According to Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Malaysia Airlines will transfer its domestic operations in East Malaysia to its sister company, Firefly, from May 16. This move is part of a strategic route rationalization on its domestic network.
After the transfer, Firefly will deploy its Boeing 737-800 aircraft on domestic flights within the Sabah and Sarawak states, reported FlightGlobal.
Malaysia Airlines' domestic operations in East Malaysia will be transferred to its sister unit Firefly from May 16 as part of a strategic route rationalization plan for its domestic network, according to parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
Malaysian Airlines Transfers Operations
Firefly will operate Boeing 737-800s on domestic flights within Sabah and Sarawak, including the routes between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, Tawau, and Kuching, and Kuching and Miri.
These jets are configured with a single-class layout, with 189 seats, and are based in its Penang hub.
Daily flights will be offered on the four routes, which is a capacity increase compared to Malaysia Airlines' two to five weekly flights with 737s. Malaysia Airlines' rival, AirAsia Malaysia, has a bigger presence in intra-east Malaysian operations, with 21 weekly flights between Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, while Malaysia Airlines only offers five weekly flights.
The group stated that the move represents a significant milestone in MAG's strategic route rationalisation plan and a continuous evaluation of its business operations.
Malaysia Airlines' decision to transfer its domestic operations in east Malaysia to Firefly will mean that the mainline carrier will now only operate flights between Peninsular Malaysia and east Malaysia, as well as domestic flights within the Malaysian peninsula.
This is the most significant change to the airline's domestic network since it emerged from restructuring last year.
Executive Insights
According to MAG Airlines chief Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, the route rationalization, which involves transferring Malaysia Airlines' domestic operations in East Malaysia to Firefly, is part of the airline's efforts to improve its network and offerings.
He notes that Firefly's introduction of jets in 2022 has garnered a lot of interest, particularly in the leisure travel sector.
Azmi also states that the move signifies MAG's commitment to being responsive to customers' evolving demands and leveraging market conditions. It's worth noting that Malaysia Airlines also operates an ATR 72 turboprop fleet based in Kuala Lumpur's Subang airport.
Korean Air Orders A350F Freighter » 3,200 People Just Ordered This $300,000 Flying Car » Delta to Launch Nonstop Flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia »
Comments (0)
Add Your Comment
SHARE
TAGS
NEWS Malaysia Airlines Firefly Asian Aviation News Asia MalaysiaRECENTLY PUBLISHED
Korean Air Orders A350F Freighter
Korean Air has made a strategic decision to convert seven A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders into A350F freighter orders, reinforcing its position in the cargo aviation sector. This move reflects the airline's commitment to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in response to growing cargo demands.
NEWS
READ MORE »
Ghosts of 191: The Crash Site that Continues to Haunt Chicago to this Day
On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 was scheduled to fly nonstop from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Los Angeles. Operated by a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, the flight unfortunately met its untimely demise before it could even put some distance between itself and the Windy City. The events of Flight 191 continue to haunt Chicago to this day.
INFORMATIONAL
READ MORE »
Turbulence at the Top: How Four Airlines Came to Dominate the U.S. Air Travel Market
The United States, being one of the world's largest aviation markets, is home to numerous airlines and a rich, dynamic aviation history. However, despite the size of the domestic market, the sector is largely dominated by four major players. Let’s examine why this is the case and what events led up to shaping the current affairs of American aviation.
INFORMATIONAL
READ MORE »
