KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic partnership to boost the tourism industry over the next five years.
In a statement, the carrier said the partnership aims to enhance Sabah's position as a premier tourist destination by improving air connectivity within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region and broader Asean, North Asia, and Oceania from 2024 to 2028.
AirAsia Group aims to enhance overall connectivity in Sabah by potentially launching 14 new domestic and international routes including Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Sri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu-Perth, Tawau-Guangzhou, Sandakan-Hong Kong, and more.
These will be subject to market review and evaluation over the course of the coming months to assess demand for each route, regulatory approvals and other favourable market factors and conditions.
AirAsia Aviation Group deputy group CEO (airline operations), Datuk Captain Chester Voo, highlighted that the partnership is a significant move to enhance connectivity from their second-largest hub in Malaysia.
He said this expansion aims to offer more travel opportunities for guests from Sabah to explore the world and for global travelers to discover and appreciate Sabah.
“Since 2002, we have flown close to almost 80 million guests to and from Sabah, both domestically and internationally. We look forward to seeing these numbers grow exponentially in the next five years with this partnership.
“In 2023 alone, AirAsia flights contributed to a 60% market share for tourism in Sabah, highlighting the immense potential of this region as a major travel destination. Increased connectivity brings more international visitors to Sabah, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding, and leading to new opportunities in various sectors.
“With the continuous support of our guests and partners, we are confident that AirAsia will play a pivotal role in transforming Sabah into a vibrant tourism hub, driving economic growth and improving the livelihoods of its people,” he said.
