AirAsia’s Kuching-Pontianak flight boosts state’s tourism — Abdul Karim

June 6, 2017

Abdul Karim (centre) and Lee (on Karim’s left) placing scarves with ethnic motifs on passengers to welcome them upon their arrival at KIA on board the inaugural AirAsia flight from Pontianak to Kuching. Also seen are Muhammad (left) and Aireen (second left).

KUCHING: AirAsia celebrated its inaugural flight from Pontianak, Indonesia to Kuching with the arrival of its plane at Kuching International Airport (KIA) at 1.50pm yesterday.

The plane was greeted with a ceremonial two-hose ‘water salute’ while taxiing into the parking apron and as passengers disembarked, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah alongside Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and AirAsia Berhad chief executive officer Aireen Omar were on hand to welcome and present them with ethnic motif scarves as well as goodie bags.

Abdul Karim described the direct flight as another milestone in the development of tourism in Sarawak as connectivity served as one of the state government’s prime areas of concern in the industry circle.

KIA reaching its full capacity — AirAsia CEO

June 6, 2017

Aireen (left) speaking during the press conference. Also with her are (from second left) Abdul Karim, Lee and Abdul Wahab.

KUCHING: The Kuching International Airport (KIA) has almost reached its capacity of five million passengers per year.

This was disclosed by AirAsia Berhad chief executive officer Aireen Omar who proposed that the international airport here be expanded to bring in more connectivity to the state.

“I think the current airport facility (KIA) is reaching its full capacity already because last year it has reached almost five million passengers and the capacity of this international airport is five million per annum.

“So I think we need to start looking at how to expand the airport now in order for us to realise our plans in bringing more connectivity,” she told a press conference after joining Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in welcoming passengers from the inaugural AirAsia flight from Pontianak, Indonesia to Kuching at KIA yesterday.

Aireen was responding to a question on whether AirAsia’s plans to have a dedicated low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in the state was still in the pipeline.