Business

Wednesday July 29, 2009

MAS sees passenger load factor back to normal


PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) sees its passenger load factor returning to normal following initiatives to stimulate demand.

Managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the national carrier had undertaken an aggressive plan to attract travellers to fly with MAS.

“We came out with an aggressive stimulus package and as a result, we have seen an increase in our passenger load factor for June and July,” he told reporters after the launch of the airline’s latest product, Asean Pass, yesterday.

MAS’ passenger load factor in June and July recovered by 67% and 76% respectively compared with the same months last year.

Tan Sri Munir Majid (second left) with Datuk Seri Idris Jala and Ministry of Tourism secretary general Datuk Ong Hong Peng at the launch of the Asean Pass.– Bernama

Idris also said the recent bombing incident in Jakarta did not have any significant impact on the airline’s flights to Indonesia.

On the Asean Pass, he said MAS hoped to sell about 15,000 seats by year-end with the product.

The Asean Pass is a set of four prepaid ticket vouchers that enable passengers to travel on a maximum of four flights within Asean countries for US$229 on economy class and US$729 on business class.

Since the introduction of the product in early June, a total of 5,000 seats valued at RM1.2mil had been sold.

MAS chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said the airline decided to develop the Asean Pass based on the positive growth in this region.

Last year, tourist arrivals from Asean countries totalled 16.6 million, an increase of 6.5% from 15.6 million in 2007, and contributed RM32.9bil in tourist receipts.

“In line with the Tourism Ministry’s efforts to promote intra-Asean tourism, we believe this new product will help to stimulate travel into Malaysia,” Munir said, adding that MAS had also made some enhancements in the menu served on Asean flights.

The airline will soon be introducing popular local dishes such as nasi briyani, satay, nasi goreng, nasi lemak, roti canai and murtabak for these flights. – Bernama


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