Friday, July 07, 2006

AirAsia launches latest hub in Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia’s low-cost carrier AirAsia has launched its latest hub here.

The hub, scheduled to be fully operational on Tuesday, is expected to see direct flights from Sabah's capital to Tawau and Miri. AirAsia hopes to include Kuching and Sandakan as soon as possible.

AirAsia chairman Datuk Pahimin A. Rejab predicted an increase in air travel between Sabah and Sarawak as well as to Asean countries once the airline launches its second hub in the region next month in Kuching.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, who launched the Kota Kinabalu hub yesterday, said the airline could play a major role in promoting tourism in Sabah, which recorded some 701,000 visitor arrivals, including 286,000 foreign tourists, up to May.

“Sabah stands to gain with more direct flights from international and domestic destinations,” he added.

Bookings for daily AirAsia direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Miri and Tawau can be made online as well as through other distribution channels.

Source: The Star

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