AirAsia X, the Malaysian based long haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia has announced that from 24 October 2011, it will commence flights from Kuala Lumpur to Gatwick Airport. The new base for the airline is set to further increase passenger traffic from South East Asia to London and Europe with six flights weekly to Gatwick Airport by mid-December.

AirAsia X’s decision to switch from Stansted to Gatwick Airport was to maximise commercial opportunities at Gatwick, to ultimately drive increased traffic flow between UK and Malaysia, and also the various key feeder markets within AirAsia’s network in Asia Pacific. AirAsia X guests will be given a wider choice to of both domestic and international connections via Gatwick Airport. Public transport and accommodation facilities are easily accessible via Gatwick for guest stop overs or for those heading towards central London and the surrounding region.

According to AirAsia X Chief executive Officer, Azran Osman-Rani said, their aim has always been to open up travel for all. The popularity of the London-KL route is further testament to the pent-up demand for long-haul travel, provided the fares are low and the quality is high. That is the combination that  AirAsia X are offering to its guests. Azran also stated that Gatwick Airport was chosen as it demonstrated the passion to work with us in realising our objectives to grow passenger traffic between our hubs in Asia Pacific and London. 

An official statement been released by AirAsia X via AirAsia's Facebook fan page as below:

With AirAsia X's new home base in Gatwick, guests would be able to further benefit from the airport’s destination served, airline diversity, and beyond market connectivity potential with faster and cheaper rail connectivity to the city as compared to Stansted. AirAsia X also see’s strong potential for the airport as we believe our entry will address the fact that direct services to Asia is significantly underserved from Gatwick. 

Air Asia X A340 Launch Long Haul Low Cost Flying Into London Stansted (credit to bananamanuk)

I would like to dedicate this post to all the aspiring Pilots around the globe no matter what gender you are. This Pilots really do work hard in ensuring high safety for all of us flying and also a good handle on the aircraft.

After the post of “This one's for the girls” by Dato Tony Fernandes in his blog, many blog readers are inspired with the concept of having female pilots in Air Asia despite of not many major airlines do really have female pilots. It is believe that Air Asia has the most female pilot in ASEAN and also having the first female Captain Pilot in ASEAN, which is Captain Norashikin Onn. 

Pilot Nadira Ramli

I was fortunate to meet Pilot Nadira as she was just finishing her flying report before calling it for a day. Being a pilot is always a passion for Nadira. She had graduated from a local flying institution and has been flying for Air Asia in her young age. With the experience that is building up in her wings, she also have her dream to be a Captain and also obtaining more experience in flying long hour routes.

Being so low profile, Nadira discuss about her routes of the day she had flied before I initially meet her. It is understood that Air Asia pilots and Cabin Crew will have to cover 4 routes and sometimes it also rise to up to 6 routes. Even though Nadira performs her duties in her daily routes, her religion teaching of fasting in Ramadhan month is been practiced strictly in her. There was no excuse for not fulfilling her religion tradition. For Nadira, fasting is being the challenge of being calm in any conditions. 

Explaining An Experience Onboard

When Nadira been asked what it is like to live for your dream as a pilot, she gave a quick response of “Loving It All The Time.” That is something passionate to hear a female pilot love her career with Air Asia.

Being a Muslim, Nadira has no problem in fasting while flying an aircraft during the fast Ramadhan month. I was so obligated to ask this question which was really playing my mind in a long time. 

She also had informed that even though she flies to various type of routes, she will normally break her fasting following the local time. By this, Nadira point out this is a interesting role to be a Pilot because it has different points of view being a pilot. 

A Picture With Pilot Nadira Ramli

Pilot Nadira also commented that different human being has it own limitations of fasting while during their normal routine in life. It depends on how an individual can handle a long route during fasting month. She also stated that Air Asia treat all its staff including the Pilots equally. This is because all Pilots are bound to their roster of duties which has he flight that has been assigned to each of them. She is fortunate to celebrate Hari Raya due to given holidays for the celebrations.

Even though being a pilot has it own challenge, Nadira had proven too as every other female pilots in Air Asia that possibilities in handling difficult situation can be manage by both genders.

I manage to have a picture of a group of Pilots who are preparing their flying plan for their route for the day. It was a fortunate chance been given to me to share of how does an AirAsia Pilot really perform their responbilities

I would like to thank Miss June, Dato Tony and all AirAsia Crew for giving the spot to highlight the true red colour in AirAsia.

Till then,

BON VOYAGE READERS !!!

 

( 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. )