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AirAsia’s inaugural Kota Kinabalu to Seoul flight marks expansion with daily services, bolstering Sabah’s tourism and cultural exchange.
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA – AirAsia Malaysia achieved another milestone for its second-biggest hub in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, with its inaugural flight to Seoul, South Korea, which took flight with a 100% passenger load factor.
Commencing operations starting on the 4th of March 2024 with daily frequencies, this new route marks the airline’s continued expansion in Sabah with a total of 18 routes flying 282 weekly flights to and from Kota Kinabalu.
This direct flight makes travel between these two vibrant destinations more accessible and affordable for Sabahans with the opportunity to explore Seoul’s rich cultural offerings such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheonggyecheon Stream; iconic landmarks including Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky Observatory; as well as diverse culinary experiences at Mangwon Market and many others.
The inaugural flight celebration was marked by a lively send-off ceremony by AirAsia and the Korea Tourism Organisation with mascot appearance and merchandise giveaways for guests on board.
Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited said: “We are very pleased to celebrate this new route with a full load which is a great sign of things to come. With approximately 150,000 arrivals recorded from South Korea to Sabah in 2023, we look forward to flying even more travelers into Sabah this year. As we continue to grow our East Malaysia hub, this expansion reinforces Kota Kinabalu’s position as a dynamic aviation base, boasting nine domestic and nine international destinations. As South Korea has been one of the top three market sources for tourism in Sabah, the introduction of this route will not only boost the state’s tourism and trade sectors but also strengthen the cultural and economic ties between South Korea and Sabah. We are confident that the addition of this route will further create significant mutual benefits for the people of South Korea and Sabah.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
