MAS launches cheap fares to local and foreign destinations

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Global Sales is back with great offers to domestic and international destinations from Nov 8 to 15. Promising to offer something for everyone, the sale kicked off with a pre-sale for Enrich members yesterday. Pre-sale tickets are only available at MAS tickets offices and call centre. In a statement on Saturday, MAS executive vice-president Datuk Bernard Francis said the Global Sale covered all travel segments ranging from business to economy passengers.

“For the first time, the sale also includes destinations some of our codeshare partners fly to. This is an excellent opportunity for travellers to take advantage of our vast network connections to travel around the world. We are also rewarding our Enrich members with an exclusive preview a day earlier than the general public,” he said. Business class passengers can enjoy fares from RM799 to Bangkok, Hanoi and Manila, RM999 to Taipei and Xiamen, RM3,999 to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and RM2,199 to both Dubai and Jeddah. Fares to London and Paris on business class are from RM5,999 and to Los Angeles and Buenos Aires from RM7,999. “If you are looking for a getaway closer to home, look out for business class offers from RM299 to Penang and Langkawi, RM519 to Kuching and RM639 to Kota Kinabalu,” MAS said.

Those travelling on economy class can fly to Asean destinations such as Jakarta and Bandung from only RM199 and RM339 to Bali, while fares are from RM349 to Hong Kong, RM599 to Maldives and RM889 to Tokyo. “Take advantage of the lower euro with European-getaway fares from RM1,599 to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and RM1,699 to Amsterdam,” it said.

For the first time, travellers can enjoy discounted fares to MAS’ codeshare destinations under its partnerships with British Midlands , Alitalia and KLM. “Fancy a trip to Old Trafford stadium? Fares are now available from RM1,899 to Manchester via London with British Midlands.
“Explore Barcelona, Madrid and Athens via Frankfurt from only RM1,999 with Alitalia. Check out Brussels at RM2,099 and Oslo at RM2,199 via Amsterdam with KLM,” it said. “With flexible travelling periods from Dec 8 to Sept 30, 2011 as well as competitive fares, it’s the perfect time to plan your holiday in advance,” Bernard said. Fares quoted are for one way travel. Tickets are available at MAS’ ticket offices, call centre, selected travel agents and online at http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/.
— Bernama

Terengganu beli rumah Haji Su

KUALA TERENGGANU 5 Nov. - Rumah warisan 'Haji Su' di Kampung Losong dekat sini yang bercirikan keunikan seni bina dan ketukangan masyarakat Melayu tradisional negeri akan dibeli dan dipulihara oleh kerajaan negeri. Pengarah Muzium Negeri, Mohd Yusof Abdullah memberitahu, kerajaan negeri bersetuju memperuntukkan sebanyak RM2.8 juta bagi tujuan itu dan kini dalam proses perbincangan akhir dengan pewaris. Katanya, ia sebahagian daripada usaha bagi mengekalkan monumen atau artifak warisan bangsa agak tidak lenyap begitu sahaja bersama sejarah.

''Mungkin ada yang mempersoalkan mengapa membelanjakan wang membeli rumah usang ini yang hampir roboh. Ia bukan sekadar soal rumah atau tapak warisan. ''Tetapi kita sebenarnya turut membeli dan mengekalkan bersama ilmu tentang seni bina Melayu, yang melambangkan intipati kemajuan teknologi, ketinggian nilai seni serta acuan corak budaya. ''Apa yang pernah menjadi lambang kebanggaan dalam kehidupan silam bangsa dan kini hampir lenyap perlu terus dipertahankan untuk diwarisi," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Rumah kepunyaan Allahyarham Su Mohammed Salleh Mohammed yang dibina pada 1850 bercirikan reka bentuk rumah Limas Belanda dan rumah Bujang Berpeleh Kembar Tiga berkait rapat dengan identiti negeri ini. Mengikut sejarah awal, rumah berkayu cengal itu didiami semua anak Su Mohammed Salleh dan apabila anak bongsunya meninggal dunia pada 2008, rumah itu tidak berpenghuni serta terbiar begitu sahaja. Dua buah rumah yang ditinggalkan itu merupakan rumah pasang siap dan dipercayai mampu dibina oleh hanya seorang tukang dengan mengambil kira kesesuaian alam persekitaran dan kehidupan beragama dan resam Melayu. ''Walaupun ramai yang mungkin melihat struktur rumah tersebut dari luar seolah-olah tidak berharga namun, nilai sejarah dan nilai di dalam rumah itu mendorong Muzium Negeri berusaha untuk memuliharanya bagi tatapan generasi akan datang.

''Ia rumah paling besar di penempatan itu yang masih terdapat rumah-rumah tradisional yang melambangkan taraf kehidupan keluarga yang mendudukinya pada masa silam," ujar beliau. Katanya, selain nilai warisan yang ditinggalkan, pemilik asal rumah itu mempunyai sejarah tersendiri dan namanya diabadikan sebagai nama penempatan di situ iaitu Losong Haji Su. ''Haji Su merupakan ahli perniagaan dan pada zamannya adalah kalangan yang ternama di negeri ini. ''Allahyarham dikatakan mempunyai banyak kapal untuk urusan dagang di rantau ini malah mempunyai kapal penumpang yang menghubungkan Kuala Terengganu dengan Singapura,'' tambahnya.

-Utusan Online.

Penang not living up to its tourism potential, says Yen Yen

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has the potential to become a tourism leader because of its accessibility and numerous tourism products but is lagging behind Malacca. Malacca recorded 8.9 million tourist arrivals last year compared to Penang’s 5.96 million. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the statistics “speaks for itself”. “Penang has dropped from 6.3 million in 2008 according to the statistics from our research division. “With 191 international flights per week from 12 international airlines, no other destination, except Kuala Lumpur, has such a big number of flights,” she said after the soft launch of the Penang Hill funicular train upgrading project at the lower station in Air Itam here yesterday.

Stand back: Yen Yen attending the soft launch of the Penang Hill funicular train project in Air Itam, Penang yesterday.

Asked what could be done to improve the situation, Yen Yen said the state could hire more specialised tourist guides. “The ministry is currently holding meetings with the Penang Heritage Trust for a Penang heritage co-curriculum to cater for the training of specialised heritage guides,” she said. The ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the handing over of the upgraded hill railway project to the state government within the first quarter of next year. Yen Yen said the new policy (of signing an MoU) was an effort by the ministry to make sure that projects handed over to state governments were “up and running” as soon they were completed.

“The upgrading of the funicular train service is expected to be completed by December or January. “The new system will be more user-friendly for the elderly, disabled and parents with children. “Also, they no longer have to change to another train at the middle station. “The Penang Hill Corporation will then have to improve the hilltop facilities, and also the cafes and inn, otherwise there’s no point in having a good train to take tourists up there.”

-thestar online.

State govt plans to transform Kenyir Lake into a top holiday destination

KUALA TERENGGANU: As Southeast Asia’s largest man-made attraction, the Kenyir lake did not live up to its mark as a top tourist destination. However, the fate of Kenyir lake that was constructed three decades ago is changing for the better with its recent declaration as a Duty Free Zone (DFZ). The Terengganu Government saw the prospects of the lake as a great holiday destination and worked hard for the past one year to have the DFZ accorded to Kenyir. In September, the DFZ was accorded by Federal Government and the state immediately announced that Kenyir will be transformed into a top-of-the line holiday destination.

Beautiful: A file picture of Kenyir Lake in the morning.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the Terengganu government will inject an initial fund of RM100mil for the makeover of Kenyir and will fully open the door to a modern DFZ Kenyir site by the year 2012. “The DFZ is seen as a catalyst to witness vast development in Kenyir as the scenic man-made lake has been left neglected for the past 30 years. “The government also plans to woo local and foreign investors, especially manufacturers of branded attires, watches, shoes and other consumer products to establish their outlets at the site. “Kenyir, is blessed with 340 islands while being rich in flora and fauna and with a DFZ it will be another boon for the growth of eco-tourism of the area,” said Ahmad Said.

