Malaysia Airlines takes off to Cairo

Malaysia Airlines MH8100 left to Cairo yesterday, 25 August 2013 to ferry Malaysian students in Egypt. The A330-300 aircraft departed Kuala Lumpur at 11.10am and arrived at the Cairo International Airport at 3.00pm local Egypt time. Meanwhile, MH8101 which was ferrying students back from Cairo also arrived at KLIA today at 8.24am. On hand to welcome home passengers of the specially chartered A333 aircraft was Group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, and management team members.

It was an emotional homecoming for 280 Malaysian students who arrived at KL International Airport 8.00am today from strife-torn Cairo. Piloted by Captain Hamdan Che Ismail, Captain Nor Azman Mahmood and FO Chan Kent Tye, MH8101 departed Cairo on Sunday afternoon after a swift 1 hour 21 minutes turnaround of the earlier ferry flight MH8100.   

Ops Pyramid Flight 2 departed KLIA at 11.10 am this morning, piloted by Captain Zainuddin Hussein, Captain Muzamil and FO Justin Lai. In all, Malaysia Airlines will deploy 3 flights this week (on 25, 26, 27 August) to bring home Malaysians from Egypt.    

Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, "The evacuation was a success due to the collaborative efforts from the Malaysian government, private sector and other foreign agencies.

He also commended the team at Malaysia Airlines in answering the government’s call to evacuate as many Malaysians out of Cairo safely and quickly as possible.

“The team spirit at Malaysia Airlines was overwhelming and focused on ensuring the smooth evacuation of our fellow Malaysians. We are honoured to be able to contribute to such an important mission and hope for swift resolution and normalisation of the situation in Egypt,” he said.

National Security Council (NSC) is the main coordinating body for the rescue mission in Egypt. Amongst NSC’s immediate task will be in determining the list of passengers to be assigned to the various mode of transportation deployed to Egypt. Malaysia Airlines is assisting the NSC to facilitate the evacuation process.

Malaysia Airlines was also actively involved in a similar rescue mission of students from Cairo during the unrest in 2011.

Malaysia Airlines RM56 'Merdeka Offer' Nationwide

56 years of independence, RM56 all-inclusive one-way fares to all domestic destinations, only for 56 hours! That’s Malaysia Airlines’ way of celebrating Malaysia’s upcoming 56^th Hari Merdeka.

This fun and fantastic offer begins at 12.01am on 30 August 2013 and will run for 56 hours, ending at 8.00am on 1 September 2013. Tickets booked during this promotion are valid for travel till 31 December 2013.

The all-inclusive one way fare ‘Merdeka Offer’ to all domestic includes travels to East Malaysia.

According to Regional Senior Vice President Malaysia, Muzammil Mohamad, “We’re celebrating our Nation’s Hari Merdeka big time! For those who did not get to travel and be with their families during the recent Hari Raya Aidil Fitri holidays can now get this fantastic RM56 one-way offer to take a break this weekend or plan for a holiday later in the year. We are blessed to live in a country with many beautiful places and so much to discover. Malaysia Airlines ‘Merdeka Offer’ is a great opportunity to travel within Malaysia!”

Enrich, the frequent flyer programme of Malaysia Airlines, is also running a contest for members to accumulate up to 56,000 Enrich miles quickly.

To qualify, just fly with Malaysia Airlines to any domestic destination within Malaysia from now till 30 September 2013. To win, send a photo plus caption of something that they love about Malaysia to Instagram with the hashtag #MH56 @malaysiaairlines with their respective Enrich numbers. Simple steps for Enrich members to win 56,000 Enrich miles.

These offers are available to customers at all distribution channels - www.malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines 24 hours number 1 300 88 3000, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

SELAMAT HARI WANITA

25 OGOS setiap tahun telah diisythiharkan sebagai Hari Wanita Kebangsaan setelah mengambilkira kaum wanita juga memainkan peranan besar kepada pembangunan negara juga keluarga.

Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat (KPWKM) menyasarkan 50 peratus daripada keseluruhan jemputan pada sambutan Hari Wanita 2013 adalah lelaki kerana kebanyakan jenayah terhadap kaum hawa di negara ini, dilakukan golongan itu.

