Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Capital A’s CEO and the Advisor and Steward of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, has been honored by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) with the prestigious Sabah Tourism Appreciation Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to Sabah’s tourism sector. Over the past 22 years, under Tan Sri Tony’s visionary leadership, AirAsia has revolutionized air travel while significantly contributing to Sabah’s economic growth. This accolade highlights his unwavering dedication and AirAsia’s consistent efforts, as the airline of the people, in promoting the advancement and prosperity of Sabah.
As a co-founder, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has been instrumental in positioning Sabah as a thriving tourism and hospitality hub, particularly since AirAsia established its base in the state with support from STB. Through innovative approaches and a strong focus on making air travel accessible to everyone, AirAsia has opened new opportunities for Sabah’s tourism industry, generating thousands of jobs and providing a substantial boost to the local economy. Today, Sabah stands proudly as AirAsia’s second-largest hub in Malaysia, reflecting the airline’s deep commitment to the state.
Since its launch in 2002, AirAsia has been a leader in connecting Sabah to the rest of Malaysia and the world. Presently, AirAsia operates 13 domestic and 14 international direct routes to Sabah, supported by a fleet of 11 aircraft based in Kota Kinabalu, with plans to introduce another aircraft by the end of the year. Additionally, starting 30 August, daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Subang Airport will be launched, further improving connectivity.
The airline also plans to add 10 new destinations over the next six months, including routes to China and Vietnam, reinforcing its commitment to establishing Sabah as a premier travel destination in the region. Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, Chairman of AirAsia Aviation Group commended Tan Sri Tony Fernandes for his relentless efforts and contribution in driving Sabah’s tourism and economic growth. He said: “Tony’s commitment to Sabah’s development is truly inspiring and I believe significant.
The strong foundations he has laid will drive the airline business forward, enabling us to continue contributing to Sabah’s vibrant future with AirAsia’s continued growth plan as a leading player in the global aviation industry.” Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor and Steward of AirAsia , said: “Sabah has always held a special place in my heart. Our commitment to Sabah’s development is unshakeable, and we appreciate STB for recognising the significant contributions we have made over the years across various sectors, including the state’s tourism, connectivity, and logistics industries.
This award is not just an honour for me, but for the entire Capital A and AirAsia family, who have made it possible for us to make such a meaningful impact in ensuring that this beautiful state continues to grow and prosper. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am excited for what the future holds for Sabah.” Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board expressed his gratitude for AirAsia’s continued support, stating: “Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and AirAsia have been invaluable partners in our journey to make Sabah a world-class tourism destination.
Their efforts have brought immense benefits to our state, from increasing tourist arrivals to creating jobs and stimulating our local economy. AirAsia’s contribution to Sabah tourism industry is simply amazing and the Sabah Tourism Appreciation Award is a token of our deep appreciation for their steadfast commitment to our shared vision. We look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration.
” Julinus Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board said: “As of 1 August 2024, AirAsia contributed 55 per cent or 216 out of 392 domestic flights weekly and 54 per cent or 84 out of 156 international flights weekly with 12 international destinations to Sabah and more to come. As Tony always said, “Believe the unbelievable, dream the impossible,” and through this remarkable growth, we are seeing those dreams become reality, positioning Sabah as a premier nature, adventure and culture tourism destination within the region.” AirAsia Ride, the e-hailing service under AirAsia MOVE, part of Capital A’s travel platform, extends AirAsia’s reach beyond the skies by offering dependable ground transportation.
With an average of 25,000 bookings each month and a network of over 1,000 drivers in Sabah, AirAsia Ride significantly enhances the ground travel experience for both visitors and locals, particularly by improving airport connectivity. Teleport, Capital A’s logistics division, has also made a significant impact on Sabah’s logistics and e-commerce industries. Operating three e-commerce hubs in Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau, Teleport has enabled the delivery of 7.
29 million e-commerce parcels to Sabah so far this year. Since the launch of its freighter services in July, Teleport has shipped 3,800 tonnes of air freight out of Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Overall, Teleport has moved 9,500 tonnes of cargo into Sabah across its network this year, underscoring its vital role in supporting the state’s digital economy.
Moreover, AirAsia’s ongoing collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) continues to be a driving force behind the state’s tourism growth. This partnership has been further solidified through a recent strategic agreement aimed at boosting Sabah’s tourism over the next five years. The plan focuses on enhancing air connectivity between Sabah and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as other key regions including ASEAN, North Asia, and Oceania, from 2024 to 2028.
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