Low-cost S'pore-KL flights from Feb 1
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
Prime News
November 24, 2007
Author: Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

AIR travellers who have long complained about pricey fares on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route will finally get some relief.

From Feb 1, at least one low-cost carrier from each side will be allowed to operate two daily flights - a total of four extra services a day.

All restrictions on the lucrative sector will be lifted on Dec 1, 2008, to allow airlines on both sides of the Causeway to fly as often as they want between the two points.

The liberalisation of one of Asia's most restricted air routes is in line with an Asean initiative to free up air links between capital cities of the 10-member bloc by December next year.

The decision to partially free up the Singapore-KL sector was announced by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) yesterday, at the end of two days of bilateral talks here.

MOT said in a statement: 'This is a positive development in our aviation relations as low-cost carriers will operate on this sector for the first time.'

Transport officials on both sides will meet again in January to discuss how air links between Singapore and other Malaysian cities can be further liberalised.

The Singapore-Malaysia air services pact was last expanded in 1980. A separate commercial deal between the two national carriers, which currently dominate the Singapore-KL sector, allows them to set fares, plan schedules and split revenues equally.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) operate about 85 per cent of the over 200 flights a week, charging about $400 for a return flight that lasts 45 minutes each way.

The remainder goes to a handful of other carriers that fly via Singapore to Kuala Lumpur under 'fifth freedom' rights, which allow foreign airlines to pick up passengers in transit, as negotiated by their respective countries. These include Japan Airlines and Air Mauritius.

In less tightly-regulated markets like the Singapore-Bangkok one, for example, travellers pay about $200 for an all-inclusive return fare.

Pressure had mounted in the past few years in Singapore and Malaysia for more competition, and low-cost carriers promised cuts to Singapore-KL fares by more than half.

But a breakthrough only came earlier this month, when Malaysia proposed to Singapore that low-cost carriers be allowed to operate a limited number of services.

Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy proposed this to his Singapore counterpart Raymond Lim when they met on the sidelines of the 13th Asean Transport Ministers Meeting here.

Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia are the contenders as far as the Singapore rights are concerned.

Singapore's Air Traffic Rights Committee will evaluate applications submitted to it.

The committee, headed by MOT's permanent secretary, includes senior representatives from various government agencies.

Making a pitch for her airline, Jetstar chief executive officer Chong Phit Lian said: 'Our extensive network, and our links with sister carriers in Australia, allow us to offer our passengers not just a point-to-point service but a whole range of options and choices.' Jetstar is 49 per cent owned by Australia's Qantas.

Singapore's Tiger Airways is raring to go too. Group chief executive officer Tony Davis told The Straits Times recently that even if the airline got just one or two flights a day, it would be a good start. Early access would allow it to gear up for full market liberalisation, he said.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

up~

Express coach fear they going to eat grass

But they are unlikely to slash fares, but rather purchase newer and better buses to compete

Dec 7, 2007
Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia to fly daily to KL from Feb
They will each get one flight a day on the S'pore-KL route
By Karamjit Kaur


SIA and MAS operate about 85 per cent of the over 200 flights a week,
charging about $400 for a return flight that lasts 45 minutes each way.
-- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

SINGAPORE'S two low-cost carriers - Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia - will each get one flight a day when Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air links are liberalised in February.

The Transport Ministry on Friday announced the decision of the Singapore Air Traffic Rights Committee (ATRC), which is the authority responsible for allocating air rights to Singapore carriers.

The opening of the Singapore-KL market to low-cost carriers from Feb 1 follows many years of lobbying from travellers and airlines on both sides of the Causeway.

A breakthrough came when Singapore and Malaysia announced last month that at least one low-cost carrier from each side will be allowed to operate two daily flights - a total of four extra services a day.

All restrictions on the lucrative sector will be lifted on Dec 1, 2008, to allow airlines on both sides of the Causeway to fly as often as they want between the two points.

The Singapore-Malaysia air services pact was last expanded in 1980.

A separate commercial deal between the two national carriers, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which currently dominate the Singapore-KL sector, allows them to set fares, plan schedules and split revenues equally.

SIA and MAS operate about 85 per cent of the over 200 flights a week, charging about $400 for a return flight that lasts 45 minutes each way.

The rest goes to a handful of other carriers that fly via Singapore to KL under 'fifth freedom' rights, which allow foreign airlines to pick up passengers in transit, as negotiated by their respective countries.

These include Japan Airlines and Air Mauritius.

In less tightly-regulated markets like the Singapore-Bangkok one, for example, travellers pay about $200 for an all-inclusive return fare.

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

airport tax for budget terminal is less isit?

omg!... LIKE FINALLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wad is the estimated price like btw?

Originally posted by SBS9828X:

airport tax for budget terminal is less isit?

