Showing posts with label Air Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air Travel. Show all posts
Monday, 13 November 2023
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
MAS: All passengers must wear face masks, starting Thursday (April 23)
MAS: All passengers must wear face masks, starting Thursday (April 23)
All Malaysia Airlines passengers are now required to bring and wear their own protective masks effective April 23, 2020, at touch-points such as check-in, boarding, in the aircraft cabin, disembarkation and collection of baggage on arrival to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
This requirement applies to all passengers (excluding infant) travelling on all Malaysia Airlines’ domestic, international and charter flights, to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of each passenger and airline employee, it said in a statement here Wednesday (April 22).
Malaysia Airlines will not accept passengers that do not have/wear a face mask at the time of check-in and boarding, it stressed.
"For passengers’ own comfort, especially on long haul flights, you are advised to bring additional masks and hand sanitisers for your own use.”
Passengers are also reminded to respect the personal space of others and observe social distancing where required and to comply with other safety measures in our pre-departure and arrival processes to ensure you have a safe journey.
The safety of its passengers and staff is of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines. - Bernama
All Malaysia Airlines passengers are now required to bring and wear their own protective masks effective April 23, 2020, at touch-points such as check-in, boarding, in the aircraft cabin, disembarkation and collection of baggage on arrival to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
This requirement applies to all passengers (excluding infant) travelling on all Malaysia Airlines’ domestic, international and charter flights, to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of each passenger and airline employee, it said in a statement here Wednesday (April 22).
Malaysia Airlines will not accept passengers that do not have/wear a face mask at the time of check-in and boarding, it stressed.
"For passengers’ own comfort, especially on long haul flights, you are advised to bring additional masks and hand sanitisers for your own use.”
Passengers are also reminded to respect the personal space of others and observe social distancing where required and to comply with other safety measures in our pre-departure and arrival processes to ensure you have a safe journey.
The safety of its passengers and staff is of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines. - Bernama
Monday, 3 February 2020
Maiden flight brings 188 from Taipei to Penang
Maiden flight brings 188 from Taipei to Penang
The Starlux carrier receiving a water canon salute at PIA.
IT was a warm welcome for 188 passengers onboard Taiwan’s brand new carrier, Starlux Airlines, after touching down at the Penang International Airport (PIA).
The new carrier made its inaugural flight from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei to Penang last Thursday.
As passengers disembarked from the aircraft, kompang troupes played loudly and the airlines’ staff distributed goodie bags to the passengers.
The new airline, using the Airbus A321neo with a 188-seating capacity, will operate one flight daily between Penang and Taipei.
Starlux Airlines chief executive officer Glenn Chai said they believe that there is great potential between both cities in terms of travelling opportunities.
“Penang is a city with amazing history and scenic views, and we think Penang is underrated among Taiwanese.
“As such, we chose Penang for our maiden flight to Malaysia, as we believe both cities can boost one another’s tourism sectors, ” he said during the press conference at PIA.
The Airbus A321neo with 188 seats features eight seats in business class and 180 in economy class.
“Each seat in both classes is equipped with a personal entertainment system featuring a 10.1-inch 720p screen, which is the first on narrow-body aircraft in Taiwan.
“Besides, Wifi service is also provided in both classes, ” he added.
Penang tourism development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said they welcomed the inaugural flight, which was the first new international flight in ‘Experience Penang Year 2020’.
“The commencement of a new direct flight route brings many benefits.
“Besides increasing connectivity to facilitate easier travel arrangements, each aircraft will also bring in flight crew members.
“These flight crew members can experience Penang and return to share with their relatives in Taiwan about the interesting attractions in Penang and Malaysia.
“As such, we hope that the crew members of Starlux Airlines will also be able to take this opportunity to experience the charm of Penang as a melting pot, true to its identity as The Diversity of Asia, ” he said in his speech.
The Starlux Airlines flights will take off at 3pm daily from Penang and arrive at TPE around 8pm while inbound flights will depart at 9.20am and land at PIA at 2pm.
~The Star~
The Starlux carrier receiving a water canon salute at PIA.
IT was a warm welcome for 188 passengers onboard Taiwan’s brand new carrier, Starlux Airlines, after touching down at the Penang International Airport (PIA).
The new carrier made its inaugural flight from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei to Penang last Thursday.
As passengers disembarked from the aircraft, kompang troupes played loudly and the airlines’ staff distributed goodie bags to the passengers.
The new airline, using the Airbus A321neo with a 188-seating capacity, will operate one flight daily between Penang and Taipei.
Starlux Airlines chief executive officer Glenn Chai said they believe that there is great potential between both cities in terms of travelling opportunities.
“Penang is a city with amazing history and scenic views, and we think Penang is underrated among Taiwanese.
“As such, we chose Penang for our maiden flight to Malaysia, as we believe both cities can boost one another’s tourism sectors, ” he said during the press conference at PIA.
The Airbus A321neo with 188 seats features eight seats in business class and 180 in economy class.
“Each seat in both classes is equipped with a personal entertainment system featuring a 10.1-inch 720p screen, which is the first on narrow-body aircraft in Taiwan.
“Besides, Wifi service is also provided in both classes, ” he added.
Penang tourism development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said they welcomed the inaugural flight, which was the first new international flight in ‘Experience Penang Year 2020’.
“The commencement of a new direct flight route brings many benefits.
“Besides increasing connectivity to facilitate easier travel arrangements, each aircraft will also bring in flight crew members.
“These flight crew members can experience Penang and return to share with their relatives in Taiwan about the interesting attractions in Penang and Malaysia.
“As such, we hope that the crew members of Starlux Airlines will also be able to take this opportunity to experience the charm of Penang as a melting pot, true to its identity as The Diversity of Asia, ” he said in his speech.
The Starlux Airlines flights will take off at 3pm daily from Penang and arrive at TPE around 8pm while inbound flights will depart at 9.20am and land at PIA at 2pm.
~The Star~
Thursday, 23 January 2020
Penang on high alert for possible spread of virus
Penang on high alert for possible spread of virus
State health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin
GEORGE TOWN: The state government has instructed the Penang Health Department to be on high alert for the possibility of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
State health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said although the virus had not spread to the country, it was important to be prepared to prevent it from coming to our shores.
“In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 and Experience Penang 2020, I will ensure all units from the health department will be extra vigilant in exercising caution to prevent the virus from spreading.
“Thermal screening will be compulsory at all gates for international flights at the Penang International Airport.
“This proactive measure is to ensure the spread of the contagious virus can be contained, ” he added.
Dr Afif also advised Penangites who returned from China in the last 14 days and with symptoms such as a cough and fever to immediately get checked at any public or private hospital.
State tourism, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin urged tourism stakeholders to also be vigilant following the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Yeoh said tourism players needed to take precautionary measures, with China’s authorities confirming that the virus could potentially pass from person to person.
“We have many attractions which are popular among domestic and international tourists who come from many countries.
“I hope tourism players, especially the frontliners, have the awareness to take preventive measures, ” he said in a statement yesterday.
“If anyone displayed symptoms including high fever, cough and breathing difficulty, they should visit the nearest clinic for an examination, ” he said.
