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British Airways Returned to Kuala Lumpur from 27 May 2015 and with B787-9 from 5 December 2015

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Source : http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.js...fa0500-4df40bc7

 

BA drops another hint on returning to KLIA

By Jimmy Yeow in Copenhagen

 

 

British Airways (BA) has given another strong hint that it may return to the London-Kuala Lumpur route in the near future, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd officials.

 

They said BA officials had acknowledged that the Malaysia is the largest “unserved†market in the region by the carrier.

 

“They noted that huge market potential with some 345,000 passengers travelling between the UK and Malaysia last year.

 

“Of that, 250,000 were passengers flying direct from the UK to Malaysia and the rest transit via other airports,†MAHB senior manager marketing Mohd Sallauddin Mat Shah told Malaysian reporters in Copenhagen on Sept 27.

 

That was an increase of the total 316,750 total passenger traffic between the UK and Malaysia in 2003, he said.

 

Sallauddin, who met with the BA officials at the World Route Development Forum in the Danish capital, said BA, however, did not give any firm commitment.

 

BA pulled out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport in the wake of the Asian Financial crisis several years ago.

 

Sallauddin and his MAHB team held back-to-back meetings with 36 carriers during the two-day forum.

 

“The meeting with the airlines were either exploratory in nature, follow-up or firming certain things on what they want to do at KLIA,†he said.

Sallauddin said another British carrier Virgin Atlantic was also monitoring the Far East market.

 

“Virgin Atlantic which has a code- sharing agreement with Malaysia Airlines realises the potential of the Far East market,†he said.

 

Meanwhile, Sallauddin said it was a matter of time for Aer Lingus, the Irish carrier, to start operations to Malaysia after being convinced of Malaysia’s attractiveness.

 

“They did not discount operating to Malaysia starting next year,†he said.

 

Sallauddin said Shanghai Airlines, Finnair and Ethihad Airlines of Abu Dhabi had also indicated interest in operating to Kuala Lumpur.

 

“We gave Shanghai Airlines our proposals and will step up our engagement with them, while we will come back with proposals for Finnair to extend the services to KLIA via Bangkok. Their planes have ample idle time in Bangkok,†he said.

 

Ethihad had meanwhile, indicated that they might come mid-next year or 2007 after taking deliveries of more aircraft, he said.

 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines will increase its frequency to KLIA to three times scheduled weekly flights from twice weekly on the growing popularity of the Malaysian market among West Asian travellers.

 

For the summer schedule next year (April to October), Saudi Arabian Airlines would increase its frequency from seven flights to 10 times weekly.

 

Sallauddin said MAHB would also go on a branding exercise to reinforce the position of KLIA and other airports managed by the company. “KLIA has its own branding but we want to give emphasis on other airports too,†he said.

 

 

 

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WOW, KUL is becoming a really interesting airport for spotters, if all these airlines WILL start as planned biggrin.gif

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8686[/snapback]

Meanwhile, Sallauddin said it was a matter of time for Aer Lingus, the Irish carrier, to start operations to Malaysia after being convinced of Malaysia’s attractiveness.

"A matter of time"? Long time more like wink.gif The furtherst to the east EI fly is to Athens. They're scaling back their european operations into a LCC while slashing down prices for the transatlantic sectors. EI could do well in HKG with a help from CX as a feeder carrier, or SIN with its QF network; but KUL??? If DUB were to get a KUL connection, it's more likely to see MH's own service; perhaps a tag-on on ZRH flights?

 

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while we will come back with proposals for Finnair to extend the services to KLIA via Bangkok. Their planes have ample idle time in Bangkok,†he said.

Finnair is serious about their Asian expansion, for a relatively small airline they fly to NRT/KIX/NGO/PEK/PVG/HKG/CAN/BKK/SIN.... That's quite a line-up! smile.gif KUL would fit nicely into their network, our corner of the world is very popular with Nordic vacationers.

 

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Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines will increase its frequency to KLIA to three times scheduled weekly flights from twice weekly on the growing popularity of the Malaysian market among West Asian travellers.

