Asian airlines offer best value in the world, recent study shows
A study commissioned by Malaysia Airlines has concluded that eight Asia-based airlines - Japanese Airlines is not among them - charge the lowest fares per mile in the world for domestic flights on full-service carriers, according to E-Turbo-News.
The Internet-based tourism news agency reported from Malaysia that among European-based carriers in the table of 10 lowest domestic fares, France came in at ninth lowest, charging US$1.03 (Bt38.67) per mile - or $0.65 per kilometre - and the United Kingdom at 10th lowest, charging $1.05. US and Canadian carriers, outside the top 10, charge an average of $2.88 per mile. "Thai carriers charge the cheapest at only $0.17 per mile, followed by Malaysia a close second at $0.19, with the highest charged by an Asian carrier at $0.54 per mile, by Australian carriers." The study confirms the assertion in the travel industry that Asian carriers offer the best deals for holiday travel when bundled with hotel rooms. The study was commissioned by Malaysia Airlines as part of its turnaround plans to ensure Malaysians continued to "enjoy one of the lowest domestic air fares in the world" despite rising fuel cost. The study cites as examples the different fare structure for an hour-long flight in Malaysia ($136 for a Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi flight) and in Japan (at $333 for a Tokyo-Osaka flight). "Malaysians are able to enjoy the low rates because Malaysia Airlines subsidises their passengers as much as possible," said the statement from the carrier. The study is expected to interest tourists planning to come to the country during its 2007 Visit Malaysia Year campaign. In a fare-restructuring exercise, Malaysia Airlines has announced a segmented fare system under WebSaver fares, which started this August. Available only on line, it offers the lowest domestic air fares, offering discounts as high as 50 per cent for the disabled and 25 per cent for family travel. "Even after the imposition of fuel surcharge, Malaysians still enjoy low domestic air fares compared to other countries," Malaysia Airlines added.
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