Penang is a popular destination for Chinese nationals.
~The Star~
State health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin
GEORGE TOWN: The state government has instructed the Penang Health Department to be on high alert for the possibility of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
State health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said although the virus had not spread to the country, it was important to be prepared to prevent it from coming to our shores.
“In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 and Experience Penang 2020, I will ensure all units from the health department will be extra vigilant in exercising caution to prevent the virus from spreading.
“Thermal screening will be compulsory at all gates for international flights at the Penang International Airport.
“This proactive measure is to ensure the spread of the contagious virus can be contained, ” he added.
Dr Afif also advised Penangites who returned from China in the last 14 days and with symptoms such as a cough and fever to immediately get checked at any public or private hospital.
State tourism, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin urged tourism stakeholders to also be vigilant following the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Yeoh said tourism players needed to take precautionary measures, with China’s authorities confirming that the virus could potentially pass from person to person.
“We have many attractions which are popular among domestic and international tourists who come from many countries.
“I hope tourism players, especially the frontliners, have the awareness to take preventive measures, ” he said in a statement yesterday.
“If anyone displayed symptoms including high fever, cough and breathing difficulty, they should visit the nearest clinic for an examination, ” he said.
Penang is a popular destination for Chinese nationals.
~The Star~
Thursday, 2 January 2020
Penang expects airport to record 8.3 million tourist arrivals
Penang expects airport to record 8.3 million tourist arrivals
Penang is anticipating more than 8.3 million tourists to arrive by flights this year with the support of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
The number would be an increase of 10% from what was achieved last year, said state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
“Till November last year, Penang recorded 4.16 million international and 3.39 million domestic passengers at Penang International Airport (PIA).
“We expect 10% more tourists this year, ” he told reporters at PIA yesterday.
Yeoh said Penang launched its own Experience Penang 2020 campaign to boost local tourism by introducing more tourism products and spots beyond George Town.
“We will focus on eco-tourism in Seberang Prai, medical tourism, as well as business events, of which over 3,000 were held last year, ” he said.
He said Indonesia, Singapore and China remained the highest contributors of traffic into Penang.
Earlier, passengers arriving at PIA were greeted with cultural performances and received goodie bags courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
AirAsia government relations manager (northern region) Kenneth Tan, who was present at the terminal, said tourism players had been working hard with the police since last year to beef up security in the state.
“We have been working with Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department to increase safety of tourists in hotspots, ” he said.
“Their efforts with the various awareness campaigns conducted have made Penang among the safest islands to visit in the region.”
Also present were Penang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Malaysia Airports Bhd operation senior executive Azmi Darus and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
~The Star~
Penang is anticipating more than 8.3 million tourists to arrive by flights this year with the support of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
The number would be an increase of 10% from what was achieved last year, said state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
“Till November last year, Penang recorded 4.16 million international and 3.39 million domestic passengers at Penang International Airport (PIA).
“We expect 10% more tourists this year, ” he told reporters at PIA yesterday.
Yeoh said Penang launched its own Experience Penang 2020 campaign to boost local tourism by introducing more tourism products and spots beyond George Town.
“We will focus on eco-tourism in Seberang Prai, medical tourism, as well as business events, of which over 3,000 were held last year, ” he said.
He said Indonesia, Singapore and China remained the highest contributors of traffic into Penang.
Earlier, passengers arriving at PIA were greeted with cultural performances and received goodie bags courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
AirAsia government relations manager (northern region) Kenneth Tan, who was present at the terminal, said tourism players had been working hard with the police since last year to beef up security in the state.
“We have been working with Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department to increase safety of tourists in hotspots, ” he said.
“Their efforts with the various awareness campaigns conducted have made Penang among the safest islands to visit in the region.”
Also present were Penang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Malaysia Airports Bhd operation senior executive Azmi Darus and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
~The Star~
Passengers panic over bushfire near airport
Passengers panic over bushfire near Penang airport
A bushfire near Penang International Airport terrified passengers and put authorities on alert.
Passengers waiting at the terminal went into a frenzy upon seeing thick, white smoke billowing from behind the cargo terminal opposite the runway.
The airport’s emergency response team sprang into action and rushed to where two cargo planes were parked at the cargo terminal, not far from the fire.
Too close for comfort: Smoke rising from the bushfire near the cargo complex of the Penang International Airport.
Firemen sprayed water over the fence, where the grass on idle land was burning, to stop it from spreading to the airport’s grounds.
The smoke could be seen from kilometres away in Bayan Baru at about 1.15pm yesterday.
Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd senior manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim confirmed that the fire was not within the airport grounds and flights were not delayed by the incident.
~The Star~
A bushfire near Penang International Airport terrified passengers and put authorities on alert.
Passengers waiting at the terminal went into a frenzy upon seeing thick, white smoke billowing from behind the cargo terminal opposite the runway.
The airport’s emergency response team sprang into action and rushed to where two cargo planes were parked at the cargo terminal, not far from the fire.
Too close for comfort: Smoke rising from the bushfire near the cargo complex of the Penang International Airport.
Firemen sprayed water over the fence, where the grass on idle land was burning, to stop it from spreading to the airport’s grounds.
The smoke could be seen from kilometres away in Bayan Baru at about 1.15pm yesterday.
Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd senior manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim confirmed that the fire was not within the airport grounds and flights were not delayed by the incident.
~The Star~
Tuesday, 24 December 2019
Shenzhen Airlines - Tourism boost for Penang
Tourism boost for Penang
Passengers of the maiden flight from Shenzhen Airlines to Penang posing with a kompang troupe after arrival. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
THE Experience Penang 2020 campaign was given a boost with direct flights from Shenzhen, China, by Shenzhen Airlines.
The inaugural flight from the fifth largest carrier in China landed at Penang International Airport with 153 passengers.
The plane was welcomed with a water salute to mark the special event.
The new route offers weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Shenzhen Airlines customer management centre director Zhang Yu said the direct flights would further promote business and tourism on both sides.
“We have 220 aircraft plying nearly 300 routes with 80,000 passengers per day.
“The first flight from Shenzhen to Malaysia was the Shenzhen-Kuala Lumpur flight some time ago, ” said Zhang in his speech at a reception to mark the inaugural flight on Wednesday.
Penang tourism, development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said he was happy that direct connectivity between Shenzhen and Penang had been realised.
“We plan to capitalise on the direct flights by exchanging strategic ideas to boost the tourism markets of Penang and Shenzhen, ” he said.
Chinese consul-general to Penang Lu Shiwei said travellers had been looking forward to the direct flights.
Present at the ceremony were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association national president Datuk Albert Tan, Malaysia Airports airlines marketing senior manager Zainuddin Mohamed and Pos Aviation line station head Danny Ng.
~The Star~
Passengers of the maiden flight from Shenzhen Airlines to Penang posing with a kompang troupe after arrival. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
THE Experience Penang 2020 campaign was given a boost with direct flights from Shenzhen, China, by Shenzhen Airlines.
The inaugural flight from the fifth largest carrier in China landed at Penang International Airport with 153 passengers.
