I've always believed that we need competition in order for incumbents in any industry to give better value to consumers. The consumers are the ones who made certain brand names what they are now and any upstart to their dominance is not a threat but more of a challenge.
The proof of a great organisation will always be shown when it manages to bring its own services to the next notch in attracting customers. Sometimes when success gets to your head, we tend to forget the basics and ride roughshod on others.
When Firefly started, no one gave it a second chance as AirAsia was the leading low-cost carrier at that time and still is now in the region. No one expects Firefly to be in the same league as AirAsia but at least consumers have another choice when making decisions. The recently aborted share swap and consolidation plan between MAS and AirAsia put Firefly in a tight spot.
AirAsia for all its strengths must acknowledge that the field is wide enough for another carrier to enhance services that can be provided to travellers. Remember when AirAsia started and took over the rural services in Sabah and Sarawak? That was a big mistake as the AirAsia setup was not capable to cater for the different needs of those in the rural areas.
That is a different segment altogether and there should be more flights from the Peninsular to Sabah and Sarawak. We must not be taken hostage by flight cancellations or delays. As consumers we must be vocal that we need those services or else how do we even bridge the gap between the two. The internet might be a solution but there is nothing like actual face to face communications.
In that sense Firefly feels a void where consumers are concerned. I hope Firefly will be another success story for the nation in the steps of its big brothers, MAS in its heyday and AirAsia.
Image from flylcct
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