Friday, June 4 2010

PHUKET: In a show of confidence in tourism to Phuket, Firefly Airlines launched a host of new destination travel packages and promotional campaigns, including the ability to book tickets through mobile phones.

Angelina Fernandez, Firefly’s Head of Marketing & Communications, told a press conference at The Metropole hotel late last week that she didn’t think Phuket had been too badly affected by the recent unrest in Bangkok.

Firefly would maintain its current flight schedule of four round-trip flights a week between Penang and Phuket, and from October 31 will start operating daily flights to Samui.

“That tells you how confident we are about Thailand,” Ms Fernandez said.

Ms Fernandez said that the load factor on the Phuket-Penang route currently stands at 65% to 70%.

“We have no directional problems. The number of all leisure travelers and holidaymakers flying from Phuket to Penang compared with those flying from Penang to Phuket is very balanced,” she explained.

The new packages, launched under the pre-existing Firefly Holiday campaign, saw the Selangor-based ‘community’ airline greatly expand its range of destinations through increased integration with its parent company, Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

“Firefly Holiday has been around since we began operations, but it promoted only destinations Firefly served directly. But now it is integrated with MAS domestic services and to MAS destinations worldwide,” she explained.

To mark the launch, Ms Fernandez announced that Firefly is offering round-trip flights from Phuket to Penang for 3,560 baht, and further abroad to Melbourne, via a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, for 33,350 baht, all inclusive.

Customized packages to cater to wedding trips, adventure holidays and romantic getaways, for example, were also available through the options offered on Firefly’s website, she added.

From a Phuket perspective, the new packages are perfect for foreigners in Phuket looking for a getaway or needing to make a ‘visa run’ to Penang, where there is a Thai consulate.

Firefly has no immediate plans to expand services.

“We simply do not have any more aircraft… We have just completed Phase I of our expansion. We now have seven aircraft and all of them are fully utilized. We will embark on Phase II when the board of directors and the management of Malaysia Airlines plans to have new aircraft.”

Firefly currently serves directly eight destinations in Malysia and 10 regional destinations.

The new packages are also available through Firefly’s new mobile phone booking service, also launched on May 25.

People can now book from literally anywhere, anytime, said Ms Fernandez.

The facility accepts payment by credit card, allowing people to book and pay for tickets for others.

“Parents can now book and pay for tickets for, say, their children or their grandparents, or even as a gift for someone,” she said.

To mark this service, Firefly offered a limited number of promotional one-way tickets between Phuket and Penang for just RM1 (one ringgit, about 12 baht).

Firefly currently flies Phuket-Penang with FY3605 departing at 2:05pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with return flight FY3604 departing Penang at 1:15pm on the same days. The flight takes 75 minutes

We have not heard stories from our friendly blogger, Azuan for quite sometime due to his new job. Finally, he has something to say again. Let’s hear from the man himself now! Hear Hear!

Posted by azuan in :: All Posts ::, Featured Articles, Firefly Airline, Travel on 04 28th, 2010 | 3 responses

Flying is addictive. At least for an aviation geek like me . However, due to the nature of my new job (office-based and busy weekends), I have not been flying for the last 2 months. Something I myself find hard to believe. There were temptations in the form of cheap tickets and desire to explore new places but there were always some report or presentation that occupy my valuable weekend.

As I settled down with my routine, I finally have enough time to plan for some air travel in May. As the 5th month of the year is just around the corner, I’m all excited to list down my plan for the next 30-days.

a)

Trip: Sensational Saturday with MASCharter
Route: Subang Airport to KLIA on Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400
Date: 1st May 2010 (Saturday)
Description: A Charity event by MASCharter. 280 Children, 20 Terminally Ill Ambulatory Children will be picked up from their homes by 7 buses provided by MasCharter. They will rendezvous at NAZA Harley Davidson Showroom, then 20 Police Outriders along with 180-200 Harley Bikes and 15 BMW Camerabikes will form a 2km convoy and escort the kids to SZB MasCharter premises where they will be given brunch, followed by bike rides on Harley machines, presented with Goodies Bags. The kids will then board a Boeing 747-400 for a short hop from Subang to KLIA. Similar to last year’s Night to Remember, I will be one of the photographers covering the event.

