Kelantan looks to attract cruises and Bangkok air passengers

Destination

The Northern State of Kelantan in Peninsular Malaysia wants to boost its popularity among international travellers. The State has been in touch with large cruise companies to bring international ships and wants to lure the Bangkok market as air carrier Firefly is expected to open in January the route Kota Bharu-Bangkok.

BANGKOK - Kelantan remains largely a “terra incognita” for many travellers to Southeast Asia. The State on the Northeastern Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is generally known by a niche market of scuba-diving and snorkeling amateurs in transit to Perhentian Islands. Some other travellers are staying for a while in Kota Bharu on a Thailand visa-renewal trip…

However, Kelantan has far more to offer than just being a transit destination. From alL Malaysian states, Kelantan is the one following the most strictly the principles of Islam. And due to a relatively conservative way of life, it is also probably the State who managed to preserve at best an authentic Malay culture. In Kota Bharu, the State capital, old Malay palaces, historical mosques, wooden houses and traditional markets still form the heart of the city. If people are rather shy and not always comfortable to speak with foreigners, they still retain a real sense of welcome for foreign visitors.

Kelantan needs however to present a different image and attract new types of visitors. “We have a totally new team looking at tourism and we are very keen to push tourism in this part of Malaysia. Kelantan offers a great experience for travellers looking at culture, heritage, traditional activities, handicraft, religious tourism and finally eco-tourism. We are looking at two important events to widen our audience among travellers. We are now talking to large cruise ships and are working at promoting the State with the opening of a direct flight between Kota Bharu and Bangkok.”, tells Mohd Aidil Afizie Bin Daud, Director of the Kelantan office of Malaysia Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 

Kelantan is embracing the idea of welcoming regularly cruises on the way between Singapore and Thailand. “We discussed with Star Cruises and received recently a representative to analyze the needs of cruise liners. We will transfer passengers by small boat to Pengkalan Kulor jetty near Tak Bai in Thailand. We will also provide facilities on board for immigration. We will have our first cruise ship next April. Then we will see if there is a genuine interest for further developments”, adds Mr. Bin Daud. The cruise ship will able between 600 and 700 passengers. 

Another important development for the State will be the launch on Januay 24 of a Kota Bharu-Bangkok (Don Mueang) by Firefly which will propose between three to four frequencies per week, tells the Tourism and Culture Office Director. It will be the first time that a direct flight will link Kelantan to Bangkok. “We will make in Thailand the promotion of our Buddhist temples. We record some 70 temples here, with 20 large ones mostly located in the districts of Tumpat and Pasir Mas. But we want also promote our national parks, traditional shopping and also religious tourism to the Muslim community”, says Mr. Bin Daud. Kelantan is among the few States of Malaysia encouraging religious Islamic Schools (pondok) to open to foreigners. 

Meanwhile they are some issues that the State needs to solve. “We have an issue with proper transportation as well as money changer facilities at the border. We are also looking at improving the skills of workers in the tourism industry –especially regarding the use of foreign languages. We are thinking to empower young students to help travellers on a voluntary basis. And we are also training taxis to be more tourist-minded. We already trained 50 taxis over a total of 300. We will continue and probably create an emblem or logo to be sure that tourists will identify them”, tells Mohd Aidil Afizie Bin Daud.

Ultimately, it is just to be sure that tourists visiting Kelantan feel all the time relaxed to enjoy more the activities offered by the State. Especially as Tourism Malaysia recently announced that total arrivals to Kelantan (both domestic and international) should grow to six million next year, compared to 5.01 million in 2012…

Travel Asia

Firefly Goes To Bangkok

Firefly announced its service into Bangkok is now open for sale via all its channels – website, mobile, call-centre and Firefly airport and city ticketing offices. The airline will begin its operations between Kota Bharu and Bangkok, from Sultan Ismail Petra Airport to Don Mueang International Airport on 24 January 2014, 4x weekly.

Firefly's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ignatius Ong said, "Firefly operates out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore. Services into this new route is an indication that Firefly is marking a significant growth and concurrently offering wider travelling options for business and leisure to and from Thailand. With connections to cities such as Koh Samui, Phuket and now Bangkok, Firefly will market this sector and simultaneously promote the attractions that these cities have got to offer.

