MONEY MASTER

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reported a strong 10% year-on-year increase in passenger movement for the third quarter of 2024, with a total of 36.1 million passengers , nearing pre-pandemic numbers. The growth was primarily driven by international passenger movement , which exceeded 3Q2019 levels by 7.4% , reaching 18.9 million passengers . Domestic travel, although recovering at a slower pace, reached 88.9% of pre-pandemic levels, accounting for 17.2 million passengers . Factors contributing to this growth include the introduction of new airlines and routes , visa exemptions for travelers from China and India , and the steady rise in air travel demand . MAHB's local airport network also showed strong performance, with over four million international passenger movements each month in 3Q2024 , reaching 99.3% of 2019 levels in September. Overall, passenger movement at Malaysian airports totaled 24.8 million for the quarter, representing 92.3% of 2019 levels . The a...

  The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) received 2,083 complaints in the first half of 2024 (1H2024), reflecting a 32% year-on-year decrease compared to the same period in 2023, according to its bi-annual consumer report . Of these complaints, 98% were related to airlines , while the remaining 2% concerned airport services . Firefly , a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, recorded the highest number of complaints, with 166 complaints per million passengers , followed by Batik Air Malaysia (formerly Malindo Air) at 139 complaints , and AirAsia X Bhd at 127 complaints . The top three complaint categories were flight cancellations, mishandled baggage, and flight delays , which made up 42% of the total complaints. Despite the high volume, Mavcom resolved 97% of the complaints, with 45% of them resolved in favor of consumers after airlines reversed initial decisions. However, 579 complaints were deemed unactionable due to incomplete documentation or other jurisdiction...

Malaysia Airlines, 2 years after MH370...where are we? The twin air crashes that left the brand name in pieces but 2 years on, is Malaysia Airlines in the right direction? Malaysia Airlines The loss of two Boeing 777s just months apart in 2014 triggered the loss-making carrier to seek for bailout. 1/3 of its staff were cut then while its Boeing 777-200s were grounded and less profitable long-haul routes were scrapped. With these efforts in place and the low level of oil, Malaysia Airlines is confident it will reach its target to return to profitability in 2018, the year that the German guru, Christoph Mueller ends his three-year contract. The big question: Are things really on track with this new business model? The narrow, regional business models might just make Malaysia Airlines suffered against its regional competitors….especially when it comes to the airline’s long-term strategy. "Apart from shedding jobs, cutting its fleet size and renegotiatin...

The other day, I couldn't contain myself after reading of another huge loss by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and thus blogged about the problem with MAS , which is mainly down to mismanagement and the lack of serious and fair competition in the country. Well, my frustration was shared by AirAsia boss, Tony Fernandes, who tweeted,  "I wonder if it's fair that Malaysia Airlines can lose so much money and protect its market share. Can only do that with taxpayers money." I couldn't helped but to agree...while external factors such as the increase of crude oil and other factors could contribute to this, MAS could at least show some improvement, which is hardly reflected on the financial statement and their balance sheet.  A bit of history of MAS could tell us a clearer picture of the direction of the Malaysia airline company.  Prior to the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997  MAS had recorded losses as much as RM260 million. This was after their record...

The problem with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is not a one day story. This is not the first time we heard about the amount of losses made by the airline company.  In 1972, the Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) became MAS and SIA. In the last 10 years from 2002- 2011 SIA reported a total pre-tax profit of Singapore $13,992 million, averaging S$ 1.4 billion per year. This created a big question mark over the reliability and management skill of those who are appointed to lead MAS.  MAS has just reported a loss of RM 830 million for 3 quarters ending September 2013 which is larger than the loss of Rm 483 million in the same corresponding period last year.   As usual, there are the incorrigibly optimistic cheerleaders for the airline who are unable to see the writing on the wall.   These ‘experts’ are still touting that the company is in recovery mode and will soon be returning to profitability. If you look at the Business Times, you will find that one of the Head...