Malaysia Airlines: MAS And Firefly To Extend Code-Share Arrangements

By Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Budget carrier Firefly will extend its code-share partnership with parent company Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) to include its latest Singapore route by mid-July, managing director Eddy Leong said Tuesday.

Currently, Firefly has a code-share partnership with MAS for the Subang-Kerteh, Subang-Koh Samui, Penang-Banda Aceh, Penang-Medan and Penang-Phuket routes.

"We hope by mid-July we will be able to extend the code-share partnership with MAS for all Singapore routes, either from Subang or Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and later Melaka, Kota Baharu and Alor Setar," he told Bernama here.

Firefly will begin its thrice daily flights from Subang to Singapore tomorrow.

It plans to increase its Subang-Singapore frequency to four flights a day from middle of next month as the airline is also set to begin flights to Singapore from Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan.

Asked about the response to the Subang-Singapore route, Leong said that sales had been good despite stiff competition.

According to him, Firefly has a slight edge over competitors by operating from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang which is nearer to the city.

"Definitely, one thing for sure, we are not flying empty. Our promotion of RM88 is all inclusive, including airport tax, insurance surcharge and administration fees, and will continue, provided you book seven days in advance," he said.

Leong said the only problem the airline was facing now was that it could not carry a full load of passengers for flights on certain routes due to the lack of refuelling facilties at some secondary routes like Ipoh, Kota Baharu, Alor Setar and Kuala Terengganu.

"Without these refuelling facilities, we can't carry the maximum number of passengers on our flights. That's why we are engaging the state governments to assist us on this," he said.

Firefly has targeted to carry 1.5 million passengers this year as it is now operating seven 72-seater ATR72-500 aircraft. Last year, it carried about 500,000 passengers with just three Fokker 50 aircraft.

-- BERNAMA