Manchester serves as new gateway to UK for MAS

Malaysia Airlines invited The Jakarta Post's reporter Hyginus Hardoyo to join an entourage for the inauguration of its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Manchester on March 29. His reports on the airline and his stay in Manchester are written in four articles on this page.

MANCHESTER (JP): Malaysia Airlines has embarked on twice- weekly scheduled service to Manchester as it explores the market viability and potential for both passenger travel and air cargo in the United Kingdom.

The service, which was inaugurated on March 29, links Kuala Lumpur and Manchester, Malaysia Airlines' second gateway in the UK after London, via Munich in Germany.

In the northwest of England, the Manchester area is home to the country's finest lakes in the Lake District, beautiful countryside, coastal regions and national parks, as well as a high standard of education, countless theaters, symphony orchestras and museums.

"The touristic appeal of Manchester and its surrounding regions is difficult to resist and it would well serve as the pulling power in attracting foreign tourists to this beautiful and yet to be explored part of the UK," said the airline's vice president Bashir Ahmad at a gala dinner held in conjunction with the launching of the service at the Midland Hotel.

Using Boeing 777s, the service to Manchester, Malaysia Airlines' 110th global destination, will allow both Malaysians and tourists of other nationalities choice from the airline's worldwide network for a more convenient, easier and faster route to the north of England to sample its natural beauty, peace and tranquility, he said.

Greater Manchester also boasts eight renowned universities, the choice of thousands of foreign students.

Bashir said that due to the high standard and quality of education offered, the universities would continue attracting more Malaysian students and his company was happy to play its part in facilitating their pursuit of intellectual excellence.

The service, he added, also would be a boon to the 22 million people living in Manchester and in Northern England through easier travel to Malaysia.

It also marks a new milestone not only for the airline, but in strengthening bilateral ties.

"We are positive that the new service will not only open up new business relationships between the private sectors in both countries, but also contribute toward enhancement of existing trade ties," Bashir said.

He said the importance of two-way trade ties was evident from the UK's 1.5 billion worth of goods and services exported to Malaysia annually.

Figures released by the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) show that in 1998 Malaysia's merchandise trade with Britain increased by 17.6 percent to RM 15.4 billion, with exports rising 41.5 percent and imports dropping by 12.6 percent.

Malaysia Airlines' serious intention to explore the UK market was evident from the huge entourage the company brought during the inauguration of the direct air link. In addition to Malaysia's deputy transport minister Ibrahim Saad, the entourage consisted of representatives from trade, travel agencies and the media.

"In an effort to further our trade relations, we have included a trade delegation in our official entourage to explore new business opportunities," Bashir said.

In 1998, 24 British investments were approved by MITI, making Britain the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment in the country.

"To British businessmen, I would like to echo advice given by economists and investment analysts that Malaysia is a country that has low macroeconomic risks and is well on its way to economic recovery," he said.

He reiterated the worst of the regional crisis was over for Malaysia and positive growth was projected for this year.

Chairman of Manchester Airport Brian Harrison said the new direct air link provided another bridge to the Far East for the people of Northern England.

"The Far East has increasingly become a very important destination for both our business and leisure travelers," he said.

Currently 17.5 million passengers a year use Manchester Airport and next year a period of significant growth will begin when its second runway becomes operational, he said.

Geoff Muirhead, Manchester Airport's chief executive, said: "The new direct link will add to Manchester's growing portfolio of carriers to Asia-Pacific destinations."

The vast scale of international and domestic operations at the airport is illustrated by the presence of more than 95 airlines serving over 175 destinations on five continents.

The twice-weekly flights operate every Monday and Saturday from Kuala Lumpur, while return flights from Manchester are every Tuesday and Sunday.

Bashir told The Jakarta Post that effective from July, the frequency would be increased to thrice weekly with the addition of a flight on Wednesdays. The launching of the service itself was four months ahead of schedule.

"Malaysia Airlines is bullish about the Manchester market and we are confident that the new route will contribute strong double-digit revenue growth in the current financial year," he said.

He explained that the total revenue from his company's passenger and cargo sales in the UK tripled from RM184 million in 1994 to RM541 million in 1998.

"We also believe that before long, we will be operating nonstop to Manchester and eventually increase flights to a daily frequency." He said the projection was based on encouraging interest by the market and the support of all the relevant authorities.

A forthcoming sporting spectacle that will be coming Manchester's way is the 17th Commonwealth Games in 2002, he said.

"On our, part we will strive to promote the Games and Manchester throughout our entire worldwide network and we hope to fly in our fair share of spectators and participants alike," he said.