Terbang ke Bangkok dari Kota Bharu 2014

FIREFLY HAS LANDED IN BANGKOK AND IS READY TO OFFER YOU

FIREFLY GOES TO BANGKOK!
INCREDIBLE VALUE WITH GREAT FARES

Firefly announced today in Kota Baru, my hometown, its service into Bangkok is now open for sale via all its channels – website, mobile, call-centre and Firefly airport and city ticketing offices.

The airline will begin its operations between Kota Bharu and Bangkok, from Sultan Ismail Petra Airport to Don Mueang International Airport on 24 January 2014, 4x weekly.

Firefly’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ignatius Ong said, “Firefly operates out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore. Services into this new route is an indication that Firefly is marking a significant growth and concurrently offering wider travelling options for business and leisure to and from Thailand. With connections to cities such as Koh Samui, Phuket and now Bangkok, Firefly will market this sector and simultaneously promote the attractions that these cities have got to offer.”

“Passengers will find our flight times ideal for both business and leisure travelers alike. The flight departs Kota Bharu at 9.20 am and arrives in Bangkok at 10.50 am, providing passengers plenty of time at their destination. Similarly flights out of Bangkok arrive in Kota Bharu at 14.50pm. Besides domestic travelers, we’re also targeting Bangkok travelers keen on visiting Kota Bharu and other parts of Northern Peninsular Malaysia," he said.

Attractions in Kota Bharu include the bustling wet market-Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, Cultural Centre, Royal Museum, State Museum, State Mosque and Istana Jahar featuring Kelantan’s rich cultural legacy. 

Kelantanese are gifted craftsmen with many cottage industries around the state producing silverware, textiles, kites and brass work. Similarly but conversely, Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of the dynamic metropolis. Chatuchak Weekend Market, Phra Sumeru Fortress, Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Phra Keao (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and The Grand Palace are some of the must-see attractions in Bangkok.

To further promote this route and others on Firefly’s network, the airline is currently running an online promotion “Check Us Out”, for bookings made up to 8 December 2013 for travel from 2 December 2013 up to 25 October 2014. Find out more at www.fireflyz.com.my .

Promotional Fare
Fare from RM 195, one-way, all-in fare

Booking period: Now – 8 December 2013
Travel Period: 2 December 2013 – 25 October 2014

Effective 24 January 2014: Kota Bharu – Bangkok Flight No Sector Departure Arrival Frequencies
FY 3648
KBR-DMK
0920
1050
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
FY 3649
DMK-KBR
1110
1450
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

About Firefly
Firefly, began its operations in April 2007. Currently, it operates a fleet of 12 ATR 72-500 and 1 ATR 72-600 turboprop out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore.

Firefly provides incredible value as well as convenient flight timings and excellent service to its passengers. On the ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 passengers are allowed 20kg check-in baggage allowance, provided complimentary in-flight refreshment, assigned seating and convenient city airports.

Firefly had also received numerous awards and recognition. The most recent was on April 24, 2012 when Firefly was accorded Putra Most Promising Brand of the Year by Putra Brand Awards. Five months prior to this, on November 15, 2011, Firefly was conferred “Superbrand” status. Other awards received include the 2010 Frost & Sullivan Value Airline of the Year award and the Green Initiative of the Year 2010 award by Leaders in Aviation in conjunction with the Doha Aviation Summit. Firefly is also recognised as the Best Brand in Aviation for the Brand Laureate. Firefly connects with the world through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kee Hua

Firefly kini terbang tinggi di langit Malaysia

Passengers taking the shuttle train from the main terminal building to the satellite building at the KLIA in Sepang will get to see an array of liveries on the tails of aircraft parked at the apron of the airport.

One of these liveries, a bright orange one, on the tail of two Boeing 737s parked side by side at the apron is not easy to be missed. These two airliners are a reminder of the jet services that Firefly once operated before.

These planes, however, are not left idle. They are being used for scheduled charters to China. The community airline has worked out an arrangement with a tour company for these charters, the first to Nanning and the other to Haikou.

Firefly did not dismiss totally jet services in Firefly operations, only that it is in a different business segment. The airline is looking at growing the business segment further as it sees the scheduled charter flights as an important revenue contributor. Firefly stopped its scheduled jet operations at the end of 2011 and leave the scheduled jet operations to MAS.

