AirAsia to increase int'l flights departing from Senai Airport

KUALA TERENGGANU 22/06/17 : The first AirAsia flight passengers from Johor Bahru to Kuala Terengganu were celebrated and welcomed by Terengganu Menteri Besar , Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman (center) during the receiving ceremony held at Sultan Mahmud Airport here. Also present was Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Berhad, Aireen Omar (standing beside Menteri Besas). (BERNAMA STORY) zabidi tusin/the star/terengganu

JOHOR BARU: AirAsia Bhd will increase more international flights departing from the Senai International Airport by year-end.

Chief executive officer Aireen Omar said the new route, from Senai to India, would be in addition to its current flights from Senai to Bangkok (Thailand), Guangzhou (China), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Jakarta and Surabaya (Indonesia).

“We intend to turn the Senai airport into one of the major international hubs in the region.

“This is also part of our long-term plan as we believe that there would be many opportunities for us to go further,” she told reporters after witnessing the departure of AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Johor Baru (JB) to Kuala Terengganu on Thursday.

The thrice-weekly JB-Kuala Terengganu flight marked the airline’s ninth domestic route from the Senai airport, she said.

Also present were Johor Tourism Department director Mohd Shukri Mohd Masbah, Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, Md Derick Basir, Terengganu State assembly speaker, Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong and Terengganu Tourism Department director Tun Ahmad Faisal Tun Abdul Razak.

According to Aireen, Johor has become an important hub for the airline as it had contributed favourably to the group’s total revenue.

“There is a high demand for new international flights, which I believe we would be able to fulfil, while simultaneously encouraging people to come to Johor,” she said. - Bernama