- I was in Karachi since the 19th Feb and just got back today. It was a working trip with a very hectic schedule. Karachi is a big port city with a population of about 20 million. People are friendly and foods are extremely good. For the biryani lovers, if you tried the Pakistani biryani or Pulao you wouldn’t want to eat any of the Malaysian biryani anymore at the “mamak” shops. While I was there, Malaysia Tourism board organized an event promoting Malaysia to the Pakistanis.
- I met two officers from the tourism board and highlighted to them that MAS no longer fly to Karachi since January 2012. Every time I flew the KL-Karachi-KL route it has always been with MAS. Based on my memory, the flight is always full as the same flight also goes to Dubai. I wonder why MAS stops flying. According to MTB officers, MAS informed them that they do not make money on that route and Air Asia might take up that route soon. There must be something wrong here. For this trip I had to fly Thai Airways and have to transit at Bangkok for 5 hours and the total cost is 1.5x of MAS. It is extremely inconvenient. Even the Pakistanis that I met agree with me that MAS is popular and they cannot comprehend the decision of not servicing the KL-KCH-DBX-KCH-KL route.
- It looks like that MTB need a different slogan now. Their new slogan is “Welcome to Malaysia but please fly Thai Airways” or was it “Malaysia Truly Asia & Thai Airways will get you here”. MAS need to explain why the axed the route. They could have increase the price or reduce operating expenses instead of giving up the route for now and offer it to Air Asia.
MAS is employing TOO MANY CONSULTANTS who are connected to the top brass in MAS. The employing of consultants have become a way of life in MAS since the days of Tajuddin Ramli. Nothing moves without consultants. MAS could easily use the hearts and minds of their existing long term professionals inside the company who have been committed to the company and save millions that are being spent on consultants but it rather take consultants from outside because it’s related to cronyism.
That’s the whole problem when MAS brings in the so called professionals from outside the aviation Industry who know next to nothing about the industry to run MAS. They then bring in outsiders as consultants because they are too PROUD AND EGOISTIC to ask the old pros in MAS on how to tackle problems effecting the company. Old man Badawi should resign as the adviser of MAS as he has FAILED in his duty to ADVICE MAS and see that it’s making money.
I know people who have traveled to Australia & Europe. Every flight seem to be full and yet MAS is still losing money! Where is the money going???
I don’t know this MAS. Went to joburg once and it’s full as well n they cut the route too. Does anyone have figures on this Pakistani route on monthly basis and better on annual basis. Whats the revenue per seat on this route. I think if they get more efficient plane and plan some ingenuos quick turnaround route it may be profitable. A budget airline also may make sense. Don’t know. Appreciate if anyone can provide the info.
Ps. Do agree the Briyani pulao is excellent. Even PIA packed Briyani tastes good doc. Anyway did you get any of the carpets?
No time to shop… work and work!
Suspicious isn’t it to give up such a popular fully-laden route and to surrender it to AA. Someone’s hidden hand involved?
Doc, I agree with you Pakistani biryani taste super nice. I met a couple doctors from Pakistan a couple of years ago. We have become family friends now and they will invite us to their house from time to time to have dinner. The food are so tasty and I made sure my wife learn some from them! Now my wife can cook me Pakistan food at home!
The best rice grain is from Pakistan, if I am not mistaken.