Phuketwan on the new Firefly-AirAsia battle
FIREFLY, the feisty Malaysian airline, is to launch new daily flights from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur from May 1.
The emergence of Firefly on the Phuket-KL route will take it into direct competition with AirAsia, the other Malaysian-based budget airline.
Firefly officials predict an increase in Malaysian tourists for Phuket as the daily service at affordable prices attracts a larger reputation.
Phuketwan has also learned that AirAsia intends to open an office on beach road in Patong before the end of month, perhaps in the knowledge that competition is becoming intense, especially on pricing.
Phuketwan reported exclusively on March 11 that AirAsia plans to make Phuket a new hub for the low-cost brand.
But will it be able to undercut Firefly? The competition is bound to benefit price-conscious passengers.
Penang and KL are proving increasingly popular with people making visa runs from Phuket.
On Friday, officials from Firefly confirmed the Phuketwan exclusive report and briefed the local media on Phuket about their plans.
Flights will leave KL daily at 2.40pm and arrive on Phuket at 3.10pm. Flights to KL leave Phuket at 3.30pm daily and arrive at 6pm.
The Firefly fleet of six 72-seat ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft are all new, the most ancient being seven months old. Malaysian Airline Systems takes care of maintenance.
The carrier forecasts that it will fly two million passengers in 2009 and aims to connect across 32 routes in Malaysia and 41 regional routes. The total fleet is predicted to reach 20 by 2011.
Flights to Krabi and Hua Hin from Kuala Lumpur are also coming as the existing Firefly network within Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand is expanded to more destinations in Thailand's south.
In Phuket for the announcement on Friday were Angelina C. Fernandez, Firefly Head of Marketing and Communications, Mahilais Wong, marketing and sponsorship executive, and Tourism Malaysia Director Thailand, Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof, with local Tourism Malysia officers.
Firefly is a no-frills low-cost carrier, an offshoot of MAS. The small aircraft are adaptable and because they are propellor-driven, less expensive and more effective at short airstrip destinations.
Flights are being offered at 1170 baht one-way, all costs included. Flights back are at 88 ringgit. Baggage allowance is 20k with complimentary snacks on board.
Launched in 2007, Firefly already provides flights four days a week from Penang to Phuket and Samui, plus Penang to Langkawi and several other destinations within Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as flights to Singapore.
Subang airport now has the formal name Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (SAAS) Airport.
SAAS airport has the advantage of being only 30 minutes from central KL, whereas the big new airport, home to MAS with AirAsia in a more basic structure nearby, is an hour or more away by bus.
SAAS is likely to become a connection hub for travellers wishing to visit other destinations within Malaysia on the nation's ''community airline.''
New flights to several other destinations within Malaysia are expected to begin in May, too.
SAAS airport is in Selangor and surrounded by Subang commercial centre, prime residential areas and five-star hotels.
From there, it ''only takes 15-minutes or less'' to travel to the airport.
Long-haul travellers can make Kuala Lumpur their main destination then hop to plenty of hot holiday spots in the region, including Phuket and Indonesian destinations, Firefly representatives point out.
Holiday packages start from as low as 1990 baht per person to the Genting Highlands for three days, two nights.
Firefly says the airline is ''about taking people off the roads, ferries and boats, and getting them to their destinations faster.''
Phuketwan Latest Essential Reading
Phuket to Become Thai Air Asia Hub
Economy Boost Plans are underway to make Phuket a second hub for Thai Air Asia flights. One Two Go is also looking at expanding its reach internationally.
Phuket to Become Thai Air Asia Hub
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
Latest Enjoy Songkran. The New Year may not bring another highlight for a while. Latest figures for Phuket flights show the upsides are now a long way back, and a long way forward.
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
KL Taxi Drivers: Are They The World's Most Evil?
Photo Album Phuket has its share of devils at the wheel but compared to the taxi drivers of Kuala Lumpur, most of the island's price gouging fraternity are charming and hospitable.
KL Taxi Drivers: Are They The World's Most Evil?
