AirAsia launched the Fukuoka–Taipei/Taoyuan–Kota Kinabalu route on August 15.
They operate one round trip per day using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The travel time is 6 hours and 50 minutes from Fukuoka and 6 hours and 35 minutes from Kota Kinabalu.
This marks AirAsia’s first fifth freedom route and its first operation in Japan. This addition brings the group, including AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia, and Philippines AirAsia, to five airlines serving Japan. The decision to enter was part of efforts to strengthen connectivity for Malaysia’s Sabah State and to establish Kota Kinabalu as a regional hub.
At Fukuoka Airport, a launch ceremony was held and the inaugural flight was welcomed with a water salute. The inaugural flight from Taipei/Taoyuan to Fukuoka was fully booked, and the return flight from Fukuoka to Taipei/Taoyuan had an occupancy rate exceeding 80%.
■Schedule AK1511 Fukuoka (17:00) – Taipei/Taoyuan (18:30/19:15) – Kota Kinabalu (22:50) / Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun AK1511 Fukuoka (17:00) – Taipei/Taoyuan (18:35/19:20) – Kota Kinabalu (22:50) / Fri AK1510 Kota Kinabalu (07:40) – Taipei/Taoyuan (10:55/11:55) – Fukuoka (15:15)