The problem with Saudi Arabian is that they have to rely largely on O&D traffic. There's just as much demand between Saudi and Malaysia as it is between UAE/Qatar/Bahrain etc and yet we have daily service from KUL on EK, QR & GF compared to a measly 2x weekly on SV. These gulf carriers take pride on their efficient hubs linking East & West, something that SV / Saudi airports are lacking.

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From today's The Star:

 

British carriers keen on M’sia

 

BY B.K. SIDHU IN COPENHAGEN

 

THREE British carriers - British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic and British Midlands - have Malaysia on their radar screens but the issue that is holding them back is yields.

 

Yield is a term the airlines use to measure the revenue per-customer-per-km flown. 

 

While the British carriers are still crunching their numbers, they acknowledge that Malaysia has huge potential since it records high passenger volumes on the KL-Britain sector, Royal Khmer Airlines is set to enter the Malaysian market this year.

 

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shangdong Airlines and Aer Lingus would be making their way to KL International Airport (KLIA) next year. 

 

Etihad is planning a three to four times weekly flight but its plans are dependent on how fast they can mobilise their aircraft. 

 

“We can say about four new airlines would fly to KLIA next year even though many others have indicated interest,” MAHB senior manager, marketing, Mohamed Sallaud-din Mat Sah said. 

 

With Cambodia's Khmer, KLIA can expect three more new airlines this year, including India’s Air Sahara, Medan’s Top Air and Russia’s Transaero. 

 

As at Septem-ber, five new carriers made their way to KLIA - Shenzhen Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, India’s Jet Airways and last week’s AirAsia’s Indonesian unit, PT AWAir. 

 

Sallauddin told reporters in Copenhagen at the end of the Routes 2005 forum that MAHB met up with executives from 28 airlines and “Aer Lingus was keen to fly to KLIA” but they were trying to look at their aircraft availability issue first. 

 

“Aer Lingus is most convinced that Malaysia has its attractiveness,” he said. 

 

Finnair, which currently flies to Bangkok from Finland, is trying to work out a schedule to include KLIA on its routing. 

 

Sallauddin said Saudi Arabian Airlines would also be increasing its flight frequency from twice weekly to three times by next year for its Jeddah-KL flights. It would also maintain the nine-weekly flights during the Arab summer, from June to August. 

 

Meanwhile, yields on Britain-Malaysia market are competitive as many carriers are plying the route either direct or via European destinations. 

 

BA pulled out of the Malaysian route in 2001 alongside Lufthansa and Qantas, but Lufthansa has since returned. 

 

Virgin Atlantic has a code-share agreement with Malaysia Airlines which is coming up for review at the end of the year. If that is not renewed, Virgin may consider flying direct to KLIA. 

 

Sallauddin said British Midlands had requested to meet MAHB officials at the Routes 2005 forum. 

 

“They (British Midlands) were very exploratory in nature. They asked for some data; they may just be assessing the market,” he said. 

 

As for BA, Sallauddin and MAHB managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad met its executives during Routes 2005 and “they (BA) are closely monitoring the route and time will tell when they would fly again to KLIA”. 

 

Some 345 million travellers ply the Britain-Malaysia route a year, Sallauddin said, adding that about 250 million flew directly from Britain. 

 

Although discussions to get more carriers to fly to Malaysia were encouraging, he said MAHB may next year plan a rebranding exercise to further strengthen its position. 

 

 

 

The 345 million and 250 million figure definitely has to be a typo error. Don't they cross check their figures before publishing ?

 

 

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345 million??? are they counting the ants that may sneak onto the aircraft??? holy crap! that is one huge mistake... and she made it twice!! OMG... it kinda of weakens the statement of the article...

 

simply shocking...

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345 million??? are they counting the ants that may sneak onto the aircraft??? holy crap! that is one huge mistake... and she made it twice!!  OMG... it kinda of weakens the statement of the article... 

 

simply shocking...

8700[/snapback]

 

If it was really so, then MH, BA and the likes would have to ply more than the current 18 weekly services to accommodate such a massive figure.

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An article from The Star...

 

British carriers keen on M’sia

 

BY B.K. SIDHU IN COPENHAGEN

 

THREE British carriers - British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic and British Midlands - have Malaysia on their radar screens but the issue that is holding them back is yields.

