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Pieter C.

MASwings Set To Fly To BIMP-EAGA

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I suppose it's one thing to start flying the proposed routes

Totally something else to sustain the service I imagine :D

 

 

Nope...it is TOTALLY SOMETHING just to start. Period.

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Regional players jumping on the BIMP-EAGA air connectivity bandwagon

 

KUCHING: With the concluded memorandum of understanding (MoU) on ‘Expansion of Air Linkages’ between the governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines under the BIMP-EAGA cooperation initiative, MASwings is set to create a niche in the hotly contested air routes competition.

 

Back in January 2007, the respective governments of the BIMP-EAGA signed a MoU at Cebu City, the Philippines, that facilitated the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right (FFTR) airports in the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) countries to cater for EAGA carriers.

 

The FFTR arrangements allowed an air carrier of one EAGA member country to pick up traffic in the territory of the other EAGA member country and carry it to a third EAGA member coutry as part of the service to/from the home country of the operating carrier.

 

The MoU thrust BIMP-EAGA air services into a whole new scenario – an ‘open sky’ era since then.

 

“Given the fact that the federal government had given a ‘green light’ for MASwings expansion, this will be the stepping stone for the airline to expand,” BIMP-EAGA ‘Equator Asia’ head (Malaysia Chapter) Datuk Wee Hong Seng told The Borneo Post in an interview.

 

Most industry players highlighted the need for MASwings to first, facilitate the BIMP-EAGA region before eyeing other international routes such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Australia and so forth. “The ‘Open Sky Policy’ will pave the way for airline operations in the region to connect the dots throughout the sub-region,” he added.

 

ast month, MASwings chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang had also expressed his hope to launch the first phase of its BIMP-EAGA operations by early next year. He further stressed that MASwings had recorded many remarkable achievements, particularly in terms of passenger numbers.

 

The rural-service airline marked an increase of passengers from 45,000 per month in 2007 to 130,000 per month this year, representing a three-fold increase or equivalent to a 300 per cent hike and it currently operates more than 950 flights per week.

 

According to Wee, the BIMP-EAGA MoU allowed designated airline(s) of each participating party to operate with ‘no limitation on third and fourth traffic rights’ and also ‘no limitation on FFTR’, which meant it could operate scheduled and chartered international air services for carriage of passengers, baggage, cargo and mail, separately or in combination between points.

 

The designated points are Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei; Balikpapan, Manado, Pontianak and Tarakan in Indonesia; Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan and Miri in Malaysia, and Davao City, General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga in the Philippines.

 

On the tourism front, Wee further pointed out that tourism products as well as pristine landscape would be the best selling point for Sabah and Sarawak given that both states were at the core of the Coral Triangle area, where the richest coral reef fish diversity and also the largest rainforest reserve can be found.

 

“With the full support that MASwings has from the BIMP-EAGA cooperation and with the ‘soft parts’ arrangement that are already in place, it should transform into a fully fledged regional airline and expand the tourism businesses here in Sabah and Sarawak,” stressed Wee.

 

MASwings was required to acquire at least four jetliners in order to fulfill the requirement of being a regional airline. It currently owns 10 ATR 72-500 and four DHC-6 Twin Otters. MASwings when contacted said it had yet to receive any letter or request from the ministry.

 

While MASwings was endeavouring to capatalise on the open sky policy, other regional players were also looking at the sub-regional landscape with a magnifying glass to further make their presence felt as early players.

 

AirAsia co-founder and CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes recently highlighted to The Borneo Post the company’s plans to commence a Kuching-Bangkok route, which was currently at the ‘waiting for approval’ stage. “We are also looking at restarting the Kuching-Jakarta route,” he added.

 

He pinpointed the need of having LCC terminals (LCCTs) to connect Borneo to major hubs in Asean such as Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. In order to make it work, he said LCCTs were needed in Kuching as well as Kota Kinabalu.

 

Earlier this year, the Sarawak government had offered a piece of land, which was adjacent to the Kuching International Airport, for AirAsia to build a dedicated LCCT. However, the latest airport tax hike by Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd might impact the justification by AirAsia to build its terminal here.

