Full Version: Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia
Good idea, let AirAsia handle domestic and ASEAN flights and MAS handle the International flights.
Bad news for MAS travellers, MAS raising fares again on 1st Jan 2006. Who will fly MAS now?? This time it affects all including economy class. I'd rather fly Thai Airways or SIA now even though have to transit. At least I'll save a few hundred!!
(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Airline System Bhd. Chairman Munir Majid has denied allegations that he abused his position for ``self-gratification,'' saying the carrier's purchase of three paintings was an investment decision.
Malaysian lawmakers told parliament that the purchase of paintings by Colombia's Fernando Botero for 1.5 million ringgit ($397,000) and other excesses may have contributed to losses at the airline. Senator Syed Ali Alhabshee yesterday called for Munir to resign, the Malay Mail newspaper reported today.
``These allegations are not true,'' Munir said today in a statement. ``The insinuations made from these allegations are defamatory of me and clearly intended to destroy my reputation in the eyes of the public.''
Malaysian Airline blamed higher fuel costs for its second quarterly loss in the three months ended September. The carrier this month hired a former oil company executive, Idris Jala, as managing director to help it cut costs and boost traffic.
Munir said the carrier decided to buy the three paintings in December 2004, before reporting two successive declines in quarterly profit.
``The imputation that the investment in three works of art was for the chairman's self-gratification, again at a time of financial distress, is another lie,'' the 57-year-old chairman said. ``They are assets of the company. They do not hang in the chairman's office, as has been alleged.''
Munir also rejected claims that he had his office renovated without regard for the company's financial position, saying the decision was made ``before my time.''
``To suggest that I ordered the renovations, at a time of financial distress, and to the chairman's office alone is a falsehood, which intentionally disregards the facts,'' he said.
A former journalist, Munir, who was chairman of Malaysia's Securities Commission from 1993 to 1999 and was appointed chairman of the carrier on Aug. 1, 2004, also denied he flew for free on the airline.
Malaysian Airline's net income fell to 367.7 million ringgit in the three months ended September, from 132.7 million ringgit a year earlier.
Malaysian lawmakers told parliament that the purchase of paintings by Colombia's Fernando Botero for 1.5 million ringgit ($397,000) and other excesses may have contributed to losses at the airline. Senator Syed Ali Alhabshee yesterday called for Munir to resign, the Malay Mail newspaper reported today.
``These allegations are not true,'' Munir said today in a statement. ``The insinuations made from these allegations are defamatory of me and clearly intended to destroy my reputation in the eyes of the public.''
Malaysian Airline blamed higher fuel costs for its second quarterly loss in the three months ended September. The carrier this month hired a former oil company executive, Idris Jala, as managing director to help it cut costs and boost traffic.
Munir said the carrier decided to buy the three paintings in December 2004, before reporting two successive declines in quarterly profit.
``The imputation that the investment in three works of art was for the chairman's self-gratification, again at a time of financial distress, is another lie,'' the 57-year-old chairman said. ``They are assets of the company. They do not hang in the chairman's office, as has been alleged.''
Munir also rejected claims that he had his office renovated without regard for the company's financial position, saying the decision was made ``before my time.''
``To suggest that I ordered the renovations, at a time of financial distress, and to the chairman's office alone is a falsehood, which intentionally disregards the facts,'' he said.
A former journalist, Munir, who was chairman of Malaysia's Securities Commission from 1993 to 1999 and was appointed chairman of the carrier on Aug. 1, 2004, also denied he flew for free on the airline.
Malaysian Airline's net income fell to 367.7 million ringgit in the three months ended September, from 132.7 million ringgit a year earlier.
What was Munir Majid thinking buying those 3 pictures for RM1.55? 
For all the shenannigans going on at the top, the MAS airlines cabin crew themselves are doing a great job despite meagre perks compared to SIA.
Funny how the better AirAsia gets, the worse MAS seems to be.
I hope AirAsia launches the Laos and Myanmar flights sometime next year.
For all the shenannigans going on at the top, the MAS airlines cabin crew themselves are doing a great job despite meagre perks compared to SIA.
Funny how the better AirAsia gets, the worse MAS seems to be.
I hope AirAsia launches the Laos and Myanmar flights sometime next year.
QUOTE (malaccan @ Dec 24 2005, 01:39 AM)
What was Munir Majid thinking buying those 3 pictures for RM1.55?
Maybe he thought it was a good investment. QUOTE
Art lovers laud MAS’ purchase of paintings
BY VERONICA SHUNMUGAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines’ purchase of three paintings for RM1.55mil have drawn flak from the Dewan Negara and the public but those in the art scene say it may actually reflect sound business sense and be good for the company’s cultural image.
Apart from building a love for the arts, they say, banks, hotels, universities and even hospitals do collect art pieces as investments.
“Artwork is an asset, not a liability. In fact, certain pieces serve as investments that usually appreciate in value,” said the manager of a top regional private gallery.
MAS’ purchase of two paintings by Fernando Botero and one by Sophia Vari became a hot topic in the Dewan Negara on Tuesday.
Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee urged MAS chairman Datuk Dr Munir Majid to resign on Thursday and the Senators Club called for an independent commission to investigate alleged irregularities in MAS.
On Friday, Dr Munir denied allegations made in several poison-pen letters about him and his conduct as MAS chairman.
According to people in the art scene, MAS – like other parties such as Bank Negara, Maybank and Petronas – ranks highly as a patron of the arts.
It has bought many Malaysian artwork over the years and flown local artists and their works to exhibitions overseas for free.
In fact, two veteran artists have called on it to continue backing local talents.
“We should credit MAS for having supported local visual artists for many years. MAS should expand its role in promoting local artists and their works overseas,” says national art laureate and former National Art Gallery director Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal.
Dr Jolly Koh said any national corporate body would want to have its country’s top artists give it a cultural face beyond that of a “money-grabbing machine.”
“When corporations buy the works of young artists, it could be claimed that they are supporting art. But when they buy from top senior artists, it is the artist and the artwork that give prestige to the corporations,” he added.
BY VERONICA SHUNMUGAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines’ purchase of three paintings for RM1.55mil have drawn flak from the Dewan Negara and the public but those in the art scene say it may actually reflect sound business sense and be good for the company’s cultural image.
Apart from building a love for the arts, they say, banks, hotels, universities and even hospitals do collect art pieces as investments.
“Artwork is an asset, not a liability. In fact, certain pieces serve as investments that usually appreciate in value,” said the manager of a top regional private gallery.
MAS’ purchase of two paintings by Fernando Botero and one by Sophia Vari became a hot topic in the Dewan Negara on Tuesday.
Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee urged MAS chairman Datuk Dr Munir Majid to resign on Thursday and the Senators Club called for an independent commission to investigate alleged irregularities in MAS.
On Friday, Dr Munir denied allegations made in several poison-pen letters about him and his conduct as MAS chairman.
According to people in the art scene, MAS – like other parties such as Bank Negara, Maybank and Petronas – ranks highly as a patron of the arts.
It has bought many Malaysian artwork over the years and flown local artists and their works to exhibitions overseas for free.
In fact, two veteran artists have called on it to continue backing local talents.
“We should credit MAS for having supported local visual artists for many years. MAS should expand its role in promoting local artists and their works overseas,” says national art laureate and former National Art Gallery director Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal.
Dr Jolly Koh said any national corporate body would want to have its country’s top artists give it a cultural face beyond that of a “money-grabbing machine.”
“When corporations buy the works of young artists, it could be claimed that they are supporting art. But when they buy from top senior artists, it is the artist and the artwork that give prestige to the corporations,” he added.
