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Pieter C.

MASwings Set To Fly To BIMP-EAGA

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Four Asian Nations Agree 'Open Skies' Deal

 

December 6, 2006

Four southeast Asian nations have agreed to permit unlimited flights between them as the region heads towards an "open skies" policy by 2008.

 

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will sign an agreement to free up air links at a meeting of southeast Asian nations in the Philippines next week, Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported on Wednesday.

 

"It marks a milestone development towards aviation liberation within ASEAN countries," it quoted Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy as saying, and added that the pact would allow unlimited flights between 13 cities in the four countries.

 

Only airlines designated by the respective governments can participate, however.

 

The cities involved are Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei; the cities of Balikpapan, Manado, Pontianak and Tarakan in Indonesia; the towns of Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan and Miri in Malaysia; and Davao City, General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga in the Philippines, Bernama said.

 

ASEAN, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, hopes that liberalisation of passenger and air cargo services by the end of 2008 will help promote the group's goal of creating an economic community in Southeast Asia.

 

(Reuters)

 

Where is Singapore in all this ? :o

 

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If you hadn't notice, none of the cities in Peninsular are included, let alone Singapore. I can see this as another IMPB-EAGA legacy. Mainly to open up the Borneo island, Sulawesi and Southern Philippines.

 

For Malaysia - MAS can participate, if they failed, only then will Air Asia get their turn ;)

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They really should give this BIMP-EAGA thing a rest, better still ditch the idea. After years of hooh-hah, what have we got to show ? Just a good excuse for countless officials to go travelling around the place creating the afore-mentioned hooh-hah, at taxpayers' expense mostly. :nea:

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By looking at the cities, they should change the title of the news to Four Asian Nations Agree 'Borneo Region Open Skies' Deal.

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By looking at the cities, they should change the title of the news to Four Asian Nations Agree 'Borneo Region Open Skies' Deal.

Looks like they try to attract flight to rural area? Connecting to airport for onward flight? Not really a big news, doesn't effect the flight pattern whatsover, but who knows FAX?

Edited by Seth K

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By looking at the cities, they should change the title of the news to Four Asian Nations Agree 'Borneo Region Open Skies' Deal.

 

More like 'Borneo-Palawan-Mindanao Open Skies' Deal :pardon:

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When politicians interfere we all know the end-game lah.

 

===

 

September 17, 2008 15:50 PM

 

MAS Asked To Serve BIMP-EAGA Area

 

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has been asked to consider flying to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

 

In making the call, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the idea was to woo more foreign tourists to Sabah.

 

"Currently, MAS does not provide direct linkages to Australia and European countries. Therefore, MAS may want to consider working together with other airlines to bring foreign tourists to Sabah.

 

"For example, Royal Brunei Airlines has flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Australia and to other parts of Europe. Brunei is just our next door neighbour and perhaps MAS can play a role in bringing the travellers to Brunei to also visit Sabah and Sarawak," he told reporters after launching the new ATR 72 aircrafts inaugural flight to Lahad Datu, operated by MASwings, a MAS subsidiary.

 

Masidi said the national carrier could also consider flying between Kota Kinabalu and cities in other countries.

 

"One such country is South Korea which operates its Korean Air and Aseana carriers between Seoul and Kota Kinabalu, resulting in the high number of Korean tourists coming to Sabah," he said.

 

Masidi also said Sabah would be adopting an open sky policy from January next year.

 

"Initially, it is going to be a capital-to-capital arrangement, but eventually an airline can fly to other areas of a country.

 

"As in the case of South Korea, perhaps MAS can operate flights between Sabah and other cities in South Korea where their airlines are not flying," he said.

 

On MASwings US$18 million ATR 72 aircraft, Masidi said it was built to fulfil foreign tourists needs.

 

"I believe this aircraft is going to be very much loved by foreign tourists, especially the Europeans. Its beautiful and has a spacious leg room," he said.

 

MAS Chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said currently Sabah has one ATR aircraft to serve the Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu sector, Tawau and Miri.

 

Another seven of the aircraft would be in service later, while the Fokker 50 planes would be phased out, he added.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=359672

 

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If MH really do what they are called, the next thing we'll hear is that they'll ask MH to fly to US direct, South America direct, Africa direct, from every single airport in Sabah, and also MH's terminally precarious financial situation...

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This BIMP-EAGA thing is like so yesterday already :)

It has had it's chances over the years, enough resources been poured into it

Obvious by now it's not worth the effort to pursue any further

 

Perhaps Datuk Masidi chooses not to acknowledge that all routes ex-BKI to Indonesia and Philippines have ended in withdrawals eventually - exceptions only being the well established Manila and Cebu routes. What tourists is he anticipating from/to these destinations. Basically it's a 'what you have I have, what I have you have' scenario really !

