Firefly to break even on profitable Malaysian routes

Published: 2009/05/29

National turboprop operator Firefly is set to break even this year, on account of its profitable domestic routes."We make money from all our domestic routes, they are exceptionally profitable. As for our international sector, it is seasonable traffic but sustainable," said FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong.

Firefly flies to 16 destinations of which nine are domestic and seven international. It has six aircraft while the seventh is due to arrive next month."We originally had planned to have 10 aircraft this year but decided to delay receiving three to next year," he said.

Currently, the carrier enjoys a load factor of more than 70 per cent amid the weakened global airline industry.Firefly will add five new routes to its network soon begining with flights from Subang Skypark to Singapore, followed by Ipoh-Singapore, then Kuala Terengganu-Singapore, Kuantan-Singapore and finally, Malacca-Singapore.

It will make its first entrance into Singapore skies on July 1, departing from SkyPark Subang terminal at 7.50am arriving at the Changi Budget Terminal at 9.05am. This four times daily route is targeted at business travellers.Leong expects more traffic flow to come from Singapore to Malaysia.

"There will be more tourists landing in Singapore wanting to hop over to Malaysia. Then, there are also quite a number of Malaysians working in Singapore wanting to come home for the weekends," he said.Earlier this month, Firefly got approval from the Transport Ministry to fly five more routes.

They are Penang-Singapore, Langkawi-Singapore, Kota Baru-Singapore, Alor Setar-Singapore and Kertih-Singapore. Leong then said flights from Penang and Langkawi to Singapore are already well-served. The timing of route launch will depend on additional demand and availability of more aircarafts.