Kausar Kassim, Tourism Malaysia's V.P. for Canada & Sandra Cornish, Discover the World Marketing's Area Sales Manager for western Canada with a Malaysian icon
MH's Zainul Rizam Zawawi, V.P. for North America - Commercial & Dean Dacko, Senior V.P., Marketing & Products, Commercial
Malaysia Airlines is making itself relevant to Canadians again. After pulling out of the market back in 2000, the airline is once again embarking on a marketing campaign to lure more Canucks to Malaysia.
Several MAS executives recently travelled to Canada to meet with the travel trade at dinner receptions in both Vancouver and Toronto. Visiting MH staff included Kuala Lumpur-based Dean Dacko, Senior V.P., Head of Marketing & Products, Commercial and Zainul Rizam Zawawi, Area V.P. for North America.
Propelling MAS in its global marketing efforts is a team of senior executives headed by former WestJet bigwig, Dr. Hugh Dunleavy, who MH’s Director of Commercial. Dunleavy enlisted 2 other Canadians − Dacko (previously with ACV and Aeroplan) and Duncan Bureau (also former WS brass), who’s MH’s Senior V.P. Global, Sales & Distribution.
Despite posting a $2.2 billion loss in 2011 - the largest ever by any Malaysian business, within the past 14 months, efforts from the Canadian team of ex-pats are paying off handsomely. Load factors are in the stratosphere and MH is expanding its network profitably due to its focus on containing costs, boosting staff morale and maintaining its reputation for top notch service.
Skytrax has awarded the airline a 5 star rating and honoured them with “World's Best Cabin Staff” 7 out of the past 10 years. MH also recently received the accolade of being the “Leading Airline in Asia” by the World Travel Awards which will be presented in Qatar next month. MH joined the Oneworld Alliance in February 2013.
According to Dacko, the Canadian market continues to show positive growth despite the lack of direct flights to and from Canada. In 2011, Malaysia recorded over 86,000 Canadian arrivals. Year-to-date figures from January to June 2013 indicate that there is a 6.5% increase. In the meantime, travellers from Canada can connect to MH trans-Pacific flights with Oneworld partners AA, CX, JL or BA via LHR.
MAS has restarted its Canadian presence by appointing Discover the World Marketing as its General Sales Agent, among whom is a familiar face, Barbara Dirnberger, a former MH manager here and in Malaysia.
Discover The World’s Joanne Lundy, Avril Tellis & Barb Dirnberger
with MH’s Zainul Rizam Zawawi & Dean Dacko
