MAS A380

Malaysia Airlines Announces Details Of Its A380

Malaysia Airlines today revealed the design and specifications of its first new flagship aircraft, the Airbus A380-800, that is on track for entry into service from 1 July 2012.

 The first Malaysian A380 aircraft’s exterior was showcased in a new livery that retained the national airline’s rich ‘wau’ heritage together with modern fonts in contemporary colours, demonstrating the national carrier’s commitment towards using new avenues to deliver its renowned Malaysian Hospitality brand experience in fresh and exciting ways.

 Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, ‘We are the first to introduce the A380 into service using a uniquely refreshed look and feel, instead of the regular corporate identity, to showcase our latest premium offering in products and services. This will be our flagship aircraft to launch our exciting new levels of comfort, luxury and convenience in long haul travel.”

 The A380 has a capacity of 494 seats in a three-class configuration comprising 8 First Class seats and 350 Economy Class seats on the main deck, together with 66 Business Class seats and 70 economy Class seats on the upper deck.

The First Class cabin has a luxurious seat pitch of 85 inches with 87 inch full flat bed seats complemented with individual 23 inch inflight entertainment (IFE) screens whilst the Business Class cabin features a seat pitch of 74 inches and full flat bed seats each measuring 72 inches in length together with individual 17-inch IFE screens.

 The Economy class seats with an 18-inch seat width and recline of 6 inches, have a seat pitch of 32 inches and individual IFE screens measuring 10.6 inches. In-seat laptop charging facilities are available on every seat in First and Business Class. In Economy, laptop charging facilities are shared by every 2 seats.

 The aircraft is fitted with the Thales entertainment system, with fully customised Graphic User Interface specific for quick navigation and seat in all classes is equipped with USB port and satellite telephone facility.

 Operated by a cabin crew team of 18 members for inflight delivery of the unique Malaysian Hospitality, customers travelling on Malaysia Airlines’ A380 will be treated to a fine selection of Malaysian and International cuisines with lighter and healthier-concept meals. For the first time, the ‘Chef-on-Call’ facility, currently available to First Class passengers of Malaysia Airlines, will also be available for Business Class passengers of the A380 as an extension of the airline’s renowned Branded Customer Experience.

 The first A380 of Malaysia’s national carrier will operate 3 times weekly on the Kuala Lumpur-London route from 1 July 2012. The second A380 will also be introduced on this route from end-August 2012 to offer double daily operations while the third will be used for Kuala Lumpur-Sydney flights.

 “At Malaysia Airlines, we continue to innovate and introduce new services for the benefit of our customers. The investment in this latest aircraft, its technology, futuristic style and innovative design in cabin comfort are our initiatives to ensure that our passengers continue to experience an exciting new level of comfort, luxury and convenience. This is the identity that will move us from Traditional Classic to Premium Contemporary in our efforts to position Malaysia Airlines as a Preferred Premium Carrier,” added Ahmad Jauhari.

 Ends.

Management changes among concerns of MAS staff

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15, 2012): The number of changes at the top executive level at Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and the appointment of former key executives of AirAsia Bhd to the national carrier are believed to be some of the concerns raised by union representatives in their meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.

According to industry watchers, staff at MAS are concerned about the dramatic changes to its senior management line-up from its board of directors to the CEO, CFO and heads of business units, following a share swap between MAS and AirAsia last August.

MAS had appointed former AirAsia regional head of engineering, Azhari Mohd Dahlan, as its Engineering & Maintenance (MAE) CEO on Feb 1 and former AirAsia regional head of finance, Rozman Omar, as MAS group CFO.

The observer said another concern is that MAS may deunionise its workforce. It was reported that MAS has about 20,000 workers and at least eight workers' unionised groups, while AirAsia currently has 9,000 staff and no union.

MAS Employees' Union (Maseu) was slated to hold a press conference yesterday after its meeting with the prime minister, but the press conference was called off at the last minute without any reasons given. Its president Alias Aziz could not be reached for comment.

Last December, Alias had told SunBiz that MAS' unionised staff were unhappy over a potential plan by its management to downsize the workforce as part of the national carrier's turnaround plan.

He had also said the union members also disagreed with the MAS-AirAsia share swap as they see AirAsia benefiting more from the deal than MAS.

"Many MAS staff are kept in the dark by senior management about what the airline is working on, their decisions, plans and future direction," said another observer.

