Malaysia Airlines' new subsidiary Firefly has been given approval to substantially expand its operations, with three more hubs to operate domestic and international routes, a Bernama report said.

The state news agency said Firefly, which currently has a hub on the resort island of Penang, can now operate out of Subang near the capital Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru in the south and Kota Kinabalu on Borneo island.

Malaysian Airlines (MAS) managing director and Firefly chairperson Idris Jala said the subsidiary's operations would help the beleaguered parent company return to financial health.

2008 profitable growth agenda

"This year (MAS) is aspiring to achieve the highest profit in its 60-year history, having achieved four consecutive quarters of profit, and the airline is now poised to move into its 2008 profitable growth agenda through Firefly's expansion plan," he said.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong told Bernama that the airline, which was launched last April, will begin twice daily flights between Penang and Subang - Kuala Lumpur's second airport - from October 29.

He said Firefly will offer six domestic and nine regional routes from Penang, 12 domestic and 13 regional routes out of Subang, and seven domestic and 14 regional destinations from Johor Baru.

Leong did not name the destinations but said the expanded network will serve the needs of a potential customer base of 150 million in Southeast Asia.