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MH to join ST
2 days ago, NST (New Strait Times - Malaysia Daily newspaper in English) run an article on MAS (Malaysia Airline Systems) woes... Among the flurry of "interesting" revelaions, they have provided information from "undisclosed" source that their new managing director hinted that MAS is considering to join Sky Team...
While I dont know whether that would be a positive move for MAS or not, it will certainly be one for ST - that will open a lot of redemption opportunities, including long-sought Europe-Australia and LAX-Australia routes. On other hand, they are scrambling for cash... generally, a lot of current press coverage is caused by MAS posting record losses.... being on the flight KUL-SGN today I see no wonder why... flight was serviced by A330 and the load factor was 25% at best.... so teir viability long term is questionable at best AX |
If they are scrambling for cash, isn't joining an alliance the best thing they could do? After all, if I fly in that area of the world, I'd like to take an airline that is in my favorite alliance. That would give them a lot of customers who currently do not have any ST options for flying withing SE Asia.
Similarly, I remember some article mentioning that Swissair going alone and not staying with DL when DL started flirting with AF cost Swissair dearly. Having a good solid partner accross the ocean is always good. In this case, MH would get 3 for the price of one! :D |
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) managing director Idris Jala is expected to meet top executives of Air France next week to seek support for the national carrier's entry into the SkyTeam global alliance. Talk of MAS joining a global alliance has been circulating for a long time and finally things appear to be moving in that direction. ... MAS is the only regional airline that has yet to enter any global alliance and this has been due to its problems in the past. Its rivals, Singapore Airlines and Thai International Airways, are members of Star Alliance while Cathay Pacific is part of OneWorld. Given Jala’s plan for a “hub and spoke” concept, a global alliance would help MAS as the airline would not need to fly so many unprofitable routes and yet offer the connectivity globally. A global alliance enables members to ride on one another’s network to provide seamless connectivity to passengers and this saves cost for an airline. MAS reported a RM1.26bil loss but, with an extensive business turnaround plan announced by Jala early this week, the airline should be on the flight to recovery by next year. During his presentation, Jala said MAS had too many destinations in Europe and that would in future be served via “hub and spoke” concept. MAS now flies to 10 points in Europe –London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rome, Istanbul, Zurich and Manchester. Sources said although the network nationalisation had yet to be finalised, early signs pointed to MAS flying to only three of the 10 destinations while the balance seven would be served via its “hub and spoke” concept. Of the three, London tops the list with one of the highest load factors. The second point is Amsterdam and the third may be Paris–Frankfurt or another point in Germany. Industry observers also feel that SkyTeam needs a strong partner in the region that can link all its members with the right frequency and spread of routes. Although one can argue that Korean Air is a member which also serves the region, MAS’ spread of routes and frequency are unmatched, according to the observers. “While MAS may now be keen to become a member of SkyTeam, it is a question of whether SkyTeam welcomes MAS and that is what Jala is about to find out when he meets Air France's top executives,” a source said. Pleeeeeease, can we have MH.... |
I agree, plus they have one of the world's best First Class lounges in KUL. |
I'd love to see MH come into Skyteam.
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Finally!!!!!
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Originally Posted by Nevsky
I agree, plus they have one of the world's best First Class lounges in KUL.
Well, am happy that they are finally coming to their senses :D Hope AF will not give them a tough time. Though if you look at the Enrich program, it is one of the worst program I have ever seen, very very priviledge as in you only qualify for Gold status when you fly on Business/First class..thus not an easy feat. Know a friend who flies them often in Business/First rather frequently but was told it was so difficult to reach the Gold status and losing it is also easier. I do wonder if they get into the alliance, how this will change their FFP program. It would be a big change on their side. Wonder if their Business lounge will get even crowded :D I do hope the best for them. :) |
MH would be a great addition to skyteam. If skyteam can convince emirates to join them that would be an other awesome addition.
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It's a good idea. ST is hurting for a carrier in the region, and MAS is hurting for traffic. Win/Win.
Maybe this will kill AF's codeshare with SQ SIN-SYD? If they can get rights ex-KUL. |
Originally Posted by oopsz
It's a good idea. ST is hurting for a carrier in the region, and MAS is hurting for traffic. Win/Win.
Maybe this will kill AF's codeshare with SQ SIN-SYD? If they can get rights ex-KUL. |
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
AF doesn't codeshare with SQ between SIN and SYD. They codeshare with QF! I saw that 'strange' partnership at SIN airport yesterday! Similarly QF puts its flight number on AF flights to CDG from SIN.
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only ST airline with a hub in that part of the world is KE, and its not
that great, MH would be a n excellent edition to fill in the void for that area. Finally you can have a good coverage for around the world trip. Lets hope this rumour has some substance. |
Of course it now depends on the skyteam members (especially AF and KE as it seems) if MH is wanted/welcome in the alliance... ;)
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I thought AF didn't want MH in ST? I wonder if PAL or Garuda will join any of the alliances.
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It would be great if MH will join Skyteam.
