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MASwings

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MASwings
IATA ICAO Callsign
MH MWG MASWINGS
Founded1 October 2007;16 years ago(2007-10-01)
Hubs
Secondary hubsKuching
Frequent-flyer programEnrich
Fleet size16
Destinations23
Parent companyMalaysia Airlines
HeadquartersKota Kinabalu,Sabah,Malaysia
Key peopleSuresh Singam (COO)
Websitewww.maswings.my

MASwings Sdn Bhd(Trade name:MASwings) is aregional airlineoperating the Rural Air Services (RAS) inBorneo Malaysia.MASwings is the successors ofFlyAsianXpresswhich operated RAS flights from 2006-2007, itself the successorMalaysia Airlinesoperation of RAS flights during 1965-2006.Borneo Airwaysoriginally operated RAS flights from 1953-1965 within colonialBritish Borneo.

The first MASwings flight was on 1 October 2007, which is also the anniversary of the founding of Malaysia Airlines in 1972.[1]

Its headquarters are located in MAS/MASwings Administration Building,Kota Kinabalu International Airport,Sabah.[2]Previously, its head office was located in the Beautiful Jade Centre in Miri.[3]

MASwings is currently a subsidiary ofMalaysia Airlines,though in June 2023,Sarawak's PremierDatuk Patinggi Abang Johariannounced that theGovernment of Sarawakhas agreed "in principle" to take over the airline, pending due diligence checks. In the middle of July 2023, Sarawak Government took over the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Borneo Malaysia from the Malaysian Federal Government, paving the way for a takeover of MASWings from the Sarawakian Government. At the end of July 2023, Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato SriLee Kim Shinmet the CEO ofKhazanah Nasional,which owns Malaysia Airlines, to negotiate the acquisition price as well as discuss the process of a takeover of MASwings.[4][5]

History[edit]

See also:Borneo AirwaysandFlyAsianXpress

Initial services[edit]

The airline began its operation on 1 October 2007, concentrating on secondary and tertiary routes within the Malaysian Borneo, inheriting the 22 destinations previously operated byFly Asian Xpress(and, prior to that, byMalaysia Airlinesdirectly). During its launch, the airline operated 4 50-seater Fokker 50 and 4 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft.[6]

International expansion[edit]

AFlyAsianXpressDHC-6 Twin Otteraircraft. The short-lived airline inherited the routes operated Rural Air Service by Malaysian Airlines between 2006-2007. Its operations were then continued by government-owned MASwings.

On 2 December 2009,The Starreported that MASwings planned to begin flying to thePhilippines,KalimantanandSulawesiby the middle of 2010.[7]However, due to certain circumstances, they could not begin flying on some these routes yet, with the exception ofPontianak,BalikpapanandTarakan,in the Kalimantan region.

On 26 June 2010, MASwings had been exploring the possibility of serving regional routes on theBrunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asian Growth Area(BIMP-EAGA), specificallyBandar Seri BegawaninBrunei,CebuandDavaoin thePhilippines,Pontianak,BalikpapanandTarakaninKalimantan,SulawesiandIrian Jaya,Indonesia.[8][9]On 21 December 2010, MASwings' Managing Director Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani confirmed these routes and was waiting for the approval of the relevant authorities.[10]

On 20 November 2011, during MASwings' fourth-anniversary dinner in Kota Kinabalu, CEO Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang announced that the first phase of MASwings' BIMP-EAGA expansion plan will begin in early 2012, with Brunei and Kalimantan as its launching destinations. He said that "the foray into international destinations, would be another milestone in the airlines' history." He also added that it will "pave the way for many more people to travel into Sabah and Sarawak while further intensifying tourist arrivals and business opportunities."[11][12]

A 50-seaterFokker 50operated by MASWings in 2007. The last Fokker-50 was retired by the airline in April 2010 and its services have now been superseded by the largerATR-72.

MASwings announced on 5 December 2011 that the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia had approved MASwings' application to fly in the BIMP-EAGA region and the first flights will commence on 1 February 2012.[13][14]

MASwings unveiled the first four flights in the BIMP-EAGA region on 16 December 2011. The Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route and the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan route will begin on 1 February 2012, while the Kuching-Pontianak route and the Tawau-Tarakan route will begin on 6 and 13 February 2012 respectively. MASwings will provide 14 flights weekly on the Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route, 7 flights weekly on the Kuching-Pontianak route, and 3 flights weekly on the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan route and the Tawau-Tarakan route.[15]

Planned expansion as a regional leisure airline[edit]

The airline also considered jet-operations using 737 jet aircraft, enabling the airline to commenced routes toDavaoin the Philippines, together withMakassarandManadoinIndonesia,as well as several Chinese destinations from Kota Kinabalu.[16][17]These were reportedly stymied due to opposition from parent companyMalaysia Airlines.

