AirAsia marks historic return to Subang Airport with first flights to Sabah and Sarawak

SUBANG: AirAsia today resumed operations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), commonly known as Subang Airport, with its first flights to Sabah and Sarawak. These two flights mark a significant event in the airline’s history, reconnecting services after 24 years since its initial operations from the same airport.

Flight AK4102 from Kota Kinabalu departed at 6:25 AM and arrived at Subang Airport at 9:00 AM. The aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute upon arrival and was celebrated by Capital A and AirAsia management. The celebration continued with the departure of flight AK4235 to Kuching from Subang Airport at 9:30 AM.

The reinstatement of AirAsia’s flights to Subang Airport will further enhance domestic and regional connectivity. In 2023, the airline carried over 14 million guests across its domestic network with 918 weekly flights. With the addition of operations in Subang, the airline aims to boost its domestic passenger numbers even further.

Capital A Executive Chairman, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, said: “Our return to Subang Airport is a sweet memory for all AirAsia staff. This is where it all began, where we realized our dream of democratizing air travel. We are proud to bring our aircraft back to Subang, as it not only recalls the past but also charts a new direction for our future. This is a significant achievement for AirAsia, and we are confident that returning to Subang will mark a new beginning in our history as we continue to achieve success and set new standards in the aviation industry.”

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Advisor to AirAsia Aviation Group, said: “Subang Airport always holds a special place in my heart. It’s where we took our first steps as a small airline with big dreams. Today, we return with the same enthusiasm and hope, along with much greater experience and ambition to explore new growth opportunities for AirAsia and Capital A.

“The redevelopment plan for Subang Airport is expected to realize Malaysia’s aspiration to become a leading aviation hub in the region. The resumption of single-aisle aircraft services here is a step toward modernizing this historic airport into a high-potential city terminal that will serve as a hub for business travelers. AirAsia is now well-positioned to expand its services through other Capital A businesses such as Teleport, MOVE, Asia Digital Engineering, Santan, GTR, and more, and is committed to contributing to the vital transformation of the national aviation industry.”

Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia, said: “Subang Airport represents our ever-evolving dream. As someone who started my career with AirAsia from this airport, this return is very meaningful. Our reappearance here with the first flights to Sabah and Sarawak not only recalls our past successes but also strengthens our future. The strategic location of this airport, with its proximity to the city center and local areas, offers a more optimal and flexible travel experience for our guests, especially those traveling to and from Sabah and Sarawak. We hope to make Subang our sixth hub in Malaysia in the future, further expanding our network and enhancing accessibility for travelers in the region.”

AirAsia’s return to Subang Airport reinforces its position as the largest airline by capacity in Malaysia. This expansion also makes it the airline with the most extensive domestic network, offering 40 routes across the country with 1,860 weekly domestic flights by the end of December 2024.