27 Feb 12 Singapore Airlines, facing 'depressed' cargo outlook, cuts freighter capacity 20%
Singapore Airlines 747-400. by Rob Finlayson
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Cargo president Tan Kai Ping said that "depressed demand … across all markets gives us little reason to be optimistic about the near-term outlook," driving SIA Cargo to cut freighter capacity by 20%.
SIA said it is not grounding any of its 13 Boeing 747-400Fs but is operating each aircraft fewer hours. The cuts are "mainly for long-haul services," according to an SIA Cargo statement. "The capacity reductions were implemented recently and will continue into the northern summer operating season, which starts [late March]."
Tan said, "with no improvement expected in the first half of this calendar year, and with stubbornly high fuel prices pushing up costs, we have taken appropriate action to reduce our freighter operations to better match capacity to demand."
International air cargo traffic is estimated to have decreased by about 1% year-over-year in 2011 compared to 2010 (ATW, Jan. 1).
27 Feb 12 MAS offers attractive business-class travel promotional deals
Posted on February 21, 2012, Tuesday
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering attractive business-class travel promotional deals for both domestic and international flights until February 27.
The offers for domestic sectors and to Asean destinations were valid for travel with immediate effect till August 31, while the deals for the US, North Asia, Europe, South Asia, China/Hong Kong and Australia are valid until June 30.
For customers’ convenience, fares offered were inclusive of airfares, fuel surcharges and airport taxes, said MAS regional senior vice-president for Malaysia and Asean Muzammil Mohamad.
He said, “At Malaysia Airlines, we are continuously upgrading our products and services for customers to enjoy more at value deals.
“The deals are made possible due to the new fuel-efficient aircraft that are regularly joining our fleet.
“These aircraft also have improved inflight facilities that also allow us to enhance our service offerings to customers. in addition, we have re-strategised to increase our frequencies to regional routes and matching customers’ expectations who prefer premium full service and direct connectivity for their journeys at value deals.
“We invite customers to enjoy these all-inclusive value deals and delight with our award-winning Malaysian Hospitality during their travels,” he added.
The promotions for domestic travel have been common rated where all-inclusive fares for travel between KLIA and any city in Peninsular Malaysia.
It starts at RM399 one way and RM798 for return whilst the airfare between KLIA and any city in Sabah and Sarawak is from RM799 one way and RM1,598 return.
For travel between KLIA and any Asean city, the all-inclusive one-way fare starts from as low as RM399 one way for Medan, RM599 for Phuket and RM899 for the remaining Asean destinations.
The all-inclusive rates for destinations in China start from RM1,356 one way to Guangzhou, Xiamen and Kunming, whilst similar rates to South Asian cities start at RM1,164 to Hyderabad, RM1,179 to Dhaka, RM1,189 to Bangalore, RM1,211 to Colombo and RM1,222 to Chennai.
Travellers planning for premium travel experience to Australia, the US and Europe till June 30 could grab deals starting at RM2,894 one way to Perth, RM3,456 to Sydney, RM4,972 to Los Angeles, RM5,123 to London and RM5,358 to Paris.
Children, aged below two and 12, enjoy a further 35 per cent discount for domestic travel business-class fares and 25 per cent off on fares for international business-class travel.
The above offers are available through various MAS’ distribution channels like its ticket offices throughout Malaysia, 24-hour toll-free call centre at 1300 – 88 3000, malaysiaairlines.com and its appointed agents. — Bernama
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20 Feb 12 Aviation industry urged to soar to greater heights Lui – Channel NewsAsia
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SINGAPORE: Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has urged the international aviation industry to make use of the current global economic crisis, to lead the aviation industry to greater heights. Speaking at the Aviation Leadership Summit held on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2012, Mr Lui said one area which the industry can work together is air transport liberalisation. he suggested that the present economic crisis should be turned into an opportunity for a global push to further advance the freedoms of the air, rather than allowing it to become an excuse to protect unsustainable models. That’s because the liberalisation of air rights will boost connectivity, create jobs and uplift economies. he said: “At a regional level and amongst progressive states, liberalisation has been advanced collaboratively to good effect. for example, the member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have inked multilateral agreements to fully free up air freight and passenger services among all ASEAN points, to realise intra-ASEAN open skies by 2013.”Like-minded ASEAN Member States such as Singapore and Malaysia, who have opened up bilaterally ahead of intra-ASEAN liberalisation, have already reaped the benefits of significant traffic growth and provided wider choices for the travelling public.”Mr Lui also called on the industry to work together to make all parts of the aviation system stronger. he said aviation’s economics, safety, security and ecological resiliency must be boosted. Only then can countries keep their heads above water in bad times, and position themselves to thrive in good times. Mr Lui noted that aviation is beset by a new wave of challenges. Continued weakness in the US recovery, and the looming threat of recession in Europe have dampened demand and yields. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) projections for the air transport sector ranged from meagre profits in a more optimistic scenario, to heavy losses should there be a full-blown European sovereign debt crisis. So Mr Lui call on the international aviation industry to forge closer ties of cooperation and bring together international stakeholders, whole-of-government and whole-of-industry. he said: “We need to recognise that the growth and success of each region is to the advantage of all. Hence, the Summit’s theme of working jointly to overcome challenges and enacting change resonates. Let us move beyond the all-too-common rhetoric of partnership to embrace it in reality.”- CNA/ck
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