Firefly celebrates fifth year with expansion plans and more planes and revival of jet operation

[alberttky 0]

PETALING JAYA: Firefly is celebrating its fifth year of operations next month with plans to expand its network and acquire more aircraft.

Passengers can look forward to an increase in frequencies for selected routes this month and announcements of new routes in future, it said in a statement yesterday.

“Firefly is part of the community it serves and our bright turboprop aircraft will continue to connect small towns and cities that otherwise would not enjoy the benefit of fast, efficient and safe air travel,” said Firefly COO Ignatius Ong.

It currently serves 18 destinations across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand and operates out of two hubs – Subang and Penang.

Last year, Firefly flew 1.5 million passengers on two ATR-72-500 aircraft, and is expected to fly 30% more passengers with the addition of two more aircraft this year.

http://thestar.com.m...2388&sec=nation

 

 

COO: Firefly poised for more growth

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Community airline, Firefly, is set to grow further via a planned expansion of the existing network while acquiring more turboprop aircraft to support the growth in the medium to longer-term period.

Chief operating officer of short-haul Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, Ignatius Ong, said that passengers could look forward to an increase in frequencies for selected routes this month, and announcements of new ones in the near future.

Firefly now operates its turboprop flights out of its two hubs in Penang and Subang, while serving 18 destinations across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Last year, Firefly flew 1.5 million passengers on just ten ATR-72-500aircraft. “This year, we expect to fly 30% more passengers,” Ong said. - Bernama

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/2/business/10841076&sec=business

Edited March 2, 2012 by alberttky

[BC Tam 2]

Last year, Firefly flew 1.5 million passengers on two ATR-72-500 aircraft, .....

httpp://thestar.com.m...2388&sec=nation

Extremely impressive utilization rate, something like 30 sectors per day, full house, everyday for the 365 days of 2011

 

Wonder why the 738's and 734 seem to have been expunged from memory already - is it really that sensitive a issue within the collaborative framework ?

[W Tan 0]

Good for you, FY.

 

Now if you would kindly bring back your jet services.........

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Good for you, FY.

 

Now if you would kindly bring back your jet services.........

 

Not while the Reds are in charge...

[flee 5]

PETALING JAYA: Firefly is looking to expand its fleet size by acquiring more aircraft, said chief operating officer Ignatius Ong.

 

However, that would hinge on its load factor improving to an average of 89% from some 60% to 65% now, Ong told StarBiz.

 

“We want to expand Firefly in the long term, and one of the things we are considering is new-generation turboprops. But they will probably not come onto the market for another five years.

 

“In the meantime, we could lease some aircraft,” he said at a briefing on Firefly's participation in the upcoming KL Matta Fair.

 

Ong also refuted claims that the turboprop airline was quitting the local aviation scene to make way for AirAsia Bhd, which had in August signed a share-swap deal with Firefly owner Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

 

“We are here to stay, and here to grow. Just to be clear, Firefly has never been a low-cost carrier. We are a community airline, and our key selling point is the convenience of the airport we are based in.

 

“Subang is not really a low-cost airport as it caters to business travellers. The only thing we rationalised was the jet services flying out of KLIA. Our turboprop flights are intact.

 

“We are not ceasing operations to accommodate AirAsia. I think there was a little bit of miscommunication,” he said.

 

For this year's KL Matta Fair, Firefly is targeting a 20% increase in sales to RM1.2mil. Ong stressed that this was achievable despite the gloomy forecasts for global air travel.

 

“The idea is to generate demand, and I think with the right price and package, a lot of people are willing (to travel). There is a lot of pent-up demand.

 

“The 20% target is actually conservative. We are looking at 20% and above, minimum,” he added.

 

Asked whether Firefly would follow in MAS' footsteps by cutting unprofitable routes, Ong said: “We may adjust route frequencies for those that are not as popular. Similarly, we will increase the frequency for the more popular flights.”

 

MAS has so far axed its loss-making routes including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Dubai, Langkawi-Penang-Singapore and four routes from Kota Kinabalu.

