KOTA KINABALU: Starting next month, Sabahans can fly directly to Bangkok via low-cost carrier AirAsia.
The airline is also interested in introducing more international flights to the state capital in due time, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
In a statement yesterday, he said this was discussed during a special meeting he had with AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat at the airline’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
“I welcome AirAsia’s efforts to expand both its domestic and international networks by introducing direct flights to Kota Kinabalu. This will help attract more tourists here as well as boost the state’s tourism sector,” he added.
At present, overseas direct flights offered by AirAsia to Kota Kinabalu are from Singapore and Manila.
The route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Seoul is operated by South Korea’s Jin Air. Scoot also offers direct flights to Singapore while Royal Brunei Airlines plies the Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Begawan route.
Jafry also met with Capital A group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who expressed his gratitude to the Sabah government for the cooperation given to AirAsia and the aviation industry over the years.
