One week before the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, we decided to have a bit of fun and see if our Facebook fans were game enough to “stalk” F1 drivers.

The challenge was issued: grab a picture OF an F1 driver and be rewarded; grab a picture WITH an F1 driver to score fabulous gifts; and the ultimate prize? Grab a picture with an F1 driver while wearing an F1 t-shirt or cap and win a holiday to Koh Samui!

The result? A flurry of activity as men and women offered up images of F1 drivers from all angles, distances and locations – some from a far, others with themselves in the frame. But one young man rose above the challenge and submitted two images – one of himself with Nick Heidfeld, who drives for Lotus Renault and another of himself in a Firefly t-shirt and Jamie Alguersuari, current Scuderia Toro Rosso driver.

Who’s this incredible fella? He goes by the Facebook username Pilot Yohan, and kindly agreed to offer us 5 minutes of his time for a quick chat…

Firefly: You were the first to submit your entry, how did you manage to act so fast?

Yohan: Well, I am a big fan of the F1 race and every year I make it a point to go to the hotel where the drivers stay to meet them and get some autographs. This year as soon as I saw the contest post on Firefly’s page, I had more reason to give it a shot and was lucky to find that I was the first to submit my entry.

Firefly: You’ve never flown with Firefly before, yet you LIKED our page – why is that?

Yohan: Even though I am a software engineer by profession I love the aviation industry a lot and follow most airline pages closely.

Firefly: How did you convince the drivers to take a picture with you; did they know it was to win a prize?

Yohan: No, they did not know and it’s actually part of my hobby.

Firefly: Where did you get the Firefly t-shirt from?

Yohan: Well, I have a friend working with Malaysia Airlines so I just decided to ask him a favour to help me go over to Firefly’s office and buy the t-shirt for me.

Firefly: Who is your favourite F1 driver?

Yohan: Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa

Firefly:Now that you’ve won a holiday for two to Koh Samui, who will you share your prizes with?

Yohan: My fiancée Mazniza, this package will surely be our second honeymoon as we got married in June.

The Firefly would like to wish Mohd Yohan a Happy Married Life and congratulations to all the other winners of Firefly’s Spot the F1 Driver Contest (see the pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150145176096511.277213.52630456510).

If you didn’t get chance to take part in this contest, don’t worry… there will be other opportunities!

Qatar, 30 Oct 2010 – Firefly, Your Community Airline, was honoured with the Green Initiative of the Year award in the Airline Category at the prestigious 2010 Leaders in Aviation Award held in conjunction with the Doha Aviation Summit hosted by Qatar Civil Aviation Authority at Grand Hyatt, Doha on 30 Oct 2010.

“Firefly is the first to introduce the revolution of turbo prop with its ATR 72-500 in Malaysia for domestic and regional flights. With higher fuel efficiency, low vibration levels and lower noise emission, the fleet is reputed to be the most economical with jet like comfort and environmental friendly aircraft in existence. In this sense we stand together with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in reducing carbon emissions in the environment by upholding our Carbon Policy,” said the elated Dato’ Eddy Leong Managing Director of Firefly upon accepting the award at the function sponsored by Mitsubishi Regional Jets.

“Firefly is thrilled to be the airline of choice as proven by this award. This honour will spur us to greater heights to be recognized as one of the most community-focused airline in the world, offering a new flying experience to all our passengers. In fighting for the cause of environment, we believe that it can be done, and this is how we do it,” added Eddy again.

As part of the Support Green efforts, Firefly believes in adopting the 3R (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) practice of using the earth’s resources in the most sustainable fashion in our working operations and culture. Part of the initiatives are re-using existing airport and facilities as well as encouraging paperless environment through our web and mobile booking.

Just marking its third year into the industry last April 2010, Firefly has instantly taken charge by thinking globally, and acting locally. Rising above towards an exceptional growth in the aviation scene, this of course includes effective implementation that considers innovative methods in utilizing existing technologies and cost effectiveness while considering the impact on the overall environment. In terms of sustaining this good balance, Firefly marks the beauty of being small.

The Green Initiative of the Year category honours the airline that has demonstrated strong commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and has adopted a responsible attitude towards climate change. Initiative’s overall environmental benefits, emission reduction strategies, innovative method of implementing or utilizing existing technologies, effective implementation and cost effectiveness were the main criteria for judging this award.

This annual award event is in recognition of individuals and organisations across a range of categories in the aviation sector. From success stories that span practices and innovation, including corporate achievements, the strongest individual efforts, and the most compelling community efforts, The Leader in Aviation Awards recognise, promote and reward excellence across the globe in the most exciting industry in the world.

Last week, we announced the next chapter of its much awaited expansion plan.

Firefly’s first Boeing 737-800 arrives in December 2010 and will begin its operations on the 15th of January 2011 from the Main Terminal Building, KLIA.

From 15th of January 2011:

• 2x daily Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu
• 2x daily Kuala Lumpur – Kuching

From 24th of January 2011:

• 3x daily Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu
• 4x daily Kuala Lumpur – Kuching

From 15th of January 2011:

From 24th of January 2011: