MAS to take over Firefly jet services following heavy losses

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will be taking over the jet services of its subsidiary Firefly –which has been in the news for shutting its Johor Bahru hub with no advance notice – by December 4 following heavy losses. As a result, Firefly’s services from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching and Sibu in Sarawak, to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan in Sabah, and to Labuan will cease by December 4.

 

In an internal circular released to employees on Tuesday, the Malaysia Airlines Group said the programme would be undertaken over a two-month period on a sector-by-sector basis. “It will result in all Firefly jet aircraft being redeployed into Malaysia Airlines' operations by December 4,” it stated.

 

Firefly will now concentrate on serving shorthaul turboprop operations to more than 13 destinations in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Koh Samui, while MAS will focus on enhancing its premium full-service offering.

 

"The takeover of jet services is an important part of Malaysia Airlines Group's business realignment exercise and is prompted by the need to address network and fleet restructuring plans for shorthaul jet services. With the consolidation of Firefly's jet operations under the Group, Malaysia Airlines will focus on the business of growing our premium full-service segment," said MAS Group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

 

He added: "Malaysia Airlines Group remains committed to Sabah and Sarawak and will continue to operate all services to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. In addition, MASwings will also continue to operate all flights to the other points within Sabah and Sarawak that are currently being served."

 

Firefly's turboprop operations out of Subang and Penang airports will be strengthened with the recent delivery of two additional turboprop aircraft. These aircraft will enable Firefly to reinstate services between Subang and Kuantan, scheduled for November, and also provide capacity to increase frequency of services on existing routes.

 

The Malaysia Airlines Group assured passengers it would honour all jet flight seats sold on Firefly. “The Group is committed to minimising the impact of any disruptions to the travel plans of Firefly jet passengers and will reassign all those affected to equivalent flights or better, at no additional cost, to ensure they reach their intended destinations,” according to a statement.

-TTG Asia.