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Malaysia Airlines expands its footprints in China
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Joshua Law Kok Hwa, the airlines’ regional senior vice president of China, has been living in Beijing for nealy two years. Law enjoys Chinese history and finds the challenges of working in a booming market exciting.
Joshua Law Kok Hwa is Malaysia Airlines’ regional senior vice president of China and has been living in Beijing since 2011. As an Malaysian with Chinese ancestry, he said he finds working in China a good challenge and something new for him.
Law, 41, joined Malaysia Airlines in 2004 as a manager in management office then and went on to sales in 2009. He was appointed as regional senior vice president of China in 2011, and for a time also filled in managing the Japanese, Korean and North American markets, covering some of the top economic giants of the world.
After a recent realignment, he now oversees the company’s operation in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
“Malaysia Airlines has been growing rapidly in China and the number of flights increase by more than 40 percent in this region over the past two years,” said Law. “We are now providing 99 direct flights per week between this region and Malaysia where we offer more options for customers to choose in order to get their desired destinations.”
The airline now covers five major Chinese mainland cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Kunming. The entire China region has seven bases, including Hong Kong and Taipei, said Law.
The company has covered the main cities of the coast, and is now looking into opening new markets in China’s central, southwest and western regions.
“We are continuing to improve our service delivery by renewing the fleet. Malaysia Airline has a strong fleet of over 100 aircraft comprised of A380, A330-300, B777-200, B737-800 where the average age of our fleet is now below 6 years,” Law said.
The company has the ambition and will to expand in the Chinese market, but it also faces challenges.
“With more airlines coming into this market, the competition will also become more and more intense. While it is also a sign of opportunities,” Law said. “China is one of the fastest booming markets and we are constantly aligning our priorities to grow in tandem with the development while improving our service delivery in China. Since 2012, we have been putting new aircraft with additional frequency. For example, we deployed new A330-300 as the second daily flight from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur, we introduced direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), we positioned our latest A380-800 product in Hong Kong. Furthermore, Malaysia Airlines has just extended our Chef-on-Call service into orient routes including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, where First & Business class passenger as well as our Enrich Platinum members can order their in-flight meal in advance from a variety-choice menu.”
Starting in February, Malaysia Airlines became a full-fledged member of oneworld, one of the world’s three largest global airline alliances, and is now connected to some 800 destinations in 150 countries worldwide.
“Another feature launched this year is the increase in baggage allowances that now start at 30 kilograms for economy class, 40 kilograms for business class and 50 kilograms for first class. Besides, the excess baggage rate is also very competitive by charging on every 5 kilograms. Take Shanghai-Kuala Lumpur route for example, it only cost CNY120 for every 5kg extra baggage.
“With the new policy of check-in baggage, passengers no longer have to worry more about excess baggage,” Law said.
“We have all the track records that we are proud of, and we want to sell all these qualities we have. It’s not just about selling a seat, it’s about selling the full suite of experience,” Law said. “We hope to deliver greater travelling comfort experience onboard our new aircraft where passenger are served with “Satay”, our renowned Skytrax ‘Best Airline Signature Dish.’”
Law has been living in China for two years and he is liking it more and more. Chinese history and civilization attracts Law the most.
“China has one of the golden civilizations in the world. The life here is fascinating, and I have been making new friends here while understanding this market better. I am looking forward to learn more from a country that has more than 5,000 years of civilization trace records,” he said.
Q: What is your favorite holiday destination?
I must say that China is one of my favorite.”It is such as vast country blended with modernization as well as the preserved, rich historical and diversified ethnics values.”
It is home to some of the great wonders of the world such as the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors. Furthermore, language is not a barrier for me in China and it is extremely easy to mingle around.
Q: What do you think is ideal airline service and hotel service?
An ideal airlines or hotel service is one that will provide comfort and seamless experience to the customers especially when airlines and hotels are part of the customer’s busy business schedule as well as leisure personal life.
Q: What is your favorite way of travel?
I would say I enjoy traveling by air - that is the fastest mean to reach the desired destination!”However, I must say that I do enjoy high speed train rides which allow me to catch some sceneries from one point to another.
Q: Have you traveled in China and where is your favorite place?
I have been to several cities in China.” Nonetheless, I consider Beijing as being my favorite as it is culturally and historically rich - the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Place - they have never failed to fascinate me each time when I am there.
Q: What is your motto in life?
“Champions take chances, and pressure is a privilege,” by Billy Jean King.
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