 

Yield is a term the airlines use to measure the revenue per-customer-per-km flown.

 

While the British carriers are still crunching their numbers, they acknowledge that Malaysia has huge potential since it records high passenger volumes on the KL-Britain sector, Royal Khmer Airlines is set to enter the Malaysian market this year.

 

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shangdong Airlines and Aer Lingus would be making their way to KL International Airport (KLIA) next year.

 

Etihad is planning a three to four times weekly flight but its plans are dependent on how fast they can mobilise their aircraft.

 

“We can say about four new airlines would fly to KLIA next year even though many others have indicated interest,†MAHB senior manager, marketing, Mohamed Sallaud-din Mat Sah said.

 

With Cambodia's Khmer, KLIA can expect three more new airlines this year, including India’s Air Sahara, Medan’s Top Air and Russia’s Transaero.

 

As at Septem-ber, five new carriers made their way to KLIA - Shenzhen Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, India’s Jet Airways and last week’s AirAsia’s Indonesian unit, PT AWAir.

 

Sallauddin told reporters in Copenhagen at the end of the Routes 2005 forum that MAHB met up with executives from 28 airlines and “Aer Lingus was keen to fly to KLIA†but they were trying to look at their aircraft availability issue first.

 

“Aer Lingus is most convinced that Malaysia has its attractiveness,†he said.

 

Finnair, which currently flies to Bangkok from Finland, is trying to work out a schedule to include KLIA on its routing.

 

Sallauddin said Saudi Arabian Airlines would also be increasing its flight frequency from twice weekly to three times by next year for its Jeddah-KL flights. It would also maintain the nine-weekly flights during the Arab summer, from June to August.

 

Meanwhile, yields on Britain-Malaysia market are competitive as many carriers are plying the route either direct or via European destinations.

 

BA pulled out of the Malaysian route in 2001 alongside Lufthansa and Qantas, but Lufthansa has since returned.

 

Virgin Atlantic has a code-share agreement with Malaysia Airlines which is coming up for review at the end of the year. If that is not renewed, Virgin may consider flying direct to KLIA.

 

Sallauddin said British Midlands had requested to meet MAHB officials at the Routes 2005 forum.

 

“They (British Midlands) were very exploratory in nature. They asked for some data; they may just be assessing the market,†he said.

 

As for BA, Sallauddin and MAHB managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad met its executives during Routes 2005 and “they (BA) are closely monitoring the route and time will tell when they would fly again to KLIAâ€.

 

Some 345 million travellers ply the Britain-Malaysia route a year, Sallauddin said, adding that about 250 million flew directly from Britain.

 

Although discussions to get more carriers to fly to Malaysia were encouraging, he said MAHB may next year plan a rebranding exercise to further strengthen its position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not only the figures, I don't understand why they don't know the difference between Air Nepal International and Royal Nepal Airlines !!!!!!

 

 

BA to KUL sounds interesting, but stale news since they always say that, more so now it has become a tagline of BA to MAHB!!!! With QF behind them, all the more its impossible besides the yield issue!!!

 

 

Let's wait and see how many of the mentioned airlines actually fly into KUL as a result of this conference. SHANGHAI, SHANDONG and perhaps ETIHAD; a slight chance of FINNAIR also....but the others, I doubt it!!!!!

 

 

tongue.gif tongue.gif tongue.gif

 

 

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Wow KLIA seems to be shaping up to fulfill her goal of becoming a regional hub. smile.gif

 

I have a feeling that VS might use KUL as a stopover for a service to MEL. They've been talking about starting a service to MEL for ages, after inaugurating LHR-HKG-SYD. Loads have been extremely strong, however HKG is not going to give a British carrier extra slots unless CX gets fifth freedom rights out of LHR to the US. SIN is out of the question as it would run into direct competition with SQ. The BA services to MEL are surprisingly packed, despite BA's numerous threats to drop its services to Australia if its JSA with QF is not renewed. They may have a problem filling up their Upper Class though, as the premium market to MEL isn't the strongest. It's one of the destinations to which BA deploys its 744 with 38 club world seats instead of 70. sad.gif

