MAS MAY MOUNT EXTRA FLIGHTS FRIDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is expected to
mount six additional flights Friday, subject to the approval of airport
authorities, to fly out passengers stranded by flight cancellations due to the
volcanic ash cloud over Europe.

MAS Director of Operations Capt Azharuddin Osman said the additional flights
would be from Kuala Lumpur to London via Gatwick and vice versa, from Kuala
Lumpur to Amsterdam and vice versa, and from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney and vice
versa.

The additional flight to London (Gatwick), scheduled to depart at noon, is
fully booked, he said in a statement Thursday.

He said priority would be given to special needs or elderly customers and
those with infants or young children, while customers who had booked for travel
between April 15 and 17 would also be given priority.

For scheduled flights, priority would be given to customers with confirmed
bookings, he added.

Azharuddin said bookings would also be accepted on a first-come first-serve
basis.

"As of today, we have managed to clear over 2,500 passengers. However, there
are still some 11,000 passengers stranded system-wide, with most of them in
Kuala Lumpur," he said.

He also reminded passengers that the situation remained fluid and any change
to the plan or updates would be provided under the Book/Flight Status section on
www.malaysiaairlines.com.

Passengers could also contact 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or +603-7843
3000 (outside Malaysia) to secure seats.
-- BERNAMA