AirAsia to train Sabah youth as pilots, engineers
Tun Musa (fourth from left) with the AirAsia delegation.-Information Department photo
KOTA KINABALU (June 3): AirAsia plans to collaborate with higher education institutions in Sabah to implement a training program aimed at producing pilots, engineers and aviation technical personnel.
Group CEO of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, said this initiative is part of efforts to develop local human capital, particularly among B40 youth.
'While tourism remains Sabah's key economic driver, AirAsia wants to expand its contribution by developing local talent and workforce skills.
'We already have many cabin crew members, engineers and pilots. Now, we want to help produce more pilots, engineers and technical personnel among Sabah's youth,' he said after paying a courtesy visit to the Governor of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, on Tuesday.
Tony stated that the company is ready in terms of syllabus and program structure and will establish a working committee to outline the program's implementation.
'Once sufficient funding is secured, we will open applications. Our target is to start the program before the end of the year, beginning with pilot training,' he said.
He explained that the program will later expand to engineering and other technical fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the company's ongoing investments in cutting-edge technology.
'In the aviation industry, AirAsia now extensively uses AI for network scheduling, fuel savings, and baggage management. Therefore, we want Sabah's youth to be involved in this technological advancement,' he added.
Meanwhile, AirAsia reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the connectivity from its second-largest hub, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, with the launch of a brand new fifth-freedom route to Fukuoka, Japan via Taipei.
Starting from 15 August 2025, AirAsia will be operating the additional route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka through a short stopover in Taipei with daily flights. The new route underscores the airline's commitment to expand its Kota Kinabalu hub, enabling more Sabahans to fly beyond Asean and offering more travel options for globetrotters seeking new adventures.
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