Malaysia Airlines targets higher on-line sales

Malaysia Airlines targets higher on-line sales

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS), thenational carrier, is targeting 450 million ringgit (125 million U. S.dollars) worth of on-line sales in the year 2007, it said.

The airline's on-line booking channel, www.malaysiaairlines.com,has become the preferred transaction channel amongst travelers, thecompany said in a statement available here Friday.

Last year, the airline recorded over 120 million ringgit (33.33million U.S. dollars) worth of on-line sales as customers flock toits website, driving monthly hits to reach an all-time high of 1.3million, far exceeding its 284,000 monthly hits in 2005.

The surge in on-line transactions is attributed to the airline' saggressive low fares promotional activities, it said, adding theintroduction of web-fares and simplified booking processes last yearfurther accelerated the growth momentum.

Foreign transactions account for over 60 percent of the saleswhile local bookings make up the rest. Local transactions wereboosted.

"On-line transactions are the way to go especially as we movetowards electronic ticketing this year where physical tickets will nolonger be issued," MAS Commercial Director Rashid Khan said.

"When electronic ticketing is fully implemented, customers caneasily print his or her itinerary from the comfort of his or herhome, and manage itinerary changes easier. The best thing is thatthey no longer have to worry about lost or stolen tickets," Rashidsaid in the statement.

On the MAS website, low airfares are available 342 days inadvance. Customers who book their tickets via the Internet generallypay lower air fares.

In addition, customers can also make hotel reservations for any ofMAS destinations worldwide, it said.