The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia NCCIM strongly feels that Malaysia Airlines Berhad, with Malaysia Airlines as its brand name, should rethink and abandon its plans to have some of its flights operating from KLIA2.

Malaysia Airlines is a full service national carrier and has to be cautious in moving some of its flights to operate from KLIA2 as it can result in negative consequences.

The KLIA2 facility is a hub for low-cost carriers (LCCs). Any move to use this facility will cause confusion amongst passengers as to which terminal is exclusive to Malaysia Airlines; and the more strategic consequence will be the deterioration of its brand status.

Negative connotations will arise as Malaysia Airlines will be perceived as without coherence and focus in its efforts to regain foothold to reinvent itself as a top notch full service premier airline. It will be perceived as also trying to downgrade part of its operations towards that of budget or low-cost carriers.

NCCIM strongly believe that the perception on the downgrading aspect will overshadow the positive steps taken by Malaysia Airlines to reinvent itself.

Thus, NCCIM strongly reiterate that Malaysia Airlines should avoid such an adversary from becoming a reality; and its actions ought to be in focus and within the confines of a full service carrier to deliver top-notch premium service and offerings - with distinct brand positioning. Its threshold benchmark should be no less than those found in our immediate Asean neighbours - Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

SYED HUSSEIN AL HABSHEE is secretary-general, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM).