Malaysia Airlines has once again emerged as winner for the Asia's Leading Airline and also Asia's Leading Airline Lounge Category

So it is unsurprising that a recent news article highlighted that the airlines has recently won two world travel awards. Malaysia Airlines came up tops as Asia’s Leading Airline for the third consecutive year and also in Asia’s Leading Airline Lounge category for its Golden Lounge at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

So as AirAsia builds its name as Asia’s leading budget airlines, it is good to know that Malaysia Airlines is consolidating its position as the region’s top airline. It is no mean feat as the competition includes world renowned airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China.

Read the full article below:
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) won the World Travel Award for Asia’s Leading Airline for the third consecutive year, Wednesday night.

MAS also won the World Travel Award in the Asia’s Leading Airline Lounge category for its Golden Lounge at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

MAS managing director Ahmad Jauhari Yahya received both awards from the Founder and President of World Travel Awards Graham Cooke at the World Travel Awards regional ceremony for Asia and Australasia, at a hotel, here.

The Malaysian national carrier had won the Asia’s Leading Airline award in 2009 and 2010.

“Malaysia Airlines overcame stiff competition from Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China to collect “Asia’s Leading Airline” award,” according to a World Travel Awards statement.

The World Travel Awards nominations are decided by an independent panel of industry experts and judging criteria takes into account every aspect of the business including overall performance, product development, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

The Wall Street Journal has heralded the World Travel Awards as the “travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars”.

Source: Bernama

Photo (c) contri

Visitors get to visit Langkawi direct from Singapore via direct flights offered by regional airlines

“Foreign tourists can use Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Singapore’s SilkAir to fly directly from the island republic to Langkawi,” he told Bernama.

Azmil Munif said Finn Air’s special chartered direct flights to Langkawi since last December had exposed Langkawi’s uniqueness and beauty to tourists from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

These weekly direct flights from Helsinki, Finland are expected to end in March.

Source: Bernama

Malaysia Airlines flies direct from Perth to Kota Kinabalu

The national carrier mounted the inaugural flight to Perth yesterday at 7pm, and the return flight to Kota Kinabalu arrived at 7.55am today.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who was among the passengers arriving on the return flight, told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) that the new route was a very important milestone to promote the country’s tourism, especially in Sabah.

He said Sabahans were among the largest group of foreign communities in Perth, estimated to be around 20,000 people, and that the new route would cater to them as well as Australians coming to Sabah.

“Malaysian students are the third largest group in terms of foreign students in Perth, although we don’t have the exact figure.

“So I hoped all parties, not just tourism players in Sabah, will work together to promote this new route and ensure there is sufficient (passenger) load to justify the continuation of the new sector,” he said.

He said in the past, the Kota Kinabalu-Sydney route offered by Australia’s national airline, Qantas Airways, was discontinued due to low passenger load.

Malaysia Airlines chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said the passenger load averaged at 86 per cent for both the inaugural flights, where the flight out to Perth carried 119 passengers and the return flight carried 155 passengers on its 160-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

He said the service offers thrice weekly non-stop flights and complements the current 10 non-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Perth.

Asked whether Malaysia Airlines was considering other routes from Kota Kinabalu, Dr Munir said for now the priority was to work on the existing routes to ensure high passenger load.

“If that improves, the next step would be increasing the frequency of the flights. Obviously we will look at introducing other routes … but before we go to the next stage, we want to make sure the routes we are doing now, work,” he said.

Malaysia Airlines managing director cum chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz added that besides Haneda and Perth, the airlines was already providing several international routes direct from Kota Kinabalu such as to Osaka, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei.

In a statement, the airline said WTA had also named it, Asia s Leading Airline and Asia s Leading Business Class Airline in New Delhi last month.

Malaysia Airlines chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid said: “We are delighted to receive these awards. It shows we are doing the right things, to be so judged by over 185,000 industry professionals, in a poll conducted by WTA in over 160 countries.”

Since 1993, Malaysia Airlines has flown over 17 million passengers from outside Asia to its hub in Kuala Lumpur.

On an annual basis, the national carrier brings in over one million customers from outside Asia to Malaysia.

“We do not only fly them all to Malaysia, but do it in style, after investing money and time developing those markets.

“Thanks to Malaysia Airlines, those markets are now ripe for the picking which understandably, other airlines, full service or low cost, now wish to enjoy.

“For the record, let it be known that we developed those markets and are pleased, WTA acknowledges we have done it best,” Munir added.

Malaysia Airlines is an award winning airline.

This year alone, the airline was accredited with the Staff Service Excellence for Asia Award 2010 and the World s Best Economy Class Award 2010 by Skytrax.

It is also recognized as the Best Airline in Southeast Asia by GT Tested Awards, Global Traveller Magazine and ranked seventh in the Top 10 Airlines Worldwide category for Best in Travel Poll 2010 by Smart Travel Asia.

Munir said while winning all these awards, Malaysia Airlines is now set on a path of growth with network expansion and enhancing passengers travel experience with new aircraft.

The airline has ordered up to 55 B737-800s, 25 A330-300s and six A380s. It will receive three B737-800s this year and the first aircraft will commence commercial flight on Nov 15.

By 2015, Malaysia Airlines will have one of the youngest and most environmentally friendly fleets in Asia Pacific.

Source: Bernama

Doing the honours was Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who also launched the 1Malaysia holiday packages offered by Malaysia Airlines.

“Firefly Holiday is ideal for the general traveller as it offers convenience from time of booking to point of arrival at the preferred destination,” she said at the event held at the Malaysia pavilion.

For tour operators, it provides one touch point for all ground arrangements.

“In essence, they are the online local partner, hence the convenience extends not only to the travellers but also to agents,” Dr Ng said.

Since its inception in April 2008, Firefly Holiday has evolved from offering Malaysian and regional packages only, to more than 100 Malaysia Airlines destinations worldwide via its international holiday packages.

Firefly Holiday is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.

Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong said: “We’ll be working aggressively with travel agents here at the ATM to partner with us and market Firefly Holiday to their customers.”

Since the commencement of its services into Singapore in July 2009, Firefly airline has since connected travellers from Singapore into various points of Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur via Subang, Terengganu, Ipoh and Kuantan.

Meanwhile, the “1Malaysia Summer Specials” are being offered by MASholidays, the travel arm of Malaysia Airlines.

The holiday packages start from as low as 2,446 dirhams (RM2,150) per person, inclusive of return economy class travel on Malaysia Airlines, four-day/three-night accommodation and daily breakfast.

The travel period is from now till July 31, 2010.

Merina Abu Tahir, Malaysia Airlines’ regional general manager for the Middle East, Africa and South America, said: “Customers have a choice of a wide array of destinations ranging from shopping in Kuala Lumpur to the sunny beaches of Penang and Langkawi as well as eco-tourism in Sabah and Sarawak.”

“For a wholesome experience of these destinations, customers can also choose from more than 55 optional tours available from as low as 41 dirhams (RM36) per person,” she added.

Source: Bernama

To enhance the F1 experience and build up excitement ahead of the race, Malaysia Airlines is giving away over 50 grandstand tickets and over 100 Grand Prix Concert tickets.

The concert will feature Fatboy Slim and Wyclef Jean and will take place at the Sepang International Circuit Helipad at 7pm, an hour after the race. Backstage passes to meet the international superstars are also up for grabs.

In a statement on Sunday, MAS said that these free tickets and passes could be obtained through various activities organised for Malaysia Airlines Travel Facebook fans as well as registered users on MAStraveller.com.

In addition, there will also be a Grand Prize comprising air tickets to Asean destinations.

“We’re delighted to be associated with SIC as the F1 is a very high-profile sporting event with the 2nd highest audience in the world. This complements our efforts in sports tourism as an event like this attracts fans from all over the world into Malaysia,” MAS senior general manager sales & marketing, Datuk Bernard Francis said in the statement.

To make it more attractive, MAS’ travel arm, MASholidays, was also offering affordable ground packages starting from RM253 per person for 3D/2N inclusive of accommodation, transfers and daily breakfast, he added.

Francis said that aside from ticket giveaways, MAS was also offering 15 per cent discount on F1 tickets for those who can present either

MAS tickets with purchase dates from March 1 to 31, or MAS boarding pass for travel dating March 1 to 31.

He said details on the prizes could be checked at MAStraveller.com and MAS’ Travel Facebook page.

Source: Bernama

For ground packages, MASholidays will be offering travel deals from RM264 per person for three days/two nights (3D/2N) to Bangkok, Thailand; RM424 4D/3N to Bali and RM816 for 4D/3N in Gold Coast Australia.

Apart from that, MASholidays is also offering umrah packages at RM5,600 per person for a 14D/12N tour to Madinah and Mecca.

The travel period for domestic destinations start on April 1, 2010 and ends on Oct 31, 2010, while international packages start on the same day and end on Dec 31, 2010.

Malaysia Airlines sales and marketing senior general manager Datuk Bernard Francis said the MATTA Fair provided a good platform for the airline to foster ties with its key partners to develop tourism resources for better travel options.

“Last year, we saw RM18.14 million sales from the fair. The top three destinations we foresee to be much sought after are London, Bangkok and Jogjakarta,” he said.

Source: Bernama

Such is the demand of international consumers for trustworthy, comprehensive knowledge about Malaysia, after an initial print run of 20,000 now a further 10,000 copies of the guide have been printed, produced by the award-winning team behind Time Out Kuala Lumpur magazine, are already selling fast all across Malaysia and dozens of other countries around the world.

Time Out’s partnership with Malaysia Airlines on the project has seen a greater overseas audience than ever before able to explore the finest features of this beautiful, diverse country. Armed with the glossy 150+ page guidebook that features no fewer than 2,000 listings of hotels, resorts, spas, shops, galleries, bars, clubs, restaurants and attractions from every Malaysian state, no travel compendium has utilised more first-hand experience from people who actually live in Malaysia and who know her best.

Time Out Malaysia is the most authoritative and independent resource for those looking to visit and discover Malaysia. From malls and 5-star resorts and hotels to the night markets and mamak stalls, with travel tips from Malaysia Airlines, Time Out Malaysia brings to you the country from the people who know it best. Listings have been painstakingly researched and checked out by the Time Out team and a wealth of expert contacts from all over the country.

And plans are already afoot for the 2010/11 Time Out Visitor’s Guide to Malaysia. More listings than ever before are being researched and Malaysia Airlines are once again “on board” with more must-read Travel Tips. The guide will be released in early July 2010 again nationally and internationally.

Time Out Malaysia is available at newsstands in Malaysia at RM38 and across five continents at equivalent price’s while stocks last!

Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, secretary at the MoTCA, said that by 2011 there will be around 32 different international airlines flying to Nepal.

The surge in both national and international airlines can safely be expected to give a new boost to the NTY 2011, he stated, while speaking at a press meet held in the capital.

MoTCA has also issued a 45-day notice for the domestic operators to apply for international operation. Those airlines that have provided service for five years and with minimum five aircrafts can apply for the international operations.

Source: nepalnews.com

The two additional flights will be on Tuesday and Friday in addition to existing flights operating on Monday and Thursday.

Malaysia Airlines area manager for South and Central Africa, Yusnodjarwadi Said, said the airline was delighted to be able to offer more capacity to the Malaysian capital from Johannesburg.

“Passenger demand for travel has shown an improvement on the Johannesburg-Kuala Lumpur sector over the past couple of months due to the highly competitive fares that we’re offering,”

he said in a statement to Bernama.

“This demonstrates a healthy demand for Malaysia Airlines flights as we also offer many benefits at no extra charge such as 20-kilogram baggage allowance, assigned seats and meals.”

The new flights will depart Johannesburg at 1.40pm, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 6.10am (local time) the next day.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will leave at 1.20am and arrive in Johannesburg the same day at 6am.

The two new weekly direct service between the two cities will use a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 245 economy and 35 business class seats, providing a total weekly capacity of 560 seats in each direction.

Yusnodjarwadi expressed hope that the four weekly schedules would encourage increased corporate travel to Kuala Lumpur, describing it as a dynamic business capital of Southeast Asia.

“The new Friday services will also appeal to South African leisure travellers as they’ll be able to maximise their time away by commencing their holidays at the start of the weekend,”

he said.

“Customers are also assured of easy connectivity to Kuala Lumpur and beyond with the early morning flight arrival,” he noted.

Malaysia Airlines will be launching special low fares mainly to Malaysia, Asean, China and Australia destinations for the flights.

Customers can also check out offers from MASholidays during their stay in Malaysia.

The travel arm of Malaysia Airlines is offering several packages to suit the different needs and interests of travellers in South Africa.

“Those who prefer relaxing holidays can opt for special beach packages while the more adventurous can choose tropical packages,” Yusnodjarwadi said.

Customers can purchase the value-for-money deals via Malaysia Airlines’ website, or call travel agents or the airline’s ticketing offices at (011) 8808560 (Johannesburg) or (021) 4197607 (Cape Town).

Source: Bernama