 

On the international front, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air of the Philippines had also expressed its interest to expand its international routes in Malaysia by making Kuching its next stop after Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.

 

“Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) has such a big land mass that air connectivity is crucial not only to the local community but also to international tourists visiting our nature and cultural destinations not found anywhere else,” Sabah Tourists Association immediate past chairman Len P Liew responded in an email interview.

 

“The priority should be on promoting Sabah and Sarawak and should not entirely depend on the policies of airline companies and the routes that are lucrative. Perhaps it is time to explore the possibility of creating a domestic cum regional airline solely dedicated to the BIMP-EAGA region,” he said.

 

Len urged the state government to consider this as another option if MASwings and the existing airlines could not make this happen.

 

“We are hoping that the state governments of both Sabah and Sarawak will consider establishing a new airline together. Maybe calling it ‘Borneo Airlines’ perhaps,” he added.

 

Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok concurred by saying, “In principle, the BIMP-EAGA countries have agreed but now it is down to the ‘nuts and bolts’ and the approvals of the related authorities. If it is realised, this will definitely boost the economy in both states.”

 

“The private sector is very happy with the news and will support the decision taken by the governments. With greater connectivity and accessibility, I believe the future for both Sarawak and Sabah will be bright,” she concluded.

 

Within the BIMP-EAGA region, there was a massive population base of more than 60 million, covering an area of 1.56 million square kilometres. Considering the vast tracks of unexplored routes, it augured well for the region to ‘get cracking’ and connect the dots.

 

“Imagine the lucrative returns that can be captured from these unexplored regional connections and the massive amount of investments and income that will flow into the economy. My question is, why wait?,” Wee concluded.

 

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/12/05/open-sky-competition-heating-up/#ixzz1fehLkLhy

 

MASwings to begin flying within BIMP-EAGA in February

 

KUCHING: MASwings has been given the green light to fly within the BIMP-EAGA region early next year.

 

Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the Cabinet had approved MASwings’ application to expand its service to Brunei, Pontianak in Kalimantan, Indonesia and Davao in Southern Philippines.

 

“The flights will start in February. I was told that they are planning to fly from Kuching to Pontianak, Kuching to Brunei, and Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Davao,” he told a press conference at Kuching International Airport yesterday.

 

Following the latest greenlight, MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is expected to fly the Bandar Seri Begawan-Davao City-Tarakan-Balikpapan (both in Kalimantan) sector from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

 

Abdul Rahim believed MASwings’ flights within BIMP-EAGA region would enhance commerce, trade and tourism for Sabah and Sarawak.

 

“MASwings ATR 72-500, which can accommodate about 70 passengers, are more suitable and efficient to serve this (BIMP-EAGA) region than if the sector is operated by bigger aircraft,” he added.

 

He said the Federal Government was fully committed to Sabah and Sarawak, especially in providing air connectivity.

 

He noted that the Government was paying RM150mil to MASwings in subsidy for the airline to operate the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

“We subsidise MASwings’ flights to remote areas even if there is no passenger,” he said.

 

The recent share swap between MAS and AirAsia had created a lot uncertainty and anxiety among the state’s tourism players.

 

With the termination of Firefly flights to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur (seven times daily) and Johor (twice daily), accessibility to Sarawak has been adversely affected despite the favourable load factor of at least 90% .

 

The Sarawak Government had asked its federal counterpart to consider positioning MASwings as a regional airline after budget airline Firefly ceased operations between Peninsular Malaysia and Kuching in October.

 

All four countries in the BIMP-EAGA grouping had agreed to discuss ways to improve air connectivity in the region after the conclusion of the BIMP-EAGA ministerial meeting in Cagayan De Oro in the Philippines recently.

 

On aircraft movements at the Kuching International Airport between January and September, Abdul Rahim said flight landings and departures increased by 19.28 per cent to 39,984 from 31,844 last year.

 

Till September, flights to domestic destinations rose by 19.46 per cent while international flights by 17.71 per cent, he said.