The full-service airline, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is now a fully scheduled turboprop aircraft operator, with its current fleet of 12 ATR72-500s and one ATR72-600, which it took delivery some two weeks ago.

ATR 72-500

The ATR72-600, which was put into service on July 12, is one of 20 aircraft that Firefly had purchased from European turboprop airframe maker, Avions de Transport Regional G.I.E, early this year. The deal, including the options, is valued at over USD840 million.

The second ATR72-600 will be delivered later this year, with three planned for next year. The confirmed orders will be delivered in phases by 2016. Once this is done, Firefly will exercise the option for the 16 additional ATR72-600s.

ATR 72-600

This would see Firefly phasing out the older ATR72-500s from 2015 onwards as Firefly plans to own and operate a fleet of aircraft with an average age of three years. The purchase of the new aircraft is part of  the company’s growth and expansion plan as well as its continuous effort to serve customers better. ATR aircraft are unrivalled in terms of passenger comfort and environmental friendliness hence the company will be deploying the current and new fleet on existing and new routes.

The ATR 72 fleet has allowed Firefly to develop a unique high frequency network out of Subang, Penang and Johor Baru, which greatly benefits the company. It currently operates 25 routes, 10 of which are in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Last year, it carried 1.7 million passengers. Reports said it plans to carry 1.8 million passengers by year-end and about two million by June 2014. It is set to make Kota Baru and Johor Baru as its hubs and expand its network to Indochina, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, as early as next year.

Kota Baru will serve points in southern Thailand while Johor Baru will service Sumatra. Firefly will commence the Johor Baru-Pekan Baru service in August.

In fact, Firefly sees huge development potential in Johor Baru. Making the Senai International Airport in Johor as a hub could give Firefly an alternative to Changi International Airport in Singapore. It is not able to increase services to the republic because of slot constraints.

Such a constraint could be overcome with bigger capacity turboprop aircraft such at ATR’s proposed next-generation turboprop (NGTP) 90-seater aircraft.

The company’s top management has hinted the possibility of Firefly being the launch customer of the NGTP aircraft. “If it is available now, I would grab it. In fact, a 90-seater aircraft would fit nicely into Firefly’s route expansion plan.”, said Ignatius Ong, Firefly’s CEO.

The NGTP, however, is still on the drawing board, with ATR seeking inputs from its customers in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Europe. Malaysia is its biggest customer in the region, counting Firefly, MASWings, Malindo Air and Berjaya Air as its clients. ATR would need at least 50 confirmed orders and 50 options in order to launch the NGTP programme, expected to be in 2019 or 2020.

ATR New Generation Turboprop (NGTP)

“We are aware of the NGTP. We are considering it as we would be operating into congested airports and with slots being limited, we can put into operation aircraft with higher capacity to help meet the demand,” Ong said.

Ong also addressed the popular perception of Firefly being a low-cost carrier. On the contrary, it is a premium airline, catering to mainly the business travellers, who by nature are less price-conscious than the leisure travellers.

“Yes, our fares are not exactly cheap (even if you compare it with Malaysia Airlines) but if you plan your travel and book a month ahead, you can get low fares,” he said.

Convenience and accessibility of the city airport are also two factors that passengers look for when considering airlines of choice.

Firefly passengers enjoy 20kg of checked-baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight refreshment, assigned seating and the convenience of city airports. It is also participating in Malaysia Airlines Enrich loyalty and frequent flyer programmes, where passengers can earn or redeem Enrich Miles when they fly with Firefly.

Reports said the airline is on track to achieve its targeted revenue of RM350 million this year, judging from the response received to its ongoing sales campaign and the 15-20 % increase in passenger seat load achieved since the campaign began on May 12.

Ong also sees airlines as a catalyst to continue driving the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of countries, especially with the increase in travel globally. “I see the airlines driving the GDP instead of the GDP growth driving the industry,” he said.

In fact, the International Air Transport Association said air transport can play a key role in economic development and in supporting long-term economic growth.

It facilitates a country’s integration into the global economy, providing direct benefits for users and wider economic benefits through its positive impact on productivity and economic performance.