The plane was welcomed with a water salute to mark the special event.
The new route offers weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Shenzhen Airlines customer management centre director Zhang Yu said the direct flights would further promote business and tourism on both sides.
“We have 220 aircraft plying nearly 300 routes with 80,000 passengers per day.
“The first flight from Shenzhen to Malaysia was the Shenzhen-Kuala Lumpur flight some time ago, ” said Zhang in his speech at a reception to mark the inaugural flight on Wednesday.
Penang tourism, development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said he was happy that direct connectivity between Shenzhen and Penang had been realised.
“We plan to capitalise on the direct flights by exchanging strategic ideas to boost the tourism markets of Penang and Shenzhen, ” he said.
Chinese consul-general to Penang Lu Shiwei said travellers had been looking forward to the direct flights.
Present at the ceremony were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association national president Datuk Albert Tan, Malaysia Airports airlines marketing senior manager Zainuddin Mohamed and Pos Aviation line station head Danny Ng.
~The Star~
Monday, 2 December 2019
A friendlier Immigration experience
A friendlier Immigration experience
Immigration officers will be taught basic Mandarin and other essential languages in an effort to provide a friendlier service at the country’s entry points.
Besides easing communication, Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (pic) said the move was also made in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
“As part of our ongoing effort to improve the Immigration Department, we want to enhance our counter service, especially at the KLIA (KL International Airport) and other airports.
“Our officers must provide a friendly service because they are our visitors’ first impression of the country when they arrive.
“Those who are stationed at counters will be taught a basic level of Mandarin and other languages to help ease communication, ” he said in an interview ahead of the Immigration Department Day celebrations today.
Khairul Dzaimee, who took over the helm of the department in January this year, said one of his focus areas was personal development for all his officers.
“For me, training and upskilling of our officers is a very important aspect.
“This year, we increased the training period for our cadet officers to four months.
“As for existing officers, they, too, will be required to attend intensive courses to improve themselves, ” he said.
He also spoke on instilling integrity among Immigration officers.
“My wish is for the Immigration Department to be an enforcement agency that is respected by all because of the integrity of our officers, ” he added.
Besides training, Khairul Dzaimee said the department would also beef up its enforcement operations.
“When I inherited the department, we already had a policy where there is no day without an enforcement operation.
“I continued that policy and we intend to increase it further.
“With the Back For Good (B4G) amnesty programme ending on Dec 31, we will ensure that on Jan 1 we will go ahead with our enforcement efforts on a massive scale.
“There will be no compromise for illegal immigrants who are caught after the programme, ” he said.
Khairul Dzaimee also said the department did not intend to extend the deadline of the Back For Good programme.
“As we are approaching the deadline, we see the queues at the Immigration Department getting longer and we expect this to increase further.
“To accommodate this, we have extended our operating hours from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays. We also open on Saturdays until 3pm.
“However, the Home Ministry has made it clear that there will be no extension of the Dec 31 deadline, ” he added.
The B4G programme was introduced this year as an effort to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the country.
Under the programme, illegal immigrants are allowed to return home without punishment as long as they pay a RM700 compound and can produce flight tickets.
On the Immigration Department Day celebrations, Khairul Dzaimee said for the first time, the department would honour outstanding officers with medals.
The department would also be giving out a special award to an individual for his lifelong contribution to the department.
~The Star~
Immigration officers will be taught basic Mandarin and other essential languages in an effort to provide a friendlier service at the country’s entry points.
Besides easing communication, Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (pic) said the move was also made in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
“As part of our ongoing effort to improve the Immigration Department, we want to enhance our counter service, especially at the KLIA (KL International Airport) and other airports.
“Our officers must provide a friendly service because they are our visitors’ first impression of the country when they arrive.
“Those who are stationed at counters will be taught a basic level of Mandarin and other languages to help ease communication, ” he said in an interview ahead of the Immigration Department Day celebrations today.
Khairul Dzaimee, who took over the helm of the department in January this year, said one of his focus areas was personal development for all his officers.
“For me, training and upskilling of our officers is a very important aspect.
“This year, we increased the training period for our cadet officers to four months.
“As for existing officers, they, too, will be required to attend intensive courses to improve themselves, ” he said.
He also spoke on instilling integrity among Immigration officers.
“My wish is for the Immigration Department to be an enforcement agency that is respected by all because of the integrity of our officers, ” he added.
Besides training, Khairul Dzaimee said the department would also beef up its enforcement operations.
“When I inherited the department, we already had a policy where there is no day without an enforcement operation.
“I continued that policy and we intend to increase it further.
“With the Back For Good (B4G) amnesty programme ending on Dec 31, we will ensure that on Jan 1 we will go ahead with our enforcement efforts on a massive scale.
“There will be no compromise for illegal immigrants who are caught after the programme, ” he said.
Khairul Dzaimee also said the department did not intend to extend the deadline of the Back For Good programme.
“As we are approaching the deadline, we see the queues at the Immigration Department getting longer and we expect this to increase further.
“To accommodate this, we have extended our operating hours from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays. We also open on Saturdays until 3pm.
“However, the Home Ministry has made it clear that there will be no extension of the Dec 31 deadline, ” he added.
The B4G programme was introduced this year as an effort to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the country.
Under the programme, illegal immigrants are allowed to return home without punishment as long as they pay a RM700 compound and can produce flight tickets.
On the Immigration Department Day celebrations, Khairul Dzaimee said for the first time, the department would honour outstanding officers with medals.
The department would also be giving out a special award to an individual for his lifelong contribution to the department.
~The Star~
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight resumes operation
Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight resumes operation at LTAM
The Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight has resumed normal operation two days after it was grounded due to a navigation system glitch at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam.
State Public Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Datuk Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in Putrajaya had issued its approval to use the flight procedure after ensuring the damaged operation equipment had been repaired.
He said CAAM had also taken proactive measures to manage and ensure the system is running well after conducting an investigation and examination to identify the cause of the problem.
"The AirAsia flight today resumes operation by carrying 158 passengers to Penang, two days after it was grounded after experiencing disruption in the system.
"The parties and the airline concerned had also taken temporary measures and succeeded in repairing the operation system after undergoing tests and receiving the approval of CAAM,” he told reporters after inspecting LTAM in Batu Berendam here today.
Mohd Sofi said the state government also hoped the parties responsible would find a comprehensive solution to the technical problem so that it would not recur in future.
He said, the maintenance procedures and practice must be reviewed to ensure all equipment is ready for use at any time.
“The 158 passengers today exceeded 70 per cent of the flight capacity, and it shows their confidence and the problem did not affect the service.
Yesterday, Bernama reported the Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight at LTAM at 2.50pm had to be suspended due to a technical problem with the navigation system.
-- BERNAMA
The Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight has resumed normal operation two days after it was grounded due to a navigation system glitch at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam.
State Public Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Datuk Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in Putrajaya had issued its approval to use the flight procedure after ensuring the damaged operation equipment had been repaired.
He said CAAM had also taken proactive measures to manage and ensure the system is running well after conducting an investigation and examination to identify the cause of the problem.
"The AirAsia flight today resumes operation by carrying 158 passengers to Penang, two days after it was grounded after experiencing disruption in the system.
