Malaysia Airlines (MAS), the national carrier, is targeting 450 million ringgit (US$125 million) worth of online 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, the company said in a statement available here Friday.

 

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

 

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

 

Foreign transactions account for over 60 percent of the sales while local bookings make up the rest. Local transactions were boosted.

 

"On-line transactions are the way to go especially as we move towards electronic ticketing this year where physical tickets will no longer be issued," MAS Commercial Director Rashid Khan said.

 

"When electronic ticketing is fully implemented, customers can easily print his or her itinerary from the comfort of his or her home, and manage itinerary changes easier. The best thing is that they no longer have to worry about lost or stolen tickets," Rashid said in the statement.

 

On the MAS website, low airfares are available 342 days in advance. Customers who book their tickets via the Internet generally pay lower air fares.

 

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

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)