Scoot expands services to Malaysia, Thailand with new E190-E2 aircraft

 

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has unveiled the six South-east Asian destinations that its fleet of new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft will fly to – Krabi, Koh Samui and Hat Yai in Thailand; and Kuantan, Miri and Sibu in Malaysia.

Expected to begin operations in May, Scoot’s E190-E2 services will offer direct connections to and from Singapore.

The first E2, aptly nicknamed Explorer 3.0, is expected to arrive in Singapore in April, and will take over Scoot’s existing flights to Krabi and Hat Yai from May 7, increasing flight frequencies to both destinations from 7-times to 10-times weekly.

The second E2 is also scheduled for delivery in April and will allow Scoot to operate to four additional cities – Koh Samui, Kuantan, Miri, and Sibu. Daily flights to Koh Samui will commence from May 13, with the frequency progressively increased to twice daily from early June.

The addition of the second E2 will also allow Scoot to increase its frequency to Miri and Kuantan from three to four times weekly from May 20 and June 3, respectively, as well as launch thrice weekly flights to Sibu from June 5.

Together with destinations served by Scoot’s existing fleet, the airline would operate 103-times weekly flights to Malaysia and 92-times weekly flights to Thailand by June.

-TTG Asia.

flydubai launches services to Malaysia

 

Low-cost carrier, flydubai, is set to expand its network to Malaysia, offering daily services between Dubai, Penang, and Langkawi starting from February 10, 2024.

In addition, the airline has appointed World Avenues Malaysia as its general sales agent for Malaysia.

This milestone marks flydubai as the first Middle Eastern carrier to provide direct flights to the two Malaysian islands. In contrast, two other UAE airlines, Emirates and Etihad, already offer direct services from their respective hubs to Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.

The carrier’s non-stop flights from Dubai will touch down in Penang, and after a brief transit stop, will continue on to Langkawi. The airline will utilise its B737 MAX on this route, featuring comfortable lie-flat seats in Business Class.

For Malaysians residing in the Northern region, flydubai’s new services will offer a convenient option to fly directly to Dubai, eliminating the need to travel to Kuala Lumpur for a flight to the UAE.

Malaysian inbound agents are equally excited about the new business opportunities presented by flydubai.

Solihhene Abdullah, director of ONThego Travel and Tours, commented: “These flights will undoubtedly attract tourists from Middle East and North African countries such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia to Malaysia, as they seek to enjoy beach holidays. Currently, we are losing market share to neighbouring islands like Bali and Phuket due to the absence of direct flights from the Middle East to the Malaysian islands.”

With the introduction of flydubai’s new services to Penang and Langkawi, SBS Pradeep Kumar, director and COO of Asian Famous Tours & Travel, sees an enticing opportunity to attract budget-conscious travellers from the Middle East to these islands.

-TTG Asia.

AirAsia awarded Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline & Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew at World Travel Awards 2020

 

MALAYSIA, 3 November 2020 - AirAsia has been awarded Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline for the eighth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA) - one of the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards programmes commemorating excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality. 

AirAsia emerged top in the category having received the highest votes from travel professionals and industry players from around the region, ahead of regional players such as Scoot, Nok Air, VietJet Air, Jetstar and Firefly to win the top low-cost carrier awards - Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020 and Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew 2020.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia Groupsaid, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020 Award for the eighth consecutive year. Winning the award this year is more important than ever and is of profound sentimental value as the  industry is going through the most  turbulent times. Our gratitude goes to every one of our over 600 million guests for their continued support and faith in us since day one, and their understanding as we weather through the most difficult period in AirAsia’s history. Most importantly, this award is dedicated to AirAsia’s Allstars (staff), including those who have left us recently through no fault of their own. I thank every Allstar for their commitment, perseverance and dedication  as we navigate our way through this incredibly challenging year.”

