AirAsia adds another milestone with KK-Fukuoka flights
This launch of their brand new fifth-freedom route from the airline's second-largest hub of Kota Kinabalu will start flying daily from Aug 15, further underscoring AirAsia's commitment to expand its Kota Kinabalu hub.
AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra said this launch marked another significant milestone as the airline continues to explore new opportunities from the Kota Kinabalu hub.
He added since reinstating the Kota Kinabalu-Taipei route three years ago, AirAsia has flown more than 130,000 passengers, and the numbers continue to grow.
This launch aligns with their vision of connecting people across Asia, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting tourism opportunities, he added.
'With this new route, Sabahans now have more choices and flexibility when travelling to their preferred destinations, while supporting the state government's vision of positioning Sabah as a top tourism destination,' said Fareh.
In conjunction with the launch, AirAsia is offering special promotional fares for flights from Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka starting from RM609 all-in one way, whereas flights from Fukuoka to Kota Kinabalu are also available from ¥21,390 (about RM635) all-in one way.
Customers can book their flights from today until June 8, 2025, for travelling between Aug 15, 2025 and March 29, 2026, available on the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com.
Taipei is one of AirAsia's key virtual hubs within its extensive network.
The new route provides more flexibility for Malaysians looking to explore more destinations in Japan, offering an alternative to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka via Don Mueang (Thailand), operated by Thai AirAsia (flight code FD).
From Aug 15, AirAsia will operate flights to 13 international destinations across Asia from the Kota Kinabalu hub, with a total of 79 flights weekly, further solidifying the hub's position as Malaysia's second-largest hub.
According to AirAsia, all-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees with terms and conditions applied.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Calling for the inclusive and accountable implementation of 13MP
G25 Malaysia welcomes the recent announcement of the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030) that sets out the medium-term vision for Malaysia's transition into a developed, high-income nation by the end of this decade. With GDP continuing to grow and per capita income rising steadily, Malaysia is well positioned to make this leap. However, to achieve the desired objectives, the 13MP must include the necessary institutional and human rights reforms to meet the rising expectations of the new generation of Malaysians. Moreover, the strength of any plan lies not just in its vision but in the consistency of its implementation. Without clear and firm political commitment (including a firm political commitment to eradicate the menace of systemic corruption) and sustained coordination, there is a risk of disconnect between policy intent and outcomes on the ground.
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Gig Workers Bill sparks concerns over rising costs amid economic pressures
KUALA LUMPUR - The upcoming Gig Workers Bill, set to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Aug 14 has raised concerns among industry players and gig workers over its potential to drive up costs for consumers and disrupt the gig economy's balance of flexibility and affordability. The bill, aimed at safeguarding the rights of Malaysia's estimated 1.5 million gig workers, proposes mandatory contributions to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation (Socso). The upcoming Gig Workers Bill, set to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Aug 14 has raised concerns among industry players and gig workers over its potential to drive up costs for consumers and disrupt the gig economy's balance of flexibility and affordability. - Bernama file photo While the move is seen as a step forward in protecting gig workers, stakeholders warn that the additional costs of compliance could ripple through the economy, ultimately impacting consumers. The concerns come at a time when Malaysians are already grappling with rising living costs. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.2 per cent year-on-year in June 2025, driven by higher transportation, food and utility costs. The transportation sector alone saw a 5.1 per cent hike, reflecting the impact of global fuel price volatility and domestic policy shifts. Food prices, a major contributor to household expenses, rose by 4.7 per cent, putting further strain on consumers. Industry players fear that the operational costs stemming from the bill such as mandatory Socso contributions and potential wage regulations could exacerbate inflationary pressures. Platforms like e-hailing services and babysitting networks may need to increase their service fees to offset the costs, passing the burden onto consumers. An e-hailing driver, Abdul Halim Hapiz, who is a person with disability (PWD), shared concerns about the bill's potential impact on earnings and opportunities. 