AirAsia increases flight frequency between Jakarta and Kuching to daily from 8 February 2024

JAKARTA – WEBWIRE

AirAsia will be increasing its flight frequency between Jakarta and Kuching, Sarawak to daily, from three times per week currently, beginning 8 February 2024.

The seats are available for booking now for immediate travel from as low as Rp689.000 all-in for flights departing Jakarta and RM149 from Kuching. Bookings can be made conveniently via the airasia Superapp and airasia.com website.

The route, operated by AirAsia Indonesia, was launched on 15 June 2023. Since then, it has been a popular choice amongst travellers from both cities, either for Indonesians to explore the wonders of Kuchings natural beauty and rich heritage, or for Sarawakians to indulge in shopping and culinary experience in Jakarta.

On top of that, the route has been successful in bringing the two regions closer together and opening doors to limitless opportunities for tourism, trade, and mutual growth. The increase in flight frequency comes at the right time and marks a significant milestone in the tourism industry recovery for both countries.

With the added frequency, AirAsia will be able to offer more convenient travel options at affordable fares, enabling people to travel between Jakarta and Kuching with ease and affordability, be it for leisure or business.

Connection from Kuching to Jakarta is a precursor to wider connectivity from Sarawak to other parts of Indonesia, especially with the establishment of the countrys new administrative capital Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.

Flight schedule from Jakarta (CGK) to Kuching (KCH):

Route: Jakarta Kuching

Flight No. QZ530

Departure: 12:55

Arrival: 13:45

Frequency: Daily

Route: Kuching – Jakarta

Flight No. QZ531

Departure: 16:25

Arrival: 17:20

Frequency: Daily

* Daily flights effective 8 February 2024.

** Current flights are on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

AirAsia extends support for FLYsiswa 2024, allowing students to fly home affordably on 45 routes

KUALA LUMPUR – WEBWIRE

As the peoples airline, AirAsia is proud to continue supporting the FLYsiswa programme next year, an initiative driven by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia to provide an opportunity for students to fly back to their hometowns affordably.

AirAsias e-voucher for the FLYsiswa programme applies for flight bookings across 45 routes in 10 destinations between Peninsula Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu and East Malaysia to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, Sibu, Labuan. It is also applicable for flights between Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

This initiative not only demonstrates the airlines commitment to ensuring affordability with great value fares and accessibility with a vast network but also enables students to benefit from its ecosystem. This includes airasia rewards points, inflight offerings, and more.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO, Riad Asmat said: We are proud to continue supporting the FLYsiswa initiative is expected to benefit about 50,069 eligible students enrolled in public universities across the country. This year, we received more than 23,000 submissions from verified students, about 66% of the 35,994 students who submitted their applications, and we are pleased that AirAsia continues to be the top airline choice.

The announcement by the Ministry today comes at the right time as we are set to reactivate more aircraft in the coming months. This will allow us to increase frequencies and offer lower fares, ultimately benefiting the students the most. We look forward to flying more students to their hometowns with great value fares next year.

The eligibility criteria of the FLYsiswa programme are set by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. The programme is open to students pursuing tertiary education at a public university in Malaysia. Eligibility includes students from Sabah, Sarawak, or the Federal Territory of Labuan, studying in Peninsular Malaysia; students from Peninsular Malaysia, studying in Sabah, Sarawak, or the Federal Territory of Labuan; and students from Sabah, Sarawak, or the Federal Territory of Labuan studying in each others regions.

The application process for AirAsia can be completed in a few simple steps by clicking the Redeem Now button at airasia.com/aa/flysiswa. For the redemption process, simply insert the voucher number on the payment page.

AirAsia Philippines supports the strong return of Vis-Min cultural festivities

*Fly to any local destination and celebrate various festivals for only PHP99 one-way base fare with Mega Holideals!

Manila – WEBWIRE

AirAsia Philippines is set to provide its guests with a once-in-a-lifetime festive experience as it continues to offer low-cost travel to support the return of Philippine festivities years after the pandemic halted most of the countrys annual celebrations.

With the long list of incoming renowned festivals such as the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban City, Halaran and Sinadya Festivals in Roxas City, Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, and Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City, AirAsia Philippines aims to make the countrys festivities accessible to all, ensuring that vibrant cultural events and heritage of different cities are highlighted and enjoyed by both locals and tourists.

Festivities are deeply rooted in the Philippine culture and are often associated with family reunions. AirAsia Philippines is strongly backing the strong return of festivities to foster inclusive economic growth in various destinations where we fly. We also view this as a good exercise as we gear up to expand our operations next year, AirAsia Country Head for Communications & Public Affairs First Officer Steve Dailisan explained.

To entice more local and international festival-goers to fly and celebrate various festivities, AirAsia is offering a PHP99 one-way base fare! Available for booking from 4 September to 1 October 2023, and travel from September 4, 2023, to March 31, 2024, guests can grab a chance to fly to different local destinations in time for the celebration of festivals with the AirAsia Mega Holideals.

By providing affordable airfare options, the worlds best low-cost airline is one with the Department of Tourism in achieving its goal of revitalizing the tourism industry with an anticipated 100% recovery of domestic tourism with a target of 4.8 million tourists this year.

