Eugene Koh

From Justplanes news... Malaysia Airlines Malaysia Airlines announced it will discontinue service on 96 domestic routes and remove 19 aircraft from its fleet as a result. The airline plans on keeping service on 19 routes, 7 between Kuala Lumpur and peninsular cities, 6 between Kuala Lumpur and Sabah/Sarawak and 6 within Sabah and Sarawak . Any idea what these 19 aircrafts comprises of?

MAS forges alliance with Air France KLM By sabry tahir SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has received Air France KLM's nod to upgrade their code-sharing agreement into an alliance, MAS managing director Idris Jala said. However, he said no timeframe had been set for the alliance. “We are also working towards improving bilateral code-sharing agreements and joining alliances with other airlines,†Jala said after the launch of the upgraded Animal Hotel at the KL International Airport yesterday. Jala is believed to have met top executives of Air France KLM earlier this month to seek support for the national carrier's entry into the SkyTeam group, one of the three main global air alliances, which has a network of 684 destinations in 133 countries. MAS, which posted a net loss of RM1.26bil for the nine months to Dec 31, 2005, is the only regional airline that has yet to enter any global alliance. On AirAsia's plan to acquire some MAS assets, including a number of aircraft, Jala said MAS would have a free hand to fully decide on its business operations, the network, the routes and even the restructuring of its domestic operations, once the MAS-AirAsia route restructuring is completed next year. Idris Jala (foreground) accompanies Tengku azlan Abu Bakar (right) to the Animal Hotel. Meanwhile, MAS' cargo arm, Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo), has turned its Animal Hotel at the KLIA into one of the world's three 6-star animal hotels. The airline invested RM15mil to build and launch the hotel – the only animal hotel in Asia – in 1998. From a hub for staging and delivery of animal shipment, the hotel has evolved into a one-stop centre for activities such as import and transhipment of animals, ranging from horses to sharks. “We take anything except protected animals,†said MASkargo senior general manager Datuk J.J. Ong. The new facilities at the hotel include an animal spa and jacuzzi, aromatic bath, air-conditioned rooms and spacious play areas for cats and dogs. (See also Page 3)

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/gener...d.main/2628603/

Every route MAS flies to seem not profitable based on the thread, might as well stop flying. Don't get me wrong, I am a MAS patriot but MAS just keep dissapointing. . Slight out of topic but on Feb 19-24, I flew MAS Business Class to Penang for a week long business trip. During the flight, I asked the lead stewardess that I wanted to buy the Hisbiscus B747 which is advertised in the catalogue. She came back minutes later and said this can only be puchased by 'mail order'. Then when arrived in KL transitting to Penang, when to MGB, same s#1t was told. So, I thought well that's fine. Will try my luck on return trip. Probably all of you guess it, can only be ordered via 'mail order'. . I asked why do I have to fork out extra expense on postage when I am now here to buy it personally? The lead stewardess kept apologising!!! . In brief, I bought one some months back and received broken and this is under another thread. So, although I must admit MAS Business Class is fantastic and good looking chics but not impressed with inflight sales.

Having the same issue with Attan.

[in that case I think what goes around comes around. On another note I am quite interested to see how the SQ saga of operation to LAX out of SYD will developed. LeeCH ]. . I hope it will be a positive news so that way we can meet up in Sydney, hehe!

9M-AFC: Note pictures on left/right are different. http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5659841 http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5659964

AirAsia 3rd A320 in special scheme. Now Malaysia has 4 intotal for special liveries, wohoo!! Keep them coming, baby. MAS should probably paint an A330 and B737 in Manchester United livery! http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5659841Offic

As I was browsing through Airliners.Net, I came accros this picture per link attached. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/412243/L/ I wonder if there is ever a good chance someone is able to capture a similar shot or better on both MAS B747-400s Hisbiscus OR even a single Hisbicus and the Heliconia would be awesome too.

TK, when will you visit Sydney? Make sure to buzz me when in town, ok.

LeeCh, since you are going buzz most of the MW members, might as well buzz me when you visit Sydney. Happy to meet you in person! Welcome.

