WELCOME TO MIRI: The Malindo Air Boeing 737-900ER given a shower as a symbolic welcome.
WE HAVE ARRIVED: Lee (left) with Malindo Air’s pilot Captain Shaharuddin Mat Lawi (second left) and first officer Ahmad Alawi Mohamed Kamal (right) on board the maiden flight.
FIRST FLIGHT TO MIRI: Lee (front row, centre) flanked by Chandran (right) Rashid with guests and crew of the maiden flight.
SPECIAL TREATMENT: Lee putting bead necklace garland on a passenger of the maiden flight.
FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY: A mother and baby being greeted by a native maiden.
SARAWAKIAN WELCOME: Passengers being greeted by a traditional Sarawakian reception upon disembarking from the maiden flight.
ADDRESSING MEDIA: (Seated from left) Antonio, Chandran, Lee, Rashid, Mohamad and Temenggong Lee at the press conference.
WE SHOULD TAKE A PHOTO: Officials on board the aircraft.
JUST PRESS HERE: Chandran (centre) showing Lee (right) and Rashid how the entertainment gadget operates.
MIRI: Malindo Air, Malaysia’s hybrid airline, made its maiden flight here, landing at Miri Airport yesterday morning, with 95 passengers and 18 media personnel.
Malindo Air chief executive officer (CEO) Chandran Rama Muthy, his officials and all the passengers were greeted on arrival with a traditional Sarawakian reception led by the Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
They were garlanded with bead necklaces. Chandran also joined Lee and other local dignitaries and tourism industry players in welcoming the other passengers.
Among those present were Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis, Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Datuk Rashid Khan, National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd corporate and finance executive director Dato Mohamad Sham and Datuk Seri Temenggong Lee Sie Tong.
The commencement of the one daily flight to Miri from KLIA using the brand new Boeing 737-900ER was made three days after a similar inaugural flight to Sibu on June 11.
The airline, which took to the skies on March 22, currently operates three flights daily from Kuching and three flights daily to Kota Kinabalu from KLIA.
It also operates three daily flights to Kota Bahru, two daily flights to Penang and one daily flight to Johor Bahru from Skypark Terminal, Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport, Subang, using its turbo-prop aircrafts, ATR 72-600.
“We are glad to have Malindo Air flying into Miri, as it connects travellers between Borneo and peninsular Malaysia thus providing more options not only for those who are with oil and gas companies but also for tourists who are using Miri as a gateway to various national ports in the region,” said Chandran.
He added the expansion of their routes signified their commitment to make air travel accessible and affordable for everyone. He also assured that travellers can expect more good things coming from Malindo Air soon. This will include expansion of routes to Bintulu and Tawau.
To mark its first month of operation, the airline is also extending its introductory one-way all-inclusive fares from Miri to Kuala Lumpur at RM109 to encourage more people to experience Malindo Air.
Malindo Air currently operates a fleet of two brand new Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) aircrafts in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in business and 168 seats in economy class.
Guests travelling onboard Malindo Air will also enjoy extra leg room at no additional cost as all seats in the economy class have a seat pitch of 32”.
All seats in the economy class are also fitted with in-flight entertainment system that offers guests 12 of the latest Asian and Hollywood movie blockbusters and 20 interactive games to choose from at no additional charge.
Free light refreshments are also provided to all passengers travelling in the economy class and a full meal service for those in the business class.
Business class passengers enjoy a seat pitch of 45” between them and each seat fitted with a personal 13-inch screen stowed away under their seat rest.
In addition, passengers will also enjoy complimentary baggage allowance of up to 30kg and 20kg for business and economy class respectively.
For more information or to make bookings, call its Call Centre at +60-3-78415388, visit malindoair.com or visit its travel agents.