"For instance, they are wondering what will happen to its long-haul premium airline as it suspends loss-making routes, leaving not many overseas destinations to fly to, and as it puts more emphasis on its short-haul operations (which include Firefly and the new regional premium carrier that will be launched by mid-2012)," he added.

LAGIII.....kurangkan penerbangan

Malaysia Airlines Reviews Sabah Regional Network



Further to the rationalisation exercise involving eight routes of its international network announced last week, Malaysia Airlines will be suspending four routes on its regional network early next year, 2012.

The suspension covers the following:

· Effective 06 January 2012: Twice-weekly Kota Kinabalu-Osaka return B737 route

· Effective 31 January 2012: Thrice-weekly Kota Kinabalu-Perth return B737 route

· Effective 01 February 2012: Four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Haneda (Tokyo) return B737 route

· Effective 21 February 2012: Four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Seoul return B737 route


Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, “This suspension is until further notice and is part of our regional network consolidation involving single-aisle aircraft operations. We will be reviewing this situation in about three months time from the date of the first route suspension and will be deciding further by early April 2012”.

“During the suspension, we will take advantage of our existing code-share operations with Korean Air to provide direct connectivity between Sabah and South Korea using the Korean carrier’s Seoul-Kota Kinabalu return direct flights. We will also continue offering direct international connectivity to Kota Kinabalu through our existing daily B737 flights from Hong Kong and Taipei. In addition we will also use our existing 86 weekly flights between Sabah and KL International Airport (KLIA) to provide immediate connections for passengers who prefer full service flights between Sabah and the cities of Perth, Tokyo, and Osaka,” he added.

Malaysia Airlines regrets the inconvenience to passengers as a result of these route suspensions and assures that it will honour all forward bookings ticketed to date on the affected routes. Where necessary, the Company will make alternative carrier arrangements, at its own cost, to ensure minimum discomfort to passengers.

As for the Sandakan-Kuala Lumpur operations, Malaysia Airlines will continue to offer this connectivity via Kota Kinabalu, 22 times weekly from Sandakan and 25 times weekly from Kuala Lumpur, using both its daily B737 flights and daily MASwings ATR services currently operating between Sandakan and the Sabah capital city.

Ends.

Sikit2 lama jadi bukan jadi bukit...malah lebih sedikit!!

Malaysia Airlines Implements Route Rationalisation to Stem Losses and Improve Regional Network

Malaysia Airlines has embarked on a significant route rationalisation exercise as part of its Business Plan announced last week, to stem its losses anticipated this year and in 2012.

The route rationalization exercise takes effect early next year and involves the withdrawal from the following loss-making routes:

Effective 7 January 2012: Daily Langkawi – Penang – Singapore vv B737 route

Effective 12 January 2012: Twice-weekly Kuala Lumpur – Karachi – Dubai vv A330 route

Effective 13 January 2012: Twice-weekly Kuala Lumpur – Dubai – Damman vv A330 route

Effective 30 January 2012: Daily flights Kuala Lumpur – Surabaya vv B737 route

Effective 31 January 2012: Thrice-weekly Kuala Lumpur – Johannesburg vv B777 route

Effective 1 February 2012: Twice-weekly Kuala Lumpur – Cape Town – Buenos Aires vv B747 route

Effective 2 February 2012: Thrice-weekly Kuala Lumpur – Rome vv B777 route


Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, “The withdrawal was based on our own independent internal profitability and yield analysis. This accounts for almost 12% of our passenger capacity and we estimate that the ongoing route rationalisation will improve loads, increase yields and have a profit impact of RM220-302 million for 2012.”


“The above route rationalisation is expected to have minimal impact on Malaysia's position as a top tourist destination in Asia as we will work aggressively with our code share partners. Through our existing arrangements with them, we will continue to promote connectivity between Malaysia and key international destinations as well as contribute towards the overall efforts by the various authorities to increase tourist arrivals to Malaysia. We also hope to return to these markets after we have stabilised our business,” he added.


Malaysia Airlines regrets for the inconvenience to passengers as a result of these changes and assures that it will honour all forward bookings ticketed to date on the affected routes. The Company will make alternative carrier arrangements, at its own cost, to ensure minimum discomfort to passengers.

The impact of the above rationalisation on Malaysia Airlines’ cargo operations is also expected to be minimal as the national carrier continues to maintain its key cargo destinations in the United Kingdom, Europe, Orient, Australia, Middle East, South Africa and the United States.