The proposed development for Kenyir includes the construction of 300 hotels and chalets, a theme park, an orchid garden, a fruit orchard as well as bird and butterfly parks. As for the 300 hotels and chalets, 100 are expected to be five star, 100 more four star and the remaining will be accorded three star status. Kenyir will also be turned into a shopping paradise, offering merchandise at affordable prices, catering for both high-end holidaymakers and those on a shoestring budget. A duty free complex, shophouses, condominiums and Custom department complex will be also constructed in Kenyir and is expected to be completed over the next two years.

To lauch the ambitious plan in Kenyir’s transformation, the state had initiated a RM33mil project to lay underwater cables from the mainland to Pulau Bayas in Kenyir so tthe island could be developed for tourism purposes. Other attractions that will be unveiled are a floating restaurant, boathouses, jet boat tour and cable car. The man-made lake is a fascinating tourism spot as it is home to more than 8,000 species of flowers, 2500 species of plants and trees, as well as some 300 species of fresh water fishes.

Residents in the area would surely benefit once Kenyir is developed into a modern tourist destination, however the state government shouldnt compromise on the preserving the rich eco-system of the area when carrying-out these development projects. A thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be carried out by state before going ahead with development in Kenyir.

-thestar online.

Year-end sale to lure Brunei folks to Miri

Tourism Malaysia will launch the Malaysia Year End Sale in Miri in December to attract tourists from Brunei. Sarawak Tourism Malaysia director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali said the sale would be held in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. He pointed out that shopping was among the main draws for tourists.

Top thinker: Ahmad Johanif handing over a cheque to Ramlah for winnnig in the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2010 Quiz Contest in Kuching.

“In 2009, shopping contributed RM15.1bil to an overall tourism receipts of RM53.4bil, a positive growth of 17.3% from the previous year,” he told reporters during the a prize-presentation ceremony for the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2010 Quiz Contest in Kuching. The year-end sale is one of the country’s two annual shopping carnivals, the other being the Mega Sale held in July.

Meanwhile, the Quiz Contest was organised by the management of Sarawak Plaza and Riverside Shopping Complex from July 24 to Sept 16. The first prize winner was Ramlan Junaidi, 24, who won RM2,000 in shopping vouchers, while second-prize winner Mohd Noor Hisham Abdul Mutalib won RM1,000 in cash vouchers and third-prize winner Tan Shu Hwa won RM500 in cash vouchers. Seven other consolation prize winners each won RM300 in cash vouchers. The top-three winners also won a two-day-one-night complimentary stay at Damai Beach Resort.

-thestar online.

BCCK qualifies as finalist in MIPIM Asia Awards

THE Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) has been shortlisted as one of the three finalists in the Best Business Centres category of the MIPIM Asia Awards 2010. The centre was pitted against South Korea’s NHN Green Factory building and Shanghai International Financial Centre HSBC building. Main market-listed conglomerate Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMS) announced yesterday that it was proud that its submission of the BCCK had been shortlisted.

Sarawak’s pride: The BCCK has been selected as a finalist in the Best Business Centre category of the MIPIM Asia Awards.

The selection of the winner will be through voting by an expected 2,000 delegates from across Asia attending the MIPIM Asia conference and exhibition in Hong Kong from Nov 10 to 12. The winner will be announced at the MIPIM Asia Awards ceremony on Nov 11. MIPIM Asia is the world’s property market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The MIPIM Asia Awards, launched in 2007 and now in its fourth edition, pay tribute to outstanding projects in the Asia-Pacific region for their environmental, architectural and technical features. The projects compete in eight categories namely business centres, shopping centres, mixed-use buildings, residential developments, hotels and tourism resorts, green buildings, best Chinese projects and Futura projects. This year’s finalists were chosen by a prestigious panel of 11 international jury members who met for nearly eight hours in a closed-door meeting on Sept 17 in Hong Kong to review 79 projects that had been short-listed.

