NEW LANDING RATE WILL SAVE MAS RM30 MLN

PETALING JAYA, March 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will save more
than RM30 million a year with the 50 percent rebate on landing charges under the
second economic stimulus package announced Tuesday.

Its commercial director, Rashid Khan, said it would definitely
contribute positively to MAS' balance sheet as the national carrier was the
biggest customer of Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd, the operator of airports in
the country.

He said this at a joint MAS-MATTA (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel
Agents) press conference in conjunction with the MATTA Fair which would be held
from March 13-15.

Also present was MATTA Fair organising chairman Mohd Khalid Harun.

The rebate, announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib
Razak Tuesday, would be effective April 1.

On the RM200 million (US$54.1 million) allocated to upgrade
infrastructure in tourist spots, Rashid said the government need to also spend
on marketing initiatives to promote Malaysia as a tourism destination.

He also urged the Tourism Ministry to put more efforts on long haul markets
to stimulate tourist arrivals and fill up the airline's seats.

"We have sustained our load factor around the short haul regional market but
long haul routes like United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and United States are a
challenge," Rashid said.

On the MATTA Fair, Rashid said MAS was confident of achieving RM25 million
(US$6.8 million) in sales during the three-day fair.

"We are confident because this is one of the best deals so far after so many
years. In the past because of the fuel surcharges, the fares were expensive but
now the fares are highly affordable," he added.

Rashid said the optimism was also based on encouraging sales during MAS'
virtual travel fair via Internet in February, which generated RM95 million
(US$25.7 million in ticket sales.

Some of the great deals during MATTA Fair will be the MASholidays with
prices starting from RM787 (US$212) and all inclusive airfares starting from
RM120 (US$32) to Asean destinations.

Umrah packages are also available for Madinah and Makkah at only RM5,344
(US$1,445) for nine days seven nights tour.

Mohd Khalid Harun is expecting more than 70,000 visitors at MATTA Fair.

This is expected to generate RM100 million (US$27 million) in sales.

-- BERNAMA