FIREFLY, which ceased its jet services last December as part of a wider network rationalisation by parent company Malaysia Airlines (TTG Asia e-Daily, October 19, 2011), is looking to reassure consumers and travel industry partners that its turboprop operations will remain online for the foreseeable future.

Ignatius Ong, COO of shorthaul Malaysia Airlines/Firefly, said: “We strongly reiterate that the turboprop aircraft operating out of Subang and Penang hubs to other domestic and international destinations remain unaffected and plans for growth are in motion.”

“There are plans to expand Firefly’s existing network and acquire more turboprop aircraft to support the growth within the medium to longer term,” he added.

“Passengers can look forward to an increase in frequencies for selected routes in March and announcements of new routes in the near future.”

Firefly, which operates to 18 destinations across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, flew 1.5 million passengers using 10 ATR-72-500 aircraft in 2011.

The carrier expects to grow the number of passengers handled by more than 30 per cent this year, following the addition of two more ATR-72-500s to its fleet.