LOWER than expected load factors had been the rationale to cut Firefly’s low cost jet operations, consistent with MAS Group’s plans to consolidate operations after its cooperative agreement with AirAsia earlier this year.
According to a travel trade source, additional plans for the group’s Project Sapphire initiative would see the launch in third quarter next year of a new regional premium airline, using a fleet of B737-800s and B737-400s with seats configured in two classes. To be managed by Firefly, the name for the new carrier has yet to be decided.
Firefly’s turboprop operations, also due to be reconfigured into two classes, will be utilised for the shorthaul premium segment, while MAS will serve the medium and longhaul premium sectors.
AirAsia and AirAsiaX will target budget shorthaul and budget longhaul routes, respectively.
– Read more in ITB Asia 2011 Official Daily – Day 3 issue
