The Chief Minister of Melaka, Dato Ali Rustam had personally requested budget airline, AirAsia, Dato Tony Fernandes to use aviation facilities at the newly-upgraded Batu Berendam Airport (the previous name) from May 1 of 2009. He said this in his statement to Bernama as "Saya akan panggil Datuk Tony Fernandez datang ke Melaka dalam minggu ini atau minggu depan. Kalau sempat beliau akan menjelaskan di dalam mesyuarat Exco esok supaya Air Asia boleh terbang lebih awal,"katanya lagi." Mohd Ali said he will meet AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes soon on the matter.The airport, given a RM131.5 million facelift, can be used from mid-April. It can accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft and Airbus at half-load, he told reporters after inspecting work progress at the airport. Upgrading work by Konsortium Uni-Integrated started in April 2007 to facilitate health tourist arrivals, particularly from Sumatra, who number close to 60,000 a year. The airport will have a 7,000 square metre new terminal and will be equipped with facilities to receive domestic and international flights.
Mohd Ali said facilities for full load landing by Boeing and Airbus are expected to be ready in October, with the runway extended by 400 metres to 2,200 metres from 1,800 metres.

Dato Tony Fernandes, after a meeting with Mohd Ali in August last year, had said for a start AirAsia had identified six destinations which is four in Sumatra and two domestic which also been operated from the airport. Boeing aircraft will be used to land and take off for Palembang, Pekan Baru, Padang and Medan in Sumatra, Penang and Langkawi. Dato Tony Fernandes however has told the state government AirAsia's passenger and cargo planes will use the Batu Berendam Airport only at full load capacity.

I believe Dato's decision is good because to accomondate a satisfaction of its passengers flying with Air Asia. According to Dato Mohd Ali said the airport can handle 1.5 million tourists and rake in RM1 billion revenue when it is fully operational.The Batu Berendam Airport, the country's first health tourism airport, has plans to handle flights from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong, he added. For me, I believe Air Asia is the best airline that have been pursued by the Melaka Goverment instead of other airlines companies in Malaysia. The true concept of producing low fares to everyone is making the Melaka Goverment to believe Air Asia is the right airline to promote tourism to Melaka by encouraging all tourist from all around the world including London and also Australia. The expectation of inaugural from LCCT Terminal from Sepang to Melaka will be around end of this year. An low budget airline had conqured most of the domestic flights in Malaysia and hopes more will enjoy and be happy with Air Asia who makes people's dream to fly in an aeroplane to any part of the world....


Bon Voyage and meet you all in my next post.

Melaka, the 'Historical City' chalks up another history when the airport relocates to a brand new terminal which had start operations since April 2009 . The total project cost was RM131.5 million, funded by the Federal Government and the project management consultant was KLIA Consultancy Services Sdn. Bhd. (KLIA Consult) while the contractor was Uni-Integrated Sdn. Bhd. The project started in April 2007 and completed in April 2009. The airport is now known as Melaka Airport instead of Batu Berendam Airport. Member of the media witnessed the first landing at the airport today when Riau Airlines touches down at 9.15 am and the passengers were greeted and presented souvenirs by Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, Chief Minister of Melaka. Members of the media were also given a tour of the new terminal. The old terminal ceased operations with the departure of Riau Airlines to Pekan Baru at 10.00am the day before the opening ceremony. Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports commented that this is Malaysia Airports commitment to further enhance the airport users' experience when using the airport. The new terminal will offer better services and facilities, in line with the increasing expectations of customers. Compared to the old terminal which could only handle 0.3 million passengers per annum, the new terminal can accommodate up to 1.5 million passengers per annum. It has six check-in counters for international and domestic flights. The new terminal has two parking bays capabale of accommodating B737/A320 and four parking bays for guest. The terminal building is capable of handling 300 passengers per peak hour compared to 100 previously. Passenger comfort level has also been elevated, from 20 sq. m to 24.5 sq. m. While the old terminal had only three immigration counters for both arrival and departure, the new terminal has four counters to handle departure and six to handle arrival. Three baggage carousels have been installed to handle baggage for departure and arrival flights. Commercial activities are offered with outlets for F&B and a duty free shop. Car park lots totaling 90 are available for the public, while 20 are allocated for staff, 10 for taxis and 10 for buses. The terminal is configured with 38 CCTV cameras for security monitoring. The public can also enjoy ample seating at the airport with 370 seats available. Currently, Riau Airlines is operating from this airport. The airport operates from 7.00am to 7.00pm daily. The new telephone number for the terminal is 06-3191707.

For the year 2008, Melaka airport processed a total of 23,751 passenger movements, handled 178,618 kg cargo shipments and 700 aircraft movements. The Batu Berendam Airport was officially opened on Oct 1952 by the Duchess of Kent. It is located 10 kilometres from Malacca town. Under the Japanese Occupation during the Second World War, the airport saw little improvement. Further construction only took place under the British from 1948 onwards.






It has the same concept as Kuala Lumpur International Airport which is also been designed by Malaysia Aiports Holdings Berhad ( MAHB ).