Sambutan Hari Wanita 2013 dijadual dirasmikan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada 25 Ogos ini di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra di sini.

Pelbagai acara diatur sepanjang sambutan itu termasuk perbarisan wanita yang merupakan acara simbolik kepada tema, forum wanita, pengiktirafan Respek Wanita, pameran, keusahawanan di bawah KPWKM serta jualan produk, lapor Bernama.

Menurut Bernama, KPWKM berpendapat sambutan Hari Wanita merupakan landasan tepat bagi menyebar luas mesej kepada golongan lelaki khususnya bagi menghapuskan keganasan terhadap kaum wanita.

Justeru tema ‘Respek Wanita: Masyarakat Sejahtera’ dipilih selaras usaha kerajaan membendung jenayah membabitkan wanita seperti ragut dan keganasan rumah tangga yang semakin menjadi-jadi kini.

“Selaku kementerian yang bertanggungjawab berkaitan isu wanita dan kesejahteraan masyarakat, KPWKM berpandangan bahawa ini merupakan masa yang paling tepat untuk menonjolkan isu tersebut dan seterusnya menanganinya secara bersungguh-sungguh,” menurut kenyataan kementerian di sini.

Kementerian berpendapat ‘Respek Wanita’ perlu dijadikan satu gagasan, budaya serta nilai yang dipegang semua lapisan masyarakat di negara ini.

“Nilai baharu ini perlu disemai dan dipupuk di kalangan generasi baharu dan akan datang sejak mereka kecil dan untuk merealisasaikannya ibu bapa perlu memulakan dengan siri individu itu sendiri,” menurut kenyataan itu.

“Respek Wanita: Masyarakat Sejahtera” turut memberi satu gambaran bahawa kerajaan sentiasa prihatin dan memberi pengiktirafan serta penghargaan besar terhadap kejayaan dicapai wanita hari ini.

Setiap tahun, kira-kira 3,000 wanita daripada pelbagai lapisan kaum, status ekonomi, pegawai kerajaan, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan, pelajar institusi pengajian tinggi, pasukan badan beruniform, ahli politik serta pihak media dijemput bagi meraikan Hari Wanita.

Malaysia Airlines to deploy three rescue flights for Ops Pyramid

Malaysia Airlines will be deploying its A330-300 aircraft in the rescue mission of Malaysian students in Egypt. The first rescue flight MH8100 will depart Kuala Lumpur on 25 August 2013 at 11.10am and is expected to arrive at the Cairo International Airport at 3.00pm local Egypt time. Two other flights will also be deployed on 26^th and 27^th August 2013 at the same schedule.

MH8100 will be ferrying Malaysian Government officials and the Operations Team from Malaysia Airlines.

National Security Council (NSC) is the main coordinating body for the rescue mission in Egypt. Amongst NSC’s immediate task will be in determining the list of passengers to be assigned to the various mode of transportation deployed to Egypt. Malaysia Airlines is assisting the NSC to facilitate the evacuation process.

Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, "Being the national carrier and a responsible corporate entity, Malaysia Airlines is always prepared to assist our government to ensure our fellow Malaysians are safely back to Malaysia and are away from the turmoil in Egypt. Our team has been working round the clock to ensure the success of this mission and will continue to support NSC and the Malaysian Government.”
 

Malaysia Airlines was also actively involved in a similar rescue mission of students from Cairo during the unrest in 2011.

Firefly increases flights to Penang and Kota Bharu

Firefly airlines, one of Malaysia’s leading short-haul premium airlines, today announced additional services from Subang to/from Penang and Kota Bharu.

Firefly will be increasing its service from Subang to/from Kota Bharu by additional 11 x weekly whereas for Subang to/from Penang by additional 2 x weekly. These additional services will be available from 19 Aug 2013 to 25 Oct 2014, allowing Firefly to build upon its strong performance on these two key routes.

