KUCHING, Dec 29: Firefly Airline plans to launch two new routes in Sarawak, Kuching to Miri and Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, in the second quarter of 2023.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS), its minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin chaired a meeting with Firefly Sdn Bhd (Firefly) to discuss the airline’s operation in the State.
The meeting’s main purpose was for Firefly to brief and discuss their future plans in Sarawak with Lee.
Firefly, the low-cost arm of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is currently operating the Penang to Kuching route with 14 flights weekly.
The meeting was attended by the delegation from Firefly, Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) group chief operations officer (COO) Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Firefly chief executive officer (CEO) Philip See, which was held at the 7th floor of Bangunan Baitulmakmur, Petra Jaya here today.
Also present during the meeting were MOTS acting permanent secretary Julin Alen and other MOTS officials.
During the meeting, See mentioned that Firefly plans to launch two new routes in Sarawak, Kuching to Miri and Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, in the second quarter of 2023.
“We hope that with an additional airline operating the routes, more flight options, availability, and reasonable flight fares will be available, attracting more passengers to travel within and to Sarawak,” he said.
In the meantime, Lee proposed to Firefly to introduce the Penang to Miri flight, as a few years ago, another airline offered direct Penang/Miri/Penang flights.
The transport minister also requested Firefly to include Sarawak in their future domestic and international route expansion plans.
Other matters that were discussed include the potential new routes to or within Sarawak, flight frequency, airfare, and exploring potential areas of collaboration with local business players in the travel and leisure industry.
Lee also thanked Firefly’s CEO and management for their trust, support, and close collaboration with MOTS. — DayakDaily
