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

 

 

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.