The rationalisation of these routes is also in line with Malaysia Airlines’ focus on moving to the `hub-and-spoke’ approach with KL International Airport (KLIA) as its premier hub of its global network. The national carrier will be reconfiguring its network through retiming of its existing frequencies to provide increased direct connectivity between KLIA and international destinations.

Concurrently, Malaysia Airlines will focus on the core ASEAN region, South Asia, Greater China and North Asia where the demand outlook is strong, fuelled by a burgeoning middle class and increased global and intra-regional trade. The national carrier will thus increase frequencies to key regional cities to benefit from the strong growth in regional demand.

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.

MAS DI LANDASAN BETUL

KUALA LUMPUR 10 Ogos- Harga saham syarikat penerbangan nasional, Malaysia Airlines System Bhd. hari ini melonjak ke paras tertinggi dalam tempoh lebih setahun setelah memeterai perjanjian pertukaran saham dan kerjasama semalam.

Saham MAS ditutup 7.5 peratus lebih tinggi kepada RM1.72 sesaham hari ini sejak Mei 2010.
Namun, nasib yang sama tidak memihak kepada AirAsia apabila sahamnya ditutup lebih rendah 10 peratus iaitu prestasi terburuk syarikat itu sejak Oktober 2008 kepada paras RM3.54.

Para penganalisis tempatan menyifatkan kerjasama itu melibatkan Khazanah Nasional Bhd. (Khazanah), pemegang kepentingan MAS dan Tune Air, syarikat induk AirAsia Bhd. dan AirAsia X akan memberikan situasi menang-menang kepada pihak yang terlibat.

Pakatan itu juga menyaksikan perjanjian Rangka Kerja Kolaboratif Komprehensif (CCF) dimeterai antara MAS, AirAsia dan AirAsia Xbagi meneroka kerjasama dalam pelbagai bidang.
Menurut nota penyelidikan MIDF Research, perjanjian itu juga merupakan cara terbaik untuk mengembalikan semula MAS ke landasan yang betul.

''Ini menyaksikan pelantikan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes dan Timbalannya, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun sebagai Pengarah Bukan Eksekutif Bukan Bebas MAS, selain turut dilantik menyertai Jawatankuasa Eksekutif (EXCO) bersama Datuk Azman Yahya dan Mohammed Rashdan Yusof yang bertindak sebagai pemantau pengurusan MAS sehingga peneraju baru dilantik.

''Kami percaya dengan pengalaman dan kejayaan menguruskan AirAsia oleh Fernandes dan Kamarudin mampu memberikan idea segar dan strategi baharu kepada syarikat penerbangan kebangsaan itu, tambahan pula kedua-dua tokoh tersebut akan lebih komited kerana mempunyai kepentingan sebanyak 20.5 peratus dalam MAS,'' katanya.

Sementara itu, OSK Research dalam nota penyelidikannya pula berkata, kerjasama tersebut juga diperlukan bagi persediaan polisi Langit Terbuka ASEAN pada 2015 dengan objektif kolaboratif itu bagi membolehkan kedua-dua syarikat penerbangan menjadi lebih kuat di rantau ini.

''Sinergi yang terbentuk antara MAS dan AirAsia akan menjadikan mereka lebih kuat untuk bersaing dengan syarikat penerbangan besar yang turut berkembang secara agresif seperti SIA, Qantas dan Jetstar,'' katanya.

Secara keseluruhannya, kerjasama itu dapat akan meletakkan semula MAS sebagai syarikat penerbangan premier dan kemungkinan perubahan model perniagaan.

Manakala, AirAsia pula bakal mendapat manfaat terutama daripada segi penggunaan perkhidmatan MAS seperti infrastruktur penyelengaraan, membaik pulih dan rombak rawat (MRO).

Sementara itu, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd. (HLIB) berkata, kerjasama itu merupakan langkah positif kerana ia akan menghapuskan harga kompetitif yang tidak rasional, menyediakan ekonomi bidangan, kuasa tawar menawar yang tinggi dan mewujudkan sinergi.

Katanya, AirAsia, sebagai satu-satunya peserta penerbangan kos rendah Malaysia akan mempunyai kawalan yang lebih baik dalam penawaran dan hasil tanpa persaingan daripada Firefly.

Sementara itu, HwangDBS Vickers Research berkata, MAS diunjur boleh meraih semula keuntungan kerana janji niaga itu dijangka membolehkan pelbagai syarikat penerbangan untuk bekerjasama dalam bahagian berbeza, memanfaatkan kekuatan antara satu sama lain dan mengoptimumkan kecekapan.

