Friday, June 02, 2006

Cheaper Sabah-S'wak and Asean travel from July

SEPANG: Low-cost carrier AirAsia announced Thursday its expansion plans to develop the Kota Kinabalu and Kuching airports into fully operational hubs by July.

Low fare travel for East Malaysians would be further enhanced with more affordable intra-state travel opportunities between Sabah and Sarawak as well as to the Asean region, said its Group CEO Dato' Tony Fernandes.

AirAsia would commence daily direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Miri and Tawau from July 11, and Bintulu, Sibu, Miri and Kota Kinabalu from Kuching beginning July 25.

Bookings for these new flights can be made at all AirAsia's distribution channels from June 2 onwards. These flights would be operated with Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

According to Fernandes, AirAsia would steadily strengthen its route network connecting the peninsula with East Malaysia by boosting flight frequencies from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Flights from Johor to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu would be increased to twice daily (14 flights weekly) and Miri and Sibu would commence seven-times-weekly operations from July 3 onwards.

AirAsia, which has revolutionised travel to Sandakan and Tawau by introducing direct flights to connect these towns with Kuala Lumpur, would enhance its schedule with twice daily flights (14 flights weekly). "Air Asia will have four hubs in Malaysia following the establishment of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching as hubs in East Malaysia.

"The development of these two new hubs strategically places East Malaysia at the forefront to stimulate and encourage more travel to and from the peninsula and enhances Malaysia's connectivity and appeal to the international market," he said.

AirAsia would revolutionise travel from/to East Malaysia, bringing to East Malaysians a whole new travel experience which Malaysians in the peninsula have enjoyed, he said. East Malaysians would now have access to more low-cost alternatives and new routes to travel between states and to the region.

Most importantly, AirAsia's low fares would bring a positive impact to tourism and travel-related industries and further contribute to Sabah and Sarawak's economy, he added.

Source: Daily Express

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