Now they planning to sell the MAS headquarters near jalan sultan ismail....
The new AirAsia plane with MU livery.
The new AirAsia plane with MU livery.
QUOTE (malaccan @ Jan 17 2006, 04:11 PM)
Now they planning to sell the MAS headquarters near jalan sultan ismail....
The new AirAsia plane with MU livery.
The new AirAsia plane with MU livery.
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!
I would choose MAS over any other international airlines.
Good service,speak my language,feel like I'm at home,not foreign and halal food.
Good service,speak my language,feel like I'm at home,not foreign and halal food.
^I always fly MAS whenever possible, especially when I know my travel dates in advance. Otherwise it's either KLM direct to KL, BA via Singapore or Bangkok or SIA. Used to fly Thai before, but not so much now. Last week I flew Air France to Bangkok then AirAsia to KL.Why? Cos theirs was the cheapest fare. The great thing about flying these foreign airlines is that if we request for halal food, we get served first before the other passengers. 
Absolutely agree with what you said regarding Malaysia Airlines feeling like home. The moment I step onto the plane at Heathrow, I feel like I'm already back in Malaysia. You can't buy that kind of feeling.
Absolutely agree with what you said regarding Malaysia Airlines feeling like home. The moment I step onto the plane at Heathrow, I feel like I'm already back in Malaysia. You can't buy that kind of feeling.
I should try MAS one day..I only fly using Emirates because MAS only operates in Frankfurt. 
(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Airline System Bhd., the country's largest airline, will raise its fuel surcharge on flights to Asian routes by almost three times on rising fuel costs. It will also impose a new fee for ticketing costs.
The surcharge on flights to South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives will rise to $50 from $18 and the levy on flights from these areas to Malaysia will rise to $50 from $20, the airline said today in a faxed statement in Kuala Lumpur. The rates take effect Feb. 1.
``Fuel cost continues to remain as the single largest expense item for all carriers,'' Malaysia Air said. The higher surcharges and new fee are ``in line with industry practices'' and will help the airline ``remain competitive,'' it said.
The airline, which raised fuel surcharges five times last year to cover higher fuel expenses, is seeking to cut costs and raise funds to return to profit. It reported a loss of 367.7 million ringgit in the three months ended Sept. 30, blaming higher fuel prices.
The surcharge on flights to China, Hong Kong and Korea will also be raised to $50 from $18, while the surcharge on flights from China to Malaysia will remain at $20, Malaysian Air said.
The airline will introduce for the first time an administrative charge for issuing international tickets from Feb. 1, to cover ticketing and related costs, it said. It will also raise insurance charges for international flights.
Jet fuel in Singapore surged 49 percent in 2005 from a year earlier, according to oil-pricing service Platts. It has risen 7.8 percent so far this year to $77.44 a barrel on Jan. 19.
Higher jet fuel prices may have caused the global airline industry to post combined losses of $7.4 billion last year, while fuel bills may rise 54 percent to $97 billion, the International Air Transport Association has said.
The surcharge on flights to South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives will rise to $50 from $18 and the levy on flights from these areas to Malaysia will rise to $50 from $20, the airline said today in a faxed statement in Kuala Lumpur. The rates take effect Feb. 1.
``Fuel cost continues to remain as the single largest expense item for all carriers,'' Malaysia Air said. The higher surcharges and new fee are ``in line with industry practices'' and will help the airline ``remain competitive,'' it said.
The airline, which raised fuel surcharges five times last year to cover higher fuel expenses, is seeking to cut costs and raise funds to return to profit. It reported a loss of 367.7 million ringgit in the three months ended Sept. 30, blaming higher fuel prices.
The surcharge on flights to China, Hong Kong and Korea will also be raised to $50 from $18, while the surcharge on flights from China to Malaysia will remain at $20, Malaysian Air said.
The airline will introduce for the first time an administrative charge for issuing international tickets from Feb. 1, to cover ticketing and related costs, it said. It will also raise insurance charges for international flights.
Jet fuel in Singapore surged 49 percent in 2005 from a year earlier, according to oil-pricing service Platts. It has risen 7.8 percent so far this year to $77.44 a barrel on Jan. 19.
Higher jet fuel prices may have caused the global airline industry to post combined losses of $7.4 billion last year, while fuel bills may rise 54 percent to $97 billion, the International Air Transport Association has said.
Malaysian airlines was great, plenty of movies to watch and video games to play on the long flight, not to mention good food and dessert. Friendly staff and good price.
And of course it was entertaining to see the nice Indian steward getting unknowingly hit on by a typical gay chinese steward who was constantly touching his @$$ half the time.
And of course it was entertaining to see the nice Indian steward getting unknowingly hit on by a typical gay chinese steward who was constantly touching his @$$ half the time.
Indeed. 
It's really depressing reading the news about MAS nowadays. The stewardesses are first class, but management suxx.
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
yes, management sucks. once in klia, i was waiting for my flight to kk which was supposed to leave at 7.10pm. i was waiting at the departure gate. however at 7.00pm we were still not called to board. they never said anything. then at 7.20! they made an announcement saying that the flight was gonna be delayed! like 
.
they should at least announce it earlier, at least keep us informed, rather than in the dark. this aint 5 star service at all.
. they should at least announce it earlier, at least keep us informed, rather than in the dark. this aint 5 star service at all.
QUOTE (malaccan @ Feb 27 2006, 07:00 PM)
It's really depressing reading the news about MAS nowadays. The stewardesses are first class, but management suxx.
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
yes stewardess are hot. air asia stewardess also look sizzling
. but not sure about their service.what is LCC?
QUOTE (pancaindera @ Feb 27 2006, 06:37 PM)
yes stewardess are hot. air asia stewardess also look sizzling . but not sure about their service.
what is LCC?
. but not sure about their service.what is LCC?
When I said the stewardesses ar first class, I was referring to their services, not good looks.
LCC=Low cost carrier
^ oops. 
. my bad... 2
. my bad... 2
Idris Jala said the MAS will make RM50 mill. profit next year and RM500 mill. in 2008...
From yesterday's The Star,
MAS-Air France meeting on SkyTeam
Star Alliance is out cos both Thai and Singapore Airlines are already in it.
OneWorld can't be totally discounted, cos Cathay Pacific's the only Asian carrier. But BA and Qantas particularly, are already deeply rooted in Singapore. and won't be too keen on having MAS onboard.
So indeed the best bet would appear to be Skyteam, especially given that it's coverage of southeast Asia is very poor and that it only has Korean Airlines as its Asian partner. Add to that MAS' strong co-operation with KLM and we potentially have a winner. The stumbling block is seemingly Air France, which is rumoured to have opposed MAS' entry before this. Which can't be surprising given MH's poor financial position these last few years.
Hopefully we'll see the wau emblem joining this line-up in the not-too-distant future.
Fingers crossed.
MAS-Air France meeting on SkyTeam
Star Alliance is out cos both Thai and Singapore Airlines are already in it.
OneWorld can't be totally discounted, cos Cathay Pacific's the only Asian carrier. But BA and Qantas particularly, are already deeply rooted in Singapore. and won't be too keen on having MAS onboard.
So indeed the best bet would appear to be Skyteam, especially given that it's coverage of southeast Asia is very poor and that it only has Korean Airlines as its Asian partner. Add to that MAS' strong co-operation with KLM and we potentially have a winner. The stumbling block is seemingly Air France, which is rumoured to have opposed MAS' entry before this. Which can't be surprising given MH's poor financial position these last few years.