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Upswing for MASwings

Published on: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

 

Kota Kinabalu: MASwings - the Sabah and Sarawak service arm of the national carrier - has been registering 25 per cent growth in terms of passengers during the first six month this year despite the global economic downturn.

 

Its Managing Director, Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, said in February this year, MASwings registered one million passengers after only 17 months of operation.

 

Speaking at a media briefing on MASwings' current developments, Tuesday, he said since its launch in October 2007, MASwings had flown more than 60,000 passengers a month on average and operate approximately 700 flights a week.

 

"We are operating in 22 airports with 16 of them in Sarawak, five in Sabah and one in the Federal Territory of Labuan," he said. In terms of routes MASwings has 26 in Sarawak, four in Sabah and eight between Sabah and Sarawak.

 

He said MASwings was also open to the idea of operating flights within Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

 

"The matter will be discussed if there are instructions from the Transport Ministry to operate routes between Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines," he said.

 

Mohd Salleh also disclosed that MASwings' would be phasing out its remaining eight Fokker 50 aircraft with 10 ATR 72-500 planes by April next year.

 

The Fokker 50s belonged to Penerbangan Nasional Berhad (PNB), which is a subsidiary of the Transport Ministry and MASwings would be returning it one by one.

 

At present, four of the ATR 72-500 aircraft made in Toulouse, France, were already operational, servicing routes within and between Sabah and Sarawak.

 

"We are expecting the fifth to be delivered some time at the end of August or in early September. The sixth will be delivered at the end of September and the seventh by December.

 

"The three remaining aircraft are expected to arrive in February and March next year and we will complete our fleet of 15 turboprop aircraft by April."

 

The other four aircraft still in operation with MASWings are the Twin Otters. Another Twin Otter will be delivered by April next year.

 

According to Mohd Salleh, the F50s were no longer viable in servicing MASwings' 38 routes in the two states, which includes rural destinations.

 

The maintenance cost for the aircraft is also high, he added.

 

"MASwings is the largest unit of Malaysia Airlines' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. We have been entrusted by the Government to also service routes in the rural areas.

 

"That is why we are offering the lowest fares to our passengers to ensure everyone can afford to fly to destinations where most other airlines do not," he said.

 

On an average, Mohd Salleh said MASwings was offering fares from as low as RM59. On top of that, he said the On-Time Performance was at 92 per cent.

 

MASwings' vision was to become a five-star value carrier and consistently reliable and safe apart from cost efficient. "Because we are partially subsidised by the Government we need to ensure we don't exceed the subsidy allocated to us," he said, adding that MASwings must also make sure that it would be affordable for the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

Mohd Salleh said they wanted to make sure that they play a positive role in enhancing the social economic development and integration within Sabah and Sarawak.

 

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/print.cfm?NewsID=65714

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Good job,MASwings :clapping:

 

I'm really hoping that MASwings will spread its operation within the BIMP-EAGA zone.

 

Another Twin Otter will be delivered by April next year

 

Any idea about it? I think the aircraft will replacing the 9M-MDN :pardon:

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Good!! I am glad to hear that Mas Wings is performing well.. I hope that MAS would be able to be out of the red again and back to the blacks..

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http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/wed/jun17h3.htm

 

MASwings open to Brunei operations

 

KOTA KINABALU (Bernama) - MASwings is open to operating flights within Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), its managing director Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani said yesterday.

"The matter will be discussed if there are instructions from the Transport Ministry to operate routes between Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines," he added.

 

Earlier, Mohd Salleh said that MASwings' remaining eight Fokker 50 aircraft would be replaced by 10 ATR 72-500 planes by April next year.

 

At present, four of the ATR 72-500 aircraft made in Toulouse, France are already operational, servicing routes within and between Sabah and Sarawak.

 

On an average, Mohd Salleh said MASwings was offering fares from as low as RM59.

 

Since its launch in October 2007, Mohd Salleh said MASwings had flown more than 60,000 passengers a month on average and operated approximately 700 flights a week.

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MASwings Explores Possibility Of Operating Into BIMP-EAGA Region This Year

 

KOTA KINABALU, June 25 (Bernama) -- MAswings is exploring the possibility of operating into the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) this year, said Managing Director Datuk Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani.

 

"With the recent completion of our fleet renewal programme, we have completely phased out all eight Fokker aircraft and replaced them with 10 new ATR72-500 aircraft.