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If the talks (if any) move smoothly, any idea how long this usually takes?
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Originally Posted by Nevsky
If the talks (if any) move smoothly, any idea how long this usually takes?
I dont for sure but it depends on the airline, country etc..etc here is a news flash regarding Aeroflot: http://www.skyteam.com/EN/aboutSkyte...r/pr052404.jsp and its still in the queue (I think its still in the queue) General news: http://www.skyteam.com/EN/aboutSkyte...nter/press.jsp It takes a while, and the news archives may give you some idea. |
Originally Posted by nldogbert
Though if you look at the Enrich program, it is one of the worst program I have ever seen, very very priviledge as in you only qualify for Gold status when you fly on Business/First class..
Seriously speaking, I do honestly believe that days of non-affiliated carriers are numbered (to better or worse).... unless there is restriction of competition (nat'l flag carrier with everyone else banned) or unless airline is LCC. surviving on it's own just does not generate enough feed traffic to be profitable for a hub and spoke model (and point to point schedule is even less profitable). Hope MH will join ST - if so, they will get a new customer as I might re-consider my flight pattern (currently I have to fly to KUL via SIN and put miles to UA as for some reason fly MH and put miles to VS strile me as odd bcs they are not status) :) AX |
What happens if it joins the Associate Program first, as some other airlines have done? What would that mean?
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Originally Posted by Nevsky
What happens if it joins the Associate Program first, as some other airlines have done? What would that mean?
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Originally Posted by apoivre
MH is a major airline while the Associate program is for smaller regional carriers (and no airline has so far joined it, BTW, it's only in the works). And I don't think an airline can join the Associate program first as your choice of words seem to imply, and then be upgraded to full membership
AC |
This would be a great addition to SkyTeam and a Skyteam-MH relationship would certainly help MH too.
It's too bad that MH didn't join SkyTeam already and is having financial problems. They have some pretty good routes that I would have flown if they were a member of SkyTeam or some other major airline. |
One step closer to reality according to this news... ^
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sorry new thread
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MH coming to skyteam would be great.
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I hope this comes through. Would open up some way to make it out of KIX to points outside of Seoul and the U.S.
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is this a fact yet or still a rumor
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Originally Posted by bundi404
is this a fact yet or still a rumor
It is a fact that they are in discussions or negotiations to join SkyTeam. But China Southern was announced in August 2004 and they have still not finalized. It can take a long time before things get finalized and effective. Many of us have wondered why these things can take so long. |
When SU, MH and CZ join, will ST then be the largest alliance??
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Originally Posted by MIFF'd
I hope this comes through. Would open up some way to make it out of KIX to points outside of Seoul and the U.S.
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Originally Posted by hfly
When SU, MH and CZ join, will ST then be the largest alliance??
Just kidding, but Star alliance will still be bigger. |
Yeah but SU is of decent size, as are MH and CZ. Tyrolean or for that matter even Austrian (its parent) are relatvely tiny.
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Originally Posted by hfly
Yeah but SU is of decent size
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I've just run the numbers and if CZ, MH, SU and KQ join up the Skyteam will be pretty much even with Star Alliance after Swiss and SAA join up, with roughly 400 million pax each (according to 2005 numbers). Iactually get about 401 million and change for *, and 399 for Skyteam, both leaving OneWorld in the dust, which will have only a bit more than 300 million oax even after JAL, Malev and Royal Air Jordanian joining up.
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Originally Posted by hfly
... both leaving OneWorld in the dust, which will have only a bit more than 300 million oax even after JAL, Malev and Royal Air Jordanian joining up.
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Originally Posted by AX9465
<snipped> you was able to buy F seat on PEN-KUL leg of their LON-KUL service for RM 230... this is nothing provided one would able to drink a bottle of DP (as some have proven) which is MORE expensive. needless to say it also generated confusion along the pax when MH mixed holiday and business traffic on the route... I preferred SQ LHR-SIN-PEN over direct MH LHR-PEN exactly to avoid holidaying traffic.
AC But getting back to the subject thread, MH already gives mileage on NW and DL. So, what's to stop them from acceptance into ST? |
There's got to be some major costs in joining up front, having to revamp flights, schedules, frequent flier programs, lounges, as well as computer programs, reservation systems, service standards....blah blah blah....also not sure how much each airline has to contribute to the alliance operating costs and such....
Doesn't sound like MH has lots of extra $$ right now... Long term it seems to be a good investment.... |
Originally Posted by kkua
But getting back to the subject thread, MH already gives mileage on NW and DL. So, what's to stop them from acceptance into ST?
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Do anybody have any new info on the possibiliy of MH to join Skyteam? I am reloacating to SIN for at least one year and it would be nice to have a SE Asian partner in Skyteam. However I don't have my hopes up very high, this since that whenever an Airline is to join Skyteam it always seems to be a time consuming affair.
Regards Anders |
I'd welcome another option for EWR-ARN and an ARN-KUL non-stop that earns miles in my SkyTeam programs of choice.
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