Sandakan, December 4, 2011 The End of the Road for Firefly’s Air Service to East Malaysia Firefly made its maiden flight to Sandakan on August 1, 2011 with a big bang. The brand new Boeing 737-800 was greeted with the traditional aviation industry welcome — a water spraying guard-of-honor, upon arrival. Firefly, the low cost subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines had just taken over the route formerly operated by its parent airline providing a twice daily all economy service and a better alternative in that it utilized the aerobridge for passengers embarkation and disembarkation. Today’s flight marked the end of Firefly into Sandakan. Unlike Tawau, another East Malaysian town that continue to have direct jet services to Kuala Lumpur provided by both Air Asia and Mas, there is no news that Malaysia Airline will return to operate this route. This thus left Sandakanites with no other choice in selecting their flights. Though operated for just four months, Firefly was quick to attract a huge following of customers with cheaper fare and comfortable seats. It also provided easy connection for passengers holding onward journey to international destinations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Gloomy faces of Firefly staff were seen. They were engaged just a few months ago and now faced with the misfortune of going jobless. Regular travelers and the large number of Sabahan working communities in West Malaysia now found that they have no other choice in selecting their flights. Added …

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