Berjaya to introduce charter air service

SINGAPORE: Berjaya Hotels and Resorts plans to launch a charter air service from Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Redang in Terengganu with two pre-owned ATR 42-500 aircraft beginning June.

Berjaya Hotels and Resorts chief executive officer Hanley Chew said it would spend between US$15 million and US$20 million (RM58.55 million and RM78.07 million) to purchase the turboprop planes.

“The charter service will be operated by Berjaya Air Sdn Bhd. We have plans to purchase new ATR planes in the future, but for now, we will start with the two ATR-42s,” he said during the Singapore Air Show here yesterday.

Chew said the two planes, which can carry up to 50 passengers, would be configured to carry 36 passengers instead, and would fly from Subang Skypark Terminal to Redang Airport.

“We want to promote Pulau Redang. Currently, our guests would fly to Redang Airport and then take a ferry service to the island. We need to look for more efficient ways to bring our guests to the hotel, and the planes enable us to provide accessibility and connectivity,” he said, adding that the first ATR-42 would be delivered in April.

Chew said the air service would include seats as well as hotel rooms and activities in the island, beginning from RM3,500 to RM5,000 per person for three days and two nights.

He said the air service would be extended to other hotels operated by Berjaya Hotels and Resorts in Malaysia and neighbouring countries.

“We operate 20 hotels in seven countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Seychelles and the United Kingdom,” Chew added.