MAS to ramp up frequencies on regional routes

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has plans to increase frequencies on regional routes with high demand in Asia-Pacific, such as Jakarta, Bangkok, New Delhi and Hong Kong, as well as some primary tourist destinations.


The group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, said Asia-Pacific was a growth area and anticipated high passenger traffic from a growing middle class segment. MAS’ original plans to utilise its new A380 on the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney-Kuala Lumpur route from July 1 have been withdrawn as the aircraft’s seat capacity exceeds demand. However, plans remain intact for the A380 aircraft to commence thrice-weekly operations on the Kuala Lumpur-London-Kuala Lumpur route from July 1.

Ahmad Jauhari said commercial studies were being carried out on new routes to fly the A380, with destinations such as Australia and Japan on the cards. The flag carrier will take delivery of its second A380 next month.

MAS has pushed back its target to turn profitable by one year, from 2013 to 2014. Last year, the national carrier incurred a loss of RM2.52 billion (US$788 million) against a revenue of RM13.9 billion. For the first quarter of 2012, MAS reported a loss of RM171.8 million.
-TTG Asia.