Promising start: Loke at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between Batik Air and KIA.
SEPANG: Batik Air has introduced its latest premium and sustainable private terminal transfer service for its passengers.
The service, which started yesterday, is an exclusive offering for Batik Air Business Class and Flexi passengers, supplementing the existing bus transfer provided by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd due to the temporary suspension of the aerotrain service at the KL International Airport (KLIA).
The airline, in collaboration with automaker Kia through its sole distributor Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, offers a seamless and eco-friendly transfer between the main terminal and the satellite building of KLIA Terminal 1.
Passengers will be chauffeured in an all-electric Kia EV9 as well as the latest model of Kia Carnival.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who witnessed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, said it is important to have such a service, as Malaysia is set to be a focal point for government and business leaders from the region as the country takes over the chairmanship of Asean next year.
“Asean leaders are already traveling to our country to attend high-level meetings hosted by Malaysia.
“In November, the Transport Ministry will be hosting the 30th Asean Transport Minister Meeting, bringing together senior transport officials from China, Japan and South Korea to Kuala Lumpur.
“The service level of our airlines and airports will set the arriving world leaders’ impression of Malaysia,” he said during the launch of the service at a hotel here yesterday.
Loke added that the initiative also aligns perfectly with Batik Air’s long-term vision of achieving a more sustainable future in aviation.
“For the aviation industry, sustainability must be viewed holistically and is not limited to the aircraft.
“Controlling our carbon emissions must also include all supporting services including ground operations and, in today’s example, terminal transfer operations.
“This Batik Air and Kia partnership is a good example of industry players taking proactive steps towards responsible climate stewardship,” he said.
At the event, Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the initiative is the airline’s effort in taking proactive steps to reduce environmental impact while ensuring passengers enjoy unparalleled comfort and luxury.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our long-term vision of achieving a more sustainable future in aviation,” he said.
Also present at the event was Kia Asia Pacific president and chief executive officer Kevin Ahn.
In addition to the new transfer service, Batik Air also introduced its Wireless In-Flight Entertainment (Wireless-IFE) that offers onboard connectivity with smartphones, tablets and laptops, as well access to a wide selection of movies, TV series and games.
The service also offers special “My Flight” features, providing real-time flight tracking, an interactive live map, digital menu and more.
Currently, Wireless-IFE is available on two A330 and nine B737-8 aircraft.
