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Call for direct flights to Langkawi

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Call for direct flights to Langkawi

 

LANGKAWI: Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia should look into providing direct international flights or transit flights via Langkawi, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

 

“The airport, which is an international airport, is not getting international flights, other than from Singapore," she said, adding that the ministry would write to MAS and AirAsia to provide direct international flight services to Langkawi.

 

She said Langkawi needed more direct international flights to attract more tourists.

 

She also said the ministry had allocated RM10mil to implement tourism projects in Langkawi last year and this year.

 

The projects include upgrading the pedestrian walkway in Pantai Cenang and upgrading public toilets at tourist attraction sites including in Pasir Hitam.

 

Azalina said having Langkawi declared as part of the Unesco network of global geopark was something to be proud of.

 

“But we need to package the product and make it saleable.

 

“This is in line with our objective to sell unique attractions in Malaysia,” she said.

 

She also noted that Langkawi was a duty-free zone, “but people are complaining there are no new products.”

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MH tried LHR-LGK, AK tried BKK-LGK, both went kapot!

 

Which other international airport then that we can suggest to Dato Seri Azalina to be connected with LGK? I am thinking MES, but who want to fly the route? Kartika Airlines? Jatayu? Sriwijaya?

 

Maybe FY can try a triangular PEN-HKT-LGK-PEN if they have the resources to do so.

 

LGK should have a regional airlines serving the island, with their primary hub there. Take cues from Cebu Pacific, Aloha and Hawaiian. Hey, even Riau has an airline!

Edited by Mohd Azizul Ramli

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Well with the hype of opening KUL-SIN route... maybe she want SIN-LGK... if there are already flights plying this route pardon my ignorance

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THAT Minister has had some controversial issues in her former ministry. Hope she doesn't screw up the tourism ministry next!

 

Apart from LHR-LGK, MAS also had a direct Taipei-Langkawi-KL flight using A330-300 sometime in 1998. I flew on the LGK-KUL sector on 9M-MKC around April 1998. I have an EYCL menu from the flight as a momento.

 

In my opinion, Langkawi should have something special to attract people to come, especially repeat visitors. The Geopark attraction is good, but more should be done. I was a bit dismayed that access to Mahsuri mouseleum is now chargeable at RM5.00 after some new structures were built around it. RM2 as previously charged was OK lah.

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Well with the hype of opening KUL-SIN route... maybe she want SIN-LGK... if there are already flights plying this route pardon my ignorance

This route was started, then stopped, then via KUL, then god knows what now... by Malaysia Airlines. Presently the only consistent service provided on this route is by Silkair.

 

The island is planned to be another Bali when then ENTIRE place is earmarked for tourism. However, other than the beautiful islets, and beaches, there is really nothing much more to Langkawi. There are no stunning volcanoes to scale, no hot springs to soak in, food is so so and rather expensive for Malaysian standards. Unless Langkawi can have ATTRACTIONS that make people go "Wow! I wanna go there!", it will likely remain 2nd fiddle to Bali and probably the rest of Malaysia as well.

 

In their present state, it is best for Langkawi to be packaged as an add-on when visitors arrive in Malaysia. If they want to have direct flights, get the tourism minister to start an airline ala Air Paradise and base that airline in Langkawi, and she would then probably relise how difficult is it to squeeze yields out of it.

 

MAS tried direct flights to London and Taipei, and pulled out less than a year later. Why? Because it doesn't work.

 

I hope this call is not taken too seriously because the last thing MAS needs right now is more political meddling. They have been slogged enough already, let them recover!

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MH 674 flies 3x weekly from SIN to LGK operated by MH and 4x weekly on a codesharing basis with Silkair. So on certain days, we have 2 flights a day from SIN and i've always noticed a heavy load on the sector, cant really think of reason why any non-stop flights or direct flights from LGK to other international destinations is needed at this moment

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The island is planned to be another Bali when then ENTIRE place is earmarked for tourism. However, other than the beautiful islets, and beaches, there is really nothing much more to Langkawi. There are no stunning volcanoes to scale, no hot springs to soak in, food is so so and rather expensive for Malaysian standards. Unless Langkawi can have ATTRACTIONS that make people go "Wow! I wanna go there!", it will likely remain 2nd fiddle to Bali and probably the rest of Malaysia as well.

Well, we have hot springs here in Sabah. It is in Ranau :)

 

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Which other international airport then that we can suggest to Dato Seri Azalina to be connected with LGK? I am thinking MES, but who want to fly the route? Kartika Airlines? Jatayu? Sriwijaya?

 

Indonesians come to PEN on Kartika, Jatayu and Lion are mostly those (and their families) seeking specialist treatment in private hospitals in here (Pantai MC, Loh Guan Lye, Gleneagles, etc..). On the plus side, they can enjoy the tourism products Penang has to offer. It's called Medical Tourism or something... On the other hand, LGK only rely on tourism, mainly eco-tourism. Indonesian tourists may get almost everything Langkawi is offering in Penang.

