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MASwings

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MASwings is a regional airline operating the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Borneo Malaysia. MASwings is the successors of FlyAsianXpress which operated RAS flights from 2006-2007, itself the successor Malaysia Airlines operation of RAS flights during 1965-2006. Borneo Airways originally operated RAS flights from 1953-1965 within colonial British Borneo.

MASwings Sdn Bhd
IATA ICAO Call sign
MH MWG MASWINGS
Founded1 October 2007; 17 years ago (2007-10-01)
Hubs
Secondary hubsKuching
Frequent-flyer programEnrich
Fleet size16
Destinations23
Parent companyMalaysia Airlines
HeadquartersKota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Key peopleSuresh Singam (COO)
Websitewww.maswings.com.my

The first MASwings flight was on 1 October 2007, which is also the anniversary of the founding of Malaysia Airlines in 1972.[1]

Its headquarters are located in MAS/MASwings Administration Building, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah.[2] Previously, its head office was located in the Beautiful Jade Centre in Miri.[3]

MASwings is currently a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, though in June 2023, Sarawak's Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari announced that the Government of Sarawak has agreed "in principle" to take over the airline, pending due diligence checks. In the middle of July 2023, Sarawak Government took over the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Borneo Malaysia from the Malaysian Federal Government, paving the way for a takeover of MASWings from the Sarawakian Government. At the end of July 2023, Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin met the CEO of Khazanah Nasional, which owns Malaysia Airlines, to negotiate the acquisition price as well as discuss the process of a takeover of MASwings.[4][5]

History

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See also: Borneo Airways and FlyAsianXpress

Initial services

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The airline began its operation on 1 October 2007, concentrating on secondary and tertiary routes within the Malaysian Borneo, inheriting the 22 destinations previously operated by Fly Asian Xpress (and, prior to that, by Malaysia Airlines directly). During its launch, the airline operated four 50-seater Fokker 50 and four 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft.[6]

International expansion

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A FlyAsianXpress DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft. The short-lived airline inherited the routes operated Rural Air Service by Malaysian Airlines between 2006-2007. Its operations were then continued by government-owned MASwings.

On 2 December 2009, The Star reported that MASwings planned to begin flying to the Philippines, Kalimantan and Sulawesi by the middle of 2010.[7] However, due to certain circumstances, they could not begin flying on some these routes yet, with the exception of Pontianak, Balikpapan and Tarakan, in the Kalimantan region.

On 26 June 2010, MASwings had been exploring the possibility of serving regional routes on the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), specifically Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, Cebu and Davao in the Philippines, Pontianak, Balikpapan and Tarakan in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, Indonesia.[8][9] On 21 December 2010, MASwings' Managing Director Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani confirmed these routes and was waiting for the approval of the relevant authorities.[10]

On 20 November 2011, during MASwings' fourth-anniversary dinner in Kota Kinabalu, CEO Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang announced that the first phase of MASwings' BIMP-EAGA expansion plan will begin in early 2012, with Brunei and Kalimantan as its launching destinations. He said that "the foray into international destinations, would be another milestone in the airlines' history." He also added that it will "pave the way for many more people to travel into Sabah and Sarawak while further intensifying tourist arrivals and business opportunities."[11][12]

 
A 50-seater Fokker 50 operated by MASWings in 2007. The last Fokker-50 was retired by the airline in April 2010 and its services have now been superseded by the larger ATR-72.

MASwings announced on 5 December 2011 that the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia had approved MASwings' application to fly in the BIMP-EAGA region and the first flights will commence on 1 February 2012.[13][14]

MASwings unveiled the first four flights in the BIMP-EAGA region on 16 December 2011. The Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route and the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan route will begin on 1 February 2012, while the Kuching-Pontianak route and the Tawau-Tarakan route will begin on 6 and 13 February 2012, respectively. MASwings will provide 14 flights weekly on the Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route, seven flights weekly on the Kuching-Pontianak route, and three flights weekly on the Kuching-Bandar Seri Begawan route and the Tawau-Tarakan route.[15]

Planned expansion as a regional leisure airline

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The airline also considered jet-operations using 737 jet aircraft, enabling the airline to commenced routes to Davao in the Philippines, together with Makassar and Manado in Indonesia, as well as several Chinese destinations from Kota Kinabalu.[16][17] These were reportedly stymied due to opposition from parent company Malaysia Airlines.