AirAsia Group Head of Cabin Crew Suhaila Hassan said, “This pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, and the journey has been far from easy. Despite the crisis, I can say with confidence that our dedicated crew have risen to the challenge to show their service excellence and hospitality, adapting to the constantly changing rules and regulations. Our focus is to safeguard the wellbeing, health and safety of each guest. And this award is a testament to our hard work and passion.” 

World Travel Awards Founder Graham E Cooke said, “Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the aviation industry this year, AirAsia continues to lead the way in low-cost aviation in Asia and beyond. Its strive for excellence remains unrivalled and I am delighted that it has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and the public by being voted ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew 2020’.”

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards, one of the most prestigious and note-worthy awards programmes in the global and tourism industry, acknowledges and celebrates excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality. The World Travel Awards brand is globally recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Despite the incredible challenges faced by the aviation industry over the course of 2020, this year’s World Travel Awards programme saw record month-on-month voting numbers from the all-important tourism consumers, whilst the official website continues to receive more search traffic than in any previous year. 

Organisers say, this indicates that the hunger for travel and tourism is as strong as ever, providing encouraging signs to all in the aviation and tourism industries.

-AirAsia.

https://www.airasia.com/en/gb

AirAsia wins World's Best Low-Cost Airline

photo: PelanconganKini

PARIS, June 18 (Bernama) -- AirAsia has bagged the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 11th consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2019.

The low-cost carrier was also named Asia’s Best Low-Cost Airline and the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Premium Cabin for its Premium Flatbed, available on widebody long-haul AirAsia X aircraft.

AirAsia Group Bhd executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranum said it was an honour to be recognised by Skytrax for 11 years in a row for the airlines’ commitment to providing affordable travel and guest-obsessed service.

"The fact that these awards are based on direct feedback is gratifying and wonderful recognition for the Allstars (AirAsia employees) who put so much effort and commitment into service excellence for our guests," he said in a statement, distributed during the awards ceremony at the 53rd International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget here Tuesday.

At the ceremony, Skytrax named Qatar Airways as The Airline of The Year.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said the awards represented nine years of being the world’s best in the category and were dedicated to AirAsia’s Allstars who had been steadfast in upholding the group’s corporate culture, mission and vision.

“We once again continue to be recognised as providing the World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier Premium Cabins on our long-haul flights.

"This year, we will go even one step further by introducing the best of inflight comfort on the new Airbus A330neo, an aircraft which will change the face of long-haul flying as we know it.

"Combined with our renowned inflight service as a long-haul low-cost carrier, AirAsia X will strive to continue to offer excellent value for money to our guests to 30 destinations in 10 markets across the AirAsia Group long-haul network,” she was quoted as saying in the same statement.

Introduced in 1999, the Skytrax World Airline Awards, which is independent and impartial, is regarded as the global benchmark of airline excellence.

It is also known as "the Oscars of the aviation industry".

This year’s results were decided by a survey of 21.65 million customers of 100 nationalities who reviewed over 300 airlines from September 2018 to May 2019.

Currently, AirAsia operates an unrivalled network of over 140 destinations from 25 hubs in 22 markets.

To celebrate the winning, AirAsia is extending its latest AirAsia BIG Sale until June 23, 2019.

The fares start from as low as RM12 from Kuala Lumpur to various domestic destinations and RM89 onwards for international destinations, subject to terms and conditions.

-bernama.
www.airasia.com

AirAsia set to increase KL-Langkawi flight frequency

LANGKAWI, May 15 (Bernama) -- AirAsia is set to increase its weekly Kuala Lumpur (KL)-Langkawi flight frequency from 63 to 80 flights this year to cater to increasing demand, said its Commercial Division senior marketing manager, Shirley Tan.

"We see a strong growth in terms of tourist arrivals in Langkawi, hence the plan to increase the frequency of the KL-Langkawi flights," she told Bernama after the Tourism Engagement Session with MAHB and Airlines here today.

The session was initiated by the Langkawi Development Authority in collaboration with the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and other airlines to provide an insight into the Langkawi International Tourism Promotion Fund.

