesday introduced its airline recovery system which offers perks such as incentive payments of RM10 for each inbound passenger that new international airlines bring into Malaysia as well as free airport office rental for six months and free landing charges for three years. Announcing the programme here today, MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said the company would have to forego RM25 million to RM30 million in revenue for the programme which would be effective for three years from January 1 this year. These perks were applicable for international landings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) KLIA and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport at Subang. The airline recovery programme was in addition to the earlier 50 per cent discount given for all landings for all airlines at all airports in Malaysia between April 2009 and March 2011 under the government's stimulus package. Bashir said the reward programme was aimed at attracting new airlines to bring in more passengers which would boost MAHB's coffers ultimately as well as help the badly-hit airline industry to recover from the global economic crisis. As for the 54 or so airlines currently operating in Malaysia, he said they would be rewarded with an incentive payment of RM10 for the first 10 per cent increase in passengers, RM12.50 for the next 8.0 per cent and RM15 for each additional passenger above 18 per cent, using their passenger load volume in 2008 as the base year. Describing the response by existing airlines to the reward programme as favourable, Bashir said it might be extended after 2011 based on the economic situation and MAHB's ability to provide more incentives. "This is because MAHB's airport charges are most probably the lowest in the region and the world, so this is additional to all the rewards that we have given them earlier," he added. Bashir also said that two new airlines have started operations in KLIA this year while two more would be coming by end of this year. MAHB expects a four to five per cent increase in passenger growth this year and a three to four per cent increase next year from increased flight frequencies, he said, citing Iran's official airline Iran Air as among airlines which have increased flight frequencies to Malaysia. Bashir reiterated that MAHB has never stopped any international airline from operating in any of its domestic or international airports. "We have never done such thing but we have to admit that some of our airports are not sufficient to accommodate international flights. Other than that, we have no objection to them operating anywhere," he said. Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=456289

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering travellers great deals to over 40 destinations including Europe, India, China, Africa and Australia. The promotion which kicked off today, with its booking period ending on November 25, will cover a travel period from December 15 this year until June 30, 2010. Its Senior General Manager Sales and Marketing, Datuk Bernard Francis said the offer was the airline's way of thanking guests who have supported and contributed to their success. "We will offer these deals through all our distribution channels, namely our website www.malaysiaairlines.com, our ticketing offices in Malaysia and ASEAN countries, our 24-hour call centre at 1-300-88-3000 in Malaysia and at our appointed travel agents in Malaysia and ASEAN," he said in a statement today. The popular London route is on offer from RM1,248, while for destinations in the Indian sub-continent, offers start from RM498 to Colombo, RM658 for flights to Hyderabad, RM718 to New Delhi and RM698 to Mumbai. Fares to Orient destination begin from RM418 to Hong Kong, RM558 to Shanghai and Guangzhou and RM608 to Kunming. He said added all promotional airfares were one-way economy class travel on MAS and includes airfare, airport tax, fuel surcharge, insurance and administrative fees. Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=455564

Long haul LCCs have yet to establish themselves in Japan. I don't think that Japan is quite ready to meet the demands of LCCs yet. So we will need a pioneer to break the mould. D7 also failed in its bid to fly to Japan this year. So I am not sure if Jetstar will find it easy, even if it overcomes the Sg govt. hurdle.

RM1 here and RM5 there adds up, soon AK will no longer be a LCC. I think that when they started they wanted to get costs as near to zero as possible. The latest "convenience" charge (RM5 per pax per sector) is another example where pax (particularly Malaysians) did not like. I think AK is trying to do a balancing act - balancing between cost cutting and pax complaints. I would like to see AK stay close to its model as an LCC and MH stick to its full service status. That way, people have a very clear cut choice. Pay less and you get less of everything. Pay more if you cannot sacrifice the creature comforts of a full service carrier.

The A380 wingtip fences look like the A320's - as such it would appear that the original A320 design was pretty good already. I guess that one of the reasons why Airbus can now offer the A320 with the sharklets is because they might have found some weight savings elsewhere on the aircraft to compensate for the weight increase of these new aero devices.

