SUBANG- AirAsia (AK) resumed operations at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, commonly known as Subang Airport (SZB), with inaugural flights to Sabah (BKI) and Sarawak (KCH).
This return marks a pivotal moment for the airline, as it reconnects with its birthplace after 24 years.
AirAsia Returns to Subang Airport
Flight AK4102 from Kota Kinabalu touched down at Subang Airport at 9:00 am, greeted by a water cannon salute and cheering Capital A and AirAsia management teams. The ceremony culminated in the departure of flight AK4235 to Kuching at 9:30 am.
AirAsia’s reentry into Subang Airport is set to boost connectivity within Malaysia and the broader region. In 2023, the airline transported over 14 million passengers across its domestic network, operating 918 weekly flights.
The addition of Subang to its roster is expected to drive further growth in domestic passenger numbers.
AirAsia’s expansion at Subang Airport reinforces its position as Malaysia’s largest airline by capacity. The carrier plans to operate 1,860 return weekly domestic flights across 40 routes by December 2024, further solidifying its extensive domestic network.
Executive Remarks
Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Executive Chairman of Capital A, hailed the return as an emotional moment, emphasizing its significance in AirAsia’s journey. He expressed confidence that this move would usher in a new era of growth and innovation for the airline.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to AirAsia Aviation Group, reflected on Subang Airport’s role in AirAsia’s inception. He highlighted the company’s evolved ambitions and its commitment to contributing to Malaysia’s aviation landscape through various Capital A businesses.
Mr Fernandes also shared in his post that, “An emotional day for me. Seeing the return of AirAsia back at Subang airport. We greeted the inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu and sent off the inaugural departure to Kuching. Both were on time!
Almost in tears seeing the original crew and captains in full force some of whom have been around longer than me!! 26 years for Suhaila Hassan. Some of them didn’t want to be in the uniform but don’t they look great?
They embody what AirAsia stands for – the spirit of daring to dream, never giving up and making it happen.
A proud dad moment for Din and me. Kudos to all my Allstars.”
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia, underscored the personal significance of the return to Subang Airport. He outlined plans to establish Subang as AirAsia’s sixth hub in Malaysia, emphasizing the airport’s strategic location and its potential to enhance travel experiences.
The reintroduction of narrow-body aircraft operations at Subang aligns with Malaysia’s goal to become a premier regional aviation hub. This move is expected to modernize the historic airport into a vibrant city terminal catering to business travelers.
What are your thoughts on AirAsia’s solid growth post-pandemic? Let us know in the comment section.
AirAsia Announces the First Ever International Flight from Port Blair
The post AirAsia Returns to Subang with New Flights to Sabah and Sarawak appeared first on Aviation A2Z.