TOP SAILORS TO CONVERGE IN SANDAKAN

Sandakan: Top sailors in the State will be converging in this east coast town for the two-day Sandakan Regatta/Sabah Closed 2013 which starts on Saturday.

Sabah Closed 2013 is endorsed by the Sabah Sailing Association as a ranking event for Sabah State sailors, Sandakan Yacht Club Rear Commodore cum Organising Chairman Paul Sabinus said on Thursday.
More than 60 sailors from throughout the State including the Royal Malaysian Navy have confirmed their participation in this annual event.

Among the young sailors who will be representing Sandakan are Sukma medallists Karin and Mabel Lim, and Sabah Sukma trainee Vedhavalli Grant, Sabinus added.
 
"The flag off by Sandakan Yacht Club Commodore Edward Cheng Wun Wah will be held at the Sandakan Yacht Club on Saturday at 9.30am while Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan is expected to officiate the prize presentation and closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon," said Sabinus

MAHB OBTAINS AERODROME, SMS CERTIFICATIONS FROM DCA FOR 16 AIRPORTS

SEPANG, Nov 14 (Bernama) - Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has obtained the Aerodrome and Safety Management System (SMS) Certifications from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for 16 airports under its management.
 
The airports comprised all its five international airports and 11 domestic airports.
 
MAHB Chief Operating Officer Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali said with the certifications, the company could demonstrate to the world that its airports placed high importance to safety.
 
"These airports will continue to undergo annual scheduled inspections to ensure that the requirements of the certification are continuously met," he said.
 
He said this during the aerodrome and SMS certification presentation and launching of runway safety team (RST) and standards & safety handbook here Thursday.
 
The SMS certification indicates conformance to all safety requirements and achieving continuous improvement in safety performance.
 
These include the essential features of safety such as policy and strategy, and planning and implementation as well as promotion, records, staff training and competency.
 
As for the aerodrome certification, it means the airport have met the stringent requirements based on Annex 14 Convention on International Civil Aviation.
 
He said the handbook launched today was the result of cooperation between Airport Standards Division of the DCA and MAHB, which will become the guidelines to those involved in airport development, operations and maintenance projects under the management of MAHB.
 
As for RST, he said this is one of the initiatives from the International Civil Aviation Organisation to ensure operation safety and reduce accidents on runways worldwide.
 
"Each RST will be represented by a pilot from airline companies, air traffic control officer and airport maintenance staff," he said.
 
Meanwhile, DCA Director-General Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said this effort should be continued to ensure that the services and safety at airports are at the highest level.
 
He said to date, four airports managed by the Royal Malaysian Air Force located in Lahad Datu, Subang, Kuantan and Labuan have applied to obtain the aerodrome and SMS certifications.

LIST OF SPECIAL MEALS AVAILABLE ON MALAYSIA AIRLINES

Hello,

For health, medical and religious reasons, special meals can be prepared in advance. Let them know a day before departure and they will take care the rest.

Hindu Meal (HNML)
  • For passengers wishing to follow Hindu customs.
  • This is a non-vegetarian meal which does not contain any beef, veal, pork or raw/smoked fish.
  • However, lamb, poultry, fish and milk products may be used.
  • If you require a vegetarian Hindu meal, a request for AVML should be made.

Muslim Meal (MOML)
  • All foods served on Malaysia Airlines is halal.
  • The use of alcohol, pork and pig by-products in cooking is prohibited.
  • Meat such as beef, lamb and chicken are slaughtered according to Muslim rites.

Kosher Meal (KSML)
  • Kosher meals conform to Jewish religious laws.
  • Our Kosher Meals are prepared and packed by Kosher-certified manufacturers.
  • KSML is not available on certain flights from India, Middle East, Taiwan and ASEAN.

Bland Meal (BLML)
  • For passengers suffering from stomach or gastrointestinal problems.
  • This meal does not contain highly seasoned and fried foods. 

Diabetic Meal (DBML)
  • For diabetic passengers.
  • This meal does not have added sugars.

Gluten Intolerant Meal (GFML)
  • For gluten intolerant passengers unable to consume foods which contain gluten.
  • May contain meat, poultry, fish, rice, potato and dairy products.

Low Calorie Meal (LCML)
  • For passengers wishing to follow a calorie-restricted diet.
  • May have increased complex carbohydrates, high fibre and low fat.

