SEPANG: One month of free flights between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak is in the offing as part of the AirAsia 1Malaysia Integration Programme.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who announced this at the launch of the programme here yesterday, also unveiled the AirAsia 1Malaysia aircraft livery at the KLIA Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

The special livery bore a painting of the different faces in multi-racial Malaysia on the tail of an Airbus A320 aircraft, which will ply routes served by the airline in over 70 destinations.

“Under the programme, AirAsia will offer free flights for one month between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula. I am delighted to be able to launch this as (part of) AirAsia's contributions to the success of 1Malaysia and I am sure many would never have the chance to come to the peninsula, let alone overseas, if not for this opportunity,” Najib said at the launch yesterday.

We are one: Najib and the delegation from the AirAsia 1Malaysia Integration Programme posing at the LCCT in Sepang. With them are AirAsia Group chief executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (fifth from left) and MAB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad (second from left). — Bernama

AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the 1Malaysia concept formed “part of the DNA” of the company.

“While we are proud of our efforts, let me also make it absolutely clear that none of this would have been possible without the tremendous support and encouragement by the Malaysian Government.

“Be it the Jalur Gemilang livery of 10 years ago, the Visit Malaysia livery, the Lat livery of 2009 we have dedicated a gallery in the skies to Malaysia's unique diversity and heritage,” Fernandes said.

Najib also praised Fernandes and his team for their adoption of the 1Malaysia spirit and for increasing connectivity opportunities between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula.

We are one: Sabah and Sarawak community leaders in the integration programme arriving at the Kuantan TUDM airport. — Bernama

The 1Malaysia concept, said Najib, emphasised being inclusive and realising the potential of the country as one community.

“AirAsia is a living example of the success of the concept of 1Malaysia it is truly a 1Malaysia outfit.

“It shows that by working together, we can take the nation to the pinnacle of success,” said Najib.

On KLIA2, Najib said the project was expected to be completed by May.

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