"The parties and the airline concerned had also taken temporary measures and succeeded in repairing the operation system after undergoing tests and receiving the approval of CAAM,” he told reporters after inspecting LTAM in Batu Berendam here today.
Mohd Sofi said the state government also hoped the parties responsible would find a comprehensive solution to the technical problem so that it would not recur in future.
He said, the maintenance procedures and practice must be reviewed to ensure all equipment is ready for use at any time.
“The 158 passengers today exceeded 70 per cent of the flight capacity, and it shows their confidence and the problem did not affect the service.
Yesterday, Bernama reported the Melaka-Penang AirAsia flight at LTAM at 2.50pm had to be suspended due to a technical problem with the navigation system.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, 4 July 2019
Upcoming flights between Melaka, Penang cancelled until Saturday (July 6)
Upcoming flights between Melaka, Penang cancelled until Saturday (July 6)
All flights between Melaka and Penang have been cancelled until Saturday (July 6) following a navigation system failure at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam.
AirAsia confirmed in a statement that six of its flights will be cancelled as the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigational aid and Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Melaka International Airport in Batu Berendam were inoperable.
An AirAsia spokesperson said the flights to-and-from Melaka will resume on July 6 when its systems are back online.
"We have contacted all affected guests and offered them alternatives.
"Guests may either move their travel dates, retain their fare values in their credit accounts for future travels or opt for a full refund," she said.
Guests who were affected by the cancelled flights may contact the AirAsia support team at https://support.airasia.com/s/?language=en_GB
It was earlier reported that flights AK6284 (Penang to Melaka) and AK6285 (Melaka to Penang) Wednesday (July 3) were cancelled following an apparent failure in the navigation system at LTAM.
It was learnt that AirAsia had sent buses to transport the stranded passengers in Melaka to KLIA2 to put them onboard Penang-bound flights.
~The Star~
All flights between Melaka and Penang have been cancelled until Saturday (July 6) following a navigation system failure at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam.
AirAsia confirmed in a statement that six of its flights will be cancelled as the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigational aid and Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Melaka International Airport in Batu Berendam were inoperable.
An AirAsia spokesperson said the flights to-and-from Melaka will resume on July 6 when its systems are back online.
"We have contacted all affected guests and offered them alternatives.
"Guests may either move their travel dates, retain their fare values in their credit accounts for future travels or opt for a full refund," she said.
Guests who were affected by the cancelled flights may contact the AirAsia support team at https://support.airasia.com/s/?language=en_GB
It was earlier reported that flights AK6284 (Penang to Melaka) and AK6285 (Melaka to Penang) Wednesday (July 3) were cancelled following an apparent failure in the navigation system at LTAM.
It was learnt that AirAsia had sent buses to transport the stranded passengers in Melaka to KLIA2 to put them onboard Penang-bound flights.
~The Star~
Thursday, 27 June 2019
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Details at https://www.u.com.my/extras/promotions/traveller-sim
Monday, 10 June 2019
New airport proposals for Penang
New airport proposals for Penang
Amid all the hype surrounding the Kulim International Airport (KXP) there is now even talk of two companies proposing to build a new airport in two different locations in south Seberang Perai on mainland Penang.
It is learnt that one private company proposed to the Federal Government its plans to build a new airport in Penang, while another company is about to do the same soon.
If the plans materialise, it would spell the end for Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas which is on Penang island.
It is understood that the proposal for NMIA, if given the nod, would be an exchange for the rights to develop the coveted prime land now occupied by PIA.
A source revealed that the location of NMIA, which would cost about RM10bil and covering a whopping 650ha, would be near the border shared by Kedah, Penang and Perak.
The site, at present, is a vast tract of padi fields, and the project includes an additional 400ha for warehousing and logistics facilities.
“The company proposed an airport large enough to handle 16 million passengers a year, expandable to 25 million.
“It will serve the three states with a check-in terminal featuring a transit monorail for flight passengers to commute between Penang island and NMIA in 45 minutes,” the source revealed.
He said the monorail transit line was calculated to be 57km long, about the same as the train link between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KL Sentral.
This rail link includes an interchange station with the Electric Train Service between Padang Besar (Perlis) and Kuala Lumpur, and stops at Batu Kawan Industrial Estate on the Penang mainland and near Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas on the island.
“The company’s proposal for NMIA was so detailed that it surprised those to whom it was presented to in the Federal Government,” said the source who declined to reveal who attended the project presentation.
A check revealed that the state government might not be aware of the proposal.
When asked, a senior state executive council member replied that “this is the first time I am hearing about it”.
The source said the company did not “ask for a sen” to build NMIA, and the proposers offered to build it in exchange for the land that PIA is on.
“They won’t even need the land until NMIA is fully operational.
“The company claims it can raise enough funds to build NMIA fully before seeing a return on their investment by developing the Bayan Lepas airport land,” he said, adding that the company is also willing to finance the cost of acquiring land in south Seberang Prai to build NMIA.
He said while the current estimated value of the Bayan Lepas airport land is RM7.2bil, the development value would be more than double and “immense” enough to make NMIA commercially viable.
The other proposal, NORIA, includes the building of an industrial fisheries port, a major enhancement to Penang’s aquaculture sector in south Seberang Prai and a new electronics industrial park.
A different source revealed that this entails reclaiming 5,000ha between the second Penang bridge and the Penang-Perak border.
“It will be an island. On top of an airport, it will be the largest aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries hub in peninsular Malaysia,” the source said, adding that the fishing port would support tuna fishing activities in the Andaman Sea and even the Indian Ocean on the other side of Sumatra island.
More than 30,000 tonnes of salt and brackish water fish are farmed here yearly and it is the largest source of farmed fish for peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
He said NORIA includes a mega industrial park for the electronics industry.
“The population in northern Perak and southern Kedah will be the greatest beneficiaries of such an industrial park because it will create tens of thousands of new jobs for them.
“Now, there are fleets of factory buses bringing workers from Kamunting and Taiping in Perak to Bayan Lepas every morning.
“They have to wake up before 5am to get to work. They sleep in their buses. By having a new hi-tech estate closer to Perak and Kedah, the spillover benefits will be more thoroughly shared,” the source said.
He said the prospect of building an inland port in Kedah with a rail link to NORIA was also being studied.
“The company is planning to propose it formally to the Federal Government soon,” he added.
On KXP which is in Kulim, the source said, it “has not been cast in stone”.
“It is closer to Sungai Petani, too far from Perak to give direct benefit,” he said.
It was announced in March that the RM1.6bil KXP has been approved as a private financing initiative and a company to develop it will be picked via open tender.
KXP has generated much interest in the northern region, with industry players in Kedah eager for it and industrialists on Penang island feeling worried that it would adversely impact their state’s economy, especially if it leads to the eventual decommissioning of PIA.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Amid all the hype surrounding the Kulim International Airport (KXP) there is now even talk of two companies proposing to build a new airport in two different locations in south Seberang Perai on mainland Penang.
It is learnt that one private company proposed to the Federal Government its plans to build a new airport in Penang, while another company is about to do the same soon.
