NEW PLANES FOR FIREFLY FOR NEW YEAR

14 January 2013

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

NEW PLANES FOR NEW YEAR FOR FIREFLY!

CEO of Firefly Ignatius Ong is taking the airline places under its new phase!

Great outlook for Firefly as the new year crawled in

 Firefly is all geared up with its expansion plans in place as 2013 crawled in.  Following the recent signing of agreement between its parent company, Malaysia Airlines and ATR, the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer, Firefly will take on 20 brand new ATR 72-600s gradually, beginning June this year.  The additional enhanced series of turboprop fleet will be used to complement the growing demand of Firefly’s services with newly added frequencies on its existing popular routes and socio-economic blooming destinations while closely monitoring potential new routes.

Firefly will be increasing its 28 weekly flights between Subang and Johor Bahru to 38 flights with effective from 19 Feb, 2013. In celebrating the fleet expansion and added frequencies with the anticipated Chinese New Year holidays around the corner, Firefly is pleased to offer an all-in, one way promotion starting from RM 35 to its domestic and regional destinations. Booking starts from 14 January to 27 January 2013 for travel between 21 January 2013 and 29 March 2014.   

Customers are urged to book early to enjoy this exclusive and limited offer, as seats are subject to availability. Ticket purchases can be made from Firefly’s website, mobile application, airport and city ticketing offices, call-centre and through travel agents. For further information on Firefly’s routes and schedules, please visit www.fireflyz.com.my.

Firefly’s CEO, Ignatius Ong said, “With the progression of a new airport and new player, we believe this will be an interesting and aggressive year for the industry. Being a player, we cannot deny of the possible competitions and foreseen challenges. Nevertheless, Firefly will unfailingly continue cashing in on the growth of our turboprop business and targeted niche market; while staying focused on matching capacity to unfulfilled demand especially for primary business and secondary leisure routes. With an enhanced business model and larger fleet size, we are going towards the direction as planned and will go on doing what we do best, which is to provide a safe and pleasurable journey for our customers.”

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared, “We are pleased to reinforce the long-standing partnership that we have established with Malaysia Airlines since our first deal in 2007. We are very happy to see the outstanding success that Firefly has experienced since they started operations with the ATR 72-500s. With the arrival of their 20 new ATR 72-600s, Firefly will now introduce the newest developments of our –600 series aircraft, including the most modern and stylish cabin interiors and the most updated cockpit and navigation aid tools, with no compromise on the safety features. We are convinced that with the expansion of their ATR fleet, Firefly will also further expand its popularity and success in coming years. Thanks to its innovative concept and excellent timing of the ATR72-500 schedule, Firefly is seen to be taking-on jet competition very successfully especially out of  its Subang and Penang hubs, Senai and Changi”.

Firefly currently flies to domestic and regional destinations in the ASEAN network serving more than 25 destinations within Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Firefly which lies midway spectrum of a full-service premium airline and a low-cost based airline, offers pricing with values that significantly undercuts its competitors by providing the ease of a city airport, 20kg checked baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight refreshment, a 30 minute check-in buffer, web check-in facility – all essential needs for business travellers and holiday makers alike.

“We aim to continue in making a major hub from our ultra-convenient Subang Airport, the city airport of Kuala Lumpur where we take pride in offering a hassle-free travel experience; expand to serving our birthplace hub in Penang as well as developing new exciting hubs within Malaysia where growth economic engines are evident especially in the southern and eastern states in Peninsular. Whilst that, our jet charter service will continue to break new grounds for the company and the group for 2013,” Ong concluded.

Ends.

FIREFLY’s Background

Firefly, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, began operations in April 2007. Currently, it operates a fleet of 12 ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle as well as providing air linkages between Malaysia and Singapore.

Firefly provides incredible value as well as convenient flight timings and excellent service to its passengers. With Firefly, passengers enjoy 20kg of checked-baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight refreshment, assigned seating and the convenience of city airports.

Firefly has also received numerous accolades. The most recent was in April 2012 when Firefly was named the Most Promising Brand of the Year in the Transportation, Travel & Tourism category by Putra Brand Awards. Five months prior to this, in November 2011, Firefly was conferred the “Superbrand” status. Other awards received include the 2010 Frost & Sullivan Value Airline of the Year award and the Green Initiative of the Year 2010 award by Leaders in Aviation in conjunction with the Doha Aviation Summit. In 2009 Firefly was also recognised as the Best Brand in Aviation by the BrandLaureate.