Langkawi - Phuket air link soon

[george]

Langkawi-Phuket air link soon

PUTRAJAYA: Air Asia is set to fly between Langkawi and Phuket from January, as part of an agreed joint effort between Malaysia and Thailand to promote tourism in the two islands.

Transport Minister Datuk Chan Kong Choy said the decision was made following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra, in Langkawi last month.

“Air Asia has decided to operate this sector in January, but the frequency has not been determined. Malaysia Airlines is keen but it will come in later.

“We are also encouraging both airlines to look into the possibility of flying to other destinations in Thailand from Penang or Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters after a post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.

Chan also said there was no indication when a Thai carrier would fly to Langkawi, adding that he had instructed his officials to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate Thai airlines to fly into Langkawi.  

--The Star, Malaysia 2003-08-14