It was Saturday morning, mum and dad woke me & Minder up for this day. First I tought it might be boring because every Family Day has usual activities. By the time we all reach at Titiwangsa Lake Garden, I was proved wrong. There were demo shows been held from the Police Marine which is used a power boat on water and also Air Commando Demo using helicopters. The event got even more hotter with sky divers jumping out from the aircraft above 10 000 feet.
Also was present for the event was General Police of Malaysia, Tan Sri Musa Hassan and also Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Wira and more. The family day was grandly been held as many Police officials with their family members attended and celebrated this family Day. Friends, do you know that the Police Force have purchase new Mitsubishi Evolution X to enhance a forceful car chase of criminals around Malaysia. According to one of the officials that I have met, there has been 20 cars been purchased and be looking foward to have more. Here is the sample of the car :

My brother with the new Malaysian Police Patrol Car...Watch out If You Plan To Run...

I was honoured to take a picture with Tan Sri Musa Hassan, General Police of Royal Malaysia Police. He is a calm and nice person to talk with and also was friendly enough to take picture. As for everyone's knowledge Tan Sri Musa Hassan has been the most longest serving as General Poloce and had fulfill many changes into new developement involving technologies equipment during duties and also policeman welfare & social status. He had managed to reduce the rate of bribary of policeman in Malaysia by enhancing strict law and also increase wages too. To Tan Sri, it was an honour to have a picture with you and this would be a good rememberance in my life..

As you read in this post, I have talk about the Marine Unit and Patrol Unit. Actually there is also different types of units in Police Force which is Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), Forensics, K9 Unit, Traffic, Bomb Squad, Weapons Specialisation Squad, Air Control Unit and more. The next topic which I really love watching them in action was the Air Control Unit. An overview of this unit is that these specially design unit is been trained for both mission battle and also air control observation. This includes flying both the helicopters and also the airplanes which belong specially for the Police force. I was impress with the explaination from the Pilot. He was kind and helpful to answer all the question about helicopters from me and my brother, Minder. Me and Minder loves aeroplanes alot and we often talk about them also watch all the Aircraft Crash Discoveries. We both do have the common ambition, to be a Pilot. I hope I can achieve this in my life.

Alrite, back to then main topic...The rank of an Police officer to be a Pilot would be minimum Assistant Superintendant Police (ASP) Officer which the candidate should be entitled with good English and Mathematics skills. As for me, this could be a dream come true if I can be a Pilot in our Malaysia Aviation Airspace. Check out me and Minder took a snap in the helicopter and also with the Pilot..
Minder trying out the headset of the helicopter

Me & The Pilot

As for me, I would like say Thanks to my Dad & Mum for bringing me to this wonderful & joyous event....

I was looking around in Youtube and I watch this video of our Malaysian Sikh Youth boys performing this musical art. I was amaze and famed by the concept of using all daily life utilities to make musics around us. Check out the video :

 

( The Future Air Asia A350-900)

As I was reading the article of the latest airplanes been purchase by Air Asia, I begin to wonder the specialty of Airbus A350. Well, I would say that Airbus A350 is new step of aviation aeroplane which can fly more further range and also the weight which is light may reduce the fuel cost of a particular Airbus A350. So, I would like to wish to the CEO, Dato Tony Fernandes and all the ground and air space crew "Well Done & Congratulations" of purchasing 10 new Airbus A350. It been scheduled to arrive by 2016 in time of leasing off the Airbus A340. This would encourage more International routes around the world with Aibus A340 & Airbus A350.

( Air Asia A340 Route to London)

Proud Sponsor Of Oakland Raiders

So, most of you may ask what is so special with Airbus A350 ? Well the answer is simple,it is the next generation of replacing the Boeing 787 which is producing good market in the aviation industry. Based on my knowledge,this aircraft can occupy 314 passesngers and it is believe to save fuel cost by 60%. The cabin will feature a number of new features, as Airbus seeks to counter the new concepts introduced by Boeing in the cabin of the rival 787 twinjet. 

It is unclear the exact extent of the German automotive company's participation in the new interiors.

“There are new lighting features and shaping in the cabin,” says A350 chief engineer Dougie Hunter. “We can project onto the ceiling whatever is appropriate for the mood required – for example the night sky or clouds etc.” Hunter says that a concept around the door two area has a bar area and seating for economy.

“In the entrance area there is a dome that that gives us the feeling of spaciousness or openness in the cabin and configured for whatever mood you want to generate,” Hunter says.

Airbus has also improved the overhead bin design to increase their volume. “The number of bags that can be accommodated in the centre bin of the business area will be two standard roller bags per passenger,” says Hunter. “The economy bins can take one standard roller bag per passenger.” Quoted from Airbus website.

( The Airbus A350 cabin features various mood lighting settings to transform from daytime to nighttime )


(The cabin at night time)


( The overhead bins for the A350 will fit two roller cases per passenger for those travelling in business class and one per passenger for those in economy, Airbus says. )