AirAsia to introduce Bangkok - Kota Kinabalu service

AirAsia Thai operations is to begin services connecting Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, for the very first time.

The new Bangkok - Kota Kinabalu service will commence on 1st June, 2004. From Bangkok International Airport, the flight will depart at 2.45 pm (local time) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu at 8.50 pm (local time). The flight will make a brief stopover in Johor Bahru, en route to Kota Kinabalu and vice versa. AirAsia will initially introduce one daily flight for this service, with fares from RM 99.99 (baht 1000) one way.

This new service is set to boost tourism in Sabah, and promote Sabah as a land of eco-treasures, featuring some of top diving spots in the world, pristine islands, and a land cultural diversity. On the other note, AirAsia’s new service to Bangkok from Kota Kinabalu will provide the opportunity for East Malaysians to experience travel to an international destination such as to Thailand, for a fraction of the regular fares currently available.

AirAsia’s joint venture with Shin Corp in Thailand has spurred many people in Thailand to travel more frequently, both domestically and internationally, due to the affordable fares. AirAsia’s operations in Thailand presently offers daily flights to Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani (Vientiane, Laos), Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Singapore, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, from Bangkok International Airport.

“We are pleased to extend our services to yet another route in Malaysia. There is an encouraging response from the people of Thailand and even foreign tourists to Bangkok, who have written in to AirAsia and requested for a flight to Sabah. AirAsia recognizes that Sabah has a lot to offer and hence has provided the necessary infrastructure to make this all possible. We trust that this new service will benefit tourism in both countries, and will open up many opportunities to all.” said Tassapon Bijleveld, Chief Executive Officer, Thai AirAsia 

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Office, AirAsia, commented, “As always, AirAsia remains committed in promoting and supporting tourism in Sabah. We have tirelessly invested our resources to develop new routes and potential points of connection to promote domestic tourism in the country. AirAsia’s new service to Kota Kinabalu from Bangkok is not an exception. We are here to offer a simple yet affordable means of travel for our guests. That being said, we are confident that Sabah’s tourism will benefit as a result from the linking of Sabah, with its abundance of natural treasures, to Bangkok, one of the busiest capital cities in Asia.”