Liberalisation of KL-Spore Air Route

[Naim 6]

Latest development ...

 

May 07, 2007 18:35 PM

 

Malaysia-Singapore Officials To Discuss Liberalising KL-Spore Air Route

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Senior Transport Ministry officials from Malaysia and Singapore will meet in the island-republic tomorrow to hold preliminary discussions on the opening up of the lucrative Kuala Lumpur-Singapore air route.

 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy told Bernama that the meeting would not merely focus on the opening up of the route but also include other bilateral issues relating to transport.

 

The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route is now dominated by the national carriers of both countries, namely Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA), with both operating more than 200 flights a week.

 

While it was too early to determine the outcome of the talks, analysts said low-cost carriers such as AirAsia from Malaysia and Singapore's Tiger Airways would be closely monitoring the government-to-government talks.

 

This is because liberalisation of the route would mean they would be able to fly the route as well which has been a money-spinner for both MAS and SIA given the high volume of traffic between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur.

 

"Our officials are leaving tomorrow. It's just a preliminary round," he said.

 

He said Malaysia's delegation would be headed by Transport Ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Zakaria Bahari and several other officials from the Air Transport Division.

 

Both countries have agreed to further liberalise their air routes as this would be beneficial to them.

 

Also, more airlines, including low-cost carriers, were expected to capitalise on the opportunities that would arise from liberalisation.

 

Low-cost carriers are unable to fly this sector due to the 34-year-old air services agreement between the two countries -- last revised in 1980 -- which does not allow for new players.

 

SIA and its subsidiary Silk Air also service Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi and Penang.

 

MAS had said that it was not in favour of opening the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route earlier than 2008 as provided for under the Asean Open Sky Agreement as this would jeopardise its business turnaround plan.

 

The Asean Open Sky Agreement would be implemented from 2008 with the air routes between capital cities of member countries to be liberalised the same year before expanding to other cities by 2015.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_...s.php?id=260551

[Naim 6]

In simpler words ... nothing sexy to tell people yet lah!

 

May 08, 2007 20:10 PM

 

Singapore, Malaysia Agree In Principle To Expand Air Connectivity

 

By Jackson Sawatan

 

SINGAPORE, May 8 (Bernama) -- Top officials from the Transport Ministries of Singapore and Malaysia have agreed in principle to work towards expanding air connectivity between both countries.

 

The agreement was achieved at a preliminary meeting between both sides, here Tuesday where they discussed, among other things, the Singapore-Malaysia Air Services Agreement (ASA).

 

"Given the current good level of bilateral ties and economic co-operation, both sides agreed in principle to work towards expanding the connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia," the Singapore Ministry of Transport said in a statement after the meeting.

 

It did not elaborate further, only saying that the officials would meet again for formal discussions soon.

 

The statement also made no reference as to when the expansion could be implemented but said such a move would be helpful "towards achieving the tourism targets for Visit Malaysia Year 2007".

 

Singapore Transport Minister Raymond Lim had said in March that the island state was willing to allow other Singapore and Malaysian carriers to operate on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route but this can only be done through a change in the ASA.

 

Currently, the majority of the scheduled flights on the lucrative route are operated by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysian Airlines (MAS) under a shuttle service arrangement since 1982.

 

But budget airlines, namely Malaysia's AirAsia and Singapore's Tiger Airways, have expressed keen interest to operate on the route and wanted it liberalised soon.

 

MAS however wanted the government to stick to the Asean road map on "open sky" policy timeline of 2008 and not liberalise the sector ahead of schedule for fear that it could upset its turnaround plan.

 

The Singapore Ministry of Transport described today's meeting as "fruitful".

 

The officials also discussed the proposed temporary diversion of heavy vehicles from the Johor Causeway to the Second Link. The ministry said both sides agreed to work closely to manage the diversion so as to minimise disruption to travellers.

 

"A joint working group involving multiple agencies on both sides is being looked into," the statement said.

