Date: 15 January 2013
MASwings’ BIMP EAGA expansion sees smooth progress.
KUCHING: MASwings Sdn Bhd’s (MASwings) expansion plan within
the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area
(BIMP EAGA) is progressing smoothly with the announcement of its thrice-weekly
flight to Balikpapan yesterday.
Dato’ Mohd Nawawi, MASwings chief executive officer, noted
that MASwings’ route expansion was in line with the government’s initiative to
lure more tourists into the Borneo states in particular, and also into
Peninsular Malaysia especially with the recent announcement made by Federal
Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen in making Malaysia a destination haven during a
promotional campaign for Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
“Being a Malaysian carrier, we will collaborate to support
all initiatives planned by the state and federal government,” Nawawi stated.
“Transportation connectivity is a key element in realising the BIMP EAGA goals
of increasing trade, investment and tourism within the sub region. As a major
supporter of the BIMP EAGA objectives, MASwings is proud to be able to
contribute towards the growth in the sub region.”
He noted that the implementation of the phases was just the
first step to promote and ensure connectivity between points and that with the
60 million people in the targeted cities, it would no doubt help move the
initiative in the right direction.
Nawawi highlighted that past performance for the BIMP EAGA
region was rocky at first but towards the end, the load factor averages out to
over 50 per cent for the year with December figures registering up to 80 per
cent to some destinations. Passenger growth for 2012, Nawawi noted that both
domestic and international figures registered 1.584 million passengers, 84,000
more than the target of 1.5 million passengers and achieved a year on year
growth of 12 per cent. Sabah and Sarawak passenger growth registered at between
two and three per cent.
“Last year, MASwings commenced its first phase of
international network by adding three destinations namely, Bandar Seri Begawan
as well as Pontianak and Tarakan in Kalimantan. It is now gearing up to add
more international routes within the BIMP EAGA region through the second phase
of expansion which will see it spreading its wings to Puerto Princesa in
Palawan, by March 2013 and Zamboanga in Mindanao by June,” Nawawi enthused.
As for phase three, the MASwings CEO noted that the company
was already looking into linking up Makassar in Indonesia as well as Manado and
Davao in the Philippines.
Nawawi explained that with the introduction of flights
linking Balikpapan to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, MASwings weekly passengers
capacity for its international network would increase from 3,200 to 3,968. The
company also plans to expand its aircraft fleet in the near future with an
expansion rate from the current 10 to an additional 16 new aircraft.
He further added that with the large expatriate community at
Balikpapan as well as the higher spending power due to the presence of many
international oil companies, mining companies, and related industries, it would
no doubt leave an economic footprint as well.
The commencement of the flights on February 1 would also
serve another purpose as Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) would officially be part
of ‘Oneworld’ meaning that MASwings customers would be able to have access to
MAS’ network and also Oneworld.
By Jonathan Wong, jonathanwong@theborneopost.com
Copyright @ 2010-2013 BorneoPost Online
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