Flight AK1519 from Ningbo to Kota Kinabalu was welcomed with a water salute ceremony at KKIA.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism Board (STB), an agency under the State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry (KePKAS), announced the launch of AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Ningbo, China to Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
On the inaugural flight, 179 passengers arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), filling 96 per cent of the flight capacity.
This new route will operate three times a week, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with a capacity of 186 seats per flight, providing 558 seats per week, further enhancing the connectivity between Sabah and China.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said this new route not only strengthens the state’s tourism industry but also fosters greater cultural and economic ties between the regions.
Joniston (right), Fareh (third right) and Julinus (left), together with their team including Tourism Malaysia ready to welcome passengers.
“We are grateful to AirAsia for their continuous support and commitment to expanding Sabah’s reach. We have seen significant growth from China, with 167,371 arrivals recorded up to May this year.
“We expect this increased connectivity to significantly boost tourist arrivals, benefit local businesses, and promote cultural exchange. This new connectivity aligns with STB’s strategic plans to enhance the region’s appeal and accessibility as a top travel destination,” she said.
With this additional route, Sabah now receives 83 weekly flights from nine cities in China. Out of these, 62 flights are operated by AirAsia, connecting Sabah to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Wuhan, Beijing, Fuzhou and now Ningbo.
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia said: “We’re happy to welcome our inaugural flight from Ningbo to Kota Kinabalu today with almost 100 per cent passenger load. This is indeed another milestone for us, as we celebrate our stance as the largest foreign carrier in China. With the recent announcement of our new route to Kunming from this second largest hub in Malaysia, AirAsia will operate a total of 10 routes with 69 weekly flights to China starting on 25 September 2024.
“We are pleased to see our services in China grow with strong demand. Additionally, with our recent five-year strategic partnership with STB, we are committed to playing our role within the airline industry to enhance and facilitate tourism in Sabah, especially in expanding into the Chinese market.”
State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, together with STB CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit and Fareh were at KKIA to welcome the passengers from Ningbo.
