AirAsia has announced it will launch flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu from Subang Airport near Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia has announced it will launch flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu from Subang Airport near Kuala Lumpur.
From August 30, the Malaysia-based budget carrier will operate 14 weekly flights (twice-daily) each from Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
The route announcement is ahead of the anticipated opening of Subang Airport – which currently serves flights operated by turboprop aircraft and general aviation - for jet aircraft operations.
In a statement, Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A said: “The government’s decision to revitalise the airport into a regional aviation hub aligns perfectly with our mission to continue revolutionising the aviation industry as the increased air traffic and passenger flow generated by our operations will have multiplier effects on related industries, driving economic growth and development in the region.”
“The decision to operate at Subang Airport as our second home in Kuala Lumpur is driven by several compelling factors and opportunities,” said Dato' Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director, AirAsia Malaysia. “The airport's location and proximity to the city centre and surrounding suburbs offer an optimal travel experience for guests in the vicinity. Moreover, its smaller size and lower passenger volume ensure a seamless journey for travellers aligned with our commitment to enhancing the overall guest experience, while providing greater flexibility and choice, and fostering healthy competition in the nation’s aviation industry.
The operations at Subang Airport – which is also home to Capital A's engineering arm Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) – will boost the budget carrier's domestic network from 920 to 948 flights weekly on 40 routes.
Prior to AirAsia's announcment, three other airlines have announced their plans to operate flights with jet aircraft to/from Subang. Indonesia-based TransNusa will launch daily flights with Airbus A320 aircraft to Jakata from Subang on August 1. The same day, Malaysia-based Lion Air Group carrier Batik Air Malaysia will launch thrice-weekly flights from Subang to Penang with Boeing 737-8 aircraft. Singapore Airlines' budget subsidiary Scoot will start flights to Subang from Singapore Changi Airport with Airbus A320 aircraft from September 1.
Going forward, AirAsia plans to further expand its network from Subang and make it the airline's sixth hub in Malaysia.
Fareh added: “We are eagerly anticipating the addition of more routes from Subang, especially international ones, which are currently in the planning stages and subject to regulatory approval. This will reinforce our vision of transforming Malaysia into a premier aviation hub. We are optimistic about making Subang our sixth hub in Malaysia in the near future, further bolstering our network and expanding our capacity to serve more destinations and guests."
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