SpiceJet to Introduce Madurai-KL Flight Soon

Indian no-frills airline, SpiceJet is all geared up to start offering tickets aboard its international flights between popular South Indian city of Madurai and Malaysia’s colourful capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The airline is expected to start operating its operations by the year-end.

The recent development has come as good news for budget holidaymakers planning to book tickets on international flights for twin centre holidays to southern India and Malaysia.

The report in the online media reveals that popular Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet is still waiting for necessary approvals from both Malaysian and Indian authorities. Madurai Airport in India was also recently upgraded as an international airport.

Presently, only Air India Express offers tickets aboard direct flights bound to Malaysia from India. India’s premier carrier, Jet Airways stopped its operations into Malaysia but continued with offering tickets on its code-share flights on the popular Kuala Lumpur-Chennai sector with Malaysia Airlines.

Apart from serving locals of the two countries, the new services between the two destinations will surely be beneficial for foreign vacationers in India looking for tickets aboard flights to Malaysia and vice versa.

Chennai-based, SpiceJet is a renowned name in India’s domestic aviation sector and offers tickets on its cheap flights deployed on its extensive network within the country. The carrier also offers tickets for few international flights from India.

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Malaysia Airlines All Set To Offer Discounted Flights

Malaysia Airlines has launched promotional deals under the Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair (MATF) to commemorate its foray into prestigious OneWorld Alliance. The promotional campaign is sure to lure international flyers who are often to be seen in a lookout for cheap flights tickets to various exotic destinations.

British travellers booking tickets on Malaysia Airlines’ flights to various destinations in North Asia, China, Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe via Malaysia will now be able to grab cheap return airfares until Feb 11, 2013 for travel from now until Nov 30, 2013.

Travellers will be able to grab all-inclusive return flights tickets to travel on Bali-Kuala Lumpur (KL) routes starting from RM 679 for economy and RM 2,179 for business class seats. Flights tickets on Malaysia Airlines’ Bangkok-KL sector will cost RM 509 and 1,579 for economy and business class seats, respectively.

Those planning holidays to destinations in South Asia will be able to grab discounted return fares under MATF. For KL- Chennai, India, all-inclusive return tickets will cost RM 1,169 and 2,239 for economy and business class seats, respectively.

For KL-Los Angeles flights, all-inclusive return tickets start from RM 3,909 for economy and RM 14,879 for business class. And tourists planning to book all inclusive flights tickets on KL-London route to travel aboard Malaysia Airlines' sleek A380 aircraft may grab discounted fares starting from RM 3,409 and 13,689 for economy and business class seats, respectively.

Holidaymakers looking to avail the discounted return fare may visit Malaysia Airlines’ official website. However, it makes sense to book in advance as this travel fare is a limited time offer!

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Malaysia Airlines Adds More Flights to Kuala Lumpur from India

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) fans looking for more flight options between India and Kuala Lumpur have all the reasons to smile now as the airline is all set to enhance its flight frequency between India’s major cities and Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, MAS offers 40 weekly flights to India which includes 12 weekly flights to New Delhi and 7 weekly flights each to Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. However, from 01st September 2012, the airline is planning to introduce 10 additional day-time flights connecting Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai to Kuala Lumpur.

These additional day-time flights are sure to cater to the needs of corporate flyers who are often to be seen on a look out for day time flights to reach their intended destinations well in time to attend their business meetings, seminars or conferences.

India has long been one of the key markets for MAS and the airline is hopeful of at least 15% growth in passenger numbers on its flights from India in the current year as against 2011.

Recently, MAS also launched ‘Showcase Malaysia Dream Deal 2012’ to treat its passengers with complementary stays in Malaysia. Under the deal, travellers booking return flights to Malaysia or beyond from India will get two nights of free stay at select hotels located in popular Malaysian cities including Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Airlines’ move to introduce additional daytime flight from Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore to Kuala Lumpur seems to be driven by its endeavour to tap India’s burgeoning market.

