KULAI: AirAsia, recognised as the world’s best low cost airline for nine consecutive years, celebrated two international inaugural flights into Senai International Airport from Macao and Kolkata, India.
The seven times weekly direct flights from Macao and five times weekly direct flights from Kolkata are the fourth and fifth new routes launched by the airlines into Johor this year.
Earlier this year, AirAsia launched the Johor Baru-Jakarta, Johor Baru-Kuala Terengganu and Johor Baru-Langkawi flight routes.
AirAsia Bhd head of commercial Spencer Lee said the airline was pleased to connect more international cities into Johor Baru and increase the number of existing direct flights.
“By adding new international link to the state, we hope to attract more foreign investment into Johor Baru, subsequently turning the state into a high-value regional tourism destination,” he said.
Johor Tourism, Domestic Ttrade and Consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, state Tourism Department director Abdul Malik Ismail, Senai Airport Terminal Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Md Derick Basir, AirAsia Bhd government relations director Zamani Mohd Rafique and Lee received the passengers.
Md Derick said the direct connectivity between the two cities and Johor Baru will be good for the state especially the Iskandar Malaysia region as it will further spur economic and tourism activities in the state.
“We have been working very closely with AirAsia for quite some time to develop these two new routes for the airport and we are very pleased and excited that it has finally materialised.
“We are anticipating to capture more travelers from mainland China and Hong Kong through Macao as well as to tap the travelers from other metropolitan cities in India, Bangladesh and Nepal by linking to Kolkata,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, whose speech was read out by Tee during the event, said the opening of Macao route was in line with the state’s expectation to continue to bring in more Chinese tourists and investors.
“The same desired effect is also expected from the Kolkata route.
“We are always looking to further boost foreign tourist arrivals and these new routes will no doubt support us in this venture,” he said.
AirAsia currently operates 161 weekly flights one way into Senai International Airport.
In addition to Macao and Kolkata, the airlines also flies from Johor Baru to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta and Surabaya as well as nine other domestic routes to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu, Penang, Langkawi, Kuching, Miri, Tawau, Sibu and Kota Kinabalu.
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