SKS Airways

[Adam Lawrence 0]

Apparently there is a new small local airlines called "SKS Airways" planning to start operation somewhere in the Q4 of this year. SKS Airways intends to fly to primary and unserved destinations in the country such as Pangkor, Redang, Tioman and even Taman Negara using several Twin-Otter aircrafts.

 

News about SKS Airways:

 

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/reopening-its-airport-oct-1-will-boost-pangkor-dutyfree-island

 

 

It seems that it will begin its operations on Oct 1 with its first 2 routes are Subang-Pangkor-Subang and Subang-Ipoh-Subang.

 

 

SKS Airways is also actively recruiting staffs for several positions on its social media accounts:

 

https://www.facebook.com/sksairways/

 

https://twitter.com/sksairways

 

https://www.instagram.com/sksairways/

 

 

Official website:

https://www.sksairways.com/

 

 

 

This will be really interesting and I really cannot wait for this tiny player to take off!

 

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

SKS Airways is owned by SKS Group, which is under the leadership of one Alan Sim. Apparently it's JB based.

https://www.sksgroup.com.my/about-us/introduction/

[Samuel Chy 0]

SKS Airways is owned by SKS Group, which is under the leadership of one Alan Sim. Apparently it's JB based.

https://www.sksgroup.com.my/about-us/introduction/

 

and is SKS bus under SKS group?

[Adam Lawrence 0]

The route map with its initial destinations are up on the airlines' website now:

 

https://www.sksairways.com/route-map

[JuliusWong 0]

There is an airport at Sungai Tiang? Went to Google and learnt something new today. Never knew it exist! There is even a Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiudDNIf0Bc

 

SKS Airways seems to be taking over Berjaya Air's previous role. Hopefully they are able to sustain their operation.

Also announced their fleet: four DHC6 Twin-Otter. https://www.sksairways.com/about-us

[Adam Lawrence 0]

You can start booking flights on the airline's website now.

The price not that cheap though.

[Adam Lawrence 0]

The 1st DH6-300 Twin Otter aircraft for SKS Airways has departed from Sion Airport, Switzerland on 6th of December 2019 and expected to arrive in Subang Airport (SZB) around 5:30am on 10th of December 2019.

 

 

[Adam Lawrence 0]

On 12/9/2019 at 3:25 PM, Adam Lawrence said:

The 1st DH6-300 Twin Otter aircraft for SKS Airways has departed from Sion Airport, Switzerland on 6th of December 2019 and expected to arrive in Subang Airport (SZB) around 5:30am on 10th of December 2019.

 

 

Updated: It should be arrived in SZB today, Dec 11, 2019 and not on Dec 10.

 

 

[JuliusWong 0]

Their livery unveiled. 

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/80008-malaysias-sks-airways-eyes-twin-otters-for-regional-flights

[BC Tam 2]

According to FR24 they gonna do Seletar-Kuching on an ATR72 come next month

[Adam Lawrence 0]

I wish there will be SZB-KCH route on the near future.. 

[Lock SH 0]

On the ATR?

It would take half a day just to complete a sector. Not sure whether it’s gonna be a popular route and in demand apart from during festive seasons and school holidays.

[JuliusWong 0]

Suspension of Subang-Pangkor flights due to tourists’ preference for road travel, says exco

IPOH, June 23 — Flight services connecting the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), Subang, with Pangkor Island have been temporarily suspended, due to a not very encouraging response from tourists, who prefer to travel by land instead.

Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman, Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, said that it was because the travel distance to Pangkor Island was reasonable and did not take too much time when using the land route.

“Hence, the services have been temporarily suspended, from May 29, and it is a business decision of the company (SKS Airways Sdn Bhd). It plans to resume the service during peak seasons such as school holidays,” she said.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/06/23/suspension-of-subang-pangkor-flights-due-to-tourists-preference-for-road-travel-says-exco/13864

[jahur 0]

4 hours ago, JuliusWong said:

Suspension of Subang-Pangkor flights due to tourists’ preference for road travel, says exco

IPOH, June 23 — Flight services connecting the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), Subang, with Pangkor Island have been temporarily suspended, due to a not very encouraging response from tourists, who prefer to travel by land instead.

Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman, Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, said that it was because the travel distance to Pangkor Island was reasonable and did not take too much time when using the land route.

“Hence, the services have been temporarily suspended, from May 29, and it is a business decision of the company (SKS Airways Sdn Bhd). It plans to resume the service during peak seasons such as school holidays,” she said.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/06/23/suspension-of-subang-pangkor-flights-due-to-tourists-preference-for-road-travel-says-exco/13864

The fares they're charging is just too low for feasible twin otter ops. MASwing viking flights are slightly cheaper but that is with partial subsidies from the ministry of transport. SKS flight needs about 180 ish usd return flight per pax to be sustainable without pricing dynamic hierarchy in play. And that rate is still significantly cheaper than what air maldivian/winair flight charges. A similar STOL aircraft in Sabah which is the GAF Nomad is being charged RM8.5K per hour. Technically too far outreach in affordability for local demand.

Only way for it to work is for Gulf/EU/Aussie/Japanese foreign tourist to fly them but not sure if that is working for the time being and it needs heavy marketing. Relying solely on locals(who majority are already used to LCC type fares) is not going to work.