If the plans materialise, it would spell the end for Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas which is on Penang island.
It is understood that the proposal for NMIA, if given the nod, would be an exchange for the rights to develop the coveted prime land now occupied by PIA.
A source revealed that the location of NMIA, which would cost about RM10bil and covering a whopping 650ha, would be near the border shared by Kedah, Penang and Perak.
The site, at present, is a vast tract of padi fields, and the project includes an additional 400ha for warehousing and logistics facilities.
“The company proposed an airport large enough to handle 16 million passengers a year, expandable to 25 million.
“It will serve the three states with a check-in terminal featuring a transit monorail for flight passengers to commute between Penang island and NMIA in 45 minutes,” the source revealed.
He said the monorail transit line was calculated to be 57km long, about the same as the train link between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KL Sentral.
This rail link includes an interchange station with the Electric Train Service between Padang Besar (Perlis) and Kuala Lumpur, and stops at Batu Kawan Industrial Estate on the Penang mainland and near Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas on the island.
“The company’s proposal for NMIA was so detailed that it surprised those to whom it was presented to in the Federal Government,” said the source who declined to reveal who attended the project presentation.
A check revealed that the state government might not be aware of the proposal.
When asked, a senior state executive council member replied that “this is the first time I am hearing about it”.
The source said the company did not “ask for a sen” to build NMIA, and the proposers offered to build it in exchange for the land that PIA is on.
“They won’t even need the land until NMIA is fully operational.
“The company claims it can raise enough funds to build NMIA fully before seeing a return on their investment by developing the Bayan Lepas airport land,” he said, adding that the company is also willing to finance the cost of acquiring land in south Seberang Prai to build NMIA.
He said while the current estimated value of the Bayan Lepas airport land is RM7.2bil, the development value would be more than double and “immense” enough to make NMIA commercially viable.
The other proposal, NORIA, includes the building of an industrial fisheries port, a major enhancement to Penang’s aquaculture sector in south Seberang Prai and a new electronics industrial park.
A different source revealed that this entails reclaiming 5,000ha between the second Penang bridge and the Penang-Perak border.
“It will be an island. On top of an airport, it will be the largest aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries hub in peninsular Malaysia,” the source said, adding that the fishing port would support tuna fishing activities in the Andaman Sea and even the Indian Ocean on the other side of Sumatra island.
More than 30,000 tonnes of salt and brackish water fish are farmed here yearly and it is the largest source of farmed fish for peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
He said NORIA includes a mega industrial park for the electronics industry.
“The population in northern Perak and southern Kedah will be the greatest beneficiaries of such an industrial park because it will create tens of thousands of new jobs for them.
“Now, there are fleets of factory buses bringing workers from Kamunting and Taiping in Perak to Bayan Lepas every morning.
“They have to wake up before 5am to get to work. They sleep in their buses. By having a new hi-tech estate closer to Perak and Kedah, the spillover benefits will be more thoroughly shared,” the source said.
He said the prospect of building an inland port in Kedah with a rail link to NORIA was also being studied.
“The company is planning to propose it formally to the Federal Government soon,” he added.
On KXP which is in Kulim, the source said, it “has not been cast in stone”.
“It is closer to Sungai Petani, too far from Perak to give direct benefit,” he said.
It was announced in March that the RM1.6bil KXP has been approved as a private financing initiative and a company to develop it will be picked via open tender.
KXP has generated much interest in the northern region, with industry players in Kedah eager for it and industrialists on Penang island feeling worried that it would adversely impact their state’s economy, especially if it leads to the eventual decommissioning of PIA.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Monday, 15 April 2019
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Flying out of the country? Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
Travellers against departure levy
Travellers against departure levy
AS the feud intensifies between Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and AirAsia, so too the voices from air travellers against the imposition of a departure levy, as well as increase in passenger service charge (PSC).
Malaysians, however, said they were determined to continue travelling.
The New Straits Times’ travel pullout, JOM!, inasurvey conducted on its Facebook page to identify the travel trends of Malaysians, found the majority objecting to both charges.
Of the 663 respondents, 73.2 per cent did not agree that klia2 and other Malaysian international airports should charge the same PSC as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The survey, which comprises eight questions, ran for 11 days.
Effective Jan 1 last year, PSC for those travelling beyond Asean was increased from RM50 to RM73.
It has more than doubled since 2017 for passengers using klia2.
Passengers were charged RM32 before 2017 for travelling beyond Asean via klia2, and it increased to RM50 in 2017.
Since the increase, AirAsia Group Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd have refused to collect the additional RM23, with the justification that the facilities in klia2 were inferior compared with a full-service carrier terminal.
On Dec 11 last year, Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MAHB, served a writ of summons on AirAsia Group’s unit, AirAsia Bhd (AAB), for RM9.4 million in PSC that AAB had not and refused to collect from travelling passengers.
Malaysians said the departure levy would not encourage domestic tourism as envisaged. Travellers said they would continue to travel, with 4.3 per cent of respondents saying they would travel within the country, 71.6 per cent within Asean and 24.1 per cent beyond that.
The departure levy proposed in the 2019 Budget for air travellers leaving the country is set to roll out in full force in June.
It is set at RM20 to Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The levy was to raise revenue allowing the government to collect a few hundred million ringgit annually, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said.
DEPARTURE LEVY FRUSTRATION
Shamala Raj, 27, a frequent traveller, said the departure levy would not stop her excursions.
“I understand that the government wants to encourage domestic tourism, but if I have visited all the places that I want to visit in Malaysia, I will still travel abroad for my holidays.
“I believe the idea of introducing a departure levy to encourage people to travel within Malaysia is not effective as some may prefer to travel out of the country, despite the charges.”
She said the government should relook the departure levy as it would deter foreign tourists since the charges were more compared with other Asean countries.
“There are many other ways to collect the revenue, but the government should study this well before implementing it as it may have an adverse effect on Malaysia.”
Mohd Syukri Salleh, 34, who travels to London at least three or four times a year on business, said the extra RM40 would make him look for other options.
“Yes, the RM40 may not sound a lot, however, for a frequent traveller like me, it is an extra cost.
“I will fly as usual, but will look for a cheaper option when the departure levy comes into effect in June.”
Besides travelling on business, Syukri travels regularly for holidays and he did not agree with the increase in the passenger service charge, mainly for klia2.
“I understand the frustration that is brought up by the management of AirAsia. klia2 is a low-cost carrier terminal and it does not have the same facilities as KLIA. So, how can they expect the passengers to pay the same amount?”
The effectiveness of the departure levy, introduced to improve domestic tourism, was debatable, said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) economist Adli Amirullah.
“Some might say they prefer to travel domestically using land transport, hence a higher departure levy will not affect such consumers.”
He said the departure levy might affect international tourists and deter them from choosing Malaysia as their Southeast Asian destination, compared with neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.
“IDEAS’ study has shown that Malaysians are already paying one to three per cent more tax on full-service flight tickets to nearby destinations, compared with other Asean nations.
“This pressures the Malaysian aviation market and possibly limits the growth of tourism, as other nearby countries are cheaper to visit.”
