SEPANG: AirAsia, an airline subsidiary of Capital A Bhd, will add 52 special extra flights at fixed low fares between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak from Jan 17-30 next year for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd group chief executive officer Bo Lingam said the special extra flights would be late night flights with a total of 25,020 extra seats to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau from Kuala Lumpur.
The flights also from Johor Bahru to Kuching, Sibu and Miri as well as Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu.
"These flights are last flight that start around 11pm or 11.30pm. It's the same aircraft coming back on normal operations and then we're using it to fly to East Malaysia," Bo told reporters after the announcement of the special extra flights here today.
The flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri as well as from Johor Bahru to Kuching, Sibu and Miri are priced at RM199 one-way.
The price for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau, and Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu are at RM249 one-way. All seats are available for booking starting Dec 28 2022.
Bo said AirAsia would also operate 274 flights weekly at regular fares to the same destinations.
He added that the airline was planning to increase its fleet to 65 by February 2023 from the 50 aircraft that were operating currently to cater to the continuous surge of air travel demand.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke said the ministry encouraged other airlines to emulate the same initiative or other initiatives which can reduce airfares especially during the festive seasons.
"As we usher in the new year, we look forward to continuously working with industry players such as AirAsia to cater to the needs and welfare of the people," he added.
Guests travelling during the Chinese New Year period are advised to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of their scheduled departure time for domestic travel to avoid congestion.
Self check-in using the airasia Super App, which is available as early as 14 days before the departure date and the use of e-Boarding Pass are highly encouraged.