In June 2023,Premier of SarawakTan Sri Abang Johari Opengannounced that theGovernment of Sarawakhad agreed "in principle" to take over MASWings from its parent companyMalaysia Airlines,pending due diligence checks. This comes after months of efforts by the Premier to establish a Sarawak-based "boutique airline," which were earlier believed to have been based on expanding the existing, state-ownedHornbill Skyways.[18]Johari reportedly wishes the airline to expand to operate on regional routes, includingKuala LumpurandSingapore.He has also stated that the airline will begin transitioning to usemicroalgae-basedsustainable aviation fuel,manufactured in a new industrial facility inSejingkatbySarawak Energyand Japanese biotechnology company, Chitose Group.[5][19]

Fleet[edit]

Current fleet[edit]

An MASwings ATR 72-500 approachingKota Kinabalu International Airport

As of December 2023,MASwings operates the following aircraft:[20][21]

MASwings fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
ATR 72-500
10
—
68
Viking AirDHC-6-400 Twin Otter
6
—
19
 Used for rural air service.
Total
16
 —

Former fleet[edit]

MASWings historical fleet
Aircraft Total Passengers Introduced Retired Replacement Notes
ATR 72-600
4
70
2013
2015
 None
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter
4
20
2007
2013
 Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Leased fromFlyAsianXpress
Fokker 50
8
50
2007
2010
 ATR 72-500

Fleet replacement[edit]

MASwings Twin Otter 9M-MDL atLawas Airport.

On 9 November 2007, MASwings (through its parent company Malaysia Airlines) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 7 ATR 72-500s with options for 3 additional aircraft to expand its services in the states of Sabah and Sarawak inEast Malaysia.MASwings received delivery of the first aircraft in 2008, second 6 aircraft in 2009 and remaining 3 (optional) by 2010. On 25 April 2010, its last F50 (9M-MGF) was retired from service.

On 28 February 2012, MASwings made an announcement that they will be replacing their ageing Twin Otters with newer planes, as the request had been sent to the Ministry of Transportation in 2011, and now awaiting final approval. The candidates for the replacement wereViking AirDHC-6 Series 400,Dornier 228NG (New Generation) andGECI SK-105 Skylander.[22]However, with the Skylander project cancelled, it is likely that the candidates would be the Dornier 228NG and the Twin Otter Series 400.

On 18 December 2012, MASwings' parent company, Malaysia Airlines, ordered 36 ATR 72-600 for its subsidiaries. 16 of the ordered aircraft will be delivered to MASwings, while the remaining 20 will enter service withFirefly.For the replacement of the Twin Otter Series 300, six brand-new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft will enter service in mid-2013.[23]

On 25 July 2013, MASwings received its first ATR 72-600 with a planned order of up to 10 to replace its ageing ATR72-500 via stages.[24]However, due to disputes between the ministry of transport and parent company Malaysia Airlines in the introduction of the aircraft under the RAS contract scheme. It was decided by the government of Malaysia that it was more cost efficient to utilize the existing ATR72-500 for further years and to gradually allow other airlines to operate within east Malaysia commercially in a bid to keep subsidy costs in check. As a result 8 former routes which were formerly categorized under RAS were removed as a result to rationalize the subsidies for Maswings.[25][26]The newer aircraft which by then the airline had 4 were withdrawn prematurely in December 2015 and subsequent orders by the airline cancelled.

On 26 October 2022,ATRhas proposed plans to MASwings, Firefly on modernizing its existing ATR72-500 with ATR72-600 however for MASwings this will be subjected to its current pending handover transfer to the State Government of Sarawak.[27]

Destinations[edit]

Malaysia
  1. ^Although Tanjung Manis now under the jurisdiction of Mukah Division, the airport still serves the part of the population of Sarikei.

