Middle Eastern Airlines into KUL

[flee 5]

Well years of neglect (MH has postponed their wide body aircraft acquisition plans again) of their fleet has led to this. What can MH fight back with? I guess only in flight service! :sorry:

[Isaac 0]

Perhaps the best news to KUL is when Emirates Airline (EK) announced that KUL will be increased from the current 12 weekly to double daily flights from 1 May 2009, and come February 2010, EK will increase its flight into KUL to 17 per week! And if that news is not good enough, EK will upgrade the equipment (of 4 of the 14 weekly flights) into KUL from the current 2 class Boeing 777-300 ER to a 3 class aircraft of the same variant.

Wow. This certainly is a great news ! Still hoping EK will one day send their 388 to KUL, probably their 2-class version which is not in service with EK yet. But i guess our neighbour BKK will get it first like always ... In fact they will start flying their 3-class 388 to BKK replacing one of the current thrice daily 77W in late May.

 

 

Moving forward, I hope this thread will be used to share news and discussion about Middle Eastern carriers and their operation in Malaysia.

Thanks !

Edited April 23, 2009 by Isaac

[Imran K. 0]

YES!

 

First Class op-up...wheeeee :D

[Louis L. 2]

Excuse me Louis, but I think EK 346 is a flight number (the one paired with EK 347, which used to continue on to CGK from KUL and back). I assumed you thought it was an EK Airbus 340-600 (a fascinating object to spot)? EK don't have that type of aircraft in their fleet. EY and QR have (QR hated them).

 

ops sorry , pardon for my ignorance, i was out of my mind, preparing to sleep when i posted tat reply

[Fairul 0]

was just about to check out the dates for the 777 GF flight back to KUL this summer...at least can try out the new IFE..then this news came out <_ ...so i guess it between qr and ek guess..>

[Raj 0]

What about Saudi and Kuwait? No Increase during this period?

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

I did checked on SV, Kuwait Airways and Yemenia too, but there is no mention about KUL in their websites. Well, SV's and Yemenia's websites are laughably lousy it's hopeless, but it seems that Kuwait Airways have a rather nice website, although not in par with the likes of EK/EY/QR. I guess we have to wait for any announcement from them through the media then.

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

A general news. Special thanks to Apairuddin for the link.

 

Gulf airlines keep building

Ivan Gale

Last Updated: May 05. 2009 8:42PM UAE / May 5. 2009 4:42PM GMT

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090505.../705059877/1005

 

 

At a time when Singapore Airlines is reducing its fleet, Emirates Airline is increasing the number of its aircraft and Etihad is installing new first-class seats. And Qatar Airways is putting the finishing touches to a US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) programme of airport improvements. Many of the world’s largest airlines may have cut capacity and even parked aeroplanes because of the economic downturn, but Gulf carriers are instead uniting under a strategy to build up their networks to prepare for the recovery.

 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the chief executive and chairman of Emirates Airline, likened his company to a surfer waiting for the next big swell – even though the sea is flat. “Still, we are receiving 17 aircraft, that’s a big number. So at least we want to catch the wave when it picks up,” he said at the Arabian Travel Market trade show in Dubai yesterday. Sounding a cautious but upbeat note, the chief executive – who has overseen the evolution of the Dubai airline from a small regional carrier into the Arab world’s largest and most profitable operator – said the business was still generating cash. “We remain very positive,” he said. “But sometimes you have to be cautious.”

 

James Hogan, the chief executive of Etihad, said the carrier had achieved its first-quarter targets of 75 per cent seat load factors, while acknowledging that the airline industry was suffering from price discounting to lure customers. “We hit our numbers, but we’re entering a difficult second quarter. It’s a tough cycle, but you’ve got to be flexible enough to adjust to move forward,” he said.

 

Other airlines are expressing their caution in more significant ways. Singapore Airlines is preparing to reduce its fleet by 17 aircraft due to declining ticket sales. Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s largest carrier, is cutting flights to London, Paris, Frankfurt and Sydney and asking staff to take unpaid leave as it faces steep drops in demand. And Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, is reducing its workforce by about 5 per cent and delaying the delivery of new planes in response to the depressed travel market.