Hopefully we'll see the wau emblem joining this line-up in the not-too-distant future.
QUOTE
MAS managing director Idris Jala said part of the route rationalisation plan for Europe involved focusing on four trunk lines - London, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome - instead of point-to-point routes.
Fingers crossed.
Three international routes that will be stop, KLIA-Langkawi-London, KLIA-Bayan Lepas-London and KLIA-Kuching-Paris, are recording RM70 Mill loss every year.. And yet, the state gov. protest about it..
KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will implement the first phase of its route rationalisation programme from March 26.
In a statement Friday, the national carrier said the first phase will involve rationalisation of the following existing frequencies:
* Twice weekly London-Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur B747 one way flights;
* Twice weekly London-Penang-Kuala Lumpur B747 one way flights;
* Twice weekly Sydney-Kuching-Kuala Lumpur B777 one way flights; and
* Twice weekly Kuala Lumpur-Kuching-Perth A330 return flights.
From March 26, these long haul flights will be realigned to operate direct between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the cities of London, Sydney and Perth.
In addition, the current thrice-weekly Kuching-Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt B777 return flights will be operated Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt return from the same date.
MAS will use its existing Malaysian domestic services between KLIA and Langkawi, Penang and Kuching to provide immediate connections for the realigned long haul international flights.
This rationalisation is part of the national airline's business turnaround plan to refocus from a largely point-to-point carrier to a world-class connecting carrier with a major hub in KLIA.
Given the existing market realities, MAS said its flight operations will gradually shift from point-to-point network to a "hub and spoke" network, thus increasing its competitiveness to connect as many core markets as possible in Malaysia and internationally.
The airline released its business turnaround plan on Feb 27 this year which is aimed at achieving sustained profitability by going beyond expectations in five thrusts -- flying to win customers, mastering operational excellence, financing and aligning the business on profit and loss, unleashing talents and capabilities, and winning coalitions.
MAS currently operates the following weekly international frequencies -- Kuala Lumpur-London with 18 flights; Kuala Lumpur-Perth with 9 flights; Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt with 7 flights; and Kuala Lumpur-Sydney with 14 flights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cash flow plan
MAS' cash balance as of December 2005 stood at RM1.18bil. In order to prevent it reaching critical levels, which could potentially happen as soon as April 2006, a number of survival measures have been identified, and they include:,
·Delaying or banning discretionary expenses and capital expenditure
·Daily monitoring of cash balances by the CEO via the Control Tower method, which sees a report submitted at 5pm daily
·Disposal of non-core assets, expected to raise between RM800mil and RM1bil
·Sale and leaseback of aircraft and engines, expected to raise RM800mil
·Short-term borrowings of RM1bil
·Medium- to long-term borrowings of RM2bil, currently being negotiated with the Government
Since January 2006, MAS has secured about RM540mil from a number of initiatives, including the recent Travel Fair (RM158mil), the imposition of administration fees (RM150mil to RM200mil), charges for excess baggage (RM80mil per annum), tactical pricing (RM80mil per annum) and the imposition of fuel surcharges (RM30mil per annum).
Recently, MAS introduced an incentive bonus for its check-in staff. For every RM28mil of excess baggage charges collected, RM6mil will be paid to employees.
This approach has garnered an immediate payoff for both parties – since its announcement in December last year, collection of excess baggage charges increased by 300%.
According to Idris Jala, MAS managing director, the rationale for this approach was that the added weight would translate into higher fuel costs for heavier planes. Conversely, the current approach ensures lower fuel charges in addition to the added revenue from collection.
The profit turnaround plan
MAS' forecast loss of RM620mil for this year would constitute a hefty improvement of RM1.1bil, achieved through both revenue yield improvement (RM710mil) and cost improvement (RM370mil).
If all goes well, 2007 should see the company back in the black to the tune of RM50mil, while the following year uses that mark as a foundation to aspire to reach the lofty heights of RM500mil in profit.
There are a number of ways in which this can be achieved. According to MAS, every improvement of 1% in its passenger load factor translates into RM120mil in revenue. In addition, every 1 sen increase in revenue per kilometre nets MAS an additional RM50mil.
At an assumed price of US$83 per barrel of jet fuel, MAS has hedged 60% of its fuel requirements for the current financial year.
The plan identifies 10 initiatives:
·Budgeted expenditure to be cut by 20%
·Network to be reviewed, with unprofitable routes terminated
·Station costs reduced
·Corporate sponsorship ceased
·Discretionary staff trading suspended
·Capital expenditure postponed
·Recruitment of non-essential staff ceased
·Action to be taken on malpractices brought to late under the newly-implemented whistle-blower policy
·Non-performing suppliers removed
·Domestic operations restructured
With regard to its network, MAS has opted to shift from a point-to-point (direct route) network towards a hub-and-spoke (connecting) network, thereby allowing it to intensify flight frequencies on chosen trunk routes.
This process will entail:
·Route profitability analysis – focused on bottom-line, MAS will not fly where it cannot make money
·Route turnaround initiatives
·Hub-and-spoke connecting network through code-share or alliance partnerships
·Government assistance
·Termination of certain routes
As outlined by the company, its plans for the near future are to cut all flights via secondary Malaysian hubs. Within the next three to six months, further routes will be cut following an extensive route profitability analysis. Within the next 6 to 12 months, the hub-and-spoke strategy will be applied.
This approach leaves the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as the only long-haul hub for MAS, implying that it's the end of the tarmac for secondary hubs such as Langkawi and Penang. As AmResearch points out, this would be bad news for Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
As for the domestic sector, MAS plans to take over the profit and loss statement from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd from January next year. This plan, currently pending approval from the Government, is dependent on three conditions:
·MAS has the same freedom as AirAsia to determine destinations, schedules and fares for its routes, and consequently the size of its network, fleet choice and seat configuration
·The Government provides MAS with a free hand to restructure its business, with restructuring costs paid for by the Government
·The Government continues to provide financial support for rural air services and any other social routes that they mandate
Other steps that the company has taken include the hiring of Bernard Frances, former regional director of route revenue at AirAsia, relocating its headquarters from Jalan Sultan Ismail to Subang and KLIA, and imposing an administration fee as well as a cargo fuel surcharge.
MAS also intends to reposition itself towards its target market, as there are too few premium business travellers to commercially justify MAS' current fleet structure. Given that it is mainly leisure-focused travellers that make their way to Malaysia, the carrier will decrease its premium cabin size and shift the fleet towards smaller, more efficient aircraft.
In addition, it has identified inefficiencies in its 20-year old passenger reservation system, called KOMMAS, which will be replaced within two years.
The people plan
The four broad areas under this plan's ambit include LATT (leadership, accountability, teamwork and transparency), rewards and recognition, career progression and development, and leveraging capabilities.
There are also 10 initiatives under this plan:
·Salaries have been increased by 3% to 5% following an agreement with the union. Furthermore, an additional increase of 3% to 5% per employee is on the cards should MAS achieve a net profit of RM200mil next year and RM300mil in 2008. AmResearch notes that the managements own forecasts indicate that the soonest its employees will be receiving this increment is in 2008.
·Each employee receives a goodwill payment of RM1,000 to signify the start of the new regime.
·Confirmed ID90 travels between March and June for staff.
·Opportunities for staff to innovate will be introduced.
·Ground handling staff will be rewarded for excess baggage and penalised for mishandled baggage.
·Whistle-blower policy, performance management systems and staff intranet systems to be launched.
·Hospitalisation benefits to be improved.
·Employees' share option scheme (ESOS) to be introduced.