'We have not received confirmation from the Ministry on whether there are clear benefits for PWD gig workers, such as upskilling opportunities. "Employment as e-hailing drivers is vital for us, as past regulations have already posed challenges, and we worry the bill's implementation could further reduce our income,' he said. The driver also highlighted the risk of higher platform fees if companies are forced to absorb new costs. 'If service fees increase, customers may turn away from using e-hailing services, and this will directly affect our income," he said. Kiddocare's Head of Business Development, Rahman Hussin, highlighted the challenges of the bill for platforms during the 'Sembang Santai Teh Tarik: Industri Gig' session with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. 'While we support the spirit of the bill and the desire to protect gig workers, the economic impact cannot be ignored. "If platforms are required to ensure mandatory PERKESO contributions, this will inevitably increase operational costs. 'These costs will likely be transferred to consumers, raising service prices for babysitting," he said. Rahman also questioned the absence of a Regulatory Impact Analysis, which he believes is crucial for understanding the broader implications of the bill. 'A minimum wage proposal is also included in the bill, but to implement that, we need to define minimum working hours. "This goes against the flexibility that gig workers value, and it could lead to additional administrative costs for platforms," he said. For gig workers themselves, Rahman stated challenges in convincing workers to open Socso accounts, as many view them as unnecessary. The gig economy in Malaysia has grown rapidly over the past decade, driven by platforms like Foodpanda, Lalamove, Grab and Kiddocare and others that offer flexible work opportunities. According to the World Bank, Malaysia's gig economy contributed approximately RM10 billion to the nation's GDP in 2024, highlighting its importance as a source of income for both workers and businesses. However, the sector has faced criticism for its lack of social protections, with gig workers often excluded from traditional employment benefits such as medical insurance, retirement savings and injury compensation. The Gig Workers Bill aims to address these gaps, but industry players are urging policymakers to consider its economic impact carefully. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim previously stated that 40 engagement sessions involving 4,000 stakeholders including gig workers, platform companies, employers' representatives, politicians and NGOs had been conducted to shape the bill. Despite these efforts, many stakeholders feel that critical questions regarding costs and implementation remain unanswered. As the tabling date approaches, the gig economy faces mounting concerns about how the bill will balance worker protection, platform sustainability and affordability for consumers. In an inflationary environment, the ripple effects of rising costs could be significant, impacting not only gig workers but also the millions of Malaysians who rely on their services daily.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia Airlines tops punctuality list for domestic flights — but ministry says passengers still protected if delays happen
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Malaysia Airlines (MAS) achieved an on-time performance (OTP) of 85.3 per cent for domestic flights as of May 2025, followed by AirAsia (84.5 per cent) and Batik Air (73.5 per cent), according to the Ministry of Transport (MOT). Comparatively, at the end of 2024, MAS recorded an OTP of 84.7 per cent, while AirAsia and Batik Air recorded OTPs of 67.9 per cent and 73.9 per cent, respectively. The ministry said that in the event of flight disruptions, airlines are required to deploy a delay management team, issue a press statement within 24 hours for major disruptions, and submit a detailed report to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). 'The MOT, through CAAM, will assess all complaints against airlines and take appropriate action in accordance with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC),' the ministry said in a written reply published on the Malaysian Parliament's website yesterday. The MOT was responding to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai), who had asked the ministry to explain the main causes of the increasingly frequent flight delays, particularly domestic routes, as well as the immediate and long-term measures being taken to protect passengers' rights and address their losses. According to the ministry, the MACPC was revised and gazetted on September 2, 2024, to enhance consumer protection. The updated MACPC outlines the obligations of airlines to uphold passengers' rights, particularly in the event of delays and cancellations. 'Key enhancements introduced in the 2024 revision include the requirement for airlines to offer refunds in the original form of payment for flight delays exceeding five hours, including for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances,' said MOT. — Bernama
