MAS EYES 80 PCT SEAT FACTOR GLOBALLY

BANGKOK, June 6 (Bernama) -– Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aims to achieve 80 per

cent seat factor globally in the second quarter and beyond through aggressive

promotional campaigns.

MAS executive vice president for sales and marketing, Datuk Bernard Francis,

said the second wave of its "Global Deals, Dream Getaways" promotional campaign,

with booking period starting today until June 20, 2011, would offer up to 80

per cent discount on airfares.

"The campaign offered value-for-money air travel deals for both economy and

business classes to various destinations in Asean, Asia, Australasia, Europe,

South Africa and the Americas with immediate travelling period until March 31,

2012," he told a press conference here today.

Francis said passengers would enjoy the same Malaysian hospitality and its

best services despite the promotional airfares.

"It is the best value for money compared to other airlines, including

low-cost carriers, as MAS gives the best terms and conditions because passengers

can reschedule their flight itineraries," he said.

MAS, he said, was proactive and innovative in promoting its products as the

forward load for the airline industry worldwide was projected to decline

following the challenges of higher fuel price, Middle East unrest and global

economic uncertainties.

Francis said MAS was combining its best products and best hospitality in

attracting its customers.

"The idea of the promotion is not to put up cheap sale for a long term but

to attract customers for its best hospitality and services in the long term.

"MAS flies to 71 destinations in six continents worldwide," he said.

He said MAS was studying the possibilities of increasing the frequencies for

its existing routes rather than opening up new routes now.

Meanwhile, MAS regional senior vice president for Asean, Muzammil Mohamad,

said 50,000 seats would be offered for the Asean market alone during the current

promotional drive.

He said 70 per cent of the 150,000 seats allocated for the Asean market were

grabbed during the previous campaign. -- BERNAMA

JM THS