Airlines all prepared for Langkawi travel bubble takeoff

PETALING JAYA: Local airlines are getting ready to increase the frequency of their services to Langkawi in anticipation of the reopening of the tourism sector there on Sept 16.

Malaysia Aviation Group chief executive officer Captain Izham Ismail said Malaysia Airlines welcomed the government’s announcement on the activation of the Langkawi travel bubble.

He added that this would be a starting point to reviving domestic tourism for the fully-vaccinated.

“Currently, Malaysia Airlines operates four times daily to Langkawi, and will adjust capacity to meet demand,” he said yesterday.

In conjunction with the reopening and Malaysia Day, which also falls on Sept 16, he said Malaysia Airlines is offering tickets for as low as RM89 for all-in fare, while its tour operating arm, MHholidays, is also offering bundled flight and hotel packages with up to 50% discounts.

“The airline remains steadfast in its commitment to adopting the highest safety and hygiene standards in air travel. Most recently, the Malaysia Aviation Group achieved 100% vaccinated status, which further provides passengers with peace of mind.

“Malaysia Airlines has enhanced its safety and health protocols across multiple touchpoints at airports and on board, as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation Council of Aviation Recovery Task Force (ICAO CART), to ensure customers and employees’ safety are protected every step of the way,” he said.

Izham added that measures in place include the mandatory use of face masks, frequent aircraft disinfection, and early replacement of aircraft Hepa (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filters to ensure effective filtration of 99.97% of microorganisms on board.

Passengers would also receive complimentary hygiene kits, he said.

Firefly Airlines marketing and communications head Koo Kee Wai said the airline would also be gradually ramping up flights to Langkawi.

“We are ready with full compliance to the SOP (standard operating procedure), with the recent launch of our Covid-19 testing, travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage, and with all our pilots and cabin crew fully vaccinated,” he said.

AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Riad Asmat said Malaysians are eager to resume travelling and Langkawi, famed for its world-class facilities, pristine beaches, family-friendly atmosphere and local cuisine, is by far one of the top domestic destinations.

“The government’s decision to commence this travel bubble bodes well for the recovery of Langkawi’s tourism industry, and we look forward to working closely with the government, Langkawi Development Authority as well as Tourism Malaysia, to support the revival of the tourism sector.

“We are working on a few campaigns to revitalise tourism in Langkawi with some very attractive deals to be announced soon,” he added.

Riad said AirAsia is committed to stringent health and hygiene protocols throughout the journey.

“Flying is the safest mode of transportation, not only due to the comprehensive safety measures we undertake, but the built-in features of the aircraft itself such as its cabin air filtration system.

“The vertical downward air circulation inside the cabin further prohibits the risk of infection during flying. Studies conducted by international aviation agencies have proven that the risk of inflight infection is almost zero,” he said, adding that AirAsia Malaysia’s operating crew and frontline staff are fully vaccinated.