Hello again,
We think 2011 is a no-frill frenzy year for airlines.
Why?
Growing demand for budget flights has been a bright spot for the airline industry this year as slowing global economic growth and higher fuel costs hurt earnings. Thus, new long-haul budget carriers, Scoot Airlines and Air Australia becoming the latest airlines to enter the service to cater new segment of market.
The market for a premium and first-class travel which legacy carriers are offering has been heavily dependent on for decades has shrunk considerably. We are not sure how it affects the growth of the legacy carriers but it does really hurt them well.
However, with the introduction of these 2 new airlines, we are not sure how the passenger sensitive issues like baggage handling, meals and seat selections are to be done in order to customize customer's experience. Or perhaps it would be the same with rivals Malaysian AirAsiaX or JetStar?
Not sure if passengers need to pay extra cost to go to lavatory. Too much to be "negative" anyway.
As for now, we have seen the market certainly has shifted from legacy carriers (Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates or etc) to discount carriers. That gives us plenty of options to think which carrier offers the best and suitable to our needs.
But we all hope the best. Everyone is talking about economic growth in Asia and we are all looking forward to see the potential growth in aviation industries especially in ASEAN countries. Travel demand is likely to increase as well as we are becoming prosper and richer (technically). Hope the market will spill out to Sandakan and becoming the center of wildlife attraction.
# Tell you what, Sandakan is green and lush.
Till then, see ya!!
