MAS committed to promoting business in South Asia

KUCHING: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will remain committed to promoting its business in South Asia despite having cut two routes last year.

Its commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan said the airline would focus on increasing its presence in the region, considered a high-growth market.

“Our foray into the region was slightly hampered due to the financial crisis and it was with much difficulty that we undertook the withdrawal from Kolkata and Ahmedabab under the first phase of our network rationalisation last year,” he said during the MAS South Asia Top Travel Agent Awards presentation here on Thursday night.

He added that for now, MAS would continue to operate 43 weekly flights through nine gateways out of South Asia.

These include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka with daily connections and Bangalore, Hyderabad, Colombo, Male and Karachi which are served three times a week.

Rashid also said MAS had launched a plan to enhance its products and services to customers.

He also said most of the enhancement initiatives, such as in food and beverages, were carried out in the last few months.

Meanwhile state Urban Development and Tourism Minister Datuk Wong Soon Koh, who was guest of honour, said Sarawak had only recently realised the huge market potential in South Asia.

“Traditionally Sarawak has focused more on Europe and our neighbouring countries, but it’s never too late to work together with you in tourism,” he told the travel agents.

Some 62 travel agents from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives were present to receive awards at the event.