Low Fat Meal (LFML)
  • For passengers wishing to follow a fat-restricted diet.
  • This meal is prepared using lean cuts of meat, poultry or fish, low fat dairy products and is low in saturated fatty acids.

Low Lactose Meal (NLML)
  • For lactose-intolerant passengers.
  • Dairy products are not used during meal preparation.

Low Salt Meal (LSML)
  • For passengers wishing to follow a sodium-restricted diet.
  • This meal does not have added salt.

Vegetarian Vegan Meal (VGML)
  • For passengers on a strict vegan diet.
  • It does not contain any products from animal sources, dairy, eggs, honey, onion and garlic.

Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal (VLML)
  • For passengers on a vegetarian diet.
  • It does not contain meat, fish, poultry.
  • However, dairy and eggs may be used.

Vegetarian Hindu Meal (AVML)
  • For passengers who require a Hindu vegetarian diet.
  • It is a spicy vegetarian meal with limited use of dairy products.
  • It does not contain meat, poultry, fish and eggs.

Vegetarian Oriental Meal (VOML)
  • This is a vegetarian meal prepared in the Chinese or Oriental style.
  • It does not contain any products from animal sources, dairy, eggs, onion and garlic.

Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML)
  • For passengers on a strict Jain vegetarian diet.
  • This meal is prepared Indian style and according to Jain customs.
  • It does not contain any products from animal sources, dairy, eggs, and root/bulbous vegetables.

Fruit Platter Meal (FPML)
  • For passengers wishing to eat a meal with no additives/preservatives.
  • This meal is prepared from fruits only.

Vegetarian Raw Meal (RVML)
  • For raw vegetable vegetarians.
  • This meal is a combination of raw fruit and vegetables only.

Child Meal (CHML)
  • For children between 2 to 12 years old.
  • The meal is a combination of easy to chew foods as well as several food items in individual wrappings.

Baby Meal (BBML)
  • For children up to 2 years old.
  • Commercially prepared baby foods are usually boarded with choices of vegetables or fruits.

Seafood Meal (SFML)
  • Passenger preference.
  • This meal may contain fish and/or seafood prepared according to local specifications.
  • Does not contain meat or poultry.

Special Meal (SPML)
  • For passengers who have other medical or religious requirements not stated in the list above, you may include specific details of ingredients to be avoided.
  • For passengers who suffer from allergic reactions to peanuts, more information can be found on MAS website.
  • Kindly check with Reservations Desk or nearest Malaysia Airlines office for meal availability.


Note
  • Special meals are offered on selected flights only depending on flight duration. These meals must be ordered and confirmed at least 24 hours before flight departure.
  • All food served onboard Malaysia Airlines is halal.
  • Muslim passengers flying with Malaysia Airlines codeshare partners are advised to request for Muslim Meals (MOML).

TRADITIONAL INDIAN DELICACIES TREATS ON MAS

Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) - A special giveaway of ladoos and coconut candies awaits passengers on-board Malaysia Airlines (MAS) return flights from Kuala Lumpur to Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Mumbai, Colombo, Dhaka, and Kathmandu on 2 November 2013 in conjunction with Deepavali celebration.

In sharing the spirit of the Festival of Light, MAS cabin crew will don in pottus and bangles to signify the celebration.
MAS encourages those travelling during Deepavali and the upcoming holiday season to perform self-check in to avoid long queues at the airport.

 

Passengers may choose to check in via web(malaysiaairlines.com), mobile (flymas.mobi), fast-check kiosks (at KLIA) or MHbuddy via Facebook.

Malaysia Airlines web check-in is open 48 hours and up to 90 minutes before departure.

 
The web check-in is however not applicable for travel on sectors Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Seri Begawan, Kunming, Xiamen, Kathmandu, Los Angeles, Tokyo Los Angeles, as well as sectors and codeshare fights operated by partner carriers.

BRITISH AIRWAYS IN TALKS WITH MAS AND MAHB OVER CODE SHARE AND TRAFFIC VIABILITY

TheStar : Friday November 1, 2013
 
 Bashir: ‘BA had indicated interest to resume services to Kuala Lumpur.’"

DOHA: British Airways (BA) has yet to decide whether to resume flights to KL International Airport (KLIA) although four major carriers from Europe have done so for sometime now.

However, the British carrier is in talks with both Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB). It is exploring code share and interlining options with MAS, now that MAS is part of the oneworld air alliance, in which BA is also a member.

