SEPANG: The aviation industry is expected to see stronger growth this year, supported by the government's ongoing initiatives to boost the sector, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He cited the increase in both domestic and international travel, attributed to the government's strategic steps particularly the relaxation of visa requirements for Chinese and Indian tourists, as a boon to the sector.
"Moving forward to 2024, we expect stronger growth in the aviation sector because not only will the domestic sector continue to thrive, but we also anticipate high international travel. This is due to the government's steps, especially in relaxing visa requirements for Chinese and Indian tourists," he told the media after the announcement by AirAsia on its fixed low fares for the Chinese New Year here, today.
Loke underscored the noticeable influx of tourists, not solely from major markets like China and India, but also from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
He also envisioned this increasing travel between Asian countries as a regular occurrence, fostering better connectivity among nations in the region, with Malaysia in an advantageous position.
While acknowledging the importance of China and India as crucial markets, he noted the growing significance of inter-Asian travel and substantial demand from South Korea and Japan, with Sabah seen as the rising interest as a favourite destination among Korean travellers.
Highlighting AirAsia's extensive focus on the Asian market and intercity connectivity over the past two decades, he expressed the government's intent to fortify connections between Kuala Lumpur and several Indonesian cities, identifying them as key markets for further development.
Other than that, Loke emphasised the need to address ongoing issues, including challenges such as the aerotrain at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and improving facilities at all major airports in Malaysia.
"At the ministry level, concerted efforts are being made to address these challenges to ensure that the entire aviation ecosystem is well-equipped to facilitate growth," he said.
Anticipating a peak in tourist arrivals in 2026, he said it is crucial for preparatory measures to sustain the sector's growth trajectory by proactively addressing operational hurdles and collaboration across ministries to fortify Malaysia's aviation sector.
In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, AirAsia has introduced a fixed low pricing for late-night flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, making travel more affordable for families.
Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, Sibu, Kuching, and Bintulu, as well as Johor Bahru to Sibu, Miri, and Kuching, are priced at RM298 one-way.
Meanwhile, flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, or Tawau, and between Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, are priced at RM348 one-way, available from Jan 5 to Feb 15, 2024.
In support of the government's festive season initiative, AirAsia is operating 134 late-night flights at fixed low fares to seven popular destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, alongside 408 weekly flights with regular fares to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Jan 05 2024
The aviation industry is expected to see stronger growth this year, supported by the government's ongoing initiatives to boost the sector, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. - BERNAMA
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.
Nahas Elmina: Laporan akhir dikeluar beberapa hari lagi - Loke
Perkara itu dimaklumkan oleh Menteri Pengangkutan, Anthony Loke menjelang setahun insiden tersebut.
Hentian bas, laluan pejalan kaki di Lembah Klang akan dinaik taraf - Rafizi
Kerajaan menyasarkan penambahbaikan tiga aspek utama dalam pengangkutan awam iaitu perkhidmatan bas, rangkaian rel, dan ketersambungan first and last mile.
Perolehan aset tren baharu KTMB melalui kaedah pajakan - Loke
Penambahan set tren tersebut dianggarkan melibatkan kos RM10.7 bilion yang akan ditampung secara ansuran selama tempoh pajakan 30 tahun.
Kerajaan perkukuh ekosistem industri kenderaan elektrik untuk galak penggunaan - Loke
Loke berkata pembelian EV di negara ini masih rendah berikutan pelbagai kekangan.
KP Jabatan Laut diarah bercuti, kosongkan pejabat - Anthony Loke
Kapten Mohamad Halim Ahmed telah didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen atas tuduhan menipu menggunakan surat Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia.
MOT mahu pinda Akta 333, pastikan hukuman untuk pemandu positif dadah - Loke
Undang-undang sedia ada tidak membolehkan pendakwaan terhadap pemandu terbabit selagi mereka tidak terlibat dalam kemalangan jalan raya.
Usah galak pemilikan motosikal berkuasa tinggi, bebankan pengguna - Pakar
Cadangan program peralihan khas bagi pemegang lesen B1, B2 mendapatkan lesen B penuh, mendatangkan lebih banyak mudarat berbanding kelebihan.
Rempuh rumah: Pemandu treler, pemilik syarikat berdepan tindakan tegas - Loke
Ia susulan rempuhan di sebuah rumah di Kilometer 5 Jalan Pekan-Rompin, Pahang sehingga menyebabkan kematian dua beradik, semalam.
Program peralihan khas Lesen B penuh dibuat secara teliti - Loke
Program peralihan khas lesen B penuh kepada pemegang Lesen Memandu Malaysia (LMM) kelas B1 dan B2 dibuat setelah mempertimbangkan pelbagai faktor dengan teliti.
Pelan Hala Tuju Penyahkarbonan Penerbangan dilancar September - Loke
Pelan itu akan bertindak sebagai garis panduan ke arah penyahkarbonan melibatkan syarikat penerbangan dan pengendali lapangan terbang.