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IAG Acquires BMI; Virgin Slams the Deal

IAG, British Airways’ owner, beat competitor Virgin Atlantic in the bidding battle for Lufthansa's loss-making airline BMI. This will help the group to secure its future growth at Heathrow, one of world’s busiest airports.

British Airways’ owner International Airlines Group (IAG) has won the race to buy loss-making BMI. IAG has edged out Virgin Atlantic by acquiring BMI from Lufthansa with a 172.5 million-pound ($271 million) bid.

Buying Heathrow airport's second largest airline will add 56 slot pairs to IAG’s portfolio at UK’s primary airport. This will raise the BA’s share from about 44% to 53% at the airport, consolidating the carrier’s position at Heathrow.

BMI has operations to Middle East, Europe and Africa and has 8.5% of the Heathrow landing slots. BMI also owns BMI regional and BMIBaby, a low fare airline known to offer cheap flight tickets. IAG has made it clear that it is only interested in BMI’s mainline business. The group warned there will be “significant price reduction” in case Lufthansa is not able to sell off BMI Regional and BMIBaby before the deal finalises.

Virgin Atlantic Not Happy

Beaten in the race to buy BMI, Virgin Atlantic does not seem to be taking the defeat very sportingly! Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson claimed the deal to be bad for the industry and urged European competition authorities to block it.

News websites quoted Sir Richard as saying: “BA is already dominant at Heathrow and their removal of bmi just tightens their stranglehold at the world's busiest international airport. We will fight this monopoly every step of the way as we think it is bad for the consumer, bad for the industry and bad for Britain.”

A spokesman for Virgin added further: “If the acquisition is completed, it will tilt the competitive landscape dangerously towards BA and cast a shadow over the British travelling public. We will be asking the competition authorities to stop this deal and to protect the many millions of passengers on routes where BA and BMI currently compete.”

He also implied that the monopoly of BA on London Heathrow is going to be bad news for travellers who seek cheap flight tickets from the airport.

“With Heathrow sewn up, BA can use its monopoly power to force up prices at the expense of the consumer,” he was quoted news portals.

‘Target Asia’

British Airways is one of the world’s largest carriers with a strong presence in many parts of the world. Sources indicate that UK’s flag carrier will now be looking to exploit some of BMI’s slots by switching them to inter- continental routes once the airline gets the delivery of 12 Airbus SAS A380 super jumbos and 24 Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliners in 2013. IAG may start offering flights to Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam, and boost its services to China from Heathrow.

BA has never operated flights to Incheon airport - the biggest hub in South Korea, and the airline discontinued its flights to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) in 2001 to focus more on Bangkok and Singapore.

However, Sir Richard alleged the plan about new markets from Heathrow is just a “smoke-screen."

Reasons Aplenty to Grab Flights to Malaysia

The wonders and splendours of Malaysia baffled me! This country is truly a holiday maker’s delight because it offers a wonderful blend of traditional and modernity. Millions book flights on airlines to explore the various gems of the country.

The charming traditions of Malays, Chinese, Indians and the Europeans merge to bring out a culture that is absolutely unique and charming. If the effervescent culture doesn’t get you, you will be taken in by the splendid display of luxury and opulence at many of the region’s resorts and hotels. And if even that is not enough to satiate you, then it is time to bring out the ace – the beaches! Beaches in this part of the world are extremely beautiful and are one of the reasons that make flight tickets to Malaysia sell out fast!

While it has be said that it is Kuala Lumpur that triggers a kind of frenzy among vacationers looking for cheap airfares on flights to Malaysia, it is also true that Penang and Langkawi have their own set of ardent admirers.

Penang might just be one of the world’s most beautiful spots. Attractions like Penang Hill and Fort Cornwallis accentuate the beauty of Penang and make it more alluring. Penang Butterfly Farm and Tropical Spice Garden are two other popular tourist haunts.

Langkawi is popular as a beach holiday destination. Apart from the beaches, it offers incredible range of other options for leisure holiday makers, such as superb historical attractions, first-rate diving opportunities, energetic nightlife and duty-free shopping.

Flights to Malaysia - Mega Sale