He said although Malaysian tourism growth looked prosperous with the travel sector contributing 13.4 per cent to total gross domestic product and 11.8 per cent to the total employment in 2017, statistics had stated that there had been a three per cent reduction in tourism arrivals in Malaysia.
“It shows that Malaysia tourism is growing but at a much slower rate.
“With the number of arrivals turning negative and expected to be adjusted downwards, the losses of the tourism industry may be magnified by the departure levy.”
~New Straits Times~
AS the feud intensifies between Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and AirAsia, so too the voices from air travellers against the imposition of a departure levy, as well as increase in passenger service charge (PSC).
Malaysians, however, said they were determined to continue travelling.
The New Straits Times’ travel pullout, JOM!, inasurvey conducted on its Facebook page to identify the travel trends of Malaysians, found the majority objecting to both charges.
Of the 663 respondents, 73.2 per cent did not agree that klia2 and other Malaysian international airports should charge the same PSC as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The survey, which comprises eight questions, ran for 11 days.
Effective Jan 1 last year, PSC for those travelling beyond Asean was increased from RM50 to RM73.
It has more than doubled since 2017 for passengers using klia2.
Passengers were charged RM32 before 2017 for travelling beyond Asean via klia2, and it increased to RM50 in 2017.
Since the increase, AirAsia Group Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd have refused to collect the additional RM23, with the justification that the facilities in klia2 were inferior compared with a full-service carrier terminal.
On Dec 11 last year, Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MAHB, served a writ of summons on AirAsia Group’s unit, AirAsia Bhd (AAB), for RM9.4 million in PSC that AAB had not and refused to collect from travelling passengers.
Malaysians said the departure levy would not encourage domestic tourism as envisaged. Travellers said they would continue to travel, with 4.3 per cent of respondents saying they would travel within the country, 71.6 per cent within Asean and 24.1 per cent beyond that.
The departure levy proposed in the 2019 Budget for air travellers leaving the country is set to roll out in full force in June.
It is set at RM20 to Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The levy was to raise revenue allowing the government to collect a few hundred million ringgit annually, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said.
DEPARTURE LEVY FRUSTRATION
Shamala Raj, 27, a frequent traveller, said the departure levy would not stop her excursions.
“I understand that the government wants to encourage domestic tourism, but if I have visited all the places that I want to visit in Malaysia, I will still travel abroad for my holidays.
“I believe the idea of introducing a departure levy to encourage people to travel within Malaysia is not effective as some may prefer to travel out of the country, despite the charges.”
She said the government should relook the departure levy as it would deter foreign tourists since the charges were more compared with other Asean countries.
“There are many other ways to collect the revenue, but the government should study this well before implementing it as it may have an adverse effect on Malaysia.”
Mohd Syukri Salleh, 34, who travels to London at least three or four times a year on business, said the extra RM40 would make him look for other options.
“Yes, the RM40 may not sound a lot, however, for a frequent traveller like me, it is an extra cost.
“I will fly as usual, but will look for a cheaper option when the departure levy comes into effect in June.”
Besides travelling on business, Syukri travels regularly for holidays and he did not agree with the increase in the passenger service charge, mainly for klia2.
“I understand the frustration that is brought up by the management of AirAsia. klia2 is a low-cost carrier terminal and it does not have the same facilities as KLIA. So, how can they expect the passengers to pay the same amount?”
The effectiveness of the departure levy, introduced to improve domestic tourism, was debatable, said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) economist Adli Amirullah.
“Some might say they prefer to travel domestically using land transport, hence a higher departure levy will not affect such consumers.”
He said the departure levy might affect international tourists and deter them from choosing Malaysia as their Southeast Asian destination, compared with neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.
“IDEAS’ study has shown that Malaysians are already paying one to three per cent more tax on full-service flight tickets to nearby destinations, compared with other Asean nations.
“This pressures the Malaysian aviation market and possibly limits the growth of tourism, as other nearby countries are cheaper to visit.”
He said although Malaysian tourism growth looked prosperous with the travel sector contributing 13.4 per cent to total gross domestic product and 11.8 per cent to the total employment in 2017, statistics had stated that there had been a three per cent reduction in tourism arrivals in Malaysia.
“It shows that Malaysia tourism is growing but at a much slower rate.
“With the number of arrivals turning negative and expected to be adjusted downwards, the losses of the tourism industry may be magnified by the departure levy.”
~New Straits Times~
Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Airport expansion needed
Airport expansion needed to cater for increasing passenger traffic
With a significant increase in passenger traffic at Penang International Airport, the state government is urging the federal government to look into the airport’s expansion project.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the number of passenger arrival has reached 7.78 million last year, a 7.59% increase compared with 7.23 million in 2017.
“Since the airport is built to handle a maximum of 6.5 million travellers, this is way beyond the airport’s capacity,” he said at a press conference after a cheque presentation ceremony in Komtar yesterday.
Chow said the number of international passenger arrival had also increased by 15.21%, from 1.54 million in 2017 to 1.78 million last year.
Chow said the state government aimed to have more direct fights to Penang.
He said last year, there were new international direct flights as well as an increased number of flights from current cities connecting to Penang.
On another matter, Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) had to apply to increase the water tariffs as it needed the revenue to implement five water supply projects in the next three years amounting to RM501mil.
“The additional revenue will be used for these projects. Even with an increase in tariffs, it may not be enough and PBAPP will need to raise funds to implement them.
“The projects will be implemented between 2019 and 2021,” he said.
Chow said one of the five main projects was the implementation of the Butterworth-Penang Island Twin Submarine Pipeline (Penang’s Third Twin Submarine Pipeline Project).
He said the project would ensure more efficient delivery of treated water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant in Seberang Perai and would back up the first submarine pipeline commissioned in 1973 as well as meet future water demands on the island.
~News courtesy of The Star~
With a significant increase in passenger traffic at Penang International Airport, the state government is urging the federal government to look into the airport’s expansion project.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the number of passenger arrival has reached 7.78 million last year, a 7.59% increase compared with 7.23 million in 2017.
“Since the airport is built to handle a maximum of 6.5 million travellers, this is way beyond the airport’s capacity,” he said at a press conference after a cheque presentation ceremony in Komtar yesterday.
Chow said the number of international passenger arrival had also increased by 15.21%, from 1.54 million in 2017 to 1.78 million last year.
Chow said the state government aimed to have more direct fights to Penang.
He said last year, there were new international direct flights as well as an increased number of flights from current cities connecting to Penang.
On another matter, Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) had to apply to increase the water tariffs as it needed the revenue to implement five water supply projects in the next three years amounting to RM501mil.
“The additional revenue will be used for these projects. Even with an increase in tariffs, it may not be enough and PBAPP will need to raise funds to implement them.
“The projects will be implemented between 2019 and 2021,” he said.
Chow said one of the five main projects was the implementation of the Butterworth-Penang Island Twin Submarine Pipeline (Penang’s Third Twin Submarine Pipeline Project).