AirAsia to get A320 soon BY ANTHONY CHEW IN HAMBURG AirAsia Bhd will take delivery of its first A320 aircraft in Germany on Dec 5. The plane will arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8. The 180-seat aircraft, getting the finishing touches at Airbus' assembly plant in Hamburg, Germany, will be taken to the European aviation consortium’s headquarters in Toulouse, France, where a handing-over ceremony is to be held. AirAsia chairman Datuk Pahamin A. Rajab will represent Airbus at the event. The single-aisle aircraft will be taken to the Lima Airshow in Langkawi for display on Dec 9. AirAsia has signed a purchase contract for sixty A320s and has an option for 40 more. Each aircraft costs about US$64mil. Finishing touches being put on an A320 due for delivery to AirAsia on Dec.5 AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said the new aircraft would be used on domestic routes. Its senior executive for publicity and promotions, Jeamie Lee, told a group of visiting Malaysian journalists in Hamburg on Monday the new aircraft would further strengthen the airline’s service network. “It will also give our passengers a better flying experience and more comfort,†she said. Lee said a second aircraft would be delivered to AirAsia by the end of December. Stuart Mann, Airbus' head of marketing for the A320 family, said the aircraft was designed to optimise revenue through cabin adaptability and passenger comfort. “It is fitted with the most modern and complete fly-by-wire technology to ensure savings in direct operating costs, besides wider seats and aisle,†he said. Airbus communications manager Tore Prang said all the ordered aircraft would be delivered on schedule.

Good one, TK.

What are the chances of capturing 9M-MPB/D and 9M-MRD all at the same time in KLIA. I know it's impossible just a wish.

Excellent picture, well done TK.

Happy Birthday, Aina.

To MAS employees. I found an interesting article in Flight Int'l while browsing this morning. Is it true or just rumuor or even perhaps in MAS future route plan to fly to Miami via Arlanda, Stockholm. Arlanda attracts more Asia-US stopovers Stockholm Arlanda airport is set to add up to a dozen more long- haul routes as Asian airlines take advantage of more direct routeings to North American destinations, as well as Sweden’s liberal fifth-freedom regime. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) started services via the Swedish capital to New York Newark airport in November, replacing its previous stop-over of Dubai, with a saving of almost 1,000km (540nm). The Swedish government granted the carrier full fifth-freedom rights and around one-third of the traffic is Swedes visiting the USA. The airport attended last week’s Routes scheduling forum in Copenhagen to convince other Asian carriers to route via the city, with the opening of Russian northern airspace making direct routeings possible for the first time, says Mats Rodgerson, route development manager for Stockholm Arlanda. “We are perfectly positioned for flights from South-East Asia to the East Coast of the USA,†he says. The airport says it is in talks with airlines for around 30 new routes, with around 12 considered likely. Many carriers want to add a second US city to their networks and to use a smaller aircraft, says Rodgerson. The combination of a reduced flying time and picking up additional passengers makes the proposal economically feasible, he adds. The airport is hoping to attract Emirates with a route to San Francisco via the city and similarly Japan Airlines to Paris, also in a virtually direct routing over the North Pole. MAS is also considering services to Miami, it says. The airport is also offering an incentive package with a 96% reduction in passenger fees and half-price landing fees in the first year of any route in a bid to rival Copenhagen as Scandinavia’s intercontinental hub.

