Northstar

AIRLINES www.travelweeklyweb.com Malaysia Airlines is now part of oneworld KUALA LUMPUR ��� As of February 1, 2013, Malaysia Airlines becomes part of the oneworld alliance, as it aims to be the first choice for frequent international travellers. Its first flight ��� the MH386 left for Pudong, Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur at 1.40am, while the first departure by the first of its aircraft featuring the full oneworld livery - an Airbus A330-300 operating flight MH 129 also left for Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur at 10.15am. For Malaysia Airlines, joining oneworld completes the latest phase of its repositioning plan. Becoming part of the world's premier global airline alliance will strengthen its competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world. Its addition to oneworld makes Malaysia which has one of the world's 30 biggest national economies and with a population of almost 30 million, a home market for the alliance. Its capital Kuala Lumpur, the world's 10th most visited city by international visitors according to the latest annual Mastercard survey, is now a oneworld hub. Malaysia Airlines connects new 16 destinations and one country - Brunei, to the oneworld map. More significantly, it will strengthen the alliance's connectivity between many key business cities in Asia and other parts of the world. Its addition expands oneworld's global coverage to 842 destinations in 156 countries, served by some 9,000 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of some 2,500 aircraft, carrying nearly 340 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of US$ 110 billion. Group chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said: "Becoming a member of oneworld is one of the most significant landmarks in Uniformed representatives from the airlines under the oneworld alliance Malaysia Airlines' history. It will strengthen our competitive position considerably, enabling us to offer our customers a truly global network together with our partners who include some of the best and biggest airlines in the world. At the same time, it will enable us to benefit from all the financial benefits that come from being part of a global alliance, through additional passenger feed and the learning from best practices that it affords. As an airline that has always be proud to offer the highest quality Malaysian Hospitality, we are very pleased and honoured to be lining up as part of what is clearly the world's top quality airline grouping." oneworld chief executive Bruce Ashby stated: "oneworld aims to be the first choice alliance for the world's frequent international travellers - with an unrivalled collection of quality carriers, delivering unmatched benefits to customers and to member airlines alike. That remains our focus today, as the alliance adds another great airline. Malaysia Airlines strengthens the alliance's offering in the growing economic powerhouse of South East Asia, just as we expect oneworld to strengthen Malaysia Airlines' competitive and financial positions." THAILAND ��� THAI Airways International Public Company Limited, has signed a 15year contract with Airbus, to benefit from Airbus��� Flight Hour Services Tailored Support Package for its subsidiary, THAI Smile. The agreement will see Airbus providing THAI Smile, with extensive scope of A320 line replaceable units, spare parts availability and logistics services among many others. THAI Smile will be the first A320 commercial operator to utilise the flight hour services. This latest selection by THAI Airways International re-affirms its confidence in Airbus��� Flight Hour Services, less than a year after signing an FHS-TSP contract for its A380s. It also marks an important step in Airbus��� FHS strategy to enter in the singleaisle market. Airbus��� FHS now covers more than 100 aircraft with operators of A320, A330, A340 and A380 fleets. www.travelweeklyweb.com Captain Montree Jumrieng, executive vice-president, THAI Airways International Technical Department said: ���With the experience and professional Flight Hour Services support already being demonstrated by Airbus on our A380 fleet, we are confident that this new Airbus FHS-TSP contract will likewise ensure that our A320 operations will run as smooth as silk.��� Didier Lux, executive vice-president, Customer Services at Airbus said: ���We are delighted to see a major customer such as THAI Airways International extending the support of Airbus FHS to a new aircraft type in its fleet. This is a real endorsement which confirms operators��� satisfaction and value in having Airbus��� FHS-TSP support.��� THAI Smile is a new service by THAI Airways International with a fleet of all new Airbus A320 aircraft. The carrier Photo: Airbus First A320 commercial operator to utilise Airbus��� FHS operates on routes within Thailand and selected international destinations, providing connections with THAI Airways International and Star Alliance member airlines. THAI Smile's fleet will consist of 11 brand new Airbus A320-200 aircraft in an all-economy class configuration of 174 seats. FEBRUARY 2013 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ��� | 9

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