Bringing Flights Into Ipoh A Challenge Say Experts

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Discussions on the possibility of introducing more direct flights from Asean countries to Ipoh are ongoing ahead of Visit Perak Year 2024.PETALING JAYA: Perak must actively promote itself as a leading tourist destination to attract more direct flights from Asean countries, experts said.
Transport analyst Rosli Khan said Perak has yet to establish any demand for direct flights, with the expansion of connectivity a complex, long-term process that requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
“Currently, there is no apparent demand for flights from Ipoh to Asean countries, unless the state has conducted a proven study of demand that has not been shared with the aviation sector.
“Planning for air connectivity is a long process involving agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority and the Malaysian Aviation Commission,” Rosli told FMT.
Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad had earlier said that discussions were underway to improve Ipoh’s accessibility by expanding options for direct flights from Asean nations to eliminate the need for travellers to transit through Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The discussions were part of the preparations for Visit Perak Year 2024, a tourism initiative that aims to attract eight million domestic tourists and 350,000 international tourists. It is expected to contribute RM10 billion to the tourism sector.
Rosli said Ipoh would face stiff competition from well-established airports in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, but can potentially carve out a niche for itself by focusing on selected routes within Southeast Asia.
“Ipoh’s catchment area overlaps with that of Penang International Airport. Of course, the pull factor is stronger for Penang as it has more flights to more destinations.
“But, within the catchment areas of Perak and north Selangor, Ipoh could still play an effective role in serving a selection of Asean destinations. Smaller aircraft types could be used, such as ATRs and Boeing 737s.
“The economics will depend very much on the load factor that can be achieved for both directions,” he said.
Nigel Wong, the president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said Perak’s primary focus should be on promoting itself as a tourist destination, as it would help generate demand to justify such a move.
“If you’re promoting a new destination, demand can be generated, but it must go hand in hand with promotion both inside and outside Ipoh. That will definitely help create that initial demand and it can grow from there.
“As far as Perak is concerned, they basically need to promote more what they already have and to establish the state as a singular tourism destination to garner that kind of brand recognition,” he told FMT.
Wong said that although road and rail remain the primary means of reaching Ipoh, the establishment of flight routes could potentially open the city to markets that may not have previously included it in their travel itineraries.
While the state’s existing infrastructure and accommodation had room for improvement, he said, the current facilities were sufficient to meet demand.
Hotels and other types of accommodation could be developed in tandem with the increasing demand, he added. - FMT

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