Yeap

But items like security fees is the same

Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia have started ticket sales for flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Tiger Airways
Promotional one-way fare excluding taxes and other fees is S$0. Buy from now til Jan 10 or until seats sell out. Valid for travel between Feb 1 2008 and Oct 25 2008. Normal internet discounted fare is $49.99.

Flight details:

TR 148 Dep SIN 1515 Arr KUL 1610 Daily
TR 149 Dep KUL 1640 Arr SIN 1730 Daily

+++

Jetstar Asia
Promotional one-way fare exlcuding taxes and other fees is $0.88. Buy from now til Jan 8. Valid for travel between Feb 1 2008 and Oct 25 2008. However, payment must be made with the POSBank Everyday Credit Card for the offer to be valid. Jetsaver fare for this sector is $28.

Flight details

3K 687 Dep SIN 1500 Arr KUL 1555 Daily
3K 688 Dep KUL 1635 Arr SIN 1730 Daily

last weekend jetstar offers 1000 seats at 88 cents one way

dun find the pricing competitive compared to other destinations like bangkok...

Jetstar to hold 1-for-1 special tonight to all destinations.
Your fare ticket will be subjected to 50% off and minimum 2 pax.

Book from 9th Jan to 11th Jan.
Fly (and return) by 3rd Feb.

Link will become active tonight: http://www.jetstar.com/specials/1+1

not much cheaper leh..still $200

Originally posted by ^tamago^:

dun find the pricing competitive compared to other destinations like bangkok...

Travelling time from SIN -> KL Bandar makes no diff w/ taking express coaches

Originally posted by sbst275:

Travelling time from SIN -> KL Bandar makes no diff w/ taking express coaches

yeah. it's only for comfort. at $191 return on 3K to MTB, it is not competitve at all compared to not only the coaches, but also other regional destinations like Bangkok and Hongkong.

i'm waiting for december liberalisation. until then, MAS offers RM39 fares from senai to KL MTB (blackout during CNY and first 2 wks of March), with more timings available throughout the day. unbeatable!

Originally posted by ^tamago^:

yeah. it's only for comfort. at $191 return on 3K to MTB, it is not competitve at all compared to not only the coaches, but also other regional destinations like Bangkok and Hongkong.

i'm waiting for december liberalisation. until then, MAS offers RM39 fares from senai to KL MTB (blackout during CNY and first 2 wks of March), with more timings available throughout the day. unbeatable!

But Senai one si domestic flight leh

Originally posted by sbst275:

But Senai one si domestic flight leh

gets u to the same place at a cheaper fare, why not.

Originally posted by ^tamago^:

gets u to the same place at a cheaper fare, why not.

but lei cei

gotta get to Senai

Originally posted by sbst275:

but lei cei

gotta get to Senai

go senai very easy, esp for northerners.

I don't understand what the hype here is all about . I always thought that Australian carriers ( or parents based companies) would have problems getting into Malaysian ,China and Indonesian routes. ( because of QF ) traffic rights entitlement. I nego Air Rights before and faced quite a bit of problem.

Pple have to understand that free liberisation of skies do not EQUATE to free slots n market segments which is always protected by Govt for National Carriers!

I don't think the coaches have to worry... you need to get to Changi airport, waste your time there boarding, get to KL airport, waste your time arriving, get to town... pay for the trip to KL....

...coach, go to beach road, board bus, end in KL or Genting directly... no competition....

when LCC-T at KLIA shifts to its permanent site after 2010, the competition can get really serious…

Originally posted by ^tamago^:

go senai very easy, esp for northerners.

for me I wun

got Changi Airport.. go feed others for wat

somemore security there also prob for parking

travel to Changi… travel from KLIA waste time … end up time, not much diff….

Jetstar may be barred from Singapore-KL route: report

5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia may bar the low-cost Australian airline Jetstar from flying the lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route which is being opened up after a long monopoly, a report said Wednesday.

"I think the (aviation) agreement with Australia does not allow that," Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper, referring to the government-to-government pact.

"Currently Jetstar is only allowed to operate from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Sydney," he added.

Malaysian transport officials could not be reached for comment.

Last month JetStar, a budget airline backed by Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd., received approval from Singapore's government to fly the route from February 1.

Subsequently, Jetstar advertised promotional fares from 1.88 ringgit (0.57 dollars) plus taxes and surcharges, but stated that the flights were still subject to regulatory approval.

Singapore also granted Tiger Airways rights to operate the route from February, while from its side Malaysia proposed Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia -- the region's largest budget carrier.

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines have enjoyed a profitable lucrative 35-year stranglehold on the short KL-Singapore hop.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZfiRJ7JzYBo8luWzDrTL4fYIpFA