AirAsia successfully flew its first flights to Ningbo in China’s Zhejiang province from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, two of its largest hubs in Malaysia. 

As the largest foreign carrier in China, Malaysia’s AirAsia plays an important role in the aviation industry by facilitating air travel between both countries.

Currently, the airline operates routes to 19 destinations across China.

Flying into Kuala Lumpur

Flight AK 181 from Ningbo was around 90 percent full when it flew into Kuala Lumpur at 7.00pm on 1 August.

Guests on board were given a warm welcome by Tourism Malaysia’s deputy chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and director-general Manoharan Periasamy, as well as the agency’s director for international promotion in Asia and Africa Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi.

The Tourism Malaysia officials were accompanied by AirAsia and AirAsia Allstars chief of global policy and government relations Lim Boon Seong.

A warm welcome in Kota Kinabalu

Meanwhile, the airline also celebrated its maiden Kota Kinabalu flight with a nearly 100 percent passenger load on 2 August. 

The flight landed in Kota Kinabalu at 5:05pm and was met with a water cannon salute upon arrival.

Flight AK 1519 was welcomed by Sabah’s assistant minister of tourism, culture, and environment Joniston Bangkuai; Tourism Malaysia’s senior deputy director for  international promotion Mohamad Libra Lee Haniff; Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffrey Jimit; and AirAsia Malaysia managing director Fareh Mazputra.