increase font size
AirAsia celebrates its maiden flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia yesterdday.
The unique route, which marks the first AirAsia Thailand’s flight to East Malaysia, is a testament to AirAsia’s commitment to further grow Kota Kinabalu hub.
The inaugural service departed Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok earlier today, and was joined by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Mohamaddin Bin Ketapi.
The flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute upon landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and was received by Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah Christina Liew, AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat and AirAsia Malaysia Head of Commercial Spencer Lee.
Riad said, “We are pleased to welcome our inaugural flight from Bangkok to Kota Kinabalu today. We launched our first flight to Kota Kinabalu back in 2002 and have flown more than 39 million guests from and to the city since. We now connect Kota Kinabalu to 18 destinations across the region with 332 weekly flights. We hope that our new direct service between Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu will bring more positive impact, not just to the state’s tourism and economic sector, but to the communities in Sabah as well.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both Federal and State Tourism Ministry for supporting the low-cost business model and for engaging stakeholders, including AirAsia, to improve the connectivity in and out of Sabah.”
Mohamaddin said, “Collaboration for air accessibility into Malaysia is very much welcomed and I am pleased that AirAsia Thailand has expanded its route to Sabah. Thailand is an important market for Malaysia with potential for growth especially with the interest in travel among Thais and the range of tourism products in Malaysia that cater to their needs.”
“Sabah definitely has a lot of attractive tourism offerings that appeal to Thai tourists. Besides our rainforests, islands and beaches, Sabah is also a seafood haven. I hope that industry players of both countries will work together with AirAsia Thailand to promote Malaysia and vice versa to ensure the sustainability of this route.”
