Firefly airlines is a new Malaysian no-frills
airline (they call themselves a "community airline"), which started flights in
April 2007. The only other Malaysian low-cost airliner is Air Asia Berhad. It
claims as the first community airlines in Malaysia. The airline is a subsidiary
of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and utilize the Penang International Airport as a
base of operations and hub. Firefly Airlines is the only airline connecting
Malaysia's northern Penang state, Koh Samui and Phuket (in Thailand).
Even though Firefly is 100% owned by Malaysia Airlines, it has a separate
management, which is by FlyFirefly. The focus of Firefly is to give a community
based services particularly in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle.
It will also complement the routes not already be flown by Malaysia Airlines.
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Two Fokker F50 turboprop powered aircraft
(owned by Malaysia Airline's parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd.). The
Fokker 50 can carry around 50 passengers over a range of 2000 km at a speed of
some 500 km/h. The aircraft were chosen for economic reasons. Malaysia Airlines
have flown Fokker F50s in the past, for example in rural areas in Sarawak.
The plane is typically manned by 4 crew members - 2 cabin
crew and 2 pilots. Firefly Airline's cabin staff wear brown trousers and black
t-shirts with the Firefly logo. The seats in the Fokker F50 are divided into 2
sides, with 2 seats on each side and an aisle down the centre. There is one
toilet on board at the front left of the aircraft.
Destinations:
| Penang - Langkawi |
twice daily |
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| Penang - Kota Bharu |
twice daily |
| Penang - Kuala Terengganu |
twice daily |
| Penang - Phuket |
daily |
| Penang - Koh Samui |
daily |
Firefly Airlines started accepting bookings
from Monday the 19th March 2007. Tickets can be purchased from its 24-hour call
centre, 03-7845 4543 or at MAS ticketing offices.. Booking is also possible at
the website of Firefly:
www.fireflyz.com.my