Where MAHB is concerned, it needs to asses traffic viablity for the route.

When met in Doha recently, BA chief executive Willie Walsh told StarBiz “we will see” when asked whether BA would resume flights to Kuala Lumpur.

Walsh declined to elaborate despite being obvious that the British carrier needed to hammer out an arrangement soon to tap into the vibrant air-travel market in South-East Asia and Asia as a whole.

Airline executives, however, believe BA’s return will just be a matter of time as it cannot ignore the growth in South-East Asia and needs to provide linkages into Australia after its agreement with Qantas Airways lapsed. Although the airline has a code share with Cathay Pacific, a linkage via KLIA would save time for passengers flying from London to points in Australia.

Airline executives said BA was also looking to fly into Jakarta, as Garuda Indonesia does not fly into Heathrow and that void needs to be filled. They believe BA will combine KL with another South-East Asian destination, which may well be Jakarta.

BA, Lufthansa German Airlines and Qantas suspended flights to KLIA more than a decade ago due to the Asian economic crisis. However, of the three, Lufthansa returned several years ago.

This year alone, Air France returned after a 30-year absence while Turkish Airlines came back after a few years.

The other European carrier operating out of KLIA is KLM, which also combines Jakarta to its KL flights.

MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid told StarBiz that “BA had indicated interest to resume services to Kuala Lumpur. They are evaluating to determine the viablity of operating the route (KL-London-KL).”

“We have had regular meetings with BA, both with their management and planning teams. The BA planning team was here (Kuala Lumpur) in February for an onsite market assessment of the traffic potential. During their trip, they had met up with several executives from British companies operating here, travel agents and tourism officials.

“We had also arranged a meeting for them with the British-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce, and they were pleased with the outcome of their visit,” Bashir said.

Separately, MAS group chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya told StarBiz that “we are always exploring opportunities with oneworld members as to how we can work and support each other better. The talks are always there but I would not want to say anthing until I get something (concrete).”

MAS now flies twice daily on the KL-London-KL route using its A380 aircraft and its loads are said to average 90%. Several Middle Eastern carriers also control a sizeable chunk of the traffic from KL to London although they serve the route via a stop in the Middle East.

BA now flies direct to Singapore and Bangkok.

A code-share agreement, or code share, is where two or more airlines share the same flight to save cost. Under a code-share arrangement, airlines can sell the seats as they are operating the route.

Such arrangements allow greater access to cities through a partner’s network without having to offer extra flights.

SANDAKAN AIRPORT UPGRADING PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY END OF 2014

NST :  31 October 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: A RM70 million project to upgrade the Sandakan Airport (LTS) in Sabah is expected to be completed by the end of next year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the project, which began this year, was aimed at providing comfort to passengers.
 
"Upgrading includes work on the terminal facade, Central Utility Building, internal and external finishing for the walls, ceiling and floors, fixed bridge, walkway/ramp, land works, as well as drainage.
 
"To increase the efficiency of operations and passenger safety, the project also involves additional check-in counters, immigration counters, closed-circuit television cameras, new lifts and escalators," he said.
 
Ab Aziz said this in reply to a question from Linda Tsen Thau Lin (BN-Batu Sapi) on the cost, components and finishing date involved in the LTS upgrading project. - BERNAMA

MAS CHANGES COURSE, MAKES KKIA AS EASTERN HUB

TheSun Daily :   Posted on 29 October 2013

PETALING JAYA (Oct 29, 2013): Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has reverted to its original plan to make Kota Kinabalu its eastern hub as it resumes direct flights to Narita International Airport, Tokyo, from the Sabah capital.

The new Kota Kinabalu-Tokyo service, which resumed yesterday, operates three times a week.

In a statement yesterday, MAS said it is mounting a two-class Boeing 737-800 with 144 economy class seats and 16 business class seats on the route.

"MAS had previously suspended various routes flying out of Kota Kinabalu to the Far East. The suspension was part of our network consolidation involving single-aisle aircraft operations," said the national carrier's group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

"We reviewed the decision and, with market demand, have decided to reinstate this route. We are confident that this route will serve us well and at the same time be a valuable addition for our customers," he added.

Ahmad Jauhari also said the new service will support the government's Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign.
In August 2010, MAS, then helmed by Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, had planned to make Kota Kinabalu its eastern hub to tap into major international destinations from the Far East to Australia. The airline had then planned to station six aircraft including two of its latest 737-800s at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport along with 150 technicians and 250 cabin crew.

