AirAsia has completed its return to Subang Airport with the inaugural flights at the secondary airport of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to/from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
AirAsia has completed its return to Subang Airport with the inaugural flights at the secondary airport of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to/from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
According to AirAsia, the maiden flight – AK4102 from Kota Kinabalu – arrived at Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in the morning of August 30. Following an inaugural ceremony, the airline's first departure from Subang - operating as AK4235 bound for Kuching - departed from Subang less than an hour later.
Subang Airport – previously Kuala Lumpur's main international airport before the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in 1998 – is also the airport where the Malaysian budget carrier first launched its operations from 24 years ago. After shifting jet aircraft operations to KLIA, Subang Airport has since primarily served general aviation activities and commercial flights operated with turboprop aircraft. Jet aircraft operations have since been resumed at Subang Airport in August with Indonesia-based TransNusa, Firefly, and Batik Air Malaysia.
In a statement, several officials from AirAsia and parent company Capital A highlighted the historical significance of the airline's return to Subang Airport.
“Returning to Subang Airport is a deeply emotional moment for all of us at AirAsia,” said Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Executive Chairman, Capital A. “This is where it all began - where we turned our dream of democratizing air travel into reality. Standing here today, I am filled with pride as we bring our aircraft back to Subang, not just to honor our past, but to chart a new course for the future.”
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A said: “Subang Airport has always held a special place in my heart. It was here that we launched our first steps as a small airline with a big dream. Today, as we return, we do so with the same passion and determination, but with far greater experience and ambition as we explore new growth opportunities for both AirAsia and Capital A with this new beginning."
Fernandes further highlighted how AirAsia's return to Subang Airport helps the Malaysian government's effort to enhance the country's aviation industry and turn the country into an aviation hub.
“Reintroducing narrow-body aircraft operations here is a step towards modernizing this historic airport into a vibrant city terminal that will serve as a center for business travelers,” Fernandes said.
“Reestablishing our presence here, starting with these inaugural flights to Sabah and Sarawak, is not only about reconnecting with our past but also about laying the foundation for our future,” added Dato Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director, AirAisa Malaysia. “The airport's strategic location, with its proximity to the city center and surrounding suburbs, provides an optimal travel experience and greater flexibility for our guests, especially those traveling to and from East Malaysia.”
Fareh further added AirAsia plans to expand Subang to be its sixth hub in Malaysia, further solidifying its position as the largest airline by capacity in Malaysia.
Following AirAsia, Singapore Airlines' budget subsidiary Scoot will launch a new service to Subang Airport and Singapore Changi Airport on September 1.
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