Wednesday, February 01, 2012

MASwings' BIMP-EAGA flights won't affect Sabah, Sarawak ops

KOTA KINABALU: MASwings' move to fly to destinations in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will not in any way affect its obligation to serve interior areas in Sabah and Sarawak, Minister in the Prime Miniser's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said today.

Instead, the airlines' expansion to the sub-region would result in more economic growth opportunities and new markets to the two states in diverse economic sectors, particularly in tourism, medical, education, agriculture, trade and investment, he said.

Previously, MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was only operating within Sabah and Sarawak.

"MASwings' business growth and a new market in BIMP-EAGA promises higher revenue to the airline besides contributing to MASwings' lower operational costs," he told a media conference to mark MASwings inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu to Bandar Seri Begawan today at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Under proposed plans, MASwings is to start flying to Bandar Seri Begawan from Kota Kinabalu twice daily and from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan thrice weekly from today, he said.

It will operate one flight daily between Kuching and Pontianak (Indonesia) from Feb 6 and from Tawau to Tarakan (Indonesia) beginning Feb 13.

Nor Mohamed said MASWings was the first Malaysian aviation company to link the "designated points" under the memorandum of understanding signed on Jan 12, 2007 by the governments of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines for air route expansion to the sub-region.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: MASwings' BIMP-EAGA flights won't affect Sabah, Sarawak ops
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