Firefly Airlines, which currently only operates turboprop services within Malaysia, will commence jet operations next month from its northern hub in Penang to three destinations – Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Johor Bahru.
It will start with twice-daily services between Penang and Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, and thrice-daily services between Penang and Johor Bahru. These services will be operated with a trio of B737-800 narrow body jets using excess aircraft from sister company, Malaysia Airlines.
Firefly CEO Phillip See shared that the flights will be code shared with Malaysia Airlines and customers can accrue and redeem Enrich points. In terms of product differentiation, Firefly will offer low-cost carrier products where guests can select their desired products and services.
See described this as a “DIY concept”, while at the same time, guests will also enjoy full benefits of being part of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
“Penang (as a northern hub for jet services) is a great place to start because it has a great mixture of leisure and corporate business,” said See, who was speaking at the fifth edition of BE@Penang, a two-day virtual conference organised by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, which commenced on December 10.
The setup of Firefly’s Penang hub jet operations will require minimal investment by MAG in 2021, with an expected increase in production, measured in average seat per kilometre, by 36 per cent over the next five years.
