Malindo to launch first flight on Mar 22

Hopeful job applicants collecting their application forms during Malindo Air's walk-in interview at its KLIA office in this Nov 1 file picture.

PUTRAJAYA: Malindo Air is set to launch its first flight on March 22 following its success in obtaining the air operator certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation last month.

As a start, the country's second low-cost airline will offer an all-inclusive fare to Kuching starting from RM38, while a trip to Kota Kinabalu begins at RM68. All flights will take off from KL International Airport.

The airlines will be operating the Boeing 737-900ER airplanes, which have a capacity of 180 seats each and capable of serving destinations within a five and a half hour range.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha handed over the AOC to Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandran Rama Muthy in a ceremony at the Marriott Putrajaya Hotel on Thursday. "With Malindo Air as a new airline in the country, it will stimulate other airlines to continuously push for better services in order to attract customers," Kong said in his opening speech.

Malindo is a joint venture between Malaysia's Nadi Sdn Bhd and Indonesia's largest domestic carrier, Lion Air parent PT Lion Group.

-thestar online.