British Airways, Qantas mull ‘comeback’ to KLIA

British Airways (BA) and Qantas Airways is in active discussion with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for a possible comeback to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after a decade on optimism of the local economy and enhancing their Asean connectivity.

These airlines left during the financial crisis mainly due to low load factor.

It would probably take two years at the least for BA to decide, according to MAHB general manager (marketing) Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah.

It was previously reported that BA and Qantas would wait for the Asean Open Skies Policy in 2015, before making any expansion move in the region.

Few other legacy comeback airlines currently operating in KLIA are Air France (returning after 30 years), Turkish Airlines, Philippines Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines.

“What is pertinent right now is that BA has recognised the importance of the Malaysian market,” Mohamed Sallauddin told reporters after three legacy carriers have made a comeback to KLIA,” he said on the sidelines of Lufthansa’s media meet to announce the airline’s promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Frankfurt yesterday.

German airline, Lufthansa, announced the new five times a week non-stop direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to its hub in Frankfurt by the first quarter of 2014.

“Now with Lufthansa German Airlines announcing nonstop flights to Kuala Lumpur, it has helped MAHB’s bid into getting BA back.

“Therefore, we have actually made a good impression to the BA team. So, sooner or later, we wish they could resume flights to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lufthansa GM for Malaysia Paurus Nekoo said the flights which will operate from March 30 next year, is part of its current service extensions and flight schedule measures within South- East Asia, where the German airline will increase its seat capacity.

“We are targeting 100% load factor. We are very confident as our connectivity and destinations are the best anyone could get in the whole European region,” he said, adding that currently the airline’s KL-Bangkok- Frankfurt flight is running close to 90% load factor.

The German airline has also introduced promotional fares starting from as low as RM2,888 for economy class, to over 50 destinations in the Europe. The special rates are open for sales until Dec 8, 2013.