 

BD starting a service to KUL... now that could be interesting. My last few experiences with them were not pleasant, to say the least. But now people with addresses in Malaysia can join diamond club and take advantage of the ease of getting status on DC. smile.gif DC always has had strict residency requirements, which is a pity since it's a rather attractive program with generous mileage accrual rates, especially if you're flying in F/J. Best thing is you can achieve and retain DC Gold without flying on BD altogether (Star Alliance carriers have no 'min sector' requirement)! Those with oneworld and FT statuses can also get a status match - DC is desperate for premium tier members after losing most of them when BD turned into an LCC intra-Europe, even removing business class.

Edited by Keith T

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From today's The Star:

The 345 million and 250 million figure definitely has to be a typo error. Don't they cross check their figures before publishing ?

8699[/snapback]

 

Ok a bit blur here....why is it an error?

 

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....Aer Lingus would be making their way to KL International Airport (KLIA) next year.

8702[/snapback]

then in the same article...

“Aer Lingus was keen to fly to KLIA†but they were trying to look at their aircraft availability issue first. 

 

“Aer Lingus is most convinced that Malaysia has its attractiveness,†he said. 

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Sounds like the all-too-familiar bad reporting when it comes to aviation. "Keen on flying to KUL but we have issues" and "starting in 2006" just doesn't add up dry.gif. They should send one of Malaysianwings reporters to follow Malaysian delegation for a better write-up tongue.gif

 

BMI considering KUL? Now that they've expanded to Saudi Arabia after BA left, i guess anything is possible. Anyhow, with BD in Star Alliance, I don't see much insentives for them to fly to KUL anyway because SQ/TG is nearby. Their longest route is now MAN-LAS on A332, so if they're really serious about KUL they'd better find new planes. My prediction = not gonna happen.

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Ok a bit blur here....why is it an error?

8708[/snapback]

 

err... how is it possible that 345 "MILLION" people fly between LHR and KUL IN A SINGLE YEAR!!!! Considering KLIA only handling 23 million a year, and 345 MILLION represents approximately 1/18th of the worlds population, its highly unlikey!!!!! don't forget MAS only has 18 weekly flights..

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err... how is it possible that 345 "MILLION" people fly between LHR and KUL IN A SINGLE YEAR!!!!  Considering KLIA only handling 23 million a year, and 345 MILLION represents approximately 1/18th of the worlds population, its highly unlikey!!!!!  don't forget MAS only has 18 weekly flights..

8710[/snapback]

 

That's exactly what I was trying to point out.

 

And I think Eugene posted the same article as mine. biggrin.gif

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Wokay. I'm getting older so the significance of the figures did not hit me directly earlier. laugh.gif

Edited by H Azmal

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then in the same article...

 

Sounds like the all-too-familiar bad reporting when it comes to aviation. "Keen on flying to KUL but we have issues" and "starting in 2006" just doesn't add up dry.gif. They should send one of Malaysianwings reporters to follow Malaysian delegation for a better write-up tongue.gif

 

BMI considering KUL? Now that they've expanded to Saudi Arabia after BA left, i guess anything is possible. Anyhow, with BD in Star Alliance, I don't see much insentives for them to fly to KUL anyway because SQ/TG is nearby. Their longest route is now MAN-LAS on A332, so if they're really serious about KUL they'd better find new planes. My prediction = not gonna happen.

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Given that what's in EI's long haul fleet at the moment is 333s and 332s, I think they will have to come up with new a/c real quick to commence operations to KUL. Unless they're stopping off midpoint b4 continuing to KUL.

 

BD flying to KUL is a possibility to consolidate the *A presence in South East Asia. They could even codeshare on SQ services to SIN, or TG services to BKK from KUL. By flying to KUL over SIN or BKK, they'd avoid direct competition with TG and SQ. Still kinda far fetched, but could happen.

 

However I think VS would be the most likely UK carrier to commence operations to KUL given that they already have a codeshare presence, and they need a midpoint hub for a service to MEL.

Edited by Keith T

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Id like to think we are talking substance here but are these a round of rumours again about new carriers flying into KUL, like previously which never took off ?

