KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): AirAsia Bhd today launched its inaugural Kuching-Langkawi flight with promotional all-in-fares from RM100 one way until Aug 13, for the travel period between now and Feb 8 next year.
 
The low-cost carrier will operate four flights a week on the route on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, AirAsia said in a statement.
 
Its head of commercial Spencer Lee said AirAsia is committed to continue growing the Kuching hub, as Sarawak has a lot to offer beyond a tourism destination.
 
“Increasing connectivity into Sarawak is important for us, as it is also one of the top preferred investment destinations in Malaysia, with Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) attracting investors to set up manufacturing plants on ICT, agriculture, industrial and many more,” Lee said.
 
Last year, the airline flew about 3.2 million guests in and out of Kuching.
 
“We believe the introduction of the two new routes to and from Kuching, namely Pontianak recently and Langkawi today, echoes our commitment in Sarawak.
 
“We would also like to thank the state government for their continuous support and guidance and we look forward to strengthen this hub, with further connectivity in the future,” he added.
 
Flight AK 5093 departed from Kuching International Airport at 12.55pm and was sent off by Sarawak’s Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Tourism Board chairman Datuk Haji Abdul Wahab Aziz, and Lee.
 
Upon arrival into Langkawi International Airport, the maiden flight was greeted by Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Tourism Promotion Division manager Nor Aznan Sulaiman.
 
AirAsia said LADA chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin will welcome AirAsia’s first flight from Shenzhen, China, to Langkawi tomorrow.
 
AirAsia now flies to 11 destinations from Kuching, with more than 220 weekly flights one way. Besides Langkawi, other destinations are Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Pontianak.