Tan said Langkawi’s natural attraction made it a tourist favourite.

“It is a very bright spot for tourism. This is why airlines like us want to collaborate to bring in more tourists to the island,” she added.

-bernama.

Malaysia expects to ride high on new flights from Sharjah

Tourism Malaysia will bring its road show held in conjunction with the Arabia Travel Mart to Sharjah for the first time

Air Arabia’s upcoming launch of direct flights between Sharjah and Kuala Lumpur is spurring promotions in the UAE city by Malaysian tourism stakeholders, hopeful about the much-needed capacity boost during the Middle East summer season.

Air Arabia – the first LCC from the Middle East to fly direct to Malaysia –

will commence the new four-times-weekly service from July 1, 2019, in time for the high peak travel season for Middle Easterners from mid June to early September.

Ally Bhoonee, executive director, World Avenues Malaysia, shared: “There is always a shortage of seats from the UAE during the super peak period. In the past, some travellers used to take Emirates or other Middle Eastern airlines to travel to Malaysia.”

Saini Vermeulen, executive director, Within Earth Holidays, added: “With additional capacity, we hope airfares will be more competitive during the super peak summer period, when high volumes of travellers can be expected. So far, bookings for summer are slow, but we expect them to pick up from mid May. “

On its part, Tourism Malaysia has for the first time included Sharjah in a roadshow held in conjunction with the upcoming Arabian Travel Mart. The roadshow, which will include participation of 14 hotels, agents and product owners, will cover Kuwait, Oman and ends with Sharjah on April 24.

Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, shared that the association is also in talks with the airline to host joint fam trips and product briefings for travel agents from Sharjah. He disclosed: “We are in direct communications with the airline and hope to work closely with them on (these activities).”

The UAE is among the top five highest spending tourist markets in Malaysia, with an average per diem expenditure of RM839 (US$203) in 2017 and an average length of stay of 9.2 nights.

-TTG Asia.

World’s leading low-cost carrier for the sixth time

Suhaila (fourth from left) and Audrey (fifth from left) accepted the World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline and World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew awards from World Travel Awards president and founder Graham Cooke (fourth from left), flanked by AirAsia cabin crew.

AIRASIA has been named the world’s leading low-cost airline for the sixth year running at the World Travel Awards (WTA) grand final.

AirAsia emerged top in the category after receiving the most votes from travellers and industry executives, ahead of Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Ryanair, EasyJet, Jetstar Airways, Norwegian Air, West Air, fFydubai, Air Arabia, Flynas and Fastjet.

The airline also took home the award for World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew for the second time in a row.

AirAsia Group cabin crew head Suhaila Hassan and AirAsia Group communications head Audrey Progastama Petriny accepted the awards on behalf of the company at a gala ceremony at Pátio da Galé in Lisbon, Portugal.

“In addition to a slew of digital initiatives, such as our Fast Airport Clearance Experience System (FACES) facial recognition boarding system and Freedom Flyer Programme, we have built up our customer happiness team to ensure we continue to improve on our ability to serve our guests, who demand friction-less, responsive customer support at a touch of the button on the go, and we are working hard to deliver that.

“We remain guest-obsessed as we evolve from an airline into a travel technology company. Our guests will always be at the core of everything we do, and we believe the various travel and lifestyle ventures we are working on now – from deals and e-commerce to fintech and logistics – will only serve to further enhance the overall AirAsia experience for them.”

Suhaila said: “We now have more than 5,900 cabin crew members from all over the world, including Australia, Brazil, Zambia and the United States.

“It’s amazing to see how far we have come, but what is truly incredible is to see that, despite this rapid growth, my colleagues have maintained the same passion for service that we had in the early days, and we are thrilled and humbled that our guests and our peers feel the same way too.”

The World Travel Awards is one of the most prestigious, compre­hensive and sought after awards programmes in the global and tourism industry. Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality industries, the World Travel Awards brand is now recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

-thestar online.