KLIA2 TO OPEN ON MAY 2 NEXT YEAR

TheStar : Thursday October 17

SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) maintains that KL International Airport 2 or KLIA2 is 94% completed and is scheduled to open by the May 2, 2014 deadline. 

 CIMB Bank Bhd director and head of consumer sales and distribution Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir receiving a certificate from Aziz (second from left). Looking on  are (from left) Faizah, MAHB MD Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid and Abd Hamid.

Chief operating officer Datuk Abd Hamid Mohd Ali said the terminal building was 99% completed and overall completion was 94%.

“We’re at the finishing work stage. The taxiway is on the final layer (of works),” he said after the certificate presentation on recognition of outstanding brand concepts at KLIA2 to commercial business partners by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi yesterday.

Aziz said “construction of the KLIA2 was progressing as scheduled” and expected it to be operational by May 2 next year.

In addition, he said trial landing on the third runway at KLIA2 had been conducted successfully last week.

“KLIA2 is poised to be another landmark in Malaysia. The airport retail experience would add significant value and flavour to making Malaysia a preferred transit point and tourist destination,” Aziz said.

MAHB senior general manager commercial services Faizah Khairuddin expected 80% occupancy rate on the first day of operations at the KLIA2.

“KLIA2 is constructed with one of the highest percentage of retail space offered by any commercial airports. Some 12% of gross floor area is dedicated to customer fronting commercial offerings whereby about 60% of the total commercial offerings are for retail and another 40% for food and beverages,” she said, adding that 7,000 jobs opportunities would be created.

About 33% of successful tenderers for retail lots were completely new to airport commercial environment, Faizah said.

She added that MAHB recorded 40% of successful bumiputra tenderers, the highest composition in the current retail complexes.

The business partners at KLIA2 will be given two to three months to complete their renovations by March 15, 2014 for final inspection.

Aziz said KLIA2 would encourage economic growth as well as strengthening the development of tourism and aviation industry.

“The Government aims to increase the arrival of medium-haul tourists including from Australia, China, India, South Korea and Taiwan to 25% in 2020 from 15% in 2010,” he said.

KLIA 8th BEST AIRPORT TO SNOOZE IN, SAYS SURVEY.

TheStar :  Friday October 18

PETALING JAYA: An online survey ranked Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) the eighth best airport in the world to sleep in this year, while the nearby Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) was recognised as one of the worst in Asia.

 Online survey ranked Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) the eighth best airport in the world to sleep.

Drafted by the Guide to Sleeping in Airports website (www.sleepinginairports.net), the Oct 2013 survey said travellers enjoyed dozing off on KLIA's long benches and reclining rest chairs.

"The best sleep can be had in the designated rest areas (airside) and the benches on the fourth floor (landside). Showers are available for a fee. Food is available 24-hours," said the website Friday.

Travellers such as online user hilman91 praised the airport's comfortable surroundings.

"Pleasantly long movable benches were available and we pushed some vacant ones creating a small bed," the user said.

The user added that KLIA was "extremely quiet" and that the airport dimmed its lights after midnight.

The airport was ranked by the website as the world's fifth best last year, and fourth in 2011.

The Star previously cited Malaysia Airports saying that the airport was designed to give every person coming to KLIA about 55sq metres of free space.

Three other airports in Asia were also in this year's top 10 list, with Singapore's Changi crowned the world's best, followed by South Korea's Incheon at second and the Hong Kong International at fourth.

Meanwhile, the LCCT climbed two places to seventh under the "Worst Airports in Asia" list this year.

Some travellers even advised others to take a 20km bus ride to KLIA instead of roughing it out at the LCCT.

Commenting on it, reviewer 5ftman said: "It's a barebones basic low cost budget terminal. No frills. I'd advise turning up as late as possible or dying from the sheer tedium of the place!"

The Sleeping in Airports website is dedicated to advising travellers or people stuck in transit about the best and the worst airports to sleep in.

PROCUREMENT FOR NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR

TheStar : Sunday October 27

BATU PAHAT: Procurement for the new traffic control management centre will begin early next year, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi.

He said bidders would be invited for the project at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which comprised a complex with a modern air traffic control system.

"Land for the project has been identified and an open tender process will begin early next year," he said after launching of a Warriors' Day fund and gotong-royong at Parit Raja Sunday.

