British Airways resumes flights to and from KL

[reader]

From the Malay Mail

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 -- British Airways has resumed flying into and out of Kuala Lumpur starting today even as the Covid-19 virus continues circle the globe.

Six months after suspending its operations, the flagship carrier for the United Kingdom said it will resume its four flights a week from Kuala Lumpur to the UK and other parts of the world.

“After a long period of uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, we are glad to be able to offer four flights a week from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow,” Moran Birger, the airlines’ head of sales for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said in a statement.

“We know many of our customers in Malaysia have been waiting to be reunited with their loved ones or to travel for business and these flights will give them the opportunity to do that.”

Malaysia Airports Group CEO Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said British Airways is one of 33 airlines in operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the third flying to Europe.

Malaysia continues to close its borders to international travellers. Exceptions are to citizens returning from abroad, permanent residents who meet certain requirements, and senior ranking foreign government officials travelling here on official business.

[GWMinUS]

On 10/4/2020 at 5:31 AM, reader said:

From the Malay Mail

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 -- British Airways has resumed flying into and out of Kuala Lumpur starting today even as the Covid-19 virus continues circle the globe.

Malaysia continues to close its borders to international travellers. Exceptions are to citizens returning from abroad, permanent residents who meet certain requirements, and senior ranking foreign government officials travelling here on official business.

Reader, please explain the last part of the Announcement. Who will be flying on these BA flights if Borders are closed to International Travelers?

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, GWMinUS said:

Reader, please explain the last part of the Announcement. Who will be flying on these BA flights if Borders are closed to International Travelers?

air and cargo perhaps ?

[reader]

Please keep in mind that I'm only posting what media sources have reported. But I believe you'll find your answer in the second paragraph of the quote you posted above:

"Exceptions are to citizens returning from abroad, permanent residents who meet certain requirements, and senior ranking foreign government officials travelling here on official business."

Countries may have closed their borders to international tourists but make many exceptions for diplomatic, medical and business reasons in addition to those mentioned in the article.

If you want to get an idea of how much commercial air traffic is going into and out of KL (or any other airport), you could always check tracking websites like Flight Aware.

And as Vinapu said, air cargo has experienced a huge surge in demand since the onset of the virus. Many carriers have expanded their cargo capacity by reducing passenger seating capacity. 

I recall Anddy posting how surprised he was when, upon returning to BKK from an international trip, he observed so many foreign carriers at the terminal gates.

 

[spoon]

Bad timing to resume the flight as the country is now on the thrid wave of surge in cases and illegal immigrants as well as recent state snap election are to be blamed. Both are of course nto the only reason, and today alone, 691 new cases (huge chunk of the cases are in one stats and a prison in a different state) and 4 death reported, with one of the death is a baby, youngest ever reported covid death in the country. Borneo state sabah is under restricted movement with 7 district under lockdown. I expect cases will continue to rise for a week or two before it goes down again if the current measure works.

[reader]

4 hours ago, reader said:

I recall Anddy posting how surprised he was when, upon returning to BKK from an international trip, he observed so many foreign carriers at the terminal gates.

Correction: It should read "upon returning from a domestic trip..."

Sorry, Anddy!