Melaka Government Looks To Enter Aviation Industry By Introducing Melaka Air

MELAKA, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is looking into making inroads in the aviation industry by introducing "Melaka Air" to boost the tourism and aviation sectors in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said for a start, they would study whether to rent a Boeing 737-400 aircraft or an Airbus 320 to offer flights from Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam here. "We will conduct a study on the viability and marketing aspects including public demand over the next three months before the state government makes a final decision on the matter." He told this to reporters after flagging off the first flight for Melaka-Medan-Melaka route by community aviation company, Firefly, at the LTAM Friday. He said among the destinations deemed suitable for the flights from LTAM were Jakarta, Pekan Baru, Palembang and Medan in Indonesia. The state government's idea to establish its own aviation company came about after being disappointed by broken promises made by several airlines including AirAsia to use the LTAM for their local flights, he said. "AirAsia promised to start its flight to Penang and Medan from LTAM this year, but it never happened. So, it is best for us to have our own airline and rent aircraft to boost activities at LTAM," he said. At present, he said the RM160-million airport, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Feb 4, was being used only by Riau Airlines, which flies five times a week from Melaka to Pekan Baru using a Fokker 50 aircraft. Meanwhile, Mohd Ali said the state government was also planning to promote health-tourism especially among the people in Sumatera, Indonesia. "Sumatera has a vast health-tourism market to be explored seriously by the state government. About 50,000 Indonesian tourists came to Melaka last year for health purposes," he said.