 

Sources: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/5/sarawak/10032873&sec=sarawak

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MASwings To Hold Promotional Fest For Flights To BIMP-EAGA Destinations

 

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- MASwings Sdn Bhd will hold a promotional fest soon in conjunction with the launch of its inaugural flights within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in February.

 

Chief Executive Officer Datuk Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang said travelers could start booking for the flights at fares expected to be at half the price offered by other airlines either at the end of this month or early January.

 

"For the first phase of our international operations, we will be flying to three destinations beginning Feb 1 using our ATR 72-500 aircraft which can accommodate up to 72 passengers.

 

"We are confident that this phase would be successful and in future, we hope we can get our parent company Malaysia Airlines to provide us with bigger aircraft to fly to further destinations within the region," he said at the announcement of MASwings' expansion into the BIMP-EAGA region here today.

 

Mohd Nawawi said the routes that would commence operations on Feb 1 were Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan (twice daily) and Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan (three times weekly).

 

He said beginning Feb 6, MASwings would be operating the Kuching-Pontianak (in West Kalimantan) route once daily while the Tawau-Tarakan (in East Kalimantan) route three times weekly from Feb 13.

 

Currently, he said, Royal Brunei Airlines was the sole provider of the Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route, while Indonesia-based airline companies Batavia Air and Kal Star Aviation operated the Kuching-Pontianak route.

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Looking forward for the recommencement of KCH-PNK vv. The last MH flight before the cut during BTP1 was on 31 March 2006. Reminds me of my past. Such a competitive route (Batavia, Kalstar and soon MASwings) for a mere 130 miles distance between the 2 cities.

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Wow, Kuching - Bandar Seri Begawan should be longest sector for Maswings! I wonder if it is going to be non-stop or via Mulu? Hope to see BI codesharing on this route too...

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i think they should do a 'round Borneo' trip - circumnavigating the whole of borneo! only then it truly will be BIMP-EAGA friendly!

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Wow, Kuching - Bandar Seri Begawan should be longest sector for Maswings! I wonder if it is going to be non-stop or via Mulu? Hope to see BI codesharing on this route too...

 

ATR72 can easily do KCH-BWN nonstop IMHO...

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MASwings To Start BIMP-EAGA Flights Next Year

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) wholly-owned unit, MASwings, will commence flight operations into Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) next year.

 

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang, said the flights into Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Pontianak (Indonesia) and Tarakan (Indonesia) were expected to be catalysts for further socio-economic growth in this region.

 

"We aspire to cater to the travelling needs of the Sabahans and Sarawakians, as well as the communities of BIMP-EAGA," he said in a statement today.

 

MAS said the twice daily Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan flights and the three times weekly Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan flights would start Feb 1, 2012.

 

The daily Kuching-Pontianak flights would start from Feb 6 next year and the three times weekly Tawau-Tarakan flights on Feb 13, it said.

 

It said MASwings has also launched a promotional fares for these flights --RM233 one-way net fare for the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan flights and RM33 one-way net fare for the other flights," it said.

 

"The promotional fares are open for sale from today until Jan 31, 2012 for the travel period of Feb 1 to Apr 30, 2012.

 

"All travel must be completed on or before Apr 30, 2012," it said.

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It said MASwings has also launched a promotional fares for these flights --RM233 one-way net fare for the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan flights and RM33 one-way net fare for the other flights," it said.

 

Great news! But why is KCH-BWN so much more expensive than the rest?! ohmy.gif

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And MASWings being part of MH where the right hand typically does not know what the left hand is doing; the fares are NOT (YET) available for sale today despite what its CEO claims.

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And MASWings being part of MH where the right hand typically does not know what the left hand is doing; the fares are NOT (YET) available for sale today despite what its CEO claims.

 

Yeah, how embarrassing...

 

Interestingly the schedule is already available on some 3rd party website like kayak, tia...

 

MHPNK.jpg

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And MASWings being part of MH where the right hand typically does not know what the left hand is doing; the fares are NOT (YET) available for sale today despite what its CEO claims.

 

Only BKI-BWN-BKI is bookable at MAS website (intro fares RM 156 return all in, less BND 12 airport taxes payable when depart from BWN)for now, others still NOT opened; MASwings site NOT updated yet at all...