When tabling the Budget 2014 last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced an allocation of RM700mil to build the air traffic control centre at KLIA.

Abdul Aziz, who is Parit Raja MP, said the new centre would replace the 20-year old air traffic control system in Subang.

He said the new system would improve flight movement in Peninsula Malaysia, particularly KLIA. He said the new system could increase the frequency of lights from 60 per hour to 100 per hour.

"Although we have three runways they are too congested as we do not have a system that allows two airplanes to take off and land at the same time.

"With the new system, our airports will be able to accommodate flights more efficiently," he said.

Abdul Aziz added that the new system would also enhance the aviation industry and make the country an aviation hub in South East Asia.

"With good and advance services available, Malaysia could be a transit destination and this could boost tourism, " he said.

KUB COMPLETES THIRD RUNWAY AT KLIA

TheStar : Monday October 7

 Malindo Air Boeing 737-900ER - Pic by BK Sidhu

KUALA LUMPUR: The trial landing of the first commercial aircraft Malindo Air Boeing 737-900ER on KLIA's third runway was successfully completed at 9.55am on Monday.

The third runway, the first in Southeast Asia, was built by KUB Malaysia Bhd and within the time frame set.

The trial conducted was to test the smoothness and evenness of the runway and signifies the project’s completion.

The runway is 3,960m long and 60m wide. It is near the KLIA2 which is under construction.

Till then, see ya~

NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AT KLIA

NST : 4 OCT 2013

Kuala Lumpur : The Civil Aviation Department plans to construct a new Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang to resolve flights cancellation problems, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
 
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kardawi said a value management exercise conducted showed a total of RM426 million was needed to set up the control centre, equipped with a variety of new air traffic control equipment.
 
“This is one of the approach planned to increase flights movement capacity,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Jumat Idris (BN- Sepanggar)  who raised concerns on the continuous flight cancellations which has been occurring of late.
 
Abdul Aziz said the problem arose due to a rapid increase in flight movements in the past 12 months.
 
“The average air movements rose from 750 movements daily to 950 movements at KLIA during the period.
 
“The recent haze problems and change in the winds had also compounded the problem, where the airport management had switched lanes to ensure a smooth and safe operations for flight arrival and departure.
 
“A delay of the departure and landing of an aircraft will have a domino effect on the entire flights schedules,” he said.

DCA : NO CHANGE IN UNEMPLOYMENT OF PILOTS IN MALAYSIA


KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19, 2013): There is not much change in the unemployment rate of pilots in Malaysia since last year, said Datuk Azharuddin Abd Rahim, Director-General of Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). 

The number of unemployed licensed pilots as of August 2012 stood at 1,174. He said the employment of pilots like any other profession in the world would be based on the supply and demand in the job market and the excess was noticeable since 2011 and soared last year when many of them made complaints to the DCA. 

"In early 2000, there was a sudden high demand for pilots by Malaysia Airlines that Malaysia's only flying academy at the time, Malaysian Flying Academy (MFA), was not able to cope. 

"Following this, DCA had approved four Australia's flight training organisations for us to send our student pilots," he told Bernama in an interview recently. 

MFA is the only local approved flying training organisation (AFTO) in the country that has been producing pilots in the country. However, Azharuddin said due to concerns on high cost and foreign exchange, Malaysian aviation entrepreneurs were invited to participate in the pilots training business. 

In 2005, there were eight AFTOs in the country but three were revoked in 2011 for non-compliance of technical requirements. Each AFTO were at one time capable of producing 50-60 pilots annually. 

"In 2011, global aviation industry faced a spiral downturn with the rise of fuel prices. This resulted in airlines cutting down routes, not buying new aircraft and even ground their aircraft to review the operations, with no expansion," he said. 

He added that as Malaysia does not have many airlines, the economic uncertainties which also affected the local airlines led to less demand for pilots. 

To qualify as an airline pilot, privately funded students have to pay at least RM250,000 and a few good students will be taken as cadets by airlines and sponsored by the airlines. 

Student pilots need to pass a few levels from student pilot to commercial pilot, then upgraded to airline transport pilot licence, which is the highest level which will take them 18 months to two years to complete without unnecessary obstacles. 

Azharuddin said to address the unemployment issue, DCA has set up a registration centre on the department's website to help those who are unable to get employment. 

However, he said the response was low with less than 500 people registered to date, thus the department was unable to track and get actual figures of the unemployed.