AirAsia X strengthens Malaysia - Japan ties with exclusive direct flights to Fukuoka

Photo Caption: (L-R) Executive Director Japan National Tourism Organization Kuala Lumpur Office Chiemi Maruyama; Group Head of Commercial AirAsia X Barry Klipp ; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Malaysia His Excellency Dr Makio Miyagawa; CEO of AirAsia X Malaysia Benyamin Ismail flanked by Cabin Crew at the launch of Kuala Lumpur - Fukuoka route.

KUALA LUMPUR,  29 November 2018 - AirAsia X today announced the launch of an exclusive direct route connecting Kuala Lumpur with Fukuoka, Japan today. The four times weekly service set to commence on 28 February 2019, will be the airline group’s fifth destination in Japan and fourth route from Kuala Lumpur, strengthening Malaysia - Japan bilateral ties while stimulating local trade and tourism growth.  

The launch fares from RM199* on standard seats and RM799* on the award-winning Premium Flatbeds, are available for booking on airasia.com from 30 November (0001hrs GMT+8) until 9 December 2018 for travel between 28 February 2019 and 28 October 2019.

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail says, “Very soon, Kuala Lumpur will be directly connected with Fukuoka for the first time with our four times weekly direct services, with air fares from as low as RM199*, in keeping with our promise to connect the world with new markets at great value fares.”

“With over six million guests flown since we started operating into the country in 2010, Japan remains a very important market for us. We look forward to the commencement of this route early next year which will strengthen the bilateral ties between Malaysia and Japan while bringing the world to Fukuoka through our extensive network in the region,” added Benyamin.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Malaysia H.E Dr. Makio Miyagawa said, “Congratulations to AirAsia X for the launch of this new unique route to Fukuoka, Japan. We commend AirAsia X’s effort to provide enhanced links between Japan and Malaysia. Fukuoka and its surrounding cities in Kyushu are renowned for spectacular scenery and cuisine and we welcome everyone to visit and enjoy the many travel highlights of this region.”

AirAsia X currently flies to Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo from Kuala Lumpur, with onward daily flights between Osaka and Honolulu, Hawaii. As a group, AirAsia X connects with Japan from eight cities including the recently announced Taipei - Osaka; while AirAsia Japan has an operating base in Nagoya with one domestic route to Sapporo.
Fukuoka is home to thousand-year-old historical landmarks such as the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine and Fukuoka Castle which exist side-by-side with modern and industrial centers. Visitors can escape to pristine shorelines - ideal for leisure seekers and water activities on Itoshima peninsula during summer.

Other attractions include Kawachi Fuji-en garden in Kitakyushu, Yanagawa's canals and Hakata merchant town which hosts two major festivals annually, the Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
Kyushu’s culinary specialties include world-class seafood dishes, yakitori (grilled skewers) and motsunabe hot pot during the winter. Ramen connoisseurs will be in for a treat in Fukuoka with a local yatai or food stalls on nearly every corner of the streets ready to offer you their specialty Hakata Ramen dubbed as amongst the best in Japan.

For the latest AirAsia news, activities and promotions, follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia), Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Instagram (instagram.com/AirAsia).

-AirAsia.

IndiGo’s new KL flights from India to allow more options, competitive fares

India-based LCC IndiGo will commence new daily services linking Kuala Lumpur from Delhi and Bengaluru on November 15, becoming the only India-based airline to currently offer services to Malaysia.

Although Malaysia-based airlines are already flying on these routes, the trade hails IndiGo’s new flights as a major victory for air connectivity between the countries, as they introduce more travel options and competitive airfares for Indian outbound travellers to Malaysia.

Arokia Das Anthony, director, Luxury Tours Malaysia, explained: “IndiGo has good connections domestically. It will be able to carry passengers from other points of India to Delhi in the north, or Bengaluru in the south, and travel onwards to Kuala Lumpur. Being from the same airline, connecting flights to Kuala Lumpur will not cost as much as purchasing seats from two separate carriers.”