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Only BKI-BWN-BKI is bookable at MAS website (intro fares RM 156 return all in, less BND 12 airport taxes payable when depart from BWN)for now, others still NOT opened; MASwings site NOT updated yet at all...

 

I think airport taxes is BND5 as it is an intra Borneo route.

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KCH - BWN & KCH - PNK are bookable thru MH website now.

 

Finally! But with taxes and surcharges adding up to RM320 for a roundtrip, I wonder how long these routes will last, especially KCH-BWN.

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If you see carefully...KCH-PNK is operated by DHT!

Seems all international points served by DHT's - BWN, PNK and Tarakan :lol:

(if one is to put full faith in that published schedule that is :) )

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I can't remember a hill that is so high it reaches the sky in Pontianak.

 

402529_10150600957261141_13751341140_11083777_1726600967_n.jpg

 

The city was formerly the capital of the independent Sultanate of Pontianak and was founded in 23 October 1771 around an old trading station on the Borneo coast. It is built on swampy ground that is subjected to regular flooding by the river, requiring buildings to be constructed on piles to keep them off the ground.

It has its name due to the story that the founder had seen an appearance of Kuntilanak ghost at the place to be built for the palace, which he fought to save the people.

Transportation to other parts of Indonesia is mainly via Supadio Airport. There are more than 10 flights every day connecting Pontianak and Jakarta. There are also flights from and to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Batam, Kuching, and Singapore. Sea transports connect Pontianak to Jakarta, Semarang, Cirebon, and some other cities, including regional cities such as Ketapang in southern part of West Kalimantan.

MASwings fly to Pontianak Supadio International Airport from Kuching International Airport and return.

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I can't remember a hill that is so high it reaches the sky in Pontianak.

 

402529_10150600957261141_13751341140_11083777_1726600967_n.jpg

 

 

that not a hill that a mountain

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I can't remember a hill that is so high it reaches the sky in Pontianak.

 

402529_10150600957261141_13751341140_11083777_1726600967_n.jpg

 

 

 

The hill did not reach the sky. Instead, clouds formed near the top of the hill. Possibly after some heavy rain in the morning? Hey, you can even get cloud-like formations around the hills next to NKVE to Jln Duta toll after heavy rain in the early morning.

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What would b iDEAL is MHwings b developed as regional Borneo airline that wud link to as far as NRT/HND , ICN , PVG, TPE, HKG, ... BNE , SYD with a good long range narrow bodies that r PRIMARILY B based in BKI & KCH. On top of those propellers .

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I can't remember a hill that is so high it reaches the sky in Pontianak.

 

402529_10150600957261141_13751341140_11083777_1726600967_n.jpg

 

 

The city was formerly the capital of the independent Sultanate of Pontianak and was founded in 23 October 1771 around an old trading station on the Borneo coast. It is built on swampy ground that is subjected to regular flooding by the river, requiring buildings to be constructed on piles to keep them off the ground.

 

It has its name due to the story that the founder had seen an appearance of Kuntilanak ghost at the place to be built for the palace, which he fought to save the people.

 

Transportation to other parts of Indonesia is mainly via Supadio Airport. There are more than 10 flights every day connecting Pontianak and Jakarta. There are also flights from and to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Batam, Kuching, and Singapore. Sea transports connect Pontianak to Jakarta, Semarang, Cirebon, and some other cities, including regional cities such as Ketapang in southern part of West Kalimantan.

 

MASwings fly to Pontianak Supadio International Airport from Kuching International Airport and return.

 

booked this yesterday for one way from KCH-PNK....RM 33 ...plus tax total up RM 99... a/c is ATR72

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booked this yesterday for one way from KCH-PNK....RM 33 ...plus tax total up RM 99... a/c is ATR72

 

When is your date of departure? Where are you heading for after pontianak?

Edited by Kenneth Chong WT

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When is your date of departure? Where are you heading for after pontianak?

 

booked on the 16th Feb , then from PNK off to CGK with Batavia. Then head back to KUL. Funny thing is, I've yet to book DOH-KUL-KCH. :p

Edited by Fairul

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