In June 2023, Premier of Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg announced that the Government of Sarawak had agreed "in principle" to take over MASWings from its parent company Malaysia Airlines, pending due diligence checks. This comes after months of efforts by the Premier to establish a Sarawak-based "boutique airline," which were earlier believed to have been based on expanding the existing, state-owned Hornbill Skyways.[18] Johari reportedly wishes the airline to expand to operate on regional routes, including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. He has also stated that the airline will begin transitioning to use microalgae-based sustainable aviation fuel, manufactured in a new industrial facility in Sejingkat by Sarawak Energy and Japanese biotechnology company, Chitose Group.[5][19]

Fleet

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Current fleet

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An MASwings ATR 72-500 approaching Kota Kinabalu International Airport

As of July 2024, MASwings operates the following aircraft:[20][21]

MASwings fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
ATR 72-500
10
—
68
Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter
6
—
19
 Used for rural air service.
Total
16
 —

Former fleet

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MASWings historical fleet
Aircraft Total Passengers Introduced Retired Replacement Notes
ATR 72-600
4
70
2013
2015
 None
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter
4
20
2007
2013
 Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Leased from FlyAsianXpress.
Fokker 50
8
50
2007
2010
 ATR 72-500

Fleet replacement

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MASwings Twin Otter 9M-MDL at Lawas Airport

On 9 November 2007, MASwings (through its parent company Malaysia Airlines) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of seven ATR 72-500s with options for three additional aircraft to expand its services in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. MASwings received delivery of the first aircraft in 2008, the second six aircraft in 2009 and the remaining three (optional) by 2010. On 25 April 2010, its last F50 (9M-MGF) was retired from service.

On 28 February 2012, MASwings made an announcement that they will be replacing their ageing Twin Otters with newer planes, as the request had been sent to the Ministry of Transportation in 2011, and now awaiting final approval. The candidates for the replacement were Viking Air DHC-6 Series 400, Dornier 228NG (New Generation) and GECI SK-105 Skylander.[22] However, with the Skylander project cancelled, it is likely that the candidates would be the Dornier 228NG and the Twin Otter Series 400.

On 18 December 2012, MASwings' parent company, Malaysia Airlines, ordered 36 ATR 72-600 for its subsidiaries. 16 of the ordered aircraft will be delivered to MASwings, while the remaining 20 will enter service with Firefly. For the replacement of the Twin Otter Series 300, six brand-new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft will enter service in mid-2013.[23]

On 25 July 2013, MASwings received its first ATR 72-600 with a planned order of up to 10 to replace its ageing ATR72-500 via stages.[24] However, due to disputes between the ministry of transport and parent company Malaysia Airlines in the introduction of the aircraft under the RAS contract scheme. It was decided by the government of Malaysia that it was more cost efficient to utilize the existing ATR72-500 for further years and to gradually allow other airlines to operate within east Malaysia commercially in a bid to keep subsidy costs in check. Eight former routes which were formerly categorized under RAS were removed as a result to rationalize the subsidies for Maswings.[25][26] The newer aircraft which by then the airline had four were withdrawn prematurely in December 2015 and subsequent orders by the airline cancelled.

On 26 October 2022, ATR proposed plans to MASwings, Firefly on modernizing its existing ATR72-500 with ATR72-600; however, for MASwings this will be subjected to its current pending handover transfer to the State Government of Sarawak.[27]

Destinations

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Country City Airport Notes Notes/refs
Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei International Airport Terminated
Indonesia Balikpapan Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport Terminated
Pontianak Supadio Airport Terminated
Tarakan Juwata International Airport Terminated
Malaysia Ba'kelalan Ba'kelalan Airport
Bario Bario Airport
Bintulu Bintulu Airport
Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu International Airport Main hub
Kuching Kuching International Airport Secondary hub
Kudat Kudat Airport Terminated
Labuan Labuan Airport Twin-Otter hub
Lahad Datu Lahad Datu Airport
Lawas Lawas Airport
Limbang Limbang Airport
Long Akah Long Akah Airport
Long Banga Long Banga Airport
Long Lellang Long Lellang Airport
Long Seridan Long Seridan Airport
Marudi Marudi Airport
Miri Miri Airport Twin-Otter hub
Mukah Mukah Airport
Mulu Mulu Airport
Sandakan Sandakan Airport
Sarikei Tanjung Manis Airport [a]
Sibu Sibu Airport
Tawau Tawau Airport
Philippines Puerto Princesa Puerto Princesa International Airport Terminated [28][29]
  1. ^ Although Tanjung Manis now under the jurisdiction of Mukah Division, the airport still serves the part of the population of Sarikei.

