Firefly gets nod for expansion

21 October, 2007:

The Firefly will be soon seen soaring all over Malaysian skies. The wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has been accorded approval by the government to fly domestic and international networks from four hubs in the country.

Though Firefly is still in its infancy, the airline had been well received by the traveling community ever since its launch in the beginning of 2006. The approval for network expansion is expected to boost its mission of creating safe, reliable, and affordable air links for the communities within Malaysia and Asean. By the end of October 2007, Firefly will commence twice daily flights between Subang and Penang with bookings available online from October 19, 2007.

Firefly will be expanding to serve six domestic and nine regional routes out of Penang International Airport, 12 domestic and 13 regional routes out of Subang as well as seven domestic and 14 regional destinations out of Senai International Airport in Johor Baharu. The airline, in a bid to speed up
expansion, also plans to replace the current fleet of two Fokker F50 aircraft with 20 ATR72-500 aircraft.

The green signal would help Firefly spread wings and take its network on an expansion mode from its existing hub in Penang. It will also be able to operate out of three additional hubs, such as Subang, Johor Baharu and Kota Kinabalu. The expansion is being seen by analysts as part of Malaysia Airlines’ Business Turnaround Plan (BTP). The airline is looking at recording the highest profit figures in its 60-year history. The past four consecutive quarters had seen profits.

MAS has completed its five-year network plan and is expected to profitably grow its business in 2008 and beyond.

Firefly will partner its newly-formed sister airline, MASWings, for the East Malaysia operations out of Kota, Kinabalu to cover a network of six domestic and five regional destinations.