·Bonus payment via performance management system linked to net profit
·Succession planning and staff development launched.
Sources: MAS, AmResearch
In a statement Friday, the national carrier said the first phase will involve rationalisation of the following existing frequencies:
* Twice weekly London-Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur B747 one way flights;
* Twice weekly London-Penang-Kuala Lumpur B747 one way flights;
* Twice weekly Sydney-Kuching-Kuala Lumpur B777 one way flights; and
* Twice weekly Kuala Lumpur-Kuching-Perth A330 return flights.
From March 26, these long haul flights will be realigned to operate direct between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the cities of London, Sydney and Perth.
In addition, the current thrice-weekly Kuching-Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt B777 return flights will be operated Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt return from the same date.
MAS will use its existing Malaysian domestic services between KLIA and Langkawi, Penang and Kuching to provide immediate connections for the realigned long haul international flights.
This rationalisation is part of the national airline's business turnaround plan to refocus from a largely point-to-point carrier to a world-class connecting carrier with a major hub in KLIA.
Given the existing market realities, MAS said its flight operations will gradually shift from point-to-point network to a "hub and spoke" network, thus increasing its competitiveness to connect as many core markets as possible in Malaysia and internationally.
The airline released its business turnaround plan on Feb 27 this year which is aimed at achieving sustained profitability by going beyond expectations in five thrusts -- flying to win customers, mastering operational excellence, financing and aligning the business on profit and loss, unleashing talents and capabilities, and winning coalitions.
MAS currently operates the following weekly international frequencies -- Kuala Lumpur-London with 18 flights; Kuala Lumpur-Perth with 9 flights; Kuala Lumpur-Frankfurt with 7 flights; and Kuala Lumpur-Sydney with 14 flights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cash flow plan
MAS' cash balance as of December 2005 stood at RM1.18bil. In order to prevent it reaching critical levels, which could potentially happen as soon as April 2006, a number of survival measures have been identified, and they include:,
·Delaying or banning discretionary expenses and capital expenditure
·Daily monitoring of cash balances by the CEO via the Control Tower method, which sees a report submitted at 5pm daily
·Disposal of non-core assets, expected to raise between RM800mil and RM1bil
·Sale and leaseback of aircraft and engines, expected to raise RM800mil
·Short-term borrowings of RM1bil
·Medium- to long-term borrowings of RM2bil, currently being negotiated with the Government
Since January 2006, MAS has secured about RM540mil from a number of initiatives, including the recent Travel Fair (RM158mil), the imposition of administration fees (RM150mil to RM200mil), charges for excess baggage (RM80mil per annum), tactical pricing (RM80mil per annum) and the imposition of fuel surcharges (RM30mil per annum).
Recently, MAS introduced an incentive bonus for its check-in staff. For every RM28mil of excess baggage charges collected, RM6mil will be paid to employees.
This approach has garnered an immediate payoff for both parties – since its announcement in December last year, collection of excess baggage charges increased by 300%.
According to Idris Jala, MAS managing director, the rationale for this approach was that the added weight would translate into higher fuel costs for heavier planes. Conversely, the current approach ensures lower fuel charges in addition to the added revenue from collection.
The profit turnaround plan
MAS' forecast loss of RM620mil for this year would constitute a hefty improvement of RM1.1bil, achieved through both revenue yield improvement (RM710mil) and cost improvement (RM370mil).
If all goes well, 2007 should see the company back in the black to the tune of RM50mil, while the following year uses that mark as a foundation to aspire to reach the lofty heights of RM500mil in profit.
There are a number of ways in which this can be achieved. According to MAS, every improvement of 1% in its passenger load factor translates into RM120mil in revenue. In addition, every 1 sen increase in revenue per kilometre nets MAS an additional RM50mil.
At an assumed price of US$83 per barrel of jet fuel, MAS has hedged 60% of its fuel requirements for the current financial year.
The plan identifies 10 initiatives:
·Budgeted expenditure to be cut by 20%
·Network to be reviewed, with unprofitable routes terminated
·Station costs reduced
·Corporate sponsorship ceased
·Discretionary staff trading suspended
·Capital expenditure postponed
·Recruitment of non-essential staff ceased
·Action to be taken on malpractices brought to late under the newly-implemented whistle-blower policy
·Non-performing suppliers removed
·Domestic operations restructured
With regard to its network, MAS has opted to shift from a point-to-point (direct route) network towards a hub-and-spoke (connecting) network, thereby allowing it to intensify flight frequencies on chosen trunk routes.
This process will entail:
·Route profitability analysis – focused on bottom-line, MAS will not fly where it cannot make money
·Route turnaround initiatives
·Hub-and-spoke connecting network through code-share or alliance partnerships
·Government assistance
·Termination of certain routes
As outlined by the company, its plans for the near future are to cut all flights via secondary Malaysian hubs. Within the next three to six months, further routes will be cut following an extensive route profitability analysis. Within the next 6 to 12 months, the hub-and-spoke strategy will be applied.
This approach leaves the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as the only long-haul hub for MAS, implying that it's the end of the tarmac for secondary hubs such as Langkawi and Penang. As AmResearch points out, this would be bad news for Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
As for the domestic sector, MAS plans to take over the profit and loss statement from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd from January next year. This plan, currently pending approval from the Government, is dependent on three conditions:
·MAS has the same freedom as AirAsia to determine destinations, schedules and fares for its routes, and consequently the size of its network, fleet choice and seat configuration
·The Government provides MAS with a free hand to restructure its business, with restructuring costs paid for by the Government
·The Government continues to provide financial support for rural air services and any other social routes that they mandate
Other steps that the company has taken include the hiring of Bernard Frances, former regional director of route revenue at AirAsia, relocating its headquarters from Jalan Sultan Ismail to Subang and KLIA, and imposing an administration fee as well as a cargo fuel surcharge.
MAS also intends to reposition itself towards its target market, as there are too few premium business travellers to commercially justify MAS' current fleet structure. Given that it is mainly leisure-focused travellers that make their way to Malaysia, the carrier will decrease its premium cabin size and shift the fleet towards smaller, more efficient aircraft.
In addition, it has identified inefficiencies in its 20-year old passenger reservation system, called KOMMAS, which will be replaced within two years.
The people plan
The four broad areas under this plan's ambit include LATT (leadership, accountability, teamwork and transparency), rewards and recognition, career progression and development, and leveraging capabilities.
There are also 10 initiatives under this plan:
·Salaries have been increased by 3% to 5% following an agreement with the union. Furthermore, an additional increase of 3% to 5% per employee is on the cards should MAS achieve a net profit of RM200mil next year and RM300mil in 2008. AmResearch notes that the managements own forecasts indicate that the soonest its employees will be receiving this increment is in 2008.
·Each employee receives a goodwill payment of RM1,000 to signify the start of the new regime.
·Confirmed ID90 travels between March and June for staff.
·Opportunities for staff to innovate will be introduced.
·Ground handling staff will be rewarded for excess baggage and penalised for mishandled baggage.
·Whistle-blower policy, performance management systems and staff intranet systems to be launched.
·Hospitalisation benefits to be improved.
·Employees' share option scheme (ESOS) to be introduced.
·Bonus payment via performance management system linked to net profit
·Succession planning and staff development launched.
Sources: MAS, AmResearch
Hello,
I would like to share my experience about Malaysian Airlines. This happened on the 5/6 Feb 2006.
I was flying from Kuching to Perth. Normally the flight departs at 23:50 and arrived at Perth at 4:55 AM.
Guess what time I arrived hahah 15:30 incredible.. Plane had to be diverted back to KL and then fly from KL to Perth, because of a faulty anthenna.