He said the project would ensure more efficient delivery of treated water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant in Seberang Perai and would back up the first submarine pipeline commissioned in 1973 as well as meet future water demands on the island.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Thursday, 10 January 2019
Visa exemption for China tourists extended to Dec 2019
Visa exemption for China tourists extended to Dec 2019
The 15-day visa exemption for tourists from China has been extended from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this year, a piece of good news for local tourism industry players.
With many Chinese nationals going on holiday during the Chinese New Year next month and China’s National Day Golden Week break in October, Malaysia’s tourism association is hopeful that the exemption will boost arrivals.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 2 made three separate orders to grant visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian tourists.
The orders granting the exemption under the Passports Act 1966 were published on Jan 3 in the Federal Government Gazette.
The three are: Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of The People’s Republic Of China) Order 2019; Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019; and Passports (Exemption of Visa to Expatriate Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019.
Chinese tourists were first granted the 15-day visa exemptions on Oct 1, 2015, while Indian citizens including expatriates who visit Malaysia as tourists were first given exemptions on April 1, 2017.
The exemptions for both countries were extended every year since.
The exemption for tourists who are citizens of China comes with a number of conditions.
According to the orders, applicants must register with an electronic travel registration and information system provided by the Immigration Department.
They must have a return ticket and must produce on arrival, proof of sufficient pocket money, credit card or bank card with the UnionPay, AliPay or eWallet logo.
They must also produce their itinerary in Malaysia upon arrival.
The orders stated that the 15-day exemption could not be extended, and upon leaving Malaysia, the tourist was only allowed to re-register for exemption again after three months.
The exemption for tourists who are citizens of India has almost similar conditions while the exemption of Indian expatriates applies to all citizens of India working as expatriates outside India in all countries except Singapore.
They are granted the exemption when travelling to Malaysia as tourists.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The 15-day visa exemption for tourists from China has been extended from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this year, a piece of good news for local tourism industry players.
With many Chinese nationals going on holiday during the Chinese New Year next month and China’s National Day Golden Week break in October, Malaysia’s tourism association is hopeful that the exemption will boost arrivals.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 2 made three separate orders to grant visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian tourists.
The orders granting the exemption under the Passports Act 1966 were published on Jan 3 in the Federal Government Gazette.
The three are: Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of The People’s Republic Of China) Order 2019; Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019; and Passports (Exemption of Visa to Expatriate Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019.
Chinese tourists were first granted the 15-day visa exemptions on Oct 1, 2015, while Indian citizens including expatriates who visit Malaysia as tourists were first given exemptions on April 1, 2017.
The exemptions for both countries were extended every year since.
The exemption for tourists who are citizens of China comes with a number of conditions.
According to the orders, applicants must register with an electronic travel registration and information system provided by the Immigration Department.
They must have a return ticket and must produce on arrival, proof of sufficient pocket money, credit card or bank card with the UnionPay, AliPay or eWallet logo.
They must also produce their itinerary in Malaysia upon arrival.
The orders stated that the 15-day exemption could not be extended, and upon leaving Malaysia, the tourist was only allowed to re-register for exemption again after three months.
The exemption for tourists who are citizens of India has almost similar conditions while the exemption of Indian expatriates applies to all citizens of India working as expatriates outside India in all countries except Singapore.
They are granted the exemption when travelling to Malaysia as tourists.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Friday, 14 December 2018
Penang airport looking a lot like a 'pasar malam'
Penang airport looking a lot like a 'pasar malam'
With only days left to the year-end, the last few planes flying to Penang International Airport (PIA) for the year will be helping to break the airport’s record of annual passenger flow.
PIA, Malaysia’s oldest airport, is all set to surpass last year’s performance by well over 500,000 flight passengers shuffling in and out of the terminal.
It will record more than 7.8 million arrivals and departures this year, trumping last year’s record of 7,231,598. In 2016, the passenger flow was 6,684,026.
But PIA is built to handle a maximum of 6.5 million travellers a year and – in the words of air travellers interviewed – it is now “bursting at the seams” and “cannot take in even one more plane”.
“Between this January and October, the airport’s passenger flow was between 585,000 and 682,000 a month, and we expect this month’s flow to pass the 700,000 mark again,” he said.
The spike this month, he said, would be the result of many alluring festival and events such as Christmas Jazz, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Penang Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade and Pesta Pulau Pinang.
Yeoh said PIA broke its expected 6% growth rate and the month-on-month comparison for October of 643,539 (this year) and 602,198 (last year) showed and increase of 7.8%.
State Works Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the expansion planning had taken on a new angle because the state was pushing for the airport to be able to handle 16 million passengers a year.
It was previously reported that the expansion plan was for 10 million a year.
“We will hit 10 million in a few years, so we must plan for the future,” Zairil said.
He said the planning stage now was critical because to expand the airport so substantially, a great deal of technology and architectural ingenuity was needed to prevent problems in the future.
“PIA can handle up to eight million passengers a year now, if we push its limits to the maximum, but then we will likely reach that by the end of next year so we are actively engaging with the Federal Government and Malaysia Airports Bhd to speed up the process,” he said.
The present PIA is the country’s oldest airport, having been built in 1935 when Penang was part of the British-ruled Straits Settlement.
It underwent a major upgrade in 1979 to accommodate Boeing 747s, then the largest planes in the world. The terminal saw two significant facelifts in 2009 and 2013.
Former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who was at the airport recently, said the departure hall felt “like a pasar malam”.
“There are renovation works in the area that used to get flooded when it rains. So everyone waiting for flights are cramped upstairs,” he said.
Penang Tourist Guides Association president Chin Poh Chin said she did not feel the airport could handle anymore planes because with the lack of extra counters, any sudden surge of passenger groups will lead to long queues and waiting times.
~News courtesy of The Star~
With only days left to the year-end, the last few planes flying to Penang International Airport (PIA) for the year will be helping to break the airport’s record of annual passenger flow.
PIA, Malaysia’s oldest airport, is all set to surpass last year’s performance by well over 500,000 flight passengers shuffling in and out of the terminal.
It will record more than 7.8 million arrivals and departures this year, trumping last year’s record of 7,231,598. In 2016, the passenger flow was 6,684,026.
But PIA is built to handle a maximum of 6.5 million travellers a year and – in the words of air travellers interviewed – it is now “bursting at the seams” and “cannot take in even one more plane”.
“Between this January and October, the airport’s passenger flow was between 585,000 and 682,000 a month, and we expect this month’s flow to pass the 700,000 mark again,” he said.
The spike this month, he said, would be the result of many alluring festival and events such as Christmas Jazz, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Penang Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade and Pesta Pulau Pinang.
Yeoh said PIA broke its expected 6% growth rate and the month-on-month comparison for October of 643,539 (this year) and 602,198 (last year) showed and increase of 7.8%.
State Works Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the expansion planning had taken on a new angle because the state was pushing for the airport to be able to handle 16 million passengers a year.
It was previously reported that the expansion plan was for 10 million a year.
“We will hit 10 million in a few years, so we must plan for the future,” Zairil said.
He said the planning stage now was critical because to expand the airport so substantially, a great deal of technology and architectural ingenuity was needed to prevent problems in the future.
“PIA can handle up to eight million passengers a year now, if we push its limits to the maximum, but then we will likely reach that by the end of next year so we are actively engaging with the Federal Government and Malaysia Airports Bhd to speed up the process,” he said.
