AirAsia expands Kota Kinabalu hub with new Shanghai route

AirAsia, a prominent low-cost carrier, is set to fortify its Kota Kinabalu hub with the introduction of a new international direct route to Shanghai, scheduled to commence operations on 20 February 2024.

This strategic move underlines Kota Kinabalu’s pivotal role as AirAsia’s second-largest hub in Malaysia, with the airline serving a total of 19 destinations, encompassing both domestic and international routes.

Expanding Kota Kinabalu hub

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, expressed excitement about the announcement, particularly for the residents of Sabah.

Lingam highlighted the opportunity to stimulate tourism between China and Malaysia following the government’s visa-free entry initiative.

The new Shanghai route marks AirAsia’s commitment to expanding its Kota Kinabalu hub, with Shanghai becoming the sixth destination in Mainland China accessible from the city.

Lingam stated, “This new international route reinforces our standing as the largest foreign low-cost carrier in China. We eagerly anticipate contributing substantially to the Sabah tourism sector as the state targets 2.8 million tourist arrivals in 2024.”

Significance for tourism

The announcement comes as part of AirAsia’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in China, one of its largest markets.

From February 2024 onwards, AirAsia will operate 162 weekly flights on 19 routes from Malaysia to China. This expansion not only bolsters Kota Kinabalu’s standing but also positions AirAsia as a key player in facilitating travel between the two countries.

To celebrate the new route, AirAsia is offering promotional fares for travellers from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai, with all-in fares starting from only RM288 one-way.

The promotional fares are available for booking from today until 21 January 2024, for the travel period between 20 February 2024 and 29 March 2024. This initiative aims to make travel more accessible and encourage passenger traffic on the new route.

AirAsia Malaysia (AK) currently connects Kota Kinabalu directly to three other international destinations beyond Mainland China, including Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong.

The addition of the Shanghai route strengthens AirAsia’s commitment to providing diverse travel options for its customers and contributes to the economic and tourism development of Sabah.

The airline’s continuous expansion in Kota Kinabalu reinforces its position as a key player in the aviation industry, connecting Malaysia to major destinations worldwide.

*All-in one-way fares are inclusive of airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Subject to regulatory approval. The China visa free entry is valid for visits of up to 15 days and only applicable for Malaysians. Terms and conditions apply.