AirAsia renews push to reopen KKIA2
Published on: Saturday, October 19, 2019
By: Larry Ralon
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has great potential to become a regional hub, and even a bigger one, if Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Terminal 2 (KKIA2) is re-opened and operated as a low-cost terminal, said AirAsia Group Bhd Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
He said they still believe in this (Sabah as a regional hub for AirAsia) and are confident that they can grow to 15 million passengers from the present eight million if KKIA2 is reopened.
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“We can do so much in Kota Kinabalu if we can get Terminal 2, where we formerly operated before we shifted to KKIA Terminal 1, reopened.
“We estimate to create 33,000 jobs and bring in RM150 billion into Sabah’s economy through increased flights.
“With Indonesia relocating its capital to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, it is a great opportunity for Sabah to become an even bigger hub. Kota Kinabalu is a wonderful place situated between North Asia and Australia.
“So when you fly from Japan you can have a break in Sabah and then go off. Sabah is a great place for convention. It is equal in terms of distance, where it is seven hours up (to North Asia) and seven hours down (to Australia).
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“The beauty of Sabah is that from Kota Kinabalu you can also take a break in Tawau or Sandakan, or go to Kuching and so on,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, here, Friday.
During the meeting, Fernandes said he and the Chief Minister discussed, among others, the re-opening of the presently closed Terminal 2, the introduction of direct AirAsia international flights to Tawau and Sandakan and the promotion of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and Sabah-made products.
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“The meeting with the CM was also to relay if we can get the Terminal 2 re-opened. We can do a lot more from Sabah.
We are currently bringing in some eight million people, but I think we can bring in 15 million people, with RM150 billion to the tourism economy through increased flights. It is such a waste to see the empty terminal there,” he said.
Asked about Shafie’s response to shifting AirAsia’s operations back to Terminal 2, he said:
“I think he is supportive, but the ball is in Malaysia Airports Berhad’s court. It is something the state and federal have to work out.”
AirAsia started out with only two flights daily and 14 flights weekly in Sabah 18 years ago. It has now grown to 511 weekly domestic and international flights covering 27 routes.
To a question, Fernandes said the Transport Minister is open about the suggestion to re-open the Terminal 2.
“We are making headway. The Transport Minister is open about it and we have made many representations to the Federal Government. I am optimistic, I am always optimistic.
“I think one of the reasons why it hasn’t really moved is because there is talk about building a new airport. (But) Building a new airport, wherever it will be, is going to take five to seven years. So we need something in the interim and that is why Terminal 2 has come back up and running.
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