Thursday, July 27, 2006

AirAsia's Fly Asian Express (FAX) set for Aug 1 take-off

KOTA KINABALU: Newly established airline Fly Asian Express (FAX) is set to take over Malaysia Airlines' domestic flight operations within Sabah and Sarawak from Aug 1.

FAX executive director Raja Mohd Azmi Raja Azali said the airline would operate from Terminal 2 of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

“FAX has seven Fokker 50 aircraft, each with a capacity of 50 seats and five Twin Otters that can seat 19 passengers,” he said here yesterday.

FAX will use the Fokker 50 for its services involving Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu in Sabah and Bintulu, Sibu and Mulu in Sarawak.

The Twin Otter aircraft will service 26 routes in the two states, including Kudat and Tomanggong in Sabah and Bario, Lawas, Ba' Kelalan, Mukah and Long Seridan in Sarawak.

The services are in line with the Government’s rationalisation of the domestic routes in Sabah and Sarawak.

Raja Mohd Azmi said the company aims to reduce government subsidies on such services.

“We are here to operate an airline that is cost effective. We have a dedicated team to efficiently manage all operations,” he added.

“Our ultimate aim is to turn it into a profitable airline. We believe that some of AirAsia’s successful operating practices will help reduce the cost structure of operating the aircraft, especially Twin Otters.”

He said although initial fares were similar to those of MAS, the company’s eventual savings would be passed on to customers.

“In time, fares will go as low as 99 sen. As our tagline ‘affordable accessibility’ suggests, it is all about making travelling possible for everyone; and we believe this can be achieved,” said Raja Mohd Azmi.

FAX has appointed AirAsia as its ground-handling agent to manage all ground operations including ticket reservations, check-in counters and in-flight services.

He said FAX was collaborating with the Galileo International distribution network to have its fares and inventory available on the Galileo GDS platform.

Galileo International, a subsidiary of Travelport Inc, is a leading global distribution system.

This provides Galileo-connected agents with access to FAX’s full range of fares. Currently, Galileo serves over 50,000 agents worldwide.

Seats are now available for purchase via the FAX website flyasianxpress.com and at all existing AirAsia airport and sales offices nationwide and from appointed travel agents.

Source: The Star

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