The present PIA is the country’s oldest airport, having been built in 1935 when Penang was part of the British-ruled Straits Settlement.
It underwent a major upgrade in 1979 to accommodate Boeing 747s, then the largest planes in the world. The terminal saw two significant facelifts in 2009 and 2013.
Former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who was at the airport recently, said the departure hall felt “like a pasar malam”.
“There are renovation works in the area that used to get flooded when it rains. So everyone waiting for flights are cramped upstairs,” he said.
Penang Tourist Guides Association president Chin Poh Chin said she did not feel the airport could handle anymore planes because with the lack of extra counters, any sudden surge of passenger groups will lead to long queues and waiting times.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Penang govt proposes new international airport
Penang govt proposes new international airport
The state government is proposing the construction of a new international airport to cater to the expected influx of passengers and increase in cargo after 2050.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH-Padang Kota) said the airport, to be named the Northern Corridor International Airport, would be located on reclaimed land in Batu Maung near Pulau Rimau.
He said this was because it was close to the Bayan Lepas and Batu Kawan Industrial Zones, and Penang International Airport (PIA).
He said existing infrastructure and networks could be integrated with the new airport.
“The PIA expansion may only cater for the passenger and cargo capacity for 20 to 30 years.
“Hence, for the needs beyond the year 2050, the Penang government is proposing for a new international airport.
“However, it is still at the planning stage and has to go through several processes, including feasibility studies, approval from the National Physical Planning Council to reclaim land on the sea, Environmental Impact Assessment approval and source of funding,” he said in his winding up speech for the 2019 Supply Bill on the last day of the state legislative assembly sitting today.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says the airport will be named the Northern Corridor International Airport. The present airport is designed to handle 6.5 million passengers a year, but, as of last year, the number of passengers at the airport had reached 7.2 million.
It was reported that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) planned to increase the passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million passengers to 12 million passengers.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said that the government was looking to build a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) next to the PIA in one to two years’ time to cope with the increasing number of air passengers.
He said the government was in talks with AirAsia Group Bhd and MAHB on the proposed project.
He also said that the government was looking at the LCCT option as the proposed project would be fully funded by private companies, lessening the burden on the Federal Government.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
The state government is proposing the construction of a new international airport to cater to the expected influx of passengers and increase in cargo after 2050.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH-Padang Kota) said the airport, to be named the Northern Corridor International Airport, would be located on reclaimed land in Batu Maung near Pulau Rimau.
He said this was because it was close to the Bayan Lepas and Batu Kawan Industrial Zones, and Penang International Airport (PIA).
He said existing infrastructure and networks could be integrated with the new airport.
“The PIA expansion may only cater for the passenger and cargo capacity for 20 to 30 years.
“Hence, for the needs beyond the year 2050, the Penang government is proposing for a new international airport.
“However, it is still at the planning stage and has to go through several processes, including feasibility studies, approval from the National Physical Planning Council to reclaim land on the sea, Environmental Impact Assessment approval and source of funding,” he said in his winding up speech for the 2019 Supply Bill on the last day of the state legislative assembly sitting today.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says the airport will be named the Northern Corridor International Airport. The present airport is designed to handle 6.5 million passengers a year, but, as of last year, the number of passengers at the airport had reached 7.2 million.
It was reported that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) planned to increase the passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million passengers to 12 million passengers.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said that the government was looking to build a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) next to the PIA in one to two years’ time to cope with the increasing number of air passengers.
He said the government was in talks with AirAsia Group Bhd and MAHB on the proposed project.
He also said that the government was looking at the LCCT option as the proposed project would be fully funded by private companies, lessening the burden on the Federal Government.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Departure levy different from airport tax
Departure levy different from airport tax
The departure levy proposed in Budget 2019 is completely separate from the existing passenger service charge (PSC), said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Loke was responding to a question on the need to impose the levy which was set at RM20 to Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The PSC is not something collected by the government, that’s collected by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to run the operations of the airport, he said.
“The departure levy introduced by the government, is a form of tax for anyone travelling out of the country. That is completely by the government, not by the airlines, not by the airports,” he said during the launch of AirAsia Bhd’s first fully-digitalised ground handling services control centre at klia2.
The departure levy is needed to raise revenue and the government could collect a few hundred million ringgit annually, he said.
Loke pointed out other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia had similar taxes for outbound travellers.
The mechanism, he said, would be announced later as implementation only starts on June 1.
He added the ministry has not decided on the mechanism to offer the 30% stake in the proposed Airport REIT (real estate investment trust), which forms part of the Budget 2019 proposal.
Fernandes hopes the proposed REIT would not increase costs.
“Obviously we would like to see full privatisation, so new airport operators can come in, we may see different ways of running airports, and not just giving 30% to Malaysian Airports as a different form of funding,” Fernandes said.
What the low-cost carrier needed, he added, was an airport operator and airport which understood AirAsia’s model in reducing costs, which he said would in turn reduce the costs of flying for passengers, allowing the carrier to build Malaysia into a strong aviation hub.
Meanwhile the ground handling services control centre will allow AirAsia’s Ground Team Red (GTR) to track aircraft handling, with real-time information on passenger boarding, baggage reconciliation and ramp-loading compiled on a digital dashboard at the control centre.
Loke was given an overall briefing of the way the centre functioned to compile the different data and identify any soft spots in the aircraft’s turnaround process.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The departure levy proposed in Budget 2019 is completely separate from the existing passenger service charge (PSC), said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Loke was responding to a question on the need to impose the levy which was set at RM20 to Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The PSC is not something collected by the government, that’s collected by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to run the operations of the airport, he said.
“The departure levy introduced by the government, is a form of tax for anyone travelling out of the country. That is completely by the government, not by the airlines, not by the airports,” he said during the launch of AirAsia Bhd’s first fully-digitalised ground handling services control centre at klia2.
The departure levy is needed to raise revenue and the government could collect a few hundred million ringgit annually, he said.
Loke pointed out other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia had similar taxes for outbound travellers.
The mechanism, he said, would be announced later as implementation only starts on June 1.
He added the ministry has not decided on the mechanism to offer the 30% stake in the proposed Airport REIT (real estate investment trust), which forms part of the Budget 2019 proposal.
Fernandes hopes the proposed REIT would not increase costs.
“Obviously we would like to see full privatisation, so new airport operators can come in, we may see different ways of running airports, and not just giving 30% to Malaysian Airports as a different form of funding,” Fernandes said.
What the low-cost carrier needed, he added, was an airport operator and airport which understood AirAsia’s model in reducing costs, which he said would in turn reduce the costs of flying for passengers, allowing the carrier to build Malaysia into a strong aviation hub.
Meanwhile the ground handling services control centre will allow AirAsia’s Ground Team Red (GTR) to track aircraft handling, with real-time information on passenger boarding, baggage reconciliation and ramp-loading compiled on a digital dashboard at the control centre.
Loke was given an overall briefing of the way the centre functioned to compile the different data and identify any soft spots in the aircraft’s turnaround process.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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