Wednesday, August 11, 2004 SENAI AIRPORT SEES 78 % JUMP IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC Press Release SENAI, JOHOR, - Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) which became operator of Senai International Airport last November, has succeeded in boosting passenger traffic by 78 per cent in the first six months of this year. Senai recorded a passenger throughput of 686,964 between January and June this year, compared to 386,596 in the same period in 2003. The airport aims to handle 1.5 million passengers by year end, about 70 per cent more from 0.9 million in 2003. "Our plan is to reposition Senai as a southern hub for domestic travel in Malaysia, while adding a regional dimension to meet the planned rise in air passenger count," said Lars Gronsedt, chief commercial officer of SATS. He added, "We have a lot to thank our aviation partners, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, for having stepped up flights and introducing new domestic and regional routes, in tandem with SATS launching our aggressive marketing drive to woo passengers." While MAS operates domestic flights from Senai, AirAsia currently operates scheduled flights to over 6 destinations in three countries from Senai including to Jakarta and Bangkok on a daily basis. Of the 686,964 passengers using Senai during the period, more than 30 per cent were from neighbouring countries of Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia and the remaining flew from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Meanwhile, the increase in passenger traffic has translated into higher load factors on flights arriving and departing from Senai, averaging at 63 per cent for departures and 62 per cent for arrivals. Said Gronsedt, "Stronger passenger movement at Senai is due to a combination of several factors, namely increased flight frequencies, attractive regional destinations and the availability of lower fares which makes air travel more affordable. "On a larger scale, Senai is riding on encouraging economic growth, particularly amongst Asian countries, which translates into rising tourism numbers into Malaysia. "Also, what reduced passenger traffic the last two years or so were factors such as Iraq war, bird flu and the concerns over SARS virus, which no longer pose serious challenges now." Looking forward, Senai anticipates continued strong traffic for the second half of the year based on growing public confidence and affordability to travel. "We're on track to hit the 1.5 million mark this year. July's passenger throughput of 112,613 is encouraging and with festivities and the holiday season in the final quarter of the year, we might surpass our original target," said Gronsedt. Senai is currently undergoing long term upgrading and expansion of its passenger facilities and services, in anticipation of rising travel demand. It recently introduced a free shuttle service from the airport for passengers who wish to travel to Singapore with a stopover at City Lounge in Kotaraya, Johor Bahru as a strategic transit point where they can then board a taxi or public bus to Singapore, and vice versa. Senai has also added parking bays by another 400 to 1200 and was the first airport in Malaysia to provide valet and free porter services. Also in the pipeline are new passenger conveniences worth RM40 million which will see the construction of multiple food and beverage outlets as well as international class shopping facilities.
LARS GRONSEDT,C.C.O of SATS.jpg
