Malaysia Airlines strengthens international network
Kuala Lumpur (MALAYSIA AIRLINES) - Malaysia Airlines announced today that it is resuming its thrice-weekly Kuala Lumpur-Beirut operations via Dubai, effective 15 October 2006 to meet the surge in travel demand arising from the current efforts for the return to normalcy in Lebanon.
"The flights, operated using a 229-seater A330-200 aircraft, will depart Kuala Lumpur for Beirut via Dubai on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The return flights from Beirut will also depart the same day to arrive Kuala Lumpur the next day", said Malaysia Airlines' Managing Director/CEO Mr. Idris Jala.
Meanwhile, based on the findings of its route profitability exercise, Malaysia Airlines will withdraw its operations between Kuala Lumpur and Cairo effective 1 November 2006 but maintain its presence in the Egyptian capital through the operations of an offline General Sales Agent.
"The similar profitability exercise on the Kuala Lumpur-Stockholm-New York route indicated that, under the current circumstances, it is best operated using code share arrangements via Amsterdam, one of our continental European hub.
"We will increase the use of our existing code-share option with KLM to maintain operations between Kuala Lumpur and Stockholm via Amsterdam. In addition, we are negotiating with few large Scandinavian travel agents and tour operators to explore the possibility of charter operations during the winter period to match the traffic demand for Scandinavian passengers to Malaysia. We are also in active discussions with a few trans-Atlantic carriers to develop links with cities in the US East Coast via the Netherlands capital," added Idris Jala.
Arising from these alternative arrangements to minimize adverse impact on the travel needs of customers on this route, Malaysia Airlines will withdraw its Kuala Lumpur-Stockholm-Newark operations effective 15 January 2007.
"Malaysia Airlines will, however, honour all forward bookings ticketed to-date on the Kuala Lumpur-Cairo and Kuala Lumpur-Stockholm-Newark routes for travel beyond the service withdrawal dates. It is making alternative arrangements at no extra cost for travelers who still wish to continue their travel plans as originally booked. Where customers opt for refunds, all refund administrative charges will be waived and they will be reimburse the full costs of their tickets", said Commercial Director, Dato' Abdul Rashid Khan.
Meanwhile, effective 29 October 2006, Malaysia Airlines will increase its frequency between Kuala Lumpur and Paris from 5 weekly to daily flights using a 282-seater B777-200 aircraft. Likewise its weekly frequency on the Kuala Lumpur-Taipei-Los Angeles route will be increased from 5 to 6, all operated by B747-400 aircraft.
At the regional level, effective yesterday, 2 additional frequencies have been mounted for Kuala Lumpur-Hanoi, making it a total of 9 weekly B737-400 flights on this route. Malaysia Airlines will also double its twice weekly B737-400 flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Cebu route effective 30 October 2006.