"We have also encouraged airlines to employ these licensed pilot but the intake was not significant though Malindo, Firefly, MASwings and AirAsia still employ at a small number. 

"Some pilots have also gone to work overseas like Indonesia, and a few have become flying instructors at flying schools. Some had also converted the licence to helicopter where we still see a shortage. 

"However, to convert from fixed wings to helicopter is a bit difficult as it is actually much easier to fly airplanes compared with helicopter," said Azharuddin.
Student intake at the flying schools had also reduced as requested by the DCA, besides the less demand due to lack of job opportunities. This has also driven the schools to look at the China market for students as the demand for pilots in that country is still very high. – Bernama


P/S : Oopss ~
 

MALAYSIA REELECTED TO WORLD AVIATION COUNCIL

NST : 03.10.2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia was reelected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) council for the 2013-2016 term during its assembly on Monday in Montreal.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this was a big recognition for the country's civil aviation industry.

"By getting reelected to the council, the country is that much closer to earning a place in the United Nation's Security Council," he said yesterday.

Hishammuddin said the achievement proved that the ministry and the Department of Civil Aviation were able to regulate the aviation industry in a professional and safe manner.

"Our ability to administer the aviation industry efficiently is further proven by the recognition given by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement."

Malaysia ws the first country in Asia and only the fifth in the world to sign the security aviation agreement with the FAA, Hishammuddin added.

"Our reelection to the council also proves that Malaysia is one of the most important in the region, as far as aviation is concerned.

"This is also a recognition of the country's sophisticated airports. Malaysia has six international and 16 domestic airports.

"In total, there are 87 runways operating nationwide."

Hishammuddin said Malaysia's reelection to the council was also due in part to the professionalism and abilities shown by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia.

"MAS flies to 46 international destinations and is one of six airline companies in the world to be given a five-star award by Sky Traxx International.

"AirAsia is recognised as the No. 1 low-cost airline in Asia. It was named the best low-cost airline in the world from 2009 to 2012."

There are 191 member states of ICAO, with Malaysia joining the ranks in 1958.

There are three categories where a member country is elected to become a part of the council and Malaysia falls under the third category, which comprises a state with a destination enabling passengers to travel across the globe.

The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations and its council is the body that adopts standards and recommended practices.

Till then, see ya~

PRICE WAR IN AVIATION SECTOR IN MALAYSIA

 WHO WINS??
 WHO WINS??
 WHO WINS??
 
 
   

Well, we believe as the latest war flares between aviation players in Malaysia could benefit passengers...

MALINDO'S MAIDEN FLIGHTS TO BALI AND JAKARTA WELL RECEIVED

TheStar :  Friday September 27, 2013
 
Malindo will have 10 new aeroplanes added to the fleet every year as part of plans to own 100 aircraft in 10 years.


DENPASAR: Malindo Air’s inaugural flights to Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia yesterday and Monday, respectively, have been well-received.

The all-inclusive one-way fares from Kuala Lumpur were almost fully booked by Malaysians and tourists.

“We’re excited by this great potential. This further reinforces Kuala Lumpur as an important Asian gateway. Our strong business and cultural ties to Indonesia make us a natural departing point for flights across the region,“ Malindo chief executive officer Chandran Rama Muthy said in a statement.
 
Malindo will have 10 new planes added to its fleet every year as part of its plans to own 100 aircraft in 10 years’ time.
 
Malindo also has plans to own a 787 Dreamliner by 2015.

“In the meantime, we cannot disclose when we would open for India and Southern China, as we are pending approval from their authorities,“ said Malindo director of public relations and communications Raja Sa’adi Raja Amrin, who spoke as a proxy for Chandran, who was absent due to unforseen circumstances.

Offering daily services by the newly flown-in Boeing 737-900ER, the frequency of flights may be increased if demand continued to pour in, the airline said.

Construction is ongoing for a new terminal for Bali’s Ngurah Rai Denpasar Airport, which has a single runway coping with 23 incoming and outgoing flights per hour.

The three-trillion-rupiah airport will be completed by next May.

Meanwhile, Raja Sa’adi squelched concerns about Malindo’s safety and precautionary procedures post sister company Lion Air’s accident in Bali in April.
Malindo’s maintenance as well as cabin staffing are handled by National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd.

“They undergo rigorous training and adhere to the highest standards.”