Published: Wednesday December 2, 2009 MYT 11:44:00 AM

MASwings embarks on expansion plan

LANGKAWI: MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, plans to fly to the Philippines, Kalimantan and Sulawesi by middle of next year.

Managing director Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani said the plan would take effect after the company received its 10th ATR 72-500 aircraft in April.

"We have received our seventh ATR 72-500 aircraft which we will use to fly to 22 destinations in Sabah and Sarawak.

"Our eight, ninth and 10th ATR 72-500 aircraft will arrive in February, March and April respectively," he said after signing an acceptance agreement with ATR general manager sales for the South-East Asia and Pacific Christophe Potocki here yesterday.

The ATR 72-500 would replace the company's Fokker 50.

With the seventh ATR 72-500 aircraft, MASwings hoped to increase its passenger load from 700 to 900 people weekly.

The ATR 72-500 aircraft has a sitting cvapacity of 68 people.

"We have received good response to our ATR 72-500," he said.

Mohd Salleh said the company also planned to buy its fifth Twin Otter that would be used for its rural routes in Sabah and Sarawak.

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