KUCHING: Sarawak has made a headstart in drawing back tourists from long haul destinations with the recent launch of the new airline, MASWings.  

MASWings is a subsidiary of national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS). 

MAS area manager for Sarawak Shauqi Ahmad said MASWings had received some 3,000 bookings, including to Mulu National Park, a world heritage site, since its launch two weeks ago. 

He said MASWings shared the flight code with MAS, which had connections to more than 200 partner airlines and some 16,000 travel agents worldwide. 

'The connectivity and interlining of MASWings allows long distance travellers, like those from Europe, to buy air tickets from one travel agent and use only one ticket to check through to the final destination,' he told reporters at his Hari Raya open house here. 

MASWings took over the rural air services from Fly Asian Xpress (FAX), which did not offer interlining services for international travellers, on Oct 1. 

Major tour wholesalers in Europe suspended selling Sarawak packages, particularly to Mulu, after FAX took over the rural air services from MAS last year. 

Shauqi said with Royal Brunei Airline resuming its Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan service on Dec 1, MAS expected stiff competition as both airlines served similar long-haul destinations.

Written by:
Jacky Wong
The Star
16th October 2007