 

"We are currently exploring the possibility of launching some international routes from Sabah and Sarawak into the BIMP EAGA region," he told reporters after the launch of self check-in kiosks by MAS Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here Friday.

 

However, Mohd Salleh said MASwings would sought approval from the Ministry of Transport, a key stakeholder, before embarking on the new route.

 

"We are currently discussing the issue with them and we hope MOT will consent to us operating in the BIMP EAGA region.

 

"Should we secure the approval from the ministry, we hope to launch the first international BIMP EAGA route sometime in October or November.

 

"We are looking at Malaysia specifically Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Southern Philipines, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, Indonesia," he said, adding that other destinations under evaluation included Pontianak in Kalimantan, Balik Papan and Tarakan in East Kalimantan, Brunei and, Davao and Cebu in the Philippines.

 

Mohd Salleh said these were the potential destinations for the ATR 72-500 aircraft and MASwings hoped to operate these destinations in the near future.

 

He added the launch of the BIMP EAGA routes would not only be good for MASwings but also for Sabah and Sarawak.

 

"We believe the international BIMP EAGA routes can further enhance tourism and trade among the various countries within the region and the main beneficiary will definitely be Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

 

Meanwhile, Azmil said Malaysia Airlines Bhd, which recorded a net profit of about RM310 million for the first-quarter ended March 31, would see business slowing down between April and June.

 

"In July to August, more people will start travelling again during summer and business will be quite strong during these months," he said.

 

Earlier, in his speech, Azmil said MAS had budgeted RM480 million for the Passenger Services System (PSS) programme over a 10-year period and the kiosk check-in service was one of the deliverables under the programme.

 

He said the kiosk check-in service was first offered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Dec 2007 but it was limited to domestic travel only.

 

However, the service was expanded in September 2008 to cover regional travel and subsequently international travel in April last year.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=508691

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Good to hear that, it's about time to expand, fly to more destinations. :drinks:

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Given MH to suspend KUL/CEB, Maswings should start with BKI/CEB and to build BKI as a hub for Southern Philippines and Kalimantan.

 

:drinks:

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Great news!

 

I hope they will introduce KCH-BWN, perhaps codesharing with Royal Brunei to complement their 2x weekly service...

 

Brunei, Southern Philippines and Kalimantan make sense... but Irian Jaya? ohmy.gif on an ATR?

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Great news !!!

 

They should have embarked this a long time ago already, just like Firefly is operating 'regional' routes (to Singapore and Thailand), MASwings should do the same (and generate more income for the MAS Group as a whole)... ;)

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KOTA KINABALU, May 25 (Bernama) -- MASwings, which currently operates within Sabah and Sarawak, is expected to commence flights to Brunei and Pontianak, Indonesia, soon.

 

Its managing director, Datuk Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang, said MASwings had already submitted the proposal to the Transport Ministry for approval.

 

"Based on the positive response from the ministry, I'm quite confident that the flights from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei and from Kuching to Pontianak (West Kalimantan) will take off on July 1 or in July," he said during a luncheon with the media here today.

 

He said if these flights were successful, MASwings planned to introduce flights from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau and Tarakan (East Kalimanan) and also from Kuching to Mulu and Brunei in October.

 

"Plans are also in the pipeline for other destinations within BIMP-EAGA region and we hope to provide flight services from Sabah and Sarawak to major cities such as Palawan and Mindanao in Southern Philippines as well as Manado in Sulawesi, Indonesia, in the future," he said.

 

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.

 

Mohd Nawawi said MASwings was aware of the need to improve air connectivity within this region as it was constantly discussed among leaders of the BIMP-EAGA member countries at meetings of the grouping.

 

Apart from that, he said MASwings would also explore the possibility of embarking on international flights from Sabah and Sarawak with immediate focus being on the Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur and Kuching-Kuala Lumpur sectors.

 

"These are some of our future plans and we hope we will be able to make it a reality," he said.

 

On its domestic service, Mohd Nawawi said MASwings would continue its service to rural destinations for the benefit of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

"We want MASwings to be the icon for Sabah and Sarawak.

 

"That's why 90 per cent of the almost 1,300 staff of MASwings are locals from Sabah and Sarawak. We operate in Sabah and Sarawak, and it's only fair that we recruit more locals to work for MASwings," he said.

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Awesome possum!!! the 80's and 90's era of old MH is back in Brunei again!!! More connectivity flight for Brunei!! back then was F-50 and Dornier 228~~~

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They were supposed to have that some times ago, even the flight schedule was on the website, but somehow withdrawn. Hopefully they could make it this time.

 

Btw, I thought Kuching - Mulu's route is operating now. And.. KCH/BKI to KUL? They need a bigger aircraft then...

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