Edited June 28, 2022 by jahur

[Adam Lawrence 0]

On 6/28/2022 at 9:17 AM, JuliusWong said:

Suspension of Subang-Pangkor flights due to tourists’ preference for road travel, says exco

IPOH, June 23 — Flight services connecting the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), Subang, with Pangkor Island have been temporarily suspended, due to a not very encouraging response from tourists, who prefer to travel by land instead.

Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman, Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, said that it was because the travel distance to Pangkor Island was reasonable and did not take too much time when using the land route.

“Hence, the services have been temporarily suspended, from May 29, and it is a business decision of the company (SKS Airways Sdn Bhd). It plans to resume the service during peak seasons such as school holidays,” she said.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/06/23/suspension-of-subang-pangkor-flights-due-to-tourists-preference-for-road-travel-says-exco/13864

I think another reason is because they do not have enough number of aircraft.

[Robert 0]

I was going to use them on a trip to Redang but changed my mind. Cost wasn't the issue (although it was a concern) however the key issue was the strict limit on 7kg of luggage. 

Yes I know its a small plane but for many 7kg is too little.

 

[Zamir 0]

Can anyone confirm regarding SKS Airways as in Flightradar24, there are coupe of new routes that were loaded. All operated by ATR 72. Lately I noticed SKS is opening up an office at JB. https://www.jobstreet.com.my/en/job/hr-admin-senior-executive-johor-bahru-5166497?jobId=jobstreet-my-job-5166497&sectionRank=1&token=0~752e889b-3028-4a59-91cf-79db89ad6dff&searchPath=%2Fen%2Fjob-search%2Fjobs-at-sks-airways-sdn.-bhd.%2F&fr=SRP View In New Tab

JHB - KCH
KI 216 5:00 - 7:00

KCH - XSP
KI 315 8:00 - 10:00

XSP - KCH
KI 314 11:00 - 13:00

MYY - SBW
KI 247 11:10 - 12:10

SBW - MYY
KI 246 9:10 - 10:10

SBW - KCH
KI 221 13:10 - 13:50

KCH-JHB
KI 217 14:00 - 16:00
KI 213 14:50 - 16:50

 

 

Edited November 11, 2022 by Zamir

[JuliusWong 0]

Malaysia regional carrier SKS Airways commits to ten E195-E2s

https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/malaysia-regional-carrier-sks-airways-commits-to-ten-e195-e2s/153441.article

Malaysian regional operator SKS Airways has committed to taking 10 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets from lessor Azorra, making it the type’s first operator in Southeast Asia.

The commitment, announced during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, will see the first E195-E2 delivered to SKS from 2024. The regional jets, which are configured to seat 136 passengers, will be based at Kuala Lumpur’s Subang international airport.

[jani 0]

Wow, that's almost double the capacity of an ATR. Big dreams?

[jahur 0]

SKS Airways hits snag in funding for aircraft, temporarily halts flights to Tioman, Redang

KUALA LUMPUR: New airline SKS Airways Sdn Bhd is scrambling to secure funding to pay for the delivery of 10 leased Embraer E195-E2 aircraft and is believed to have halted flight operations to two of the destinations it flies to, Tioman and Redang, according to an aviation insider.

SKS AIrways was to start taking delivery of the first Embraer aircraft in January 2024.

 

On another note they were suppose to have launch 1-2 former firefly ATR's 2 months ago but none of the aircrafts have even undergone painting. Hoping this does not become another flymojo. 

[jani 0]

Latest rumor is that the new CEO has also resigned..

[Craig 0]

I am curious how does SKS survive during the northeast monsoon when those islands are pretty much closed. They could fly to Pangkor but I guess the demand is pretty low as it's somewhat accessible by cars easily compared to Redang and Tioman.

[jahur 0]

20 minutes ago, Craig said:

I am curious how does SKS survive during the northeast monsoon when those islands are pretty much closed. They could fly to Pangkor but I guess the demand is pretty low as it's somewhat accessible by cars easily compared to Redang and Tioman.

SKS had a very reliable funder. But like Myairlines i think the appetite to keep pouring funds on an empty barrel continuously in hoping the market or something changes into their favor is not really how an aviation business is suppose to run. If the SKS e jet program collapses it may derail part of the gov's plan on SZB unless MAG is willing to stay on and follow up its plan.

[Pall 0]

1 minute ago, jahur said:

SKS had a very reliable funder. But like Myairlines i think the appetite to keep pouring funds on an empty barrel continuously in hoping the market or something changes into their favor is not really how an aviation business is suppose to run. If the SKS e jet program collapses it may derail part of the gov's plan on SZB unless MAG is willing to stay on and follow up its plan.

Doubt MAG is willing to invest in SZB. Whatever announcements made before for SZB jet ops by MAG was merely running on the hype made by govt to allow jet ops from the city airport. Operating from SZB to routes already operated by MAB from KUL might be seen as cannibalism. The economics of scale might not work.  

[flee 5]

1 hour ago, Pall said:

Doubt MAG is willing to invest in SZB. Whatever announcements made before for SZB jet ops by MAG was merely running on the hype made by govt to allow jet ops from the city airport. Operating from SZB to routes already operated by MAB from KUL might be seen as cannibalism. The economics of scale might not work.  

I agree - MAG will operate out of SZB only to compete with operators from that airport. Malindo is not really operating that many flights nowadays and FY might scale down if Malindo exits. So unless SKS can proceed with its E2 plans, I very much doubt MAG wants to be distracted from its KLIA ops.