AirAsia launches direct daily flight from Kota Kinabalu to Hong Kong

AirAsia, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is extending its foot print from Kota Kinabalu to the much awaited Hong Kong destination with direct daily flights, further expanding its international connectivity from East Malaysia.

The new route will commence services from 1st June 2010.

To celebrate the introduction of the new route, AirAsia will be offering all-in-fares for Kota Kinabalu – Hong Kong from as low as RM139* (HKD299) one way. Booking starts from 12th to 18th April 2010, for the travel period from 1st June 2010 to 13th February 2011. Promotional seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis and made exclusively online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.

AirAsia launched its first route connecting Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur in 2008 with only one flight daily. Due to the overwhelming demand from travellers to and from Hong Kong, the airline increased its frequency for this route to three flights daily within the span of two years. Following its successful launch, AirAsia continued to boost its international connectivity to Hong Kong by launching more new destinations from its hubs regionally which include Bangkok (two flights daily), Phuket (one flight daily), Penang (four flights weekly) and the latest addition from Kota Kinabalu – Hong Kong (one flight daily). This brings AirAsia’s total number of weekly flights to Hong Kong from the hubs to 53.

Ms Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial AirAsia group said, “With the presence of growing Chinese ethnic population in Kota Kinabalu who are willing to spend more on leisure and a growing interest in East Malaysia to explore metropolitan cities like Hong Kong, we believe that this is a strategic move to create interest and stimulate tourism demand for both cities. Kota Kinabalu famed for its natural wonders and its scenic beauty is equally captivating to Hongkies. This would also further boost intra domestic travel to Miri, Tawau, Sandakan, Penang, Kuching, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur from the hub. In fact, we have studied the growing travel interests from both ends and it’s a perfect fit with AirAsia as the integral connecting bridge.”

“With Kota Kinabalu as one of AirAsia’s 9 major hubs, this move will allow guests from Hong Kong and its surrounding region to use Kota Kinabalu as a gateway to our vast route network in South East Asia and beyond. It is very much observed that the traveling trend for the population today has changed. They no longer travel to only one destination during long holidays but also travel hop to other destinations where there is connectivity. Thus, AirAsia would be the right choice as guests may opt to travel to more than one destination across our network to over 132 routes and 70 hot destinations at truly low fares,” concluded Kathleen.

Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) has the most developed tourism infrastructure for gentle beach life or more active watersports, which made this beautiful coast one of the most coveted tourist destinations of the world. Not to mention that Mount Kinabalu is one of the stunning Tourist Attractions in Sabah alluring tourists with its magnificence and grandeur. Situated in Sabah’s Kinabalu Park the Mount Kinabalu is the third tallest mountain of Southeast Asia. The Mount Kinabalu stands tall at 4095 meters above sea level. Some other primary attractions of Sabah are its outstanding national parks, which include Kinabalu National Park, the Crocker Range Park, and the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. Sabah is also the gateway to fascinating cultures, beautiful scenery and magical islands. From the world-famous Sipadan Island to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, there’s so much to see and discover in this natural paradise.

Hong Kong has always been a prominent destination due to its significance as a growing centre of international commercial and financial hub. Furthermore, it has long been on the radar as a shopping and cultural haven for leisure tourists. In fact, Hong Kong International Airport’s exclusive infrastructure, serving as an international hub feeding on traffic to international destinations has allowed AirAsia to expand and tap new markets.

The new route will be serviced by the Airbus A320 aircraft with a 180 passenger capacity. With excellent air connectivity between Hong Kong and Kota Kinabalu, mutual economic benefits can be expected as AirAsia’s low fares and innovative services will definitely stimulate more travel both inbound and outbound from these two destinations.