 

So, Azalina may want to 'spend' another RM5mil (or was it RM50mil?), this time on Tourism Ministry, in her 'bid' to promote LGK and its island to lure in more int'l airlines... :p

Edited by Yusoff

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QUOTE

Call for direct flights to Langkawi

 

LANGKAWI:

She also said the ministry had allocated RM10mil to implement tourism projects in Langkawi last year and this year.

 

The projects include upgrading the pedestrian walkway in Pantai Cenang and upgrading public toilets at tourist attraction sites including in Pasir Hitam.

Yeah right, that should really bring the tourists in by the plane load. Hey lookee here, we've got the world's most expensive walkways and toilets (got to be at RM10mil) :rolleyes:

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Ohh...she was screaming this high and low a week or two ago when she was here during the Arabian Travel Mart exhibition..

 

 

 

Needless to say...we just laughed. :pardon:

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MH tried LHR-LGK, AK tried BKK-LGK, both went kapot!

 

Which other international airport then that we can suggest to Dato Seri Azalina to be connected with LGK? I am thinking MES, but who want to fly the route? Kartika Airlines? Jatayu? Sriwijaya?

 

Maybe FY can try a triangular PEN-HKT-LGK-PEN if they have the resources to do so.

 

LGK should have a regional airlines serving the island, with their primary hub there. Take cues from Cebu Pacific, Aloha and Hawaiian. Hey, even Riau has an airline!

 

maybe syd-bne-lgk could work but it would have to be B737-700ER OR WITH RANGE but no malaysian nor australian have 700er OR BWN-LGK BY BI with a319

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This route was started, then stopped, then via KUL, then god knows what now... by Malaysia Airlines. Presently the only consistent service provided on this route is by Silkair.

 

The island is planned to be another Bali when then ENTIRE place is earmarked for tourism. However, other than the beautiful islets, and beaches, there is really nothing much more to Langkawi. There are no stunning volcanoes to scale, no hot springs to soak in, food is so so and rather expensive for Malaysian standards. Unless Langkawi can have ATTRACTIONS that make people go "Wow! I wanna go there!", it will likely remain 2nd fiddle to Bali and probably the rest of Malaysia as well.

 

In their present state, it is best for Langkawi to be packaged as an add-on when visitors arrive in Malaysia. If they want to have direct flights, get the tourism minister to start an airline ala Air Paradise and base that airline in Langkawi, and she would then probably relise how difficult is it to squeeze yields out of it.

 

MAS tried direct flights to London and Taipei, and pulled out less than a year later. Why? Because it doesn't work.

 

I hope this call is not taken too seriously because the last thing MAS needs right now is more political meddling. They have been slogged enough already, let them recover!

 

Agree with Ryan. My last visit to the island was 15+ years ago, although I will attend a meeting there on a Saturday afternoon in two weeks time, but there isn’t any incentive for me to arrive early or leave later.

 

While new resorts, hotels are built in Phuket, Bali, Maldives every year, hotels in Langkawi are converting to training center and college.

 

Direct flight is not the first criteria for tourists to choose holiday destinations. All Maldivian resorts need boat, domestic flight or air taxi transfer from Male, and yet occupancy rate is 85+% and minimum room charge is US$300 per night during peak season. :good:

 

Believe the gomen either don’t understand what tourists want, don’t provide what tourists want or both. It is a waste of resources to have direct flight to LGK. :(

 

:drinks:

 

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This route was started, then stopped, then via KUL, then god knows what now... by Malaysia Airlines. Presently the only consistent service provided on this route is by Silkair.

 

The island is planned to be another Bali when then ENTIRE place is earmarked for tourism. However, other than the beautiful islets, and beaches, there is really nothing much more to Langkawi. There are no stunning volcanoes to scale, no hot springs to soak in, food is so so and rather expensive for Malaysian standards. Unless Langkawi can have ATTRACTIONS that make people go "Wow! I wanna go there!", it will likely remain 2nd fiddle to Bali and probably the rest of Malaysia as well.

 

In their present state, it is best for Langkawi to be packaged as an add-on when visitors arrive in Malaysia. If they want to have direct flights, get the tourism minister to start an airline ala Air Paradise and base that airline in Langkawi, and she would then probably relise how difficult is it to squeeze yields out of it.

 

MAS tried direct flights to London and Taipei, and pulled out less than a year later. Why? Because it doesn't work.

 

I hope this call is not taken too seriously because the last thing MAS needs right now is more political meddling. They have been slogged enough already, let them recover!

 

I disagree about Langkawi being second fiddle. It's like comparing oranges and apples. If I was to party, I'd go to Bali, let's be honest, that's the main reason why rowdy young Aussies go there in the first place. If I was however wanting a place to chill out on a beach, Langkawi is definitely it for me. Different geography, different cultures, different religions, different facilities, the 2 islands are very different, Bali is real magnet for backpackers, whilst Langkawi appeals more to a different crowd, a more laid back relaxing, older sort of crowd.

