Scoot: Ready For Take Off From Singapore To Miri Twice Weekly

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email:  anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd, operating as Scoot, will launch its twice weekly direct flights from Singapore to Miri effective 23 February. 

The Singaporean low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, was initially scheduled to commence the Singapore-Miri route on 19 January but had postponed to this new date due to unforeseen circumstances.

According to Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the letter of confirmation for the route from Scoot was received on 3 February by his ministry. 

Sarawak Transport
Minister Dato Sri
Lee Kim Shin

“With the opening of this new route between Singapore and Miri, the distance, time, and comfort of doing business will be less of a hassle, especially if we need to bring in cargo or business travellers from overseas via Singapore to Miri,” he says.

Additionally, expenses will be greatly reduced compared to transiting in Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, Scoot is operating flights from Singapore to Kuching three times weekly. It will be very timely for the airline to operate the Singapore-Miri route as Miri is the northern gateway into Sarawak.

Miri is also one of the main gateways to numerous wildlife attractions such as Gunung Mulu National Park, which features the world’s largest cave passage at Deer Cave besides other interesting caves. This renowned national park can be reached by air in 30 minutes from Miri.

The city is also the gateway to the fantastic caves at Niah National Park, Sarawak’s largest natural lake at Loagan Bunut National Park and Lambir Hills National Park with one of the world’s biggest biodiversity. 

Dato Sri Lee views the Singapore-Miri route as a manifestation of the airline and other big corporations’ confidence in Sarawak and Miri can offer investors in terms of the oil and gas industry.

Passengers of airlines not using the aerobridge at the Miri Airport will
have to walk to the terminal building

He reminds all travellers entering Sarawak to comply strictly with the standard operating procedures set by Malaysia’s National Security Council, Ministry of Health and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

They include filling the EnterSarawak and e-Health form to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state. 

Just a short drive by road outside the Miri City, tourists can experience the
traditional native welcome ceremony to their longhouse  

Acknowledging the support of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia Aviation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad, Immigration Department, Custom Department and SDMC, he says the Singapore-Miri flights are now open for booking at Scoot’s website, https://www.flyscoot.com.

Singapore-Miri Flight Schedule

Frequency	From	To	Flight No.	Departure Time	Arrival Time
Wednesday	Singapore	Miri	TR 400	12.20pm	2.20 pm
Saturday	Miri	Singapore	TR 401	3pm	5pm

AirAsia Adds Four New Routes In January 2022

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Encouraging more domestic travel at the start of 2022, AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) has scheduled launches of four new routes connecting East and West Malaysia. 

Its Kuching-Langkawi flight took off on 5 January while three other routes will take off towards end-Jan.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat says with the festive season upon us, AirAsia is excited and fully ready to offer our guests more routes between more major towns and cities in Malaysia. 

“These new routes will further strengthen our tourism footprint in Malaysia, providing more options for international visitors to travel between the states.

“We look forward to explore even more new routes across Malaysian airports from other parts of our Asean network. 

“From an operational standpoint, we have extensively prepared to ensure all of our guests can travel safely, seamlessly and with peace of mind. 

“AirAsia guests are always assured of the stringent health and safety protocols enforced on all of our flights with our highly trained and fully vaccinated crew continuing to deliver the world’s best service during the pandemic.”

AirAsia’s Four New Routes 

Routes	2022 Launch Dates	Weekly Frequency	All-in one-way fare from
Kuching – Langkawi	5 January	Wednesday and Sunday	RM99
Penang – Sibu	27 January	Thursday and Saturday	RM139
Johor Bahru – Bintulu	28 January	Friday	RM119
Kota Kinabalu –Kuala Terengganu	30 January	Sunday	RM159

Langkawi International Airport

Besides having only fully-vaccinated employees operate flights and be on-duty at airport terminals, only fully-vaccinated guests are accepted onboard its flights.

To add value to these new routes, AirAsia’s passengers can purchase great value flights and hotel deals from RM239 via the SNAP icon on the airline’s Super App from now until 16 January for travels from 25 January to 30 June.

Those who prefer to book their hotels separately may check out the Hotels icon in the app and get an extra 10% off with the promo code, AAHOTEL10.

Sultan Mahmud Airport – Kuala Terengganu

As part of its robust Covid-19 mitigation plan, AirAsia has made it mandatory for guests to check-in via its Super App and launched a unique FACES facial recognition boarding system that makes the entire journey fully digital and contactless.

The airline has spent the downtime period in travel over the past 20 months to further improve and revamp its flight procedures and processes in the interest of safety and well-being of all its guests and employees.

Its aircraft are properly maintained according to procedures set by the manufacturer, claims AirAsia, which has set up an in-house maintenance, repair and operations unit, Asia Digital Engineering, that provides services not only to AirAsia but also other airlines. 

Likewise, its pilots and cabin crew are regularly trained for mandatory refresher courses and ongoing retraining so that they are always on top of their job.

For more information on AirAsia’s safety measures and travel SOPs, please read its latest travel advisory here.

Royal Brunei Airlines Connects Sandakan Globally Via Newly Launched RB Link

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Starting 5 November, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) is flying to Bintulu in Sarawak five times weekly followed by daily flights to Tawau in Sabah on Wednesdays through Mondays from 11 November.

It will also be flying to Sibu in Sarawak twice on Saturdays, plus daily flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 14 November 2019. 

