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 are joining Malaysia’s ONLY Umrah & Muslim Travel Fair- MATTA INTERNATIONAL FAIR SELANGOR: UMRAH AND MUSLIM TRAVEL DESTINATIONS or MASUM 2010.

The MASUM 2010 has attracted many visitors from Malaysia and overseas over the years. The fair offers great bargains for Umrah & Muslim travel packages. Expect participation from travel agents, hotel, airlines and more at this exciting fairs!

Firefly will also be there for this once a year fair at BOOTH no. 83. Drop by and visit us and get great deal for tickets and packages. Our merchandise are also available for sale during these 3 days. So, hurry up and get your aircraft model now! They are priced at RM90 only!

The fair will begin this Friday to Sunday, 15- 17 January 2010 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm at SACC Convention Centre, Shah Alam.

Do visit MASUM 2010 website at http://www.masum.com.my/content.cfm and join as fans at http://www.facebook.com/pages/MASUM-2010

Thank you.

Stories by Leong Siok Hui

The year 2009 was a good one for avid travellers. Of course, some of us were a little restrained by the wobbly economy and the health scares. But the plunging air fares, hotel rates and value-for-money tours were just too good to pass up.

In any case, those of us on a budget switched to exploring our own backyard. The plus side? We got to see Asia with fresh eyes.

So what does the crystal ball augur for 2010? Can travel industry folks brave the Year of the Tiger with cautious optimism? And are travellers going to enjoy even better deals?

“If 2009 was ‘The Year of the Deal’, 2010 will be ‘The Year of Value’,” says travel analyst Yeoh Siew Hoon.

“Travellers will continue seeking value, not only in terms of price and benefits, but in terms of travel experience. These could range from voluntourism (volunteer holidays) and green travel to specific activity-based holidays.”

The Singapore-based travel editor says three things will define the scene in Asia: low cost, Asia and value.               

“Low-cost airlines will dominate and continue to drive deals and change the way people live, work and play in Asia,” explains the Penang-born Malaysian with 25 years of experience in travel writing.

“It’s now possible to work in Singapore and live in Kuala Lumpur, for example, and commute to work, depending on the nature of your work and your income.”

Asia will be the main playground of Asians as new routes are being opened up by low-cost airlines such as Firefly, Yeoh adds.