b)

Trip: Exploring Langkawi’s Backyard
Route: Subang Airport to Langkawi on Firefly Airlines ATR72-500 and Langkawi to KLIA on Boeing 737-400.
Date: 1st – 3rd May 2010 (Saturday-Monday)
Description: As part of my “Azuan Explores the Backyard of Malaysia” series, I am going to explore the beauty of Langkawi in particular the historic side of the island and embark on a full-day island hopping! The long awaited break!

c)

Trip: Exploring Kota Bharu’s Backyard
Route: Subang Airport to Kota Bharu and return on Firefly Airlines ATR72-500
Date: 15th – 16th May 2010 (Saturday-Sunday)
Description: Also part of my “Azuan Explores the Backyard of Malaysia” series, I will finally step my feet into the only states in Malaysia that I have never been to – Kelantan. It would be difficult to squeeze many things that I want to do in KB and places that I want to visit in 2 full days but I will stretch myself to get the best out of this trip Feel free to suggest to me things to do and attractions in KB yea!

d)

Trip: Exploring Penang’s Backyard
Route: Subang Airport to Penang and return on Firefly Airlines ATR72-500
Date: 22nd – 23rd May 2010 (Saturday-Sunday)
Description: My “Azuan Explores the Backyard of Malaysia” series will continue up-north in Penang, the food heaven! Simply one of my favorite holiday destinations in Malaysia, this time I plan to embark on a food adventure hunting for the best Nasi Kandar and not to forget to chill out at Bt Feringghi.

***
Feel free to share with me on interesting places at the above three destinations.

In the meantime if you are interested to get attractive fares for ALL Firefly flights, check out the Firefly Facebook Faceoff Campaign where 30% discount is given to Firefly Facebook Fans for selected tickets to ALL destinations including Singapore. All you have to do is be a fan of FY Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/firefly.

Posted by azuan in :: All Posts ::, Brand Review, Featured Articles, Firefly Airline on 01 13th, 2010 | one response

Life has been busy for me once again. I hardly had any time to enjoy blogging and even go online on my computer since day 1 of 2010. I am fortunate to still be able to stay in touch with the happenings in my facebook page and check my email on the go thanks to my mobile phone.

Mobile Internet is something I really enjoy as it allows me to access wealth of information literally at my fingertips. It also makes life easier for me whenever I travel without my notebook pc. It just got even better when Firefly Airlines recently announced the availability of its booking services via mobile phones. Being a frequent Firefly-er, I am glad that the airlines has introduced this mobile feature which allow me to plan for my future trips at anytime be it during lunchtime, before going to sleep, while taking the LRT or even when the usual Internet connection on PC is down!

I had the opportunity to try the new Firefly Mobile last night. For first time user, you have to register once at mobile.fireflyz.com.my . Registration was fast and straightforward!

The registration process allows you to pre-enter your information, and it will be used during the mobile booking. Your information will be populated automatically so that you have minimal data entry when you book your flights using the Firefly Mobile Application. I love this feature as it minimize data transfer cost and is very useful when I’m doing my booking while roaming outside Malaysia.

After registration, you will receive this Service Message.

Note that Firefly Mobile Application will run on most of the JAVA enabled mobile phones. The Blackberry and iPhone versions will be made available soon.

Also after the registration, I received an SMS containing a PIN Code. This secret PIN Code along with the Credit Card’s CVV number are the ‘password’ that you have to key-in every time making a booking through the mobile phone!

After a complete installation, icon for Firefly Mobile appears on my phone.

Accessing the Firefly Mobile application.

Simple Interface, a common feature for mobile applications.

Simple Interface, a common feature for mobile applications.

Extremely fast response

Similar options as per web booking

Personal details automatically filled in.

Two screens after that, with the right credit card details, I had successfully booked a flight via Firefly Mobile. It took me less than 10 minutes and the flight itinerary was emailed within a couple of minutes!

I had tried Firefly Mobile and it is not only user friendly and fast but also a secured system as long as you protect your mobile and passwords properly.

Now everyone can book on Firefly!

A good tool for someone who loves quickie, errr….I mean loves to be quick.