Airline Musings (Part 2)

The focus on this post is on the Malaysian domestic route rationalisation plan and Air Asia. The main idea here is the handover of all of MAS's unprofitable domestic routes to Air Asia (AK). MAS is however still keeping about 19 domestic routes if i'm not mistaken to main destinations like Penang, Langkawi, Kuching, KK etc.

Through this I must say that it truly brings out a new perception that AK is the national domestic airline while MAS is the national international airline (sounds funny). It is kinda true since MAS wants to focus on its international network while still catering to those wanting to fly luxuriously in Malaysia on certain routes.

AK must be overjoyed by all the routes they have suddenly automatically obtained but there has been some tension over certain very new developments. I can't explain totally on these but it has got to probably do with the government's decision to remove the 'floor prices' on MAS's domestic flights. There are also a few more routes which MAS have been given rights to fly again. AK does have a point here since it is a low-cost carrier.

Overall, AK does not have much to lose so they might as well just be thankful for all the new routes. They will definitely gain lots of profit. With their charming tagline 'Now Everyone Can Fly' , who wouldn't with such cheap prices. Me being the ultimate Air Asia critic and hater will still have to succumb to the temptation of flying for rm 10 .. Plus, who wouldn't want to fly in a plane with a Manchester United livery on it. Its like some once-in-a-lifetime experience. Closest some will get to almost life-like faces of MU players. Semua orang jakun terutamanya akan terlalu gembira sampai terhantuk kepala !! I won't mention who . .

If you all would remember, there was this dilemma where hundreds of British tourists threatened to cancel their trips to Mulu Park becuse there were no flights there. This has now been solved by the formation of a new airline - "Fly Asian Express" !! Yeah .. everyone claps and cheers. It is now proclaimed Malaysia's third-largest airline. Silly .. it is the one and only third airline of Malaysia ..

Fly Asian Express (FAX) is a new airline formed by Air Asia to cater Sabah and Sarawak. FAX will operate all of MAS's turboprop planes like the Fokker 50's and Twin Otter's. The planes are currently still operating under the MAS livery. FAX generally provides air services for the rural areas of Borneo which is commonly known as the 'Rural Air Service' under MAS.

On a lighter note, I must clarify that I do not hate all low cost airlines but only dislike Air Asia. Tiger Airways and Jet Star Asia are fine to me. Hopefully, my favourite LCC's will soon get air rights to fly to our new spanking sad LCCT terminal where mind you Hani Mohsin became the first to die there of a heart attack. What are the chances that his flight had been extremely delayed ..