 

Moves by the Gulf airlines to protect cash and lower expenses have come in more incremental ways. Qatar Airways, the second-largest Gulf long-haul airline, will cut one route to India this year even as it expands into new destinations on the subcontinent. The airline will pull out of its unprofitable Nagpur service and will redirect the aircraft into new destinations at Amritsar and Goa.

 

Emirates Airline has made slight adjustments to its delivery schedule in the coming years, including the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380, and has also begun offering staff unpaid leave. The moves pale in comparison to the investments taking place to build up world-class airlines and airports, which convey significant benefit to the countries’ economic growth.

 

“While our competitors are parking planes, we are doing the opposite,” said Akbar al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways. “We are launching seven destinations. I would reveal more, but some of you may have a tummy upset.”

 

Etihad Airways is introducing its new first-class product as first and business-class travel demand has fallen significantly.

 

Within the Middle East, premium tickets fell 10.6 per cent this year compared with the same period last year, according to the International Air Transport Association. Premium travel between the Middle East and Far East fell 14.5 per cent, while first-class travel between the region and the south-west Pacific dropped even further, by 23.6 per cent.

 

The lavish first-class cabin includes an 80.5-inch (204 centimetre) lie-flat seat, a changing room with full-length mirror and a sliding door that creates a private suite. The new product will be unveiled on a new Airbus A340-600 being delivered in September, and will then be outfitted on Etihad’s existing aircraft that carry a three-class configuration. The project cost Etihad Dh257 million, the airline said. “Demand will come back, and when it does, we will be well positioned,” Mr Hogan said.

 

Likewise, Sheikh Ahmed warned that pulling back now could be detrimental in the long term. “In our business, whatever action you take today will affect you in the long term. We know that it will pick up.”

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

More reason to ditch our traditional carriers. EK is increasing the free baggage allowance for each Economy Class passenger to 30 kg. The new allowance has been implemented across the airline's network of more than 100 destinations globally with Economy Class passengers now being able to check in 30kg of luggage before being charged, an increase of 10kg.

 

 

Emirates increases free baggage allowance

by Andy SambidgeThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 06 May 2009

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/554789-emir...ggage-allowance

 

 

BAGGAGE BOOST: All Emirates passengers are being given an increase of 10kg luggage allowance. Emirates on Wednesday announced an increase to its free baggage allowances provided to passengers - up to 30 percent extra for economy class fliers. The change is effective for all tickets issued on or after May 4, airline chiefs said.

 

The new allowance has been implemented across the airline's network of more than 100 destinations globally with Economy Class passengers now being able to check in 30kg of luggage before being charged, an increase of 10kg. Similar increases see the limit raised to 40kg for Business and 50kg for First.

 

Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president Revenue Optimisation, said: "Emirates has moved to these new free baggage levels to further demonstrate our commitment to putting the passenger first. "By offering travellers the flexibility to carry significantly more baggage we will be allowing them to take more gifts for family and friends or take advantage of the outstanding shopping in Dubai and across the extensive network of Emirates destinations."

 

Gold and Silver Members of Skywards, Emirates frequent flyer programme are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of 16kg over their ticketed allowance for Gold members and additional 12kg for Silver.

[Ryan Soh 3]

Phew... at least now MAS can excuse themselves for not having a long haul a/c replacement plan. "If the regional airlines are parking their planes, I think I should too... RIGHT?"

[Wilson Kook 0]

You lucky people. Get to see more of EK now haha.

[Fairul 0]

bit out of topic...saw adv. in gulf times..SQ came out with a very good deal from AUH-SIN-KUL... only AED 1990 inclusive...

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Speaking of SQ, like in the thread starter where I put a special remark about SQ's Middle East expansion, it looks like they are going to add one more destination into their network - Doha.

 

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093250389

 

Should it materialised, DOH will be SQ's 5th destination in the Middle East after DXB, AUH, JED, RUH and most recently KWI.

