AirAsia inaugurates Davao-Kuala Lumpur service
Aviation Updates Philippines - Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost airline AirAsia Berhad launched direct flights between Davao City, Philippines and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 21, Thursday, amidst challenging weather conditions brought by severe tropical storm 'Vinta'.
"A send-off ceremony was held at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 today to celebrate the maiden flight, AK590, at 10:25 am, with a 100 percent load factor," the airline said.
AK590, which was operated by an Airbus A320-216 (registered 9M-AJI), was welcomed in Davao with a ceremonial water canon salute. The water canon salute is the aviation industry's tradition in welcoming new aircraft, airlines, or destinations.
Flights between Davao and Kuala Lumpur will be operated by a 180-seat Airbus A320-200 aircraft. It will fly four times weekly -- on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Passengers of AirAsia's newest service are mix Filipinos and Malaysians visiting the city. The flight was fully booked days before the inaugural service, where it carried about 180 passengers.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 is highly anticipating a surge in foreign arrivals with the launch of AirAsia's fourth direct link to the Philippines. Local authorities are currently working to establish a more Muslim-friendly city by creating more facilities and services to meet their needs.
Before the launch, Davao was only connected to one international destination -- Singapore. The Davao-Singapore route is being served by Singapore Airlines' regional wing Silk Air, and homegrown budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air.
This new route will enable our fellow Davaoeños to connect to AirAsia's extensive route network of 74 destinations (excluding subsidiaries) from Kuala Lumpur.
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| FULLY BOOKED. The inaugural service between Kuala Lumpur and Davao, AK590, was fully booked days before its departure. Photo by Dirk Salcedo - AUP/PPSG. |
AK590, which was operated by an Airbus A320-216 (registered 9M-AJI), was welcomed in Davao with a ceremonial water canon salute. The water canon salute is the aviation industry's tradition in welcoming new aircraft, airlines, or destinations.
Flights between Davao and Kuala Lumpur will be operated by a 180-seat Airbus A320-200 aircraft. It will fly four times weekly -- on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Passengers of AirAsia's newest service are mix Filipinos and Malaysians visiting the city. The flight was fully booked days before the inaugural service, where it carried about 180 passengers.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 is highly anticipating a surge in foreign arrivals with the launch of AirAsia's fourth direct link to the Philippines. Local authorities are currently working to establish a more Muslim-friendly city by creating more facilities and services to meet their needs.
Before the launch, Davao was only connected to one international destination -- Singapore. The Davao-Singapore route is being served by Singapore Airlines' regional wing Silk Air, and homegrown budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air.
This new route will enable our fellow Davaoeños to connect to AirAsia's extensive route network of 74 destinations (excluding subsidiaries) from Kuala Lumpur.
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