ID :
39910
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 19:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/39910
The shortlink copeid
MAS: EXPECT MORE SHORT-HAUL PASSENGERS By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Despite the global economic crisis and an anticipated drop in the number of travellers, national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said Saturday there could be more short-haul, domestic tourists and inter-Asean travel.
MAS Commercial Director Rashid Khan said that to capture this market and
face the challenges, MAS staff must continuously work hard to remain viable.
He cited 30 airlines which went bust in 2008 due to the historic high jet
fuel price that skyrocketed and hit US$147 (US$1 = RM3.60) a barrel from about
US$40 a barrel in 2004.
"Our challenge is to sustain viability. If we can continue to give good
service that we are renowned for, customers will come to us," he said at an
appreciation dinner for MAS staff in Bangkok for their handling of the crisis
that occurred after Bangkok's two major airports were closed down for more than
a week by anti-government protesters at the end of November last year. Over
350,000 foreign passengers were stranded during the crisis.
Rashid said the dedication and commitment shown by the staff headed by Area
Manager for Thailand A. Vijayakumaran had raised the profile of MAS as its
rescue flights were regarded positively by customers and the media throughout
the world.
"Media reports and television coverage in Thailand and the world spoke
highly about our services during the crisis. The management received many
letters from customers who appreciated the hard work of our staff who worked
tirelessly, despite the many shortcomings at Utapao Airport, to help
passengers," he said.
In fact, he said, MAS was among the first of the airlines to mount the
rescue flights, which enabled thousands of stranded passengers to fly out of
Utapao Airport near Pattaya to Kuala Lumpur and take connecting flights to their
respective countries, while flights between Phuket and Kuala Lumpur were also
upgraded to cater for a huge demand for seats.
Rashid, who had served as area manager for Thailand from 1990 to 1992, said
the Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok route was highly profitable but there were many
challenges to sustain growth due to the domestic political crisis in the kingdom
and the global economic crisis.
Vijayakumaran said the airline's 40 staff went through a torrid time and
worked round-the-clock to ensure that passengers booked on the rescue flights
were able to clear security and immigration procedures and enter planes despite
the heavy congestion at Utapao Airport which had only one X-ray machine and
three check-in counters.
He said that during the period from Nov 28 to Dec 4, MAS mounted 13 rescue
flights, with load factor of between 90 and 100 per cent.
-- BERNAMA
MAS Commercial Director Rashid Khan said that to capture this market and
face the challenges, MAS staff must continuously work hard to remain viable.
He cited 30 airlines which went bust in 2008 due to the historic high jet
fuel price that skyrocketed and hit US$147 (US$1 = RM3.60) a barrel from about
US$40 a barrel in 2004.
"Our challenge is to sustain viability. If we can continue to give good
service that we are renowned for, customers will come to us," he said at an
appreciation dinner for MAS staff in Bangkok for their handling of the crisis
that occurred after Bangkok's two major airports were closed down for more than
a week by anti-government protesters at the end of November last year. Over
350,000 foreign passengers were stranded during the crisis.
Rashid said the dedication and commitment shown by the staff headed by Area
Manager for Thailand A. Vijayakumaran had raised the profile of MAS as its
rescue flights were regarded positively by customers and the media throughout
the world.
"Media reports and television coverage in Thailand and the world spoke
highly about our services during the crisis. The management received many
letters from customers who appreciated the hard work of our staff who worked
tirelessly, despite the many shortcomings at Utapao Airport, to help
passengers," he said.
In fact, he said, MAS was among the first of the airlines to mount the
rescue flights, which enabled thousands of stranded passengers to fly out of
Utapao Airport near Pattaya to Kuala Lumpur and take connecting flights to their
respective countries, while flights between Phuket and Kuala Lumpur were also
upgraded to cater for a huge demand for seats.
Rashid, who had served as area manager for Thailand from 1990 to 1992, said
the Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok route was highly profitable but there were many
challenges to sustain growth due to the domestic political crisis in the kingdom
and the global economic crisis.
Vijayakumaran said the airline's 40 staff went through a torrid time and
worked round-the-clock to ensure that passengers booked on the rescue flights
were able to clear security and immigration procedures and enter planes despite
the heavy congestion at Utapao Airport which had only one X-ray machine and
three check-in counters.
He said that during the period from Nov 28 to Dec 4, MAS mounted 13 rescue
flights, with load factor of between 90 and 100 per cent.
-- BERNAMA