Only three finalists were selected in each category and announced at a press conference at the MIPIM Asia headquarters in Paris on Sept 21. CMS group managing director Datuk Richard Curtis, in a press statement issued yesterday, said: “We are extremely proud that our project, the sole Malaysian finalist, has made it to the final round. The awards are considered by many to be the Oscars for real estate as the winners are determined by a large group of leading industry professionals made up of institutional investors, public and private sector organisations, property developers, hotel groups and others. The winners are especially proud to receive this industry recognition of excellence.

Last year, more than 1,900 participants from over 1,000 companies representing 42 countries were present at the MIPIM Asia in Hong Kong. Located on The Isthmus, Kuching, the BCCK is Sarawak’s first purpose-built world-class convention centre. Easily recognised by its distinctive giant rainforest Ririg leaf-shaped green roof, it was developed for the Sarawak government by CMS’ construction subsidiary PPES Works (Sarawak). It was designed by local architectural firm Arkitek KDI. Fully completed earlier this year, the BCCK’s pillar-free 10m-high Great Hall and 14 additional meetings rooms have been the preferred venue in East Malaysia for many events large and small, local and international.

-thestar online.

Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia - Deepavali 2010

Semua dijemput hadir ke Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia - Deepavali 2010 seperti butiran dibawah:-

Tarikh: 13 November 2010 (Sabtu)

Masa: 2.30 petang ~ 10.30 malam

Tempat: Taman Keladi, Sungai Petani, Kedah

Anjuran: Kementerian Penerangan, Komunikasi & Kebudayaan

MAS in contention for world travel award

DUBAI: Brands that have demonstrated the greatest strength in what has been described as a challenging year for travel and tourism are to pick up top honours at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2010 Grand Final in London on Sunday. Malaysia Airlines is in contention for the "World's Leading Airline" award. Other contenders include Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. "The 'World's Leading Airline' award features a heavy Asian and Middle Eastern contingent, reflecting how the two regions are leading aviation out of recession," according to organisers of the ceremony to be held at London's Grosvenor House hotel.

In a statement, they said Prince Khalid Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia would pick up the "Leading Personality of the Year" award for his development of religious tourism in the holy city of Makkah, and his pioneering philanthropic work for the King Faisal Foundation. "Our industry is under no illusions that 2010 has been one of the toughest on record. Yet these turbulent times have also seen the true leaders of travel turn adversity into opportunity," said WTA president and founder Graham Cooke. He said winners on the night would all share their vision, entrepreneurial spirit and inner strength to succeed.

Other brands competing on the hotel category include the likes of Armani Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and Versace. WTA nominations featured 5,000 companies in 1,000 categories across 162 countries. The winners are selected by thousands of industry professionals and consumers worldwide who have been voting online. The WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.

- BERNAMA

Juadah Baba Nyonya di Hotel Naza Talyya

JOHOR BAHRU 4 Nov. - Bagi penggemar atau mereka yang mahu mencuba masakan Baba Nyonya, anda tidak perlu lagi pergi jauh ke negeri itu kerana Hotel Naza Talyya di sini menyediakan beraneka juadah Melaka sempena Promosi Rasa Melaka mulai 2 hingga 21 November ini. Sepanjang tempoh itu, Pegawai Kanan Pentadbiran hotel itu, Azmah Azali berkata, pelbagai juadah terkenal masyarakat itu seperti ayam asam pedas buah keluak, ketam berempah, asam pedas ekor, nasi kemuli, daging sumur dan sebagainya boleh didapati di hotel tersebut.

"Paling istimewa ialah asam pedas buah keluak kerana ia adalah juadah kegemaran Baba Nyonya dan buah tersebut didatangkan khas dari Indonesia," katanya ketika ditemui pada majlis pelancaran promosi itu di sini, kelmarin. Beliau berkata, sepanjang promosi tersebut, seorang pelanggan dikenakan harga RM46 bagi dewasa dan RM23 bagi kanak-kanak bagi makan tengah hari dan malam. Selain itu, katanya, pelanggan yang ulang tahun tarikh kelahirannya jatuh pada tarikh promosi tersebut berpeluang menikmati juadah secara percuma manakala seorang pelanggan akan menikmati makanan percuma jika datang bersama sekumpulan tujuh pelanggan.