Airbus has launched its new "Sharklet" large wingtip devices, specially designed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family. Offered as a forward-fit option, Sharklets are expected to result in at least 3.5 percent reduced fuelburn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft. The A320 will be the first model fitted with Sharklets, which will be delivered around the end of 2012, to be followed by the other A320 Family models from 2013. Air New Zealand is the launch customer for the Sharklets which are specified for its future A320 fleet. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Rob Fyfe commented: "Air New Zealand recently decided to move to an all A320 fleet for narrow-body operations on domestic and short-haul international routes. The new Sharklets will enable our Airbus fleet to benefit from lower fuel burn and carbon emissions, both across Air New Zealand's domestic network and especially on the longer trans-Tasman sectors." Airbus Chief Operating Officer - Customers, John Leahy said: "The eco-efficient A320 Family just keeps getting better. We are delighted that Air New Zealand recognises that our single-aisle Family will remain the most profitable product in its class for years to come." He added: "Sharklets are not just part of Airbus' response to addressing environmental issues and rising fuel costs, but they also enhance aircraft overall performance." It should be noted that the 3.5 percent efficiency improvement with Sharklets will be additional to the already positive effect of the A320 classic wingtip fence. Payload-range benefits include either a revenue payload increase of around 500kg or an additional 100nm range at the original payload. The Sharklet installation also keeps the A320 Family within the ICAO 'Class C' (wingspan less than 36m) and will result in higher available takeoff weights, notably from obstacle-limited runways. Moreover, where runway performance is not 'limiting', operators should profit from a reduction in average takeoff thrust (with consequent savings in engine maintenance costs by around two percent), while communities will also appreciate even lower takeoff noise. Other benefits are the enhanced climb performance and higher initial cruise altitude. This latest development has been part of the larger continuous improvement programme for the A320 Family which is supported by an annual investment in excess of 100 million euros each year. To this end, Airbus has conducted a thorough campaign over several years to evaluate improved large aerodynamic devices - not only using Airbus' company-owned A320 test aircraft, but also with its advanced computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) simulation-tools. Source: http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/09_11_15_a320_sharklet_new_zealand.html

Around 19 or 20 November.

Lets see if you are able to get onboard XXC - its only 1½ months old and is in identical configuration to XXD.

XXD has not entered service yet - it is expected to be delivered around 19 or 20 November. 9M-XXE will have the new seats and you can bet your botom dollar that D7 will make a big marketing splash when that plane comes in!

If anyone know people staying in the condos around SZB, you can shoot from those condos too!

Yes, despite all the brickbrats thrown at them, 300m hits still came in to book tickets in the first 24 hrs. Their fares are still less than 50% of CX's offer fares! This leads me to think that complainants are only a small proportion of total "guests" and these people are probably so entrenched in legacy airlines' operating models. So no matter what, they will still complain. Many people I know use legacy airlines for business travel and AK/D7 for leisure travel.

Yes, I like Richard Quest's style of reporting. Last month he was on the BA001 flight from LCY-JKF. Very interesting.

I got a KUL-MFM and a HKG-KUL ticket at previous AirAsia zero fare sales. Total cost RM 170 inlcuding seat selection and luggage. Going in April 2010. Might be spotting in HKG if I get the chance. Not familiar with MFM spotting although the last time I went, it was quite an interesting view from the Macau Tower! However, MFM traffic is nowhere as good as HKG. Tried to get tix to BKK this sale but each page keeps returning errors. So gave up even though the tix cost RM 150, with luggage but no seat selection.

Very interesting visual and you managed to capture it too, Capt! Congrats. Now, please send it to a.net!

