MAS BULLISH ON CHARTER-FLIGHT SERVICES
National airline sees 5-6pc contribution this year
MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd (MAS) is bullish on achieving between five and six per cent of its overall revenue contribution this year coming from its charter-flight services for umrah and haj pilgrimages.
MAS chief executive officer Peter Bellew said earnings from charter-flight services were expected to hit double-digit growth between 10 and 11 per cent from 2019 onwards, leveraging its six A380s aircraft charter-flight global operations.
Umrah and haj pilgrimages are growing rapidly in Malaysia with the Saudi Arabian authority acknowledging Malaysia as the best pilgrimage operator.
“Malaysia’s pilgrimage operation is done on the A380 aircraft, which has a positive review worldwide,” he said on the sidelines of the signing ceremony between MAS and ATS Global Travel and Charter Sdn Bhd in Kelana Jaya, yesterday.
MAS charter services has entered into a one-year agreement with ATS to ferry umrah pilgrims to the Holy Land during the umrah season 1439H for departure this year and next.
Bellew said under the agreement, the airline would provide a total of 46 charter flights, utilising its superjumbo A380, which can accommodate up to 486 passengers.
“When we have the A380 aircraft re-configured, then we will be able to give a better price to make it more affordable to go Umrah in 2018 onwards,” he added.