 

Forget about whining and pressuring airlines to come back to Langkawi, that's just not sustainable running routes that aren't profitable. What really needs to be done is to market Langkawi more effectively. If there is demand, the international flights will follow.

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Even with the now 'kaput-ed' direct flights from London and Taipei, they still need to fly back home via KUL anyway. I think Penang is more promising. Indeed medical tourism, including plastic surgery, is flourishing in Penang, helped by a number of world-class medical facilities.

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I disagree about Langkawi being second fiddle. It's like comparing oranges and apples. If I was to party, I'd go to Bali, let's be honest, that's the main reason why rowdy young Aussies go there in the first place. If I was however wanting a place to chill out on a beach, Langkawi is definitely it for me. Different geography, different cultures, different religions, different facilities, the 2 islands are very different, Bali is real magnet for backpackers, whilst Langkawi appeals more to a different crowd, a more laid back relaxing, older sort of crowd.

 

Forget about whining and pressuring airlines to come back to Langkawi, that's just not sustainable running routes that aren't profitable. What really needs to be done is to market Langkawi more effectively. If there is demand, the international flights will follow.

 

Developing LGK is not new but for the last 20+ years. There is no doubt, the gomen have been selective with tourists but these preferred tourists couldn’t sustain the hotel rooms :(

 

Believe the money is better spent to promote Sabah. Understand North Asian tourists prefer Sabah than LGK :good:

 

 

:drinks:

 

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I disagree about Langkawi being second fiddle. It's like comparing oranges and apples. If I was to party, I'd go to Bali, let's be honest, that's the main reason why rowdy young Aussies go there in the first place. If I was however wanting a place to chill out on a beach, Langkawi is definitely it for me. Different geography, different cultures, different religions, different facilities, the 2 islands are very different, Bali is real magnet for backpackers, whilst Langkawi appeals more to a different crowd, a more laid back relaxing, older sort of crowd.

 

 

Bali may attract backpackers but attract equally more high spenders. Believe the number of luxury hotels in Nusa Dua beach alone is more than the whole Langkawi.

 

:drinks:

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Ok Helmi, maybe comparing apples to oranges wasn't a great move on my part so let's take a more macro view on this subject. If a more established tourist mecca like Bali cannot even sustain long haul international flights profitably, what makes us think that a sleepy still-developing Langkawi can? There is only so much premium traffic the Datai and Andaman resorts can generate.

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Ok Helmi, maybe comparing apples to oranges wasn't a great move on my part so let's take a more macro view on this subject. If a more established tourist mecca like Bali cannot even sustain long haul international flights profitably, what makes us think that a sleepy still-developing Langkawi can? There is only so much premium traffic the Datai and Andaman resorts can generate.

 

Let's remember Langkawi only gets Silk Air as it's only non Malaysian international carrier that has scheduled flights to the island, not exactly long haul traffic. Bali on the other hand actually does have long haul international traffic, for the same reason that Phuket also receives them, these 2 islands both have exposed themselves for mass tourism. But that's the real beauty of Langkawi, it doesn't appeal to smelly backpackers for some reason, it's just not on their map. If Langkawi were to properly whore itself out to mass tourists, not just middle aged ang mohs and rich arabs looking for a quiet place, then perhaps it'll be different. Perhaps we'll see LTU and Condor fly in the dreaded German tourists, Jetstar flying in rowdy Aussie Yobs.

 

But anyways, I agree with you, still sleepy-developing Langkawi can't attract in the international long hauls, just yet. To some degree however, that's a good thing. Tourism Malaysia seems to be picky with their tourists, they love arabs, old white people, but never the "teenage till 20 something" backpacker on his gap year looking for adventure and perhaps get laid with the locals and/or other traveling backpackers.

 

The marketing of the islands and the country is definitely to a certain segment of holiday makers and not going for the mass volumes. However fill Langkawi with plenty of cheap hostels and crap dorms, a lot of bars and clubs, get the word out that its a fun and happening place, only then can I foresee the international long hauls coming in, that Langkawi can truly be an international airport, Ministers stopping their ridiculous torrent of whining about the lack of int' flights.

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Bali may attract backpackers but attract equally more high spenders. Believe the number of luxury hotels in Nusa Dua beach alone is more than the whole Langkawi. :drinks:

True, and I believe Bvlgari has a resort there also, quite a coup for Bali. Anyways my point was that Bali has mass tourism, whilst Langkawi doesn't. Langkawi doesn't draw the large backpacker crowd like Bali. It sort of caters more to a certain crowd, the family types, the couples looking for quiet romance. People looking for quiet down time by the beach. Bali on the other hand caters to mass tourists, has it for everyone, has the volume from the backpacker types, also the middle and higher end holiday makers.

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never the "teenage till 20 something" backpacker on his gap year looking for adventure and perhaps get laid with the locals and/or other traveling backpackers.

 

:o

 

Hmmmmm.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

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...whilst Langkawi appeals more to a different crowd, a more laid back relaxing, older sort of crowd.

 

Thanks ;)

 

That's why I think it's a perfect place for a honeymoon :pardon:

 

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