KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu could become a 'mini Dubai' with an international transit and stopover airport, according to Capital A chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
During a meeting a few months ago, Fernandes said that Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had expressed his desire to see Sabah become a hub due to its strategic location.
"I think this is why Sabah and AirAsia understand each other's needs. We want to see AirAsia playing a leading role in making Kota Kinabalu a hub because of its strategic location.
"An airport is one of the key factors in transforming Kota Kinabalu into a mini Dubai or Doha as a connecting airport. For instance, travellers flying from Australia to Japan could use Kota Kinabalu as a stopover or transit point.
"So that's my dream for Sabah - to make this a transit and stopover airport," he said, adding that he hopes the government can provide the necessary assistance to make this vision a reality.
Fernandes was speaking at a press conference after receiving an appreciation award from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
The AirAsia strategic adviser also said that the airline will introduce its long-range planes in the first quarter of next year for routes to Japan and Australia.
Meanwhile, he said that AirAsia Ride, AirAsia Move's e-hailing service, and Capital A's travel platform complement AirAsia's air services by providing reliable ground transportation.
With an average of 25,000 bookings per month and a network of over 1,000 drivers in Sabah, AirAsia Ride plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall ground travel experience for both visitors and locals, particularly for transportation to the airport.
Teleport, Capital A's logistics arm, has also significantly impacted Sabah's logistics and e-commerce sector.
With three e-commerce hubs in Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau, Teleport has facilitated the delivery of 7.29 million e-commerce parcels to Sabah this year.
Since launching its cargo aircraft service in July, Teleport has transported 3,800 tonnes of air cargo out of Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Overall, Teleport has moved a total of 9,500 tonnes of cargo to Sabah through its network this year, further highlighting its role in supporting Sabah's digital economy.