The Worlds Best Low-Cost Airline has also expressed strong support for fostering a stronger connection between the Philippines and the Land of Smiles – Thailand.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier sought the commitment of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to facilitate flights between Thailand and other tourist destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao.

As one of the leading Philippine carriers backed by a strong regional network, AirAsia Philippines remains dedicated to empowering inclusive and accessible growth across the tourism and travel sectors. Should this proposal of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri be realized, we expect the move to enable more inclusive growth across our regional destinations, and we aim to do it with the best value, Dailisan said.

To ensure seamless travel, AirAsia Philippines advises its guests to check airasia Superapp for booking options and all travel advisories and guidelines. Guests flying to various domestic destinations are advised to be at the NAIA Terminal 2 at least three hours before departure. Meanwhile, guests traveling on international flights will continue to arrive and depart at the NAIA Terminal 3.

AirAsia continues international expansion by reinstating 4 routes between Thailand and China

BANGKOK – WEBWIRE

Aimed at further boosting tourist arrivals to the Kingdom, AirAsia continues with its international expansion by adding four direct routes between Thailand and China, namely Don Mueang-Chengdu (7 flights a week), Chiang Mai-Beijing (7 flights a week), Chiang Mai-Hangzhou (4 flights a week) and Chiang Mai-Changsha (5 flights a week). The routes are set to take off from 30 April 2023 onward.

Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia, pointed out: This is a crucial time for us to focus on international route expansion as more nations are welcoming travelers with eased restrictions and greater convenience, especially in China, which was a major market for AirAsia prior to COVID-19. Set to re-establish its presence in China in a big way, Thai AirAsia expects to resume 75% of its network to China pre-COVID-19 within the second quarter of this year.

Thai AirAsia has successfully recommenced XX direct routes between Thailand and China early this year, receiving a highly positive response from travelers as evidenced by healthy load factors that averages around 90%. With three out of the four new routes originating from its Chiang Mai hub, AirAsia is giving new opportunities for travel with direct flights between China and the popular northern city. The northern province has always been a top destination for Chinese travelers, and the newly reinstated routes will help the regions economy to rebound.

For China, we are aiming to reinstate all of our routes this year. At the same time in other markets, such as Asean and South Asia, we are always looking out for new opportunities and will be introducing an interesting route very soon Mr. Santisuk said.

Thai AirAsia currently serves international flights to 13 countries in 39 destinations on a total 49 routes, supported by clear signs of recovery in the tourism industry. The airline forecasts it will serve 20 million passengers in 2023, up by 9.95 million in 2022.

AirAsia ushers in the Chinese New Year with 100% load for its special extra flight at fixed low fares

SEPANG – WEBWIRE

AirAsia is ushering in the Chinese New Year with a 100% load for its special extra flights at fixed low fares departing Kuala Lumpur for Kuching at 12.10 am today.

Guests were celebrated with a fanfare at klia2 and the flight was sent off by YB Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia and Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia.

Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke said: Sending off excited guests to see their loved ones today is indeed a wonderful way to welcome the Chinese New Year. Another round of congratulations and applause are in order for the AirAsia team for its dedication towards making these flights a reality and for its unwavering support for the governments initiative to ensure fares are low and affordable during festive periods. In spite of the challenges faced in the last few years, AirAsia has proven itself to be a peoples airline, putting the needs of its guests first as it gradually resumes its operations.

I look forward to seeing more of such initiatives from AirAsia for the next festive seasons, and implore other industry players to follow suit.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO, Riad Asmat said: People are always at the heart of everything we do and it is truly our mission to enable affordable connectivity for our guests, especially during this special time when many are yearning to balik kampung in time for reunions. Moments like these are the reason why we strive so hard to make the travel dreams of many a possibility.

Whilst we are constrained by the challenges faced by many other airlines in the aviation industry as we emerge from the pandemic, AirAsia is nonetheless committed to ensuring that we continue to provide quality guest experience at affordable fares.

The special extra flights at fixed low fares are for 10 routes between Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and East Malaysia, with 38 flights recording 100% load in the next coming weeks. In addition to 68 special extra flights at fixed low fares, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) also operates 314 flights weekly in conjunction with the festive season.

Guests travelling during the Chinese New Year period are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure time (for domestic travel) to avoid congestion. Guests are also highly encouraged to self check-in using the airasia Super App, which is available as early as 14 days before the departure date and use the e-Boarding Pass to board the flight.

For guests with baggage to check-in, the Baggage Drop counters close 60 minutes before flight departure for all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights. As congestion is expected at the security scanning, baggage clearance and immigration checkpoints, it is best to complete baggage drop and proceed to the boarding gate as early as possible.

Each guest (except infants) is only allowed ONE piece of cabin baggage AND one laptop bag or handbag or small bag on-board. The total permitted weight for two pieces of unchecked baggage must not weigh more than 7kg in total. All guests are encouraged to pre-book sufficient baggage weight for more savings.

Guests with a group booking, reduced mobility or with special needs should allocate more time to clear all travel formalities. Allstars will be available at the airport to assist all guests with their travelling needs and to ensure a pleasant journey for everyone throughout the festive period.