 

The diversion was to allow construction of the road connecting the Johor Causeway and the new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor Baharu.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=260775

[Sing Yew 1]

Looking at the pace the way things are going. It seems to me that by the time the agreement is signed, the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement may already be in force unless of course that itself if delayed.

[BC Tam 2]

They really should stop harping about the VMY 2007 issue here. We're well on our way to the half-year point and they are discussing strategies to make the country more accessible to foreigners - reflects poorly on our logistical planning skills !

[Rozhan 0]

The tourism minister, in a newspaper article a few weeks ago, admitted that VMY 2007 has thus far failed to bring in the projected number of tourists, and he blamed, amongst other reasons, the massive floods in Johor recently.

 

Therefore VMY will be extended to 2008.

 

Me thinks a failure, whose ministry has spent many millions of ringgit to do promotions all over the globe on tax payers money, should just resign.

[Seng Lim 0]

No early opening of Singapore-KL air route: Najib

22 May 2007 1730 hrs

 

KUALA LUMPUR - The lucrative air route between Malaysia and Singapore is unlikely to open up before the end of 2008, Malaysia's deputy prime minister said Tuesday.

 

Officials from the two neighbours held talks earlier this month to discuss transport links, including liberalising the air route, but Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters there would be no immediate changes to the route.

 

"It is not likely to be brought forward," he said.

 

Singapore and Malaysia are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has agreed to open up capital-to-capital flights by the end of 2008.

 

"We have our own reasons" for not wanting more carriers on the route before the ASEAN deadline, Najib said at a ceremony where budget carrier Air Asia signed an agreement with a local company.

 

Malaysian-based AirAsia has been among the most vocal in campaigning for access to the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route dominated by Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

 

The two flag carriers account for 85 percent of traffic on the short sector between the two cities. A confirmed round-trip ticket departing from Singapore costs around 450 Singapore dollars (298 US) including taxes. - AFP/ir

[BC Tam 2]

No early opening of Singapore-KL air route: Najib

22 May 2007 1730 hrs

 

KUALA LUMPUR - The lucrative air route between Malaysia and Singapore is unlikely to open up before the end of 2008, Malaysia's deputy prime minister said Tuesday.

 

..... Najib said at a ceremony where budget carrier Air Asia signed an agreement with a local company .....

No prizes for guessing who would have been labelled the party pooper there !!

[Sing Yew 1]

Well....seems like my hunch was right then.

 

[Kwek 0]

Ah well, looks like I have to endure more bus rides then........

[KK Lee 5]

 

You don’t expect them to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs?

 

[Mushrif A 3]

Ah well, looks like I have to endure more bus rides then........

 

 

Sometimes UL has those special offers through its website for this sector. The only downside is those very early departures from SIN to kul.

 

[H Azmal 0]

Ah well, looks like I have to endure more bus rides then........

 

Take the train!

[Rozhan 0]

If train breaks down or derails, then have to take bus eventually... Train soo lambat lah. Anyway Hafizi, I got a new platform ticket from JB's station. I'm glad they still sell them these days. Same thick cardboard at 50 sen each.

Edited May 23, 2007 by Rozhan

[H Azmal 0]

Derailments are quite rare now as tracks are being continously rehabilitated. Just a week ago the brand new high-powered heavy Bluetiger and Chinese locomotives have been certified fit for Singapore tracks and have begun service there.

 

Take it from me KTM's golden child of passenger service is expresses plying KUL-SIN-KUL - that's their cash cow.

 

Sorry OT.

[Seng Lim 0]

Travel once with KTMB on KUL-SIN-KUL on last year due to my silly friend who want to try it, from KL is the night train second class sleeper and return with first class seat day time service from KL. All I could say is it's exhauting, boring and tiring due to long traveling time.

5 hours express bus ride from KL is a lot nicer and more comfortable compared to train ride. Of course by flight direct to Changi is always the best