Kuala Lumpur, April 15: Malaysia Airlines on Wednesday
announced ticket price discounts of up to 80 per cent in a bid
to boost passenger traffic amid the global economic downturn.
The move came after the national carrier saw 2008 profit
plummet 71 per cent and slashed fuel surcharges on its
domestic and international flights in January to boost sales.
Unveiling the "Malaysia Airlines stimulus package"
managing director Idris Jala said radical action was necessary
for airlines to survive in the current economic climate.
"It`s absolutely necessary to change your business model,
and you need to change it radically to survive and win in such
a tough operating environment," he told reporters.
"I am very convinced that must be the way to survive in
this environment -- to tailor (the products) based on the size
of the customers` wallet," he added.
Under the programme to spur sales, selected domestic and
Southeast Asian flights will be subject to ticket price
discounts of up to 80 per cent.
Fare reductions will also be applied to international
flights.
Idris did not provide a revised revenue forecast but said
he hoped the new scheme will "bring us a lot more new money".
"We remain positive but we don`t have a number to put on
it," he said.
Bureau Report
