MAJALENGKA (INDONESIA): AirAsia Malaysia is focusing on strengthening its position in Asia following the three-year slump in the travel industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

CEO Riad Asmat said with the commencing of the new route to Kertajati, Indonesia, today, it is vital for the carrier to grow its position in Indonesia.

“Currently, we are flying to 12 destinations in Indonesia, and there are many things we need to (do to) re-establish our position back to the pre-pandemic (level).

“Hopefully, we will grow even more, and soon we will launch new routes, particularly in Indonesia,” he told Malaysian reporters at the Kertajati International Airport in West Java here today.

The inaugural flight departed from Klia2 at 9.05am and landed at Kertajati at 10.20 am local time.

AirAsia is the first airline to connect Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati, with two weekly flights. It is the only international connection out of Kertajati, bringing the Greater Bandung and Cirebon metropolitan areas as well as parts of West Java and Central Java provinces closer to Kuala Lumpur.

The Kertajati airport is Indonesia’s second largest airport and serves as a main hub connecting travellers to Greater Bandung, Cirebon and surrounding areas.

Riad said as an airline group with extensive connectivity in the region, AirAsia is pleased to continue playing a role in bringing foreign tourists directly to various popular and underserved cities in Indonesia and Malaysia.

“We hope to contribute significantly to both governments’ target to attract millions of foreign visitors in 2023,” he added.

In celebration of its inaugural flight, AirAsia is offering all-in fares from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati from RM141 one way.

Value-added fares are also available for the return flights from 616,600 rupiah (RM187.60) all-in one way.

AirAsia is offering the promo from now until May 21, for the travel period between June 1 and Dec 14, 2023.