Courtesy of Tanjung Rhu Resort, Langkawi

I was pleased to read that the Malaysian government has agreed to Air Asia operating direct flights between Singapore and Langkawi.

The timetable operated by Malaysia Airlines and SilkAir is limited (currently there is no flight on Mondays for example) and thus to have more capacity on the route is a good thing for consumers. Admittedly whether it is good for the airlines is another matter: the local Chinese community seem to believe there is enough traffic so let’s hope so.

From the longhaul perspective I would say that if consumers see there are more flight options they are more likely to consider Langkawi as an end destination. Certainly from my point of view I would. On my last visit to Asia I couldn’t decide between Langkawi or Ko Samui: flight availability and cost were two of the factors I considered and I chose Ko Samui.

I will though be returning to Langkawi and a 2-centre Singapore/Langkawi for me is a good holiday combo. I enjoy just pottering around Singapore and contrary to what some people think there are little gems to be discovered. On our last visit for example we wandered around Chinatown and stumbled upon the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda Street. (Ok, I know had I read a guidebook I could have saved the ‘stumbling’ but I enjoy just discovering!).

We met a very charming man, Andrew Yip, on one of the stalls outside the Centre and we now have 3 stunning black and white prints taken by his late father Yip Cheong-Fun, an award-winning photographer. You can see some of his work here .

Langkawi Cable Car

Langkawi, on the other hand, is somewhere you go pretty much just to relax. The beaches are good and the scenery on the north coast is stunning. During our last visit we took the cable car ride at Gunung Machinchang. I am not a great one for heights but the views were worth the anguish!

The best time to visit Langkawi, weather-wise, is December through to March. Any other time there is a risk of rain although generally the sunshine is not too far behind. I usually go May/June when it is quieter and the hotel rates are just about at their lowest. You do get very spoilt though having swimming pools all to yourself, which we have had on many an occasion.

So I look forward to seeing the start of an Air Asia service between Singapore and Langkawi before our next visit!

Low-cost carrier, Air Asia has made its inaugural flight to London today and I am wondering how it will affect the UK’s flight market to Asia in the coming months.

Although the airline is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur it has an ever-growing network around the region (see their route map here and click on View All Destinations) and could potentially impact on any or all of the other Asian carriers, not just the obvious one, i.e. Malaysia Airlines.

The new service is being operated by the carrier’s longhaul affiliate Air Asia X using the Airbus A340-300 with a capacity of 286 guests down the back and 30 Premium Seats (XL) at the front.

It will operate 5 times per week between KL’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Sepang and Stansted Airport, near London. See schedule.

Headline prices are from £199 one way but of course the actual fare will vary according to demand; and remember to add on the extras.

Naturally other airlines are not going to let the new kid have it all its own way and currently you can buy a return ticket to Kuala Lumpur from London with Emirates for £442 inclusive taxes (book by 16 March). And you can now book your onward Air Asia flights on the Emirates system: for example the current Air Asia fare from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi starts at around £6.

I wish Air Asia X well with the new London service. I think that what they have achieved in Asia in a relatively short time is admirable and it will be interesting to see if the low-cost model can make it in longhaul.