MASwings to increase capacity

KOTA KINABALU: Three more European-made ATR72-600 will be added to MASwings’ fleet in its bid to increase capacity and flight frequencies.

MASwings chief commercial officer Shauqi Ahmad said the three aircraft were expected to arrive in March, July and September next year. “The new additions will help MASwings expand its network and increase its frequencies,” he said.

MASwings had, two months ago, received one new ATR72-600, which is now being utilised to operate additional services from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Labuan in Sabah. However, the rationalisation exercise would see its twice-weekly Kota Kinabalu–Balikpapan service suspended temporarily.

“MASwings gives assurance that it will honour all forward bookings ticketed prior to Oct 27,” Shauqi said. Passengers who have purchased their tickets for travel after Oct 27 will be offered either a refund or make self-arrangements for return trips for those who have used one of their two-way ticket.

Shauqi also said MASwings was planning to introduce three times weekly services of Kota Kinabalu-Puerto Princesa (in the Philippines), effective Nov 19, and four times weekly services of the Mulu-Bandar Seri Begawan route from Nov 7.

Under the new schedule, MASwings will add three more flights to the existing daily services on the Kuching-Pontianak route, starting Nov 8. “Linking Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan with Kota Kinabalu will facilitate tourist movement between these two resort cities,” Shauqi said. He said the Pontianak route was one of the strong destinations for MASwings.

-thestar online.