MASwings plans fleet improvement
Published on: Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: MASwings, scheduled to send its fleet of ATR-500 for a second regulatory overhaul this year, plans to undertake a Fleet Improvement Programme to improve flight experience and safety. Newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer Aminuddin Zakaria said the programme is presently awaiting regulator approval as the engines of the aircraft would be sent to Subang to undergo regular maintenance. Only two or three aircraft would be grounded at any one time in the process and during which time the cabin will be cleaned, seat cushions replaced and fresh uniforms provided to the cabin crew under the programme.
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He assured the Fleet Improvement plan will not affect MASwings flight plans the whole year. "The ATR is currently making 569 flights a week, and based on our rotation plan, it will reduce our flight frequency by three to five per cent beginning February. "We will not pull back from any sectors but flights with low load factor will be reduced," he said. MASwings has a 60 per cent load factor at present and the programme will also see the airline improve its load factor and cut down cancellations.
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The cost of the programme is approximately RM9 million, with the aircraft refurbishment costing over RM100,000 each and the engines RM800,000 each. According to Aminuddin, passengers can begin to experience changes beginning middle of this year once the improved aircraft have completed the overhaul.
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The airline, which began operations on Oct 1, 2007, is currently under a Rural Air Service Agreement with the Transport Ministry, covering rural Sabah and Sarawak areas, as well as Tarakan in Indonesia. It presently manages 10 ATR-500 and 6 Viking aircraft. Meanwhile, MASwings is offering up to 80 per cent in discounts for flights in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations. According to the airline Head of Commercial, Shauqi Ahmad, some 130,000 seats are available during the MASwings Chinese New Year prosperity deals. "This promotion starts at one-way all-in-fare from as low as RM83 on all MASwings ATR services and is up for grabs from Jan 16 until Feb 12, with the travel period starting Jan 18 to March 31. "The offer is part of MASwings initiative to offer the best affordable fares across and within Borneo to the people of Sabah and Sarawak," he said. The price offered also includes 20kg of checked-in luggage and light refreshments. Passengers travelling from Kota Kinabalu will be able to enjoy the special rates to Labuan from as low as RM83 and from RM93 to Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, as well as Mulu and Miri in Sarawak. The all-inclusive fare also starts from RM113 to Bintulu and Sibu as well as RM133 to Kuching from Kota KInabalu. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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