KK Lee

Believe that particular vendor submitted quite a few proposals in many years, nothing happened, and MAG couldn't commit the contract tenure justified for further investment As for Pos Aviation, flight catering is unintended step son, the controlling shareholder is not interested in this business.

Current AK order is less than pre-pandemic level, AK's vendor has excess capacity. Besides, brahim termination was in the work for many months if not years, MH did visited them and a few others a while ago and had time to prepare. Other central kitchen in kv may not have flight catering experience but are haccp, halal, etc compliance. It is a matter of priority; whether full compliance, fixed menu, pax without meal or some other agenda is more important?

Out of 100 drinkers, about 2 could be loudy or misbehave, and we don't know who these 2 are. As the host, should we unwelcome the rest 98 drinkers (for the tree and miss the forest)? Number of premium tourist is less than budget conscious tourists, expectations of premium tourist is higher and premium tourist has wider choices. Given the quality of service, foods offering, shopping variety, etc in existence, not many choose to holiday here; e.g T20 and M40 from Shanghai and Beijing for quick getaway, would visit Thailand, Seoul and Japan rather than here, and is reflected in flight arrival and statistics.

AK's regular vendor and a few central kitchen in kv have the capacity to supply mh ey regional meals without issue.

Like durian, we may claim is the best but the world largest market, PRC import less than 10% of durian from Malaysia. We could be as selective, premium or moral high ground as we want; how many foreign buyers/tourists buy in is a different matter. Tourists arrival and money spent speak for itself.

MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd (MAB) will be offering alternative food and beverages options while actively exploring a new service provider, after it ended a long-standing partnership with its anchor caterer, Brahim’s Food Services (BFS), earlier this week. Among them, the national flag carrier said it will allow passengers to bring their own meals on selected routes as it transitions to a new catering service. https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/460252

Except hotel room rate, almost every things here is more expensive than Thailand and Indonesia, not value for money to visit. Grab and Gojek is available in Indonesia and Thailand. Klook airport transfer is also an option. On first visit, price of alcohol is not in consideration. However, whether to return for subsequent visit; dining experience and enjoyment played a role. For reasons, why few tourists return to this country. Wind turbine doesn't need much footprint and is rare for European to clear forest for wind turbine. From the number of Aussie visited Bali, many more enjoy drinking.

Guess you haven't seen how much PRC could drink and spend on drinks over dinner. Their favourite baijiu is hard to find and very expensive here. For reasons, why few PRC T20 returns here for holiday.

These loudy places are confined to tourist strip, where few locals go and has little impact on local lifestyle. Everyone's alcohol tolerance level is different. How much Russians or anyone drink shouldn't be our concern provided they don't break the laws. When 'holier than thou' mentality set tourism policy, it is a no wonder why Malaysia attract fewer tourists than neighbouring countries. Couponed taxi at KLIA, PEN, etc is regulated mafia. Eco tourists tend to be liberal minded and sympathy to LBGTQ. Sabah and Sarawak may have many offer to eco tourism but strict law against LBGTQ deter them from visiting. As for "family oriented" tourists; middle east tourists visit has dropped substantially even before pandemic. Sabah is actually geographically idea for some renewable energy generation, which couldn't undertake by Sabah state government alone. Unless Sabah government is opened to federal government or agency involvement, these renewable energy potential will remain untapped.

Most local politicians are for the tree and miss the forest. Russians are known to spend more on drinks than their room rate. During covid19 pandemic, many resorts in Maldives survived largely on Russian guests. Before the Ukraine war, there were thousands of Russian in Pattaya, Phuket and Bali at any one time. Many locals crave roti canai and nasi lemak for breakfast. Similarly, many farang crave sausage and bacon for breakfast. A reason why few farang tourists return for subsequent visit or stay long here.

Alcohol is a part of dinning and chill experience. Those enjoy drinking at poolside, beach, dinner, cocktail time, night club, etc would find exorbitant price unwelcome. For reason, few Russians visit this country.

MH ticket is higher than TG, price difference could absorb better catering. MH cost structure could never competitive with AK or OD. MH is like Toyota/Honda could never compete with proton or perodua in price or volume, should focus on business travellers. When Brahim facility was built in the 1990's was the state of art but hasn't upgrade much since. Whoever take over Brahim need to invest over RM200m to make it cost efficient. As said, Brahim need a new team of management to make profit. Similarly, Pos Aviation didn't upgrade its facility in the last few decades and catering management need to be independent from cargo, etc. Central kitchen has developed enormously in the last decade in the country, there are many efficient production but is sidelined due to politic.

In the original brahim contract, profit was guaranteed. mh could budget any menu price, brahim deliver what is left after guaranteed profit. the lower mh pax number, the lower the food cost or/and poorer quality. if mh pax number is better than forecast, brahim gave premium ice cream. RM12 and RM38 made marginal price difference on regional and long haul ticket price respectively but pax perceived service is a level difference.

Acquiring brahim facility at klia mutually benefit both parties. However at what price? Unless the top few management level at brahim are replaced, it will likely old wine in new bottle.

More Korean, Japanese and PRC tourists could visit Sabah especially during the winter months. But exorbitant alcohol price made them less enjoyable. Hence, many choose Philippines instead.

AI channeled pax to MH to LAX, AUS, etc.

In the contrary, MH slots at LHR was contra to AI for outstanding payment.

https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/sia-engineering-signs-mou-khazanahbacked-impeccable-vintage-properties-hangar-facilities Khazanah is spending serious money to refurbish hanger 2, 3, 4 and supporting facilities for the above project. Each hanger could accommodate up to A350/787 size widebody.

https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/599-kansai-airport-namba-train-ticket-osaka/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8ZKmBhArEiwAspcJ7u4TtquBvjauc_KmJ4iFW8J8BZfyuKcFm8ob9U31kWOY7K4GR6FszhoCcuoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds klia express fare is more expensive than nankai airport express from namba to kix vv.

From Maldives experience; land reclamation on shallow water next to south end of runway should have little impact on the marine park and sufficient area to double BKI pax handling capacity. According to the original SZB reserve land, second runway is parallel to and in north east of current runway. Believe most pakistani, afghan, iraqi, etc visit Sabah for employment and migration purpose.

Land reclamation would be cheaper than building a new airport. SZB had reserve land for TWO (2) runways. And these land was re-gazetted and became property development by cronies. Those walk in the corridor of power are only interested in new development rather than making existing facilities more efficient for the obvious reasons. The further the new airport is away from the city center; the longer the road construction, the higher the toll collection, etc.

During BN administration, many thousands foreign workers were stranded at kul, were repatriated at gomen expenses. If these were paid by airlines, no airlines will come here.

Given AK is operating below 2019's capacity, its meal supplier is a perfect fit to mas regional and domestic routes. however, due to politic, mas is unlikely to source from them unless desperate.

When brahim took over mas catering, brahim profit was guaranteed. brahim is naturally unhappy when profit guaranteed was removed. To build a new flight kitchen at KUL will take 2 to 3 years. MAS Awana may use the old kitchen at SZB in the interim period. However, it won't be cheap to move meals from SZB to KUL. A few decades ago, mas catering/brahim was the largest central kitchen in the country. Nowadays, central kitchen of some hotels and restaurants chain are larger than brahim. Anyone with money could build a central kitchen but operation is another matter. Given mas track record and corporate culture, its central kitchen is unlikely efficient or cost competitive. mas awana will eventually a liability to mas.

Some people believe they are the bestest and too proud to learn from other countries. T2 terminal is designed to maximize shopping mall revenue rather than pax convenience. most supermarket trolleys could be used on walkalator . beside money, sg developers and operators have commonsense.