Robert 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2009 From the Singapore Straits Times March 9, 2009 Call for daily flights to Langkawi Langkawai MCA Division chief Datuk Chen Liau Weng said currently, only SilkAir provided direct flights between Singapore and Langkawi. -- ST PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA LANGKAWI - FIFTEEN Chinese associations here have called on the Government to allow AirAsia to fly direct between Singapore and Langkawi to help the resort island weather the current economic storm. Langkawi MCA division chief Datuk Chen Liau Weng said the associations felt that the direct flight was crucial because the Kedah government had not been promoting tourism. 'The state government has done nothing to boost tourist arrivals to this resort island that is heavily dependent on tourism revenue. 'That is why we are now turning to the Transport Ministry for help as the situation is quite gloomy with business dropping by at least 30 per cent so far this year,' he said when handing over the request to minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on Saturday. A letter on the request from the associations, which included the various clan groups as well as the Federation of Chinese Associations and the Chinese Cooks and Restaurants Association on the island, was handed over to Ong's principal private secretary Woon Yong Teai after a dialogue between MCA and community leaders here. Mr Chen said currently, only SilkAir provided direct flights between Singapore and Langkawi. 'But it is only once a week. We are requesting for daily direct flights,' he said, adding that he hoped their request would be fulfilled soon. In Johor Baru, AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the low-cost carrier would only need a month to start daily flights between the island and Singapore. He said that his company had long been campaigning for the chance to fly the Singapore-Langkawi and Singapore-Penang routes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daljit Singh 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2009 There are 9 weekly flights on the SIN-LGK sector served by both MAS and Silkair. Guess its another example of politicians not doing their homework. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
