Low cost “community” air carrier Firefly will open three new routes in August, mostly linking Malaysia to Thailand.
KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia Airlines’ low cost subsidiary Firefly continues to develop its regional network. The airline just announced to open three new routes from three different airports in Malaysia. On August 10, the first route to be inaugurated will be Kota Bharu-Singapore. Kota Bharu is the capital city of Kelantan on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It will be the first-ever international connection from there. Although Kelantan regularly hits headlines in Malaysia for its rather conservative interpretation of Islam, the State is a popular destination thanks to the presence of Perhantian Island. Firefly will propose up to four weekly flights. Second to open on August 11 will be Penang-Koh Samui with three weekly frequencies. Penang is already linked internationally to Bandah Aceh and Medan in Sumatra (Indonesia).
And finally on August 17, Firefly will launch four weekly frequencies to Hat Yai from Subang – Kuala Lumpur old airport and at the same time Firefly largest air base. The destination is especially popular for Malaysian Chinese who enjoy the city for its food, cheap shopping offer and its nightlife. Despite the popularity of the destination, airlines have experienced difficulties to fill up aircraft due to the competition of busses which link both cities in five hours time on average with fares starting at US$ 7 one-way.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
