MAS AIRFARE NOT EXPENSIVE, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat has scoffed off
at talk that Malaysia's national carrier, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) airfare is
expensive.

Dismissing the claim as untrue, he said, the fares were competitively
priced as were charged by MAS' competitor airlines.

The rates were adjusted in tandem with market prices, he told the Lower
House of Parliament during question time.

"To make MAS fares more competitive, especially with the emergence of
low-cost carriers, the national carrier has introduced low fares through the
"Everyday Low Fare" promotion campaign," he said.

"The airline will soon launch the "Easy Fare" plan as part of MAS'
initiative to offer a varied airfare range for passengers," he said in his
written reply to a question whether MAS would revise its high airfare as the
airline had made a successful turnaround and was now making profits.

Ong said MAS launched the "Everyday Low Fare" promotion on May 5 for
destinations such as Asean countries, China, South Asia and Australia.

MAS' subsidiary, Firefly, has also launched the plan.

Under the plan, MAS offers a 30 per cent discount on fares and one million
seats for free to certain destinations not taken up.
-- BERNAMA