MAS expects 15pc growth from India

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is expecting a 15 per cent growth in passenger load from India this year as compared to 2011, its Senior Vice-President (Global Sales and Distribution), Duncan Bureau, said. 

"Despite the economic slowdown worldwide, India is a growth-centric market for MAS. Hence, MAS is increasing the number of current flight frequencies from Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru to Kuala Lumpur by another 10 day-time flights to ease the seat crunch for Indian passengers, he said in a statement to announce increased flight frequencies.

The increase, effective Sept 1, will provide better travel options for travellers who can enjoy improved connectivity to destinations in MAS' flight network. 
MAS is well connected with five India's metro cities -- New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad -- fromy Kuala Lumpur.

It currently operates 40 weekly flights to India from Kuala Lumpur, with 12 weekly flights from New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur and seven weekly flights each to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru from Kuala Lumpur.  In an effort to make MAS more attractive to the Indian market, the Malaysia flag bearer has regularly introduced various tour and travel packages and value-for-money schemes for travellers.

The latest is the "Showcase Malaysia Dream Deal 2012" which offers travellers a two-night complimentary stay in Malaysia on purchase of any international air ticket to Malaysia or beyond from MAS.  Passengers travelling on MAS on a Business Class ticket will get a complimentary stay in a five-star hotel in Malaysia, while passengers on Economy Class can avail a complimentary stay in a four-star hotel in Malaysia.

Bureau said MAS has also enhanced its in-flight menu of Indian cuisines for its passengers travelling from India and other parts of the world. He said these choices of in-flight vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available for passengers flying both in business and economy classes.

He also said MAS was on track to join the oneworld®alliance membership around the turn of the year. “It is progressively developing bilateral links on code-share with oneworld® partners, the latest being Cathay Pacific and Royal Jordanian Airlines. It has also added its network to the Global Explorer; the round-the-world fare offered by all members of the alliance and selected other airlines,” he said.

When MAS becomes part of oneworld®, its customers will gain access to the alliance’s truly global network. Its membership will expand oneworld’s global coverage to around 820 destinations in 150 countries served by a combined fleet of more than 2,600 aircraft operating some 10,000 flights a day and carrying 358 million passengers a year.

-Bernama.