 

Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/6/business/10860435&sec=business

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

Firefly will be launching 2 new routes soon.

[affendi osman 0]

Firefly will be launching 2 new routes soon.

 

Let us guess these 2 routes.....

Cited from wikipedia, Subang-Bengkulu, Subang-Jambi, Subang-Pangkal Pinang, Penang-Krabi and Penang-Huahin.

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

They mentioned new routes, so I guess it's not a new destinations..maybe KBR-LGK, KBR-JHB, KBR-SIN, PEN-BTH..

[Ruiz Razy 1]

Reinstate JHB hub with services to KBR , IPH, LGK, PEN, ......etc.

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

According to FY's official FB, its confirmed two new routes which one domestic and one international.

[flee 5]

Reinstate JHB hub with services to KBR , IPH, LGK, PEN, ......etc.

Somehow, airlines seem to struggle to make a JHB hub work due to low demand. Perhaps they should relook this once the IDR is up and running.

[BC Tam 2]

Perhaps they should relook this once the IDR is up and running.

IDR is hoping for a JHB air hub to boost its chances of success

JHB is hoping IDR to boost its chances of success as an air hub

[dean hizudy 0]

Somehow, airlines seem to struggle to make a JHB hub work due to low demand. Perhaps they should relook this once the IDR is up and running.

But FY using a turboprop aircrafts with smaller capacity.I guess should be no problem....

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

Let us guess these 2 routes.....

Cited from wikipedia, Subang-Bengkulu, Subang-Jambi, Subang-Pangkal Pinang, Penang-Krabi and Penang-Huahin.

 

One of new routes seems Firefly will fly to Hat Yai (HDY) from Subang (SZB) 4x weekly on Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri starting on May 2012.

 

SZB-HDY FY3614 12.00PM-12.20PM

HDY-SZB FY3615 12.50PM-03.20PM

 

For new domestic route a big suprise for sector Kota Bharu (KBR) to/from Johor Bahru (JHB) 3x weekly on Sun, Tue and Thu starting on April 2012.

 

KBR-JHB FY2231 08.30AM-10.10AM

JHB-KBR FY2232 10.30AM-12.10PM

Edited March 14, 2012 by Ikman Ikreza

[Mike P 0]

MAS offers special fares and holiday packages at MATTA Travel Fair

 

Posted on March 15, 2012, Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines System Bhd (MAS) is offering attractive domestic and international travel airfares, MASholidays packages and travel-related products at the MATTA Travel Fair from March 16-18.

In a statement yesterday, MAS said all-inclusive discounted airfares for economy and business class would be available through its appointed agents participating in the fair while MASholidays would offer domestic and international holiday package promotional fares.

“Business class travellers can enjoy all-inclusive return air fares from RM1,899 to Phnom Penh, Manila and Hanoi, RM3,699 to both Beijing and

Hong Kong, RM4,899 to Seoul and Male and RM10,015 to Los Angeles.

“Similar fares to London start from RM20,999 and passengers will enjoy the travel comfort of the Airbus A380-800 on selected days starting from July 2012,” it said.

MAS said its travel and tour arm, MASholidays, would offer affordable holiday packages to many destinations on MAS’ extensive network.

“These packages are inclusive of return economy class airfare, airport transfers (at selected destinations), minimum three-star hotel accommodation and breakfast,” it said.

It said its loyalty and frequent flyer programme, Enrich, would also offer a special promotion during this period.

“Every customer who signs up as member of Enrich will automatically be awarded 1,000 Enrich Miles,” it said.

MAS said its unit, Firefly, would also offer great deals to destinations like Koh Samui, Langkawi, Terengganu, Kota Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Its regional senior vice-president, Malaysia & Asean region, Muzammil Mohamad, said the airline was delighted to be a part of the biggest travel fair in Malaysia.

“There are good deals for our domestic and regional destinations during the three-day carnival.

“For those who missed the earlier offers, this would be another opportunity to plan their next vacation, especially in conjunction with the mid-year school holidays,” he said.

