19 January 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Working Visit of the Hon. Dato? Seri Chan Kong Choy,
Minister of Transport of Malaysia
to Toulouse, France from 18-19 January 2007
The Minister of Transport of Malaysia, the Hon. Dato? Seri Chan Kong Choy was on a working visit to Toulouse, France from 18 to 19 January 2007.
2. The Transport Minister was in Toulouse to witness the delivery of the 3000th Airbus A320 passenger jet to AirAsia, Malaysian low-cost carrier together with his French counterpart, Mr. Dominique Perben. The official hand over of the aircraft to YBhg. Dato? Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia by Airbus and EADS President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Louis Gallois, was held in a grand ceremony at the new Airbus delivery centre near Toulouse. The special event was also attended by H.E. Dato? S.Thanarajasingam, Ambassador of Malaysia to France; YBhg Dato? Pahamin Rajab, Chairman of AirAsia and Mr. Long See Wool, Deputy Secretary General (Planning) of the Ministry of Transport.
3. After the ceremony, the Minister of Transport boarded the A380 superjumbo jet with his counterparts, the Minister of Transport, France, H.E. Mr. Dominique Perben; the Minister of Transport, Spain, H.E. Mr. Joan Clos and the British Minister of Trade, H.E. Ms. Margaret Hodge for an-hour flight. Also on board were H.E. Dato? S. Thanarajasingam, Ambassador of Malaysia to France and Mr. Long See Wool, Deputy Secretary General (Planning) of the Ministry of Transport. This was the first flight made since Airbus obtained the licence from the European civil aviation. A briefing of the A380 was given to the 17 VIP passengers before they went on board.
4. After the special flight on the A380, a bilateral meeting was held between YB Minister of Transport, Malaysia and the Minister of Transport, France at the VIP Room, Toulouse Blagnac Airport. The two ministers discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to strengthening of bilateral relations between Malaysia and France.
5. YB Minister expressed his satisfaction on the continuous relations between the two countries especially in the transportation sector. YB Minister referred to the increasing purchase of planes by Malaysia from France and requested France to consider Malaysia?s request for the increase of more landing rights to France.
6. YB Minister and delegation left Toulouse on 19 January 2007.
Embassy of Malaysia
Paris
19 January 2007
