More cheap flights
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From June, carriers will get to fly to six new destinations in Malaysia
The addition of new air links between Singapore and Malaysia, and the increase in flights to existing markets, are expected to further develop Singapore's reputation as a travel hub for the region. Budget airlines are expected to benefit from the moves.
BUDGET-CONSCIOUS travellers can look forward to more low-cost flights and new air links between Singapore and popular destinations in Malaysia.
Carriers on both sides have been given the green light to operate between Singapore and six new destinations in Malaysia - Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malacca, Sandakan and Tawau.
The move is also expected to further develop Singapore's reputation as a travel hub for the region.
Officials from both nations, who met here yesterday, also agreed to bump up the number of services to Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, the Transport Ministry said in a statement.
The lifting of restrictions, with effect from June, is expected to benefit consumers and boost the economies on both sides of the Causeway.
It follows several rounds of liberalisation that started in February last year, when low-cost carriers Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia and AirAsia were given the all-clear to operate a limited number of Singapore-Kuala Lumpur services. Prior to that, the route had been dominated by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines for more than three decades.
All restrictions on the Singapore-KL route were lifted last December.
In November last year, the two governments also agreed to the partial opening of the Singapore-East Malaysia sector.
The opening of the new destinations and more flights to existing markets are expected to benefit the budget airlines, which for years have been pushing for more access between the two countries.
Now that the governments have signed the expanded air services deal, carriers that are keen to operate the new services will have to submit their applications to their respective authorities.
--ST