“Penang has always been important to us as it is our very first hub and our birthplace where it all started. Kota Bharu on the other hand is considered one of our hot seat states. We are increasing our services to these two routes mainly to provide our business customers the ease of travelling without having to wait too long for the next flight out. We intend to provide tourists and more importantly businessmen the convenience they need. The main point is to change consumers’ negative perception of air travel where long lead time is normally required when using an airport and an airline.”, Firefly’s Chief Executive Officer, Ignatius Ong said in statement today.

The additional flights are available for sale now in Firefly’s website and customers are urged to buy their tickets quickly as seats are being taken up at a swift pace. Customers who has time to plan their holiday trip at least 1 month ahead are also encouraged to take advantage of our Everyday Low Fare of RM49 for these flights where a large portion of seats are made available for this fare. “Firefly is the only airline operator out of Subang that provides high frequencies of 12 daily flights to Penang and 10 daily flights to Kota Bharu”, Ong added.

What’s more, Firefly offers all passengers the convenience of complimentary 20kg checked baggage allowance and in-flight refreshment, 30 minute check-in buffer, web and self-check-in facilities, as well as the opportunity to accrue and redeem Enrich points– all essential conveniences for busy individuals travelling during peak periods.

Passengers are advised to use Firefly’s easy self-check-in options whether it be at the convenience of their homes via web check in or at the airport via self-check-in kiosk. For a simple step by step guide on the proper usage of the kiosk, visit www.fireflyz.com.my . For more updates on products and services, follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/flyfirefly) and Facebook (facebook.com/Firefly).

Flight schedule

Subang – Penang / Penang – Subang

Flight No.	Route	Departure	Arrival	Days
FY2086	Subang – Penang	11.40am	12.40pm	Tues & Thurs.
FY2209	Penang – Subang	1.00pm	2.00pm	Tues & Thurs.

Subang – Kota Bharu / Kota Bharu - Subang

Flight No.	Route	Departure	Arrival	Days
FY2244	Subang – Kota Bharu	2.00pm	3.05pm	Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun.
FY2245	Kota Bharu – Subang	3.25pm	4.30pm	Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun.
FY2248	Subang – Kota Bharu	10.00pm	11.05pm	Daily
FY2249	Kota Bharu – Subang	10.25pm	11.30pm	Daily

Malaysia Airlines' Post Raya Sales - Discounts up to 50%

Post Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, Malaysia Airlines is offering exciting promotional fares for flights across its network. Customers can start booking for these fares from now till 25 August 2013 for the travel period of 19 August 2013 - 31 May 2014.

Malaysia Airlines’ Regional Senior Vice President Malaysia, Muzammil Mohamad said, "Now that Aidilfitri is over, families will be looking forward to plan their year-end school holidays vacation. This promotion offers up to 50% discount and are really great deals to grab. This promo is also an extension of the 40th Anniversary giveaways by Malaysia Airlines that was rolled out last October", he added further.

Fares to domestic destinations see discounts up to 50% via this promotion. An all-inclusive return airfare on economy class from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu start from only RM290 while the same to Penang and Johor Bahru starts from only RM150 and RM170 respectively.  Meanwhile, attractive fares are also up for grabs for travel on business class. For an all inclusive return fare that starts from only RM599 guests can travel to Kota Bahru and Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur. Business class return fares start from only RM1099 for travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Tickets to selected international destinations are also on sale. On economy class, all-inclusive return airfare from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket starts from only RM299 while the same to Kunming is priced starting from only RM799. Customers can choose to fly on business class to Sydney starting from only RM6299 from Kuala Lumpur.  Meanwhile, all-inclusive return business class fares to Bali and Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur starts from only RM1229.

Following the re-introduction of service to Dubai, the national carrier is offering super attractive promotional fares that start from only RM1, 999 for an all-inclusive Economy class return travel. Business class starts from as low as RM5, 999 for an all-inclusive return journey.

In conjunction with the introduction of service to Kochi, Malaysia Airlines is offering an introductory fare that start from only RM1,099 for an all-inclusive Economy class return travel. Business class starts from as low as RM2,199 for an all-inclusive return journey for the travel period of 1 September 2013 till 31 May 2014.

