MASWings Twin Otter incident Marudi

[alberttky 0]

I think the Cessna Caravan can do the work too...

[zeqa 1]

I do hope they do not scrape the plane. Put it on static display around marudi town or whatever. That's one tourist attraction.

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

MASwings to replace Twin Otter by 2013

 

MIRI: MASwings plans to replace its ageing 17-seater Twin Otter (DHC6) aircraft with six new planes by the middle of next year, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu yesterday.

 

Jabu however refused to disclose what type the new aircraft will be, saying they will be announced once the federal government gives the nod.

 

“We appealed to the federal goverment to get the replacement as soon as possible,” he told reporters after a briefing by MASwings officials at Miri Airport.

Jabu said the new aircraft would serve Sarawak and Sabah particularly in the interior areas.

 

It was reported early this year that MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), was considering the Viking 400, Skylander or Dornier 228 aircraft.

Presently MASwings has four Twin Otter aircraft in its fleet and operates an average of around 250 flights weekly in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

Read more: http://www.theborneo.../#ixzz2CXHygaRG

 

Skylander? Probably not,since the project is having problem,as far as I know.

 

Just go ahead with the Twin Otter Series 400.

[Cheng Long 0]

I do hope they do not scrape the plane. Put it on static display around marudi town or whatever. That's one tourist attraction.

 

Very similar accident happened years ago in limbang. The plane was dismantled part by part. The story goes that it was bought by a rich Indonesian.

[Kenneth Chong WT 0]

The dornier ng is not a bad plane...wonder if it is as robust as the 400...I like the fact that the wheels actually retracts...but I guess both planes are great...

[alberttky 0]

The dornier ng is not a bad plane...wonder if it is as robust as the 400...I like the fact that the wheels actually retracts...but I guess both planes are great...

 

Retractable gears are not necessarily a good thing especially if you're not flying high speed. More moving parts = more maintenance = higher cost. Not to mention the possibility of jammed gears!

[Radzi 2]

Skylander? Probably not,since the project is having problem,as far as I know.

 

Just go ahead with the Twin Otter Series 400.

 

 

Only a Twin Otter can replace a Twin Otter.

 

But getting another type that need a slightly longer landing / takeoff distance is not too bad too, someone can get the runway extension project.

[JuliusWong 0]

Only a Twin Otter can replace a Twin Otter.

 

But getting another type that need a slightly longer landing / takeoff distance is not too bad too, someone can get the runway extension project.

Hahas!! Like your comment. In Sarawak, only two companies can do these projects, Naim Cendara and Pan Sarawak...both belongs to ATM....er..'machine'.

[JuliusWong 0]

I wonder if those rural airports can accommodate Saab 340? Just read at airliners.net, American Airlines has stored many Saab 340. Read more: http://www.planesofthepast.com/abilene-regional-airport.htm

 

Dornier 228NG is not a bad idea as it has all new electronics avionics and Hornbill Skyways may have the expertise to maintain the aircraft. For sure, going for Twin Otter Series 400 will bring most benefits.

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

MASwings' Six New Twin Otters To Operate From Mid-year

 

KUCHING, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Regional airline MASwings is expected to operate its six new Twin Otter (DHC6) aircraft, particularly to serve in the interiors of Sarawak and Sabah, by mid-year, its chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang said.

Despite numerous appeals for its current fleet of ageing 17-seat DHC6 aircraft to be replaced with bigger capacity ones, he said, the Twin Otters were more practical for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations in rural airstrips, including Marudi and Bario.

"The new aircraft will be deployed in stages from the middle of this year until 2014," he told reporters after giving a briefing on Maswings BIMP-EAGA second phase expansion of its international network here, which was attended by Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Previously, MASwings had four Twin Otters but the fleet was reduced to three following the Marudi airport incident in November last year when one of its aircraft veered off the runway upon landing.

It was reported that MASwings' flight operations were slightly affected by the incident but the frequencies were expected to be back to normal by this year.

-- BERNAMA

No Need For Sarawak To Hold Stake In MASwings, Says Abg Johari

 

KUCHING, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- There is no need for the state government to have a stake in regional airline, MASwings, as the federal government has ensured that the interests of Sarawak and Sabah will be the primary decision to expand its routes, especially within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Sarawak Tourism Minister, Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg, said MASwings, a wholly-owned unit of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), would become the feeder for the BIMP-EAGA routes as well as within the two states.

"Initially, we requested for a equity in MASwings but following the restructuring exercise, involving MASas the primary airline, our original objective that the interests of Sarawak and Sabah are being taken into consideration has been met," he told reporters after a briefing on the second phase of MASwings' BIMP-EAGA expansion of its international network here today.

Effective Feb 1, MASwings will commence thrice weekly lights from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia using the 68-seater ATR72-500 turbo-prop aircraft.

He said Sarawak and Sabah had a common stand to work with existing airlines to protect their interests, such as through the MASwings route expansion which was in line with the government's initiative to woo more tourists to the two states and making Malaysia a destination haven during a promotional campaign for Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

However, he said, the state tourism players should also leverage on the new regional routes in preparation for the 'open sky' policy to be implemented by 2015, with point-to-point destinations.

Earlier, MASwings chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang, said the second phase would also see the airline spreading its wings to Puerto Princess in Palawan Island, Philippines by March this year and Zamboanga in Mindanao, Philippines by June this year.

In conjunction with its inaugural flight into Balikpapan, which served as headquarters for international oil companies, mining companies and related industries in East Kalimantan, MASwings would offer special introductory fare from as low as RM312 for a return flight until Feb 14, he said.

Last year, MASwings commenced its first phase by adding three destinations, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei as well as Pontianak and Tarakan in Kalimantan.

It has operated 2,420 flights with 84,014 passengers to date.

-- BERNAMA

[affendi osman 0]

MASwings' Six New Twin Otters To Operate From Mid-year

 

KUCHING, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Regional airline MASwings is expected to operate its six new Twin Otter (DHC6) aircraft, particularly to serve in the interiors of Sarawak and Sabah, by mid-year, its chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang said.

 

Despite numerous appeals for its current fleet of ageing 17-seat DHC6 aircraft to be replaced with bigger capacity ones, he said, the Twin Otters were more practical for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations in rural airstrips, including Marudi and Bario.

 

"The new aircraft will be deployed in stages from the middle of this year until 2014," he told reporters after giving a briefing on Maswings BIMP-EAGA second phase expansion of its international network here, which was attended by Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg.

 

Previously, MASwings had four Twin Otters but the fleet was reduced to three following the Marudi airport incident in November last year when one of its aircraft veered off the runway upon landing.

 

It was reported that MASwings' flight operations were slightly affected by the incident but the frequencies were expected to be back to normal by this year.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

So, they are purchasing new planes? or leasing planes parked somewhere in the deserts

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

Checked with Viking last year and was informed it takes at least 2 years waiting period for new DHC6-400 series. Wonder, must be a special arrangement by Datuk Mohd Nawawi with Viking to have it ready middle of this year.

[Pieter C. 5]

The February 2013 issue of Airliner World has a nice article about the Viking DHC6-400 and one of the delivered examples to Papua New Guinea passed BKI, maybe also on a demonstration tour ?