He added: “The Malaysia-based airlines, be it AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines or Malindo Air, only fly to the big cities in India. Hence all this while, Indian travellers from smaller cities will have to travel to the big cities on domestic carriers, in order to fly to Kuala Lumpur.”

Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager at New Asia Holiday Tours & Travel, said: “Cities surrounding Delhi and Bengaluru will now flourish (for outbound travel to Malaysia). The new flights reduces the cost of travel for families from smaller cities such as Coimbatore, Patna, Guwahati and Vijayawada wanting to holiday in Malaysia, and it also provides healthy competition for AirAsia that flies on both routes.”

IndiGo’s new routes come at a favourable time, said Navaratnaa, as Indian families are expected to be more price conscious with a weakened rupee.

“We need to promote creatively. We have packages combining city and island, hill resorts and theme parks and spiritual tourism which includes visits to monasteries and temples,” he said.

-TTG Asia.

Promosi 5 juta tempat duduk percuma AirAsia kembali!

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Sept. - Syarikat penerbangan tambang murah, AirAsia kembali menawarkan promosi lima juta tempat duduk percuma sehingga 9 September ini.

Dalam satu kenyataan, AirAsia memberitahu, ahli AirAsia BIG boleh menikmati akses lebih awal untuk promosi tersebut bermula esok, manakala yang bukan ahli bermula Isnin.

Untuk promosi itu, tambang tempat duduk untuk semua ahli bermula daripada RM15, manakala bukan ahli pula bermula daripada RM20 bagi penerbangan dari ibu negara ke lebih 130 destinasi dalam rangkaian AirAsia dan AirAsia X.

Tempahan yang boleh dibuat di airasia.com dan aplikasi mudah alih AirAsia itu adalah untuk tempoh perjalanan antara 18 Februari hingga 26 November 2019. 

Ketua Pegawai Komersial Kumpulan AirAsia, Siegtraund Teh menerusi kenyataan itu memberitahu, ahli AirAsia Big akan menikmati lebih banyak faedah termasuklah diskaun segera apabila menempah penerbangan di laman web atau aplikasi mudah alih syarikat penerbangan itu.

Katanya, pendaftaran sebagai ahli AirAsia Big secara percuma boleh dilakukan menerusi laman web airasia.com.

“Mulakan percutian dengan menempah tempat duduk bersama keluarga dan rakan dengan pilihan ‘Pick A Seat’.

“Semua tempahan pilihan tempat duduk yang dibuat dalam tempoh kempen ini akan menikmati diskaun sebanyak 20 peratus,” katanya.

Selain itu, pengguna BigPay boleh menikmati caj pemprosesan dengan kadar sifar, diskaun untuk pratempahan bagi hidangan dalam penerbangan dan bagasi daftar masuk apabila mereka membayar menggunakan kad BigPay.

Rakan aktiviti perjalanan AirAsia iaitu Vidi turut menawarkan promosi eksklusif berbentuk diskaun sebanyak 15 peratus dengan kad promosi ‘Freeseats15’ untuk semua aktiviti yang ditempah di vidi.co.

-utusan online.

AirAsia X lancar peraduan untuk belia

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos – AirAsia X melancarkan peraduan untuk belia bagi memperkenalkan New Zealand sebagai destinasi pelancongan pengembaraan.

Ketua Pegawai Komersial Kumpulan AirAsia, Siegtraund Teh berkata, peraduan itu yang dikenali sebagai Ultimate Xventure, menyasarkan peserta berumur antara 18 dan 32 tahun de­ngan menawarkan empat tiket penerbangan ke Auckland, New Zealand selama empat hari tiga malam selain aktiviti terpilih sebagai hadiah utama.

Beliau berkata, tujuan peraduan itu adalah untuk memper­kenalkan New Zealand sebagai destinasi kembara dan menggalakkan generasi milenial untuk meneroka apa yang ditawarkan oleh negara kiwi tersebut.

