KUCHING: Budget carrier AirAsia yesterday announced additional flights for Sarawak, including the new Kuching-Singapore route, but insisted that it needs another two to three months to decide on reinstating the Kuching-Macau route.

LET’S FLY TOGETHER: Fernandes (left) and Manyin fielding questions from reporters during the media briefing. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapha

Its group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes, who had talks with Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Datuk Michael Manyin yesterday, said the Kuching-Macau route would be reinstated once sustainability was secured.

Towards this end, he said AirAsia and Sarawak Tourism Board would work closely together to promote the route.

The Kuching-Macau route, introduced last November, will be suspended on Oct 26.

AirAsia has also suspended Kuching-Bali route since August, just three months after its commencement in May.

Both routes were suspended following low passenger volume.

“I recently set up a blog, after which I have been receiving a lot of responses and emails from Sarawakians wanting the Kuching-Macau route to be reinstated.

“I discussed this matter with the minister (Manyin), and AirAsia agrees to reinstate the flight. We hope we can do so within the next two to three months,” he said at a media briefing here yesterday.

Also present were Manyin, Assistant Minister of Tourism Hamden Ahmad and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Akit Sebli.

On a more positive note, Fernandes announced the commencement of Kuching-Singapore route on Nov 1, with online booking and sales to begin today.

The route only got its approval two days ago.

“Seats numbering 5,000 will be offered completely free-of-charge including surcharge fees to those purchasing tickets early,” he said, adding that AirAsia would also be releasing flights schedules for this new route.

He added the introduction of direct flights between Sarawak and Singapore would be a boost for the state’s tourism industry and the economy in general.

“We would be doing our part by aggressively promoting this route and Sarawak’s attractions in Singapore,” he said.

On a related note, he also announced that the Kuching-Bintulu and Kuala Lumpur-Bintulu routes would be increased to four flights daily.

This was in response to the request by Manyin who said there were not enough flights especially in the afternoons to Bintulu, the heavy industry and gas hub of Sarawak.

Fernandes also said AirAsia might also be introducing Kota Kinabalu-Sibu route very soon, following many requests from Sarawakians especially those in Sibu.

Singapore-Sibu and Macau-Miri routes are the other routes proposed.

Manyin said the Macau-Miri route was worth considering due to the potential of attracting large number of passengers from neighbouring Brunei.

Manyin pointed out that air connectivity was very important in ensuring healthy growth of the state’s tourism sector.

He said the increase of flights would lead to the state surpassing its target of four million tourists next year.

The number of hotel rooms is also expected to double from 5,000 to 10,000 next year.

“Last year, we received 3.6 million tourists, with international tourists making up 2.4 million. This represents an increase of 23 per cent over the 2006 figures, and AirAsia played a big part in this success.

“We hope to maintain 2007’s statistics or surpass it this year. Our aim is to reach or surpass four million tourist arrivals next year,” he said.