KUCHING: The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia share swap agreement and the cancellation of Firefly services have affected Sarawak's tourism.

This prompted the state government to write to the Federal Government to "express our concern and displeasure on the lack of communication and consultation", Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip told the assembly yesterday.

"It cannot be denied that the share swap agreement has affected the state's tourism. The lack of information on the future of this deal had also created anxiety among travel and tourism industry players," Talib said when replying to a question by Wong Hong Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek).

He said Firefly had stopped the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching and Johor Baru-Kuching routes since Oct 31. Talib also told the house that the state government had no intention of establishing an airline but to fill the vacuum left by Firefly's withdrawal.

He the state would seek opportunities at international air travel conferences, such as the Berlin World Routes Conference that was held last month. Other options the state government was looking at included extending MASwings services to areas in Sarawak and Sabah.

A delegation to be led by state Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg would discuss the options with the relevant federal ministries, he said.

Read more: Concern in Kuching over airlines' deal - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/c ... deal-1.7560#ixzz1e0uGre3l
------------------------------------------
Yet another fine example of incompetence...

The Government is grooming Air Asia for Asean Open Sky deregulation at the cost of Sabah and Sarawak.

well, tony is more powerful than anybody else.