THE MALAYSIAN island of Langkawi is to have its own airline under proposals revealed by Langkawi Helicopter Services (LHS) and Amanah Saham Anak Langkawi (ASAL), a subsidiary of the Kedah State Development Authority.
The plan, backed by Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is aimed at helping boost the tourist industry on Langkawi - an island lying off the north-west coast of Malaysia.
Privately owned LHS plans to finance the major expansion with a cash injection from ASAL in exchange for a 30% stake in the company. Foreign partners may also be courted to take another 20% stake. Initially the plan involves the wet-lease of two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s.
Direct flights from Langkawi are planned to start later this year, and will initially provide weekly frequencies between the island and Australia, Jeddah, Mauritius, New Zealand and South Africa and, possibly, Taiwan, says LHS chief executive Mohammad Abdullah. "We will also fly some longer domestic sectors, like Langkawi-Kota Kinabalu," he adds.
Source: Flight International