Katanya, bagi bahagian pertama, peserta peraduan media sosial Ultimate Xventure perlu memuat naik gambar atau video kreatif aktiviti sukan kembara ke Instagram mereka dengan kete­rangan menarik dan hashtag rasmi #UltimateXventure dan #AirAsiaX.

Tambahnya, bahagian kedua atau kemuncak peraduan yang merupakan kolaborasi bersama Sunway akan diadakan di Sunway Lagoon Extreme Park pada 20 Ogos ini.

“Pemenang akan bersaing dalam barisan perlawanan peraduan Ultimate Xventure yang menggambarkan pengalaman ter­dapat di New Zealand bagi memenuhi kehendak anak muda yang mencari pengalaman kembara.

“Peraduan media sosial ini telah bermula pada 31 Julai 2017 dan akan berakhir pada 17 Ogos ini. Penyertaan akan diadili dari 14 hingga 17 Ogos ini di mana seorang pemenang akan dipilih pada setiap hari dan diumumkan melalui radio Fly FM,” katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Teh berkata, peraduan ini bukan sahaja membantu menye­marakkan minat anak muda dalam memilih New Zealand sebagai destinasi kembara, malahan untuk mewujudkan aktiviti interaktif yang dapat meningkatkan kesetiaan terhadap jenama AirAsia dalam kalangan generasi milenial.

“New Zealand menawarkan pilihan sukan kembara yang tiada tandingannya dan hanya AirAsia X menawarkan tambang rendah yang tiada tandingannya dari Kuala Lumpur ke New Zealand untuk pelancong muda yang inginkan pengalaman keseronokan seumur hidup,” katanya.

Untuk keterangan dan maklumat mengenai peraduan berkenaan, orang ramai boleh klik http://promotion.airasia.com/newzealand.

-utusan online.

AirAsia now flies from Kuching to Langkawi, four times a week

AirAsia today launched its inaugural flight from Kuching to Langkawi,

operating four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

KUCHING: AirAsia today launched its inaugural flight from Kuching to Langkawi, operating four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

AirAsia Commercial Head Spencer Lee said the airline is committed to continue growing the hub as Sarawak has a lot to offer beyond being a tourism destination.

"Increasing connectivity into the state is important for us as it is also one of the top preferred investment destinations in the country, with the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) attracting investors to set up manufacturing plants on ICT, agriculture, industrial and many more," he said.

"We have flown about 3.2 million guests in and out of the Kuching hub last year. We believe the introduction of the two new routes; to and from Kuching, namely Pontianak recently and Langkawi today, echoes our commitment in Sarawak," he said.

Speaking to the media at the airport's VIP lounge here, Lee said AirAsia is expected to launch another new international route from Kuching by the end of this year.

"We will be introducing one more new route, flying to an international destination from Kuching within these few months. We hope to create more routes next year," he added.

Meanwhile, state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said AirAsia has done plenty to bring in more routes and it is time for the private sector to play their role.

"This is a good opportunity for us to attract those from Langkawi as AirAsia is the only airline that connect Sarawak to Langkawi now. We cannot expect the airline to introduce a new route and then assist us in promotion and marketing.

“Hence, I hope the private sector, especially tour operators as well as the Sarawak Tourism Board, will take the initiative to promote and market Sarawak to the world," he said.

"We need more qualified and trained tour guides, commercial complexes as well as more private hospitals to be set up to boost our medical tourism," he added.

Karim also touched on negotiations to construct a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Kuching with AirAsia, and said he hopes it will materialise soon.

"We are still discussing and negotiating with AirAsia on the LCCT project. I will reveal more when things have being finalised," he said.

AirAsia now flies to 11 destinations from Kuching, with more than 220 weekly flights. Besides Langkawi, other destinations are Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Pontianak.

-nst online.

AirAsia offers up to 45 per cent discounts

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia is offering discounts of up to 45 per cent on local and international flights with its latest Buy More, Save More campaign.

