Tuesday, June 27, 2006

MAS' Subsidised Domestic Fares End Aug 1

KUCHING -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) passengers will no longer enjoy subsidised domestic fares for its 19 trunk routes from August 1 when the rationalisation of the domestic aviation sector comes into force.

MAS commercial director, Datuk Rashid Khan, said MAS, which presently offered various subsidised fares for senior citizens, students, children under 12 years old and the media, would stop the offers from August 1.

"This is the decision made by the Government under the domestic route rationalisation exercise," he said during MAS-Media Engagement held here Tuesday.

Also present at the talks were MAS senior general manager (transition management), Dr Amir Khan and MAS area manager Sarawak, Shauqi Ahmad.

Rashid said the subsidised domestic fare prices were mainly for the rural air service and part of the national carrier's social obligation.

He said MAS was still holding talks with AirAsia Bhd to ensure the smooth transition of the domestic routes.

"Under the rationalisation plan, MAS gets seven trunk routes in Peninsular Malaysia, seven in Sarawak and five in Sabah.

"AirAsia will operate the 19 as well as the other 99 non-trunk domestic routes," he said.

Amir said MAS has begun updating its computer reservations and global distribution systems as part of its plan to operate a restructured domestic network after August 1.

"Travel agents, tour operators and national tourist organisations had been told to cease accepting bookings from and beyond August 1 to ensure that there is no negative impact on tourist arrivals to the country.

"There are about 20,000 bookings made with the airline to travel to such routes with about 5,000 tickets issued.

"Full refunds have been made to such customers," he said.

Source: BERNAMA

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