 

With all due respect, I think it should be MH who pursue this routes. I mean being a Muslim country, a popular tourist destination among the Arabs, a self proclaimed hub of Islamic financing/banking and halal-based manufacturing in the world, Malaysia logically should be the country that take proactive measures to make expansion in the aviation sector in the Middle East, not Singapore. But as always, since our flag carrier is kind of downsizing in recent years, so I guess it's up to those who can see the potential to rake in the profits. At least, SQ can bring them into Malaysia, isn't it?

 

Kudos to SQ for taking on the competition on the Middle Eastern routes neck to neck, giving EK, EY and QR a run of their money, not chicken out like a certain flag carrier.

[Mushrif A 3]

With DOH, thats SIX, not 5 SQ destinations in the GCC.

 

Also, if Middle East, could one also consider CAI?

[Ryan Soh 3]

With DOH, thats SIX, not 5 SQ destinations in the GCC.

 

Also, if Middle East, could one also consider CAI?

Egypt is considered to be AFRICA, no?

[Isaac 0]

Egypt is considered to be AFRICA, no?

It is indeed a part of Africa. But it is also often referred to be one of the Middle East nations.

 

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Maybe following D7's newly established 'virtual hub' in AUH, EY and MH are trying to safeguard their interest with further collaboration.

 

Etihad to work with MAS onpassenger load

By Sharen Kaur Published: 2009/09/12

 

ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, aims to work more closely with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to increase the number of passengers.

 

MAS and Etihad signed a memorandum of understanding last year to collaborate on code-sharing, frequent flyer programmes, ground and cargo handling to improve load factor, yield and opportunities to reduce cost.

 

Under the agreement, MAS is placing its "MH" code on flights operated by Etihad between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as well as Doha in the Gulf region.

 

Etihad is placing its "EY" code on MAS flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, Langkawi as well as Kuantan.

 

"Malaysia generates connectivity for us and represents a very important key destination for our network," Etihad country manager for Malaysia, Adam Phillips, said.

 

"We have done a lot in a short span of time in Malaysia. The possibility of point expansion here is endless," he told Business Times in an interview.

 

Etihad flies from Kuala Lumpur to Abu Dhabi and has connecting flights to the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the US, Canada and South Africa. These routes are popular among Malaysians, Phillips said.

 

"We are identifying new cities and more partners to collaborate with to expand the business. We are one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world despite it being more challenging now."

 

Since its set-up in November 2003, Etihad has established code-sharing with 18 airlines.

 

Etihad has 46 Airbus and Boeing passenger planes, and will add six more by December.

 

It flies to 54 destinations. New routes this year included Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens and Cyprus.

 

Despite the global financial turmoil, Etihad will start to fly to Hyderabad, Chicago and Cape Town by the year-end.

 

Phillips said Etihad was on track to carrying seven million passengers this year, up 17 per cent from last year, attributing it to network and fleet expansion.

 

In the first six months to June, it carried 3.01 million passengers, up 8 per cent from the previous corresponding period.

 

"We had a bit of a double hit this year with the slowdown in economy and the influenza A(H1NI) pandemic, which put people off travelling. But the real challenge for us as an airline is recognition and understanding of the Etihad brand," Phillips said.

 

"We are only five years old in the aviation industry. We are getting the success right, but it's about getting the brand up. We are looking at sports sponsorship to build that and it is a great vehicle for going across international boundaries," he added.

 

Etihad announced in May its biggest deal as official club and shirt sponsor of the Manchester City Football Club, which plays in the English Premier League.

[Izanee 0]

MH is losing its market share rapidly to everyone. the idea of dropping routes and servicing others with 2-3 weekly frequencies will not help.

 

mh's plan to make a comeback later will not be successful unless they come up with a product way better than SIA's now. But looking at the past - MH's cabin and product upgrades are always ten years behind SQ's

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Speaking of 2 to 3 weekly frequency, MH is to increase its frequency to Istanbul beginning 25 October 2009. So up from 2 to 3 weekly via DXB on the A333?

 

MAS offers low fares for Hari Raya

Published: 2009/09/14

 

Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) "Everyday Low Fares" offers are back with the best deals for domestic and international travel in conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations.

