Monday, March 16, 2009

MASwings hails the new workhorse of the skyways

TOULOUSE: A new workhorse of the skies is set to take over air travel across Malaysia, boosting the nation’s internal services – especially for people in Sabah and Sarawak.

That was the pledge of Salleh Tabrani, boss of the national carrier’s short-haul division MasWings, as the company took delivery of the airline’s second 68-seater ATR 72 turboprop here in southern France early this month.

MasWings has already placed orders for 10 of the craft – and that means the end of the road for the internal carrier’s ageing fleet of Fokker 50s.

Having trialed one ATR for the past two years, Salleh is certain the purchase of this new workhorse of Malaysia’s internal airways has been a smart decision.

Each ATR 72 costs aboutRM18 million.

“We made the right choice,” said Salleh, managing director of MasWings. “This turboprop fixed-wing aircraft will eventually replace the Fokker 50 and enable us to provide quality and reliable services to the people in East Malaysia”.

Brimming with zest and confidence, he said they were certain of making a positive impact and bringing reliable airline services on the domestic routes for Sabah and Sarawak.

Salleh was speaking at ATR’s final assembly line plant here when MasWings took delivery of the second new plane in question.

Also present for the handover were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Tourism Board chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zainal Adlin and senior ATR and MasWings officials.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: MASwings hails the new workhorse of the skyways
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