PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) first Airbus A380 touched down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang to a grand welcome as the national carrier celebrated its entry into the elite A380 club.
Sporting a special celebratory livery, Flight MH5439 arrived at KLIA from Toulouse, France, to a traditional welcome of a water cannon salute. “The arrival of the A380 is proof that MAS has once again taken the lead to support the nation’s aspirations to be a leader in trade and tourism activities,” said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha at the welcoming ceremony. “Despite mounting and continuous challenges in the global commercial aviation industry, MAS has never neglected its obligation to fulfil the corporate objectives required by the Government,” he said.
Kong said MAS’ latest commercial super jumbo aircraft would create excitement and confidence among the public for the national airlines, adding that it was the eighth operator of such an aircraft in the world. MAS, he said, had also ordered six A380, with most of these coming in by the end of the year.
The flight from Toulouse was commanded by Captain Norshid Ali and ferried 91 guests and selected MAS staff from various divisions, including its group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Malaysia Airports CEO Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Civil Aviation Department director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman and senior Finance Ministry officials. Guests, including Kong and Transport Ministry officials, were later given a tour of the double-deck aircraft and a chance to try out the seats, meals and new amenities.
Kong also opened the upgraded MAS flagship Golden Lounge at the KLIA satellite building, which now features two seating areas – the Platinum Lounge for its Enrich Platinum members and First Class guests and another for its Enrich Gold members, Business Class guests and front-end passengers. He also announced that the total number of passengers handled by airports across the country was expected to increase to 68 million this year from 65.3 million previously.
-thestar online.
www.malaysiaairlines.com
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