From July 31 to Aug 6, travellers can get 15 per cent off flight bookings for one passenger, 25 per cent off for two passengers, 35 per cent off for three passengers and 45 per cent off for four or more passengers on the same booking.

Travellers can also get a 20 per cent discount via a Fly-Thru flight booking or opt for the AirAsia X Premium Flatbed.

The promotion is available for travel between Feb 26 to Aug 28, 2018.

“This promo has something for everyone. Whether you prefer to travel alone or with your family or friends, we will get you to the destination for less," said AirAsia group chief commercial officer Siegtraund Teh.

The low-cost carrier flies to more than 120 destinations across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and the US.

-thestar online.

AirAsia unflinching as it darts towards Davao

photo: AirAsia facebook

Undaunted by uncertainties in Mindanao, AirAsia will connect Davao to Kuala Lumpur beginning December 21, with plans to develop the city into a hub for the BIMP-EAGA initiative that comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The 180-pax, four-times weekly services will be the second carrier to connect Davao to South-east Asia after Singapore’s SilkAir service, despite efforts from the Philippines to attract foreign carriers to Davao.

Speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Davao Investment Conference last Friday, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said: “Life is all about taking risks… (it comes down to) how you market Davao. I really hope the airport supports us (in terms of) incentives and marketing.”

This would not be the first time AirAsia is opening a route that “nobody dreamt of doing”, Fernandes said, referring to the airline’s Macau services, the first from South-east Asia, and other pioneering routes including to Bandung, Langkawi and Clark.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Dexter Comendador added that the airline is planning flights from Davao to Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Brunei and other destinations in the BIMP-EAGA corridors.

Comendador said Davao’s airport is willing to waive airport landing fees and other charges while BIMP-EAGA doesn’t charge travel taxes, making it feasible for the carrier to serve the region.

This would help alleviate a key challenge for LCCs, as he said that airport fees constitute one of the biggest costs for budget airlines, even higher than passenger fares in some instances.

-TTG Asia.

AirAsia offering rebates, new routes, increased frequencies for Aidiladha travel period

AirAsia passengers will enjoy a 20 per cent discount on tickets for

the Hari Raya Aidiladha period. File pix by MOHD FADLI HAMZAH.

KUALA LUMPUR: Start making your festive “balik kampung” plans now, because AirAsia is offering a 20 per cent discount on tickets for the Hari Raya Aidiladha period, as well as introducing new routes, and increasing flight frequencies.

The promotion is valid for all seats and flights, including additional holiday period flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Johor Baru and Alor Star.

New routes will also be introduced, such as the Langkawi-Kuching, Langkawi-Johor Baru, Johor Baru-Kuala Terengganu, Johor Baru-Tawau routes for the travel period between Aug 26 and Sept 3.

Flights to several locations will increase in frequency during the festive period: Kuala Terengganu (47 to 54 flights one-way weekly), Kota Baru (75 to 89) and Alor Star (33 to 40).

AirAsia Bhd head of commercial Spencer Lee said the additional flights and rebates are to accommodate the coming holidays, especially for Muslim passengers heading back to their home towns.

“The public can purchase their tickets from July 13 to 16 for the travel period between Aug 26 until Sept 3, which falls during the school term holidays and Hari Raya. AirAsia BIG members can redeem flights during this sale using their AirAsia BIG points,” Lee added.

“AirAsia is constantly working on growing our domestic hubs to serve our guests better, and we hope the new routes and the additional flight frequencies will provide a smoother travelling experience for our guests,” he added.

It is advisable for passengers to arrive at their airport three hours prior to departure time and perform self-check in via online or kiosk services to avoid congestion.

The discount is only applicable to base fares, while the rebate is not available during peak periods.

You can check the terms and conditions at airasia.com or the AirAsia mobile app and AirAsiaGo.

For latest AirAsia promotions, news and activities, follow them on Twitter @AirAsia and Facebook, AirAsia.

-nst online.