Chef berpengalaman yang didatangkan khusus untuk menyediakan juadah tersebut, Augustine Nonis, 64, berkata, setiap hari menu akan berubah-ubah bagi memastikan pelanggan berpeluang menikmati pelbagai masakan Baba Nyonya. "Masakan Baba Nyonya dan Peranakan Melaka memang banyak yang sedap dan istimewa, jadi kami akan menghidangkan menu yang berlainan setiap hari agar juadah-juadah itu boleh dirasai oleh pelanggan," katanya. Menurut beliau, setiap hari lebih 10 menu akan disediakan secara bufet bersama pelbagai juadah sampingan seperti beraneka kuih-muih, cendol Melaka, acar cili, mangga dan ikan, buah-buahan, ais batu campur istimewa dan sebagainya.

-Utusan Online.

All that glitters

The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Temple in Johor Baru is listed in the Malaysian Book of Records as the first and only glass temple in the nation. It’s the first and only glass temple in the country. “It’s official. On May 12, Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Temple in Johor Baru was entered into the Malaysian Book Of Records as the first and only glass temple in the nation,” says Sri Sinnathamby Sivasamy, temple chairman and chief priest.

The temple, one of Johor Baru’s oldest Hindu temples, is situated next to the railway tracks between Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and Jalan Mohd Taib (or close to the Tebrau Highway). It started in 1922 as a simple shelter on land presented by the Sultan of Johor.  Sixty-nine years later, when Guru inherited the role as temple chairman after his father retired, he made a commitment to rebuild it. In spite of difficulties and challenges, the temple was rebuilt and officially reopened in 1996. 

The temple, located in 22 Lorong 1, Jalan Tebrau, Johor Baru, is accessible through Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and the lane that borders Gim Shew Building. Car and coach parking is available and there’s also a shoe storage service. It is open for devotees from 7am to 10pm daily, while visiting hours for tourists are between 1pm and 5pm. For guided tours and enquiries, contact the guest relations officer at 07-224 5152, 019-766 7151 or fax 07-224 5153.

-new straits times.

Taman Singa Laut dibuka Disember ini

MELAKA 3 Nov. - Taman Singa Laut yang terletak di Pulau Melaka dan bakal menjadi tarikan terbaru pelancongan di negeri ini akan dibuka kepada orang ramai bulan depan. Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam berkata, projek bernilai RM2 juta itu kini telah 65 peratus siap dan dijangka mencapai 95 peratus pada 15 November ini. Menurut beliau, walaupun kerja-kerja pelaksanaan projek terbabit lewat dua bulan, beliau yakin ia boleh disiapkan pertengahan Disember ini.

"Saya lihat kerja-kerja pembinaan kolam, pentas dan tempat duduk penonton berjalan lancar. Setakat ini, keseluruhan projek ini sudah siap 65 peratus. "Sebagai permulaan, dua ekor singa laut akan dibeli dari Indonesia dan dilatih untuk membuat persembahan kepada orang ramai," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian selepas meninjau projek terbabit di Pulau Melaka, Banda Hilir di sini kelmarin.

Taman Singa Laut yang pertama dibina di negeri ini mampu memuatkan kira-kira 1,500 orang untuk satu pertunjukan. Mohd. Ali berkata, taman itu akan diuruskan oleh anak syarikat kerajaan negeri, Menara Taming Sari Berhad yang kini mengendalikan operasi Menara Taming Sari dan monorel di Taman Rempah. Menurutnya, harga tiket yang akan dikenakan kepada pengunjung ialah RM5 untuk kanak-kanak dan RM10 bagi dewasa. ''Harga tiket ini tidak mahal kerana pengunjung akan berpuas hati dengan persembahan daripada kedua-dua haiwan terlatih ini," ujarnya. Beliau menambah, produk pelancongan terbaru itu dijangka mampu menarik minat kira-kira 1,000 pelancong sehari dengan pendapatan RM10,000 sebulan.

