Malindo stepped in for MAS at KLIA

MALINDO Air has helped fill the void at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) left by national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which has downsized its operations.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said there were at least 50 international carriers using KLIA for their operations.

He said alternatives were needed for KLIA to remain a transit hub for the region after MAS downsized its operations, ended a few routes and collaborations with several international airlines and reduced its staff.

“In order to provide continuity to travellers, international carriers had to look for a local airline to fill the vacuum left by MAS. To save the situation, Malindo agreed to fill the vacuum as it is also a full-service carrier airline, similar with other international carriers.

“Malindo functions as a full-service carrier as it can provide (bag- gage) interlining services for travellers, making it easy for tourists to make KLIA a transit hub,” said Ab Aziz in reply to Datuk Abd Latif Ahmad (BN-Mersing), who asked when Malindo would be placed at KLIA 2 as it is also a lowcost carrier.

Ab Aziz said the Government wanted international and local passengers to have seamless travel and not struggle to find connecting routes to their final destinations.