Datuk Abdul Rahim
SIBU: The much-awaited Sibu/Singapore direct flight may become a reality soon as Silk Airlines is believed to be eyeing the route, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim yesterday.
“There is a possibility of Sibu/Singapore flight, not only by our airlines but I believe Silk Airlines is also eyeing it. But then again, this is very much dependent on demand.
“Airlines will come based on demand and being private operators they need to see if the route is economically viable,” Abdul Rahim told a press conference.
He added that airlines were now more cost-conscious as the price of fuel had rocketed to US$130 per barrel.
“As far as the national carrier is concerned, I think our commitment is always there. You can be sure there will be more airlines from the region in time to come,” he said.
On a related matter, he revealed that MAS was gradually taking over FireFly (FF) routes.
“Some of the routes are handled by FF but due to certain decisions recently, it is not continuing jet operations and has concentrated on its original core business that is propeller aircraft operations within the Peninsula and neighbouring Indonesia pending outcome of discussion and mapping out of strategies,” he noted.
He said that under the new collaborative framework between MAS and AirAsia (although no details are available yet as a high level discussion is on-going), rationalisation of FF was already taking place.
He noted that a series of jet operations conducted by FF would be withdrawn and most of the aircrafts would be returned to MAS.
“But people need not worry as the air connectivity and services will not in anyway be affected,” assured Abdul Rahim.
He also said as far as air connectivity within East Malaysia was concerned, there was no cause for alarm as MASwings was flying the routes.
“MASwings is also the operator for subsidised rural air services for Sabah and Sarawak. And there is no reduction in flight frequency for MASwings.”
Meanwhile, managing director of Equitorial Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd Robert Tan told The Borneo Post that MAS reinstated its Sibu/KL route yesterday.
“FireFly stopped flying the route yesterday (Dec 4), and the reinstatement of MAS is certainly a piece of good news for air travellers and travel agents.
“For months, travellers had been hard pressed by the problem of connectivity to overseas destinations, and thousands of students and travellers were at their wits’ end due to the luggage connectivity problem,” lamented Tan.