MASwings: Puerto Princesa - Kota Kinabalu Route Will Begin by End of 2013

MASwings, a division of Malaysian Airlines, is planning to introduce service to the Philippines with their new fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft. 

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According to the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Malaysian carrier has applied for a permit to fly to the Philippines. In a press release issued last May, MASwings announced its intention to operate flights between Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan in an effort to expand the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area.

Shauqi Ahmad, Chief Commercial Officer of MASwings stated that the airline intends to begin its entry into the Philippine market with a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Puerto Princesa. He added that the carrier's application had been deferred a couple of times due to adverse market conditions. However, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has committed to provide incentives to airlines that will operate in the East Asean Growth Area. 

Puerto Princesa will be the airline's first destination in the Philippines. The airline plans on eventually serving Zamboanga, Cebu, and Davao from its hub in Kota Kinabalu. It also hopes to add another flight to Puerto Princesa from its hub at Miri Airport in Sandakan. Pending the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals, the airline hopes to begin its service to the Philippines before the end of the year initially with an ATR 72-500 aircraft.

MASwings currently operates a fleet of 10 ATR 72-500 aircraft from its hubs at Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Miri Airport serving the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.  The airline also serves destinations in Brunei and Indonesia on the island of Borneo.