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Friday, November 18, 2011

MASwings expects to go international next year

KOTA KINABALU: MASwings might begin its international flights next year if everything goes as planned, according to its chief executive officer Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang.

Expecting a positive result next week, Nawawi said they were planning to expand their services to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

He said they were kicking off with two routes via the state capital, namely Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) and Kota Kinabalu-Tawau-Tarakan (South Kalimantan), and two from Sarawak, Kuching-Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan.

He said they were awaiting approval for the four routes, adding that currently, it has been tabled in the Cabinet meetings of both states.

“We are expecting positive answers since we believe the expansion will help us to widen MASwings’ operations in promoting accessibility to these locations, and also to help promote Sabah and Sarawak.

“MASwings sees that both Sabah and Sarawak have great potential, especially when tourism and nature is concerned, and believe a lot of people come here for either education or its health services,” he said.

If everything goes well, MASwings is also planning to expand its services to Balikpapan and Banjarmasin in Indonesia, apart from several locations in the Philippines and Irian.

Since its inception in 2007, MASwings has flown to over 20 destinations in East Malaysia with some 940 flights weekly compared to 450 flights when it first started.

“Last year we flew in some 1.2 million passengers, and for 2011, we have targeted to increase the numbers to 1.3 million. To date, the figure has surpassed 1.2 million,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Nawawi said although MASwings is just a subsidiary company to the national carrier, it has shown encouraging growth.

“MASwings recognises the support from the people, therefore to make us as the brand name here, we will strive to offer the best services to our passengers.

“We (MASwings) should be the brand for Sabahans and Sarawakians. Our staff should be proud of themselves for being able to provide the best services to the people,” he said.

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