Firefly denies market talk of ceasing operations to pave way for AirAsia

PETALING JAYA, March 5 (Bernama) -- Community airline, Firefly, a wholly-owned unit of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), has denied market talk it will cease flight operations to provide more space to AirAsia, as part of the share-swap deal between the national carrier and low-cost airline.

"We are here to stay and grow. We'll not stop flying," MAS' chief operating officer (short-haul), Ignatius Ong, told a media briefing here today.

He said Firefly was never a low-cost carrier, as such its business decisions had nothing to do with AirAsia.

"The only thing we did was to cease the jet operations from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Other than that, we are always looking for possibilities to grow," he said.

Ong said Firefly would lease some of its turbojets as it planned to acquire the new-generation turbojets, which would only be available in four years from now.

He said Firefly was in midst of rationalising its routes and capacity in line with with the parent's business plan.

"We might be introducing new routes in a month or two and we are also looking to adjust some of our frequencies," he said.

Meanwhile, Ong said Firefly targeted a 20 per cent increase in sales revenue for its turboprop operation at the coming MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur, from RM1 million made at last year's fair.

He said Firefly would offer the best deals, value add-ons and incorporate shopping into some of its travel and tour packages at the fair from March 16-18, 2012.

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