"Kita yakin, selepas ini Pulau Melaka yang dahulunya suram bakal menjadi produk pelancongan terkenal antaranya seperti Bandar Arab dan Taman Ikan Lumba-Lumba," katanya. Menurutnya, projek pembinaan Taman Ikan Lumba-Lumba di Pulau Melaka dijangka bermula tahun depan. Projek itu katanya, dijangka memakan masa setahun untuk disiapkan.

-Utusan Online.

MAS ups Phnom Penh frequency

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has added two weekly flights to its daily Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh service. Starting yesterday, the flights operate on Wednesday and Saturday, arriving in Phnom Penh at 16.10 and departing at 17.10. 

Abdul Karim Md. Isa, MAS area manager for Cambodia, said the additional flights were to meet the growing market demand for the route. MAS was the first airline to operate at Phnom Penh International Airport when the country re-opened to the world in 1992, said Nicolas Deviller, CEO of Société Concessionnaire des Aéroports , the developer and operator of Cambodia’s three international airports. 

-TTG Asia.

Domestic Firefly flights from KLIA by early 2011

PETALING JAYA: Firefly, which now operates turboprops from Subang, will begin flying jets on several domestic routes from the KL International Airport (KLIA) as early as January or February. The idea is to beat competition with a low-cost model rather than a full service one and Firefly will take over some of the B737-400 aircraft from parent Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to ply the domestic routes. “It will have four to six B737-400 aircraft to begin with and more will be added to the system over time. Firefly is likely to do more of the cross-over flights to Sabah and Sarawak,’’ said a source.

Firefly is slated to make an announcement on its expansion plans on Monday. It could not be confirmed if the jets will take off from KLIA or the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang but, given the need to connect passengers from domestic to international routes, it would it easier to fly out of KLIA. Certainly the jets would not fly from Subang, a source said. He added that Firefly was also to fly to Asean destinations using the jets but the airline had to first get the necessary approvals from the authorities.

Firefly’s operations in Subang would continue as usual. The airline currently operates seven ATR 75-200s for domestic routes, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. It will take delivery of two ATRs by the year-end and a third by January. Firefly is able to take over some of the B737-400 aircraft from MAS as the latter has ordered 55 new B737-800.

On Monday, MAS took delivery of the first such aircraft,which came with a roomier interior, higher ceiling and mood lighting. Even the economy class is fitted with personal screens for in-flight entertainment and the aircraft can fly 5½ hours non-stop. The new interior done by Boeing is part of a package of improvements to the 737 family, which include a 2% fuel burn improvement and the updated CFM56-7BE engine, thus bringing down maintenance cost for the airline.

Meanwhile, MAS is to take delivery of two B737-400 before the year is out. The national carrier will use the first aircraft, which is a 160-seater, for the KL-Kota Kinabalu-Haneda route to be launched on Nov 15. The aircraft is powered by engines from Pratt & Whitney. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton witnessed the signing of a sale and purchase agreement for the purchase of 50 engines by MAS from Pratt & Whitney.

Yesterday, at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, where MAS showcased its new B737-800, Clinton said the “partnership between MAS and Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and General Electric is a win-win relationship which would create high paying skill jobs in both countries.’’
Also present at the event was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and MAS senior team. Besides the 737-800, the airline has ordered 25 A330-300 and six A380.
-thestar online.

Incheon makes it a grand dozen for AirAsia X

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X has touched down at the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, marking its 12th international destination since its launch two years ago. Passengers flying on this route will experience new “Premium FlatBed seats” that are equipped with universal power sockets and built-in utilities like privacy screens and reading lights on a brand new A330 aircraft. “We are very excited about this route,” said AirAsia X chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, adding that the new flight offering signified a major advance in the company’s mission to democratise long-haul air travel.

Monday’s inaugural flight recorded a 100% full flight with its 12 premium seats and 365 economy seats taken up. The airline has launched a new all-in low fare offering from as low as RM199 from Kuala Lumpur to Seoul for the travel period from April 1 to June 30 next year.
Booking period is from Nov 3 to Nov 10. More details can be found on www.airasia.com.
-thestar online.

