by AKMAR ANNUAR

AIRASIA Group Bhd has officially taken off from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), commonly known as Subang Airport, today with inaugural flights to Sabah and Sarawak, marking its return 24 years after first beginning operations there.

According to AirAsia, this strategic move is aimed at enhancing connectivity within Malaysia and the broader region.

Capital A CEO Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes commented on the significance of this return, saying Subang Airport has always held a special place in his heart. 

“It was here that we first launched AirAsia with a big dream. Today, as we return, we do so with the same passion but with greater experience and ambition,” he said at the launch.

He further reiterated his previous statements, that the ongoing revitalisation plans for Subang Airport will play a crucial role in transforming it into a vibrant city terminal, aligning with Malaysia’s aspirations to become a premier aviation hub in the region.

Currently, there will be 14 flights operating twice daily.

This expansion includes plans to operate 1,860 return weekly domestic flights by the end of December 2024, further strengthening AirAsia’s footprint in the Malaysian aviation landscape.

The first flight, AK4102, from Kota Kinabalu, landed at Subang Airport at 9am, having departed at 6.25am. 

Upon arrival, the aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute, reflecting the significance of this occasion for the airline. 

This was followed by the departure of flight AK4235 to Kuching at 9.30am, proving AirAsia’s renewed commitment to serving East Malaysia.

AirAsia’s re-establishment at Subang Airport is anticipated to boost its domestic network, which already carried over 14 million passengers in 2023 across 918 weekly flights. 

With Subang added to its roster, the airline expects to further increase its domestic passenger volume by the end of 2024.