Malaysia Airlines offers low fares to fuel business

Malaysia Airlines on Wednesday announced ticket price discounts of up to 80 percent in a bid to boost passenger traffic amid the global economic downturn.
The move came after the national carrier saw 2008 profit plummet 71 percent and slashed fuel surcharges on its domestic and international flights in January to boost sales.
Unveiling the "Malaysia Airlines stimulus package" managing director Idris Jala said radical action was necessary for airlines to survive in the current economic climate.
"It's absolutely necessary to change your business model, and you need to change it radically to survive and win in such a tough operating environment," he told reporters.
"I am very convinced that must be the way to survive in this environment -- to tailor (the products) based on the size of the customers' wallet," he added.
Under the programme to spur sales, selected domestic and Southeast Asian flights will be subject to ticket price discounts of up to 80 percent.
Fare reductions will also be applied to international flights.
Idris did not provide a revised revenue forecast but said he hoped the new scheme will "bring us a lot more new money".