Meanwhile for Darwin, fares start from only RM1,399 for an all-inclusive Economy class return travel. Business class starts from as low as RM3,199 for an all-inclusive return journey for the travel period of 1 November 2013 till 31 May 2014. Bookings for Darwin can only be made via the 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines’ ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

All other offers are available to customers at all Malaysia Airlines distribution channels namely www.malaysiaairlines.com, 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines’ ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

FLY NOW TO DUBAI, KOCHI AND DARWIN

Malaysia Airlines is extending its special deals promotion for the recently announced routes namely Dubai, Kochi and Darwin till 4 August 2013 for travel up to 31 March 2014 from the date of the respective inaugural flight.

Regional Senior Vice President Malaysia, Muzammil Mohamad said, “There are only five days left to grab this very exciting offer by Malaysia Airlines and we urge the public to take opportunity of these very great deals. Malaysia Airlines is very glad to explore the three new and re-instated markets – they have much to offer in terms of richness in culture, heritage, modernisation and wildlife preservation, just to name a few. We strongly believe that our guests will be able to reap maximum benefits and fulfil their travel needs with these additions," he further added.

In conjunction with the re-introduction of service to Dubai, the national carrier is offering super attractive promotional fares that start from only RM1,999 for an all-inclusive Economy class return travel. Business Class starts from as low as RM5,999 for an all-inclusive return journey.

Meanwhile for Darwin, fares start from only RM1,399 for an all-inclusive Economy Class return travel. Business Class starts from as low as RM3,199 for an all-inclusive return journey.

With the introduction of service to Kochi, Malaysia Airlines is offering super attractive promotional fares that start from only RM1,099 for an all-inclusive Economy Class return travel. Business Class starts from as low as RM2,199 for an all-inclusive return journey.

Malaysia Airlines flights to Dubai will be operated daily via MH162 and MH163 beginning 5 August 2013 using the Boeing 777-200 aircraft that offers a total capacity of 282 seats in each flight, equivalent to 3,948 seats weekly.

Flight to Kochi will resume daily operations on 1 September 2013 via MH118 and MH119 while five times weekly flight to Darwin will resume on 1 November 2013 via MH 253 and MH 252.

Both routes, Kochi and Darwin will be operating on the new and improved 160-seater B737-800. The B737-800 aircraft with a configuration of 16 business and 144 Economy seats, provides premium travel experience with on-demand in-flight entertainment system at every seat.

Customers can book their travel on Malaysia Airlines through all distribution channels mainly www.malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia. However, for bookings to Darwin, customers will need to call Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, or visit Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

Malaysia Airlines adds frequency to Yangon and Auckland

Malaysia Airlines continues its expansion mode with the announcement of additional frequencies to two of its current destinations, Auckland and Yangon, as well as a new codeshare with Xiamen Airlines into Xiamen and Fuzhou. Only last week, the Malaysian national carrier announced its entry into Dubai, Darwin and Kochi.  

Starting 1 August 2013, Malaysia Airlines is increasing its frequency from Kuala Lumpur into Yangon, Myanmar, from ten times weekly to 14 times weekly or twice daily. Meanwhile, services on Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, New Zealand, will be increased from six times weekly to daily services effective 24 November 2013.  

On the Yangon route, starting 1 August 2013, MH742 will depart every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday in addition to Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Kuala Lumpur.  This additional frequency will depart Kuala Lumpur at 1.30pm and arrive Yangon at 2.40 pm on the same day. The return service MH743 will depart from Yangon on the same days at 3.45pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 8.00pm. The existing frequency on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays depart Kuala Lumpur at 2.45pm and arrive at Yangon at 3.55pm on the same day.

Meanwhile, flight MH740 remains unchanged and will depart Kuala Lumpur daily at 10.05am and arrive at Yangon at 11.15am while the return service via MH741 will depart Yangon daily at 12.15pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 4.30pm.

For the additional new frequency to Auckland, starting 24 November 2013, MH131 will depart every Sunday in addition to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Kuala Lumpur at 9.50pm and arrive Auckland the following day at 1.05pm. The return additional daytime service MH130 will depart every Monday from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur in addition to Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2.30pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 8.20pm.

Existing flight MH133 departs Kuala Lumpur every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8.50am and arrives in Auckland at 12.05 midnight the following day and MH132, the night service departs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 1.35am and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 7.25am.

Another positive update is the codeshare with Xiamen Airlines which will be operated for two routes, namely the Xiamen route which will be operated by Malaysia Airlines and Xiamen Airlines and the Fuzhou route which will be operated solely by Xiamen Airlines.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, “The codeshare with Xiamen Airlines is part of our strategy to develop commercial cooperation with key airlines of the world to expand our network offering. With 55 destinations, Xiamen Airlines is an established airline that holds a major market-share of travelers travelling between Fuzhou and Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines can leverage on this codeshare to give our guests more options between Xiamen and Kuala Lumpur”.

“The codeshare is also part of Malaysia Airlines’ initiatives towards enhancing air connectivity with key priority markets overseas to increase tourist arrivals into Malaysia to support the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP),” he added further.

Malaysia Airlines has been steadily growing its reach and capacity recently. With the additional service to New Zealand, the airline will now fly 65 times weekly to 6 main cities in Australia and to Auckland direct from Malaysia with onward connections to over 60 destinations around the world. The airline also increased it regional footprint in destinations such as Phuket, Bali, Kathmandu and Mumbai in addition to Yangon in the past 6 months.

Customers can book their travel on Malaysia Airlines through  all distribution channels mainlywww.malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, MHBuddy in Malaysia Airlines Facebook, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia. However, for the codeshare arrangement to Fuzhou, customers will need to call Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, or visit Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

DHC6-400 - Another Major Milestone for MASwings

MASwings has created another history in its book when Datuk Capt Mohd Nawawi Hj Awang, Chief Executive Officer, took delivery of the first Twin Otter DHC6-400 from the manufacturer, Vikings Air Ltd of Canada. The handover of the aircraft with the serial no. 880, Malaysian registration: 9M-SSA and Canadian Registration for Ferry Flt.: C-CVVA, from Vikings Director of Sales, Mr. Richard Libby materialized at 11.30am, at Hangar 10 of the Vikings Air Ltd delivery centre located next to the Victoria International Airport, Victoria on 2^nd August 2013

“This is our second aircraft acceptance within the last 2 weeks. Last week, MASwings took delivery of a brand new ATR72-600 in Toulouse,France.” said Datuk Capt. Nawawi. “I would like to thank the Ministry of Transport and the Malaysian Government for the replacement of the old DHC6-310 aircraft that have been servicing our rural air services for the past 30 years” he added.

The new DHC6-400, although share the same fuselage and carrying the same number of passengers of the older-310s currently in service, is fitted with the most advance flight avionics system in its class. With its new full glass cockpit, auto flight system, dual global positioning navigation system and coupled with satellite communication system, this new DHC6-400 will raise the safety and operational bar to a higher level. The new DHC6-400 will allow MASwings to provide additional services to the rural areas in Sarawak and Sabah, and is capable to provide a full freighter services and can be fitted with stretcher kit for medical evacuation.

The ferry flight will depart from Victoria on the 10^th August 2013, heading up to Alaska, then over the Bearing Sea to Eastern Russia. It will then start to head south to South Korea, Taiwan, and The Philippines before arriving into Kota Kinabalu. The journey will take 8 days and expected to arrive in Kota Kinabalu on the 18^th August. The ferry flight will be jointly conducted by MASwings pilot, Captain Stefanus Angkom and a pilot from the manufacturer.

“Captain Stefanus Angkom, a native of Sarawak has been with us since MASwings started operations in 2007. I am delighted to have our local talent to fly the ferry flight across the biggest ocean in the world. To me this is not just another new aircraft, but to be flown by our own native and delivered to our community is yet another historic moment that will be remembered for a very long time. Let us all pray for his safe journey home” added Nawawi.

The aircraft will be in Kota Kinabalu for pre-service modification and to be used for pilot and engineers training until 14^th September. The aircraft will be positioned to Miri on the 15^th September and enter into service on the 16^th September 2013, in commemoration of the 50^th Malaysia Day in Sabah and Sarawak.

MASwings will be taking delivery of total of 6 new DHC6-400s in the next 12 months.