Firefly to expand network, operations and fleet from Jan-2011

Malaysian Airlines confirmed (08-Nov-2010) its wholly owned subsidiary, FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, will expand its network and operations from 15-Jan-2011. Firefly, which operates a fleet of seven ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft, will introduce jet aircraft operations with a new fleet of B737-800 aircraft operating out of the Main Terminal Building of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Phase one of the expansion, spanning 2011-2015, will bring into service up to 30 jet aircraft with six operated by the end of 2011. Firefly's expansion is part of MAS' strategy in growing its network and building capacity, in line with its Business Transformation Plan (BTP2). Mr Leong declined to comment on where else it would deploy the new aircraft, but stated the carrier could fly to China and India "if we want" and all ASEAN countries are potential destinations (TODAYonline, 09-Nov-2010). The Managing Director also stated the plans will not eat into parent Malaysia Airlines' market share and the expansion offers a "dual-offer strategy", under which MAS offers a full service product and Firefly offers an LCC service for the "price sensitive market". He added the plan is "conservative and calculated". [more]

Firefly: "Every year, the market grows and we are not trying to outgrow the market. We are expanding with six aircraft next year. You are basically catering to the growth that the market is naturally expanding anyway. Six aircraft out of the capacity that already exists is really quite marginal," Eddy Leong, Managing Director. Source: TODAYonline, 09-Nov-2010