"Kami percaya inisiatif ini akan memberi manfaat kepada MAS terutamanya dalam mencapai sinergi kos memandangkan kos/kilometer tempat duduk tersedianya (ASK) yang tinggi. Kesan itu dijangka segera dan besar yang berpotensi membawa MAS kembali meraih untung," kata firma penyelidikan itu.

MAS + AIR ASIA

Firefly jadi syarikat penerbangan serantau; Pengarah Urusan MAS umum letak jawatan

KUALA LUMPUR: Persaingan 10 tahun Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) dan AirAsia Bhd berakhir semalam, apabila kedua-dua syarikat itu membentuk pakatan menerusi Rangka Kerja Kerjasama Komprehensif (CCF) bagi menjadikan Malaysia hab penerbangan serantau.

Di bawah kerjasama itu, MAS berupaya untuk mengukuhkan lagi operasi penerbangannya dengan barisan pengurusan baru yang mantap dan berpengalaman luas dalam bidang masing-masing serta meletakkannya pada landasan kukuh sebagai penyedia perkhidmatan penerbangan penuh utama negara.

AirAsia pula berpeluang meraih laluan penerbangan dan destinasi baru yang boleh menjana kukuh pendapatannya pada masa depan.

Pengerusi MAS, Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, berkata pakatan itu menandakan era baru kerjasama untuk kedua-dua syarikat penerbangan terbabit melengkapi operasi dan meraih manfaat bersama.

“Kerjasama itu akan membantu MAS memberi tumpuan terhadap kekuatannya di pasaran teras, selain dapat menjana muatan lebih tinggi serta menggunakan sumber secara lebih cekap pada masa depan,” katanya pada sidang media berhubung kerjasama antara MAS dan AirAsia di sini, semalam.

Sementara itu, Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, berkata kerjasama itu memberi peluang kepada syarikatnya untuk menjana peluang pertumbuhan baru pada masa depan.

“Saya fikir AirAsia boleh menjana lebih banyak keuntungan. Kedua-dua syarikat juga akan menjadi lebih produktif dengan menggunakan tenaga bersama berbanding bersaing antara satu sama lain,” katanya.
Di bawah kerjasama semalam, Tony dan Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan AirAsia, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun dilantik sebagai pengarah bukan eksekutif bukan bebas MAS berkuat kuasa esok.

Syarikat penerbangan negara itu turut umumkan pelantikan Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah, Tan Sri Tan Boon Seng @ Krishnan, Datuk Rohana Rozhan dan David Lau Nai Pek sebagai pengarah eksekutif syarikat, dilantik daripada Khazanah Nasional Bhd berkuat kuasa semalam.

Sementara itu, Datuk N Sadasivan N N Pillay, Keong Choon Keat, Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Annuar Zaini, Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Datuk Sukarti Wakiman dan Martin Gilbert Barrow meletakkan jawatan sebagai pengarah bukan eksekutif MAS berkuat kuasa kelmarin dan semalam.

MAS turut mengumumkan peletakan jawatan Pengarah Urusannya, Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin berkuat kuasa semalam dan akan menyertai Khazanah sebagai Pengarah Eksekutif Pelaburan berkuat kuasa 12 September ini.

Jawatankuasa eksekutif dipengerusikan Md Nor ditubuh untuk memantau pengurusan syarikat itu sehingga pengarah urusan MAS yang baru dilantik.

Subang, 9 August 2011. The Board of Malaysian Airline System Berhad (“The Board”) today announced the appointment of Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah, Tan Sri Tan Boon Seng @ Krishnan, Dato’ Rohana Rozhan and David Lau Nai Pek as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company. Mohammed Rashdan bin Mohd Yusof was also re-designated as an Executive Director of the Company being seconded from Khazanah Nasional Berhad. These appointments will be effective from 9 August 2011. The Board also announced the appointment of Tan Sri Anthony Francis Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun as Non-Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company effective 11 August 2011.

The Board announced the resignations of Dato’ N. Sadasivan a/l N.N. Pillay, Keong Choon Keat, Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Annuar bin Zaini, Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Datuk Sukarti bin Wakiman and Martin Gilbert Barrow as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company effective 7 and 8 August 2011. The Board also announced the resignation of Managing Director, Tengku Dato’ Sri Azmil Zahruddin bin Raja Abdul Aziz, effective 9 August 2011. Tengku Azmil will be leaving MAS to join Khazanah Nasional Berhad as Executive Director, Investments effective 12 September 2011.

