AirAsia's Tony Fernandes Wins Sabah Tourism Appreciation Award

CEO of Capital A and advisor & steward of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, has been recognised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) with the Sabah Tourism Appreciation Award for his exceptional contributions to the state’s tourism industry.

Tony Fernandes

Over the past 22 years, under Fernandes's leadership, AirAsia has not only redefined air travel but also played a role in the economic development of Sabah. This award is a testament to Tony’s dedication and the steadfast commitment of AirAsia to the growth of Sabah. The co-founder’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Sabah into a thriving hub of tourism and hospitality since AirAsia established its hub in the state with support from STB. Through innovative strategies and a relentless focus on making travel accessible to all, the airline has opened new avenues for Sabah’s tourism industry, creating thousands of job opportunities and significantly boosting the local economy. Today, Sabah stands as AirAsia’s second-largest hub in Malaysia, clearly reflecting the airline’s commitment to the state.

Since its inception in 2002, AirAsia has been at the forefront of connecting Sabah to the rest of Malaysia and the world. Currently, AirAsia operates 13 domestic and 14 international direct routes to Sabah, leveraging a fleet of 11 Kota Kinabalu-based aircraft, with plans to add another aircraft by the end of the year. Additionally, starting 30 August, daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Subang Airport will commence, further enhancing connectivity. The airline is also set to introduce 10 new destinations in the next six months, including routes to China and Vietnam, underscoring its commitment to making Sabah a preferred travel destination in the region.

Statements

Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, chairman of AirAsia Aviation Group commended Tan Sri Tony Fernandes for his relentless efforts and contribution in driving Sabah's tourism and economic growth. He said: “Tony’s commitment to Sabah’s development is truly inspiring and I believe significant. The strong foundations he has laid will drive the airline business forward, enabling us to continue contributing to Sabah's vibrant future with AirAsia's continued growth plan as a leading player in the global aviation industry.”

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and advisor and steward of AirAsia, said: “Sabah has always held a special place in my heart. Our commitment to Sabah’s development is unshakeable, and we appreciate STB for recognising the significant contributions we have made over the years across various sectors, including the state’s tourism, connectivity, and logistics industries. This award is not just an honour for me, but for the entire Capital A and AirAsia family, who have made it possible for us to make such a meaningful impact in ensuring that this beautiful state continues to grow and prosper. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am excited for what the future holds for Sabah.”

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, and chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board expressed his gratitude for AirAsia’s continued support, stating: “Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and AirAsia have been invaluable partners in our journey to make Sabah a world-class tourism destination. Their efforts have brought immense benefits to our state, from increasing tourist arrivals to creating jobs and stimulating our local economy. AirAsia’s contribution to Sabah tourism industry is simply amazing and the Sabah Tourism Appreciation Award is a token of our deep appreciation for their steadfast commitment to our shared vision. We look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration.”

Julinus Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board said: “As of 1 August 2024, AirAsia contributed 55 per cent or 216 out of 392 domestic flights weekly and 54 per cent or 84 out of 156 international flights weekly with 12 international destinations to Sabah and more to come. As Tony always said, “Believe the unbelievable, dream the impossible,” and through this remarkable growth, we are seeing those dreams become reality, positioning Sabah as a premier nature, adventure and culture tourism destination within the region.”

AirAsia for Tourism Boom

Beyond the skies, AirAsia Ride, the e-hailing service under AirAsia MOVE, the travel platform of Capital A complements AirAsia’s air services by providing reliable ground transportation. With an average of 25,000 monthly bookings and a network of over 1,000 drivers in Sabah, AirAsia Ride plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall ground travel experience for visitors and locals alike, especially on airport connectivity.

Teleport, Capital A’s logistics arm, has also made a substantial impact on Sabah’s logistics and e-commerce sectors. With three e-commerce hubs in Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau, Teleport has facilitated the inbound delivery of 7.29 million e-commerce parcels to Sabah year-to-date. Since launching its freighter services in July, Teleport has transported 3,800 tonnes of air freight outbound from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. In total, Teleport has moved 9,500 tonnes of cargo to Sabah across its entire network year-to-date, highlighting its crucial role in supporting the state’s digital economy. In addition to these efforts, AirAsia’s ongoing partnership with STB continues to play a significant role in the state’s tourism growth, highlighted by the recent strategic partnership to boost Sabah’s tourism over the next five years by enhancing air connectivity between Sabah and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as the larger ASEAN region, North Asia, and Oceania for the period of 2024-2028.