An article from The Star... British carriers keen on M’sia BY B.K. SIDHU IN COPENHAGEN THREE British carriers - British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic and British Midlands - have Malaysia on their radar screens but the issue that is holding them back is yields. Yield is a term the airlines use to measure the revenue per-customer-per-km flown. While the British carriers are still crunching their numbers, they acknowledge that Malaysia has huge potential since it records high passenger volumes on the KL-Britain sector, Royal Khmer Airlines is set to enter the Malaysian market this year. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shangdong Airlines and Aer Lingus would be making their way to KL International Airport (KLIA) next year. Etihad is planning a three to four times weekly flight but its plans are dependent on how fast they can mobilise their aircraft. “We can say about four new airlines would fly to KLIA next year even though many others have indicated interest,†MAHB senior manager, marketing, Mohamed Sallaud-din Mat Sah said. With Cambodia's Khmer, KLIA can expect three more new airlines this year, including India’s Air Sahara, Medan’s Top Air and Russia’s Transaero. As at Septem-ber, five new carriers made their way to KLIA - Shenzhen Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, India’s Jet Airways and last week’s AirAsia’s Indonesian unit, PT AWAir. Sallauddin told reporters in Copenhagen at the end of the Routes 2005 forum that MAHB met up with executives from 28 airlines and “Aer Lingus was keen to fly to KLIA†but they were trying to look at their aircraft availability issue first. “Aer Lingus is most convinced that Malaysia has its attractiveness,†he said. Finnair, which currently flies to Bangkok from Finland, is trying to work out a schedule to include KLIA on its routing. Sallauddin said Saudi Arabian Airlines would also be increasing its flight frequency from twice weekly to three times by next year for its Jeddah-KL flights. It would also maintain the nine-weekly flights during the Arab summer, from June to August. Meanwhile, yields on Britain-Malaysia market are competitive as many carriers are plying the route either direct or via European destinations. BA pulled out of the Malaysian route in 2001 alongside Lufthansa and Qantas, but Lufthansa has since returned. Virgin Atlantic has a code-share agreement with Malaysia Airlines which is coming up for review at the end of the year. If that is not renewed, Virgin may consider flying direct to KLIA. Sallauddin said British Midlands had requested to meet MAHB officials at the Routes 2005 forum. “They (British Midlands) were very exploratory in nature. They asked for some data; they may just be assessing the market,†he said. As for BA, Sallauddin and MAHB managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad met its executives during Routes 2005 and “they (BA) are closely monitoring the route and time will tell when they would fly again to KLIAâ€. Some 345 million travellers ply the Britain-Malaysia route a year, Sallauddin said, adding that about 250 million flew directly from Britain. Although discussions to get more carriers to fly to Malaysia were encouraging, he said MAHB may next year plan a rebranding exercise to further strengthen its position.

MAHB gaining investor interest By B.K. SIDHU in Copenhagen Two years ago, not many analysts would want to take a second look at Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) as its passenger and financial numbers were just not convincing enough to justify a re-rating of the stock. Things began to take a different turn a few weeks back. CitiGroup Smith Barney was among the first research houses to recommend the stock. Many analysts are now beginning to see the growth potential of MAHB, and they like the fact that the Finance Ministry (MoF)-led financial restructuring at MAHB is nearing completion. “(This is) because we have shown (the marketplace) that MAHB has potential and we have grown in terms of passenger numbers and upgraded our services,'' managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad told StarBiz. “We are continuously upgrading our ground service levels and all our processes. We have cut costs wherever we can (but not compromising on service quality). However, we also have to spend some money to upgrade certain facilities. â€Changes are taking place. Our aim is to be a well-managed airport (operator) that looks after the interests of passengers and airlines that are our customers,'' he said, adding that an improvement in services and the sustainability of profits were critical. He did not, however, give any hint of the full-year earnings outlook. MAHB's net profit reached RM90.4mil in the January to June period versus RM27.5mil in the same period last year. “The last three months of the year are critical and we cannot predict the traffic numbers,'' he said. This is despite the fact that November and December are considered peak periods due to the school holidays. The airport operator has embarked on several initiatives to ensure that MAHB is well managed. One was to change the way business was done at the airport, whereby the airport operator becomes proactive with service levels, upgrades its processes and revs up the non-aeronautical (commercial) revenues. Bashir said that by 2008/09, the company expected equal contribution from its commercial and aeronautical divisions against 35:65 currently, given the initiatives taken to increase retail space. Earlier, he told a press conference it was becoming harder to increase aeronautical revenue, thus the move to raise commercial revenue. “It is not going to be easy as there are a lot of things to do but we have to enhance our competitiveness,'' he said, adding that plans were under way to increase retail space by 10%–15%. The KL International Airport (KLIA) expects to handle 23 million passengers this year, up from 21.5 million in 2004. Today, 50 airlines fly into the KLIA, and by year-end, there would be 53. Bashir said that up to August, “we touched a 12% increase in passenger traffic compared with the same period a year ago,’’ with growth coming from the Far East, including China, India and the Middle East. He has forecast passenger traffic to grow 6%–7% over the next five years. At the Routes 2005 forum being held here, several carriers indicated interest to fly to KLIA, including Shanghai Airlines, Finnair and Aer Lingus. Pakistan International Airlines is among several airlines looking to increase frequency. “We would like to see a European carrier flying to KLIA. We would like British Airways (BA) to come back and another new carrier such as Air France or Alitalia to fly in, besides more charter planes,'' Bashir said. On Monday, Bashir and his team met officials from BA to cajole them into flying to KLIA and the response has been encouraging. The future of MAHB, however, also hinges on how fast its financial restructuring can be completed. The company owes the government RM846mil in compensation payments and others. The restructuring is intended to resolve a lot of issues. When Bashir came onboard, he worked on that first as he felt that MAHB needed to resolve the issue to move forward. A decision to add a second satellite building also hinges on the speed with which the restructuring is completed. Bashir expects the exercise to be completed at the end of the year, followed by a decision on the second satellite building. The airport operator is also pushing ahead with plans to accommodate the A380 when the aircraft flies to KLIA in mid-2007 or earlier. It expects to call a tender for an A380 facility by next month with completion by the end of 2006. That should see KLIA having five aerobridges to accommodate the A380s. Bashir said the cost was estimated at RM110mil. He said work on the dedicated RM108mil low-cost terminal was “progressing on schedule''. The facility, which would be able to handle 10 million passengers, is slated for completion in the first quarter of next year.