MAS Chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said: “I would like to record my thanks to Tengku Azmil for his contribution and services to the Company for the last 7 years, initially as a Non-Executive Director, later on as an Executive Director / Chief Financial Officer and finally as Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer. Tengku Azmil made a significant contribution in the company’s transformation during his tenure as both CEO and CFO.

I would also like to thank Dato’ N. Sadasivan a/l N.N Pillay, Keong Choon Keat, Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Annuar bin Zaini, Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Datuk Sukarti bin Wakiman and Martin Gilbert Barrow for their immense contributions as Directors. This is a passing of the baton to our new directors, all of whom are immensely qualified and will bring a diverse set of management experience to our Board.”

The Board also announced the establishment of an Executive Committee (“EXCO”) to be chaired by Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof. The EXCO will comprise of Datuk Mohamed Azman Yahya, Mohammed Rashdan bin Mohd Yusof, Tan Sri Anthony Francis Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun. The EXCO will oversee the management of the Company until such time a new Managing Director is appointed.

Profiles of New MAS Directors

Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah is an active investor, whose family has significant interest in E&O Berhad, Pure Circle Limited, Steppe Cement Limited and other gold and mining exploration companies.

He served as a Director in a number of Malaysian listed companies prior to retirement in 2001. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1974.

Tan Sri Tan Boon Seng @ Krishnan is currently Executive Deputy Chairman of IJM Corporation Berhad. He also serves as a Director of IJM Plantations Berhad, IJM Land Berhad (Chairman), Malaysian South-South Corporation Berhad and Grupo Concesionario del Oeste S.A., Argentina. He joined IJM as Financial Controller in 1983 and was appointed Group Managing Director in 1997 and served in this position until 2010.

He qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in 1978 after graduating with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) degree from University of Malaya in 1975, and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, USA.

He is a member of the Board of Governors of Malaysia Property Incorporated (MPI). He also serves as a Member of the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board as well as the Financial Reporting Foundation, and a Trustee of Perdana Leadership Foundation. He is actively involved in the promotion of Malaysia India business ties and is currently the President of the Malaysia-India Business Council (MIBC) and Chairman of the Malaysia India CEO Forum.

Dato’ Rohana Rozhan is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Astro Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd, one of South East Asia’s leading media group which comprises Pay TV, Radio, Content and Digital business in Malaysia. Rohana is also the CEO of Astro TV, a position she has held since 2006. Prior to being appointed CEO, Rohana was Group Chief Financial Officer, where she was instrumental for Astro’s listing in 2003 (accorded Finance Asia’s best deal) and Asia Money’s Best Financial Management award in 2004. Rohana sits on various boards including Media Innovations Pte Ltd group and Astro Overseas Limited.

Prior to ASTRO, she was with the Unilever Group of Companies for 9 years, both in the U.K. and in Malaysia, where she gained substantial experience in financial and business management in fast-moving consumer goods operations.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Accounting & Economics, University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K. She is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Cost & Management Accountants (CIMA), U.K since November 1996, member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) since May 1997. Rohana completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School in 2006.

David Lau Nai Pek is a Director of Axiata Berhad. He is also a Director of Celcom Axiata Berhad and Shell Refining Company (Federation of Malaya) Berhad. He has over 35 years of professional experience in finance and leading financial organisations in various locations in Australia, Brunei, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He served the Shell Group for 28 years in various capacities. His last position before he returned to Malaysia at the end of December 2008 was Vice-President Finance, Shell International Exploration and Production B.V., The Hague, the Netherlands.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Canterbury University, New Zealand and is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Tan Sri Anthony Francis Fernandes is the founder and Group Executive Officer of AirAsia. Prior to joining the Company, he was Financial Controller at Virgin Communications London from 1987 to 1989 and held key positions with Warner Music which includes Regional Managing Director for ASEAN until 1999 and subsequently Vice President, ASEAN until 2001 at Warner Music South East Asia.

He has received numerous awards which include ‘Malaysia CEO of the year 2003’ from American Express and the Business Times, ‘Airline Business Strategy Award 2005 and Low Cost Leadership’ by Airline Business. He was also named Asia Pacific Aviation Executive by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) for the year 2004 and 2005.

He was admitted as an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in 1991, and became a Fellow Member in 1996.

Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun is the co-founder of Tune Group and the Deputy Group Chief Executive Director of AirAsia since December 2001.

Prior to joining Tune Group and AirAsia, Dato' Kamarudin worked in Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank from 1988 to 1993 as a Portfolio Manager, managing both institutional and high net-worth individual clients' investment funds. In 1994, he was appointed Executive Director of Innosabah Capital Management Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Innosabah Securities Sdn Bhd.

