MAS takes over Firefly

Malaysia Airlines Takes Over Firefly's Jet Services

 18 October 2011


Malaysia Airlines Group has embarked on a network rationalization programme, which will see its subsidiary, Firefly, concentrating on serving short-haul turboprop operations, while its parent Malaysia Airlines, will focus on enhancing its premium full-service offering. Firefly’s turboprop operations will remain unaffected by this exercise.

The takeover of Firefly jet services by Malaysia Airlines Group is part of the service separation plans under the business realignment exercise which addresses the continuing heavy losses being incurred by Firefly jet operations.

“The takeover of jet services is an important part of Malaysia Airlines Group’s business realignment exercise and is prompted by the need to address network and fleet restructuring plans for short-haul jet services. With the consolidation of Firefly’s jet operations under the Group, Malaysia Airlines will focus on the business of growing our premium full-service segment,” said MAS Group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

The programme will be undertaken over a two-month period, on a sector-by-sector basis, and will result in all Firefly jet aircraft being redeployed into Malaysia Airlines’ operations by December 4, 2011.

“Malaysia Airlines Group remains committed to Sabah and Sarawak and will continue to operate all services to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. In addition, MASwings will also continue to operate all flights to the other points within Sabah and Sarawak that are currently being served,” he added.

Firefly’s turboprop operations out of Subang and Penang Airports will be strengthened with the recent delivery of two additional turboprop aircraft. These aircraft will enable Firefly to reinstate services between Subang – Kuantan – Subang and also provide capacity to increase frequency of services on existing routes.

Malaysia Airlines Group deeply regrets any inconvenience caused to passengers of Firefly Jet services affected by this network rationalization programme and gives its fullest assurance to passengers that it will honour all jet flight seats sold on Firefly.

The Group is committed to minimizing the impact of any disruptions to the travel plans of Firefly jet passengers and will reassign all those affected to equivalent flights or better, at no additional cost, to ensure they reach their intended destinations.

Passengers with queries related to bookings or reservations on Firefly can write to customer_care@fireflyz.com.my with their booking confirmation number and flight details, or call +603-7845 4543 or visit www.fireflyz.com.my for more information.

Ends.

Bahasa Malaysia Dipertabatkan

Memartabat bahasa Malaysia perlu disokong



KUALA LUMPUR 15 Okt. - Usaha kerajaan memartabatkan bahasa Malaysia (BM) sebagai bahasa ilmu perlu disokong bagi memastikan peranannya tidak terbatas hanya sebagai bahasa kebangsaan.

Menteri Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim berkata, walaupun negara telah mencapai kemerdekaan selama 54 tahun, namun isu berkaitan penggunaan bahasa Malaysia masih timbul dan diperdebatkan.

"Kerajaan serius dalam menjadikan bahasa Malaysia sebagai bahasa ilmu dan bukan sekadar bahasa kebangsaan.

''Oleh itu, saya berharap tidak wujud golongan yang cuba menenggelamkan atau menghalang idea berkenaan,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Istiadat Konvokesyen Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara) kali kelapan di sini hari ini.

Rais berkata, rakyat perlu bersama memartabatkan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan dan bahasa ilmu kerana ia sebahagian daripada idea gagasan 1Malaysia.

Dalam hal ini, beliau memuji ketegasan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak serta timbalannya, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yang konsisten berkaitan isu penggunaan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan dan ilmu.

''Isu ini sepatutnya tidak timbul sekiranya rakyat menyokong usaha kerajaan memartabatkan penggunaan bahasa ibunda itu dan sekali gus menjadikannya bahasa ilmu di negara ini,'' katanya.

Mengenai konvokesyen hari ini Rais berkata, persepsi masyarakat terutamanya ibu bapa terhadap bidang pengajian berkaitan seni dan budaya menunjukkan tanda positif.

Katanya, pelaburan besar pelbagai pihak memberikan keyakinan kepada masyarakat bahawa industri itu bukan sahaja memberi ruang kepada pelajarnya berkarya, tetapi menawarkan peluang pekerjaan.

Menurutnya, industri kreatif membabitkan seni dan budaya dunia menjana sekitar RM78 bilion setahun dan sebanyak RM2.8 bilion hingga RM5.8 bilion daripada jumlah itu turut disumbangkan oleh negara ini.

"Di Aswara, 95 peratus daripada graduannya memperoleh pekerjaan dalam industri berkenaan setelah tamat pengajian,'' katanya.