What about JetStar and Tiger? Aren't they competing with AirAsia? Is it AirAsia's fault that the competition is weak? Maybe AirAsia should close down so that no more complaints are received... Then everyone will go home happy! No aerobridges doesn't mean low class. President Obama also need to climb stairs to get into Air Force 1. Perhaps people should read the postings of some people stranded in Padang after the earthquake here: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583658

I think many miss the point, including James Chin. Why are family members not helping their old folks or the mothers of children and leave them to fly on their own? If they are not willing to help their own relatives fly, the least they could do is pay for a full service carrier air ticket for them so that they get better service. If you cannot afford to fly MH or SQ, then the alternative is to fly AK. Be thankful that you have a choice these days and there is no point bitching about things like aerobridges. In the days before AK, the alternative is not to fly! Many of us these days do not lead the lifestyle that our income dictates, and many of us do not realise how lucky we are to be able to fly at lower cost these days. I still remember the days when a return ticket to BKI on MH costs over RM 900 and a return ticket to SIN costs RM 700. But low cost has its compromises and costs have to be cut from somewhere. People are already unhappy about the RM5 "convenience" charge (mostly Malaysians, I might add - foreigners seem to appreciate that such charges are necessary for the LCCs to survive) that AK/D7 have imposed recently. Would those people who complain about no aerobridges ridicule AK/D7 again if the fare was increased if aerobridges were the standard fare on AK/D7 at LCCT? Would these people who ridicule AK/D7 about not being on time understand that sometimes delays are caused by adverse weather conditions? Why is profit such a dirty word? Profit is needed so that AK/D7 can pay for its new planes and improve other aspects like the lousy call centre. Does James Chin realise that companies need profit in order to expand and improve its services to its customers? Profit is also needed to pay staff salaries and bonuses. AK/D7 is not a charity and some 8,000 people's jobs depend on the airline not only surviving but also thriving. Finally, what will happen if AK/D7 die? Airlines will then go back to the old style cartels of the 70's and 80's and high fares will be back. If an LCC as big as AK/D7 cannot survive, there isn't much hope for smaller LCCs, is there?

AK operates the A320. D7 operates the A330/A340 and will operate the A350. LCCT terminal does not only cater for these airlines only. Other low cost carries may operate other aircraft types. As such MAHB cannot just cater to the needs of a single airline as its terminal is not dedicated like the JQ terminal. Those who criticise AK should get real. Take a look at yourself first before you condemn AK. I would never take my dad on an AK flight because he needs help that only a full service airline like MH or SQ can offer. And why are those old people and women travelling with children going on flights alone, without any assistance from family members. Surely charity begins with your own home? As such I do not really think James Chin has a valid complaint here. AirAsia never promised anything. So you should not feel disappointed. Set your expectations right and it will be OK. If you want more, just pay more to another airline and you can have your lousy aerobridge. And sometimes, you might not even need to pay more. So no need to bitch about this issue lah! Customers are free to choose which airline they fly on.

Two years on from its service debut, operators have told Flight International that the Airbus A380 has proved itself to be a crowd pleaser from a passenger point of view but suffers some frustrating technical problems. Full story here: http://www.flightglobal.com/page/A380-In-Service-Report/

I think they are trying to get more regional airlines to fly there. However, if there is no demand, why bother supply. Just look at Melaka airport - another white elephant...

Perhaps AirAsia should convert some of their A320 orders to the A318 so that they can fly routes with lower passenger demand. The other thing AirAsia is bound to bitch about is the airport tax. What will IPH charge after the upgrade?

Its not a typo after all. There is some discussion on a.net: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4597935/

I also noticed the slow speed in the report - however, the Airbus website info shows the max speed is the same as that of the passenger versions.

Yes it is bad to tar a whole group of people with one brush. Generally Malaysians are lazy to enforce their consumer rights - that is why Malaysian companies seldom give good customer service. In western countries, consumer rights are given higher priority and consumers usually stand up to suppliers if their rights are infringed.

The original A330 used the same nose wheel as the A300, hence the nose sits lower. The A330-200F has a taller nose wheel to enable to the plane to be level on the ground so that it is easier to load cargo.