 

In a statement, MAS said the travel deals were offered from now until September 18, 2009.

 

It said Turkey-bound travellers could take advantage of its "Everyday Low Fares" and fly to Istanbul for as low as RM1,078 one-way.

 

For travel within Peninsular Malaysia, the all-inclusive one-way fares would start from as low as RM69, RM228 for Asean destinations, RM438 to China and RM428 to the Indian sub-continent, it said.

 

"Guests can fly one-way from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, at fares starting from RM1,148 one-way and Dubai from RM768 while the popular 'kangaroo' routes were going from RM618 to Perth and RM988 to Melbourne," it said.

 

MAS said the travel period were between October 14, 2009 and August 20, 2010, for all destinations on offer except London which was between January 19, 2010 and August 20, 2010.

 

Its senior general manager (network and revenue management), Dr Amin Khan, said the airline was delighted to extend its popular "Everyday Low Fares" to Istanbul in its September 2009 offers.

 

"Due to growing demand from customers, MAS will increase its flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul effective October 25 this year," it said.

 

The "Everyday Low Fares" promotions were launched last year. -- Bernama

[Raj 0]

Is it true, Egypt Air will be suspending flights to KUL effective end of October?

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

From the airline's Wiki page, it states there that:

 

From late October 2009, the current Cairo - Mumbai - Kuala Lumpur flight will be delinked and each destination will receive dedicated flights.

I searched through the press release/news page of the airline's website and there is no news of suspension of KUL. I tried to make a mock booking for a date in December 2009 and it went through. The airline serves KUL 4 times weekly, every Mon, Tue, Wed and Sat. The flights are still operated by A330, but all goes non stop to KUL from CAI - no more via BOM.

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Speaking of 2 to 3 weekly frequency, MH is to increase its frequency to Istanbul beginning 25 October 2009. So up from 2 to 3 weekly via DXB on the A333?

I was just being informed by the MH Rumour Department that the mentioned service to IST will no longer via DXB, but instead a non-stop flight, with B772!

 

So the good news are IST will be upped from 2 to 3 weekly, technical stop in DXB will be dropped and equipment will be upgraded from A333 to B772.

 

But the bad news is that MH will no longer serve DXB 7 times weekly (albeit not daily). Frequency will be dropped to 5 weekly following this MH 30/31 flights no longer being done via DXB.

[Izanee 0]

Something is not right with MAS. They leave all these beautiful 772s on the ground and keep on using less fuel efficient old fashioned crap A330-300 (from the early 90s) on 2 weekly flights fighting head on with major carriers (MH unfortunately is not in that category now).

 

 

Good for them ...non stop IST services with 772 sounds like a way forward. Now for more routes...(still cannot believe DXB gets the rubbish 333 5-weekly service) when EK is now flying 14x weekly (using mostly 77Ws).

Edited October 14, 2009 by Izanee

[Ahmad M 1]

Something is not right with MAS. They leave all these beautiful 772s on the ground and keep on using less fuel efficient old fashioned crap A330-300 (from the early 90s) on 2 weekly flights fighting head on with major carriers (MH unfortunately is not in that category now).

 

 

Good for them ...non stop IST services with 772 sounds like a way forward. Now for more routes...(still cannot believe DXB gets the rubbish 333 5-weekly service) when EK is now flying 14x weekly (using mostly 77Ws).

 

 

On medium haul routes the A330s use much less fuel than the 777. It's not the plane that is crappy but the interior cabin. The decision not to upgrade the cabin together with the 747 and 777 was probably MH's greatest mistake in the last few years.

[Ryan Soh 3]

Why can't MH maintain a daily service to DXB? Has all the traffic run over to EK?

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

On medium haul routes the A330s use much less fuel than the 777. It's not the plane that is crappy but the interior cabin. The decision not to upgrade the cabin together with the 747 and 777 was probably MH's greatest mistake in the last few years.

 

Perhaps at that time there was a plan to replace MAS's A330 fleet hence the decision not to upgrade the cabin together with B747 & B777