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AirAsia may outsource rural routesBy ANNA MARIA SAMSUDIN
March 18 2006
AIRASIA Bhd is planning to outsource the rural air services to another party if it is asked to take over the operations from national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
The budget airline's chief financial officer Raja Azmi Raja Razali considers outsourcing as the most logical move as AirAsia lacks the expertise in operating the service.
Instead of handing over the operations to an independent party, he explained outsourcing would be a preferred option, as it enables AirAsia to better manage the service and streamline the operations with its other domestic flights.
"What is important here is efficient interconnectivity. It will be difficult to do this if you have two separate companies managing the rural and non-rural services.
"The Government is aware of our plans for the rural air services. We have made it known to them in our earlier proposal. Now, it is up to the Government to make the decision," he told Business Times yesterday.
The Government, under the domestic air services rationalisation exercise, decided both MAS and AirAsia will operate the domestic trunk routes, with MAS operating a premium service while AirAsia undertakes low-cost operations.
It was also decided that AirAsia will take over MAS' domestic non- trunk routes.
Although both airlines have until March 27 to sort out details of the plan, it is understood that AirAsia would be required to take over the unprofitable rural routes in Sabah and Sarawak from MAS.
Despite changes in service operator, the Government will continue to subsidise the rural air service, estimated to cost around RM10 million per annum.
Raja Azmi said AirAsia is currently talking to several parties to help operate the rural air service.
He, however, declined to reveal the names of the companies that have been shortlisted to operate the service although rumour has it that the airline is talking to MAS ex-pilot association to help it operate the rural services.
Sources said AirAsia is helping the association to form a new company that will be in charge of servicing the rural routes.
Meanwhile, analysts contacted by the Business Times are optimistic that the rationalisation plan, although still lacking in details, is a balanced solution to stop the unhealthy rivalry between MAS and AirAsia bringing about a win-win situation for both carriers.
Upon the implementation of the plan, AirAsia could look forward to significant earnings growth, following the increase of its domestic frequencies, while MAS will be able reduce domestic operations losses currently borne by Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB).
OSK Research manager Chris Eng said AirAsia could expect RM243.3 million net profit in the financial year ending June 2007, more than 60 per cent growth from the estimated RM147.5 million profit in the current financial year.
The huge estimated growth is largely due to the increase in its domestic frequencies and yield, as a result of the rationalisation exercise.
He said the plan would not have much impact on MAS' financials as the domestic operations P&L is borne by PMB.
ECM libra senior analyst Song Eu Jin said the domestic rationalisation exercise could help pave the way for MAS to gradually turn its loss-making domestic operations into a profitable business.
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