KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has welcomed Indonesia AirAsia’s new direct flight route between Jakarta and Kuching from June 15.
Its chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said the move is seen as an important step towards boosting tourism in the state.
“We are happy and welcome any airline that wants to have a direct flight to Sarawak.
“Indonesia is an important market for us, and I believe this will help, contribute to, and boost the tourism industry in the state,” she said when contacted by the New Sarawak Tribune today.
However, Sharzede also expressed her hope that the airline would focus on building the market and ensuring the sustainability of the flight in the long term.
“My hope is that the airline is willing to look into the sustainability of the flight in the long term,” she said.
Currently, AirAsia Malaysia operates flights between Singapore and three Sarawak cities, namely Kuching, Miri and Sibu.
Indonesia AirAsia’s new route will make Jakarta the second city in Asean to be connected to Sarawak by AirAsia.
The launch of the new route is expected to have a positive impact on Sarawak’s tourism industry and is part of a wider effort to boost tourism across the Asean region.
