SECONDARY school students had an enriching experience learning about the aviation industry at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Friday (Jan 10).
Organised by AirAsia in collaboration with KKIA, the community programme welcomed 40 students and teachers from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kota Kinabalu, reinforcing its commitment to community upliftment and education.
The participants experienced behind-the-scenes operations at AirAsia’s second largest hub in Malaysia.
Activities included a check-in and departure simulation, a guided aircraft visit, a taxiway tour, and an introduction to Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS).
The programme aims to provide underprivileged students with a unique educational experience related to air travel, sparking interest and broadening career aspirations in aviation.
AirAsia Malaysia CEO, Captain Datuk Fareh Mazputra, emphasised their belief in empowering youth with knowledge and creating pathways for them to realise their dreams.
"Through this programme, we aim to inspire students, many of whom may be experiencing aviation up close for the first time, to consider aviation as a viable and exciting career choice," he said in a statement.
He added that the programme equips students with exclusive knowledge and perspectives needed to succeed in this ever-evolving industry.
"By nurturing local talent, we ensure that the aviation sector remains dynamic and sustainable, contributing to both the economy and the growth of future leaders in aviation," said Fareh.
"As Sabah’s main gateway, we applaud KKIA’s continued initiative to inspire students and teachers by providing firsthand insights into airport and aviation operations, encouraging them to explore exciting career opportunities in this field in the future," he added.
The programme spanned two days to accommodate students from two schools, with the earlier session on Jan 7 involving 39 students and teachers from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Petagas.