MAS gets first B737-800

SUBANG: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) yesterday received its first B737-800, the latest generation aircraft which promises both economy and business-class passengers a better travel experience. Passengers will enjoy an in-flight entertainment system which will include audio and video-on-demand, roomier interior, better ambience, higher ceiling and mood lighting.

The national carrier had placed an order for 55 such aircraft with Boeing and would take delivery of three more by the year-end, said managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin. “We are proud to announce that we will be the first full-service airline in the world to operate B737-800 with the new Boeing Skyline Interior,” he said after taking delivery of the new aircraft at Skypark Airport here.

The 160-seater aircraft sports a new dynamic livery with red and blue lines representing MAS’ corporate colours. MAS has also ordered 25 A330-300 and six A380 aircraft. It is expected to take delivery of the first A330-300 next year.

— Bernama

Tour agents cry foul over axing of Chennai route

KLANG: Malaysian tour agents are crying foul over Air India’s termination of its Kuala Lumpur-Chennai route. The management of the tour companies say the airline had informed them on Friday that the route would be cancelled from its itinerary from yesterday.
Air India said it was working to restore the route.

Tour agency operator S. Gandhi said Air India’s move to cancel the route was unfair to Malaysian tour agents. “It is peak season now. Cancelling the route at such short notice is an arbitrary move that will affect us adversely,” he added. Gandhi said passengers who had booked their tickets may now be forced to use budget airline Air India Express, which was still plying the route. He added it was unfair for the passengers to be forced to travel on Air India Express.

Another tour agent K. P. Samy said the airline should have given sufficient notice before cancelling the route. “We are committed on giving our customers the service that they demand, and it’s difficult for us to tell them what has happened,” he added.Asked about the differences between both airlines, Samy said that while the fare for Air India Express was about RM300 cheaper, its passengers had to transit via Trichy.

Air India’s country manager Patrick Xavier said the route was cancelled due to some operational issues. “We are trying our best to restore the route, and are very much concerned over the cancellation,” said Xavier.
-thestar online.

Agents to market tours for the disabled

TWO travel agencies in Malaysia are expanding their inbound services to cater to disabled tourists. Mat Isa Akib, tourism consultant for An Najwa Travel & Tours and director of business development and government affairs for M-Vision Travel, said both companies were looking to develop rural tourism packages for the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Mat Isa, the two travel agencies and the Travel Writers Association of Malaysia will jointly organise a sponsored programme for 200 disabled people from December 17 to 20.

The reconnaissance trip will cover Rantau Abang, Lake Kenyir, Kuala Berang, Kuala Terengganu and Kerteh, and the package will later be finetuned and marketed to disabled clients from regional and longhaul markets. Mat Isa said there were currently few agents who offered tours for the disabled. "We can customise packages to include a private ambulance to accompany the coach or limousine and provide adjoining rooms in the resorts or hotels for the caretakers."
-TTG Asia.

Tanjong Karang to become main source for ikan baung

TANJUNG KARANG: If Temerloh is famous for the breeding of ikan patin (silver catfish), Tanjung Karang will soon become the main source for ikan baung (yellow catfish) as part of its efforts to promote agro-tourism in Malaysia. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the Fisheries Department would release 10,000 ikan baung fry in Sungai Ban Canal, Kampung Sungai Sireh Homestay here by next month. “We will introduce this area as the source for ikan baung and encourage fishing enthusiasts nationwide to come here and get involved in the agriculture sector,” he told reporters after presenting prizes to winners of a fishing competition in conjunction with a programme at Sungai Ban Canal Tanjong Karang, Kampung Sungai Sireh Homestay yesterday.

Fisheries Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Suhaili Lee said the fry would be taken from the department’s three collection centres in Negri Sembilan and Pahang. “For a start, we will release 10,000 fry, which cost five sen each, in the 3km-long river. If there’s a positive response, we will continue these efforts by increasing the number of fry,” he added.
Asked why ikan baung was chosen, Suhaili said their potential to breed was high because the river had become a natural habitat for fish of the same species.
— Bernama