Terminated destinations[edit]

Awards and recognitions[edit]

Incidents and accidents[edit]

  • 10 October 2013 — a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (9M-MDM), operating as MASwings Flight 3002 fromKota KinabalutoKudat,landed short of the runway atKudat Airport.The aircraft impacted a house and was destroyed. This accident marks the first fatal incident for MASwings, where two people were confirmed dead, including the co-pilot.[31][32][33]

References[edit]

  1. ^"MAS launches regional carrier MASWings"Flight Global, 01/10/07
  2. ^"Contact UsArchived20 May 2014 at theWayback Machine."MASwings. Retrieved on 20 May 2014." Ground Floor, MAS/MASwings Administration Building, Off Jalan Petagas, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 88100 Kota Kinabalu "
  3. ^Contact Us."MASwings. 11 October 2007. Retrieved on 21 December 2010." MASwings Sdn. Bhd. 1st Floor, Lot 239, Beautiful Jade Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia "
  4. ^"Sarawak agrees on MASWings takeover".dailyexpress.my.16 June 2023.Retrieved22 June2023.
  5. ^abTawie, Sulok (15 June 2023)."Abang Johari: Sarawak govt agrees in principle to take over MASwings".Malay Mail.Retrieved22 June2023.
  6. ^MASwings - Our Background
  7. ^MASwings embarks on expansion planThe Stardated 2 December 2009, read on 29 January 2012]
  8. ^MASwings mulls flying to Brunei, Bimp-EagaArchived10 November 2013 at theWayback MachineThe Brunei Timesdated 26 June 2010, read on 29 January 2012
  9. ^MASwings eyes BIMP-EAGA this yearThe Stardated 26 June 2010, read on 29 January 2012]
  10. ^MASwings awaits nod of regulators to serve Bimp-EagaArchived24 December 2010 at theWayback MachineThe Brunei Timesdated 21 December 2010, read on 29 January 2012
  11. ^MASwings to launch Eaga operations by early 2012Archived10 November 2013 at theWayback MachineThe Brunei Timesdated 22 November 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  12. ^MASwings to launch the first phase of its BIMP-EAGA operationsThe Stardated 21 November 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  13. ^MASwings direct flights to BIMP-EAGA in FebArchived10 November 2013 at theWayback MachineThe Brunei Timesdated 5 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  14. ^MASwings to begin flying within BIMP-EAGA in FebruaryThe Stardated 5 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  15. ^MASwings unveils new routes to capture regional marketThe Stardated 16 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  16. ^"Malaysia's MASwings to repositioned as a budget carrier".CH Aviation. 27 November 2014.Retrieved10 June2020.
  17. ^"MASwings eyes jet operations by 2013".The Star.10 May 2012.Retrieved10 June2020.
  18. ^Tawie, Sulok (22 April 2023)."Sarawak-owned airline to start operations after getting four planes, says state premier".Malay Mail.Retrieved22 June2023.
  19. ^"Official Launching of Sarawak's First Industrial Microalgae Production Facility CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central Sarawak".Sarawak Energy.10 May 2023.Retrieved22 June2023.
  20. ^"Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)".Airliner World.October 2019: 20.
  21. ^"MASwings Fleet Details and History".planespotters.net.
  22. ^"MASwing Akan Tukar Pesawat Twin Otter Dengan Pesawat Baru Dalam Masa Terdekat".Bernama.28 February 2012.Retrieved28 February2012.
  23. ^"MASwings' six new Twin Otters to operate from mid-year".The Borneo Post.15 January 2013.Retrieved15 January2013.
  24. ^"MASwings receives first ATR 72-600".flightglobal.Retrieved26 July2013.
  25. ^"More operators for rural air services?".the edge.22 August 2016.Retrieved11 December2023.
  26. ^"AirAsia to take over 2 routes from MASwings".22 November 2018.
  27. ^"EUROPEAN turboprop manufacturer ATR is discussing with Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd's (MAG) wholly-owned subsidiaries — Flyfirefly Sdn Bhd and MASwings Sdn Bhd — and Batik Air, formerly Malindo Air, about replacing some of their ageing turboprops with next-generation aircraft".
  28. ^"Travel to Kota Kinabalu cut due to new flights".inquirer.net.2013.Retrieved12 April2024.
  29. ^"MASwings drops Kuching-Mulu-Bandar Seri Begawan route".The Edge Malaysia.2014.Retrieved12 April2024.
  30. ^abMohd Izham Unnip Abdullah (8 August 2018)."MASwings sets 2 rural service records".New Straits Times.Retrieved10 July2019.
  31. ^Accident: MASWings DHC6 at Kudat on Oct 10th 2013, impacted houseThe Aviation Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2013
  32. ^Co-pilot of MASWings plane crash succumbs to injuries (Update)thestar.my. Retrieved 10 October 2013
  33. ^UPDATE: Co-pilot, passenger die in MASWings' crash in Kudatnst.my. Retrieved 10 October 2013

External links[edit]

Media related toMASwingsat Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MASwings&oldid=1234046972"