Izanee 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 MALAYSIA Airlines' short-haul premium airline - to be called "MAS" - is set to be launched by the first half of this year. Business Times has learnt that six Boeing B737-800 planes (which were previously used by Firely as part of its jet operations) will be used by the new airline. Sources said the new airline will likely tap into the pool of crew at Malaysia Airlines and Firefly respectively, while some recruitment may be done from the open market. "The new airline will probably take to the skies before June this year," one source told Business Times. Another source said that the six jets which no longer sport Firefly's livery, but that of Malaysia Airlines' are likely to be painted and give a fresh look, in line with the new airline's branding and logo. Firefly had a fleet of six B737-800 aircraft and two used B737-400 planes. The B737-800s were based in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu while the B737-400s were in Johor Baru. Aviation experts also say that it is likely that Firefly may no longer operate as a separate entity currently known as Fly Firefly Sdn Bhd, but will instead come under parent company Malaysia Airlines. In August last year, national carrier Malaysia Airlines and rival AirAsia said both parties will swap shares in a partnership. Under the deal, Tune Air which owns some 23 per cent in AirAsia, will hold a 20.5 per cent stake in MAS, while state investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd which owns 69.5 per cent in Malaysia Airline, will hold 10 per cent in AirAsia. Malaysia Airlines' corporate communications department, when contacted, said they have not received the approval to respond to email queries sent by Business Times yesterday. However, they are likely to respond by today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Another source said that the six jets which no longer sport Firefly's livery, but that of Malaysia Airlines' are likely to be painted and give a fresh look, in line with the new airline's branding and logo Same wine, new bottle ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 They planned to transfer all regional and domestic flights to this new 'MAS' in the near future. They probably chose this name to avoid confusion to passengers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alberttky 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Same wine, new bottle ? The Chinese saying that Penang CM always like to use... Change soup but don't change medicine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruiz Razy 1 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Logo? Will it still be the "Wau"? Do we still get similar Enrich benefits as MH ? Airline Code maintains as MH? Uniform ? ...etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 These must be the most painted aircraft in the world - 4 paint jobs in a year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jani 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I just want to know why? Why can't it still be Malaysia Airlines? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S V Choong 4 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I just want to know why? Why can't it still be Malaysia Airlines? Could be diversification of risks and create separate accounts. If this one is doomed then it won't greatly affect the parent company. I could be wrong but I suspect something along this line... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Could be diversification of risks and create separate accounts. If this one is doomed then it won't greatly affect the parent company. I could be wrong but I suspect something along this line... Yes, the same reason used for setting up AirAsia X - the risk profile his higher. This new premium airline might fail. If so, it will just be contained within that company. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamizi Hj Tamby 1 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 MAS? Sounds better than "Sapphire". Suddenly reminds me of "Ted" by United. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 MAS? Sounds better than "Sapphire". Suddenly reminds me of "Ted" by United. MAS (Gold) is way better than Ted - United without you and I Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yang Zulhilmi 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 is it a comeback of the Golden Girls and Golden Service era? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naim 6 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Use the old red wau bulan logo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 I am not a great fan of the retro look for a brand new airline. I think it needs a fresh new identity that conveys premium quality, vibrance, dynamism and excitement. We need to get people excited about flying this airline. So the experience should be all new! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 MAS? Sounds better than "Sapphire" Thank goodness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josh T 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Hmmm...not very original but I can understand why they might want to go with that. It saves a lot of confusion. They could have called it MASgold just like what they've done with MASwings. I hope they keep the wau but use a different colour scheme and use a striking livery for the body. MAS (Gold) is way better than Ted - United without you and I Good one! I hadn't thought of it that way before. Business Times has learnt that six Boeing B737-800 planes (which were previously used by Firely as part of its jet operations) will be used by the new airline. So that means they will not be using the sky interior birds for the new airline then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC Sim 2 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 If the new off-shoot is a premium carrier and will be called MAS, then it should fully harvest the branding and give it a gold livery. After more than 38 years of not exercising the right to this colour in spite of the fact that the acronym of Malaysian Airline System (and then Malaysia Airlines) - MAS - means gold in Malay. Unless the parent airline still has plans to revise its new livery into something involving the golden colour, it is perhaps appropriate that this off-shoot does so. With new airlines springing up in ASEAN - Scoot, Thai Smile, VietjetAir and a whole bunch more in the Mekong region - MAS will have to be creative in getting people excited about flying on its planes. I know for sure that several of us in SIN are already feeling the excitement. KC Sim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jani 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Cannot use gold la.. Some other airline already using it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Azizul Ramli 2 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 The Golden Goose LOL! Ironically, all sub brands of the Golden Goose airline are revolving around 'Silver'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CH Teo 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 These must be the most painted aircraft in the world - 4 paint jobs in a year! Good one! I like this! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
