Kota Kinabalu: AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the connectivity from its second-largest hub, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, with the launch of a brand new fifth-freedom route to Fukuoka, Japan via Taipei.
Starting from 15 August 2025, AirAsia will be operating the additional route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka through a short stopover in Taipei with daily flights.
The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to expand its Kota Kinabalu hub, enabling more Sabahans to fly beyond Asean and offering more travel options for globetrotters seeking new adventures.
Taipei is one of AirAsia’s key virtual hubs within its extensive network. The new route provides more flexibility for Malaysians looking to explore more destinations in Japan, offering an alternative to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka via Don Mueang (Thailand), operated by Thai AirAsia (flight code FD).
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, said: “We are excited to launch this new fifth-freedom flight from Taipei to Fukuoka, marking another significant milestone as we continue to explore new opportunities from our Kota Kinabalu hub.
Since reinstating the Kota Kinabalu-Taipei route three years ago, we have flown more than 130,000 guests, and the numbers continue to grow. This launch aligns with our vision of connecting people across Asia, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting tourism opportunities.
“With this new route, Sabahans now have more choices and flexibility when travelling to their preferred destinations, while supporting the state government’s vision of positioning Sabah as a top tourism destination. We remain committed to facilitating air travel for everyone through enhanced connectivity, convenience and accessibility.”
In celebration of the launch, AirAsia is offering special promotional fares for flights from Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka and from Fukuoka to Kota Kinabalu. Guests can book their flights until 8 June 2025, for travelling between 15 August 2025 and 29 March 2026, available on the AirAsia MOVE app and
airasia.com.
From 15 August onwards, AirAsia will operate flights to 13 international destinations across Asia from the Kota Kinabalu hub, with a total of 79 flights weekly, further solidifying the hub’s position as Malaysia’s second-largest hub.