:[
I would like to share my experience about Malaysian Airlines. This happened on the 5/6 Feb 2006.
I was flying from Kuching to Perth. Normally the flight departs at 23:50 and arrived at Perth at 4:55 AM.
Guess what time I arrived hahah 15:30 incredible.. Plane had to be diverted back to KL and then fly from KL to Perth, because of a faulty anthenna.
:[
^The Kuching-Perth sector's gonna be scrapped.
Malaysia Airlines Removes Stopovers
If MAS does get accepted into SkyTeam, it'll be the key airline in bringing passengers from Europe to Australia/New Zealand from amongst the alliance members, with feeders from Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. It's always a favourite for many using the Kangaroo route(UK-Oz), with London being its most important destination in the EU.
Malaysia Airlines Removes Stopovers
QUOTE
[b]"We must focus on hub and spoke concept for Europe. Instead of flying from the KLIA to 10 points in Europe, (the airline) will consolidate it to four points namely London, Amsterdam, Paris and Rome," he said.
Idris has said he plans to meet Air France executives this week to seek support for Malaysia Airline's entry into the SkyTeam global alliance -- a bid to boost competitiveness as it is the only regional airline that is not part of a global alliance.
Idris has said he plans to meet Air France executives this week to seek support for Malaysia Airline's entry into the SkyTeam global alliance -- a bid to boost competitiveness as it is the only regional airline that is not part of a global alliance.
If MAS does get accepted into SkyTeam, it'll be the key airline in bringing passengers from Europe to Australia/New Zealand from amongst the alliance members, with feeders from Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. It's always a favourite for many using the Kangaroo route(UK-Oz), with London being its most important destination in the EU.
Gee.. last year... the max. weight for baggage is 30kg...now it's only 20kg.....
^ 
. really?? is this for the international sector as well? susa la ini macam...
. really?? is this for the international sector as well? susa la ini macam...
QUOTE (pancaindera @ Mar 7 2006, 05:41 PM)
^ . really?? is this for the international sector as well? susa la ini macam...
. really?? is this for the international sector as well? susa la ini macam... Ya...this time...MAS attendants dun give u any chance or special treatment.......they are really serious about imposing fines on overweight baggage...
tsk tsk. how la like this. have to resort to shipping everytime i go back...
Emirates Air baggage limit is only 15kg..
PEKAN, March 10 (Bernama) -- Several aspects in the proposed handover of most domestic routes operated by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to AirAsia are still being negotiated but the talks will not take long, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
"It will not be long, a week or two," he said.
He said the two airlines had been asked to hold discussions in the shortest time, with the supervision of the Transport Ministry, to decide on the domestic routes each would operate.
"The outcome of the discussions would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and me to make the final decision," he told reporters after launching the Pekan Maxis Cyberlab and Maxis Titian Technology Friday.
He was asked to comment on a New Straits Times report Friday which quoted sources as saying that MAS and AirAsia had agreed to divide the domestic routes between them.
The paper said MAS would be allowed to continue operating the premier domestic routes such as to Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Alor Star and Langkawi while the rest would be handed over to the budget airline.
Najib said MAS and AirAsia in principle had agreed that most of the domestic routes would be handed over to the budget airline.
"It will not be long, a week or two," he said.
He said the two airlines had been asked to hold discussions in the shortest time, with the supervision of the Transport Ministry, to decide on the domestic routes each would operate.
"The outcome of the discussions would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and me to make the final decision," he told reporters after launching the Pekan Maxis Cyberlab and Maxis Titian Technology Friday.
He was asked to comment on a New Straits Times report Friday which quoted sources as saying that MAS and AirAsia had agreed to divide the domestic routes between them.
The paper said MAS would be allowed to continue operating the premier domestic routes such as to Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Alor Star and Langkawi while the rest would be handed over to the budget airline.
Najib said MAS and AirAsia in principle had agreed that most of the domestic routes would be handed over to the budget airline.
Air Asia wants to fly to Ho Chi Minh, but Vietnam prefers it to fly to Hanoi instead. I wouldn't mid them going to Da Nang, it'd be easier to see the Cham monuments there then!
QUOTE
Air Asia asks to fly to HCM City
03/11/2006 -- 22:14(GMT+7)
HCM City (VNA) - Malaysian budget carrier Air Asia recently applied for permission from the Vietnamese government to operate direct flights connecting HCM City and Kuala Lumpur.
Although local authorities touted Ha Noi as a favoured destination, negotiations are continuing with the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam (CAAV), which is responsible for evaluating the proposal.
The director of CAAV Air Transport and Navigation Department, Lai Xuan Thanh, said the administration had encouraged Air Asia to select Ha Noi rather than HCM City. "The terminals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City are already overloaded," he said.
"The administration also has to factor in any possible impact on carriers already operating on the HCM City-Kuala Lumpur route, and examine the balance of supply and demand on this route," he added, referring to flights already offered by Vietnam Airlines and Malaysia Airlines connecting the two cities.
Increasing congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport makes Ha Noi International Airport and others in central Viet Nam attractive alternatives, according to another senior official from CAAV, Dang Ngoc Sinh. He said Air Asia should consider Da Nang and Phu Bai international airports as viable options.
More than 20 domestic and international airlines now operate in Viet Nam, including budget carriers Tiger Airways and Thai Air Asia.
Under the proposed 'open sky' agreement among ASEAN nations slated for 2008, the Vietnamese aviation market will swing open for international carriers, resulting in increased competition.
A decision on the Air Asia proposal is expected to be issued in two weeks.
03/11/2006 -- 22:14(GMT+7)
HCM City (VNA) - Malaysian budget carrier Air Asia recently applied for permission from the Vietnamese government to operate direct flights connecting HCM City and Kuala Lumpur.
Although local authorities touted Ha Noi as a favoured destination, negotiations are continuing with the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam (CAAV), which is responsible for evaluating the proposal.
The director of CAAV Air Transport and Navigation Department, Lai Xuan Thanh, said the administration had encouraged Air Asia to select Ha Noi rather than HCM City. "The terminals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City are already overloaded," he said.
"The administration also has to factor in any possible impact on carriers already operating on the HCM City-Kuala Lumpur route, and examine the balance of supply and demand on this route," he added, referring to flights already offered by Vietnam Airlines and Malaysia Airlines connecting the two cities.
Increasing congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport makes Ha Noi International Airport and others in central Viet Nam attractive alternatives, according to another senior official from CAAV, Dang Ngoc Sinh. He said Air Asia should consider Da Nang and Phu Bai international airports as viable options.
More than 20 domestic and international airlines now operate in Viet Nam, including budget carriers Tiger Airways and Thai Air Asia.
Under the proposed 'open sky' agreement among ASEAN nations slated for 2008, the Vietnamese aviation market will swing open for international carriers, resulting in increased competition.
A decision on the Air Asia proposal is expected to be issued in two weeks.
KUALA LUMPUR (XFN-ASIA) - Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd said it recorded increases of over 50 pct in its January and February passenger traffic for the airline and its Asian associates.
Figures for January showed a 50.3 pct increase in passenger traffic to 800,786 passengers carried in total by AirAsia compared to 532,667 a year earlier, it said in a statement.
AirAsia in Malaysia recorded a 31 pct rise in passenger traffic, Thai AirAsia a gain of 60.7 pct and Indonesia AirAsia, which started operations in December 2004, a huge gain of 236 pct.
For the month of February, total passenger traffic grew 54.8 pct with 776, 568 passengers carried compared to 501,798 a year earlier, it said in a second statement.
