Business

Thursday March 12, 2009

MAS set to save RM30mil from landing rebate initiative

By EILEEN HEE


PETALING JAYA : Malaysia Airlines (MAS) expects to save RM30mil from the discount on landing charges, said commercial director Rashid Khan.

The Government on Tuesday announced a 50% rebate on landing charges for all airlines operating from Malaysia for two years effective April 1.

“We are the biggest customer of (airport operator) Malaysia Airports. If this is really true, it will definitely be a positive contribution to our profit and loss (account),” he said.

Rashid said this after a briefing yesterday on the upcoming Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair.

From left: MAS senior general manager Datuk Bernard Francis, Datuk Rashid Khan and Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun at the media conference

He said the airline had sustained its load factor in the short-haul regional market but its long-haul market still posed a challenge.

“The Tourism Ministry needs to put more efforts to promote long-haul market to stimulate tourist arrivals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rashid said MAS was confident of raking in RM25mil worth of airline ticket sales during the three-day Matta Fair to be held from March 13-15.

“The reason we are confident is because this is one of the best deals after so many years.

“In the past, because of the fuel surcharge, airline tickets became so expensive. Now, prices of tickets are highly affordable,” he said.

Rashid said the MAS Travel Fair held in February, which was a virtual travel fair transacted over the Internet, had generated sales of RM95mil.

“It was not even a physical fair like Matta and we managed to achieve that much in ticket sales.

“So, here at Matta Fair, we expect customers to look for just airline tickets and tour holiday packages,” he said.

He added that “great deals are available with prices starting from RM787”.

Matta Fair organising chairman Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said he expected more than 70,000 visitors for the event.


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