MASkargo to handle Firefly freight

MASkargo will manage and market cargo space on Firefly’s inaugural flights out of Kuala Lumpur to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu that begin tomorrow.

Firefly will offer twice daily flights to both destinations, increasing to three times daily to Kota Kinabalu and four times daily to Kuching from January 24.

The new Boeing 737-800 fleet will be able to handle a three tonne cargo payload each.

This is the first time in 39 years that MASkargo will market cargo space for another airline.

Shahari Sulaiman, managing director of MASkargo, said the agreement would be beneficial in the long run for both MASkargo and Firefly, and complement MASkargo’s services to East Malaysia.

MASkargo is a key contributor of cargo traffic to both Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. In 2009, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the second busiest airport in Malaysia after KLIA, handled 25,079 tonnes of cargo, 11,878 tonnes of which was handled by MASkargo

Kuching, MASkargo’s largest station in East Malaysia meanwhile handled 20,830 tonnes of cargo in 2009 of which 12,548 tonnes was handled by the national cargo carrier.

With the new addition in cargo capacity, businesses both in Peninsula and East Malaysia will enjoy better access for cargo shipments to and from the two cities.

In addition, the early departure times of the flight, as early as 6.55 am to Kota Kinabalu and 7.20 am to Kuching would be beneficial to businesses as their shipment would arrive in time to start a new business day.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)