MALAYSIA AIRLINES BETTING BIG ON INDIA

In a bid to increase load factor by 15 per cent Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will launch 10 daily flights and plans to join oneworld alliance by year end. Out of the ten ten flights from Kuala Lumpur, three will head to Mumbai, three to Chennai and four to Bengaluru.

“India is a prominent and growth-centric market for MAS, and with the launch these flights, we are expecting a 26 per cent increase in capacities from India in 2012,” said Duncan Bureau, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution, Malaysia Airlines.

Commenting on MAS’s new fleet Bureau said, “Last year was a bit rough, but we still think that there is a positive aspect and we are focused on improving our services by introducing new fleet that will operate 30 per cent more efficiently. Recently, we replaced our Boeing 777s, Airbus 330s and Boeing 400s, and today we have the world’s youngest fleet.”

Meanwhile, the carrier is also in talks with oneworld alliance for joining the latter as a member by the end of 2012. The membership will help customers gain access to oneworld’s combined fleet of more than 2,600 aircraft, which connect around 820 destinations in 150 countries. To further enhance the codeshare agreement with oneworld partners, MAS is developing bilateral links with major carriers like Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Royal Jordanian Airlines. “We are in full preparation to join the oneworld alliance and have updated our loyalty programme guidelines for passengers to appreciate the connectivity and hospitality of MAS and the alliance members. We will further leverage our oneworld relationship, which gives us access to a much broader network. The alliance allows us access to the fleet without any capital investment. As far as our codeshare partnership is concerned, we recently entered into an agreement with Japan Airlines,” informed Bureau.

The national carrier of Malaysia has recently launched ‘Showcase Malaysia Dream Deal 2012’, this latest initiative by Malaysia Airline includes 2-nights complimentary stay in Malaysia on purchase of any international air ticket to Malaysia or beyond from Malaysia Airlines. Passengers traveling Malaysia Airlines on a Business class ticket will get a complimentary stay in a 5-Star hotel in Malaysia whereas passengers traveling on Economy can avail a complimentary stay in a 4-Star hotel in Malaysia. “MAS values its consumers, and has regularly come up with various opportunities and value-for-money schemes for travelers. This scheme can be of great interest to both leisure and business travellers since, with the free nights, they save on their hotel cost. Customers also get the opportunity to experience two destinations at the cost of one with a two-night stopover in Malaysia. We invite our valued passengers to take advantage of this special offer, whilst at the same time get to know the Malaysia Airlines brand better,” added Azahar Hamid, Regional Senior Vice President for South Asia and Middle East, Malaysia Airlines.

The offer can be availed on the airline’s website, at its offices and through its appointed agents in India.

The first-come-first-served-based offer is applicable for a minimum of two travellers at a starting fare of Rs 24,110 per head, up to October 30, 2012.

The Airline has also enhanced its in-flight menu of Indian cuisines for its passengers traveling from India and other parts of the world. These choices of in-flight vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available for passengers flying both in business and economy classes. “Along with enhanced menu of cuisines our passengers can enjoy a new selection of premium wine and champagne labels from France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Australia, known for their great class and elegance,” said Bureau.

The Malaysian government-owned airline currently operates 40 weekly flights on the India-Kuala Lumpur route, with 12 weekly flights from New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur and seven weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru, each.