Dato' Kamarudin received a Diploma in Actuarial Science from University Technology MARA (UiTM) and was named the "Best Actuarial Student" by the Life Insurance Institute of Malaysia in 1983. He received a B.Sc. degree with Distinction (Magna Cum Laude) majoring in Finance in 1986, and an MBA in 1987 from Central Michigan University.

Air Asia Bakal Ambil Alih MAS?

Oleh MOHD. KHUZAIRI ISMAIL
pengarang@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos – Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) hari ini menafikan bahawa Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes dan Timbalannya, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun akan menjadi pemegang saham terbesar dalam Malaysia Airlines System Bhd. (MAS).

Khazanah dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini memberitahu, sektor penerbangan yang strategik kepada ekonomi negara akan kekal sebagai pegangan teras dalam portfolio pelaburan syarikat itu.
“Khazanah akan terus mengekalkan kedudukan sebagai pemegang saham terbesar tunggal di dalam MAS.

“Sebagai pelabur strategik yang aktif, Khazanah sepanjang masa akan meninjau cara-cara untuk menambah baik prestasi syarikat, portfolionya dan juga daya saing sektor-sektor strategik dalam ekonomi,” menurut kenyataan itu.

Menurut kenyataan itu lagi, pengumuman lanjut mengenai kedudukan Khazanah dalam rancangan transformasi MAS yang berterusan akan dibuat pada masa yang bersesuaian.

Dalam perkembangan sama, Tony dan Kamaruddin hari ini turut menafikan laporan media bahawa mereka akan menjadi pemegang saham tunggal terbesar MAS.

“Kami ingin menjelaskan bahawa perkara ini adalah tidak benar. Sebagai pemegang saham utama AirAsia Berhad dan AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd,, kami komited untuk meningkatkan nilai pegangan saham dalam kedua-dua pelaburan teras kami secara berterusan dan menerokai pelbagai peluang untuk meningkatkan francais kami,” kata mereka dalam kenyataan bersama hari ini.

Kenyataan Khazanah, Tony dan Kamarudin itu merujuk kepada laporan sebuah portal pembangkang yang mendakwa Tony akan mengambil alih operasi MAS dengan menjadi pemegang saham individu terbesar apabila membeli 20 peratus saham syarikat penerbangan negara itu.

Desas-desus mengenai pembelian saham MAS oleh Tony juga dilaporkan di muka hadapan sebuah akhbar berbahasa Inggeris hari ini yang turut mendakwa perjanjian tersebut akan dimuktamadkan minggu depan.

Sementara itu, sumber dalaman Khazanah hari ini berkata, pertukaran saham seperti yang dilaporkan tidak mustahil berlaku, namun menolak Tony dan Kamarudin akan mengambil alih operasi MAS.

Ini kerana kata sumber itu, jika Tony dan Kamarudin membeli saham MAS sebanyak 20 peratus sekali pun, Khazanah masih memiliki kira-kira 49 peratus saham di dalam syarikat penerbangan itu iaitu daripada 69 peratus ketika ini.

“Khazanah juga dalam hasrat untuk mengekalkan penguasaan di dalam MAS, tidak memerlukan jumlah saham yang tinggi sehingga 69 peratus,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun kata sumber itu lagi, pertukaran saham tersebut jika berlaku perlu dilihat dari sudut positif yang mana kerjasama itu bakal membawa banyak manfaat kepada kedua-dua pihak.

MAS kata beliau, boleh belajar daripada kecekapan AirAsia menjadi peneraju dalam industri penerbangan manakala syarikat tambang murah itu pula dapat berkongsi kepakaran kejuruteraan canggih yang dimiliki MAS.

“Paling utama kerjasama kedua-dua syarikat penerbangan tempatan ini boleh memberi saingan kepada syarikat penerbangan antarabangsa lain,” katanya.

Tegas sumber itu, MAS dan AirAsia juga akan tetap kekal sebagai sebuah entiti yang berbeza jika berlaku pertukaran saham berkenaan.

Malaysia Airlines cuts expansion plans amid soaring fuel cost, Japan’s crisis.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia Airlines said Wednesday it would trim its global expansion this year as it suffers from the double blow of soaring jet fuel prices and the consequences from Japan’s earthquake.

