| MASwings To Start Kuching-Mulu Flight Sept 15 |
| Transportation by Air |
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KUCHING -- MASwings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), will start direct flights from Kuching to Mulu from Sept 15 2009 to boost the tourist arrivals in Sarawak. Its managing director, Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, said MASwings would provide three direct flights a week using ATR 72-500 and Fokker 50 (F-50) to Mulu, dubbed the 'Crown Jewel of Sarawak'. "The flights will be between 11am and noon to enable passengers arriving here to take an immediate connection flight to Mulu. MASwings hopes they will boost tourist arrivals in Mulu and other destinations in Sarawak," he told a media briefing after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here Friday. Mohd Salleh said MASwings would also increase its Miri-Limbang weekly flight frequencies from 14 to 17 flights a week on F-50, effective Sept 15. MASwings, Malaysia's first commuter airline, provides air travel to meet the needs of Sarawak and Sabah. The airline, which commenced operations on Oct 1, 2007, offers more than 660 weekly flights, serving a network of 22 destinations in Sarawak and Sabah as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan. Meanwhile, Mohd Salleh said MASwings was committed to promote tourism in Sarawak and Sabah, via its in flight video screen in its ATR 72-500 flights, starting July 1. "It is a collaboration between MASwings, Sarawak Tourism Board and Sabah Tourism Board to promote the top tourist spots in both states," he said. MASwings has put in a firm order for seven ATR 72s valued at US$128.1 million (US$1=RM3.49) with options for an additional three aircraft valued at US$54.9 million. Mohd Salleh said MASwings would take delivery of one ATR 72 in August, two in September and three by February next year. |