Langkawi in northern Malaysia is AirAsia’s new international hub, with the low cost carrier committing to deploy more crew and pilots to the resort island within the next four months.
Langkawi will be AirAsia’s sixth international hub in Malaysia. (Image credit: karnizz/iStock)
AirAsia group chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, announcing this at the ongoing Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2015 (LIMA ’15) said Langkawi would be the base to operate direct flights to ASEAN capital cities and beyond.
“We plan to put five planes in Langkawi, and generate approximately 1 to 1.5 million passengers through the island. We will obviously focus on ASEAN destinations, and gradually expand the connectivity to China and India, which are both very strong routes.”
He added that by making Langkawi an international hub, AirAsia would help contribute to the growth of traffic of the airport.
Currently AirAsia operates only one direct flight to Langkawi from Singapore.
Aireen Omar, AirAsia chief executive officer, added: “We have a great airport here in Langkawi, but it is under-utilised. We firmly believe Langkawi have a huge potential to grow as an international hub.”
AirAsia has five international hubs in Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Kuching (Sarawak), Johor Bahru (Johor), Penang and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah). Langkawi will be the sixth.
“Connecting ASEAN” blazes across the A320’s new livery.
In a concurrent event AirAsia unveiled the ASEAN-Malaysia aircraft livery on an Airbus A320 aircraft to commemorate Malaysia assuming chairman of the region this year.
The livery with the words, “Connecting ASEAN”, in the bright ASEAN colours of red, yellow and blue surround icons representing all 10 member countries such as Sarawak’s hornbill, Laos’ Pha Tat Luang, and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. There is also a special logo, “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision, Malaysia 2015” to commemorate Malaysia’s 2015 ASEAN chairmanship
Fernandes said that with the expected implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Open Skies this year, there is an urgent need for a common regulator to be established to ensure proper standards are implemented to promote travel within the booming region.
“AirAsia is committed to supporting these key initiatives as we are firm believers in ASEAN showcased through our family of airlines and extensive route network across this region.”
He added AirAsia would “continue to invest in providing the best network across ASEAN and beyond, not only connecting people intra ASEAN but also bringing tourists to ASEAN.”
