Malindo Air expects to fly 1.5 million passengers

Business & Markets 2013
Written by Fatin Rasyiqah Mustaza of theedgemalaysia.com
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 10:19
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LUMPUR: Malaysia’s newest airline Malindo Air expects to fly
1.5 million passengers by year-end through its combined operations at
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the Subang SkyPark
Terminal.
The two-month old airline is expected to commence operations at
Subang SkyPark on June 3, using up to six ATR 72-600 turbo-prop
aircraft by December to serve routes in Peninsular Malaysia.
Malindo Air has so far received a single ATR 72-600, which will ply
between Penang, Johor Baru and Kota Baru from next month. The new
aircraft has 72 seats with a 2-2 configuration in a single class. The
company is charging a one-way, all-in-fare from RM69.
Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said the Subang
SkyPark operations will complement the airline’s jet operations at KLIA,
currently served by two Boeing 737-900ER. The two jets are flying
between Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, and will add Sibu, Miri and Tawau
by next month.
“The whole idea is to put Malaysia as a transit hub within the Southeast
Asian region. As an airline committed to serve the people, we will
continue to expand our operations and grow our network to serve more
guests and destinations,” Chandran told reporters after the arrival of the
first ATR 72-600 aircraft at the Airod hangar yesterday.
He said the hybrid airline has achieved a load factor of 80% since it began operations two months ago, and the two Boeing
737-900ER have ferried 100,000 passengers to date.
Malindo Air, a joint venture between Malaysia’s Nadi Sdn Bhd and Indonesia’s PT Lion group, will expand its fleet to at least
12 new aircraft by December and 100 aircraft by 2028. The existing two Boeing 737-900ER aircraft have a two-class
configuration, comprising 12 business class and 168 economy class seats.
Chandran said Malindo Air has received approvals from the Malaysian authorities to begin charter flights to India.
“We are now working closely with the Indian authorities and we expect to get clearance from them by the end of May. From
then on, we will announce sales for our Indian flights,” he said.
Chandran said flights to India would likely start within two months after receiving clearance from the Indian authorities.
Malindo Air is looking at five destinations in India, and has received approvals to fly to New Delhi, Bombay and Dakar.
Chandran (centre) with Malindo Air stewardesses at a
ceremony to welcome the arrival of the first ATR 72-600
aircraft at the Airod hangar in Subang yesterday.
Chandran also said Malindo Air is in talks on destinations with
China and Indonesia.
On funds for operations and expansion plans, he said Malindo
Air’s cash position is very strong as the airline has a good
parent company and partners.