MAS said those interested and not be able to make it to the PWTC to grab these deals could get them via its website at www.malaysiaairlines.com, call centre at 1-300-88-3000 or ticket offices nationwide.

The offers will be extended until March 20. — Bernama

 

How misleading...

 

 

Read more:

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/15/mas-offers-special-fares-and-holiday-packages-at-matta-travel-fair/#ixzz1p8xBB47h

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

One of new routes seems Firefly will fly to Hat Yai (HDY) from Subang (SZB) 4x weekly on Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri starting on May 2012.

 

SZB-HDY FY3614 12.00PM-12.20PM

HDY-SZB FY3615 12.50PM-03.20PM

 

For new domestic route a big suprise for sector Kota Bharu (KBR) to/from Johor Bahru (JHB) 3x weekly on Sun, Tue and Thu starting on April 2012.

 

KBR-JHB FY2231 08.30AM-10.10AM

JHB-KBR FY2232 10.30AM-12.10PM

 

Its confimed , flymail already email to customer their 2 new routes (KBR-JHB and SZB-HDY). Sales promo start at RM25 all in 1 way (domestic) and RM129 all in 1 way SZB to HDY. Booking period only 5 days beginning 16-20 March 2012.

 

[Izanee 0]

Hot nights in HAt Yai!

[kandiah k 0]

Oh and they have yet again withdrawn SZB-KUA completely (twice daily) after all their efforts to promote it as a business traveller option between Kuantan and KL. Sadly, their marketing nor the AK marketing for KUA worked out well. But the PEN-KUA-PEN and SIN-KUA-SIN seems sustainable, so that's good.

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

Hot nights in HAt Yai!

 

Really? I had booked for Inaugural flight SZB-HDY on 2nd May, got promo price total RM129 one way all in fare..anyone join for 1st flight too?

[dean hizudy 0]

Firefly puts Haadyai route on hold

 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/4/nation/11041244&sec=nation

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

Firefly puts Haadyai route on hold

 

http://thestar.com.m...1244&sec=nation

 

Yup, route on hold due to little explosions happened at Hatyai on last 31st March. I received sms and called by FY's staff last 2 days officially informed for flight cancellation on 2nd and 4th May. They will credited refund to account.

[Mike P 0]

firefly Starts Charter Service to Nanning

by JL

Update at 2220GMT 15APR12

Malaysia Airlines’ regional subsidiary firefly on 12APR12 has launched charter service toNanning in China with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline is operating once weekly each onKuala Lumpur – Nanning and Kuala Lumpur – Penang – Nanning flight.

Schedule:

 

Kuala Lumpur – Nanning

FY8350 KUL1025 – 1400NNG 738 7

FY8351 NNG1500 – 1945KUL 738 7

Kuala Lumpur – Penang – Nanning

FY8350 KUL1045 – 1135PEN1230 – 1530NNG 738 4

FY8351 NNG1630 – 1930PEN2025 – 2115KUL 738 4

 

On the other hand,

 

 

JetStar Asia Launches Nanning Service

by JL

Update at 2200GMT 15APR12

JetStar Asia on Saturday 14APR12 launched new service to Nanning, where it operates twice weekly service on board Airbus A320 aircraft. Operational schedule:

 

3K825 SIN1335 – 1710NNG 320 3

3K825 SIN1755 – 2130NNG 320 6

3K826 NNG1800 – 2135SIN 320 3

3K826 NNG2220 – 0155+1SIN 320 6

 

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Malaysia Airlines’ regional subsidiary firefly on 12APR12 has launched charter service to Nanning in China with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

 

Prelude to something? A return back to where we were pre-CCF?

[CH Teo 0]

Prelude to something? A return back to where we were pre-CCF?

 

Something that sounds goods if this means the first step to mark a return of FY jets....Just few days back saw they wrote using the 737-400...and now 737-800....hmmm...let's see...

[flee 5]

It should be the B734 as I don't see any B738s in FY livery anymore.