 

Oh by the way, MAS has decided to put on hold plans to fly to COCHIN and AMRITSAR but will add 3x flight ot DEL making it a daily connection between KUL and DEL. With this, MAS flies daily to DEL, BOM, MAA and thrice weekly to CCU,HYD, BLR and AMD. Lets hope they all survive with possible growth!!!!!

 

biggrin.gif

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after inaugurating LHR-HKG-SYD. Loads have been extremely strong,

8706[/snapback]

As far as i know, the load between HKG & SYD isn't good. The LHR/HKG sector vv however is doing great.

 

They may have a problem filling up their Upper Class though, as the premium market to MEL isn't the strongest. It's one of the destinations to which BA deploys its 744 with 38 club world seats instead of 70. sad.gif

8706[/snapback]

 

If i'm not mistaken, BA is also using the 744 with 38 NCW seats for their SIN/SYD flights while the BKK/SYD is with the 70 NCW seats 744.

 

BD starting a service to KUL... now that could be interesting. My last few experiences with them were not pleasant, to say the least.

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What even worse now is BD charging for alchoholic drinks in EY on all flights. Beside, the airline is still in red & they do not have a suitable aircraft to perform a non-stop flight from any Briton cities to KUL.

 

 

I have no idea how big the impact will be for MH if VS decided it's time for them to fly between LHR/KUL using their own planes but i really hope to see their 346 here in the near future smile.gif Their 343 or 744 would be good too.

Edited by Isaac

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I think between VS and BA..its gonna be most likely VS...BA has always seemed to find it hard to get some good yield...but its not gonna really affect MH on the KUL-LHR sector...MH is well known for tht sector..everyone loves to fly to tht sector...the flights are always full and the only reason ppl would take SQ or TG is coz MH flghts are overbooked...anyway in Ethihad's case..theres a strong possibility...coz Etihad always had KUL on their plans since they started off..one of the reasons they were getting some Malaysian Cabin Crew too...and besides tht.....Finnair has good chances too..considering the fact that S.E Asia is still relatively not too well connected with Scandivinian countries....

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Didn't Finnair use to fly to KUL (or SZB at least)? And they flew to PEN too right? Do they still?

Edited by H Azmal

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everyone loves to fly to tht sector...the flights are always full and the only reason ppl would take SQ or TG is coz MH flghts are overbooked...

8773[/snapback]

 

Hehe, that's not entirely true, Sanjay. May be only TG, but SQ, mainly because many Malaysians like them & their fares are generally lower than MAS.

 

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As far as i know, the load between HKG & SYD isn't good. The LHR/HKG sector vv however is doing great.

If i'm not mistaken, BA is also using the 744 with 38 NCW seats for their SIN/SYD flights while the BKK/SYD is with the 70 NCW seats 744.

What even worse now is BD charging for alchoholic drinks in EY on all flights. Beside, the airline is still in red & they do not have a suitable aircraft to perform a non-stop flight from any Briton cities to KUL.

I have no idea how big the impact will be for MH if VS decided it's time for them to fly between LHR/KUL using their own planes but i really hope to see their 346 here in the near future  smile.gif  Their 343 or 744 would be good too.

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There are lots of SYD-HKG, HKG-LHR one segment pax on VS. Friends have reported finding it hard to get a through SYD-LHR ticket.

 

BA is using the 744 with 70 NCW seats for their LHR-SIN-SYD flights. I know as I'm booked on flight BA15 in Jan. smile.gif

Edited by Keith T

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Friends have reported finding it hard to get a through SYD-LHR ticket.

8791[/snapback]

Exactly as i heard. The HKG/LHR sector is just always full. I had also heard the loads on VS HKG/SYD sector were around 30%-40% only in the past few months.

 

BA is using the 744 with 70 NCW seats for their LHR-SIN-SYD flights. I know as I'm booked on flight BA15 in Jan. smile.gif

8791[/snapback]

Ops, sorry. Then i think it's the LHR-BKK-SYD-BKK-LHR flgiht that they are using the 744 with less NCW seats.

 

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Guest Fendy
finnair used to fly charter flights to PEN and SZB

8807[/snapback]

dont forget LGK!

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