AirAsia in Malaysia saw an increase of 41.2 pct in passenger traffic, Thai AirAsia a rise of 58.8 pct and Indonesia AirAsia a gain of 145.5 pct.
The totals represent the number of seats flown by AirAsia regardless of whether passengers turn up as the airline does not issue refunds for no-shows, the group said.
Figures for January showed a 50.3 pct increase in passenger traffic to 800,786 passengers carried in total by AirAsia compared to 532,667 a year earlier, it said in a statement.
AirAsia in Malaysia recorded a 31 pct rise in passenger traffic, Thai AirAsia a gain of 60.7 pct and Indonesia AirAsia, which started operations in December 2004, a huge gain of 236 pct.
For the month of February, total passenger traffic grew 54.8 pct with 776, 568 passengers carried compared to 501,798 a year earlier, it said in a second statement.
AirAsia in Malaysia saw an increase of 41.2 pct in passenger traffic, Thai AirAsia a rise of 58.8 pct and Indonesia AirAsia a gain of 145.5 pct.
The totals represent the number of seats flown by AirAsia regardless of whether passengers turn up as the airline does not issue refunds for no-shows, the group said.
QUOTE (malaccan @ Feb 27 2006, 01:00 PM)
It's really depressing reading the news about MAS nowadays. The stewardesses are first class, but management suxx.
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
On the other hand, Air Asia is going places. But why have the LCC 15 km from KLIA? Isn't that a bit too far for folks on transit who want to catch a full-fare flight?
Many people said Malaysia airlines is the best, accomodative and friendly cabin crews but sux in ground service especially if you need change date of the flight after you purchased the ticket the representative of ticket services easily give unreasonable high penalty which other airlines company won't do any charge.
They will give charge of cancellation and also charge of reissuing the ticket, the management of MAL have to remedy the issue happened to many passengers, the ticket service might got some extra bucks by doing this, but definately will losing confident for future flight.
Subsidies For Rural Air Services Will Continue, Says Chan
Updated : 14-03-2006
Media : Bernama
PETALING JAYA, March 14 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to subsidise the rural air service as it is vital for air links in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Tuesday.
He said the government has no plans to discontinue the subsidies in the tune of RM10 million to RM15 million a year even after the decision on the rationalisation of domestic air routes.
It would continue to provide the same amount of financial support to the airlines tasked to operate the services on behalf of the government, he told reporters after attending the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) dialogue session with tour and travel agents.
In the dialogue, MAS Managing Director Idris Jala briefed the agents on the national carrier's business turnaround plan.
The rural air service links remote towns and villages in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak to provide better accessibility to the people as travel by land and rivers take days to reach the destination.
The service, currently provided by MAS using Twin Otter aircraft, is subsidised by the government as part of its national obligation and social responsibility.
The double-engine aircraft has a sitting capacity of 25 to 28 passengers.
The turbo propeller Twin Otters are the workhorse for the service as most of the interior areas in the two states only have airstrips suitable for short take-offs and landings.
Currently, the services cover places like Marudi, Bario, Lawas, Limbang, Ba' Kelalan Long Akah. Long Banga, Long Lellang, Long Seridan and Mukah in Sarawak and Kudat, Tomanggong and Lahad Datu in Sabah.
The service is operated from two bases -- Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
Chan said the government had to subsidise the service due to high operating cost.
Asked which airlines would be asked to operate the service under the domestic rationalisation route, Chan said: "We will announce later."
Updated : 14-03-2006
Media : Bernama
PETALING JAYA, March 14 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to subsidise the rural air service as it is vital for air links in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Tuesday.
He said the government has no plans to discontinue the subsidies in the tune of RM10 million to RM15 million a year even after the decision on the rationalisation of domestic air routes.
It would continue to provide the same amount of financial support to the airlines tasked to operate the services on behalf of the government, he told reporters after attending the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) dialogue session with tour and travel agents.
In the dialogue, MAS Managing Director Idris Jala briefed the agents on the national carrier's business turnaround plan.
The rural air service links remote towns and villages in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak to provide better accessibility to the people as travel by land and rivers take days to reach the destination.
The service, currently provided by MAS using Twin Otter aircraft, is subsidised by the government as part of its national obligation and social responsibility.
The double-engine aircraft has a sitting capacity of 25 to 28 passengers.
The turbo propeller Twin Otters are the workhorse for the service as most of the interior areas in the two states only have airstrips suitable for short take-offs and landings.
Currently, the services cover places like Marudi, Bario, Lawas, Limbang, Ba' Kelalan Long Akah. Long Banga, Long Lellang, Long Seridan and Mukah in Sarawak and Kudat, Tomanggong and Lahad Datu in Sabah.
The service is operated from two bases -- Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
Chan said the government had to subsidise the service due to high operating cost.
Asked which airlines would be asked to operate the service under the domestic rationalisation route, Chan said: "We will announce later."
From this link:
AirAsia set to conquer Asian skies
Wonder if AirAsia's gonna take up this offer. So far Thai AirAsia and Tiger Airways both fly only to Hanoi. If they do take up the offer, it'd be great if they flew to Da Nang, it's very close to Hue and Hoi An, two very historical cities.
AirAsia set to conquer Asian skies
QUOTE
AirAsia has also been offered landing rights in Ho Chi Minh City, which the airline sees as a lucrative market due to Malaysian business interests, if it agrees to a counter-proposal by the Vietnamese government to add Hanoi and other northern routes in the country.
Wonder if AirAsia's gonna take up this offer. So far Thai AirAsia and Tiger Airways both fly only to Hanoi. If they do take up the offer, it'd be great if they flew to Da Nang, it's very close to Hue and Hoi An, two very historical cities.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Reuters) - Malaysia's state-controlled flag carrier, Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MASM.KL: Quote, Profile, Research), aims to build up a cash surplus of 1 billion ringgit ($271 million) this year, the company said on Wednesday.
The loss-making airline, which is raising 4 billion ringgit to avert a cash crisis, said the surplus was one of its key performance indicators for 2006, along with an objective to cut net losses to 620 million ringgit this year.
The loss-making airline, which is raising 4 billion ringgit to avert a cash crisis, said the surplus was one of its key performance indicators for 2006, along with an objective to cut net losses to 620 million ringgit this year.
Please read the comments about our airports at:
The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports: Malaysia
I'm so proud of it!
The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports: Malaysia
I'm so proud of it!
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - AirAsia's chief executive Tony Fernandes will open a chain of budget hotels to complement the operations of the region's most profitable low-cost carrier, a report has said.
The first in the chain of 60 to 70 hotels is expected to open for business at the end of this year in Malaysia before eventual expansion throughout Southeast Asia, the New Straits Times reported, quoting an unnamed source.
"His long-term plan is to eventually have hotels in all AirAsia destinations," the source was quoted as saying.
The chain will be called Tune Hotel.com after AirAsia's holding company, Tune Air, with 100 to 250 rooms in each hotel costing between 50 and 100 ringgit (27 dollars) a night, the source said.
Fernandes is expected to either purchase or lease existing hotels and remodel them, or build new ones.
AirAsia was launched as a budget carrier in December 2001 with just two aircraft but now dominates the crowded Southeast Asian low-cost sector.
It offers more than 100 domestic and international flights to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and China, with plans to expand to India to become an Asia-wide airline.
AirAsia recently received a large boost when it was given the right to take over 99 domestic routes from troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines.
The first in the chain of 60 to 70 hotels is expected to open for business at the end of this year in Malaysia before eventual expansion throughout Southeast Asia, the New Straits Times reported, quoting an unnamed source.