AT least three more airlines are slated to fly to the KL International Airport (KLIA) by year's end, bringing the number of carriers flying to the airport to 53. The three are Russia’s second largest airline Transaero Airlines, Medan-based Top Air, and India’s Air Sahara. The latter airline had originally planned to fly to KLIA in May but now expects to make its maiden flight from Chennai in mid-November. The entry of more airlines bodes well not just for KLIA, which wants to be a hub for the region, but is also seen as a boost for tourism and providing greater connectivity for passengers using the KLIA. Chen See Hoong, general manager of ABDA Aviation Sdn Bhd, the general service agent for Transaero, told StarBiz that the maiden flight from Moscow to KLIA was scheduled for Oct 28. The privately owned airline will initially operate two weekly flights – one direct and the other via Bangkok – using B767 and B747 aircraft. Its operations will give direct connectivity to Russia, which was previously provided by Aeroflot. Aeroflot moved out several years ago, although sources now say Russia's national airline and largest carrier has shown renewed interest in returning to KLIA. “Transaero sees a lot of potential in the KL-Moscow route. The connectivity also provides a direct link for Malaysian students studying in many parts of Russia,†Chen said. As for privately owned Air Sahara, its country manager G.J. Vijay Kumar said: “We will be flying daily when we begin. We hope to register passenger load factors of about 70% from the start,†he said. Sky Asia Sdn Bhd had been appointed the airline's general service agent. Indonesia’s Top Air is among more than 60 airlines operating in that country. It is due to start its Jakarta-JB sector soon. A Top Air spokesperson said the airline would start flights to KLIA in October. This year, too, saw four other airlines begin flying to KLIA. They are Shenzhen Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Jet Airways and Pakistan International Airlines. Shenzhen Airlines, which began with two weekly flights earlier this year, had recently increased the frequency to daily. A number of airlines that currently fly to KLIA have also increased their frequencies during the year and more are likely do so before the year is out, as it would be winter soon.

If AIR NZ livery is too white and boring, wait till you see Qantas if they order B777 that is!

TK, as MAS planned to install the EFB for the rest of its B777s AND B744s/A330s, with the delivery of 6 A380 will it come with EFB as well.

Azahan, the lightings on the B777 as shown do they have it on the B744s as well? Also, does MAS have any plan to install accross its fleets of B744 and B777 with EFB.

Congrats Azahan and thanks for sharing. I think it is hard to compare the special scheme between the B744s and the B777. Each have its own beauty. I liked both equally although the B744s rear is a bit plain compared to the B777 which is all painted. Either way, good on MAS and a good way to promote the airline. Wish list is only they paint an A330 but I guess we all know why it won't happen! Really hope they paint another B777.

Could I kindly refer the following questions to the aviation experts. As MAS painted two very awesome special livery on the B744 (9M-MPB/D) and now in its hangar a B772 (9M-MRD), do any of you think MAS will also paint two of this model? Will one B772 with this special scheme able to promote its new class on its 777 route or likely two will be painted, not only because of it popularity.