 

Driveway Approaching Sandakan Airport

These new flights are subject to confirmation. They follow after the successful launch of its two earlier services to Kota Kinabalu (KK) on 29 July and Sandakan on 28 October under phase one of its RB Link regional initiative that connects towns and cities in East Malaysia and Indonesia’s Kalimantan from its base at Brunei International Airport.

Royal Brunei Airlines Connects Sandakan Globally 

Sandakan Airport Departure Hall

RBA’s recent launch of its inaugural Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan service served as a catalyst not only for both destinations to forge closer ties culturally and economically but also provided a golden opportunity to link Sandakan to international markets such as China, Japan, UK and Australia which

One of the major exports by air cargo from
Sandakan is fresh and live seafood 

offer great tourism and export opportunities.

Being the first international airline to fly into Sandakan, RBA Vice President of Government and International Relations Rory Ilyas Teo believes Sandakan will benefit from the airline’s value pricing and five-star full-service offerings. 

Its inaugural flight, which touched down at Sandakan Airport at 2.15 pm with 72 passengers, was given the traditional water canon salute. 

Also present to welcome its historical arrival were Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Senior Manager of Routes Development Zainuddin Mohamed, Sabah Tourism General Manager Noredah Othman and Sandakan Tourism Association President Teo Chee Kim.

This six-time weekly RB Link service to Sandakan is starting out with two brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft. owned by RBA, with the wet lease aircraft operated by Malindo Air.  Details of its flight schedule are as follows:

Flight No	Sector	Depart	Arrival	Operation Days
BI 6813	Bandar Seri Begawan - Sandakan	13.30	14.25	Mon/Fri/Sun
BI 6814	Sandakan - Bandar Seri Begawan	15.05	16.10	Mon/Fri/Sun
BI 6817	Bandar Seri Begawan - Sandakan	19.00	20.05	Tues/Wed/Sat
BI 6818	Sandakan - Bandar Seri Begawan	20.35	21.40	Tues/Wed/Sat

View of Sandakan town with a beautiful coastline

In his welcome message, MAHB Group Chief Executive Officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said Sandakan Airport saw 12% increase in passenger movements from January to August as compared to 2018.

He is confident RBA is poised to capitalise on the demand of both leisure and business traffic for this sector and will subsequently contribute to Sabah’s overall development as Bruneians are frequent visitors to Sabah, especially in KK, Ranau and Kota Belud. 

Raja Azmi envisaged the improved ease of exploring the East Coast of Sabah with RB Link’s seamless booking will enhance connectivity from long haul destinations such as the UK and Australia to Sandakan.

Sabah Tourism General
Manager Noredah Othman 

Noredah viewed this new service as timely with Sandakan commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Sandakan Death Marches in August 2020. “We would like to encourage more British and Australians to gather here in remembrance of this history.”

To Teo, “Better flight connection is the key to develop further our tourism industry.” Thus, RB Link is a huge step forward for Sandakan. As such, he encouraged the tourism stakeholders in Sandakan should seize this opportunity to promote and market Sandakan to Brunei and beyond, especially to the European and Australian markets.

Sandakan Tourism
Association President
Teo Chee Kim

What RB Link service offer

RB Link full-service experience include a light snack and drink for flights over an hour and checked baggage allowance of 15 kg or for connecting guests, the weight in-line with international fare rules (starting from 30 kg in the Economy class). 

Guests onboard also enjoy RBA’s signature service and its Muhibah inflight magazine. They can use their personal electronic devices for entertainment.

Its aircraft has 72 Economy class seats with four preferred seats on a 43-inch seat pitch and six preferred seats with 33-inch seat pitch.

While Malindo Air provides the aircraft, maintenance, insurance and staff, the service and amenities onboard are from RBA, which will also be training the staff according to its service standards.

Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN) and Sabah Tourism Board jointly put an aggressive promotion for Sandakan during the September MATTA Fair 2019, the largest travel fair in Malaysia. STAN also took the opportunity to launch "Your Essential Guide To Sandakan" booklet at the travel fair. 

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort In Sarawak Undergoes New Ownership

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort located in the rainforest

After 20 years, Batang Ai Longhouse Resort owned by Tradewinds Hotels and Resorts under the management by Hilton International has finally made its exit. Sarawak based company Aiman Agro Park had finalised its purchased of the property in early December for an undisclosed sum and it is believed to be a good valued for money buy.

The resort beautifully lighted up in the night

Aiman Agro Park Sdn Bhd is the Principal Owner in Planet Borneo Group of Companies since 2013.  It is a Sarawak Bumiputra registered entity set up by Mr Samat Othman whose core and initial business is still in the construction and development industry as well as investment. After the acquisition and restructuring, it is now known as Aiman Planet Borneo Group of Companies (@PB Group).

The 100-room resort will be rebranded as Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat (ABARR) as from January 1, 2016 and will be managed through its subsidiary, Planet Borneo Lodge Management.

Director of Operation Gracie Geikie

Planet Borneo Lodge Management which offers management consultancy and manage mid-sized and small accommodations properties is headed by Gracie Geikie as the resort’s Director of Operations who said all the former 51 staff from Hilton will be retained and an another 14 staff will be recruited.

A series of industry and trade briefings are held to keep industry partners abreast on these new developments with the first Agents briefing in Kuching on 11 December, 2015 at the Hilton Hotel Kuching, Industry Partners briefing on 16th December at the Hilton Hotel Kuching and another Agents and Travel Media briefing on 17th December at the Pullman Hotel Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.

All contractual agreements already extended by Hilton will be honoured and maintained through 2016 till 31st March 2017 to ensure smooth transitions for tour operators’ and international wholesale agreements.