Managing Director Azmil Zahruddin said the flag carrier would still grow this year but at much lower than the targeted 10 per cent rise in capacity. He said the airline has cut flights to Tokyo from 11 to seven times a week after the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis severely crimped inbound travel.

Much worse was the cost of jet fuel, its single biggest cost item, which has tripled since 2009.

Malaysia Airlines has raised fuel surcharges by more than ten per cent since late 2010 and may increase it further if fuel prices continue to rise, he said. It has hedged 25 per cent of its fuel needs this year at about $90 per barrel of crude oil.

“Fares may or may not go up depending on the markets. The key is to lower non-fuel costs with better efficiency and less wastage. If fuel prices keep going up, there is a negative impact on us,” he told reporters at an economic forum.

Azmil said the carrier’s fleet renewal program, including a range of new fuel-efficient Airbus planes that would be delivered through to 2016, would help cut overall costs by 2 per cent and lower costs on per seat basis by up to 15 per cent annually.

The airline is on track to receive the first of its six A380 superjumbos in April 2012, after five years of delay, he added. Last year, Malaysia Airlines’ net profit fell 55 per cent from a year earlier to 237 million ringgit ($78 million).

Malaysia Airlines welcomes first B737-800
Sent: 01 November 2010 18:08

Malaysia Airlines welcomed the arrival of its first B737-800 with a new dynamic looking livery today

photoshoot 3rd Nov 2010

The first of up to 55 B737-800 ordered, the latest generation aircraft equipped with the new Boeing Skyline Interior will offer customers a better travel experience.

Guests in business and economy class will enjoy inflight entertainment system which offers audio and video on demand, roomier interior, better ambience, higher ceilings and mood lighting.

Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said, "Malaysia Airlines is proud to announce that we will be the first full service airline in the world to operate the B737-800 with the new Boeing Skyline Interior.

"We have two flights scheduled on Monday, 15 November 2010; an inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu followed by the commercial flight from Kota Kinabalu to Haneda, Tokyo."

The 160-seater aircraft sports a new dynamic livery with red and blue lines, Malaysia Airlines' corporate colours.

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Tengku Dato' Sri Azmil Zahruddin said, "The dynamic livery epitomises our determined spirit to provide Malaysian Hospitality to our guests.

“When deciding on the new livery, we considered a number of designs including those that were similar to our very popular hibiscus and heliconia designs. However, these designs added a significant amount of weight to the aircraft, which would not have been very environmentally responsible. Therefore, we went for a cleaner design that is more flowing and environmentally friendly.

"We will receive 3 B737-800 this year, and our first A330-300 next year. These are exciting times for Malaysia Airlines and our customers who will enjoy the latest generation aircraft."

Malaysia Airlines have ordered up to 55 B737-800, 25 A330-300 and 6 A380.

The B737-800 with up to 6 hours flight time left Boeing field in Seattle, United States on 29 October on a 3-day multi leg journey, stopping at Hawaii, Marshall Islands and Guam before arriving at Skypark, Subang.

The Captains performed a touch and go, where the aircraft landed, taxied and took off again. The aircraft also received a water cannon salute, a special welcome for the new B737-800.

There were 3 Captains on board - Captain Muhammad Affindy Abd Rahman, Flight Operation Manager, B737-800 Project; Captain Niazi Saif Ud Dean, Flight Operation Manager, Flight Safety Human Factors; and Captain Khairul Syukri Khalid, Authorized Examiner B737-800.

The Captains were part of a 10 person acceptance team which included 7 engineers led by Senior Vice President, Quality and Engineering, Rashidi Saidin.

Over the past week in Seattle, from 25 to 29 October 2010, the acceptance team conducted a series of tests including a customer test flight to ensure that the aircraft is ready for delivery.

Ends.

 Health: Dealing with inflight emergencies http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Health_Dealingwithinflightemergencies/Article#ixzz0vn6wO0T6

(From left) Rus Mary, Rozania, Sagadevan and Mohamad Zarak practise cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a dummy Cabin crew members are not only trained to ensure inflight safety standards but are also instructed in first aid and safety and emergency procedures, writes SUZANNA PILLAY

PINK guava juice may seem like a refreshing drink to many, but to one unlucky passenger under stewardess Rozania Mohd Khir’s care, it was life-threatening.

“On board a flight bound for Europe, a passenger suddenly broke out in large pink, rashes.

The cause was an allergic reaction to pink guava juice that he had drunk during the inflight meal.

He had difficulty breathing because he had anaphylactic shock,” recalls Rozania, who works for Malaysia Airlines (MAS). “Fortunately there was a doctor on board who was able to administer anti-allergy medication via injection.

