Business

Thursday September 30, 2010

MAS sees new aircraft delivery next month

By TAN SIN CHOW
sctan@thestar.com.my


GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is expected to take delivery of 35 Boeing 737-800 aircraft next month.

Its senior general manager (sales and marketing) Datuk Bernard Francis said some of the aircraft would be based at the KL International Airport.

He said MAS would become the first airline in Asia to have aircraft with new-generation features.

Datuk Bernard Francis ... ‘There will be more space, even for the storage of baggage.’

“The aircraft is very different from the previous models. Even though it is a narrow-body aircraft, the interior looks spacious.

“There will be more space, even for the storage of baggage. Besides, it will be equipped with in-flight entertainment for passengers of business and economy classes,” he said at the MAS Top Agent Award Night on Wednesday.

Francis also said MAS would increase flights to South Asia, Asean and China.

“We will have two daily flights to airports in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai,” he said.

He said the national carrier was also expecting more passengers from South Asia, China and Australia.

Francis added that MAS was also promoting tourist destinations in Malaysia aggressively to remain competitive with places like Bali and Phuket.

According to him, the airline is confident of achieving more than 100% increase in the number of passengers coming from South Asia this year.

He said MAS carried about 350,000 passengers from South Asia to the country in the first half of the year.

“If we already have 350,000 passengers, the number will most likely double as the performance for the second half of the year is usually better,” he said.

Francis said MAS flew only about 300,000 passengers from South Asia, mainly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal last year.

Also present at the function were Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit, MAS regional manager for South Asia operations Azahar Hamid and Star Publications (M) Bhd executive director Tan Sri Kamal Hashim.


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