Singapore Air to launch long-haul budget airline

Singapore Airlines triggered a battle for Asian long-haul budget passengers on Wednesday by announcing plans for a new airline that will compete with Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia X and Australia’s Jetstar, owned by Qantas.

Goh Choon Phong, Singapore Airlines’ chief executive, said the as-yet-unnamed subsidiary would help to stimulate demand for long-haul budget travel, replicating the explosive growth of short haul low-cost airlines in the region.

Read more LCC: Battle of the Lowest Cost

Interesting development. I remember ex-Petronas CEO said to the audience during his annual gathering with his staff, when he was responding to a question about LNG project in Singapore.

His answer was " This Singapore, they want to be everything and have everything". Kinda agree with his answer, that the "KIASU" thingy really sinks deep in their thinking and mentality. My only problem is that, they will do better and best :)

How is Malaysia Airlines respond to this?

Here is the respond from Air Asia and Air Asia X on twitter :-

Azran Osman-Rani

@azranosmanrani Azran Osman-Rani
Let's help Singapore come up with a name for their new long-haul airline. Most creative entries wins free flight - on the original X!

My reply to @azranosmanrani Azran Osman was - Kiasu Airlines

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Easyjet trials 'revolutionary' paint

Easyjet trials 'revolutionary' paint
14 Feb 2011

By Chloe Turgis

Easyjet is to apply a special paint to some of its planes as part of an unusual method to try and save money.

The 'revolutionary' coating is said to reduce drag when planes are flying, thus helping to cut down on fuel consumption.

Easyjet is the first commercial airline to trial the ultra-thin high-tech coating, which has only been used on US military aircrafts so far.

The budget airline is to test the paint on eight of its aircrafts over a twelve-month period. It will then compare their fuel usage with that of its other planes.

The paint is only one micron thick (i.e a millionth of a metre), and it will add just four ounces to the total weight of the planes. But according to coating distributor TripleO, it could help cut fuel consumption by up to 2%, meaning that Easyjet could save around £14m in a year if the polymer was applied across the company’s fleet.

The technology used is said to cut down fuel usage by reducing the build-up of debris on the plane's surface, thus minimising friction and drag – and the need for fuel.

Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "If we can find new ways of reducing the amount of fuel used by our aircraft, we can pass the benefits on to our passengers by offering them low fares and a lower carbon footprint.

“Innovation and efficiency is at the DNA of everything Easyjet has ever done. This plays to both of those things. We don't know it will definitely cut 1% to 2% off our fuel bill, but that is what we are being told is possible."

Source Yahoo Travel

DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

MAHB will not rush KLIA2 construction

Image via WikipediaMAHB will not rush KLIA2 construction
For one, I am glad that the project is finally kicked-off ! It is KLIA2 , a catching name at least for me. Indication from the Prime Minister that it will be a "mega low cost terminal in the world " is something has yet to be seen. As I understood from various newspaper reports, the development will not purely on construction of airport terminal, but with end in mind of giving passengers " a totally new airport experiences " similar to London Heathrow Terminal and Amsterdam, Schipol International Airport.
As Malaysian, and as one of my "2010 Merdeka" wish, I would love to see KLIA to be at par or better than its competitor none other than Suvarnabhumi Airport and Changi International Airport. My wish, KLIA shall be either No. 1 or No. 2 airport at the very least in SEA region for a start, and then No. 1 airport in the world, providing the stakeholders " a totally new airport experiences ". I believe that KLIA has so much value propositions to the stakeholders, better than its regional competitors.

I have no doubt and I do have faith in Malaysia Airport Berhad's management to deliver only the best for KLIA specifically, and Malaysia in general.


Coming back to the " totally new airport experiences " concept , below are some points that in my points of view MAHB may want to include as part of the" experiences " for its stakeholders ;

Branding - this is very critical for all the stakeholders to have a matching between "how they perceive KLIA" and "what they experience" while @ KLIA. What is the KLIA 's "Soul" ? My "to be" perception as frequent user of KLIA  are as follow ;

1. KLIA is a metropolis and duty free zone city .

This will address the chicken-egg situation [ i.e. EITHER number of airlines OR number of passengers [ volumes]. As a frequent traveler, flight connection of flight is the ONE most critical element when I decide which airline shall I travel with, as I do not want to spend hours waiting at the airport  doing nothing especially if I travel with my kids or my parents. As frequent transit passenger at the same airport to travel to the city perhaps is not an option, so what are the other factors for me to consider using KLIA as my transit airport ? None other that " total airport experiences" .

Perhaps a typical transit experience in KLIA :-

a. Checked-in at the hotels with "home-stay concept" or "rumah kampung" of all the 13 states- something Malaysians with 5 star facilities. Relax by the swimming pool, sauna, Moroccan or Turkish Hammam, Balinese spas OR/AND

b. Watching the latest movies at cinema city or at open areas under the shining stars , play bowling OR/AND

c. Kids play and enjoying themselves KLIA's own kid's world and wonderland OR/AND

d. Ladies shopping and shopping branded items at duty free shops till dead drop ! offering quality products from Malaysian own designers or well known brand like Gucci, Prada, LuisVuitton and why not having Boxing Day in KLIA ??  OR/AND

e. Enjoying the cafes [ with cafes and tea from all over the world ] or lunch or dinner with international of choices  in  KLIA own botanical garden with superb scenery, birds chirping OR/AND

f. Window shopping at similar to Jonker's Walk in Malacca, OR/AND

g. Enjoying mini civilizations of the world, world of Malaysia or 7 wonders of the world OR /AND

h. Enjoying the green yet modern metropolis city with no cars and smokes as all facilities within walking distance or mode transportation using bicycle or electric buggy or electric car OR/AND

i. Visit Little Paris, Arabian Square, Little Prairie, Fifth Avenue, Madison Square, Tianamen Square, Amazon and etc OR/AND

j. Watch Formula 1 at Sepang, and take next flight to any destinations ! OR/AND

k. Airlines loyal members can redeem their points at KLIA Planet outlets and establishments OR/AND

l. Visit "tropical fish aquariums" and dolphin shows OR/AND

A lot more, under one sun and KLIA planet, an integrated and well connected Metropolis City  !
Imagine , All the above, within 10-15 minutes from the main terminal by train ! Shall I call it like " Travel around the world in eight(8) hours. Experience KLIA Planet  "  ?

Marketing and Promotions - MAHB shall work together with all the airlines that land at KLIA to package the tours and always have promotions to have always something different every time of the year. It is all about packaging of products, great products come with value for money prices !

An alternative, or passengers can experience shopping experience at the terminal without going out or opt to travel to the downtown of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Truly Asia. If those facilities are available at KLIA, without doubt I will always use KLIA as my transit airport ! 

2. Obviously, if the number of passengers choose KLIA as the transit airport of choice and Malaysia as top 10 places to visit combine with promotion and packages from MAHB, no doubt more airlines will make KLIA as their hub for the Far East region.

3, With Open Skies Agreement will eventually take place in 2015, encourage low cost carriers to have JV with local companies similar of what Air Asia, Air Arabia and Jetstar are doing, and given the regions will be the next economic growth with HUGE populations, the time is NOW or NEVER. Why wait till 2015 and this will create healthy competition and trust that Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia will be able to survive the competition !

4. Then, seamless check-in of luggage and self check in that they can check in their luggage without carrying them at the airport similar to the Sky Terminal concept !

Wow ! This is what I call " Total New Airport Experience" ! 

DISCLAIMER:Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive.Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment.Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

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