"His long-term plan is to eventually have hotels in all AirAsia destinations," the source was quoted as saying.
The chain will be called Tune Hotel.com after AirAsia's holding company, Tune Air, with 100 to 250 rooms in each hotel costing between 50 and 100 ringgit (27 dollars) a night, the source said.
Fernandes is expected to either purchase or lease existing hotels and remodel them, or build new ones.
AirAsia was launched as a budget carrier in December 2001 with just two aircraft but now dominates the crowded Southeast Asian low-cost sector.
It offers more than 100 domestic and international flights to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and China, with plans to expand to India to become an Asia-wide airline.
AirAsia recently received a large boost when it was given the right to take over 99 domestic routes from troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines.
^_^ The MAS stewardessess look kinda makcik-makcik while the Air Asia ones are more cik adik-cik adik.
This is so misleading!
Have anyone used the LCC terminal yet..how as it?
QUOTE (malaccan @ Apr 6 2006, 10:42 PM)
^_^ The MAS stewardessess look kinda makcik-makcik while the Air Asia ones are more cik adik-cik adik.
This is so misleading! . MAS gals look more wifely. AA gals look more wild and fun. 
way to go MAS
I'm Sabahan.. trying to go back home this summer.. but it seems like MAS has the HIGHEST price of all.. i've only heard good reviews about MAS.. but they're SOOOOOOO expensive.. -_-
One thing that I love about flying in MAS is when you arrive back to Malaysia from which ever country, the chief cabin will say "To All Malaysian's Welcome Home". It gives me a warm special feeling. I wonder whether does other airline carrier does that. I flew on Cathy Pacific last year but there was no such annoucement when I arrive in Hong Kong and Cathy Pacific is their national carrier. What about KLM, SIA .....
However food being served on board is another matter. Sometime the food is ok and sometimes ... <sigh> Once when I was onboard on route to Sdyney (night flight), I only ate bread & peanuts for dinner. There were only 2 meat dishes chicken and beef. Somehow the chicken dish finish already and the steward said there was also vegeterian. My neighbour on the next chair ordered that dish. What was served??? Rice and boiled vegetables. That was vegetarian. The rice dry. However coming back from Sdyney ... the food was just fantastic. Rice, chicken rendang, vegetables and for dessert ice cream. That was heaven.
The other day I flew to Langkawi on Air Asia for the 1st time and saw the food menu and Oh Boy ... was the price shocking. But since short trip ok lah.
However food being served on board is another matter. Sometime the food is ok and sometimes ... <sigh> Once when I was onboard on route to Sdyney (night flight), I only ate bread & peanuts for dinner. There were only 2 meat dishes chicken and beef. Somehow the chicken dish finish already and the steward said there was also vegeterian. My neighbour on the next chair ordered that dish. What was served??? Rice and boiled vegetables. That was vegetarian. The rice dry. However coming back from Sdyney ... the food was just fantastic. Rice, chicken rendang, vegetables and for dessert ice cream. That was heaven.
The other day I flew to Langkawi on Air Asia for the 1st time and saw the food menu and Oh Boy ... was the price shocking. But since short trip ok lah.
^ The MAS flight I took to Adelaide served beef, the food was good and I enjoyed it and the service was good too, but there was this one @$$hole steward who was kinda rude to my friend, but seems friendly to the mat sallehs... 
MAS may ask govt to relook rationalisation plan
Updated : 17-04-2006
Media : The Edge
Story By : Joseph Chin
The domestic route rationalisation between Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) and AirAsia Bhd will need more than fine-tuning before it can be implemented on Aug 1, industry observers said.
It is learnt that MAS may be appealing to the government to reconsider specific details of the rationalisation decision, including its inability to lower prices during off-peak periods.
Under the domestic route rationalisation plan, MAS and AirAsia will operate 19 domestic trunk routes. AirAsia will operate another 99 non-trunk routes.
Notably, the government told MAS to cease its “Supersavers” scheme. It has established a “floor” pricing on tickets which industry observers believe will present a huge handicap to MAS in increasing sales during off-peak periods.
They said MAS ought to be given a freer hand to decide on its domestic operations given the huge investment that had been put into them.
For instance, MAS, which has invested millions of ringgit to develop the Johor Bahru (JB)-Kuching route, could stand to lose up to RM38.4 million in revenue a year, an observer said.
MAS carried 271,013 passengers on the JB-Kuching route in 2005, up 6.7% from the 254,010 passengers in 2004. Passenger seat factor for 2005 was 83% while the cargo load factor was 30%.
Last year, international connecting passengers on the JB-Kuching route totalled 12,988.
'The JB and Kuching stations contributed a 74% share of the sales while the remaining 26% was from the rest of MAS’ domestic network,” an observer said.
However, he said MAS did not make money on the route because of the cap on the fares. Currently, MAS has 21 weekly flights along the JB-Kuching route compared with AirAsia's 10 flights a week.
MAS had also been providing a dedicated coach service between Singapore and Senai airport in Johor to serve the traffic between Kuching and Singapore via Johor Bahru.
This arrangement was obtained via a government-to-government agreement to serve traffic on these routes.
'This service helps to redirect Singapore passengers to travel via Johor Bahru — passengers who would otherwise travel by other carriers. With MAS’ withdrawal from this route, the coach service will have to be terminated as the coach operation rights cannot be transferred to AirAsia,” said the observer.
AirAsia's earlier proposal to provide this service was rejected by Singapore as the former is not a national carrier.
Meanwhile, OSK Investment Research senior manager Chris Eng said that MAS should not have been locked out of certain routes.
'They (MAS) should have been allowed to take the P&L (profit and loss) and absorb it, if there are losses. However, the question is, why should it be excluded from certain routes?” he said. Eng said the best option would be to give MAS a freer rein of its operations.
Updated : 17-04-2006
Media : The Edge
Story By : Joseph Chin
The domestic route rationalisation between Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) and AirAsia Bhd will need more than fine-tuning before it can be implemented on Aug 1, industry observers said.
It is learnt that MAS may be appealing to the government to reconsider specific details of the rationalisation decision, including its inability to lower prices during off-peak periods.
Under the domestic route rationalisation plan, MAS and AirAsia will operate 19 domestic trunk routes. AirAsia will operate another 99 non-trunk routes.
Notably, the government told MAS to cease its “Supersavers” scheme. It has established a “floor” pricing on tickets which industry observers believe will present a huge handicap to MAS in increasing sales during off-peak periods.
They said MAS ought to be given a freer hand to decide on its domestic operations given the huge investment that had been put into them.
For instance, MAS, which has invested millions of ringgit to develop the Johor Bahru (JB)-Kuching route, could stand to lose up to RM38.4 million in revenue a year, an observer said.
MAS carried 271,013 passengers on the JB-Kuching route in 2005, up 6.7% from the 254,010 passengers in 2004. Passenger seat factor for 2005 was 83% while the cargo load factor was 30%.
Last year, international connecting passengers on the JB-Kuching route totalled 12,988.
'The JB and Kuching stations contributed a 74% share of the sales while the remaining 26% was from the rest of MAS’ domestic network,” an observer said.
However, he said MAS did not make money on the route because of the cap on the fares. Currently, MAS has 21 weekly flights along the JB-Kuching route compared with AirAsia's 10 flights a week.
MAS had also been providing a dedicated coach service between Singapore and Senai airport in Johor to serve the traffic between Kuching and Singapore via Johor Bahru.
This arrangement was obtained via a government-to-government agreement to serve traffic on these routes.
