News
Toulouse, 10th March 2010
MASwings takes delivery of ninth ATR 72-500
MASwings celebrated today the delivery of its 9th ATR 72-500 in a handover ceremony held in Toulouse.
The ninth ATR is the second last aircraft which will be delivered to the airline. MASwings has placed a firm order of 10 ATR 72-500 valued at USD$183 million. The final aircraft will be delivered in April this year, allowing MASwings to phase out all its Fokker 50 fleet.
Accepting delivery of the aircraft, Dato’ Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, Managing Director, MASwings said “The ATR72-500 represents the future of domestic air travel within Sabah and Sarawak and our strength and determination to drive forward to meet our ambitious expansion plans and traffic demand. All have flown the ATR will realize that this is a very special aircraft, embracing the latest in passenger comfort, technology and environment credentials”.
Currently, MASwings network covers 22 destinations within Sabah and Sarawak and are operating 39 routes within the two states. MASwings expansion plan includes mounting its network to Brunei, Indonesia and Philippines under the BIMP EAGA area. This augurs well with the airlines’ tagline ‘Connecting the World to Sabah and Sarawak’.
With the ATR, MASwings is able to increase its flight frequencies from an average of 600 per week to more than 950 flights per week. Passenger numbers have also increased significantly from an average of 62,000 a month in the year 2009 to more than 88,000 passengers within the last two months this year.
The reliability of the aircraft has also further improved our on-time performance at 93.11% punctuality rate.
“These new aircraft will enable us to meet our aspiration to connect the world to Sabah and Sarawak as well as to provide comfort to the traveling public, said Dato Salleh”
He added, “The ATR is one of the most modern aircraft that boosts efficiency, enhances reliability, cost efficient and provides higher comfort and service level to our guests.
MASwings ATR is specially configured with 68 plush leather seats with 31” inches pitch seats. It is also equipped with in-flight entertainment screen, not normally found in other ATR aircraft.
Another unique feature offered on MASwings’ ATR is the ‘Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System' (ACARS), an advance communications system seldom found in other turbo propeller aircraft. It enables faster and more accurate flow of information between the aircraft and the operations centres as well as real time monitoring of the aircraft. This increases MASwings’ operational efficiency and enhances flight safety.
Present at the event were ATR Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stéphane Mayer who handed over the aircraft key to MASwings Managing Director, Dato’ Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani.
Stepane Mayer, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer declared “The fruitful partnership we are consolidating with MASwings is leading to a fast and deep expansion of the regional air connectivity both within Malaysia and to destinations surrounding area of Brunei, Indonesia and Philippines. In addition, thanks to the ability of the ATR72-50 to operate in short runways, we are pleased to support MASwings plans for the development of remote communities in regions like Sabah and Sarawak.”
He added “With their ATR 72-500s, MASwings is providing its passengers with very reliable aircraft featuring the newest navigation technologies and the most modern and comfortable cabin interiors, including In-Flight Entertainment and LED lightening.
He concluded: “With CO2 emissions up to 40% less than regional jets, the ATR72-500 is definitely suited to optimally preserve the magnificent nature of the South-East Asia.
Issued By: Corporate Communications Department MASwings