Then we did not have anti-allergy epi-pens with us but carried anti-allergy medications in ampules in a physician’s kit instead.” The physician’s kit is one of three that are always carried on board MAS flights.

It can only be opened with the captain’s approval and used by a certified medical practitioner (doctor, paramedic or nurse).

The other two are the mandatory first aid and daily first aid kits.

But an allergic reaction was not the only medical emergency that Rozania had to deal with while in flight.


Last month, while on a MAS flight bound for Mali, she had to assist a colleague with a patient who suffered a stroke. MAS steward Mohamad Zarak Abu Bakkar Seddek, who was with Rozania on the same flight, says the incident was totally unexpected because just 10 minutes before the stroke, the passenger was genial and talkative. “We were surprised when his travelling companion told us that he had suffered a stroke.

When I reached his seat, he was slumped to one side and unconscious.

We immediately announced for a doctor on board to assist us.

“Luckily there was a doctor on board who discovered that the passenger’s blood pressure was around 200.

We tried to make the passenger as comfortable as possible and upon landing at Mali airport, handed him over to a waiting doctor and paramedics.” Rozania says what was flattering was the compliment they received from the doctor in Mali. “He said that in all his years of service, he had never seen an air crew deal so calmly or swiftly with such a situation.

I believe this is a credit to the training at MAS Training Academy.” Inflight executive Sagadevan Singaravelu has had his share of medical drama in the 29 years that he has been flying with MAS.

Not only did he help with the birth of a baby boy 9,150 metres in the air, but he also had to deal with a death during the course of work.

“Assisting in the birth was a remarkable experience.

The couple were on their way to Zurich and then Italy, to the husband’s home country.

The wife, a Filipina, was petite and her pregnancy was not showing much.

So initially, when she doubled over in pain, complaining of cramps, we did not know the problem.

Her husband did not speak English but her friends, who were travelling with the couple, told us that she was six months’ pregnant,” says Sagadevan. “It was a premature birth and to make the situation worse, it was a breach baby.

The passenger was in her second stage of labour with crowning about to take place.

There was no medical personnel on board except for a midwife and together we delivered the baby boy.

I kept the captain in the loop about the procedure and when the baby was delivered safely, he made the announcement to welcome the baby amid cheers and applause from the other passengers.” While on a flight from Jeddah to KL, Sagadevan had to deal with the death of a passenger. “He was quite an old man, seated at the back and had been coughing throughout the flight.

Then during meal service, the wife told me that her husband was unconscious.

We duly informed the captain who then announced for any doctor to come forward to check the body for a pulse or response.

“Unfortunately the old man had died.

I drew a blanket up to his shoulders and placed an oxygen mask over his face so that the other passengers wouldn’t panic.” Sagadevan credits his composure in dealing with both situations to the training he received at the academy. “Every year, MAS airline crew members have to undergo a hands-on refresher course on how to deal with emergencies in the air,” he says. MAS first aid instructor Rus Mary Alphonse, who conducts training for all cabin crew members, says they are trained to maintain professionalism and crowd control at all times, including a medical emergency. “They undergo rigorous training to ensure continuity of safety standards and standard operating procedures when carrying out their duties.

They are trained in first aid, and safety and emergency procedures when onboard flights.” Initially cabin crew members undergo five days of training.

They are also required to undergo recurrent training annually to validate their competency in safety emergency procedures for passenger and aircraft safety. Topics covered include circulation disorders (unconsciousness, hypoxia), live-saving techniques (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), dealing with medical emergencies such as coronary artery diseases and heart attacks and dealing with traumatic emergencies like bleeding and childbirth.

The cabin crew members are also taught aviation medicine and to recognise symptoms, diseases and management according to disorders. “The MAS Cabin Crew Training programmes are in adherence to strict regulations by local and international aviation bodies such as Malaysia Civil Aviation Regulations (MCAR 1996), Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia, International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Air Transport Association which requires cabin crew members to be tested within the relevant period on use of emergency and life-saving equipment required to be carried on the flight and, fly and practice onboard within the validity period of their training,” adds Rus Mary. Flight safety instructor Lim Lee Mei says MAS cabin crew are also trained on contents, use and side effects of medication in the daily first aid kit, which can be used by the crew at any time.

Read more: Health: Dealing with inflight emergencies http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Health_Dealingwithinflightemergencies/Article#ixzz0vn6wO0T6