Get ready for cheap S’pore-KL flights
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By N Gunalan
Finally, the cost of air travel between the capitals of Singapore and Malaysia are to become more affordable - and reasonable - as low-cost carriers were given the green light to launch limited flights on the route.
From February 1 next year, the 30-year monopoly on the route held by the national carriers of both countries – Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines - end.
LCCs would be allowed to operate four flights daily – two from each side - initially but by December 1 next year, there will be full liberalisation, allowing airlines to operate as many services as they want. “It will also bring both countries closer to ASEAN’s goal to remove all restrictions on passenger flights between ASEAN capitals by December 2008,” a statement from Singapore’s transport ministry said at the end of two-day talks between air transport officials from both sides.
The officials will convene again in January to discuss expanding air services between Singapore and other cities in Malaysia.
LCCs on both sides have cheered the move announced last Friday, though which LCC will get the rights has not been announced. Athough Singapore’s Tiger Airways and Malaysia’s AirAsia have been widely tipped to get the nod, they face competition from MAS subsidiary Firefly and another Singapore-based LCC, Jetstar Asia.
AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes, who has been championing the opening of the route tirelessly, said he could do the return fare for about S$130 (US$90).
Flights now costs about S$400 return for a flight that only lasts about 45 minutes.
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