'This service helps to redirect Singapore passengers to travel via Johor Bahru — passengers who would otherwise travel by other carriers. With MAS’ withdrawal from this route, the coach service will have to be terminated as the coach operation rights cannot be transferred to AirAsia,” said the observer.
AirAsia's earlier proposal to provide this service was rejected by Singapore as the former is not a national carrier.
Meanwhile, OSK Investment Research senior manager Chris Eng said that MAS should not have been locked out of certain routes.
'They (MAS) should have been allowed to take the P&L (profit and loss) and absorb it, if there are losses. However, the question is, why should it be excluded from certain routes?” he said. Eng said the best option would be to give MAS a freer rein of its operations.
Great work!
MAS Voted 'Best Economy Class' At World Airlines Award
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines has clinched the "Best Economy Class" title at the World Airlines Award 2006 organised by Skytrax, the leading research advisers to the world's airline and air transport industry.
Focused on the onboard customer experience for a typical long-haul flight, the award was based on a survey covering a number of factors of prime importance to the customer, including seat comfort, standards of inflight entertainment and onboard catering, and the general efficiency and quality of the staff service.
The worldwide survey, involving nearly 14 million respondents, represented over 90 different passenger nationalities, Skytrax said.
"One of the objectives of our Business Turnaround Plan is to increase economy class competitiveness as it is a key driver of our profitability," Malaysia Airlines' managing director and chief executive officer Idris Jala said.
"Our efforts are not only beginning to show positive financial results but have also won us recognition by the industry," he said when commenting on the award.
The annual world airline survey was conducted by Skytrax between September 2005 and May 2006.
It is regarded as the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world, constituting a survey format based upon analysis of both business and leisure travellers, and across all cabin travel types.
-- BERNAMA
MAS Voted 'Best Economy Class' At World Airlines Award
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines has clinched the "Best Economy Class" title at the World Airlines Award 2006 organised by Skytrax, the leading research advisers to the world's airline and air transport industry.
Focused on the onboard customer experience for a typical long-haul flight, the award was based on a survey covering a number of factors of prime importance to the customer, including seat comfort, standards of inflight entertainment and onboard catering, and the general efficiency and quality of the staff service.
The worldwide survey, involving nearly 14 million respondents, represented over 90 different passenger nationalities, Skytrax said.
"One of the objectives of our Business Turnaround Plan is to increase economy class competitiveness as it is a key driver of our profitability," Malaysia Airlines' managing director and chief executive officer Idris Jala said.
"Our efforts are not only beginning to show positive financial results but have also won us recognition by the industry," he said when commenting on the award.
The annual world airline survey was conducted by Skytrax between September 2005 and May 2006.
It is regarded as the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world, constituting a survey format based upon analysis of both business and leisure travellers, and across all cabin travel types.
-- BERNAMA
Lol...tommorow I gonna have my first flight with Air Asia to Sarawak!
But the price not cheap u know, why dun they put the senior citizen 1/2 price?
But the price not cheap u know, why dun they put the senior citizen 1/2 price?
It's so sad seeing the soft tussle between AirAsia and MAS.
But neways, AirAsia now flies to Brunei!
But neways, AirAsia now flies to Brunei!
uly 25, 2006 18:40 PM 
AirAsia Eyes Direct Flights To Perth
KUCHING, July 25 (Bernama) -- Low-cost carrier, AirAsia Bhd, may fly to Perth via Kuching after its direct flights from here to other Asean destinations are successful, chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Tony Fernandes, said.
"Our priority now is the direct flights from Kuching, our second hub in Sabah and Sarawak, to Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) destinations such as Bangkok, Jakarta, the Philippines and Brunei," he told reporters after the CEO Luncheon Talk here Tuesday.
"We have other routes that we are going to (introduce) first. I think there are a lot of nearby businesses we want to get. We want to bring the Indonesians, Filipinos, Thais and Malaysians from the semenanjung here (Kuching) first. We will do that first before the Australians," he said.
National carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) had decided to cut all flights via secondary hubs -- London-Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), London-Penang-KLIA, Sydney-Kuching-KLIA, KLIA-Kuching-Perth and Frankfurt-KLIA-Kuching -- under its Business Turnaround Plan announced in March.
The Kuching-Perth route, which was introduced three years ago, had been popular among the Australians.
Fernandes said the direct Kuching-Perth flights would happen.
"Whatever we said, for sure we will do it but there is no real time frame. AirAsia will never rush to do things," he said.
On Fly Asian Express (FAX), a subsidiary of Tune Air, the holding company of AirAsia, Fernandes said the airline was confident of getting the air operating certificate (AOC) before August 1 as it would begin flights to rural areas in Sarawak and Sabah.
"We had met with the Transport Ministry.
"It has been very supportive so I don't see any problem.
"MAS has also given great support," he said.
FAX is a new company set up to operate all turbo-prop routes allocated to AirAsia by the Federal Government under the rationalisation domestic aviation exercise beginning August 1.
It will operate with seven Fokker 50s and five Twin Otters.
In Sarawak, some of the destinations under FAX include Mulu, Bario, Ba'Kelalan, Long Lellang, Long Banga, Long Akah, Long Seridan, Marudi, Belaga, Bintulu, Miri, Mukah, Limbang and Lawas.
Fernandes said the start today in the operations of Kuching as AirAsia's second hub in Sabah and Sarawak was smooth.
"My staff look very happy so it must be smooth," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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AirAsia Eyes Direct Flights To Perth
KUCHING, July 25 (Bernama) -- Low-cost carrier, AirAsia Bhd, may fly to Perth via Kuching after its direct flights from here to other Asean destinations are successful, chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Tony Fernandes, said.
"Our priority now is the direct flights from Kuching, our second hub in Sabah and Sarawak, to Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) destinations such as Bangkok, Jakarta, the Philippines and Brunei," he told reporters after the CEO Luncheon Talk here Tuesday.
"We have other routes that we are going to (introduce) first. I think there are a lot of nearby businesses we want to get. We want to bring the Indonesians, Filipinos, Thais and Malaysians from the semenanjung here (Kuching) first. We will do that first before the Australians," he said.
National carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) had decided to cut all flights via secondary hubs -- London-Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), London-Penang-KLIA, Sydney-Kuching-KLIA, KLIA-Kuching-Perth and Frankfurt-KLIA-Kuching -- under its Business Turnaround Plan announced in March.
The Kuching-Perth route, which was introduced three years ago, had been popular among the Australians.
Fernandes said the direct Kuching-Perth flights would happen.
"Whatever we said, for sure we will do it but there is no real time frame. AirAsia will never rush to do things," he said.
On Fly Asian Express (FAX), a subsidiary of Tune Air, the holding company of AirAsia, Fernandes said the airline was confident of getting the air operating certificate (AOC) before August 1 as it would begin flights to rural areas in Sarawak and Sabah.
"We had met with the Transport Ministry.
"It has been very supportive so I don't see any problem.
"MAS has also given great support," he said.
FAX is a new company set up to operate all turbo-prop routes allocated to AirAsia by the Federal Government under the rationalisation domestic aviation exercise beginning August 1.
It will operate with seven Fokker 50s and five Twin Otters.
In Sarawak, some of the destinations under FAX include Mulu, Bario, Ba'Kelalan, Long Lellang, Long Banga, Long Akah, Long Seridan, Marudi, Belaga, Bintulu, Miri, Mukah, Limbang and Lawas.
Fernandes said the start today in the operations of Kuching as AirAsia's second hub in Sabah and Sarawak was smooth.
"My staff look very happy so it must be smooth," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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