Source

KLIA 2 dibuka ikut jadual- Mei 2014

Firma penyelidikan, Alliance Research berpendapat tarikh pembukaan KLIA2 tetap akan diadakan pada 2 Mei ini, atau pun selewat-lewatnya pada akhir 2014 sekiranya masih berhadapan dengan isu-isu teknikal.

Jelas kenyataan firma itu, pihaknya menjangkakan tempoh kerja-kerja pembinaan fizikal lapangan terbang itu sedikit tertangguh iaitu sehingga Januari 2014, namun, tidak akan mengubah tarikh pembukaan rasminya pada 2 Mei depan.

Katanya, terdapat penampan yang mencukupi dalam tempoh yang diberikan untuk menyelesaikan isu-isu teknikal dalam peringkat akhir KLIA2.

"Pengurusan Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. (MAHB) telah menjelaskan bahawa mereka mengekalkan komited untuk membuka KLIA2 pada 2 Mei ini.

"Kami yakin bahawa potensi tertangguh itu tidak akan melibatkan impak bahan terhadap aliran tunai dan prospek perolehan kumpulan MAHB," ujar Alliance Research.

apa itu open sky ( dasar langit terbuka)

DASAR LANGIT TERBUKA (OPEN SKY)

Hari ini ramai yang berbicara  dan mendesak  perlebaran penerbangan antrabangsa  lapangan terbang domestik,  dan kerajaan membiarkan syarikat penerbangan untuk merancang dengan sebebas-bebasnya tindakan syarikat penerbangan. Kenapa ia berlaku demikian tidak ketika dahulu yang mana hanya  Lapangan Terbang Antarangsa sahaja yang dibenarkan berbuat demikian iaiatu terbang ke destinasi Antarabangsa.

Ia berlaku kerana usaha kerajaan untuk menandatangani  perjanjian dasar langit terbuka di kalangan negara ASEAN.

Jesteru itu apa yang dimaksudkan dengan perjanjian tersebut?

Sebenarnya perjanjian itu bermaksud untuk meluaskan rangkaian perkhidmatan udara (connectivity) di antara Malaysia dan negara-negara asing.

i. Perjanjian perkhidmatan udara dua hala berdasarkan Dasar Langit
Terbuka atau Open Skies Policy membenarkan syarikat
penerbangan Malaysia dan Negara-negara asing mengadakan
penerbangan tanpa sekatan dari segi kekerapan perkhidmatan,
kapasiti penerbangan, jenis pesawat, laluan serta bilangan
syarikat penerbangan yang dibenarkan (multiple designations) di
antara Malaysia dan negara tersebut.



ii. Aturan perkhidmatan udara yang bersifat open skies memberi
kemudahan dan daya penarik kepada syarikat-syarikat
penerbangan kedua-dua negara untuk meneroka pasaran dan
mengadakan penerbangan dengan kekerapan dan laluan secara
commercially viable di antara kedua-dua negara. Situasi ini
mampu meningkatkan pertumbuhan sektor pengangkutan udara
dan industri pelancongan negara dan sekali gus meningkat
accessibility rakyat negara ini ke negara-negara lain di dunia dan
sebaliknya.


iii. Secara umumnya, Malaysia menawarkan semua destinasi di
Malaysia yang mempunyai lapangan terbang antarabangsa
kepada kebanyakan negara melalui Perjanjian Perkhidmatan
Udara dua hala (bilateral) yang ditandatangani.

dan sebab itulah lapangan terbang domestik di Malaysia  seperti lapangan terbang Kuantan, lapangan terbang sultan ismail Petra dan lapangan terbang Ipoh boleh mendagakan route ke Singapura dan sebagainya. Seperti juga lapangan terbang Tawau terbang ke Tarakan di Indonesia.

Penerbangan kota bharu ke kota kinabalu

Buat julung kalinya, Pantai Timur dan Borneo disatukan melalui pengenalan laluan terbaru tersebut oleh Air Asia,  dan bermula 16 November lalu perhubungan  kedua destinasi tersebut telah dilancarkan. Dengan adanya perkhidmatan ini diharapkan integrasi nasional kedua buah wilayah dalam negara akan terus dapat dipereratkan.