MAS’ move could confuse passengers, says MATTA

PETALING JAYA: The plan by Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) to operate some leisure flights from KLIA2 from next year could confuse passengers.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said this was because MAS is a full service airline and not a low-cost carrier.

“By doing so (operating from KLIA2), you confuse passengers and they could be trapped into getting something they were not expecting.

“At the same time, you are carrying the country’s name as this is the national airline.

“They should not be using the MAS branding if they want to operate from KLIA2.

“If MAS wants to offer cheap flights with discounts, then we welcome it,” he said when contacted.

Hamzah also questioned the type and quality of services that MAS would offer when it starts operating flights from KLIA2.

He pointed out that KLIA2 is a base for low-cost flights, and thus MAS should use its wholly-owned premium short-haul unit FireFly to operate from KLIA2 instead.

FireFly operates from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

Hamzah said other major full service airlines globally do not operate from low-cost carrier terminals.