Sultan Azlan Shah Airport might come alive soon if the ‘relevant authorities’ give their approval for national turboprop aircraft operator Firefly, the green light to land. When that happens, Ipoh would finally have a direct link to an international destination…
Early in the year, Firefly Sdn Bhd MD Eddy Leong indicated that it hoped to operate direct flights between Ipoh-Singapore and Malacca-Singapore this year “for its summer season which starts in April”. Firefly would be using its recently purchased ATR72-500 turboprop aircraft which Ipoh airport can comfortably accommodate. It had applied to the Ministry of Transport and was awaiting its approval.
Approval Given
At the end of March Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat responded that the Cabinet had given approval for a local airline to operate the Ipoh-Singapore sector and specified the airport as the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.
This last announcement had the entire Ipoh community, from the manufacturer and hotelier to the Ipoh resident working in Singapore on anticipation alert. Everyone wanted the Ipoh-Singapore route to materialize and some contacted the Ipoh Echo to enquire when would be the inaugural flight.
Earlier interviews with the various Chambers personnel and FMM Perak Branch Chairman Gan Tack Kong confirmed that direct flights to Ipoh is one aspect of the infrastructure that Ipoh cannot live without. It is a known fact that initiating direct flights from Singapore to Ipoh would encourage an inflow of visitors for purposes of trade, investment and tourism, both leisure and medical as well.
Tourism Boost
The immediate beneficiaries of direct flights would be the tourism related industry players such as the tour agents and hotels. Monica Liew, MATTA Chairman, Perak Chapter stated that the start of direct flights is a “long awaited issue” and predicts that when direct flights start, the “influx of visitors could increase by 50%. This will spur the inbound tourism sector which is currently in the doldrums”.
Secretary General, Perak Branch of Malaysian Association of Hoteliers, Nicholas Chan has similar views. “The link will open the international market direct to Ipoh. Even now Singaporeans enjoy driving to Ipoh to stay a night, visit friends and to savour the food. A direct flight will make Ipoh more easily accessible”.
Both Liew and Chan share the view that a faster start up of the direct flight would greatly benefit their members.
One tour agent who believes that Ipoh and Perak state is a potential inbound destination is Parlo Tours. Since last year its Managing Director Yap Fu Fah has brought in tour agents from Russia and India on familiarisation trips. “The direct flight will open Ipoh to the world”, enthused Yap.
Facilitate Economic Growth
As can be seen all parties view the direct flight as an impetus that will stimulate growth in their respective enterprises. Indeed Dato’ Samsudin Hashim, Chief Executive of Perak State Development Corporation, is fully aware of the expectations of the business community. “I have been working with all the relevant bodies like FMM and MICCI on this issue for some time. It is a benefit for Ipoh to be linked to an International gateway and is considered as part of the state’s infrastructure to facilitate economic growth”.
State Investment Commitment
For Firefly to land, the state has agreed to invest RM2.7 million for the first year with an option for a second year. In that time the state has to “properly outline a program to support economic development in Perak in the areas of tourism, medical tourism and trade development beyond the financial support period. Everyone in the business community has to participate in the program”.
When asked if the current political scenario could delay the start up, Samsudin responded that “the introduction of the direct flight will be a good service for the rakyat. But of more importance is that Perak’s languishing economy needs the service”. He added that “already a group of Singapore manufacturers have indicated their desire to be on the inaugural flight to Ipoh to explore what investment and business opportunities Perak has to offer”.
Holding Their Breath
A spokesman from the Perak Menteri Besar’s office confirmed that “all data relating to the Firefly programme is with them. A review of the proposal is pending before a decision is announced”.
Apparently Perakians are not the only ones holding their breath for a positive announcement. Firefly too has responded that they are ‘just waiting’ for the ‘written approvals’. Their “operations work” have begun and they have targeted June for the inaugural flight to Ipoh.
Since all responses received from all the parties have been positive it seems that the possibility of Ipoh finally being opened up to the world will become a reality or as one interviewee responded “99% done already, sure to start”.
Ipoh Echo wishes Firefly a speedy commencement of flights and with it the resultant boost to Perak’s economy.
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