Codeshare agreements

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MASWings has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Awards and recognitions

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Incidents and accidents

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  • 10 October 2013 — a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (9M-MDM), operating as MASwings Flight 3002 from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat, landed short of the runway at Kudat Airport. The aircraft impacted a house and was destroyed. This accident marks the first fatal incident for MASwings, where two people were confirmed dead, including the co-pilot.[32][33][34]

References

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  1. ^ "MAS launches regional carrier MASWings" Flight Global, 01/10/07
  2. ^ "Contact Us Archived 20 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine." MASwings. Retrieved on 20 May 2014. "Ground Floor, MAS/MASwings Administration Building, Off Jalan Petagas, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 88100 Kota Kinabalu"
  3. ^ Contact Us." MASwings. 11 October 2007. Retrieved on 21 December 2010. "MASwings Sdn. Bhd. 1st Floor, Lot 239, Beautiful Jade Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia"
  4. ^ "Sarawak agrees on MASWings takeover". www.dailyexpress.com.my. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b Tawie, Sulok (15 June 2023). "Abang Johari: Sarawak govt agrees in principle to take over MASwings". Malay Mail. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  6. ^ MASwings - Our Background
  7. ^ MASwings embarks on expansion plan The Star dated 2 December 2009, read on 29 January 2012]
  8. ^ MASwings mulls flying to Brunei, Bimp-Eaga Archived 10 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Brunei Times dated 26 June 2010, read on 29 January 2012
  9. ^ MASwings eyes BIMP-EAGA this year The Star dated 26 June 2010, read on 29 January 2012]
  10. ^ MASwings awaits nod of regulators to serve Bimp-Eaga Archived 24 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine The Brunei Times dated 21 December 2010, read on 29 January 2012
  11. ^ MASwings to launch Eaga operations by early 2012 Archived 10 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Brunei Times dated 22 November 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  12. ^ MASwings to launch the first phase of its BIMP-EAGA operations The Star dated 21 November 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  13. ^ MASwings direct flights to BIMP-EAGA in Feb Archived 10 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Brunei Times dated 5 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  14. ^ MASwings to begin flying within BIMP-EAGA in February The Star dated 5 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  15. ^ MASwings unveils new routes to capture regional market The Star dated 16 December 2011, read on 29 January 2012
  16. ^ "Malaysia's MASwings to repositioned as a budget carrier". CH Aviation. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  17. ^ "MASwings eyes jet operations by 2013". The Star. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  18. ^ Tawie, Sulok (22 April 2023). "Sarawak-owned airline to start operations after getting four planes, says state premier". Malay Mail. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Official Launching of Sarawak's First Industrial Microalgae Production Facility CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central Sarawak". Sarawak Energy. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 20.
  21. ^ "MASwings Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net.
  22. ^ "MASwing Akan Tukar Pesawat Twin Otter Dengan Pesawat Baru Dalam Masa Terdekat". Bernama. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  23. ^ "MASwings' six new Twin Otters to operate from mid-year". The Borneo Post. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  24. ^ "MASwings receives first ATR 72-600". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  25. ^ "More operators for rural air services?". the edge. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  26. ^ "AirAsia to take over two routes from MASwings". 22 November 2018.
  27. ^ "EUROPEAN turboprop manufacturer ATR is discussing with Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd's (MAG) wholly-owned subsidiaries — Flyfirefly Sdn Bhd and MASwings Sdn Bhd — and Batik Air, formerly Malindo Air, about replacing some of their ageing turboprops with next-generation aircraft".
  28. ^ "Travel to Kota Kinabalu cut due to new flights". inquirer.net. 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  29. ^ "MASwings drops Kuching-Mulu-Bandar Seri Begawan route". The Edge Malaysia. 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  30. ^ "MASWings and Firefly begins codeshare in August 2023".
  31. ^ a b Mohd Izham Unnip Abdullah (8 August 2018). "MASwings sets 2 rural service records". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  32. ^ Accident: MASWings DHC6 at Kudat on Oct 10th 2013, impacted house The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2013
  33. ^ Co-pilot of MASWings plane crash succumbs to injuries (Update) Archived 13 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine thestar.com.my. Retrieved 10 October 2013
  34. ^ UPDATE: Co-pilot, passenger die in MASWings' crash in Kudat nst.com.my. Retrieved 10 October 2013
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