FireFly, the low-cost carrier of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), announced that it will cease jet operations to and from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport, also referred to as Subang Airport, from 19 August this year. The move makes it the second low-cost carrier, after AirAsia, to do so.
Moving forward, MAG said that all FireFly jet services will be shifted to KLIA1, where it believes that it can scale the operations more efficiently, as well as improve passenger connectivity. Its turboprop services, however, will remain in operation at Subang Airport.
“Subang Airport will continue to play an important role in Firefly’s network through its turboprop operations, which provide essential connectivity across key domestic and regional routes. This decision reinforces our commitment to strengthening KLIA as the main aviation hub, while continuing to offer accessible air travel options across the country,” – Izham Ismail, MAG Grou Managing Director.
One reason why FireFly is shifting its jet operations to KLIA1 is reportedly financial. Multiple sources indicate that the carrier has been haemorrhaging money daily for years. In its financial year 2023, it recorded a loss of RM19.17 million, and in 2022, the loss was greater at RM32.15 million. This was all despite a year-on-year increase in revenue, to RM669.7 million.
As pointed out by The Edge, contributing factors to FireFly’s loss was due to the structural limitations of Subang Airport. Compared to KLIA1, it is restricted to just one jet movement per hour, in order to prevent congestion with terminal arrivals and departures. It is also subject to curfew between 6AM and 10PM, as it is in close proximity to residential areas.
(Source: The Edge)
